Bernie Williams Kicks Off Ridge Hill Summer Concerts

Westchester’s Ridge Hill today announced the lineup and dates for its 2013 Ridge Hill Summer Concert Series featuring performers on six Thursday evenings throughout the summer. 

The 2013 Summer Concert Series will kick off on June 27^th (rain date: July 1) with Bernie Williams and His All-Star Band. The former Yankee-turned-guitarist plays Ridge Hill for the second year, opening up the series with the Latin jazz rhythms that have earned Williams a Latin Grammy nomination.

“I am thrilled to be returning to Ridge Hill’s Summer Concert Series!” said award-winning bandleader and former New York Yankee Bernie Williams.“We had a great turnout last year, and my band and I are looking forward to playing again for our neighbors here in Westchester.”

“With our great restaurant mix and unique variety of shops and attractions, Ridge Hill is a natural gathering place for families and friends—and our Summer Concert Series adds yet another level of fun to the experience," said Kathy Welch, Executive Vice President and Director of Retail Development for Forest City Ratner Companies, developer and owner of Ridge Hill. "We received a wonderful response last year, and we know our guests appreciate this opportunity to hear great live music, dine, shop, socialize and enjoy all that Ridge Hill has to offer."

In addition to the main acts, host station WFAS-FM will introduce homegrown Westchester talent from the WFAS “Music Lounge” who will open each show.

Ridge Hill Summer Concert Series — Dates and Performers:

THURSDAY, June 27– Bernie Williams and His All-Star Band: Bernie Williams, former Yankee, and four-time MLB World Series Champion, is taking his talents onto the stage. Growing up in Puerto Rico, Bernie developed a love for flamenco music at an early age; when he was eight, his father gave him a guitar and sparked a second life-long obsession. After retiring from baseball, Williams released his first album, “The Journey Within,” to critical acclaim. His second album, “Moving Forward,” featured guest stars including Bruce Springsteen and Jon Secada, and produced a #1 single, immortalizing the smooth Latin Jazz rhythms of Bernie Williams and His All Star Band with a Latin Grammy nomination for the album. Bernie is the author of Rhythms of the Game: The Link Between Music and Athletic Performance, about “the symbiotic relationship between musical artistry and athletic performance through the eyes of a man who has mastered both.” (Rain date:July 1)

THURSDAY, July 11 – Shadows of the 60s – A Tribute to the Four Tops: Dave Revels and company pay tribute to the tremendous legacy of The Four Tops in this Tribute production show, Shadows of The 60'S, performing the group’s hits spanning three decades, from the 1960's to the 1980's. Considered by many the best male vocal group and lead singer ever produced by Motown, The Four Tops hold the distinction of being the longest-lived group in rock/soul history (41 years) without personnel change (1956-1997). The Four Tops reigned supreme from 1964-1967 under the songwriting team of Holland Dozier Holland. Come join us on tour as we take this very special walk with you down memory lane. (Rain date: July 15)

THURSDAY, July 18 – Abraxas - The Santana Experience: Formed in March of 2006, with one goal, to be the best, the members of Abraxas have honed their show to be not just a musical tribute to the legendary Carlos Santana, but an experience that you'll remember for a long time to come. Abraxas: The Santana Experience has played around the world with musicians from acts like Toto, Blue Oyster Cult, and Santana’s own band. This seven-member act is fronted by Alex Ligertwood, who performed with Santana for over 16 years and sang, wrote and/or co-wrote hits such as “Open Invitation,” “She's Not There,” “Hold On,” “The Sensitive Kind,” “All I Ever Wanted,” and many others. Abraxas brings virtuosity and passion to everything folks love about the Latin legend—propulsive Latin percussion, fiery lead guitar work, keyboard wizardry, lush vocals, and, of course, the GROOVE. (Rain date: July 22)

