The Mantua VFW will be the host for an afternoon of music at the outdoor pavilion from 3 to 6 p.m. Sunday.
The Blondettes will perform classic rock, pop, country and oldies. The three-member group – also known by its former name, Blondage Rocks – was first formed in 2008 and has performed all over South Jersey, including Atlantic City, according to lead vocalist Linda Moore, who performs with guitarists and vocalists Susan Salmon and Susan Brna-Leyva.
“This is our first time performing at the Mantua VFW,” said Moore. “We like doing shows for veterans and we’ve also done shows at other VFWs as well. People can expect to have fun at the show, as there is something for everyone here.”
The group performs songs from a diverse list of artists, including Blondie, The Bangles, Connie Francis, Lady Gaga, k.d. lang, Patsy Cline, Pat Benatar and the Supremes.
The three Blondettes started out singing at weddings and formed their band as a way to keep busy during that business’ slow winter season.
“Turns out people wanted us (as a band) during the summer as well,” Moore noted.
There will be a cover charge of $10 for the music event, with proceeds going to veterans’ organizations. The show will go on rain or shine, but depending on the weather, it may be extended by an hour.
The Mantua VFW’s pavilion is named for Capt. Frank J. Culkin, the post’s late quartermaster. It has a large, shaded area to keep people protected from rain.
“The pavilion was dedicated on May 14, 2022,” recalled post commander Martin Valdez. “This is a community project. It’s dedicated to that guy there,” he added, pointing to Culkin’s name at the pavilion’s entrance.
“He’s passed, but he had the forethought, the vision, to set aside money from different events, and it built up.”
The music event will be the last time for a while that the Blondettes perform together at the VFW. Moore, though, will perform at some point in June with her other band, the country music group Fabulous Silverwings.
