Arts in the park

BYRAM-Arts in the Park will present "The Kootz" rock ‘n roll rand on Sunday, Aug. 21, at 6 p.m. at Neil Gylling Memorial Park (across from the Byram Twp. Municipal Building) on Mansfield Dr. in Byram. Families, with children in tow, can bring a picnic supper, and eat while they listen to classic rock at Arts in the Park, a free series of programs sponsored by the Byram Parks and Recreation Department. The Lenape Valley Band Boosters Association will sell refreshments. "The Kootz" is a group of North Jersey guys who just can't seem to retire their guitars. Originally known as the "Old Man Jam," the band was formed by Chris Bolger and Glenn Taylor and several other musicians who informally jammed together. In 2001 they decided that they had enough chemistry to make a serious "go" of putting together a well-seasoned and eclectic musical effort and the band was reincarnated as "The Kootz." Since 1993, the band has appeared all around New Jersey and New York, at street fairs, clubs, biker bars, resorts, coffee houses and private parties, both as a full electric band and an acoustically "unplugged" version. The band is always serving up a wide variety of music designed to make listeners feel good. This is the final, free Arts in the Park summer program for families. For directions or further information, call the parks and recreation office at 973-347-2500 ext. 160/161.