Finally, A Music Festival For Kids: New Roc Summerfest 2023 Series

NEW ROCHELLE, NY — You might not want to take the kids to Bonaroo or the Governors Ball, but you won't have to venture far to find a music festival appropriate for kids of all ages.

After recently taking over the management of New Roc, the entertainment/hospitality/retail facility in downtown New Rochelle, Cushman and Wakefield has announced the upcoming New Roc Kids’ Summerfest '23 Performance Series to be held throughout July, August, and early September.

The series, aimed at kids ages 6-12, will be a fusion of music, interactive experiences, and educational elements with the goal of being engaging, stimulating and fun, according to the organizers. The lineup of five (possibly more) outdoor performances will showcase inclusive, accessible, and culturally diverse entertainment. Adults will also be able to enjoy the entertainment, ensuring a great experience for the entire family.

Kids' Summerfest '23 events are scheduled for several Monday afternoons throughout the summer and will take place in the outdoor courtyard space located at 33 LeCount Place, with room for up to 200 attendees. Performances will start at 4:30 p.m. and will last between 60-90 minutes.

Tickets are free and the updated schedule and additional ticket information can be found here.

The first and second concerts, scheduled for Monday, July 10 and Monday, July 17, will feature the Larry Siegel Ensemble and the Sing for Hope Youth Choir with Veronica Stern.

"We are delighted to bring the New Roc Kids' Summer Performance Series to the vibrant community of New Rochelle," Christina Damiano, Senior Property Manager at Cushman & Wakefield, said. "This initiative not only entertains and engages families but also celebrates the diverse cultural fabric of our city. We are grateful for the support of our partners and look forward to creating lasting memories for children and families throughout the summer."

Cushman & Wakefield says that the initiative aims to reinvigorate business, engage the community, and foster goodwill among New Roc's tenants and their most valued clientele —families with young kids.

In addition, Cushman & Wakefield has partnered with the New Roc tenants and stakeholder partners, including Regal Cinema, Applebee's, Buffalo Wild Wings, Burger King, SkyZone Trampoline Park, Pinkberry, Planet Fitness, Banana's Axe Throwing, Monroe College, Audi New Rochelle, NRPD’s P.A.C.T. unit (Police and Community Together), and New Rochelle’s Fire Dept. The organizers say that their "involvement underscores the collaborative spirit and commitment to community engagement."

From Cushman & Wakefield:

Monday, July 10th
Larry Siegel Ensemble

Larry Siegel is an actor, composer, lyricist, and producer as well as vocalist and instrumentalist playing guitar, banjo, mandolin, ukulele, and harmonica. Larry’s music partners are Zem Audu, a Nigerian-born, London-raised, and Brooklyn-based Grammy award-nominated saxophonist, vocalist, and producer with a sound that blends Reggae, Ska, Afrobeat, and Jazz, and Hasan Bakr an instrumentalist, percussionist, and vocalist of Gullah Geechee heritage. The quartet is rounded out by Elysa Sunshine, an accomplished vocalist, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist (bass guitar, guitar, piano, violin, viola). Together, their music is a dynamic mix of instruments and vocals spanning decades to the current top forty, appealing to diverse audiences representing all ages and cultures. Larry's credits include live performances worldwide, from countless venues in the U.S. to regular stints in Bermuda, and international festivals in Europe, Russia, Africa, and Australia.

Original compositions, songs, and soundtracks include twenty-four episodes of the popular Hard Hat Harry children's video series. Larry’s music spans decades, genres, and cultures from Reggae to R ‘n B reflected in his current recordings which include Color & Harmony, Songs from the 3rd Octave, Great Expectations, The Hindu Kush Mountain Boys Plus One, and Real Songs for Real Kids Volumes 1 & 2. Larry has been commissioned to write songs and lyrics for various educational musical theater productions including "Fire Alarms," a fire prevention show toured through NYC shelters and schools, and "Don’t Throw Away Your Shot," a CDC-funded presentation to enhance youth’s critical thinking and decision-making skills related to vaccines.

Monday, July 17th Sing for Hope Youth Chorus

The Sing for Hope Lab and Sing for Hope Youth Chorus present a collection of songs from Disney’s greatest films, Broadway, and pop favorites! This thrilling and heartwarming performance will feature artist, Veronica Stern, who has recently returned from performing as the lead in the Broadway tour of the hit show Anastasia, along with talented kids from around New York City and Lower Westchester. Sing along to the tunes from Disney’s The Lion King, Moana Jr., Anastasia, Frozen and more! You won’t want to miss this special performance!

Through dynamic education, healthcare, and global initiatives, Sing for Hope activates creativity in schools, hospitals, refugee camps, and public spaces for millions of people worldwide. Founded in New York City in 2006, Sing for Hope partners with hundreds of community-based organizations, involves thousands of artists in creative service, and has placed 500+ artist-created Sing for Hope Pianos in public spaces for everyone to enjoy.

The Sing for Hope Youth Chorus and Sing for Hope Lab are composed of students in grades 4-12 who come from New York City and Lower Westchester County & attend the Sing for Hope Lab after school training program. Sing for Hope Lab follows an arts curriculum that aligns with the 17 Sustainable Development Goals of the United Nations. The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), also known as the Global Goals, were adopted by the United Nations in 2015 as a universal call to action to end poverty, protect the planet, and ensure that by 2030 all people enjoy peace and prosperity.

More information and updates on the New Roc Kids’ Summerfest '23 can be found here.

About New Roc
New Roc is a 450,000-square-foot entertainment/residential/retail complex located in the heart of downtown New Rochelle at 33 Lecount Place, New Rochelle, NY 10801. A family destination, New Roc features such tenants as Monroe College, Buffalo Wild Wings, Applebee’s, Planet Fitness, Sky Zone Trampoline Park, Pinkberry, Audi New Rochelle, Residence Inn Marriott, and Regal Cinemas. New Roc has served for many years as an active partner in the New Rochelle business community and a member of the New Rochelle Business Improvement District.