This innovative concert series that has been a huge success in previous years helping to raise significant funds for nonprofit partners in Madison — the Central Park Sessions — are all set to kick off tonight.
“After dealing with skate park construction and being exiled from The Great Lawn for most of the summer last year, The Central Park Sessions return to a semblance of normalcy this season,” says Bob Queen, once again the organizer for the Central Park Sessions, in a statement. “The concerts will be on five Thursday evenings and one Friday (Aug. 12) leading into Africa Fest on Aug. 13.”
Central Park, 215 S Brearly St., is located on Madison’s near east side in the Marquette Neighborhood a block from Williamson Street.
The Literacy Network will replace The Greater Williamson Area Business Association as a full partner and fiscal receiver for the concert series. “This amicable switch will reveal no obvious changes and six nonprofits doing great work in the City will assist and benefit from the popular raffle and profit sharing,” says Queen.
Literacy Network is a non-profit organization in Madison founded in 1974 that teaches reading, writing and speaking skills to Dane County adults and families so they can achieve financial independence, good health, and greater involvement in community life.
“We are really excited to be partnering with Bob [Queen],” Jeff Burkhart, executive director of Literacy Network, tells Madison 365. “The Central Park Sessions is something that we’ve always enjoyed. It’s a fun time. We’re looking forward to a great summer of awesome music.”
Literacy Network works with teachers, tutors, volunteers and donors to improve adult literacy in Dane County. Their programs help adults find career opportunities, read with children and help with homework, improve computer skills, understand finances, and speak with doctors about health concerns.
“The diversity of the Central Park Sessions — Honky Talk Sessions, Small Worlds Sessions, Irish sessions — is something that really reflects a lot of the work that we do at Literacy Network providing services for people from all over the world,” Burkhart says.
Queen says that so far close to $50,000 has been dispersed among the groups in the Session’s first two years. “This involvement makes The Sessions truly unique and spreads the word about this fine event throughout the county,” he says.
On Aug. 18, there will be a special evening of Latin music at the Central Park Sessions. Centro Hispano of Dane County will benefit from food and beverage sales from this event, raffle ticket sales, and from having a booth at the event.
“Central Park Sessions has grown so much and I am personally so grateful to Bob Queen and his team for creating this opportunity for non-profits,” Centro Hispano Executive Director Karen Menendez Coller tells Madison365. “His approach has been so inclusive, really wanting Latino families to join in the celebration on the east side.”
The Central Park Sessions 2016 Schedule:
Thursday, July 28th — The Honky Tonk Session
5:00- 6:00 pm– The Beth Kille Band
6:30- 7:45 pm– Nikki Hill (N. Carolina/ New Orleans )
8:30- 10 pm — Marcia Ball (Austin)
Thursday, August 4th — The Small World Session
5:00- 6:00 pm– Ameranouche (Flamenco/ Gypsy Swing)
6:30- 7:45 pm– Sasha Masakowski(8-piece New Orleans Jazz)
8:30- 10 pm — Dakha Brakha(Ukraine/ Eclectic)
10:00 – 11:00 pm — Acoustic Irish Jam on The Great Lawn
Friday, August 12th — The Saharan Session– In Conjunction with Africa Fest
5:00-6:00-Kikeh Mato Afro Pop- Mandjou Mara Master Drums
6:00- 6:30 — Limanya Dance Troupe on the Great Lawn
6:30- 7:45pm– Daby Touré — (Mauritania )
8:30- 10pm — Fatoumata Diawara (Mali)
Thursday, August 11th — The Irish Eyes Session
5:00- 6:00 pm– The Kissers
6:30- 7:45 pm– The Nuala Kennedy Band (Ireland / Scotland)
8:30- 10 pm — Dervish (County Sligo, Ireland)
10:00 – 11:00 pm — Acoustic Irish Jam on The Great Lawn
Friday, August 12th — The Saharan Session– In Conjunction with Africa Fest
5:00-6:00-Kikeh Mato Afro Pop- Mandjou Mara Master Drums
6:00- 6:30 — Limanya Dance Troupe on the Great Lawn
6:30- 7:45pm– Daby Touré — (Mauritania )
8:30- 10pm — Fatoumata Diawara (Mali)
Thursday, August 18th — La Sesión Espectacular
5:00- 6:15 pm– The Tony Castañeda Latin Jazz Sextet
6:45- 7:45pm– Monsieur Periné (Colombia– Latin Grammy winners- Best New Artist)
8:30- 10pm– Palenke Soul Tribe (Colombia)
Thursday, September 8th — The Portlander Session
5:00- 6:00 pm– The Mustache
6:30- 7:45pm– The Portland Cello Project
8:30- 10pm — MarchFourth! (Marching Band)
