Dave Haneman says he was “born into the electronics industry,” but he was raised into the music and entertainment business. And during more than two decades of working in the business, one entertainer who has always been on Haneman’s list of musicians he wanted to work with was Chris Smither. This Saturday, August 13, Haneman is co-producing Smither’s appearance at Nassau Park Pavilion in West Windsor. ##M:[more]##
The second event in West Windsor Arts Council Midsummer’s Night Music Series is a free concert featuring Smither, Kyle Van Dyke, and Patrick Mystery from 7 to 10 p.m. The concert will be held rain or shine under a tent in the pavilion behind Panera Bread. To insure a seat, bring your own chair.
Haneman is the founder of Haneman Associates, a production company based in Plainsboro. He was born in Plainview, New York. His father founded Miteq, a microwave technology business. “By the time I was 13, I was working there.” His mother, a former operator and data entry clerk with Bell companies jokes that she wrote the phone book.
After graduation from John F. Kennedy High School, he attended Nassau Community College for one year. He met his future wife at a music festival and they settled in New Brunswick, prior to their move to Plainsboro in 1984.
He began doing video productions in 1982 and contracted work in that area. From there he began to design recording systems and working on corporate productions, theme parties, and large meetings. Active with Knowlton River Fest, an annual event held near the Delaware Water Gap, he is co-founder of Skyland Music and Arts Alliance, a live to air event.
Haneman is the production manager of the WWAC Arts Connexion events and helped produce the art’s council concert featuring the Voodudes. He often plays acoustic bass with KVD, one of the bands performing in the concert, and is a disc jockey with WDVR in Sargeantville (89.7 and 91.9 FM).
As resident video artist with Roxey Ballet in Lambertville, he designed last year’s “Dracula,” and is involved in “Wheels in Motion,” a program for disabled dancers.
His daughter Tracey, a rising freshman at High School North, is also interested in the arts. She plays oboe, dances, and creates miniature sculptures.
The concert is produced rain or shine. “The decision to use the tent or not is made the morning of the event,” he says. “The performance is planned for the pavilion but with more than a 30 percent chance of rain, we double the tent and add theater seating.”
A singer-songwriter, Smither has toured widely and appeared at jazz, blues, and folk festivals in the United States, Canada, and throughout Europe. His 11 albums released since 1970 have been covered by artists including Emmylou Harris, Bonnie Raitt, Diana Krall, and John Mayall.
Kyle van Dyke of Plainsboro melds forces as an acoustic guitarist, singer-songwriter, and architect. Playing with the KVD Project, a band he launched in the mid ’90s, he has recently performed at the Conduit Club in Trenton and the Grounds for Sculpture.
Mystery, a reggae artist, released his debut album “Drastic Times” in 1995. His religious beliefs and ideology reflected in the lyrics of his music are focused on poor and for oppressed people throughout the world.
— Lynn Miller
Pre-Concert Benefit, West Windsor Arts Council, Blue Tulip, Nassau Park, West Windsor, 609-919-1982. Prior to the event, Blue Tulip, also on Nassau Park Boulevard, hosts a free wine and cheese benefit to support the West Windsor Arts Council. Register by E-mail at secretary@westwindsorarts.org. 4 to 9 p.m.
Midsummer Music Series, West Windsor Arts Council, Nassau Park Pavilion Gazebo, West Windsor, 609-919-1982. Dave Haneman and Jeff Nathanson are co-producers. Free. 7 p.m.
