Outdoor Plays, Music Series Returns To Middlesex Co. This Summer

EDISON, NJ — Middlesex County’s popular Music-in-the-Park and Plays-in-the-Park series is back this summer. Residents can enjoy performances outdoors before in-person audiences.

The series was postponed last year due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

“We are thrilled that COVID-19 crowd restrictions for large outdoor gatherings have lifted, allowing us to resume Plays-in-the-Park and Music-in-the-Park for our residents to enjoy after postponing last year’s summer series,” said Ronald G. Rios, Director of the Board of County Commissioners.

“The excitement of live performances is finally back and what better way to spend time this summer with family and friends than in our pristine County parks and outdoor spaces.”

County Commissioner Charles E. Tomaro, chair of Infrastructure Management Committee said this season will feature a wide "variety of genre-defining music from established and emerging artists to Broadway-caliber shows.”

“And as we continue to help those in need that have been impacted negatively by the COVID-19 pandemic, we encourage everyone attending these events to bring a non-perishable food item as a donation for the Middlesex County Food Organization and Outreach Distribution Services (MCFOODS),” Tomaro said.

All summer Plays-in-the-Park performances are free. The first two shows will also be streamed live via Facebook here: https://www.facebook.com/PlaysInThePark

Meanwhile, the Music-in-the-Park concert series brings live music to community members with a variety of musical styles including classic rock, jazz, and Motown set against the backdrop of two of the County’s parks.

Here are the dates, schedules and locations:

Plays-in-the-Park 2021, Stephen J. Capestro Theater, Roosevelt Park, Edison

July:

• July 2, 8 p.m. – America the Beautiful
• July 23, 8 p.m. – Rock Roll & Soul

August:

• August 13, 8 p.m. – Showtune
• August 14, 8 p.m. – Showtune
• August 15, 8 p.m. – Showtune

Box Office opens at 5:30 p.m. and attendees are admitted immediately after receiving a free ticket. Residents need to bring their lawn chairs. In the case of inclement weather, the ticket will allow you to see another performance this season. All shows are free and open to the public. For more information, click here.

Plays-in-the-Park stage, 1 Pine Drive, Edison

July:

• July 11, 6 p.m. – Kraus Memorial Band, Music from the Theater at the Theater and More!
• July 18, 6 p.m. – Into the Woods Woodwind Trio, Bach to the Future (Classical, Broadway, Pop & Jazz)

August:

• August 1, 6 p.m. – Mark Heter Band, New to You Old Favorites
• August 8, 6 p.m. – Greg Giannascoli & Friends, From American to Argentina
• August 22, 6 p.m. – Silk City Jazz Quartet, Smokin’ Hot Jazz
• August 29, 6 p.m. – Sandy Sasso’s Swingin Big Band, Hits and Standards from the Big Band Era

Music-in-the-Park Summer 2021 Series, Raritan Bay Waterfront Park stage, South Amboy/Sayreville Beach Front - O’Leary Boulevard, South Amboy

July:

• July 7, 6:30 p.m. – Danny V’s 52nd Street Band, A tribute to Billy Joel
• July 14, 6:30 p.m. – Scarborough Fair, A tribute to Simon & Garfunkel
• July 21, 6:30 p.m. – Underwater Airlines, A Classic Rockin’ Band
• July 28, 6:30 p.m. – Sounds of the Street, Golden Oldies at its Best!

August:

• August 4, 6:30 p.m. – Parkway Soul, A Variety of Motown Classics
• August 11, 6:30 p.m. – Zydeco-A-Go-Go, New Orleans style Rhythm & Blues, 40’s Jazz & Swing
• August 18, 6:30 p.m. – Green River, A tribute to Creedence Clearwater Revival
• August 25, 6:30 p.m. – The Perry Brothers, Irish Favorites and more

In the case of inclement weather, concerts will be canceled and rescheduled based on band availability. Concerts will not be held indoors as done in past years. All concerts are free and open to the public. For more information, click here.

During both series, food for residents will be collected. Those who like to help are encouraged to bring a non-perishable food item when attending performances.

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