Concerts on the Common goes Irish

By MAUREEN KING, GUEST CORRESPONDENT

Green hats and tablecloths greeted The Black Velvet Band at Tuesday’s Concert on the Common where Irish balladeers spun the gathered crowd along a grand musical journey from Dublin to Castleisland. 

The band sang of handsome women and colonial boys. Where one minute her eyes were shining like diamonds, the next rain and the rover saw a ship tumblin’ over in emerald angst and high seas.

Electric fiddle lit the way for accordion keys to unlock a jig and a jar that sent toes tapping and heels flying high.

Under a perfect summer sky, the band called for and got 4-2-1 claps and voices joining lullaby lyrics, every lawn chair turned Irish.

Big bubbles floated off the magic wand of Jenny the Juggler and then soared over bricks, delighting children with shimmering rainbow undulations. 

The Waltham Arts Concert brings Concerts on the Common to Waltham free to the public every Tuesday this summer from 7 p.m.  Check out www.WalthamArts.org for the concert schedule and more news.