FRAMINGHAM, MA - Off The Hook band members Tony Maenzo (rhythm guitar), Ed Alderman (lead guitar), Renee Summer (vocals), Beth Gooch (vocals), Flavio Portugal (bass) and Chris Chipagio (drums) drew one of the largest crowds seen on the Framingham Village Green from well before the concert's 6:30p.m. start time -- and played into the night, leaving the crowd wanting more.

The Framingham based band mixed it up playing tunes that ranged from the Grateful Dead's "Dancing In The Street" to Carrie Underwood's "Before He Cheats", an original instrumental written by lead guitarist Ed Alderman, and tunes like Donna Summer's "Bad Girls" -- during which local barber Tony Maenzo, the band's leader and rhythm guitarist was more like one of the "Village People", donning a police hat and whistle to add a true 80's disco feel to the tune.

Concert crowd on Framingham Village Green. In the background are the The Village Hall and dormitory towers of Framingham State University.

Throughout the summer, each Friday night locals head down to the Framingham Centre Common, (which is also known as the "Village Green"), for the popular "Concerts on the Green" series that have been taking place for the past 15 years since former Town of Framingham Building Services Director Jim Egan came up with the idea. Egan, retired this month, (August 2011), after 30 years of service to the Town. The concerts have become one of the most anticipated community events, and "the powers that be" have assured us the tradition Jim started will continue. The concerts are now managed by the Framingham Park & Recreation Department.

Toot toot hey beep beep! -- The Village People have nothing on Tony Maenzo who sports a Police hat and whistle for a few of OFF THE HOOK's disco numbers.

Along with the featured band, vendors, community organizations and concert sponsors setup tables and booths along the green's perimeter: Wendy Rezendes and Rich Zupan were promoting Jewish Family Workshop IV,  Ken Ross was there recruiting new members for Cub Scout Pack 78, Barbara Sherman was there with her "Pucker Powder", members of The Framingham Democratic Town Committee were promoting, well... "Democrats", members of the Plymouth Church were there with the perennial favorite "Concert Cookies", Kevin McGovern and Bill Robinson were manning the The Framingham Artist Guild tent, and on the opposite side of the field,  Mark Curtis and crew ran the Eagle's All American Grill concession stand.

(NOTE: Click on any image below to enlarge photos and view all as a slideshow!)

Rich Zupan of Framingham and Wendy Rezendes, (originally from Framingham), promoting Jewish Family Workshop IV, a non-profit Jewish education co-operative located in Ashland, MA.	With more than 50% interfaith member families, Jewish Family Workshop IV's curriculum teaches a sense of Jewish identity, history and culture to kids, (grades K-7), from throughout Metrowest.
Ken Ross of the Boy Scouts of America recruiting new Cub Scouts for Pack 78 which meets at the First Methodist Church on Brook Street.	Cub Scouts is open to Boys in 1st through 5th grade, (age 6 to 10). Ken jokes with a parent while explaining the age requirements.
Barbara Sherman donates proceeds from Pucker Powder to support concerts. She and her husband also operate ReFoamIt Styrofoam Recycling.	Pucker Powder is more sour and less sugar than Pixie Sticks. Contact Barbara at 508-872-2323 for School Fundraisers, Fairs and other events.

Dusk settles over the Village Green as the OFF THE HOOK band finishes its last set.

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The Off The Hook Band is available for private parties, corporate affairs and social events.  For more information about booking the band, contact band leader, Tony Maenzo at (508) 265-7539, or by sending email to: tmaenzo@gmail.com

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Contact info for organizations featured in this article:

• Jewish Family Workshop - www.jewishfamilyworkshop.org

• Boy Scouts / Cub Scout Pack 78 - www.framinghampack78.org

• Barbara Sherman: www.refoamit.com  (Pucker Powder & ReFoamIt Recycling)

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The Framingham "Concerts on the Green" are made possible by the generous donations of ADESA, Bernardi Auto Group, BOSE Employees, Computer Care Associates, Heritage at Framingham, Framingham Police Athletic League ("PAL"), Framingham Cooperative Bank, Metrowest Medical Center, Kathy Foran of Realty Executives Boston-West , VFW Post 929, FPAC-TV and other individual and corporate sponsors.

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