Neil Sedaka Tribute Headlines CONCERTS FOR CITY GREENS, 8/1

CONCERTS FOR CITY GREENS, the free outdoor concert series that brings the sounds of music to the heart of Midtown, dedicates the third concert of this year's summer series to the music of rock 'n roll legend Neil Sedaka, on Wednesday August 1 at 6:30pm at Tudor City Greens. (Rain date: Thursday August 2 at 6:30pm.) Headlined by the Brooklyn-born hit maker himself, "Love Will Keep Us Together" stars the ASCAP Award-winning singer-songwriter Jim Van Slyke, the MAC-winning harmony group Marquee Five, and the actress Carole Demas, co-star of TV's Magic Garden, and the original Sandy in GREASE. Also appearing in this special tribute to Sedaka's six decade-long career will be his niece, newcomer Holland Grossman, who makes her Broadway debut in REBECCA.

The Broadway and cabaret veteran Raissa Katona Bennett is the
evening's host and producer. Returning as series regulars are
Bennett's side-kicking drummer, the 4-time MAC & 2-time Bistro
Award-winning big band innovator Terese Genecco; the Windham Hill recording artist Sean Harkness on guitar (2012 MAC Recording of the Year), and the composer-pianist Bill Zeffiro. The concert's featured instrumentalists are David Caldwell, Kenneth Gartman and Ian Herman on piano, and Skip Ward on bass.

One more of the eight semifinalist songs competing in the CONCERTS FOR CITY GREENS song contest receives its concert premiere: the musical theatre writer and actor Will Reynolds performs his "If the World Looked Like You." The semifinalist tunes, all of which celebrate the different roles green spaces play in the lives of New Yorkers, are being performed throughout the season. The contest's finalist songs, chosen after the summer, will be showcased at a special gala concert
at Feinstein's at the Loews Regency, in the fall or winter of 2012.

Conceived and developed by Raissa Katona Bennett, CONCERTS FOR CITY GREENS (formerly THE CONCERTS FOR TUDOR CITY GREENS) is dedicated to exposing diverse audiences of all ages to free, professional live music in city settings, while linking with other community groups and organizations to promote effective dedication to the "greening" of cities. Bennett won the 2010 Bistro and 2011 MAC Award for hosting THE CONCERTS AT TUDOR CITY GREENS.

The series' current 5th annual season continues September 12 and October 3, both Wednesdays at 6:30pm. Four of this summer's concerts are being dedicated to the music of four of the song contest judges: Amanda McBroom (May 30), Neil Sedaka (August 1), Ann Hampton Callaway (September 12) and Michael John LaChiusa (October 3). (The other judges are the quadruple-platinum songwriter and Today Show regular David Friedman, and the two-time Emmy Award-winning MTV executive Matthew Parillo). For information visit www.raissakatonabennett.com.

The concerts take place at the South Park of Tudor City Greens Park (between 41st & 42nd Streets, and 1st & 2nd Avenues).