Cool sounds, hot times, free, via Arts Council of Princeton
Beginning Thursday, June 9, The Arts Council of Princeton, in partnership with the Princeton Shopping Center, once again will present its free Summer Courtyard Concert Series every Thursday through July 28 from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at the shopping center, located at 301 N. Harrison Street, Princeton. Ample parking is available. And don’t forget those lawn chairs, blankets, etc.
Here’s the schedule:
• June 9: The Princeton High School Studio Band, directed by Joe Bongiovi, selects its members by audition only. All Studio Band members are expected to excel in sight-reading, master finger positions, and be familiar with all techniques that apply to their instrument. The Studio Band is known to play a wide variety of genres arranged for Big Band.
• June 16: Chris Harford and the Band of Changes. Chris Harford has been writing songs since the 1980s. His major label debut “Be Headed” was released on Elektra in the early 1990s. Eight albums followed, the latest of which, “Looking out for Number 6,” was on Ween’s label, Chocodog, in 2006. His band, The Band of Changes, is a revolving door concept that features a loose consortium of more than 50 musicians.
• June 23: The Klez Dispensers offer impeccable arrangements, inspiring improvisations, and engaging repertoire from the early years of klezmer, as well as exciting original compositions. An eight-piece ensemble including clarinet, trumpet, saxophone, violin, piano, bass, drums and vocals, was formed in 1998 and performs throughout the year. The band has played at Satalla, Makor and CBGBs in New York. In 2000 the ensemble recorded its first CD, “Indispensable,” and in 2004 released its latest album, “New Jersey Freylekhs.”
• June 30: The Blawenberg Band, based in Montgomery, was founded in 1890. It is one of the oldest community bands in the state. The 75 members of the Blawenburg Band range in age from their teens to their 90s, and include teachers and students, research scientists and computer specialists, and homemakers and active retirees. Some players have years of training and professional experience, others learned to play as children and are dedicated amateurs.
• July 7: Alex Mitnick and the Kaleidoscope Band perform on drums, percussion, and bass, with special guest Natalie Merritt singing and leading dances for the children. Concerts are lively and engaging and always include music from Africa and South America, fun sing-a- longs and “all of your favorite Kaleidoscope Songs. Alex’s sensitivity, humor, and ability to connect with adults and children alike make these shows unforgettable.”
• July 14: Minister William Carter’s Gospel Show. Minister Carter, the Minister of Music of the First Baptist Church of Princeton, is an acclaimed singer, songwriter and conference speaker who has many accomplishments to his credit. He has appeared with the renowned male ensemble Three2Five and has also worked with Peter Nero & the Philly Pops for their Christmas concert at the Kimmel Center in Philadelphia. He has also shared the stage with many gospel recording artists including Richard Smallwood, Tye Tribbett and Dorothy Norwood.
• July 21: Ray Rodriguez y Swing Sabroso. Since its inception in 2001, Ray Rodriguez y Swing Sabroso have generated a growing number of loyal fans throughout the tristate area and abroad. The group’s distinctive style, Salsa Dura, is the result of the extensive musical backgrounds of the band’s members, who have performed and recorded with some of the most recognizable names in Latin Music. They continue to perform with great reviews at venues such as Lincoln Center, S.O.B.s, LQ’s Philadelphia Salsa Congress, NYC Salsa Congress, and at many festivals and clubs. They have also shared the stage with Grammy award winner Eddie Palmieri, Conjunto Clasico, Oscar Deleon, El Gran Combo and many other international acts.
• July 28: Jerry Rife’s Rhythm Kings was organized by Jerry Rife in 1984 and was inspired by the legendary early bands of New Orleans. The band is committed to a hot-jazz style of performance that was prevalent in the post World War II Dixie and jazz bands that became known as “revival Dixieland.” Their stylistic trademarks are fresh rhythmic vitality regardless of tempo, close melodic interaction in the front-line instruments, spur-of-the-moment arrangements, and a solid swing rhythm section.
Also, new this summer, June 15 through Aug. 24 (every other Wednesday), from 5 to 7 p.m., The Arts Council of Princeton is partnering with Princeton Forrestal Village in Plainsboro to present Forrestal Village Summer Concerts at 206 Rockingham Row. This series is also free, also with ample parking.
Here’s the schedule:
• June 15: Alfred James Band.
• June 29: Eco del Sur.
• July 13: Thursday Night Jazz.
• July 27: Billy Walton Band.
• Aug. 10: Monday Blues Jazz Orchestra.
• Aug. 24: Sarah Donner.
For more information, visit www.artscouncilofprinceton.orgwww.princetonshoppingcenter.comwww.princetonforrestalvillage.com.

