Vienna residents of all ages enjoyed a Sunday evening attending the Shenandoah Run concert at the Vienna Town Green. Photos by Caroline Watkins/The Connection
A nine-piece American folk band occupied the Vienna Town Green this Sunday at 6:30 p.m. Families with picnic materials, couples with lawn chairs and even local bikers hopped off nearby trails to gather on the green to enjoy the concert at the shady town park. Founded in 2011 by vocalist, 6-and-12 string guitarist and banjo player Bob Melissinos, the band serenaded the crowd with its toe-tapping tunes. Shenandoah Run played covers such as “Hallelujah” by Leonard Cohen, Steve Goodman’s “City of New Orleans,” “Sound of Silence” by Simon & Garfunkel and “The Weight” by The Band. Due to popular demand, the band also performed “Take Me Home, Country Roads,” a song originally performed by John Denver, as its encore. “I actually grew up every weekend going to the countryside listening to Bluegrass music, so I have a great appreciation for this type of music,” said audience member Christopher Stolze. Stolze added that the band had “nice harmonization with good instrumentalists and great vocals.” Mother and daughter Joana and Sophia Gribko said, “We like seeing our friends here and the music is really great. It’s a great band with lots of different instruments.” Audience member Bob Richey said the concert “could have used a bit more volume.” However, Richey still enjoyed the concert and said he attends concerts on the green once or sometimes twice a week. Richey said he enjoys the concert series because “There is a big variety of music and they are all really good performers.” Find the 2015 concert schedule on viennava.gov for future performances hosted on the green.