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Westport's Levitt Pavilion Wraps Up Summer With 3 Free Concerts

WESTPORT, Conn. -- The Levitt Pavilion will present three free concerts to wrap its inaugural summer season in its newly renovated facility. 

Darien-based Gunsmoke, a Country and Western band, will play a free concert at the Levitt Pavilion in Westport on Friday, Sept. 5.

Darien-based Gunsmoke, a Country and Western band, will play a free concert at the Levitt Pavilion in Westport on Friday, Sept. 5.

Photo Credit: Contributed
D.N.R. will give a free concert at Levitt Pavilion in Westport on Wednesday, Sept. 10.

D.N.R. will give a free concert at Levitt Pavilion in Westport on Wednesday, Sept. 10.

Photo Credit: Contributed
Strawberry Fields, a Beatles tribute band, will be in concert at Levitt Pavilion on Sunday, Sept. 7.

Strawberry Fields, a Beatles tribute band, will be in concert at Levitt Pavilion on Sunday, Sept. 7.

Photo Credit: Contributed

Country and Western band Gunsmoke plays on Friday, Sept. 5, at 8 p.m.; Strawberry Fields, a Beatles tribute band, plays Sunday, Sept. 7, at 7 p.m.; and D.N.R performs in a special concert tribute to First Responders and EMS on Wednesday, Sept. 10, at 7 p.m.

Gunsmoke performs music made famous by legendary country, western-swing, and rockabilly artists that have inspired them to keep the tradition and legacy alive. The Darien-based band has been entertaining audiences at fairs, festivals, clubs, private parties and concerts, with classic Country, Western swing and rockabilly music for over 25 years.

Gunsmoke began as a family affair, formed by Nick DeMaio Jr., who plays bass, sings lead vocals, and his younger brother Jeff, who plays pedal steel guitar and sings. Their father, country music veteran Nick DeMaio Sr., guitarist and singer, is known as "The Ambassador.” Drummer Nick DeMaio IV, and vocalist Christina Mae DeMaio are the next generation of the family to continue in the band, which also includes lead guitarist Van Mankas and Fooch Fischetti on fiddle.

Strawberry Fields features former members of the Broadway musical "Beatlemania. "?Strawberry Fields is a lookalike, sound-alike Beatles tribute, dedicated to bringing you as close to a real Beatles concert as you can get.  

Members are Tony Garofalo as John Lennon, Billy Ray as Paul McCartney, John Korba as George Harrison, and Michael Bellusci as Ringo Starr. The band goes so far as to use the same equipment the Beatles used, from amplifiers to guitars.

The D.N.R. concert, which is sponsored by Matsu Sushi, features Fairfield County's (Almost) All Physician Rock Band. It  plays an infectious mix of rock, Motown, oldies, and contemporary hits. All proceeds will be directed to the Westport Emergency Medical Services.

Because many of the band members are doctors by day and musicians at night, the name “Do Not Resuscitate” appealed to their macabre sense of humor. The band eventually moved beyond the garage and now practices at a fabric warehouse. Band members are Dr. Donal Conway, Lynn Padell, Fred Ury, Dr. Bob Altbaum, Dr. Andrew Parker, Kevin J. Fox, Dr. Rich Frank, and Gnorm.  

For free shows, the lawn reopens one hour before show-time. Shows are “shower or shine." Visit the Levitt Pavilion website for more information.

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