EssexCounty Executive divincenzo announces changes

to essexcounty free 2003 summer concert series

Essex County is Ready to Host Legendary Recording Artists

Lesley Gore to perform on Monday, Aug. 18th;

The Famous Shirelles to Take the Stage on Tuesday, Aug. 19th;

GaryU.S.BondsCancelsEssexCounty Appearance

Newark, NJ –The persistent rainy weather has forced the cancellation of several performances in the Essex County Free 2003 Summer Concert Series, but Essex County Executive Joseph N. DiVincenzo, Jr. announced that new concert dates have been set.

DiVincenzo thanked singing legend Lesley Gore, famous for her 1963 smash hit “It’s My Party,” for rescheduling her performance for Monday, August 18th and for The Famous Shirelles to agree to perform in an added concert for Tuesday, August 19th. Despite Rock n’ Roller GaryU.S. Bonds had to cancel his rescheduled visit to EssexCounty because of new date conflicts.

The new dates that have been added to the concert series are as follows:

  • Lesley Gore: Monday, August 18th, 7:30 p.m., BrookdalePark, Bloomfield/Montclair.
  • The Famous Shirelles: Tuesday, August 19th, 7:30 p.m., BrookdalePark, Bloomfield/Montclair.

The CountyExecutive invited the public to attend the concerts and enjoy a relaxing evening in EssexCounty’s BrookdalePark. The Essex County 2003 Free Summer Concert Series is sponsored by Filippo Berio Extra Virgin Olive Oil.

Lesley Gore has more than two dozen hits to her credit, including “Judy’s Turn to Cry,” “She’s A Fool,” “That’s The Way Boys Are” and “You Don’t Own Me.” “It’s My Party” catapulted her to fame at the age of 16 and she recorded 17 hits from 1963 to 1967 on the Mercury label. She has expanded her successful career as a songwriter and actress. She has earned an Oscar nomination for co-writing the song “Out Her On My Own” for the movie “Fame” with her brother, Michael Gore. Her acting credits include portraying herself on “The Donna Reed Show” and as Catwoman’s sidekick on “Batman.”

The Famous Shirelles came together as school girls in New Jersey and have been performing for more than three decades. Recognized as Rock n’ Roll’s first female supergroup, their long string of hits includes “Soldier Boy,” “Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow,” “Dedicated to the One I Love” and “Mama Said.” The Famous Shirelles also have achieved several milestones: They are the first female group to sell a million records, they were the first group to headline an integrated show in Alabama and they were the first pop act to record a radio commercial for Coca-Cola. Their lasting appeal is so strong they continue to be heard daily on a wide variety of radio formats and featured in scores of films and television shows.

Singer and songwriter Gary U.S. Bonds cancelled his Aug. 18th performance because of new scheduling conflicts. Bonds originally was scheduled to perform earlier this month before rain forced a cancellation and had rescheduled his concert for Aug. 18th.

Anyone who requires special accommodations or assistance are asked to notify the Essex County Department of Parks, Recreation & Cultural Affairs about their needs prior to the concert. There is a $2 donation for on-site parking at BrookdalePark.

The program is made possible in part by funds from the New Jersey State Council on the Arts/Department of State, a partner agency of the National Endowment for the Arts, and Presenting Sponsor Commerce Bank. For more information about the concert, call the Essex County Division of Cultural and Historic Affairs at 973-268-3500 Ext. 4.

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