Brooklyn Prez 'Working Aggressively' On New Summer Concert Series After Cancellations

FLATBUSH, BROOKLYN — Brooklyn Borough President Eric Adams says he is "working aggressively" to bring back free summer concerts after the abrupt cancellations of two such popular series.

In a statement Thursday, sent to Patch via a spokesman, Adams said that growing up in Brooklyn he attended both the Seaside Summer Concert Series in Coney Island and the Martin Luther King Jr. Concert Series in East Flatbush.

He didn't reveal the reasons for their shutdowns — and Patch still has yet to hear back from event organizers — but said it was difficult to secure funding and sponsorships.

"For a number of years, it had proven more challenging for the series' independent non-profit organizers to secure the sponsors needed that would make the funds available for organizers to book the artists fans had grown accustomed to seeing," the statement from Adams said.

"From their inception through their entire run, the Office of the Brooklyn Borough President never had control of either concert series; decisions on the number of shows and the talent performing at those shows were made by the independent non-profit organizers."

Organizer Debra Garcia was recently sued by American Express for failing to pay $36,000 in credit card debt, according to The New York Daily News.

Adams said that he'll be making a "big announcement" about a replacement series "soon."

"Because of the cancellation of these series this summer, and in response to the significant interest we all share in maintaining and expanding the range of free summer entertainment opportunities in our borough, I have been working aggressively to identify and secure a new organizer that can deliver great performances this season and do even better in the years ahead," his statement said.

"I am excited to share that a big announcement will be made next week, so 'stay tuned.'"

Photo: Home School Records singer and rapper Estelle performs at the 26th annual Martin Luther King Jr. concert series at Wingate Field on July 21, 2008 in Brooklyn, New York. (Photo by Joe Corrigan/Getty Images)