Community Corner

Celebrate the Fourth of July With Fireworks and Music in Essex County

County plans two fireworks displays and concerts by the New Jersey symphony orchestra and the infernos with Joe Piscopo.

Essex County Executive Joseph N. DiVincenzo, Jr. invites the public to celebrate the Fourth of July with two spectacular fireworks displays and exciting concerts by the New Jersey Symphony Orchestra in Essex County Branch Brook Park on Friday, June 27th and The Infernos with special guest Joe Piscopo in Essex County Brookdale Park on Wednesday, July 2nd. The 2014 Essex County SummerMusic Concert Series also moves into high gear with two day-long festivals featuring Gospel and House music, and performances by Volora Howell, Bradford Hayes and Junior Vega’s Latin Explosion.

“Our Free Concert Series offers a diverse lineup of performers who will take center stage in venues throughout our historic Essex County Park System. Pack a blanket, enjoy the cool evening breeze and dance to the sounds of classical, rock and roll, jazz, big band, Latin and more. We have a spectacular line-up that is sure to entertain and impress,” DiVincenzo said. “An evening in the parks with the New Jersey Symphony, The Infernos and Joe Piscopo and our Spectacular Fireworks Extravaganzas are the perfect shows for Independence Day. Come out and celebrate your Fourth of July with us,” he added.

The New Jersey Symphony Orchestra and Fireworks Display

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Relax with friends and family and enjoy an evening under the stars at Essex County Branch Brook Park. The Orchestra, under the direction of Conductor Gemma New, looks ahead to the classical favorites of its 2014-2015 season and honors the state’s rich cultural past. Enjoy selections including Beethoven’s Fifth Symphony, Tchaikovsky’s “Pathétique” Symphony and Mozart’s Così fan tutte Overture and then toast the Garden State’s 350th anniversary with a salute to Frank Sinatra, a medley of Jersey Boys classics, Count Basie’s “One O’Clock Jump” and patriotic favorites. Fireworks will light up the night sky immediately following the concert. The concert and fireworks will be held as follows:

The New Jersey Symphony Orchestra and Fireworks Display

Find out what's happening in Montclairwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Relax with friends and family and enjoy an evening under the stars at Essex County Branch Brook Park. The Orchestra, under the direction of Conductor Gemma New, looks ahead to the classical favorites of its 2014-2015 season and honors the state’s rich cultural past. Enjoy selections including Beethoven’s Fifth Symphony, Tchaikovsky’s “Pathétique” Symphony and Mozart’s Così fan tutte Overture and then toast the Garden State’s 350th anniversary with a salute to Frank Sinatra, a medley of Jersey Boys classics, Count Basie’s “One O’Clock Jump” and patriotic favorites. Fireworks will light up the night sky immediately following the concert. The concert and fireworks will be held as follows:

  • Date: Friday, June 27, 2014
  • Time: 7:30 p.m.
  • Place: Essex County Branch Brook Park - Heller Parkway, The Great Lawn Newark, NJ
The Infernos with Joe Piscopo and Fireworks Display

Known as “America’s #1 Show Band,” The Infernos vast repertoire includes all genres of music including Big Band, Oldies, Motown and today’s top chart busters. Bobby Wells, former member and musical director of The Duprees, is the leader of the band and provides keyboard and background vocals. Formerly of The Commodores, lead singer Kenny Simmons brings a powerful voice and showmanship that is sure to engage the audience. The band will be joined that night by entertainer Joe Piscopo. Best known as a cast member of Saturday Night Live, Piscopo’s career has spanned more than 25 years and includes starring in Hollywood movies and television, and performing on stage where he displays his comedic and musical talents in extraordinary shows. After the concert, stay for a spectacular fireworks presentation. (Rain date is Thursday, July 3rd.) The concert and fireworks will be held as follows:

