Reading Bandshell Series

I am specifically writing about the End of Summer Series here at the Bandshell.  The regular ones all summer are too hot for me!  These free outdoor concerts liven up a begging-to-be used area, the Volunteer Fireman's Memorial bandshell, a hillside amphitheater which was recently spruced up.  It used to be an art-deco pink and green and is now an elegant sandy-gold color.  

Adjacent to a pond with a moat in front of the stage (how often do we get to use the word moat?), the area does not seem overrun with mosquitoes.  So either a healthy population of bats exists (unlikely, poor bats are basically going extinct), or there may have been some spraying.

Just to add a bit of macabre to this, keep in mind that this park was once the site of the Reading prison and was formerly called Gallows Hill and Penn's Common.  Lots of hangings went on here, most famous of which was the 1805 one of a young woman accused of killing her infant.

So some levity is needed to balance out all this bad karma, and Reading and the Berks Arts Council do a great job of creating a peaceful relaxing venue.  There is a scattering of artists, food trucks, and other stands.  Most of the food is fried, but my friends came back with some lovely Vietnamese egg rolls likely from Van's Cafe.  There are also pay-what-you-want mini-massages, fire dancers, henna painters, and more.   I spotted the Mayor and other city officials strolling around.

We learned that we are the only people in the county without portable chairs, but my spouse dragged in our cushioned deck chairs, thank you dear!  You can also sit on built-in benches that curve around in front of the shell, if you don't feel like carrying in furniture.  You are welcome to bring food and drinks -- (that do) not (appear to be) alcohol.  So our new giant picnic basket had its maiden voyage.  We had a group of nine and found plenty of room.

There is a beer tent, but you have to stay in the penned-in area.  Is this part of state liquor law?  It seems uncivilized.  I will check out the offerings next time to see if there is anything local or flavorful.  There was also a Chinese auction and raffles for restaurant gift certificates going on after the music.

We wanted to see the Beatles tribute band, which was last, and it is rare to hear so many Beatles songs being performed.  There is reggae next week! Please, enough with the classic rock; you can hear that everywhere.

Note to hippie-types: don't go barefoot into the Portapotties!

All in all, a lovely end to summer and a brighter side to a much-maligned city.