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Free Concert by the Ed Palermo Big Band at Echo Lake Park, Wednesday, July 31

The Union County Summer Arts Festival concert series continues its 53rd season of music on Wednesday evening, July 31, with a performance by the Ed Palermo Big Band. The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders, led by Chairman Linda Carter, invites the public to attend this free concert that begins at 7:30 p.m. in Echo Lake Park in Mountainside.

Ed Palermo’s Big Band has been together since 1980 attracting enthusiastic fans to New York nightclubs such as The Bottom Line and Iridium. The band’s performances of Frank Zappa’s music have earned rave reviews. When not playing Zappa tunes, they shift gears to play the Chicago blues of Paul Butterfield and Mike Bloomfield, often featuring the vocal and harmonica stylings of Rob Paparozzi. Ed Palermo has played all over the world, with the likes of Tito Puente, Tony Bennett, Mel Torme and Lena Horne, but his Big Band always feels right at home in Echo Lake Park.

“Bring the entire family and savor the brass and blues of the Ed Palermo Big Band,” said Freeholder Chairman Carter. “Pack a picnic basket, bring lawn chairs or blankets to sit on, and enjoy the sounds of summer under the stars.”

The Union County information van will be at the concert site with personnel from the Union County Department of Human Services and other knowledgeable staff to answer questions and offer information about programs and activities that are available to Union County residents.

The Summer Arts Festival concerts begin at 7:30 p.m. The July 31 concert will be at Echo Lake Park on the Mountainside-Westfield border. The concerts in August will be at Oak Ridge Park in Clark. Lawn chairs, blankets and picnic baskets are encouraged. Refreshments will be available from vendors, including ice cream, cotton candy and snacks from “The Ice Cream Man.” Pulled pork, hamburgers and specialty hot dogs will be available from “Marci’s Dog House,” winner of Best Topping and Best Truck categories on the 2012 Munchmobile tour of New Jersey.

The other free concerts in the Union County Summer Arts Festival series include:

Aug.  7 – Tusk (tribute to Fleetwood Mac); at Oak Ridge Park.
Aug. 14 – Sensational Soul Cruisers; at Oak Ridge Park.
Aug. 21 – Verdict (reggae and Caribbean music); at Oak Ridge Park.
Aug. 28 – The British Invasion Tribute; at Oak Ridge Park. A special Veterans Appreciation Program will take place at 7:00 p.m. before the concert.

For rain information call the Union County Department of Parks and Community Renewal at (908) 558-4079 after 3 p.m. on the day of the scheduled concert, or visit the Union County web site:www.ucnj.org

 

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