Published in the July 20, 2018 edition

MELROSE — The Chamber of Commerce and presenting sponsor LCM Plus are hosting the sixth annual Summer Street on Friday, July 27 from 6-8 p.m.

With support from the city of Melrose, the Melrose Messina Fund for the Arts, and music sponsors Bell and Izzi, Eastern Bank, Evolved Mechanical, Juliet and Co. – Compass, Melrose Glass and Wyoming Lodge, Masons, Main Street and Essex Street in Downtown Melrose will be closed to vehicles and transformed into a spacious pedestrian walkway.

Residents will be able to come down and discover what makes Downtown Melrose so special. Melrosians will be able to patronize their favorite restaurants and retailers while also visiting new establishments.

From 6–9 p.m., there will be multiple live musical performances in different locations by area musicians. A magical illusionist will also be performing at the event. The music that will be performed will include jazz, Irish, Americana, blues, acoustic rock and more. Several locations will offer free babysitting so adults can mingle.

Musical performers

A number of musicians will be performing at the Summer Street including Jesse DeLaurier. DeLaurier is a young singer-songwriter from Melrose who is influenced by The Beatles, Steve Earle and Jason Isbell. Fans have described DeLaurier as an old soul in a 14-year-old body.

Kind of Now is a male/female duo comprised of Terrance Reeves and Danielle Leigh. The duo blends piano and guitar in adult contemporary music, and are known for performing covers of Alicia Keys, Paramore, John Mayer and Phil Collins.

The group Lech, Davis and Coyne is a trio featuring Tina Lech, Ted Davis and John Coyne. The Melrose-based group performs Irish music in the Boston area.

The Lucky Fun performs covers ranging from old timey, Celtic, bluegrass and modern roots artists. Boston-area musician and open mic host, Tim Ko, joins uprooted Alaskan Katie Delvaux for blended harmonies mixed with guitar and fiddle.

Students from Music 101, 57 Upham St., will be showcasing their talents at the Summer Stroll.

Melrose Veterans Memorial Middle School student Sam Chetkin will be performing at the Chamber hosted event as well. Chetkin has played guitar for seven years and has taken vocal lessons for three years. He has performed in musicals sponsored by the Melrose Drama Club. He recently performed the lead role in Wakefield Youth Repertory Theatre’s production of “Shrek.”

Sammy and Bill McQuaid will also be performing at the Summer Stroll. Bill McQuaid has been performing country-blues and ragtime music for several years, and his albums have received radio play on local stations. He has opened for Luther Johnson (Guitar Junior), Chris Smither and Rory Block, and has also performed at the Boston Blues Concert. Bill has recently been sharing the stage with his son, Sammy, a 10-year-old singer/guitarist who likes to play songs by The Beatles, Woody Guthrie and Chuck Berry. Sammy and Bill have performed at the Melrose Alliance Against Violence (MAAV) coffeehouse for the past four years and at the annual Parkinson’s benefit at Sally O’Brien’s in Somerville for the past seven years.

Blues musician Shakey Jake will be performing at the event.

Silverwood Duo will be taking the stage during the Summer Stroll. The duo is comprised of flutist/saxophonist Julianne Johnston and guitarist Barry Johnston, who perform a range of classical and jazz styles. Julianne is a classically trained flutist with years of orchestral and small ensemble experience. Taking up jazz led her to add the alto and soprano saxes to her repertoire. Barry began his musical career by playing in high school rock bands, and now plays both classical and jazz guitar.

Additional activities

Local restaurants will be serving food and beverages on the sidewalk while local merchants will be offering tastings, specials and will have sales taking place at their respective stores.

There will be children’s programming will be offered at Joy Yoga so parents can enjoy a night out. The Melrose Family YMCA will offer it’s family members a free Kids’ Night Out in conjunction with the Summer Stroll, which will be held from 5:30-8:30 p.m.

There is limited space available for YMCA family members and registration is required. In order to register for the program, call 781-665-4360.

The Summer Stroll will be held rain or shine.