Free Outdoor Concerts From Mayo Performing Arts Center Return

Correction: The Mayo Performing Arts Center updated the event times to 6:30 p.m.

MORRISTOWN, NJ — The Mayo Performing Arts Center has been making a comeback as COVID-19 wanes. Now, free outdoor concerts and events will make a return.

MPAC will host five Arts in the Community events at various Morristown locations throughout July and August. The concerts will span musical styles, including returning favorites such as the jazz duo Acute Inflections, as well as local artist Munah Hayes.

Events will take place at Gramby Park off Martin Luther King, Jr. Avenue and the Vail Mansion Plaza, adjacent to MPAC. In June, the theater staged two events at Morristown Senior Housing on Early and Ann Streets.

All events are free. Additional events and locations may be added throughout the summer.

Here's the schedule, along with descriptions MPAC provided:

July 21, 6:30 p.m. at Gramby Park
Munah Hayes

"Munah Hayes is a gospel performing artist. As a busy mom of 3 musical girls she also is the owner of Munahology Healing Center. She has been blessed to grace the MPAC stage as both a solo act and lead singer of the band Purple Hayes. Munah believes that true artists don't just sing or play instruments but they become music as they perform."

July 28, 6:30 p.m. at Vail Mansion Plaza
Lucas Perez -That Saxophone Guy with the Nick Ryan Trio

"Lucas Perez (That Saxophone Guy) is a saxophonist and performer from Somerville who has shared the stage with legendary R&B artists such as Toni Braxton and Ginuwine. Nick Ryan is a singer/songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, instructor, and producer from New Jersey. With a sound ranging from the 'heartland rock' of Asbury Park to 'Memphis soul' and modern pop, there's a taste of familiarity with his own originality."

Aug. 4, 6:30 p.m. at Vail Mansion Plaza
Salsa Under the Stars with Banda Ritmo Cubano Banda

"Ritmo Cubano's musicians have played with a virtual who's who of Latin music including Gloria Estefan, Ricky Martin, Celia Cruz, Tito Puente, Willie Colon and the Broadway show Hamilton. Specializing in a tight Latin band sound from solo guitar to a full size salsa band, the group plays top hits and classic Latin favorites including Cuban, Puerto Rican and Dominican specialties."

Aug. 11, 6:30 p.m. at Vail Mansion Plaza
Acute Inflections: Is This Love?

"How did a romantic trip to Montego Bay lead to the release of a Bob Marley tribute album 40 years after his passing? Join Acute Inflections, New York's sultry duo, as they perform jazzy versions of Marley's hits and tell the story of how they re-discovered his music and message."

Aug. 25, 6:30 p.m. at Vail Mansion Plaza
Nahscha

"Singer/songwriter Nahscha classifies herself as a mix between pop-soul and R&B. Nahscha believes that music is a universal language, and the best way to communicate to people. Spending a lot of her time singing on the streets and subways of New York City as a busker, she has found that singing in public settings creates organic moments and makes people happy."

Tickets and reservations are not necessary. Attendees may want to bring a blanket or lawn chair. The rain site for Vail Mansion Plaza events will be St. Peter's Church.

MPAC reopened last fall after nearly six months without a concert. The venue has operated with capacity limits but expects to return to full capacity for its 2021-22 season, which begins Sept. 17. Read more: Mayo Performing Arts Center Returning To Full Capacity — Soon

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