June 20, 2012 THE VILLADOM TIMES I, III & IV • Page 15 Library’s concert series to resume in September by John Koster The Ridgewood Library Sunday concert series recently ended with a hugely popular performance by “Rave On.” The programs will resume in the autumn with performers and dates to be announced in the future. “Rave On,” offered a tribute to Buddy Holly, Roy Orbison, and Ritchie Valens, three legends of the early days of rock and roll. A three-man band with Chris Roselle on electric and acoustic guitar and vocals, Pete Farley on bass guitar and vocals, and Don Guinta on drums and vocals, “Rave On” captured the sound of Buddy Holly to perfection at the library’s Belcher Auditorium. Holly’s legendary life and death inspired an entire generation of rock musicians. Roselle and his group captured the feeling of Holly’s group with effortless enthusiasm. So far just this year, the Ridgewood Library has offered a number of other performances highlighting various eras and ethnic styles. The January performance featured Ridgewood resident Kayo Toda on marimba and Ridgewood resident Naoko Sawada on piano, with Toda’s son Hiroki helping out on percussion, in a selection that mixed classical, popular, and Asian selections. After a February cancellation due to illness, the schedule resumed with Gabriel Donohue, an Irish-born singer and musician and Ridgewood resident who delighted the audience with a performance that was sometimes satirical, sometimes sentimental, and always enjoyable. He packed the house. The performance by Ridgewood resident Sherma Andrews, a performer in the style of her mentor Whitney Houston, also evoked warm applause as Andrews sang in several contemporary genres. Bridget Kibbey, a young specialist in the classical harp and a winner of a Jack Kemp Cook Scholarship, attempted two fulllength harp performances with intense proficiency, and earned substantial applause from an appreciative audience. The penultimate performance was by “Barynya,” the Russian and Russian-ethnic dance and music group lead by Mikhail Smirnov and featuring Smirnov on the garmosha, a Russian-style accordion, Elina Karokhina on the balalaika, and Boulet Moukhametov singing and dancing the Jewish “bottle dance” and Russian sailor’s July 4 fireworks tickets on sale (continued from previous page) Ridgewood Avenue, Ridgewood. Tickets will also be on sale at the Ridgewood Library, 125 North Maple Avenue, June 25 through 30 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., and July 1 from 1 to 4 p.m. Patrons and their belongings may be subject to security checks when entering Veterans Field. Handicapped parking for the parade will be available on Dayton Street behind Van Neste Park. Very limited handicapped parking for the evening entertainment will be available at the parking lot to the east of Veterans Field. Approach Veterans Field on Linwood Avenue from the east. Turn left onto Northern Parkway. Turn right into the parking lot. There are just a few spaces available on a first-come, first-served basis. A police officer will be posted there to direct motorists. Those who park in the handicapped spaces will not have access to their cars during the fireworks due to the location of the fireworks drop zone. The Ridgewood Fourth of July Celebration began in 1910 when the local papers, the civic section of the Woman’s Club, and the Ridgewood Fire Department joined forces to create a “safe and sane” holiday with an emphasis on patriotism. The event has grown into one of the largest celebrations in the New York City area and has been featured on CNN, “Good Morning America,” and the local New York stations. For more information about this year’s celebration, visit http://www. ridgewoodjuly4th.org. Mikhail Smirnov and Elina Karokhina at a recent performance. dance. Smirnov’s wry humor and the virtuosity of all three performers brought down the house, and informed sources suggest they will return to Ridgewood.