NRCA Announces 2024 Summer Sounds Concerts

Sunny days, shorts and flip flops – it’s starting to feel like summer, and with the warmer weather comes the return of the Summer Sounds Concert Series to New Rochelle.  The beloved series of free concerts – presented by the New Rochelle Council on the Arts  (NRCA) — kicks off Wednesday, June 26th at the historic Hudson Park band shell and — thanks to support from the City of New Rochelle — this year’s calendar features TWO nights, Wednesdays AND Fridays.

The Summer Sounds Concert Series will begin its 17th season with The One Hit Wonderers,  a tribute band playing classic rock and pop, and finish on Friday, August 23rd  with a double bill featuring Gold Stars for Everyone (pop, indie and alt rock) and Avalanche at Dawn (original pop, rock and folk). In between the series will feature an eclectic lineup of musicians performing everything from Top 40 favorites to mellow jazz, reggae to classical opera, as well as Latin, funk and soul. In all, music lovers will get to hear exciting live music at Hudson Park on 18 consecutive Wednesdays and Fridays at 7:30 pm.

In addition, NRCA will present two “Classical Sundays”: On Sunday, July 21st at 4 pm the Rivertown Players will present Acting Shakespeare in America’s Wilderness, a family-friendly musical variety show that combines stand-up comedy, music and drama; and on Sunday, August 4th at 4 pm New Rochelle Opera will return with a program of opera and musical theater favorites.

As always there will be food trucks on site offering meals and snacks for sale; this year’s lineup features a variety of cuisines, from Cousins Main Lobster rolls to YumBro Filippino fusion. In addition, the Hudson Park Children’s Greenhouse will once again offer free yoga in the park every Wednesday from June 26th to July 28th, with instructor Liza Tuck leading a class suitable for people of all abilities from 5:45 to 6:45 pm.

The summer concerts are one of NRCA’s major events: NRCA’s Summer Sounds Committee started working in January, sending out an RFP for bands and receiving 134 applications for just 18 slots. After listening to all of the audition videos the committee decided to change things up a bit this year:  “Thanks to additional funding from the City of New Rochelle we are able to have two shows at Hudson Park each week, so we decided to use Fridays to feature some local and  emerging artists,” says Summer Sounds Co-Chair Margaret Chadwick.  “Several of the Friday concerts will feature sets by two different bands,” explained Summer Sounds Co-Chair Dave Fabris. The committee also reached out to local food trucks to curate an eclectic mix for every taste.

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 is co-sponsored by the City of New Rochelle, Montefiore New Rochelle, Friends of the Parks, The Pawfect Brew, Terri and Alvin Bowles, Andrew Francella/ Velosaty and RXR.

 Vin Parise, Commissioner of New Rochelle’s Dept. of Parks & Recreation, says “The Summer Sounds Concert Series every summer at Hudson Park is one of the most highly attended public events on our calendar year after year.  We are thrilled to once again partner with NRCA for this annual tradition along our waterfront and the lineup of entertainment this summer is terrific. We hope to see you on Wednesday and Friday nights at Hudson Park!”

For the complete concert calendar visit the NRCA website at www.newrochellearts.org.

Hudson Park is located at 1 Hudson Park Road in New Rochelle; limited parking is available in the lot behind the stage (for handicapped access) as well as at the marina. Parking costs $5 per car, but there is no charge for those with a Park Passport, New Rochelle Parks & Recreation’s photo identification card.  To obtain a Park Passport, photo identification is required, along with two permanent items that include name and address, i.e. driver’s license, vehicle registration, utility bill, tax statement, lease, or rent receipt. The cost is $40 per year for resident adults aged 16 to 61, or $50 for five years for resident seniors (ages 62 and up). Non-resident adults and seniors can purchase a Park Passport for $90.  

In case of inclement weather please telephone the Dept. of Parks and Recreation at 654-2087 or check the @NewRoParks social media platforms on Facebook, Twitter & Instagram. 

About New Rochelle Council on the Arts

The New Rochelle Council on the Arts mission is to stimulate and encourage the study and presentation of the performing and fine arts and the public\’s interest and participation therein. It has been exemplified by our sponsorship of a vast number of exhibitions, theatrical productions, dance recitals, film screenings, lectures, and concert series. To create opportunities for the public to encounter and explore art and increase access to the arts in New Rochelle.

NRCA has been in existence for nearly 40 years — it was created by a resolution adopted by the New Rochelle City Council on April 8, 1975. Our mission is to stimulate and encourage the study and presentation of the performing and fine arts and the public’s interest and participation therein. This is exemplified by our sponsorship of a vast number of exhibitions, theatrical productions, dance recitals, film screenings, lectures, and concert series.