The following is from Essex County:
Essex County, NJ – Essex County Executive Joseph N. DiVincenzo, Jr. invites the public to visit the Essex County Park System and enjoy the 2016 Essex County Free SummerMusic Concert Series. Upcoming events feature Richard Reiter, Denise Hamilton, Eaglemania and a Caribbean Heritage Day Festival.
“Our Free Concert Series offers a diverse lineup of performers who will take center stage in venues throughout our historic Essex County Park System. Pack a blanket, enjoy the cool evening breeze and dance to the sounds of classical, rock and roll, jazz, big band, Latin and more. We have an outstanding line-up that is sure to entertain and impress,” DiVincenzo said.
Richard Reiter
Richard Reiter is one of the most critically acclaimed jazz artists in the country. Performing on saxophones, clarinets and flutes, Reiter has appeared as guest jazz soloist with the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra, on-stage soloist in Bob Fosse’s Broadway musical “Dancin’,” and backup for such artists as Frank Sinatra, Tony Bennett, Nancy Wilson, Johnny Mathis, Temptations and Supremes. He has composed over 70 scores for films, TV shows, commercials, dance companies and theaters. After a 1999 trip to Dakar, Senegal (West Africa), Reiter infused the sounds of Afro-Pop bands into his music, which can be heard in his fourth recording titled “I Hear Africa,” released in 2002. Richard Reiter will perform as follows:
Date: Tuesday, August 2, 2016
Times: 7 p.m.
Place: Essex County Ivy Hill Park, Mount Vernon Place, Newark, NJ
Denise Hamilton
Montclair resident Denise Hamilton will perform an electrifying array of jazz, standards and smooth R&B selections when she takes the stage as part of the Essex County Free SummerMusic Concert Series. Hamilton is known for her sultry, yet powerful voice and unique singing style. A retired East Orange teacher, she has sung in the Trump Plaza, Cecil’s Jazz Club and other venues. Denise Hamilton will perform as follows:
Date: Wednesday, August 3, 2016
Time: 7 p.m.
Place: Essex County Vailsburg Park, South Orange Avenue, Newark, NJ
EagleMania
EagleMania is the world’s greatest Eagles tribute band. Since their inception, the band has been thrilling audiences with their stunning five-part harmonies and their uncanny ability to emulate The Eagles note by note. Their show consists of all of the Eagles’ greatest hits, as well as some of the solo work of many of the individual members, including Don Henley, Glenn Frey and Joe Walsh. One thing the EagleMania prides itself on is how closely they sound to the real band. Audiences will be taken on a journey with the timeless music of The Eagles. EagleMania will perform as follows:
Date: Friday, August 5, 2016
Time: 7:30 p.m.
Place: Essex County Brookdale Park. Watchung & Bellevue Avenues, Bloomfield, NJ
Caribbean Heritage Day Festival
The 12th Annual Caribbean Heritage Day Festival is a free cultural event that showcases Caribbean art, music, food and dance. The 2016 event will feature performances by GBM Nutron, Shal Marshall, Kamarley Da Big Show and Sesame Flyers Steel Pan Band, along with diverse aspects of Caribbean culture including Moko Jumbies (stilt walkers), dancers, steel drum performers, Reggae and Calypso/Soca music. Along with the dynamic entertainment, there will be Caribbean food favorites such as curry and jerk chicken, doubles, roti, peas and rice, and more. There will be an amusement area for kids and families, community information, Caribbean food and cultural vendors. Raising of the Guyanese and Jamaican flags also will be held.
Date: Saturday, August 6, 2016
Times: 12 noon to 7 p.m.
Place: Essex County Monte Irvin Orange Park, Oakwood and Central Avenues, Orange, NJ
The SummerMusic Concert Series is being sponsored by Rose Squared Productions, The Horizon Foundation for New Jersey and TD Bank. The series is also made possible, in part, by the New Jersey State Council on the Arts/Department of State.
Concerts are held at accessible sites. Persons who require special accommodations or assistance are asked to call at least two weeks prior to the concert to alert staff as to their needs. Admission to the concerts is free. For more information, please call the Department of Parks, Recreation and Cultural Affairs at 973‑239-2485.
The Essex County Park System was created in 1895 and is the first county park system established in the United States. The Park System consists of more than 6,000 acres and has 22 parks, five reservations, an environmental center, a zoo, Treetop Adventure Course, ice skating rink, roller skating rink, three public golf courses, golf driving range, two miniature golf courses, Treetop Adventure Course, three off-leash dog facilities, a castle and the Presby Memorial Iris Gardens.
