A community concert wowed hundreds Saturday evening in South Buffalo.

In an effort to provide new and more contemporary entertaining fellowship options, St. Mary Mother of God Church hosted its inaugural Community Day and Music Festival inside a filled fellowship hall.

“I was a little nervous but excited to perform,” said Ella Sutara, a singer, dancer and actress and sixth-grade student at Freeport Middle School.

Sutara, 11, of Buffalo Township, loves to perform and volunteered to sing three songs.

Joyce Hanz | Tribune-Review Ella Sutara, a sixth grader at Freepor tArea Middle School, performs Saturday during the Community Day and Music Festival at the St. Mary Mother of God Church Family Community Center in South Buffalo.  

The free concert included an informal open mic component that drew about 30 of performers from elementary age to senior citizens.

“It’s really fun because we get to see everyone’s talents,” Sutara said.

Cindy Michelini, volunteer and parish member, said the event was organized to provide a opportunity for the public to gather and socialize, while offering an event with universal appeal.

“We’re getting people together to have fun, positive social events in the community,” Michelini said.

Additionally, an uptick in membership in the parish has church officials aiming to provide a more diverse offerings of social events.

“We’re trying to hit the youth in a new, different way,” said St. Mary’s pastoral council member Jeff Polana of Freeport.

In the past year, St. Mary welcomed 43 new families as members in the past year, and 40% of its members are age 36 or younger.

The church has more than 620 parishioners.

Francine Corsi of Lower Burrell joined in May.

Corsi now serves as director of music ministry after her former parish, Holy Family, closed last year.

“This is a growing church,” she said.

Corsi said Saturday’s Community Day and Music Festival is appealing because the people are welcoming, it’s something for all age groups and it’s open to anybody.

“This is the first one, and we’re learning as we do this,” Corsi said. “It’s refreshing to see how friendly people are, and they make you feel like they want you here.”

Freeport Area High School junior Emma Michelini of Buffalo Township performed six songs, including a duet, “Ten Thousand Reasons,” with her father, Chad.

“I love singing in front of my community because it’s a safe space to share my talents,” Emma said. “It’s nice to see young faces represented in the church.”

Attendees noshed on hot dogs and walking tacos and played games outside such as corn hole, ring toss and ball games.

Chad Michelini was a lead organizer.

“We had a bonfire this month, and this event is pulling the community together and (having) a big picnic. That was the goal,” Chad Michelini said.

Joyce Hanz | Tribune-Review David Snyder, 11, a seventh-grader at Freeport Area Middle School, poses Saturday after his performance of “Great Balls of Fire” by Jerry Lee Lewis at the Community Day and Music Festival hosted by St. Mary Mother of God Church in Freeport.  

Performer David Snyder, 11, performed “Great Balls of Fire” by Jerry Lee Lewis. Snyder, a seventh grader at Freeport Middle School, said he chose his song because he likes rock ’n’ roll.

“It felt good performing but it was nerve-wrecking,” said Snyder. “This event is well organized, and it’s a way to bring people together. I’d like to thank the people that supported me and let me get onstage.”

St. Mary Mother of God Community Center is at 407 Freeport Road in South Buffalo Township.

Events the parish hopes to organize include bingo, more music-related events, kid’s happenings and seasonal activities.

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