Essex County Free Summer Music Concert Series

by Carolyne Volpe Curley / Carolyne@WestEssexNOW.com
Published 10:35am 

ESSEX COUNTY, NJ – Essex County Executive Joseph N. DiVincenzo, Jr. invites the public to enjoy the 2014 Essex County Free Summer Music Concert Series. The upcoming events include performances by Tony Scally and Jazzmataz, Five-O Trio, and Jersey Sound and Almost Queen. Admission to the concerts is free. 

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“Our Free Concert Series offers a diverse lineup of performers
who will take center stage in venues throughout our historic Essex County Park System," DiVincenzo said. "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 a spectacular line-up that is sure to entertain and impress.” 

Tuesday, July 29

7pm
Essex County Watsessing Park
Bloomfield Avenue and Conger Street, Bloomfield

• Tony Scally and Jazzmataz 
  Tony Scally has been a freelance musician and music teacher in the metropolitan area since 1976. Scally owns of MillSound Music, which represents jazz and classical groups, and has performed with Gradie Stone. He will be joined by Jazzmataz. 

Essex County Watsessing Park Credit: Google Maps

Thursday, July 31

7pm
Essex Co. Grover Cleveland Park
Brookside Avenue / Runnymede Road Caldwell / Essex Fells

• Five-O Trio 
  The three-piece acoustic band features the talents of Al Ardolino, Mike Engle and Shawn Hendricks.  

Essex County Grover Cleveland Park Credit: Google Maps

Friday, August 1

7:30pm
Essex County Brookdale Park
Between Watchung and Bellevue Avenues, Bloomfield 

• Jersey Sound and Almost Queen
  Jersey Sound, one of the Tri-State Area's premier oldies band, and Almost Queen, a tribute band featuring the songs of the 1970s group Queen, are joining forces to present a memorable rock and roll show. 

Essex County Brookdale Park Credit: Google Maps

Tuesday, August 5

7pm
Essex County Ivy Hill Park
Mt. Vernon Place, Newark

• Denise Hamilton
  Montclair resident Denise Hamilton will perform an electrifying array of jazz, standards and smooth R&B selections when she takes the stage. 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.

Essex County Ivy Hill Park Credit: Google Maps

Wednesday, August 6

7pm
Essex County Weequahic Park
Elizabeth Avenue and Meeker Avenue, Newark

• Johnny Drama and His Hip Hop 4
  Johnny Drama and His Hip Hop 4 features the talents of lead vocalist Nate Ross, Christian Colabelli on guitar, John Kanopka on bass and Craig Scoppa on drums performing 1980s new wave and hair metal, 1990s grunge, R&B, hip-hop, millennium club and pop hits, all while iconic videos, classic movie clips and other pop culture imagery shine from behind.

Essex County Weequahic Park Credit: Google Maps

Friday, August 8

7:30pm
Essex County Brookdale Park
Between Watchung and Bellevue Avenues, Bloomfield 

• The Cast of Beatlemania
  The "Cast of Beatlemania" is a Beatles tribute band made up of former members who starred in the Broadway production and have performed in all 50 states and over 20 foreign countries.  The Cast includes Carlo Cantamessa as John Lennon, Lenie Colacino as as Paul McCartney, James Filgate as George Harrison and John Delgado as Ringo Starr.  

Essex County Brookdale Park Credit: Google Maps

Saturday, August 9

12pm to 7pm
Essex County Monte Irvin Orange Park
Center Street and Harrison Street, Orange 

• Caribbean Heritage Day Festival 
  The 10th Annual Caribbean Heritage Day Festival celebrates the history and culture of our West Indian communities. There will be entertainment, games, food and rides.  

Essex County Monte Irvin Orange Park Credit: Google Maps

4pm to 9pm
Essex County Ivy Hill Park
Mt. Vernon Place, Newark

• International Food and Music Festival 
  The International Food and Music Festival brings the Ivy Hill neighborhood together to celebrate with food and music. There will be entertainment, food and fellowship. The International Food and Music Festival is sponsored by the Ivy Hill Neighborhood Association.  

Essex County Ivy Hill Park Credit: Google Maps

The Summer Music Concert Series is being sponsored by Rose Squared Productions, The Horizon Foundation for New Jersey, Filippo Berio Olive Oil, TD Bank and the Branch Brook Park Alliance. 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.

Further Information
Essex County
County Executive:  Joseph N. DiVincenzo, Jr.
465 Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Boulevard
Newark, NJ 07102
973-621-4400
Department of Parks, Recreation and Cultural Affairs
973‑239-2485
Website

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, 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.

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