(JERSEY CITY, NJ) -- Four free live music events will be held in Jersey City parks throughout the 4th of July weekend, featuring a diverse lineup of American music. The series is curated and produced by Riverview Jazz and is presented by the City of Jersey City and Exchange Place Alliance.
Friday, July 3, 7:00pm–9:00pm at Hamilton Park - Summer Swing Dance at the Gazebo featuring the Robert Edwards Big Band with Vanessa Perea
Saturday, July 4, 2:00pm & 3:30pm at Berry Lane Park - Jazz & Salsa featuring Winard Harper & Jeli Posse and Grupo K’ndela
Saturday, July 4, 6:00pm & 7:30pm at Riverview-Fisk Park - Americana in the Heights featuring the Go-Bailers Bluegrass All-Stars with a family square dance, and Walter Parks & the Unlawful Assembly
Sunday, July 5, 12:00pm to 2:00pm at Van Vorst Park - Sunday in the Park featuring classical music nature walk with Ecotones Concerts
“It’s really exciting to present amazing live music in such beautiful settings,” says Riverview Jazz Executive Director and Founder, Bryan Beninghove. “The parks of Jersey City are very special and we had a lot of fun pairing the different styles of music to the setting. Special thanks to Exchange Place Alliance and the City for the opportunity!”
“None of this would be possible without the generosity of our sponsors. Their support means every resident and visitor can enjoy a world-class celebration without it costing our taxpayers a dime,” Mayor James Solomon said in a statement. “Jersey City was there at our nation’s founding, and we are proud to be America’s Golden Door – welcoming those who built our nation and providing a home where the next 250 years of our nation’s story can be written.”
He also thanked Macy’s, the Exchange Place Alliance, Kean Jersey City and the U.S. Army for their generous contributions, which will fund the full costs of the celebration.
“The Exchange Place Alliance is delighted to support such an important Jersey City celebration under the mayor’s leadership. For Jersey City residents and visitors, it is a great opportunity to show how special our city is, not just on July 4th but every day,” added EPA Board President Mike DeMarco.
The city’s festivities will also include a fireworks festival at Exchange Place on Montgomery Street between 12 noon and 10:00pm on July 4. Curated by Jersey City Night Market, the all-day festival will feature:
* Three entertainment stages, including a stage programmed by the Jersey City Free Public Library for families
* A family fun zone with bouncy houses
* Over 100 vendors offering food, drink, and artisan goods
* Live soccer match viewing
Interactive Revolutionary War character performances at 3:00 PM and 6:00 PM by Speranza Theatre Company, presented as part of America250
Addition fireworks access points include: York & Hudson; Grand & Hudson; Essex & Hudson; Washington & Dudley (Paulus Hook Section); Colgate Clock; Columbus & Hudson; Hudson & Harborside; and 2nd & Hudson
Public transportation is strongly recommended as the festival footprint will limit vehicle access throughout Downtown Jersey City. The PATH and the Hudson Bergen Light Rail are the best options.
Full event details, maps and updates are available here.
Riverview Jazz began as a grassroots concert at the Riverview Farmers Market in the Jersey City Heights in 2013. In just a few short years Riverview Jazz was producing or partnering in over 100 free-to-the-public performances a year in Hudson County, including the Jersey City Jazz Festival, the largest outdoor jazz festival in the NYC tri-state area. Riverview Jazz programming focuses mainly on straight-ahead jazz, Latin jazz, and those sounds left-of-center.
