Summer concerts at Dykstra Park

SPARTA-The Sparta Summer Concerts will be held Friday evenings, June 24 through the end of July, in George Dykstra Park (behind the Sparta Public Library). Thanks to the sponsors, admission is free. In the event of inclement weather, the concerts will be held in the Mohawk Avenue School auditorium (adjacent to Dystrka Park). On June 24, at 7.30 p.m., Sony recording artist Nellie McKay will be featured as the debut artist. The singer and songwriter opened for Cyndi Lauper in a series of concerts in late 2003, performed around the globe in 2004, and appeared on numerous national television shows, such as The View, CBS Early Show, Live with Regis and Kelly, and the Late Show with David Letterman. She opened for Sting in Switzerland, France, Spain and Germany. Her debut album, "Get Away From Me", received positive press and was followed by numerous demands for live performances. On June 25, at 3 p.m., the park will host Sparta Rock-A-Thon II, a concert featuring local teen bands. On July 1, at 7.30 p.m., the singer, songwriter, guitarist, keyboardist, and harp player Peter Karp will share the stage with The Stray Cats, George Thorogood, Willie Dixon, John Lee Hooker, Don Henley, Richie Havens, and more. On July 8, at 7.30 p.m., the Karl Latham Group will perform. Drummer, educator, and recording artist Latham has performed with a wide spectrum of performers such as The John Lee Quartet, Slide Hampton, Clark Terry, Jon Faddis, Claudio Roditi, The Fantasy Band Michal Urbaniak, and other artists performing in the New York city area. Latham was included in the Star Ledger's celebration of jazz in "A Great Day in Jersey." On July 15, at 7.30 p.m., Mark Egan and Friends will perform. Egan is a respected and in-demand electric bassist on today's music scene. With three platinum and three gold albums to his credit, he has recorded with artists such as the Pat Metheny Group, Sting, Arcadia, Roger Daltry, and Joan Osborne. He has also added his musical prowess to movies and television shows. On July 22, at 7.30 p.m., Billy Hector will appear. Recognized as one of the "hottest" guitarists and songwriters, and named a "Living Legend" at the Asbury Park Music Awards, Hector participated in a historic studio session with Hubert Sumlin and Billy Boy Arnold to record "Juke" for fabled director Martin Scorsese's upcoming seven-part series "The Blues." On July 22, at 7.30 p.m., The David Munnelly Band will present traditional Irish music. The band was quoted as "one of Ireland's finest box players," by Penguin Review in Denmark. "David Munnelly's music is good for the soul," stated the reviewer for The Green Man Review. The Sparta Summer Concerts are presented admission free by the Sparta Cultural Affairs Committee in conjunction with the Sparta Township Recreation and Parks Department. Funding for the Sparta Cultural Affairs Committee events and the Sparta Summer Concerts is provided by Sparta Township and through the generous support of local businesses and local patrons of the arts: Lakeland Bank; Eastern Propane; Burke's Wine and Liquors; Laddey, Clark and Ryan, Attorneys at Law, Vogel, Chait, Collins and Schneider; Ailish's Alpine Paint Centre; Ritchies Music Center; Small Empire; Drayer Physical Therapy Institute; One Main St. Sparta; Stefan Grossman's Guitar Workshop; William A. Kozy; Carol R. Kozy; International Salon and Spa at Sparta; Annette and Joe Salvagno; Krogh's Restaurant and Brew Pub; Laurence and Susan Kozinski; and Robin and Mark Warrington. For information on upcoming events check out www.spartaarts.org.