‘Just a Fun, Family, Social Activity’: Wednesday Night Concerts at Waveny in Full Swing

Since 1980, scores of New Canaanites each summer have descended on the grounds behind Waveny House for free, weekly concerts that are sponsored by local businesses.

Featuring a wide array of music genres—from jazz and country to classic rock and oldies—the series is organized through the New Canaan Recreation Department and has emerged over the years as a staple of family-friendly summertime activity in town.

Though the kickoff concert this year was held on the same evening as New Canaan High School graduation and the even of the last day of school for the district, some 400 or 500 people still turned out for the show, according to Recreation Director Steve Benko.

Since then, the weekly crowds have climbed upwards of 800 attendees, he said.

“It’s just a nice night out with the family,” Benko said. “It’s very relaxed. You bring your picnic supper and socialize with your friends. There’s an area for kids to run around and throw the Frisbee and football and whatever they want to do. It’s safe. Just a fun, family social activity and it’s really taken off.”

Behind the scenes of the series—which continues Wednesday night with The Bookends playing ‘60s and ‘70s songs—are businesses and organizations such as the New Canaan Community Foundation that pay several hundred dollars to sponsor the concerts.

This year’s “presenting sponsor” for the entire series, as well as sponsor for the Aug. 24 concert featuring alternative country band Forgotten By Friday, is Bankwell.

Bankwell’s director of marketing, Diane Knetzger, said the company is “committed to providing as much value and support as we can to the town and the community.”

“The Summer Concert Series provides a great opportunity for so many members of our community to get together to enjoy so much of what New Canaan has to offer—the arts, a beautiful park and each other,” she said.

Steve Karl of longtime summer concert sponsor Karl Chevrolet recalled that the Karl Chevy “jumped at the opportunity to help bring free music to the great lawn at Waveny” when the Rec Department came forward with the idea nearly four decades ago.

“We are so happy that the Steve Benko, Bill Kapp and Steve Dayton continue to make this series an annual event, and are proud to have been a part of the series since its inception,” Karl said.

“When our kids were very young, we enjoyed the opportunity to go up to the park and meet up with other families on weekday evenings. It is such a fun event to bring a blanket or chair, a picnic supper, and simply sit back and enjoy some great music under the stars. The series has a variety of different bands that appeal to a broad audience. It’s become one of our community’s great annual traditions.”

The concerts start at 7:30 p.m. (many arrive by 6:30 p.m.) and attendees are encouraged to bring a chair or blanket as well as a picnic supper (no grills allowed).