By Stephanie Meditz
news@queensledger.com
White Wedding, mostly an ‘80s cover band, treated Atlas Park to their ‘90s set.
On Tuesday, The Shops at Atlas Park took the Glendale community back in time with a ‘90s concert and classic car show.
While cover band “White Wedding” performed hits from back in the day in the penultimate show of Atlas Park’s Concerts on the Green series, volunteers from the East Coast Car Association displayed their vintage vehicles.
Although White Wedding is mostly an ‘80s cover band, the evening’s setlist consisted of ‘90s sensations, including Britney Spears, The Spice Girls, Sublime and Alanis Morissette.
The band also dressed for the occasion, decked out in flannel shirts and Dr. Martens boots.
Emily McNamara belted all the ‘90s girl power anthems.
Although the members of White Wedding come from different states on the east coast, they frequently perform in New York.
White Wedding was voted “Best Cover Band in the Boro” of Queens for the third year in a row.
“We play in Queens, we play New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, all around the tri-state area,” David Artiaga, front vocalist of White Wedding, said.
In July, the band performed their ‘80s set at Juniper Valley Park.
Artiaga, whose voice effortlessly resembled those of numerous ‘90s icons, has never formally studied music.
“I was just born with talent,” he joked. “Never had a lesson in my life, and it just seemed to work out.”
Emily McNamara, also a front vocalist for White Wedding, has been involved in theater for most of her life.
“It’s a good group. Everyone brings a good piece,” Artiaga said.
White Wedding plays private parties, corporate events and weddings throughout the tri-state area.
For bookings, email info@whiteweddingband.com or visit www.whiteweddingband.com.
The band is also on Instagram (@whiteweddingband) and Twitter (@whitewedding80s).
While the ‘90s music played, the East Coast Car Association held a classic car show in the parking lot at Atlas Park.
Harold Mecabe promotes the East Coast Car Association’s 24th annual toy drive in November.
Established in 1999 by Eddie Walter, the East Coast Car Association hosts car shows and cruise nights to raise money for St. Mary’s Children’s Hospital in Bayside.
Harold Mecabe, master of ceremony, has been involved with the club for 22 years.
After Walter passed away in 2007, he and other members unanimously decided to continue to support St. Mary’s Children’s Hospital to honor Walter’s legacy.
“We have a handful of members in the club, and all the people here support us,” Mecabe said. “They know what we do and they help us. Without those people, we would actually be nothing…And we will continue doing what we’re doing as long as we possibly can.”
In November, the club will host its 24th annual toy run.
“We will leave from the Forest Park bandshell area. The NYPD will shut down the Jackie Robinson Highway, the Grand Central Parkway and the Clearview Expressway to give us direct access to St. Mary’s Hospital,” Mecabe said. “At that time, we will present whatever proceeds that we collect during the course of the year to St. Mary’s.”
The East Coast Car Association has raised over $250,000 and $40,000 worth of toys since it was founded.
The club has hosted two car shows at Atlas Park this summer, both of which occurred on the same night as a concert.
Among the classic cars displayed was a 1979 Buick Riviera.
“It was just coordinated that way, which is good because it brings out more people,” Mecabe said.
To join or donate to the East Coast Car Association, visit their website at https://eccatoysfortots.org.
The Shops at Atlas Park has hosted its annual Concerts on the Green series since 2013.
General manager Peter DeLucia has found that the concerts not only show people all that Atlas Park has to offer, but also provide a fun, free night out for the neighborhood.
“It’s just a way to engage the community,” he said. “Have them come out, see what we’ve got going on at Atlas Park, like the roller skating rink and some of the new stores.”
The concert, as well as other concerts and movie nights at Atlas Park, was sponsored by Main Street Radiology.
Surgey Santiago, a marketing agent from Main Street Radiology, said that these events are great opportunities to inform the community about the essential services offered, such as X-rays, ultrasounds and MRIs.
“Since we sponsor The Shops at Atlas Park, we’ll give knowledge about the facility and what we do,” she said. “We just want to attract the neighborhood, let them know that we’re here.”
Main Street Radiology recently opened a fifth location on Cooper Avenue in Glendale, right down the street from Atlas Park.
