The Lovin' Spoonful
Saturday, July 26, 2025
Osterhout Concert Theater
Doors: 6:30 p.m.
Show: 8 p.m.
The Lovin’ Spoonful were America’s answer to the Beatles! Led by primary songwriter John Sebastian, Steve Boone, Joe Butler and Zal Yanovsky, the band exploded onto the charts, sending their first seven singles to Billboard’s Top 10 virtually overnight. The Spoonful formed in New York’s Greenwich Village in 1965 at the Night Owl Café and signed to Kama Sutra Records. They appeared on every major TV show of the era: The Ed Sullivan Show, Hullabaloo and Shindig! Their first single, “Do You Believe in Magic,” flew to the top of the charts and was followed by an unprecedented string of hits including “Daydream,” “Younger Girl,” “Summer in the City,” “You Didn’t Have to Be So Nice,” “Darling Be Home Soon,” “Jug Band Music,” “Did You Ever Have to Make Up Your Mind,” “Lovin’ You,” “Didn’t Want to Have to Do it,” “Rain on the Roof,” “Six O’clock,” “Nashville Cats,” “Coconut Grove,” and “She’s Still a Mystery (to Me).” The band was so influential that music legends like Paul McCartney and Brian Wilson cited them as forces of inspiration, as did so many others. Paul McCartney cited “Daydream” as his inspiration for “Good Day Sunshine” and even John Lennon called the Spoonful “tunesmiths!”
Today the Lovin’ Spoonful tours with founding member Steve Boone, Jeff Alan Ross (Badfinger, Peter Asher), Bill Cinque (Neil Diamond), longtime drummer Mike Arturi, and Rob Bonfiglio (The Beach Boys, Brian Wilson Band, Wilson Phillips), who is Carnie Wilson’s husband and Brian Wilson’s son-in-law. Together they faithfully celebrate the rich, good-time catalog of hits that made The Lovin’ Spoonful one of the world’s most beloved groups to emerge from the ‘60s. The Lovin’ Spoonful was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2000.
Sponsored in part by:
Summer Concert Policies:
-All persons, regardless of age, must have a ticket to enter the theater/lawn.
-All ticket sales are final.
-Patrons seated indoors are welcome to bring with them one factory-sealed water bottle.
No other food or beverage is allowed inside the theater at any time. Food and beverage
may be enjoyed by all patrons in the lounge or on the lawn.
- is a smoke-free campus. Use of cigarettes, e-cigarettes, pipes,
cigars and chewing tobacco is strictly prohibited anywhere on campus. Refusal to comply
with this policy may result in ejection from the facility.
-Beer/wine is available for purchase. No outside alcohol is permitted on campus.
-Weapons are prohibited.
-All bags are subject to search. Bags over 12" by 12" will not be permitted inside
the venue or on the lawn.
-The house, lawn and lounge all open at 6:30 p.m.
Lawn Policies:
-Lawn seating is rain or shine. In the event of severe weather, we may be required
to evacuate the lawn for a period of time. Patrons will not be permitted to stand
inside the rear of the theater. If available, lawn ticketholders may upgrade to indoor
seating by paying the appropriate price differential.
-Large coolers, large umbrellas, signs and glass bottles are not permitted on the
lawn. Food and non-alcoholic beverages may be brought in a bag or soft cooler that
is 12" by 12" or smaller.
-Animals are not allowed on the lawn, with the exception of service animals.
-Patrons are welcome to bring blankets and chairs. The lawn is on a slope and low-back
beach chairs are suggested. Bleachers are located in the rear of the lawn.
-The Anderson Center Lawn is not considered ADA compliant, and therefore cannot accommodate
wheelchairs. Please call the Box Office (607-777-ARTS) to discuss alternative options.
Box Office hours are noon to 4 p.m., Monday-Friday.