The sounds of the seven-piece Latin Grupo Vibe will transform New Rochelle’s Library Green into a festive dance party on the evening of Thursday, July 19, as the popular BID Music on the Green series kicks-off its summer 2012 season in downtown New Rochelle. Three free concerts, beginning at 7:00 pm, will be sponsored by New Rochelle Downtown Business Improvement District (BID) on consecutive Thursday evenings.
“The BID is delighted to host this enormously popular concert series,” said Ralph DiBart, Executive Director of the New Rochelle BID. “Whether you enjoy dancing – or just listening, you are guaranteed a truly pleasurable evening of fabulous music and cool breezes. A double bonus – there are plenty of excellent restaurants nearby to sample before or after the show.”
The first performers, Grupo Latin Vibe, is known throughout the Metropolitan area for its exuberant rhythms and irresistible sounds. The ensemble was founded by Anibal Tito Rivera, congero, lead vocals, arranger and composer, and Tom Mattioli, vibraphonist, arranger, jazz virtuoso, and chorus. They are joined by five additional musicians and vocalists. Grupo Latin Vibe is a favorite among salsa dancers, many of whom will be joining in on the festivities.
The Jesters of Jive, a New York City band is influenced by the jump-jive and swing bands of the 1940’s including Count Basie, Glen Miller, Benny Goodman, Artie Shaw and The Dorsey Brothers, will take the stage on Thursday, July 16. Funny Jazz Chick, Joan Crowe has assembled some of New York’s hippest jazz cats into this unforgettable ensemble. The Jesters of Jive also draw repertoire from the 1990’s Swing Revival bands such as Cherry Poppin Daddies, Brian Setzer, Royal Crown Review and Big Bad Voodoo Daddy. The show incorporates professional jazz dancers to inspire and impress, and a Louis Armstrong mimic to create an experience right out of the 1940’s golden age.
The series will conclude with a steel drum “bang!’ on Thursday, August 2, as the 16-piece Pantonic Steel Band Orchestra wows the crowd. Five-time champion of the prestigious Panorama competition, the Pantonics perform an astounding array of musical selections – from Caribbean to jazz, R&B, popular and rap on steel drums. The Brooklyn-based group of young people have a special combination of musical excellence and dynamic drive, together with the pannists’ direct musical and blood lineage as children and grandchildren of the legendary members of Steel Orchestras such as Desperadoes, All Stars and Renegades – bring a legitimacy and fiery edge to their performances.
The concerts are conducted in cooperation with the New Rochelle Department of Parks and Recreation and the New Rochelle Public Library. In the event of rain, the shows will take place in the Ossie Davis Theater of the New Rochelle Public Library, with seating on a first-come, first-served basis, beginning at 6:30 pm. For information, participants can call the library’s community relations office at (914) 632-8254.
The BID has been active in promoting downtown through Dine Downtown campaigns, Artist Spaces Programs, Music on the Green, and BID Family Saturdays. The BID constantly pursues new venues to encourage people to frequent downtown. The BID’s goals are to promote economic development, provide sanitation services, beautify public spaces, create enhanced technology services, pursue the historic restoration of building facades, and support the attraction of new and the retention of existing businesses in Downtown New Rochelle. The BID’s efforts have resulted in over $80 million of new, private, taxpaying downtown development. Information is available at www.NewRochelleDowntown.com