GlobeSonic Sound System Headlines NYC's Summer on the Hudson Festival in June

Summer on the Hudson invites New Yorkers to feel the rhythm at the river when the 7th Annual GlobeSonic Sound System Dance Party returns to New York's largest free festival on June 4. Lead by Fabian Alsultany, Bill Bragin and Derek Beres, GlobeSonic Sound System parties have become legendary in the breadth of music and ease of transition they make between country, culture and continents.

Also of musical note is the start of West Harlem Piers Park's Lunchtime Listen series. With homemade electric cello in hand, Sean Grissom, who has performed in NYC subways, at the Kennedy Center and everywhere in between, will rock the Hudson with his unique brand of Cajun' playin' on June 24.

And if the music should prove inspiring, jump on your feet and join Summer on the Hudson's new Harlem Dances, featuring the Uptown Dance Academy on June 17, and the returning Let's Dance!, featuring dance instruction with Piel Canela Dance Company every Sunday from June 5 - 26.

With the inclusion of West Harlem Piers Park, Summer on the Hudson is this summer's largest free festival in New York City providing outdoor recreation for all ages from 59th to 135th Street.

ABOUT SUMMER ON THE HUDSON

Summer on the Hudson strives to present events that meet the cultural and recreational needs of the community, enrich the daily lives of New Yorkers and bring diverse groups of people together to enjoy the panoramic north and south views of the Hudson River. Summer on the Hudson programming is free to the public and seating is limited, unreserved, and available on a first-come, first-served basis. Seating begins 1-2 hours before the event. In the event of heavy rain at the time of the event, the event will be cancelled. No rain dates are scheduled. If attendance reaches maximum capacity, management reserves the right to close participation.

ABOUT NYC PARKS & RECREATION

NYC Parks & Recreation is the steward of more than 29,000 acres of land - 15 percent of New York City - including more than 5,000 individual properties ranging from Coney Island Beach and Central Park to community gardens and Greenstreets. Parks & Recreation operate more than 800 athletic fields and nearly 1,000 playgrounds, 550 tennis courts, 66 public pools, 48 recreational facilities, 17 nature centers, 13 golf courses, and 14 miles of beaches. The department cares for 1,200 monuments and 23 historic house museums and looks after 600,000 street trees and two million more in parks. It is New York City's principal provider of recreational and athletic facilities, programs, concerts, world-class sports events, and cultural festivals.

GENERAL INFORMATION

Riverside Park South is located on the Hudson River between 59th and 72nd Streets with entrances at 59th, 68th, 72nd Streets. West Harlem Piers Park is located on the Hudson River between 124th -135th Streets with entrance at 125th Street.

Permanent food and drink concessions (cafes) are located in the park at 62nd, 70th, 79th and 103rd Streets. Mobile vendors can be found in various locations throughout the park. Restrooms are located at 70th, 72nd, 79th, 81st (Playground), 91st (Playground), 97th (Playground), 105th,123rd and 148th (Playground) Streets.

Courtesy of Bike and Roll, bike rental is available at the 72nd Street basketball courts and the 135th Street Greenway this spring and fall from 9am - 7pm, and this summer from 9am - 8pm, dependent on weather.

Funding for public programming brought to you by the NYC Department of Parks and Recreation, Riverside Park Fund and Riverside South Planning Corporation. For more information, to donate to programming, or to volunteer please visit www.riversideparkfund.org or call 212.408.0219

SUMMER ON THE HUDSON JUNE PROGRAMS

7th Annual GlobeSonic Sound System Dance Party (Pier I; Saturday, June 4)

Lead by Fabian Alsultany, Bill Bragin and Derek Beres, GlobeSonic Sound System parties have become legendary in the breadth of music and ease of transition they make between country, culture and continents. With recently held residencies at Nublu and SOB's, Globesonic has toured across the United States and internationally at leading performance venues, including the prestigious WOMEX world music competition. Sharing rosters with the likes of Jamiroquai, Antibalas, Youssou N'Dour, Caetano Veloso, Baaba Maal, Ali Farka Toure, Gilberto Gil, Herbie Hancock, Marisa Monte, Norah Jones and Ladysmith Black Mazambo GlobeSonic are the first DJs ever represented by the prestigious IMN World.

