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You never know what you’ve lost until the possibility that a treasured event might be gone hits home. That’s why Clifton Councilwoman Lauren Murphy sounded the alarm earlier this season when it seemed the Botany Concert Series might have to be canceled due to lack of funding. She wrote about it on social media and in a short time, sponsors came through and the Clifton Historic Botany Village (CHBD) representatives issued the following statement:
“It is with unmeasurable appreciation to the City of Clifton Representatives, especially Councilwoman Lauren Murphy, for helping the Botany Village SID (Special Improvement District) get enough sponsorship funding to field Friday Night Concerts in Sullivan Square (Parker and Lake).
All Concerts will start at 6:30 pm.
The first concert [will be] this Friday – July 7, 2023 – and continue through the end of August.
Additionally, the CHBD Trustees would like to thank each and every one of our sponsors (see the list) for their generous donations, it is entirely due to these donations that the Botany Village Concert Series will continue for yet another year.”
Sponsors include Assemblyman John McKeon, Sugamama Bakeshop, Iannarella Law Firm LLC, JK Realty, 4 Hermanos Party Rental, and Kamp Construction Company.
All concerts are from 6:30-9:30, weather permitting. Bring a chair and your dancing shoes!
Following is the schedule, with a brief description of each performer:
Friday, July 14th: Swingman and the Misfit Mutts. Clifton’s favorite musicians, great for dancing and singing along.
Friday, July 21st: Matt Cofy Band. Self-described “Southern Fried Boogie,” heavy on the guitar and fast-paced songs.
Friday, July 28th: Sunrise Band. Eclectic and funky fun.
Friday, August 4th: Powertones. Crowd-pleasing Jersey Rock. Get ready to move!
Friday, August 11th: Due South. Country music covers of your favorite country artists.
Friday, August 18th: The Frostkings. Swing, R&B, and Rhythm & Blues.
Friday, August 25th: Katie Henry Band. Indie Rock and Blues with a touch of jazz and soul.
Take Saturday to recover and on Sunday evenings, bring your lawn chair and dancing shoes to Main Memorial Park starting this Sunday. All concerts are free of charge and begin at 7:30, weather permitting. Please call 973-470-5680 after 5:00 on the day of the event to check on the status in case of inclement weather. There will be shuttle buses available from the parking lot at School 1 to and from the concerts. This free series of summer concerts is sponsored by the Clifton Board of Recreation and Marquee Sponsor Garden State Honda of Clifton/Passaic.
These concerts at Main Memorial Park are part of the Obser Summer Concert Series. Many Clifton residents are familiar with Bob and Jo Obser, who moved here in the early 1960s to raise their family. They were well-known in town for their volunteer work for schools, hospitals, sports and civic groups, and most notably for organizing a series of summertime concerts. Bob and Jo received numerous awards for their volunteer work, including having the city rename the summer concert series after them.
Following is this year’s scheduled concerts:
Sunday, July 9th: Swingman and the Misfit-Mutts. Clifton’s rock band.
Sunday, July 16th: Clifton Community Band. Another crowd favorite, featuring some of Clifton's most musical residents and plenty of former - and current - members of CHS's Mustang Band.
Sunday, July 23rd: Parrot Beach. Jimmy Buffet tribute and island songs.
Sunday, July 30th: Emerald Experience. Party band music.
Sunday, August 6th: MidLife Crisis. Dance music.
Sunday, August 13th: Tequila Rose. Country Western.
Sunday, August 20th: Mush Mouth. Cover Band playing the "big hits, one-hit wonders, and lost nuggets from the '70s, '80s, '90s, and beyond."
Sunday, August 27th: Super Trans Am. 1970s cover band.
Bring the family, bring your friends, and enjoy some live music all summer long with these free concerts!
