2019 Summer Concert Series

The Sparta Cultural Affairs Committee, in conjunction with the Town of Sparta, announces the 2019 season of the Sparta Summer Concert Series. The event is free, open to the public, and will be held at The Nicholson Pavilion in George Dykstra Park on Fridays in July and August. The series features regional and national artists who perform original material, from folk to rock to country to blues and jazz.
This year’s schedule kicks off on Friday, July 5 with Murali Coryell, the blues singer/guitarist based in upstate NY, son of jazz guitarist Larry Coryell. In keeping with tradition, Billy Hector will return on Friday, Aug. 2, and singer/songwriter Danielia Cotton will be back on Friday, July 12, singing tunes from her latest recording.
Nashville songwriter Jesse Terry will perform. There will also be Celtic music by John Byrne and his band, originally from Dublin, now based in Philly. Jazz/rock ensemble Swingadelic comes from Hoboken, and will be fronted by bass player Dave Post.
Blues singer and sax player Vanessa Collier will be fire up the crowd. The finale is the NJ-based rock group The Doughboys, formed in the 1960s and reunited in 2000, fronted by Myke Scavone and Richard X. Heyman.
Each season, the opening acts are local artists. This year the lineup includes Raph KP, Adam Jacob, Don Elliker, Dodie Guardia & Somethin’ Southern, The Rhythm Aces, Medrock and Katlyn Lucio.
The event is made possible by volunteers and sponsors; Garlic & Oil, RB Painting, Sparta UNICO, Hart & Iliff, Mark Unglaub @ Farmers Insurance, Braen Stone, Thor Labs, Sparta Dental Design, Laddey Clark & Ryan, Burke’s Wine & Liquors, Mary Jean Ellis Attorney at Law, Shoprite Stores (Ronetco), Bill Wright School Of Music Sparta Tire Distributors, Animal General and Yoga Universe. We also thank St. Moritz Grill & Bar and Andre’s On The Lake for gift certificate giveaways for each night.
All shows start at 7 p.m. on Friday in the park. Performances are rain or shine. The Mohawk Avenue School auditorium is the venue for inclement weather. Log onto www.spartaarts.org for more information about the series and the performers or to become a sponsor. Bring family and friends, lawn chairs, and have a picnic while enjoying live music under the open sky in Sparta.