Friday Night Live! News

Mercy From Rush Hour
The Connection

Spread out on their towels and blankets, local 20-somethings looking for mercy from rush-hour traffic, spent some time with "For Mercy" in the summer's first Friday Night Live Concert on Herndon's town green.

Loosening their ties, rolling up their sleeves and slipping off their shoes, locals gathered to relax and listen to the urban contemporary sounds of "For Mercy."

For local fire fighter Scott Slepetz, who works 24-hour shifts, the concert meant a break from work and time to meet people like himself working in the Herndon area.

"I figured I would come and check it out," Slepetz said. "I saw the signs and thought it would be a good way to meet people."

Approximately 200 others had the same idea of escaping rush hour and getting an early start on weekends.

For Mercy kept the audience swaying and swinging to tunes by Elvis Costello, the Cranberries and some original songs from their recently released compact disc.

"They sound just like Natalie Merchant," said Herndon resident Kristin Cunningham. "I'm definitely glad I came."

The band proved a big hit with its balance pop and rock that brought the band 10,000 Maniacs, and their lead singer Natalie Merchant to mind.

Rose Keelor, who works at CH2MHILL, an environmental engineering firm in Herndon, said she saw signs for the concert at work and talked her sister into going. The show not only proved entertaining and something different, it gave the sisters time together.

"It's a good idea to use the new center for something like this," Kuhns said. "It's good music and it's not far from home."

Co-workers, siblings, couples and friends gathered on the green until almost all the blankets were touching, and those watching began to sing with the band.

"Honestly we'd be sitting in a basement if we didn't come here," said Kathy Peipenhagen of Arlington, who enjoyed the alternative entertainment.

Brett Doerr, from CH2MHILL in Herndon, said the event reminded him of the concerts held in Richmond during the summer known as Friday Band and Beer Night, which debuts local musicians and plenty of food and beverages.

"I love this type of thing," Doerr said. "The outside, good music and plenty to drink."

Many parents and their high school children took advantage of the concert to spend time together.

"This is really great for Herndon," said Herndon resident Noma Renee Fonda, who came to the concert with her daughter Darci Fonda. "I have a feeling the event will really catch on."

Doug Downer, vice president of the Herndon Chamber of Commerce - which pioneered the event - hopes so too.

"We haven't done any of the radio advertising yet," said Downer. "This was just our first shot at the series, and I think it's a good turn-out that will only get better."

The Tortilla Factory and Hard Times Cafe supplied snacks, and Bud and Bud Light handled the drinks.