Have the Time of Your Life at a ‘Dirty Dancing’ Concert in Hankins

If you’ve ever dreamed of having the time of your life, The Dirty Dancing Concert & BBQ is happening Saturday night at Pelkey’s Tavern, featuring a six-piece live band performing songs from the movie, along with two comics, dancing and a summer barbecue.

Organizer Dave Keener says the outdoor event is designed to capture the more casual, summertime feel of the movie.

The event is one of two Dirty Dancing-themed shows planned this summer. A second performance is scheduled for Sept. 6 at the Delaware Valley Opera Center in Lake Huntington, where organizers plan to create a ballroom setting inspired by the film’s finale.

Comedian Amanda Melson, who is co-hosting the Hankins event with her husband, Bob Powers, says the movie provides plenty of material for comedy, from its coming-of-age story and romance to its memorable characters and plot twists.

“Everything happens in this movie. There’s coming of age, there’s great dancing, there’s reconciling with your dad, Detective Lennie Brisco,” said Melson, referring to the character actor Jerry Orbach portrayed NBC’s Law & Order from 1992 to 2004. Orbach was Dr. Jake Houseman, the father of Jennifer Grey’s character “Baby” in the Dirty Dancing film.

The concert will feature songs spanning the late 1950s and early 1960s, along with some 1980s music. Keener says the band has added four songs this year to give audiences more opportunities to dance.

The show will also include commentary and comedy tied to scenes from the movie, including the famous watermelon scene and the film’s climactic dance.

“Just want to be clear, no melon balls. [The watermelon] will be cubed,” Keener said.

More information about both events is available at Dave Keener’s website, davekeener.com.

Editor’s Note: Razzmatazz Incorporated, Kenner’s creative and marketing agency, is a financial supporter of Radio Catskill.

Image: Comedians Bob Powers and Amanda Melson with guitarist Dave Keener will perform at “The Dirty Dancing Concert & BBQ” Saturday. (Contributed Photo)