After a yearlong hiatus, the Clifton-Fine summer concert series is back this year in Wanakena. Driven entirely by donations from the community, the 2021 season has brought us everything from blues to indy rock and the lively sounds of Useless Cans, a self-described “gypsy/folk/swing band” out of Albany, NY.
The concerts typically start around 7:00 p.m. and folks typically gather in the street in front of Otto’s Abode or sit in picnic chairs under the tent near the pavilion. If you haven’t checked out Otto’s Abode, a summer concert is the perfect opportunity. Offering snacks, beer, soda, and all other types of camping supplies and gifts, the store seems to be an ever-evolving spot where retail, community, and local artists connect.
It’s hard to think of a better celebration of summer than a live concert where friends, family, neighbors, and visitors sit and sway to the music and dance in the street. In these moments, Wanakena offers that magical space under the clear Adirondack sky. The audience is often as eclectic as the bands themselves, and everyone seems to come together for the pure joy of the season. So, bring a chair, pack a basket, and find a spot on the lawn to watch the show. If you’ve got a few bucks to spare when they pass the hat, that’s good, too.
