BROOKLYN BUZZ: Summer of music

Music has long been a part of Brooklyn’s lifeblood, from theclassical pianists and operatic voices that filled the BrooklynAcademy of Music in the 1930s to the 1960s jazz scene and the popculture juggernaut Saturday Night Fever that turned 1970sBensonhurst into the disco capital of the world.

Paying tribute to these wide-ranging eras has been the missionof various community music festivals, particularly in southernBrooklyn. These include the decade-old Siren Music Festival inConey Island – which this year moved to lower Manhattan – as wellas the Martin Luther King Jr. Concert Series at Wingate Field, fromJuly 11 to August 22, and the Seaside Summer Concert Series fromJuly 14 to August 18, hosted by Borough President Marty Markowitzin Coney Island.

Another option is a series of 15 evening concerts in parksthroughout Brooklyn, hosted by State Senator Marty Golden.Beginning in Shore Road Park near the 79th Street entrance with‘50s to ‘70s oldies band New York Exceptions on Tuesday, July 12,and ending on Wednesday, August 24, with a family day of rides,games and karaoke at McKinley Park in Dyker Heights, the summerseries will give Brooklynites a chance to enjoy the here-and-nowwhile basking in the music of everyone’s childhood.

The 2011 summer concert series features talent that brings tolife the music we have come to enjoy and love, said Golden. So nomatter what your preference is, the oldies, disco, doo-wop, or themusic of the ‘50s, ‘60s, ‘70s and ‘80s, you are sure to enjoy themusic and have a great time.

In addition to performances by native Brooklyn bands like HeadOver Heels, Alive N Kicken, John Kuse & The Excellents, andFrankie Marra & His Band, there will be tribute bands toForeigner, Journey, The Four Seasons, the sounds of Frank Sinatra,Bobby Darin and Dean Martin, and a wide range of oldies anddisco.

All of the concerts are free and most begin at 7 p.m. Family Daywill run from 5 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Participating parks includeMarine Park, McKinley Park, Shore Road Park, Dyker Park, andParkville. On Tuesday, August 2, the New York Police Departmentwill also be participating through their annual Police Night Out.Weather updates will be available via phone hotline at 718-236-7547or 718-238-6044.

For information and schedules on the Seaside Summer ConcertSeries and the Martin Luther King Jr. Concert Series, visithttp://www.brooklynconcerts.com/seaside.html . Performers therewill include Joan Jett and The Blackhearts, The Monkees, MaryWilson of The Supremes, and Queen Latifah.

Golden’s 2011 summer concert schedule is as follows:

Tues, July 12 – New York Exceptions (50’s thru 70’s oldies band)- 79th St & Shore Road

Wed, July 13 – Disco Unlimited (the best of 70’s disco) – MarinePark (Fillmore Ave.)

Tue, July 19 – Head Over Heels (Bay Ridge Party Band) – 79th St& Shore Road

Wed, July 20 – East Coast (60’s thru today’s music) – MarinePark (Fillmore Ave.)

Tue, July 26 – Foreigner & Journey Tribute Bands – 79th St& Shore Road

Wed, July 27 – Risky Business (50’s thru 80’s oldies) – MarinePark (Fillmore Ave.)

Fri, July 29 – Carl Thomas (Sounds of Sinatra, Darin, Martin) -Parkville (65th above 8th Ave.)

Tue, Aug. 2 – Police Night Out – Celebrations in everyPrecinct

Sun, Aug. 7 – Alive N Kickin (hit song Tighter & Tighter)- Marine Park Festival – Ave. U

Tue, Aug. 9 – Generation Gap – Dyker Park (86th St. & 14thAve.)

Wed, Aug. 10 – Brooklyn Keys (oldies & Disco) – Avenue U& Van Sicklen St.

Tue, Aug. 16 – Rag Doll (a Tribute to the 4 Seasons) – 79th St& Shore Road

Wed, Aug. 17 – John Kuse & The Excellents (Coney IslandBaby) – Marine Park (Fillmore Ave.)

Tue, Aug. 23 – Frankie Marra & His Band (Classic Rock PartyBand) – Shore Rd. at 81st St.

Wed, Aug 24 – Family Day – Karaoke, Rides, Kids Games – McKinleyPark (75th St./FH Pkwy)