The Bridge at Cherry Hill Summer Concert Series plays the classics

DANCING DUO: Corinne Elwell, activities director at The Bridge at Cherry Hill, enjoys a dance with resident George Costa during Tuesday night’s show.

(Sun Rise photos by Pete Fontaine)

SO GOOD, SO GOOD: Neil Diamond’s hit “Sweet Caroline” was just one of many songs Ishmael Muzik sang during Tuesday’s night opening of The Bridge at Cherry Hill’s Summer Concert Series.

(Sun Rise photos by Pete Fontaine)

SPECIAL SEATS: The Bridge at Cherry Hill residents like Dorothy Branch and Jane Cimaglia had special seats for Tuesday night’s first of four free summer concerts in Johnston.

(Sun Rise photos by Pete Fontaine)

Posted Thursday, July 11, 2019 2:37 pm

By PETE FONTAINE

There were a number of legendary recording artists at The Bridge at Cherry Hill early Tuesday night – at least in spirit.

Neil Diamond was there singing “Sweet Caroline,” and Glen Campbell’s “Rhinestone Cowboy” was a favorite with people seated on the outside patio at the assisted living/senior retirement center on Cherry Hill Road.

Tony Orlando doing his “Tie a Yellow Ribbon Round the Ole Oak Tree” was another crowd-pleaser – and of course, no music event would be complete without the marvelous Motown sounds of the Temptations and Four Tops.

They were all there during 60 minutes of non-stop music – channeled through the voice of Ishmael Muzik, a one-man band who impressed The Bridge’s residents and neighbors during the first of four planned free summer concerts.

Maryann Grace, executive director at The Bridge, noted that the next entertainer scheduled to perform as part of the series “will also be special” – and once performed on Broadway alongside Liza Minnelli.

On Tuesday evening, July 23, Nick King will be performing on the outside patio at The Bridge, doing a number of Broadway music pieces that earned him gigs with such icons as Mel Torme and Bobby Darin.

“Nick will be our second concert performer of the summer,” Grace said. “He’s terrific. Our residents and staff really enjoy his music.”

Tuesday’s concert was one for the books, complete with Ishmael shaking everyone’s hand before signing off.

“He never stopped once,” Jen Burns, The Bridge’s sales/community relations director, said while listening to the concert and chatting with neighboring residents. “People really identified with his music.”

That was evident when Corinne Elwell, The Bridge’s activities director, scooted around the patio dancing with residents Maria and George Costa, among others.

The next free concert will be King’s July 23 performance, while on Aug. 13 the R & J Review will be at The Bridge. Debbie Celletti will perform on Aug. 27.

For more information, call 233-2880.