Free Outdoor Summer Concerts Throughout Queens
QUEENS, NY – Borough President Melinda Katz today announced the talent lineup for this year’s “Katz Concert Series”, a slate of free outdoor concerts this summer at various locations throughout Queens.

“Beginning with the ‘Only in Queens’ Summer Festival on June 26, free outdoor concerts will fill the borough this summer with various tunes from Doo Wop to Motown, classical to R&B and more,” said Borough President KATZ. “The season is shaping up to be another musical and vibrant one here in Queens. Last year’s Series drew big crowds at public parks throughout the borough, and this year’s lineup will not disappoint. All residents and visitors are welcome and encouraged to enjoy.”

The 2016 Katz Concert Series kicks off on June 26 with the “Only in Queens” Summer Festival in Flushing Meadows Corona Park, a free admission event featuring artists like THE QUEEN’S CARTOONISTS, RADIO JAROCHO, KUMBAKIN, FJ MUSIC, ZIKRAYAT. The Summer Festival will also feature a SummerStage outdoor concert at 4:30pm in partnership with the City Parks Foundation, headlined by R&B singer GINUWINE, hip hop group KID ‘N PLAY, singer/actor TRISTAN “MACK” WILDS of the HBO drama “The Wire” and the CW series “90210”, and Queens native DJ CAMILO of Hot 97. For more information, go to www.queensbp.org/onlyinqueens.

The 2016 Katz Concert Series continues with seven additional free concerts on various dates between June 28 – August 7 in Forest Hills, Rockaway Beach Springfield Gardens, Bayside, Far Rockaway, College Point and the campus of St. John’s University in Jamaica. The full schedule of Katz Concert Series events can be found below, along with descriptions of the musicians who will perform. All concerts are free admission, held rain or shine, and last approximately 90 minutes each (with the exception of the June 26 “Only in Queens” Summer Festival). For more information, go to www.queensbp.org/katzconcerts.

***PLEASE INCLUDE IN YOUR COMMUNITY CALENDAR***

www.queensbp.org/katzconcerts


THE QUEEN’S CARTOONISTS, RADIO JAROCHO, KUMBAKIN, FJ MUSIC, ZIKRAYAT – Various Artists

Sun June 26 from 1:00pm – 4:30pm @ Flushing Meadows Corona Park, during the “Only in Queens” Summer Festival

In partnership with NYC Parks and Kupferberg Center for the Arts

 

SUMMERSTAGE FT. MACK WILDS, KID ‘N PLAY & GINUWINE

Sun June 26 at 4:30pm @ Flushing Meadows Corona Park during the “Only in Queens Summer Festival”

In partnership with SummerStage

 

YOEL SHARABI & BAND

Tue June 28 at 6:00pm @ MacDonald Park in Forest Hills

In partnership with Queens Jewish Community Council, Jewish Community Relations Council of New York, Forest Hills Jewish Center, NYC Parks and City Councilmember Karen Koslowitz

Yoel Sharabi has captivated his audiences with his charisma, his wide repertoire and his dynamic style. He is a master of Modern Israeli, Classic Yemenite, and popular Chassidic melodies and delivers his songs in a variety of languages and styles.

 

ALIVE N’ KICKIN’ – Cover band from the 60’s to today

Sun July 10 at 6:00pm @ Rockaway Beach, Beach 94th Street and Shore Front Parkway in the Rockaways

In partnership with Kupferberg Center for the Arts, NYC Parks and City Councilmember Eric Ulrich

Led by co-founder and lead singer Pepe Cardona, Alive N’ Kickin’ has been a mainstay of the New York/New Jersey/Connecticut music scene for decades. Their number one hit single –“Tighter, Tighter”–was written and produced by Tommy James of Tommy James and the Shondells, who also wrote and recorded such hits as “Mony, Mony,” “I Think We’re Alone Now,” and “Crimson and Clover.” Tighter, Tighter” sold over a million copies and earned Alive N’ Kickin’ a gold record.

 

JAMES DALE – Gospel
Sun July 17 at 5:00pm @ Springfield Park, Springfield Boulevard between 146th and 147th Avenues in Springfield Gardens

In partnership with Kupferberg Center for the Arts, NYC Parks and City Councilmember Donovan Richards, Jr.

Born and raised in Jamaica Queens, New York, James Dale, the son of Annie and James Dale Jr., has a strong love for music. At the age of 14, James was enrolled into a gifted music program where he developed as a vocalist and songwriter. James recently released his new single entitled “Change My Life,” from his first solo project, “The Introduction.”

 

ALIVE N’ KICKIN’ – Cover band from the 60’s to today

Sun July 24 at 5pm @ Fort Totten, Totten Avenue at Cross Island Parkway in Bayside

In partnership with Kupferberg Center for the Arts, NYC Parks and City Councilmember Paul Vallone

 

QUEENS SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA

Wed July 27 at 7:00pm @ St John’s University.

In partnership with St John’s University and Queens Symphony Orchestra

Queens Symphony Orchestra (QSO) is the borough’s only professional orchestra and the oldest and largest professional arts organization in Queens. QSO is comprised of professional, Local 802 union musicians who also perform on Broadway and with the New York City Ballet and other freelance regional orchestras. QSO’s vision and mission statements reflect the organization’s priority of service to the culturally diverse members of the Queens community. QSO has continued to provide numerous programs to the borough of Queens, presenting at least 25 concerts throughout the year, serving 30,000 residents, including 8,000 youth.

 

THE MOONLIGHTERS – Motown Concert

Sun July 31 at 5pm @ O’Donohue Park, Seagirt Boulevard and Beach 17th Street in Far Rockaway

In partnership with Kupferberg Center for the Arts, NYC Parks and City Councilmember Donovan Richards, Jr.

Since 1990, The Moonlighters have been performing throughout the United States as one of the country’s best-loved and most authentic Motown and variety dance bands. Just close your eyes and you’ll swear the original artists are performing. But don’t close them for too long or you won’t be able to enjoy their outstanding dance moves and showmanship.

 

THE DEVOTIONS – Doo Wop Concert

Sun August 7 at 5pm @ McNeil Park, Poppenhusen Avenue and 119th Street in College Point.

In partnership with Kupferberg Center for the Arts, NYC Parks and City Councilmember Paul Vallone

The Devotions perform primarily in the New York metro area and have appeared at Radio City Music Hall and Madison Square Garden, among other major venues. The group was formed in 1960 and is proud to have recorded and charted “Sentimental Reasons, “Sunday Kind of Love,” and “Rip Van Winkle.”

Follow Borough President Katz via @melindakatz or www.facebook.com/queensbpkatz

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