First Summer Nights at the Harbor Concert Features ‘50s Music
The music at the first of four Keller Williams Summer Nights at the Harbor concerts was a flashback to the ‘50s. Wayne King entertained the crowd last Thursday at Kings Harbor with songs by Roy Orbison, Frank Sinatra and assorted ’50s “Doo-Wop” artists.
Keller Williams Realty Northeast senior team leader Lisa Dempsey opened the concert by speaking about the extended free concert series. “After the success of our Friday night concerts, the Keller Williams agents in conjunction with the Kings Harbor restaurants decided to sponsor an additional Thursday night concert series this summer,” said Dempsey. “We not only want to use this time to enjoy the outdoors with our families, but also to highlight our local charities.” She then introduced the Lake Houston Family YMCA as the concert’s guest charity that night.
King arrived on stage for the first set dressed as ’50s baritone Orbison, complete with black clothes, dark glasses and a shaggy hair wig. King strummed an electric guitar singing “Only the Lonely” and “Crying.” He teased the audience saying, “I guess I’ve sang all his songs,” which made them cry out for the most famous Orbison song: “Pretty Woman.” He got the ladies up on their feet for that song following him in a dance chain around the Harbor plaza fountain.
While King changed into his next costume, Dempsey introduced Jenna Dhayer, executive director of the Lake Houston YMCA, to talk about their recent $5 million expansion and their summer programs. Trina Barker with the YMCA’s Partners’ Campaign said that they raised $185,000 last year to give out Y scholarships to 300 underprivileged children in our community.
Filling in for King during the costume changes was Sly Motown John. True to his name he sang Motown hits and joked with the crowd. Meanwhile, Watermelon the Clown kept the kids busy with face painting and balloon animals and the fountain was on to cool off the little ones.
King returned to the stage this time dressed as “Old Blue Eyes” in a grey suit and fedora, looking just like Frank Sinatra. He sang “Lady is a Tramp” and “Summer Wind” while strolling around to meet the crowd. He improvised some of the words to include references to the heavy breeze coming off of Lake Houston. For the song “New York, New York,” he got the ladies and girls from the audience on stage behind him to dance a mini can-can routine.
As the sun was setting, King came out for his last set. He was dressed in ‘50s gear: rolled up jeans and a white t-shirt with the words “Doo-Wop” across the back. He crooned a falsetto “Peggy Sue” followed by “Chantilly Lace,” “Wanderer” and “Sea of Love.” When he sang “Splish, Splash,” he did just that going right through the center of the fountain. His last song “Beyond the Sea” complemented the waterfront view at the Kings Harbor venue.
The future Summer Nights at the Harbor concerts will be on Thursdays from 6-9 p.m.:
July 1 – “These Guys Here” Band, Girl Scouts of San Jacinto Council
Aug. 5 – Command performance by Sundance Head, high school sports booster clubs
Sept. 2 – 5th Avenue Band, Village Learning & Achievement Center
Kings Harbor is located at 1660 W. Lake Houston Pkwy. in Kingwood. For directions, visit: www.kings-harbor.com
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