  • Date: Wednesday, July 2, 2014, Rain date: Wednesday, July 3, 2014
  • Time: 7:30 p.m.
  • Place: Essex County Brookdale Park - Watchung Avenue, Bloomfield, NJ Bellevue Avenue, Bloomfield, NJ

The 2014 Essex County SummerMusic Concert Series is in full swing, with the following upcoming performances:

Gospel Festival

Co-sponsored by the City of Orange, the Gospel Festival features recording artist Vincent Freeman, Minister of Music Donald Malloy, Steller Award nominee Minister Nancey Jackson Johnson, 2014 McDonald’s Gospelfest Female Vocalist winner Rev. Marcia Sapp, the High Class Theater Group, the New Community Choir, the choir from New Eden Baptist Church and more. The Gospel Festival will be held as follows:

  • Date: Saturday, June 14, 2014
  • Time: 12 Noon to 5 p.m.
  • Place: Essex County Monte Irvin Orange Park - Intersection of South Harrison Street and Center Street Orange, NJ                
House Music Festival

Co-sponsored by the  Coalition of House Music Entertainment, a House Music Festival will be held in Essex County Weequahic Park on Sunday, June 22nd. Rain date is Sunday, June 29th. The House Music Festival will be held as follows:Date: Saturday, June 21, 2014 , Rain Date of Saturday, June 28th
Time: 12 Noon to 8p.m.
Place: Essex County Weequahic Park - Meeker Street, Newark, NJ      

Volora Howell

When you gaze into the alluring eyes of the complex and multi-faceted Volora Howell, you're looking into the windows of one cultured and classy soul. A jazz vocalist and resident from Orange, Howell’s talents can be heard on her latest CD, “Volora!” In addition to her music, she is a freelance journalist, television host and CEO/Executive Producer of her own production company, Sahara Entertainment. Volora Howell will perform as follows:

  • Date: Tuesday, June 24, 2014
  • Time: 7 p.m.
  • Place: Essex County Veterans Memorial Park - West Market Street, Newark, NJ

Bradford Hayes

Bradford Hayes has been a force on the jazz scene in northeastern United States for several years. In addition to leading his own band and performing with The Spirit of Life Ensemble, Hayes spent 15 years with Babatunde Olatunki’s Drums of Passion Band and served as musical director for three years. A highlight of his career was performing with Mr. Olatunki at Yankee Stadium during Nelson Mandela’s historical trip to the United States after his release from prison. Hayes has been music educator in the Newark Public Schools for 25 years. Bradford Hayes will perform as follows:

  • Date: Wednesday, June 25, 2014
  • Time: 7 p.m.
  • Place: Essex County Irvington Park - Lyons Avenue, Irvington, NJ

Junior Vega’s Latin Explosion

The Essex County Free SummerMusic Concert Series continues with Junior Vega’s Latin Explosion in Essex County Independence Park in Newark. Vega is a highly respected trumpet teacher and jazz musician. He will perform as follows:

  • Date: Tuesday, July 1, 2014
  • Time: 7 p.m.
  • Place: Essex County Independence Park - Van Buren Street, Newark, NJ

The SummerMusic Concert Series is being sponsored by Rose Squared Productions, The Horizon Foundation for New Jersey, Filippo Berio Olive Oil, TD Bank and the Branch Brook Park Alliance. The series is also made possible, in part, by the New Jersey State Council on the Arts/Department of State.

Concerts are held at accessible sites. Persons who require special accommodations or assistance are asked to call at least two weeks prior to the concert to alert staff as to their needs. Admission to the concerts is free. For more information, please call the Department of Parks, Recreation and Cultural Affairs at 973‑239-2485.

The Essex County Park System was created in 1895 and is the first county park system established in the United States. The Park System consists of more than 6,000 acres and has 22 parks, five reservations, an environmental center, a zoo, Treetop Adventure Course, ice skating rink, roller skating rink, three public golf courses, golf driving range, two miniature golf courses, Treetop Adventure Course, three off-leash dog facilities, a castle and the Presby Memorial Iris Gardens.



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