Princeton Forrestal Village and the Arts Council of Princeton announce an exciting new live summer music venue, the Forrestal Village Summer Concerts. To be he
By Vashtie Coefer
PRINCETON, NJ – Princeton Forrestal Village and the Arts Council of Princeton announce an exciting new live summer music venue, the Forrestal Village Summer Concerts. To be held every Wednesday from 5:00-7:00 pm running June 15 through August 24, the series features an eclectic array of contemporary performers at the Forrestal Village Piazza at 206 Rockingham Row, Princeton, NJ on US Route One South and College Road West just north of Princeton. The concert will be held in the main courtyard. The concerts are free to the public. Free parking is available throughout Forrestal Village.
“The Arts Council of Princeton has assembled an exciting roster of great performances,” says Debra Greta of Princeton Forrestal Village, “It’s a perfect time for families and friends to enjoy a summer evening out together.”
This summer’s performers include Alfred James Band, Eco del Sur, Thursday Night Jazz, Billy Walton Band, Monday Blues Jazz Orchestra, and Sarah Donner.
“When Forrestall Village approached us with this idea, we were only too happy to oblige. With its mix of shopping and dining, the Village is the perfect venue for our summer concerts,” says Jeff Nathanson, Executive Director of the Arts Council of Princeton.
About the Arts Council of Princeton:
The Arts Council of Princeton (ACP), founded in 1967, is a non-profit organization with a mission of Building Community through the Arts. Housed in the landmark Paul Robeson Center for the Arts, designed by renowned architect Michael Graves, the ACP fulfills its mission by presenting a wide range of programs including exhibitions, performances, free community cultural events, and studio-based classes and workshops in the visual, performing and literary arts. Arts Council of Princeton programs are designed to be high-quality, engaging, affordable and accessible for the diverse population in the greater Princeton region.
About Princeton Forrestal Village:
Along tree-shaded promenades and tranquil walkways, Princeton Forrestal Village is home to one of Central New Jersey’s true mixed-use environments. PFV features an eclectic array of shopping, dining and fitness/spa experiences – from a world-class Westin Hotel and Conference Center to Ruth’s Chris Steakhouse, Salt Creek Grille and Tre Piani Bar/Ristorante –as well as amenity-rich facilities for corporate and medical offices in an award-winning architectural campus.
About the Performing Artists for the series:
Alfred James Band (June 15) – Alfred James is the only cellist in the world playing a black, 5 string carbon fiber cello standing up! Satellite Radio’s XMU named Alfred James one of their Elite 27 of 2007. They won a Grammy songwriting contest in May 2007 and performed at 2 Grammy showcases. They have opened for Rufus Wainwright, Bruce Hornsby, Dave Mason, Marc Cohn, They Might Be Giants, and Suzanne Vega.
Eco del Sur (June 29), which means “Echoes of the South,” was founded in 2000 and performs ancient
Andean music and contemporary music from different Latin American regions. The group’s members are from Chile, Colombia and Ecuador and have each mastered several indigenous and contemporary instruments. Some of the instruments used will be pan-pipes and wooden flutes created by Pre-Columbian civilizations. The group also utilizes string and percussion instruments introduced to Latin America by Spanish and African heritage cultures.
Thursday Night Jazz (July 13) is a trio of young musicians: Joel Nygren (keyboards), Tommy Heutmaker (drums), and Tom Zmuda (saxophonist). While only 12 and 13 years old when they formed the band, within months they were performing throughout Mercer and Bucks counties. The trio performs a blend of jazz styles, from the traditional sounds of Duke Ellington and George Gershwin to contemporary jazz by artists such as Herbie Hancock, Dave Koz, Grover Washington, Jr., and Marion Meadows as well as original music.
Billy Walton Band (July 27) – Billy Walton has plied his craft in the Asbury Park/New Jersey shore music scene. He has played countless gigs in both the US and Europe and sat in with numerous of rock luminaries including Springsteen, Gary US Bonds and Stevie Ray’s backing band, Double Trouble. In 2009 Billy’s efforts culminated with a two week tour as the guitarist for Southside Johnny and the Asbury Jukes. The Billy Walton Band’s sound is a combination of hard blues reminiscent of Hendrix, Clapton and Vaughn mixed with a healthy dose of Warren Haynes and Derek Trucks. With the addition of bassist William Paris and drummer John Hummel, the Billy Walton Band churns out a singular brand of funky blues that has deep roots in both the jam band musical tradition as well as the Jersey shore Walton has cut his teeth on.
Monday Blues Jazz Orchestra (August 10), founded in the late 1960’s by employees of RCA’s Astro- Electronics satellite division in East Windsor, NJ, Monday Blues Jazz Orchestra has continuously entertained audiences with an ever-evolving mix of music. Originally created as a place for amateur musicians to play and have fun, the Monday Blues Jazz Orchestra has grown to become one of the Northeast region’s premier musical attractions. Today, it delivers audiences a fresh mix of sounds comprised of classic big band jazz, popular standards, modern hits, favorites from the Great American Songbook, and the hottest rock, R&B, and pop hits in a distinctly unique and modern style.
Sarah Donner (August 24) is a rockstar catlady kind of girl. She works the stage with a rhythmic guitar style, a fresh melodic line, and a candid stage presence. She is working on her third album Typing Is Dangerous, which is due out this fall on Cat Lady Records. In 2009, Sarah was a New Folk finalist at the Kerrville Folk Festival. The songs “Whalers and Sailors” and “Knocks on a Door” were chosen from over 800 entries.
For more information, contact: Vashtie Coefer [email protected] Phone: (609) 924-8777

