August 1, 2008

Dance, Sing, Play

Music in the Glen offers something for everyone

By Carol Rosen
Editor

Every year for the past six, there has been free music in Willow Glen, thanks to the Kiwanis Club of Willow Glen.

Looking through the Groove Kings as they play, dancers sway and kids play to the rock music at Music in the Glen on July 24. The crowd grew steadily throughout the evening and appeared to grow to at least 500 people. Photos by Carol Rosen

In the past few years, there have been some changes, all for the better, extending the concert series an extra week, adding 60 minutes and more food and drinks. And while it appears the basic program hasn’t changed, the crowds have grown averaging between 400 and 500 each week so far this year.

With the program entering its fourth week on July 31, Flashback, The Road Dogs, the Groove Kings and The Hitmen have already entertained. As is typical, each week the dance floor offers plenty of room early on, but once the dancers get warmed up, chairs get pushed back and all manner of dancing takes place with kids under 5 years dancing together or with older siblings and parents, and couples showing how it’s done.

Still to come are Sage on Aug. 7 and Silicon Valley House Rockers on Aug. 14. While some in the crowd are lively with their dancing, others listen quietly on chairs or blankets or talk in groups. Either way it still makes for a relaxing evening.

This year’s series also has changed, because of construction, it’s being held in the Willow Glen Elementary School quad instead of on the grass field in back where new landscaping is taking place. While some would prefer the grass, others are enjoying the mosquito-free asphalt where their kids play during the school year.

Because they are on the quad, the school has opened restrooms for the crowd too and there is electricity for the bands. Because of the lack of grass, the Kiwanians have chairs available for purchase for those who don’t want to sit on the playground. But you can also bring your own chairs or blankets.

Some of those attending bring a picnic dinner, while others take advantage of the food offered by the Kiwanis Club’s menu which includes hot dogs, sausages, soft pretzels, nachos, pizza, soft drinks, water and popcorn. All proceeds from the food sales (and from the chair sales) are donated to Willow Glen Elementary School, which uses the money for whatever is needed, says Mike Rubino, president of the Kiwanis Club.

In the past, the school has used the money for field trips, computers and music and art classes, for examples. If the club makes extra money, after its expenses, these proceeds will be distributed to local charities including InnVision, Sacred Heart Community Services, Martha’s Kitchen and the Boy Scouts.

Also making a donation to the school and/or charities through the Kiwanians are the folks from Elva’s Coffee Stop. The only other vendor at the six-week event, Elva’s offers hot and cold drinks including coffee drinks and smoothies. This is the second year the popular Lincoln Avenue coffee shop has been at Music in the Glen, and proprietors Elva and Frank Acevedo are enjoying the venue as much as meeting old and new customers. Elva’s is located at 2206 Lincoln Ave.

This year there are 17 sponsors, seven of which are new including the Willow Glen Neighborhood Association, Willow Glen Dentistry, Domus of Willow Glen, Bella James, Details Clothing Company, Willow Glen Home and Garden and Ace Hardware Willow Glen. Three of these businesses, Ace Hardware, Home and Garden and Domus, are new to Willow Glen this year. The other sponsors are Jeff Gordon from Roma Bakery, Silva Sausage Company, Elva’s Willow Glen Funeral Home, the Resident, Rotten Robbie (Robinson Oil), Blue Sky Funding/Real Estate, Edward Jones, Tim Casey Construction and Gail Leslie, Realtor from Coldwell Banker.

Some of these businesses are sponsoring an evening. For example on July 24, WGNA was the sponsor. The group had some members of its board on hand to explain about the neighborhood association as well as encourage people to join. It also offered information about the Kiwanis Club, which is always looking for new members.

It takes a lot of work to put these concerts together and about 15 people from the Kiwanis Club volunteer their help each of the six weeks that the program runs. In addition, student members of local high school Key Clubs, including Willow Glen, Pioneer and Leland, help with the cooking, serving and selling of the food as well as set up and take down.

The Kiwanis Club of Willow Glen is part of the worldwide Kiwanis organization of volunteers dedicated to changing the world one child and one community at a time. It provides volunteers and helps sponsor a number of local programs including the Pumpkin Patch and the Christmas Tree Lighting at Willow Glen Elementary, Dancin’ on the Avenue, Turn Around Scholarships for students at San Jose Unified schools, the Tony Lewis Scholarship at Willow Glen High, the annual Chili Cook Off, John Farley’s Holiday Turkey Drive and Santa’s House on Lincoln Avenue.

Its activities help Willow Glen Elementary, InnVision, Sacred Heart, Second Harvest Food Bank, Boy Scouts, different children’s programs and many other needy programs within the Willow Glen and San Jose communities.

For more information about Kiwanis or to join the group, visit the Web site at www.kiwanisclubofwillowglen.com or phone Mike Rubino at (408) 978-8234, Lowell Clark at (408) 266-2527 or Dorothy Crownover at (408) 270-6996.