Harlem Dances (West Harlem Piers Park; Friday, June 17)
Uptown Dance Academy is the premiere dance school for urban youth interested in making dance a primary focus in their lives. Dedicated to providing high-quality training across multiple dance disciplines for ages 3-19, the well-rounded curriculum, designed by founder and director Robin Williams, exposes children to the diverse world of dance as they prepare for the professional stage.

Lunchtime Listen (West Harlem Piers Park; Friday, June 24)
Sean Grissom, the "Cajun Cellist," performs a unique brand of country, swing, rock and classical music on his homemade electric cello. With local performance experience - in streets, subways and at Mayor Bloomberg's 2009 inauguration - and faraway - in international performance halls, including Washington D.C.'s Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, Mr. Grissom has accomplished nine recordings, including a collection of 11 original "Songs Without Words," ten published compositions entitled "Solo Cello Encore Series" and an improvisation book entitled, "What! For Cello?". His one man show, "O' Cello," combined his extraordinary musical talent with an offbeat vaudevillian flair, adding comedian to his many roles as musician, lecturer and teacher.

Play Dates! (West Harlem Piers Park; June 11, 1-4 pm)
A Play Dates! regular, OneManBLAM! is a portable one man band starring Mark Foley, originally developed to provide an unplugged outdoor performance option for Volunteer Music - a free music initiative for communities of need.

MUSIC & DANCE
Let's Dance! (Pier I; Sundays, June 5 - 26, 6-9 pm)
Learn to dance like a pro at these salsa, cha-cha and bachata lessons led by master teachers from the Piel Canela Dance and Music School.

Lunchtime Listen (West Harlem Piers Park; Last Fridays, 12-1 pm)
Pack some lunchtime yummies and drink in the reverberations as you enjoy the ambient acoustics.

Harlem Dances (West Harlem Piers Park; Third Fridays, 6-7 pm)
Come see local dancers demonstrate their moves!

KIDS
Game Days (West Harlem Piers Park; Tuesdays through June 28, 10 am-2 pm)
Calling all children under 12 who want something fun to do on a sunny afternoon. Games such as giant tic-tac-toe, lawn bowling, hopscotch, jump rope and more will be ready for your arrival.

Play Dates! (West Harlem Piers Park; Second Saturdays, 1-4 pm)
Come have a family play date at this outdoor kiddie party featuring a children's performer, arts and crafts, and neighborhood fun!

WELLNESS & RECREATION
Kayaking on the Hudson (72nd St; Saturdays & Sundays, May 15 - October 10)
Join the Downtown Boathouse for 20-minute instructional paddles and explore the Hudston River first-hand. Please wear a bathing suit or shorts and a t-shirt and know how to swim. Weather permitting. No registration required. Kayaks and life vests provided.

Yoga - Evening Salute to the Sun (66th St; Wednesdays, June 8 - September 21, 6:30 pm)
End your day with relaxing Hatha yoga in a beautiful sunset setting. Suitable for all fitness levels. Please wear loose, comfortable clothing and bring your own mat.

Pilates - Mat Class (66th St; Tuesdays, June 7 - August 30, 6:30 pm)
This total body workout is a great way to develop superior core muscle power and tone, all with a beautiful view of the Hudson. Please wear loose, comfortable clothing and bring your own mat.

Pedal Stops (Riverside Park; Third Saturdays and Sundays through September)
Bike New York and Bike and Roll partner to provide rider-assistance-and-information stations open to all cyclists free of charge.

Tai Chi (West 89th Soldiers' and Sailors' Monument, June 12, 19, 26 at 8 am)
Join Silvana Pizzuti to learn and practice Tai Chi, a slow moving martial art with health benefits for all fitness levels.

Fishing Festival (West Harlem Piers Park; Saturday, June 25, 11 am-3 pm)
NYC Parks Rangers connect you to the life living within the Hudson River. Equipment provided. Come for the fishing, and stay for river-related activities including fishy arts & crafts.