By Clark Judge
(May 21, 2025) — If it’s late May, there must be signs to remind us … and there are. Trees are dressed for the summer, Canada geese have returned and it’s still daylight after 8:00 p.m. But there’s another sign that we’re seeing for the first time, and it’s everywhere. Parmelee Farm … Route 81 … the traffic circle …Sheldon Park … you name it. It’s there, and it’s impossible to miss.
I’m talking about the flamboyant yard sign promoting a Friday, May 30, 2025 concert at Parmelee Farm.
The show, Parmelee’s first of this year, features Victor G. Washington and the Sweet Soul Revue – something organizers call a “Motown anthology,” with performances from a myriad of individuals – band members as well as multiple vocalists, some of whom are among the best and brightest session musicians.
“You’re going to hear Gladys Knight songs and Steve Wonder,” said Scott Struzinski, who along with Jon Grossbard. brought the event together. “You’re going to be brought through the ‘70s – a journey through R& B and Motown, you might call it. It will almost be like listening to radio back in the day.”
Now here’s the clincher. It’s free.
You heard me. Just bring family, friends, blankets, lawn chair, food, drink … it doesn’t matter. But be ready to dance, because you will. When Struzinski staged a benefit concert last summer at Parmelee, he did it with a Cajun band called Dikki Du and the Zydeco Krewe. Anywhere from 300-500 people attended, some of whom hadn’t heard or didn’t know of Zydeco music.
Once they did, however, they couldn’t help themselves.
“People danced all night long,” said Eileen Unger (a.k.a., The Bread Girl), the event’s fundraiser and organizer, “and they loved every minute of it.”
But that was then, and this is now … and now comes the question: Why should you go? Well, let us count the way.
- It’s Free. What? You need more than that?
- It’s at picturesque Parmelee Farm, site of numerous summer concerts and weddings. “It’s the only place that made sense to us,” said Struzinski. “The pavilion is gorgeous and, if it rains, it doesn’t hamper us. If you’re playing Killingworth, you’ve got to be there.”
- It’s a collection of decorated musicians from New York City and beyond. “This not a local act,” said Unger. “They’ve played with some of the world’s finest.” She’s right. The lineup of performers they’ve been associated with includes Ronnie Spector, Eric Clapton, Derek Trucks and Johnny Winter. Plus, Victor Washington’s a Harlem-born music producer with extensive credits that include working with Barry Gordy at Motown Records in Detroit.
- And they’re backed by an experienced entrepreneur. That would be Killingworth resident Jon Grossbard, described in his website (jongrossbard.com) as “an executive music producer and music icon in New York City for 25 years.” Read his bio, and you’ll know why. The guy’s the recipient of numerous gold and platinum records, for crying out loud, and his wife once was a manager of the Village People. Suffice it to say that Grossbard, who runs Feverbarn Recordings (again, look it up) and is partnered here with Struzinski, is a big hitter in the music industry. “People are going to hear this stuff done really, really well,” Struzinski said, “and they’re going to be happy.” That’s not a prediction. It’s a guarantee.
- It’s a fundraiser for Haddam-Killingworth Youth and Family Services. A year ago, Struzinski’s concert benefited the Killingworth Volunteer Fire Company. This time he chose H-K Youth and Family Services, and you can imagine the response when HKYFS was notified. “What a blessing,” said Jen Favalora, the group’s director of operations. “We really lucked out to have somebody nominate us for something this big.”
- No need to bring dinner. There will be plenty of food. G-Zen offers a vegan menu, Fire in the Kitchen will bring its pizza truck and Café Laurel will offer a little bit of everything. The event opens with these three vendors at 5:00 p.m.
- There’s more than music. There’s a raffle, too, with a Fender guitar kit among the items, as well as printed T-shirts for sale. Oh, and did I mention dancing? Never mind.
- There’s more than Victor G. Washington and the Sweet Soul Revue, too. Blues on the Rocks – “ billed as “a genuine blues and classic rock band” –is the warmup act, and they go on at 6:00 p.m.
- This is nobody’s first rodeo. Remember, Struzinski was behind last summer’s concert, and it was a success. “I couldn’t believe how fun it was,” he said. Neither could Tim Gannon, head of the Parmelee Farm committee. He admitted he knew little about Zydeco music.” But that’s why I decided to go,” he said. “To see what it’s all about. And you know what? I enjoyed it. It was fun. It was active. It got the blood flowing and the crowd loved it. And that’s what counts.” Afterward, Struzinski said, one of the guitar players who had been asked to join the band that evening told him “it was the best show I ever played in. And that was the general sentiment of the day. No one could believe the level of musicians we brought here.”
- Listen to Jen Favalora. When I asked her what she would tell people if asked why they should attend, she was quick with an answer: Because you have no reason not to. Simple as that. “No joke, this is something I’m not used to,” she said. “To be part of something of this level and that’s happening here … I didn’t realize Killingworth had this kind of connection. This is a bigger event than people realize. This is New York City coming to Killingworth … it’s a free event … and it’s what Parmelee Farm is all about. It’s going to be a wonderful night. There’s nothing better than hanging out with your community, enjoying yourselves and getting ready for the summer.”
Any question? Good. See you there.
Photo by Clark Judge
