Page 4 THE MALDEN ADVOCATE–Friday, November 13, 2020 Malden Today, Tomorrow and Yesterday... let’s throw a Malden Block Party: Part 1 By Peter F. Levine “W hat you are about to read is a matter of human record. Explain it: we cannot. Disprove it: we cannot. We simply invite you to explore with us the amazing world of the Unknown ... to take that One Step ... Beyond”—from “Alcoa Presents: One Step Beyond” Let’s throw a party! I’m thinking big for next year – something to take away the Covid-19 blues. Hopefully, this dreaded plague will be in the rearview mirror by next summer, allowing us to breathe again. Let’s think positive for the purpose of this (part 1) rambling diatribe I am about to go on. Okay, where to start. Let’s imagine for a moment we can gather in groups again. It’s September of 2021. Summer is over. The air is crisp and clean. Everybody is back from vacation. You can only do so much apple picking. We need to throw a Malden block party! As in days of old no better place than Malden Square. Here’s what I’m proposing. We shut down Pleasant Street for a Saturday afternoon. Let’s say from noon until sundown. From Main to Commercial. No cars. Pedestrians only. We use the day to showcase Malden Square and our new City Hall digs: to show off how far the Square has come, to showcase our diversity, to celebrate another day of living (Rare Earth anybody?). Our outstanding restaurants will be the draw – our showcase – our ace in the hole. Malden gets a bump visibility-wise as we saturate the North Shore with Lawrence A. Simeone Jr. Attorney-at-Law ~ Since 1989 ~ * Corporate Litigation * Criminal/Civil * MCAD * Zoning/Land Court * Wetlands Litigation * Workmen’s Compensation * Landlord/Tenant Litigation * Real Estate Law * Construction Litigation * Tax Lein * Personal Injury * Bankruptcy * Wrongful Death * Zoning/Permitting Litigation 300 Broadway, Suite 1, Revere * 781-286-1560 lsimeonejr@simeonelaw.net Block party Malden San Rock–style. (Courtesy Photo) our game plan. Curious human beings from Gloucester to Saugus and all points in between on Route 1 will be drawn to this fall hoedown. Our downtown restaurants get the recognition they so richly deserve, and a wicked good payday, hopefully. And we’ll all get a chance to mingle once again amongst friends and neighbors in a festive, family friendly atmosphere. That’s the premise. Enough babbling; get to the details! Let’s think big. It should be a day to remember. Music! We’ll have music playing throughout the day. Who doesn’t love music?! Stages. We’ll have three of them. One at Main and Pleasant. One at Pleasant and Washington. One at Pleasant and Commercial. We’ll have all your favorites play. The Reminisants. Charlie Farren will be included of course. The band that stole the show at the 2019 Saint Rocco Feast, the Billy Joel tribute act Heart Attack Ack Ack Ack Ack Ack. North Shore Acapella. Richie Willis and any group of talented cats he wants to put together. Malden Square’s many acoustically perfect hallways back in the day was where Richie and his crews perfected their chops, by the way. Street Magic, you’re invited also of course. Beatlejuice! How about Sal Baglio and The Stompers?! The Bon Jovi cover band Living On A Bad Name? Funk bands, jazz bands, r&b, bagpipes, country...you get the idea, right. I’m also thinking roving musicians, hurdy-gurdy-type men and women. If we ask politely, maybe we can convince Davina Yannetty to set up her trusty Yamaha and blow us away with her fabulous professionalism. If we ask extra nicely, she may even break out her accordion. Davina is the best! How about a mariachi band? Wouldn’t that be fun!? I’m also thinking a New Orleans–style marching band to entertain during down time. If Davina sticks with the Yamaha, I know other accordion players (Polka Party anyone?) that would be more than happy to put a smile on your face while you sit comfortably in front of Cornucopia or Mystic Station or Faces or Hugh O’Neil’s. Music! Music! Music! Maybe at 6 or so we have a headliner-type act go on: somebody big to keep people around drinking, eating and making merry. Maybe we can convince Gary Cherone of Extreme, Houndstooth and Van Halen fame to end the evening in Gary Cherone–style. That would be cool. If Gary isn’t available, how cool would it be to have Norman Greenbaum back in Malden reprising his hit “Spirit in the Sky” for us?! Is there such thing as an Ames Brothers tribute band?! My attempt at humor. Can’t forget to invite the Wah Lum Kung Fu & Tai Chi Academy. Their “Lion Dance” stole the show at last year’s inauguration, and they are always a crowd pleaser. What about SUM Studios on Eastern Avenue? They set up a booth, showcase some of the talent that practices there and let Malden know what a fab place it is. Oh, my goodness! Almost forgot the Mu Eta Sigma Malden High School Step Team. Mentor and advisor Barbara Scibelli won’t be joining in on the dance steps, but she will be close by mentoring and advising. In case you never heard of them, they are a group of very talented young ladies who use their entire bodies to create the most joyful experience you’ll ever MALDEN: TODAY | SEE PAGE 8
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