On Monday, July 18, the 29th annual Martin Luther King Jr. Concert Series at Wingate Field, hosted by Brooklyn Borough President Marty Markowitz, will welcome Grammy Award-winning duo Mary Mary as well as Ricky Dillard for the Annual Gospel Night show. Along with the Seaside Summer Concert Series on Coney Island, the MLK Series has been the largest free summer concert series in the New York Metropolitan area for the past three decades, entertaining tens of thousands of music lovers every year.
"The shows will go on at Coney Island this summer," said BP Markowitz, "and the Martin Luther King, Jr. Concert Series is still going strong after three decades of music. I am proud to host the two largest free outdoor concert series in the New York area, and of course, this year's performers-which also include Queen Latifah, Cheap Trick, the Monkees, Jeffrey Osborne, Peabo Bryson, Freddie Jackson, Shaggy and Maze featuring Frankie Beverly-have toured around the world but are really hitting the big time-and the big stage-in Brooklyn, USA!"
Ever since siblings Erica Campbell and Tina Campbell broke through in 2000 with the pioneering crossover hit "Shackles (Praise You)," the chart-topping sister act Mary Mary has never wavered from defying convention to fulfill its mission: sending uplifting messages through music and words that are relatable to everyone. An amazing 10 years later, having earned three Grammy Awards, two American Music Awards, an NAACP Image Award and a BET award, the "Mary Mary way" sounds just as fresh and innovative on the duo's sixth album, the aptly titled "Something Big" (My Block/Columbia/Sony Music). This vibrant outing, once again produced by longtime collaborator Warryn Campbell, picks up where the group's most recent mainstream success story, 2008's "The Sound" and its Grammy Award-winning smash hit "God in Me," left off.
Born in Inglewood, CA, to an evangelist/choir director mother and a youth minister father, the sisters-and the six other siblings-grew up singing in church choirs. And despite their tremendous accomplishments, the sisters are quick to point out they're driven by something far greater. "It's not just about musical achievements, awards, charts and sales," says Erica. "That's not our guiding light. It's about connection with people and offering them real hope...hope that, ultimately, changes lives."
The Martin Luther King, Jr. Concert Series is celebrating its spectacular 29th season with a star-studded lineup of gospel, classic soul, contemporary, Caribbean and R&B artists. The free concerts are Monday nights at Wingate Field, entrances on Brooklyn Avenue between Rutland Road and Winthrop Street. The public is encouraged to bring their own chairs. A limited amount of general seating is available on a first come, first served basis. The program begins at 7:30pm.
Throughout the years, the Seaside Summer Concert Series has attracted top name classic rock, pop, oldies, contemporary and Latin performers to Coney Island. This summer, the shows will be held at West 21st Street and Surf Avenue, next to the home of the Brooklyn Cyclones. A limited number of $5 rental chairs in a specially designated area are available on a first come, first served basis. Shows begin at 7:30pm.
Performers are subject to change without notice. Call the concert hotline for updates at 718-222-0600 or visit
www.brooklynconcerts.com.
