By Kiara Velez, Interning Correspondent for The Apopka Voice
As the winds picked up and the band tuned their instruments, I got to experience my first look at Apopka's community events and what they have to offer. As a native South Floridian resident new to covering Apopka and its sites, the amphitheater is nestled on a hillside—an unusual sight for Florida—making the drive feel more like a journey up North.
The evening started with Mayor Bryan Nelson introducing The Dave Capp Project, which was performing at the amphitheater for the first time. He also thanked the community for coming out, with a special shout-out to Vice Mayor Diane Velazquez, who was in attendance.
"Everyone was housebound and looking for things to do during COVID, so we got started then," Nelson said about the origin of Saturday Sounds. "It's progressed and grown, and now we're thrilled to offer a series of free concerts."
The Dave Capp Project opened with a lively rendition of Van Morrisson's 1970s classic 'Moondance', a song about a 'marvelous night' that seemed to capture the exciting energy of the crowd. The band matched in an all-black ensemble, complete with fedora hats and sunglasses, while lead singer France Neil delivered a booming belting voice complimented by Capp's saxophone.
Families spread out lawn chairs and picnic blankets, fully engaged as the music filled the air. The stage amplified the band's sound, reaching even those seated at the back.
As the concert continued, Brian Peck (on piano) skillfully led the band through a selection of golden oldies, including a transition into Peggy Lee's "Fever," a personal favorite of mine.
The rhythm section, with bassist Mark Young and drummer Jeff Shiller, brought the night to life, while Young's smooth bass lines added a cool vibe as Shiller's drums kept the tempo for the band. France Neil reached out to Apopka's amphitheater, singing, "We're in this love together."
Between sets, you could feel the friendly dynamic interplay of the band as they quipped between the audience to vote on their next song. When they launched into "I Will Survive," the energy surged, especially as Peck stood to riff on the keys, igniting the crowd's excitement.
The band continued playing classics like Tom Petty's "Free Fallin" and Journey's "Don't Stop Believing". The Dave Capp Band's setless seemed to paint the mood for an October Saturday afternoon perfectly. They also played an original called "Mama Samba" from their 2020 album, Turquoise.
As the sun set, they closed out the night with "Last Dance" by Donna Summer, encouraging the audience to wave their arms and enjoy the moment. The energy was palpable, with Dave bouncing to the beat, clearly reveling in the performance.
Having completed its debut at the Amphitheater, the Dave Capp Project will also perform at the College Park Jazz Fest on November 9th. Nelson announced the next event featuring the After-Five Band on November 2, from 5 to 7 PM. It was an unforgettable evening against the beautiful hillside stage—a memorable night!
Saturday Sounds will be running through May 2025 and will also have a Prince Tribute with Sir Jac performing on November 23, 2024, from 5 to 7 pm.
Don't miss the UCF Orchestra's Christmas program this December. For more details, visit the Apopka entertainment website.
