The West Windsor Arts Council invites the community to celebrate summer 2015 with its annual concert series featuring local and regional artists spanning the musical spectrum — from Brazilian jazz and the blues to “newgrass” and folk pop. Free concerts are scheduled on select Saturdays through August, 7 to 8:30 p.m. at Nassau Park shopping center’s pavilion between Target and Panera Bread. Bring your own chair and food. The lineup includes:
Minas Trio uses Brazilian and American roots to create more than 100 original songs featuring ballads, folk, Bossa Nova, Sambas, instrumental jazz improvisation, scat singing, and whimsical whistling. Saturday, June 27.
Dukes of Destiny, based in Philadelphia, have been entertaining with their own arrangements of blues standards and original songs for more than 28 years. The group has appeared at River Blues Festivals at Penn’s Landing, Philadelphia; Blues Machine, the YO Philadelphia Festival; Pocono Blues Festival; and the Penn State Festival of the Arts. Saturday, July 18.
Tie Dye Hillbilly Dance Party, based in New Hope, Pennsylvania, offers traditional, newgrass, and jam-band inspired bluegrass. Musicians include Larry Wohl on fiddle, Mike Sumichrast on mandolin, David Haneman of Plainsboro on bass, Rob Chesbro on guitar, and Bob Sutor on banjo. Saturday, August 1.
Sarah Donner of Princeton is an indie folkpop artist with five studio album releases and a YouTube sensation with more than 2 million views of her videos. Donner is known for her powerful vocals, energetic instrumentals, and playful on-stage presence. Her music has been featured on Conan O’Brien’s blog, NPR, Showtime, and CBS News. Saturday, August 15.
Sponsors for this year’s series includes DDR Corporation of Nassau Park, New Jersey State Council on the Arts, Richard Eland of Title Village Title Agency, Mercer County Cultural & Heritage Commission, New Jersey State Council on the Arts, and West Windsor Arts Council. Visit the website for weather contingencies.
And the Beat Goes On Music Series, West Windsor Arts Council, Nassau Park Pavilion, between Target and Panera Bread, West Windsor. Bring chairs, blankets, picnics. Free. 609-716-1931. www.westwindsorarts.org.
