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By Amelia Tarallo
Hometown Weekly Staff
Summer is definitely the season for long walks, picnics, and outdoor concerts.
On Saturday, July 13, visitors to Adams Farm in Walpole could experience all three at once.
From noon until 3:00, guests gathered at the barn to hear a free concert, sponsored by the Friends of Adams Farm. Visitors filled picnic tables under the barn, staying cool and in the shade, protected from the hot sun. Others sat down with their families on blankets and enjoyed a delicious lunch, packed especially for the concert. The front of the barn served as a makeshift stage for the event.
The day began with a brief performance from Claire Sullivan.
Fiona Campbell was the second performer, and sang a mix of pop covers and her own material. “Complicated,” by Avril Lavigne and “Friday I’m in Love,” by The Cure were among the many songs Campbell sang as she strummed along on her acoustic guitar. Campbell’s covers piqued the crowd’s interest; when she announced that she was going to try “Ob-la-di, Ob-la-da,” and the audience became excited. “Oh, that’s a good one!” someone exclaimed.
At the finish of the song, Campbell moved on to yet another familiar Beatles tune. “I can attempt to play ‘Blackbird,’” she announced. Using her phone to read the music, Campbell sang the peaceful tune, a perfect fit for this calm summer Saturday. The final part of her Beatles tribute was a cover of “Hey Jude.”
“Can we sing along towards the end?” asked an audience member.
“Of course!” Campbell answered.
Completing the trio of performances was Jeannie Gagne, who is a professor at Berklee College of Music, in addition to having a successful music career. Gagne began her set by singing one of her original songs, “Circle of Love,” a moving melody accompanied by her piano playing. She followed that song with a cover of Joni Mitchell’s “Twisted.” The song had everyone in the audience snapping their fingers to the beat.
For the finale of the concert, all three performers were invited back on to the stage to collaborate on a song. Though the three had never sung together, they quickly organized themselves. “What key should we be in?” Gagne sing-songed.
“G,” sang Sullivan, making the audience laugh. Within moments, the singers sang “The Shallows,” from “A Star is Born,” in complete unison.
Summer is halfway finished and it is important to remember to take all of this good weather in and do all the seasonal activities you can before it’s back to pumpkin spice and autumn leaves.
For now, though, Adams Farm is the place to enjoy some favorite seasonal activities.
