48 THE QUEENS COURIER • BUZZ • JULY 4, 2019 FOR BREAKING NEWS VISIT WWW.QNS.COM
buzz
SummerStage returns to Queens
Diverse schedule of performers slated for two parks
BY BILL PARRY
bparry@schnepsmedia.com
@QNS
SummerStage rolls into Queens for its
annual residency with three shows in
Springfi eld Park beginning Friday before
moving into Queensbridge Park for three
more.
For more than 30 years, the concert
series staged by the independent nonprofi
t City Parks Foundation has rocked
Central Park, but for the last 15 they’ve
been delivering the same to parks in the
outer boroughs.
“What we do is bring world-class entertainment
for free to make the arts and
culture available in all fi ve boroughs,”
City Parks Foundation/SummerStage
Executive Artistic Director Erika Elliott
said. “We try to have something for everyone
by being regional and hyperlocal, to
be representative of the community itself.”
Mighty Sparrow/CASYM Steel
Orchestra kicks off the festival Friday,
July 5, bringing Trinidadian Calypso to
Springfi eld Park less than a mile north
of JFK International Airport at 149th
Avenue and Springfi eld Boulevard.
On Saturday, July 6, it’s “Uncle” Ralph
McDaniels, the longtime host of Video
Juke Box, and friends including Soul
Jam, Blue Magic and DJ Hollywood and
on Sunday, July 7, Tabou Combo/Lakou
Mizik/DJ Sabine in association with Afro-
Latino, the self-proclaimed “ambassadors
of konpa” bring their style of Haitian
dance music. Th e orchestra is celebrating
their 50th anniversary this year.
“Springfi eld Park is a great location and
we’re so happy to be back,” Elliott said. “It’s
such a great community and people really
turn out for that one.”
SummerStage moves to Queensbridge
Park along Vernon Boulevard just north
of the Queensboro Bridge on Th ursday,
July 11, with Aterciopelados, one of
Colombia’s fi rst rock bands. Th ey will
be joined by the bluesy, Bogota-based
rock band Diamante Electrico, who hold
a pair of Latin Grammys for Best Rock
Album and opened for the Rolling Stone’s
fi rst-ever show in Columbia.
“Queensbridge Park is a sensational
venue with sweeping views of the East River
and the Manhattan skyline,” Elliott said.
Th e festival continues on Saturday, July
13, with a celebration of Argentinian
music featuring socially conscious singer
Leon Geico, who is known as the “Bob
Dylan of Argentina. Th e festival wraps up
Sunday, July 14, with Denis Nicole White,
better known as her stage name Avery
Sunshine bringing her soulful, jazzy songs
of praise and worship.
Courtesy of SummerStage
“Th ere is plenty of open space in both
parks,” Elliott said. “And it’s free. All you
have to bring is a blanket to spread out or
some folding chairs.”
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