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 26^th through August 28^th . The Emil Paolucci Summer Sounds Concert Series will enter its 12th season with an eclectic lineup of musicians performing everything from mellow jazz to classical opera to Latin, Motown, reggae and even a little “yacht rock.”

This year the summer season opens on Wednesday, June 26^th at 7:30 pm with Forever Ray, a tribute band that performs the exciting and uplifting music of Ray Charles – a wonderful blend of styles ranging from jazz and blues to country and R&B.

In all, music lovers will get to hear exciting live music on 10 consecutive Wednesdays, plus five Friday concerts in July and August. In addition, NRCA will present an afternoon of Shakespeare in the park with the Lawn Chair Theatre Company’s production of “Much Ado About Nothing” on Sunday, July 21^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, Webster Bank, and Watermark Pointe. 

“The band shell at Hudson Park is New Rochelle’s summer concert venue, with free concerts that give music lovers the chance to enjoy the cool breezes off Long Island Sound all summer long,” says Theresa Kump Leghorn, President of NRCA.

In addition, the Hudson Park Children’s Greenhouse will once again 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. “We’re so grateful to our sponsors. The continued support of People’s United Bank, Webster Bank and Watermark Pointe has made it possible for us to continue bringing these wonderful 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.

Hudson Park is located at 1 Hudson Park Road in New Rochelle. In case of inclement weather please telephone the Dept. of Parks and Recreation at 654-2087 or check the New Rochelel Council on the Arts Facebook page for cancellations. The full Summer Sounds Concert Series schedule includes:

Wednesday, June 26^th : FOREVER RAY a tribute band performing the exciting and uplifting music of Ray Charles, a blend of musical styles ranging from jazz and blues to country and R & B.

Food truck: MAC Food Truck (featuring old school Italian sandwiches like meatball, chicken parm and sausage & peppers)

Friday, June 28^th : A trio of bands: LILLIMURE, a Westchester-based singer/songwriter whose music combines hip-hop’s fast-paced lyricism, folk music’s storytelling and the intimate vocals of soul music; alt rockers BATES, and XONDRA playing pop, R&B, and pop rock.

Food Truck: Leila’s Crepe Station (serving up crepes both savory and sweet)

Wednesday, July 3^rd : SHOWTIME DANCE BAND, an energetic group performing Motown, soul, funk, and R&B favorites that gets everybody moving.

Food truck: Sloppie Joe’s Gourmet Grub (burgers, fries and – what else? – Sloppie Joe sandwiches)

Wednesday, July 10^th:  CHRIS BERARDO & THE DESBERARDOS have been described as a “hard working, roots rocking crew that knows how to turn it up loud and proud and let the good times roll.”

Food truck: Walter’s Hot Dogs (the long time Mamaroneck favorite: An exclusive blend of beef, pork and veal, Walter’s hot dogs are split down the middle, grilled in a “secret sauce,” and served on a toasted bun with Walter’s signature mustard: a blend of choice mustard seeds, relish and spices.)

Friday, July 12^th : JAZZ FROM LA ROCHELLE cool jazz celebrating Bastille Day and our sister city of La Rochelle, France.

Food truck: Hand Crafted Catering (ingredient-driven, locally-sourced, delicious, sustainable, and beautifully executed)

Wednesday, July 17^th : JULIA BREANETTA SIMPSON sings jazz. A New Rochelle-based actress and cabaret singer, Julia’s most recent tribute show is “Lena Horne: Classy and Sassy.”

Food truck: Leila’s Crepe Station.

Wednesday, July 24^th : 3D RHYTHM OF LIFE plays a Latin Tropical mix of funky salsa and Caribbean soul with a New York attitude. A bilingual dance band for the 21^st century.

Food truck: Tecas Tacos

Friday, July 26^th : TAJ WEEKES & ADOWA  This dynamic reggae band unites a vibrant diversity of sounds with thoughtful, lush arrangements and a finely honed penchant for telling poetic tales of hardship and hope.

Food truck: Tecas Tacos. (Practically a New Rochelle institution, this truck serves up tacos, burritos, asada (seasoned steak), chorizo and adobado (marinated pork). Owner Ruben Barajas also runs Restaurant Tecalitlan on Union Avenue.)

Wednesday, July 31^st : THE VERDICT This reggae-soca (soul/calypso) band is known for its Caribbean sound —  guaranteed to put you in a summer mood!

Food truck: Taqeria San Antonio (Serving beef, pork, chorizo, spicy beef, chicken and tongue tacos along with burritos, quesadillas and sandwiches)

Wednesday, Aug. 7^th : NEW ROCHELLE OPERA Featuring professionally trained opera singers performing favorites from opera, operetta, musical theatre.

Food truck: Walter’s Hot Dogs.

Friday, August 9^th:  EMILY ANGELL A bit folk, a bit roots, a bit electro-pop, singer-songwriter Emily Angell has been compared to Jewel and Alanis Morissette.

Food truck: Hand Crafted Catering.

Wednesday,  Aug. 14^th : WHAT IT IS plays horn-driven funk, soul, rock, jazz, pop, country and R&B band, including your favorites from Steely Dan, Bruno Mars, Springsteen, Chicago, Tower of Power, James Brown, Paul Simon, George Strait, Ray Charles and way more!

Food truck: Waffle Box (serving a variety of Belgian waffles)

Wednesday, Aug. 21^st:  AM GOLD describes its genre as “yacht rock “ – a smooth style blending adult contemporary pop and jazz rock, featuring hit songs from 1975 to 1985. (Think Hall & Oates, Steely Dan, Huey Lewis, Christopher Cross and Lionel Richie.)

Food truck: Hand Crafted Catering

Friday, Aug. 23^rd : NUF SAID is a NYC based band playing a mix of funk/neo soul/jazz mixed together to create a groove-heavy, rhythm-centered brand of music that is all its own.

Food truck: Taqeria San Antoniomusical flavors and scents.” 3.5/4 Stars – Album “Rise”

Wednesday, Aug. 28^th : LIZZIE & THE MAKERS, a female-fronted rock and blues band based in Williamsburg, Brooklyn, wraps up the Summer Sounds Concert season. Dark and soulful lead vocals and lyrics by Lizzie Edwards and innovative arrangements by Greg McMullen combine the blues, rock and psychedelic soul of musicians like Freddie King, Sharon Jones and Led Zeppelin.

Food truck: Gyro Uno Briarcliff (This classically trained chef serves scratch made Greek/ Mediterranean inspired street food with kicked up flavors: Gyros, souvlaki, falafel, more)

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.