THURSDAY, July 25 – Wade Preston & The Movin’ Out Band (5-piece): The Movin' Out Band is the smokin' original band from the Tony Award-winning, Grammy nominated Broadway musical, “Movin' Out". The band includes members of Billy Joel's own band, and is fronted by the incredibly talented pianist and vocalist Wade Preston, who played the original 'Piano Man' in the hit musical, hand-selected by Billy Joel himself. The Movin' Out Band performs all of the famous Billy Joel hits, from "Scenes from an Italian Restaurant", "Piano Man" and "Movin' Out" to "Just The Way You Are", "Pressure," "Angry Young Man", "Big Shot," "It's Still Rock and Roll to Me" and "New York State Of Mind"....plus other great songs from that "other" classic rock piano master, Elton John. (Rain date: July 29)

THURSDAY, August 1– Tramps Like Us - Bruce Springsteen Cover Band: Two decades of road-tested musicianship have earned Tramps Like Us distinction as the most revered Springsteen cover act on the planet. The only Springsteen cover band to be endorsed by former Springsteen manager Mike Appel, the group captures that classic Springsteen sound while bringing a swagger and energy reminiscent of the boss himself. Unlike other tribute bands who attempt to impersonate or emulate their source in every respect, from looks to clothing to gestures, Tramps Like Us concentrates on the music itself. Formed in 1990, and featuring a lineup of seasoned and professional musicians with a repertoire of over 100 songs, Tramps Like Us has been dedicated to enjoying and sharing Bruce's music in a live setting. (Rain date: August 5)

THURSDAY, August 8 – Shower the People - James Taylor Tribute: Featuring the voice and guitar work of Neil Donell, “Shower the People: The Music of James Taylor” is a faithfully rendered presentation of more than two dozen Taylor classics including the iconic “Fire And Rain” and Carole King’s “You’ve Got a Friend.” The concert takes audiences through a retrospective journey of JT’s music, with entertaining anecdotes about the history and creative process behind many of these musical gems. Donell, respected as Canada’s premier session vocalist and called “the man of a thousand voices” in the media, leaves audiences mesmerized by his meticulous performance. Accom­panied by a group of the most accomplished musicians and singers in the country, Donell and Shower the People: The Music of James Taylor appeal to wide range of audience demographics and musical tastes. (Rain date: August 9^th)

About Westchester’s Ridge Hill
Westchester’s Ridge Hill is a regional destination for the very best shopping, dining and entertainment Westchester has to offer. Patterned after a classic downtown with a lush town square, it features a children’s play area, dancing fountains, and a trolley—the Westchester’s Ridge Hill Express.

Shopping, dining and entertainment options at Ridge Hill include National Amusements Showcase Cinema de Lux—a 12-screen movie theater featuring a restaurant, bar and children’s playroom, REI and Dick’s Sporting Goods, and Lord & Taylor, as well as popular brands and retailers like Apple, The Art of Shaving, Auntie Anne’s Pretzels, Bath & Body Works, Bonefish Grill, Brio Tuscan Grille,  Brooks Brothers Flatiron Shop, Charming Charlie, The Cheesecake Factory, Clarks, Desigual, Express, Elevation Burger, Francesca's Collections, Gap, GapKids, Guitar Center, Havana Central, H&M, LA Fitness, Lefteris Gyro, The Limited, L.L.Bean, Old Navy, Orvis, Pandora, Republic of Couture, Sephora, South Moon Under, Subway, Sur La Table, Texas de Brazil, T∙J∙Maxx, Vera Bradley, Verizon/Go Wireless, Victoria's Secret, White House│Black Market, Whole Foods Market and Yard House.

LegoLand Discovery Center, Haagen-Dazs and our fabulous two-level UNIQLO are now open! And soon, Ridge Hill will see the opening of Frannie’s Goodie Shop!

Located at Exit 6A off the New York State Thruway and at the Tuckahoe Road West Exit from the Sprain Brook Parkway, this shopping and dining haven is easily accessible to millions of Westchester, Putnam and Metropolitan-area residents and visitors. Westchester’s Ridge Hill features 160,000 square feet of office space— approximately 110,000 square feet of which is occupied by WESTMED Medical Group as well as an urgent care center. Learn more at http://www.westchestersridgehill.com