Band's a Smash:
Maier Likes It

Date:
By: DAVE ZURAWIK
Of the:
No concert review ever will mean as much to Milwaukee International Folk Band Director Dave Kennedy as the one he got Monday at the Downtown Convention Center. It came from Mayor Maier.

At 10:21 a.m., Kennedy and the mayor's ethnic band were half an hour away from making their debut. And Kennedy looked calm.

"No, I'm not worried at all," he said over the cacophony of 16 musicians tuning. "No need to be nervous, I've got some of the best musicians in the city here."

At 12:21 a.m., shortly after the close of the show, though, Kennedy started looking a little chalky.

Lively Performance

There was nothing wrong with the concert. Outside of a few searching movements by the accordianist on "Edelweiss," the show was fine. The Group gave a livel, professional performance.

But Kennedy was making his way toward the mayor. He was rubbing the palms of his hands on his black tuxido, uniform pants and clearing his throat. He reached the mayor and Stuck out his hand.

"Well, boss," he said to Maier, how did we do?"

Maier hesitated for a moment, Kennedy held his breath.

Then the Maier smiled, and Kennedy exhaled.

"Well, Dave," Maier said, "were on the track. We.ve got a timetable and were on the track. I'ts a good start, a good start.

"People have to realize," Maier continued, that something like this does'nt happen in a day. That it takes time. But we're heading in the right direction.

Has to March

"It's not a total band yet," he added. "It won't be a total band until it can march into the Convetion Center, up into

Great Hall and give the concert."

Maier noted that the band's next engagement will be Spet. 21 at the Convetion Center before the Polish Alliance Convention.

"I'm pleased with today's performance," Maier said. "And I think it will get better and better."

And, then, the mayor again shook Kennedy's hand, congratulated him and left. Kennedy was humming as he watched Maier leave.