New Rochelle's Business Improvement District Announces Free Dance Parties

From New Rochelle Business Improvement District:

Bring blankets and lawn chairs if you want, but prepare to keep dancing when 2016 BID Music on the Green brings four free outdoor concerts and dance parties to the Ruby Dee Park on Library Green.

The fun and music begin 7 p.m. on Thursday, July 21 with Zero 360, a band and variety show that performs Motown, R&B, old-school disco and more. The series continues each Thursday through Aug. 11.

Salsa, Bassa-Nova and smooth jazz will all be in the mix as the popular series plays on week after week. Dancers can move to the music on a portable dance floor that will be out for the concerts. It’s all made possible by the New Rochelle Downtown Business Improvement District (BID) in cooperation with the New Rochelle Parks & Recreation and the New Rochelle Public Library.

“The summer’s here and the time is right for dancing -- on the green,” said Ralph DiBart, executive director of the BID. “Everyone will find something to love at these concerts. You can come out just to listen, of course. But you just might find you’re out of your seat and you’re feet are moving before you know it.”

If it rains the day of a concert, the event will move indoors to the Ossie Davis Theater of the New Rochelle Public Library on a first-come, first-served basis to the capacity of the 138-seat theater, beginning at 6:45 pm. Call (914) 632-8254 for weather updates after 4 p.m. the day of the concert.

The outdoor concerts run from 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. The following is a list of the bands, the dates they’ll appear and what to expect from their performances.

Zero 360 is a contemporary, multi-ethnic variety show/dance band that performs Motown, Soul, R&B, Funk, old-school disco, dance and rock—from classic songs to today's hits. This group of top-flight musicians, impressive vocals and a thoroughly entertaining style takes audiences on a fun-filled, entertaining journey of unique song medleys and exciting musical twists on July 21.

Eli Fountain, with Baba Don and Equinox, brings together an ensemble of smooth jazz and amazing New York musicians on July 28, who have performed with The Temptations, Whitney Houston, Peabo Bryson, Max Roach, Geri Allen, James Carter, Sam Rivers, Lena Horne, Butch Morris, Aretha Franklin and more.

Sensational sounds of Samba, Bossa-Nova, Baiao and Brazilian jazz standards will fill the park on Aug. 4 when Nanny Assis returns to Library Green with stellar musicians and his wildly popular music so many enjoy at SOBs, Milton’s Jazz Club, the Blue Note, B.B. King Blues Club & Grill and other top New York City venues.

The innovative Los Hacheros, a band of five talented musicians, sounds more like a conjunto of 12. Using unique instrumentation, Los Hacheros draws on charanga and salsa to create a sound distinctly their own. The band performs Aug. 11.

Photo courtesy of New Rochelle Downtown Business Improvement District