Kathy Sledge had the whole green boogying, hula hooping, and tapping their feet to the beat for the first of this summer’s concerts on the Green.
}Or hula hooping to the beat, in the case of Lisa Spetrini and her children (pictured). Sledge kicked off the summer Green concert series Saturday night with a mix of covers of Billie Holiday and Michael Jackson hit and her own originals from her Sister Sledge heyday.
Click on the play arrow for a sample of the action.
Spetrini runs a West Haven organization called “Hoop Guild.” She makes a point of bringing her hoops to the Bridgeport Vibes Festival, the New Haven Green shows, and the Dixwell Arts Festival (July 30 & 31). In the past she has received grants to give away 14 hoops to city kids. Spetrini said she wants to help prevent childhood obesity in her own way and to “get people to move.”
Sabra Stratton Photo
Mary Jane Paris and Carol Pluchino (pictured below) drove down from Shelton and Ansonia ready for a night of music and community bonding.
Unlike Paris and Pluchino, Cheryl McPherson and Linda Edwards of New Haven (pictured at the bottom of the story), saw the advertising of this event in the New Haven train station, and knew they had to come. Sister Sledge was a favorite band of theirs back in the day.
Thanks for the opportunity to spread my joy, Sabra! But I do have to offer several corrections. My name is Lisa Spetrini of the West Heaven Hoop Guild, those were everybody else's kids (although one mom did offer me hers on a more permanent basis). This year, The Dixwell Ave. Children's Art Festival (7/30 & 7/31) is in need of more community support, please contact [email protected] The West Heaven Hoop Guild meets Weds. evenings @ the Pavilion on the West Haven Beach & attends the New Haven Circus Collective events on a regular basis. Great praise to all the musical talent & all who came to hear it Saturday- Sister Sledge was fabulous!!!
[Note: Thanks for the corrections. Made above.]