Business & Tech
Dining Under the Stars Brings Back Summer Fun
Thursday night parties between Al Dente and Powell's Catering in Harrison offer a relaxing night of food, fun and music.
Dining Under the Stars returns this summer to Thatcher Ave. downtown, offering a night of food, fun and live music.
After a one-year hiatus, restaurant owners Billy Powell () and Anthony Delfino () have brought back their Thursday night outdoor dining experience this summer. Every Thursday at 7 p.m. (weather permitting) Thatcher Ave. will close between the two establishments, creating room for additional seating and live music.
The event debuted in 2010, and gained a lot of momentum throughout the summer. Powell said the event was especially popular among people who live nearby. As word spread, Powell said people ages "eight to 80" started coming out every Thursday.
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"It went very, very well," Powell said. "Everyone seemed to like it."
Last summer the two decided to put the event on hold, because "we don't want to burn it out," said Powell. But the 2012 schedule resumed last week with a performance from the Larry Kelly Band.
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Thursday night's performance by the Rye group The Dragon Coasters is expected to to draw an even larger crowd.
"We're having a great time this summer," Powell said. "Tonight will be a good one."
The restaurants share the space, and patrons are free to order food from wherever they would like and sit on tables set up in the street. It's an easy-going relationship between the two owners Powell said, as both enjoy the added business from the crowd.
"One week they eat here, the next week they eat there," Powell said. "It doesn't matter."
The event usually wraps up at about 10 p.m., so it isn't the type of "block party" that will disturb the neighbors. But for those that attend, the evening is a fun family night away from home.
"The neighbors are happy, we're happy," said Powell. "It's a nice event."
This summer's band lineup includes:
- July 12 - The Dragon Coasters
- July 19 - Skeleton Crew 55
- July 26 - The Stages Band
- August 2 - Quiznos DJ
- August 9 - The Chris Brown Band
- August 16 - Reunion Band
- August 23 - The Derivatives
- August 30 - Joe Mazzullo Band
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