Rockin’ for Ronald McDonald House Charities Benefit Comes to Shepard Park Friday, July 31 and Saturday, August 1

Five great bands will perform next Friday and Saturday at Shepard Park, Canada Street in Lake George, New York to benefit Ronald McDonald House Charities, especially Krantz Cottage. Krantz Cottage is a Ronald McDonald Family Retreat location in Lake George. It is for families experiencing serious childhood illnesses and can house families for stays as long as five days. Two bands will perform on Friday and three on Saturday.

Admission to all shows is free, and vendors will be on hand with beverages and food for sale. The schedule is as follows:

Here is more information about each band:

On Friday, two regional favorites perform on the Shepard Park stage, with Super 400 opening the festivities at 6:00. Super 400 is a legendary Troy-based power trio who have toured the United States and Europe many times in the past 25 years. London-based Trade 21/Island Records signed them to a five-album major label deal, and, starting in 2007, they played festivals in Spain, England, Scotland and Wales. In 2009, they recorded at Memphis’ Ardent Studios where legends such as Stevie Ray Vaught and Led Zeppelin recorded. Their music video for “Flashback” was directed by Emmy winner Bobby Yan and appeared on MTV.com and was followed by a five-country, month-long European tour. In 2006, Mayor Tutunjian declared February 25 “Super 400 Day” in Troy. In 2011, they founded the Troy Music Academy to give back to the community that has always supported them. Audiences will not want to miss their original music and amazing cover renditions that have won them loyal fans worldwide.

Friday’s headliner, The Refrigerators, has been the original go-to horn-fueled party band in the Capital Region for the past 33 years. They have been declared the area’s #1 band countless times in Metroland, Schenectady Gazette, and Times Union fan polls, and their live performance is second to none. They will perform from 7:30-9:30.

On Saturday, there will be three bands, starting with the Johnathan Newell Family Band at 4:00.  Jonathan Newell is a classically trained pianist, guitarist, singer, and teacher who has performed at Carnegie Hall. The Family Band consists of Johnathan on keyboards, guitar, and vocals, his wife Jennifer on vocals, and their teenage sons, Brandon and Evan, on vocals and guitars. They epitomize the family feel that is such a trademark of the Ronald McDonald House Charities and are the perfect opening act that will appeal to all ages.  

Jukebox Rebellion will perform from 6:00-7:15. Voted upstate New York’s #1 party band in 2025 and fresh off a performance at the Library of Congress in Washington DC, as part of the “America 250” celebration, they are excited about bringing the party to Shepard Park in support of Ronald McDonald House Charities. Lead singer Keri Alonzo is a Manhattan School of Music graduate who performed in such shows as South Pacific, West Side Story and The Sound of Music, as well as in operas. J. Yager (guitar and vocals) formed the legendary party bands The Burners UK, the Audiostars and the Refrigerators and is a musical legend in the Capital District.

Headlining Saturday night from 7:30-9:30 are The Accents. They have been a force in the area music scene for 50 years, with over 4,000 performances under their belts, and the nine-piece band creates a party from the first to the last note. With seven of the nine performers singing lead and harmonies, their broad repertoire of soul, R&B, and rock hits will have the audience on their feet, dancing and singing along.

Five great acts, two great nights of music, all free to the public in support of a great cause:
Ronald McDonald House Charities.

About Krantz Cottage

Krantz Cottage guest families enjoy a five-day, four-night stay in the two-story, two-apartment cottage — all free of charge! A RMHC host is available on-site to offer any necessary assistance. Families also receive a complimentary welcome bag with services from the Lake George community business partners, again at no cost to them.

The two-story cottage, which houses an apartment on each floor, is the former law office of the late Howard Krantz.

Community collaboration helped make Krantz Cottage possible. The family of Howard Krantz, Mayor Robert Blais, and the Lake George community worked together to make the project a reality and offer generous support to guest families. Many people and businesses donated gift certificates to restaurants and local attractions. Others gave the gift of their time, most recently including a group of Amish artisans who know firsthand the comfort and compassion RMHC-CR has offered their family members.