Free Music on the River at Beczak this August

The Beczak Environmental Education Center’s riverfront park will host six concerts in four weeks this August, including Jazz Forum Arts free “Women in Jazz” series on Tuesday evenings, Solar Punch as part of the free SummerFest on August 13, and Urban H2O’s rockin’ roots show featuring Marc von Em and Gretchen Witt on August 20.

Music has become an important part of Beczak Environmental Education Center’s mission to bring people to the Hudson River, and encourage visitors to experience the river’s beauty, learn about the life in its waters and be moved to preserve it. Urban H2O, a monthly roots music series at Beczak, is now entering its third year, and this will be the second season that the Center’s riverfront park will host concerts with Jazz Forum Arts. 

“Music brings people to the river,” says Cliff Schneider, Executive Director of Beczak Environmental Education Center. “We hope it reconnects Hudson Valley residents with their cultural heritage and encourages environmental advocacy.”

Here is a complete list of the concerts offered this month:

Celebrating Women in Jazz Concert Series at Beczak Environmental Education Center’s riverfront park each Tuesday evening in August, 6:30 – 8:30 PM. Presented by Jazz Forum Arts. All concerts are free.

• August 2:  Ginetta’s Vendetta – featuring trumpeter and vocalist Ginetta’s Vendetta. “This classy female blows like Miles & sings like Sade!” - N.J. Jazz & Blues Notes. 
• August 9:  KLARO! - contemporary cutting-edge jazz quartet co-led by two critically acclaimed international artists—Karolina Strassmayer, voted “Top Five Alto Saxophonist” in Downbeat Readers Poll, and Drori Mondlak, a New York City jazz drummer now living in Cologne.  
• August 16:  Jill McCarron Quartet - a classic quartet led by pianist Jill McCarron, winner of the 13th annual Great American Jazz Piano Competition; her musical wit, virtuosity and power compared to Art Tatum. 
• August 23:  Kim Clarke & MAGNETS!  - the jazz/funk/world music quartet led by bassistKim Clarke. JazzReview.com calls them a “made-in-heaven marriage of Funkadelic’s groove and the intricate rhythms of Weather Report at its most aggressive.”  Features Rob Scheps, Bryan Carrott and George Gray.

Solar Punch at Beczak Environmental Education Center’s riverfront park on Saturday, August 13, 5:30 – 7 PM. Part of Summerfest, Beczak’s free family fair from 2 – 8 PM.

Solar Punch plays environmental rock that is powered by the sun! With catchy songs about sustainability that sound like the Grateful Dead and Tom Petty, this local band from Hastings, NY, travels regularly to India to support solutions to climate change.

Marc von Em and Gretchen Witt at Beczak Environmental Education Center on Saturday, August 20, 7 PM. Part of Urban H2O’s concert series. $10 admission includes free beer from sponsor Captain Lawrence Brewing Company. urbanh2o.org Urban folk featuring thoughtful songwriting and gritty delivery. Whole-wheatRadio.org calls Marc von Em’s music “a great groove;” Discovering Artists calls Gretchen Witt’s sound “acoustic rock magic.” 

For more information on this month’s concerts contact vgarufi@beczak.org, (914) 377-1900 x 12, or visit the Beczak Environmental Education Center’s website at www.beczak.org.