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It would not be summer without music in the park! Bring lawn chairs and picnic baskets and enjoy a variety of musical performances. For further information on the concerts, please call 908 722-1200.  Individuals with hearing and speech impairments may call the Relay Service at 711.  Over the weekends, in case of threat of inclement weather please call 908 722-1200 ext. 351.

Start the summer concert series with a journey through the Motown sound.  Dr. K's Motown Revue sings all the greatest R&B hits, where audiences sing along with every familiar song they play. Their perfect blend of the era costumes and outstanding group of singers makes it a magical evening. Bring the family early and participate in healthy living activities at 5pm.  Activities include yoga and Tai Chi, guided nature walk, healthy snacks, kids’ games, reading tent, chair massage, and blood pressure screenings. Bring some school supplies or books to donate to the “Stuff the Bus” project to donate to underprivileged youth.  A barbecue meal will be available for purchase.  This event is a collaborative effort between the Park Commission and United Way of Northern New Jersey, Somerset County Chapter.

July 4
Fourth of July Family Festival featuring
VERDICT and TOTAL SOUL
North Branch Park  5pm - 11pm

Verdict kicks off Independence Day at North Branch Park, turning the park into a tropical vacation paradise with their rich blend of classic reggae, calypso, soca, and funk island music. Then headliners, Total Soul, an 11 piece band perform R&B, soul, and Motown hits from the 60’s through today, brought to life with a mix of four-part vocal harmony, a soul-driven rhythm section, and “hot” horns. As they boast…”there’s Nowhere to Run if you give Total Soul the opportunity to Stomp into your Brickhouse and turn the park into a Boogie Wonderland.  Other highlights of the day include children’s entertainment and activities, historical re-enactments, and fireworks.

July 10
TOMMY MARA & THE CRESTS with special guests CARISMA
Duke Island Park  5:30pm - 8:30pm

Tommy Mara and the Crests have been making music for a long time.  The Crests began as a New York R&B do-wop group in the late 1950’s.  Their most popular song was 16 Candles, which rose to number 2 on the Billboard Charts and sold more than one million copies.  Today, they are still singing and wowing audiences.  There will be no Trouble in Paradise in Duke Island Park – just many people singing along to the hits of that golden era.  Carisma opens the shows. This dynamic group of six perform the hits of groups like The Fifth Dimension, The Temptations, and The Doobie Brothers.

July 17                      
HAROLD MELVIN’S BLUE NOTES
Duke Island Park  7pm - 8:30pm

Philadelphia's native son, Harold Melvin, has been synonymous with nearly a score of Bluenotes, launching the careers of Teddy Pendergrass and Billy Paul. The group had a string of Platinum and Gold hits including Bad Luck, If You Don’t Know Me By Now, and Wake Up Everybody. Although the Blue Notes went through many personnel changes since they first began singing on Philadelphia street corners years ago, their style still remains virtually the same as before Harold's untimely death.

July 24                      
MICHAEL AMANTE
Duke Island Park  7pm – 8:30pm

Michael Amante is an American tenor who can sing it all. Whether commanding the heroic volleys of Puccini or melting the tender phrases of O Sole Mio, Amante charms not only the opera world, but all worlds.  The New York Times declared that this "swashbuckling Italian tenor exhibits both the voice and charisma of a crossover star," and Tony Bennett has hailed him as "the new Mario Lanza."   From Rao’s restaurant to the opera house and musical theater, Michael Amante will now shine for one night in Duke Island Park.  Don’t miss this performance!

July 31                      
14th Annual Bayou Fest at Duke Island Park featuring
ZYDECO-A-GO-GO  5:30pm- 6:30pm

Dance band Zydeco-A-Go-Go loves what they do, bringing partygoers and revelers the music that they can’t resist…zydeco with a blend of Cajun two-steps, New Orleans rhythm & blues, and swinging Louisiana rock & roll.   Hailing from Philadelphia, Zydeco-A-G-Go will get the party started and keep it going!

CJ CHENIER & THE RED HOT LOUISANA BAND  7pm - 8:30pm

Son of the legendary zydeco pioneer Clifton Chenier, C.J.’s music not only embraces traditional zydeco, but stretches the genre to include elements of funk, Southern Soul, R&B, rock, and jazz.  Labeled “the best living zydeco singer and accordionist” by Living Blues magazine, when “The Crown Prince of Zydeco” straps on his accordion and applies the big squeeze you’ll be moved from deep within your soul to the soles of your dancing shoes.  Get ready for a good time!

August 7             
SMOKIN’ JOE KUBEK AND BNOIS KING
Duke Island Park  7pm - 8:30pm

Smokin’ Joe Kubek began playing the blues in Dallas clubs at the age of 14. In 1989, he teamed with singer/guitarist Bnois King from Louisiana, whose soul-tinged vocals and jazz-orientated style contrasts well with Kubek's techniques. Together they have received acclaim from Stevie Ray Vaughn and B.B. King.  For almost 20 years, the red-hot Texas rockin’ blues of Smokin’ Joe Kubek and Bnois King has been thrilling music fans all around the world.   Catch this dynamic duo!

Put on your dancing shoes! The Infernos concert rained out on Sunday, August 14 has been rescheduled for Wednesday, August 24 at Duke Island Park at 7pm.

August 14                
THE INFERNOS                 
Duke Island Park  7pm - 8:30pm

This group of nine talented individuals includes four lead vocalists backed by a dynamic rhythm section and an exciting horn section featuring trumpet and multiple saxophones. Featuring former members of The Duprees and The Classics IV, The Infernos will perform such hit songs as You Belong To Me, Have You Heard, My Own True Love, Everyday With You Girl, Traces, and Stormy.

August 21               
NEIL AND THE DIAMONDS – A NEIL DIAMOND TRIBUTE
Duke Island Park  7pm - 8:30pm Rescheduled for Sunday, August 28th @ 5pm

The music is pure, the voice is Neil, and the show is a thunderous mix of Diamond's best. From Forever in Bluejeans and Cracklin Rosie to Sweet Caroline and America they will perform all the songs that audiences world-wide know by heart. Don’t miss this ultimate Neil Diamond Tribute.

August 24 - Put on your dancing shoes! The Infernos concert rained out on Sunday, August 14 has been rescheduled for Wednesday, August 24 at Duke Island Park at 7pm.

The Neil and the Diamonds concert rained out on Sunday, August 21 has been rescheduled for Sunday, August 28 at Duke Island Park at 5pm. It will be immediately followed by New Riders of the Purple Sage concert beginning at 7pm on Sunday, August 28.

August 28                
NEW RIDERS OF THE PURPLE SAGE™
Duke Island Park  7pm- 8:30pm

Forty years ago, Jerry Garcia and other Grateful Dead musicians were looking to form a band that featured country rockabilly songs, and the New Riders of the Purple Sage™ was born.  They saw themselves playing a special brand of music - sweet country harmonies mixed with pulsing rock rhythms.  Their largest selling gold record was Panama Red, but they loved playing a variety of musical styles, including songs like On Top of Old Smokey and Take a Letter Maria.  While group members have changed over time, they are continually breaking out new songs on every tour while staying true to the legacy that began many years ago.