The band shell at New Rochelle’s historic Hudson Park will once again be filled with the “sound of music” as the New Rochelle Council on the Arts presents its annual summer concert series from June 27^th through August 31^st. The Emil Paolucci Summer Sounds Concert Series, created by the New Rochelle Council on the Arts, is in its 11th season and this year’s concerts will feature an eclectic menu of musicians performing everything from mellow jazz to opera to Salsa, Motown and even a Ray Charles tribute band.

This year the popular dance band Alive N Kickin will open the season performing Motown, R & B, Disco and Swing favorites at 7:30 pm on Wednesday, June 27^th. In all, music lovers will get to hear exciting live music on 10 consecutive Wednesdays, plus four Friday concerts in July and August. The Friday concerts will feature the Empire Beats on July 6^th, a double bill with acapella group Blackout NYC and violinist Deni Bonet on July 20^th , Gospel Night with Kay Boyd and Acts of Faith on August 3^rd, singer/songwriter Heathcote Hill on August 17^th and the New Rochelle Jazz Orchestra on August 31^st.

The Summer Sounds concert series is presented by the New Rochelle Council on the Arts,

in partnership with the New Rochelle Dept. of Parks and Recreation, and co-sponsored by People’s United Bank and Webster Bank. Last year NRCA upgraded the sound system, thanks to an anonymous donation, and reached out to local food trucks to be on site each week. The same vendors have been invited this year.

In addition, the Hudson Park Children’s Greenhouse is partnering with New Rochelle Radiology to offer free yoga in the park every Wednesday before the concerts. Instructor Geoff Eddy will offer a class suitable for people of all abilities from 6 to 6:45 pm.

Bill Zimmerman, Commissioner of New Rochelle’s Dept. of Parks & Recreation, says the city is proud to continue the summer concert tradition. “The support of our sponsors People’s United Bank and Webster Bank has made it possible for us to continue bringing free concerts to the community.” For more information visit the NRCA website at www.newrochellearts.org or telephone the Dept. of Parks and Recreation at 654-2087.

The full Summer Sounds Concert Series schedule includes:

· Wednesday, June 27^th: Alive N Kickin Known for their chart-topping hit Tighter & Tighter, this dance band – celebrating its 50^th anniversary -- remains one of the East Coast’s most-requested, playing pop favorites guaranteed to get everybody on their feet.

· Friday, July 6^th : Empire Beats playing R&B, soul and dance favorites

· Wednesday, July 11^th: Rocky Middleton Jazz Ensemble Local favorite Rocky and some of the finest jazz musicians around.

· Wednesday, July 18^th : Billy and the Showmen Playing hard-driving r & b, soul and funk

· Friday, July 20^th : A double bill with acapella group Blackout, an 11-member vocal ensemble that is reinventing the genre of a cappella music with innovative arrangements and a distinct, signature sound; and violinist Deni Bonet , a pop/rock singer/songwriter and classically trained violinst who the Wall Street Journal described as “Sheryl Crow meets the B-52s”

· Wednesday, July 25^th : Forever Ray This tribute band performs the exciting and uplifting music of Ray Charles – a wonderful blend of styles ranging from jazz and blues to country and R&B

· Wednesday, August 1^st : New Rochelle Opera Performing favorites from opera, operetta and Broadway.

· Friday, August 3^rd : Kay Boyd and Acts of Faith Back by popular demand, a night of outstanding gospel music.

· Wednesday, August 8^th: Franco Morillo Band Playing Latin dance favorites that will have you on your feet

· Wednesday, August 15^th : Greetings From Anywhere This group mashes folk, blues, bluegrass and country into a unique roots-rock hybrid

· Friday, August 17^th : Heathcote Hill Mamaroneck-based rockers with an original sound

· Wednesday, August 22^nd : Bookends Performing favorites from Billy Joel, James Taylor and other classic rockers

· Wednesday, August 29^th: FDR R&B and dance favorites from the 80s to now

· Friday, August 31^st : The New Rochelle Jazz Orchestra

Hudson Park is located at 1 Hudson Park Road in New Rochelle.

The New Rochelle Council on the Arts (NRCA) was created by the New Rochelle City Council in 1975 to stimulate and encourage the study and presentation of the performing and fine arts. For four decades NRCA has worked to fulfill that mission by sponsoring art exhibitions, theatrical productions, dance recitals, film screenings, lectures, and concert series. In addition, NRCA has sponsored public art -- like the popular Fleur-de-Lis sculptures downtown -- and created ArtsFest, while helping to build relationships between the arts, the business community and city government. The NRCA website www.newrochellearts.org is the “go-to” place for information about the arts. Membership in NRCA is open to artists and non-artists alike, with members receiving invitations to networking events and studio tours. For more information visit NRCA on the web at www.newrochellearts.org. NRCA’s programs are made possible, in part, by ArtsWestchester with funds from Westchester County Government, the City of New Rochelle, and the support and participation of NRCA’s membership.