Sunday, June 23 in Flushing Meadows Corona Park

QUEENS, NY – The legendary musician Sheila E. will headline the free admission Capital One City Parks Foundation SummerStage concert to be held in Flushing Meadows Corona Park as the featured event of Borough President Katz’s upcoming “Only in Queens Summer Festival.”

The free admission festival will be held Sunday, June 23, 2019 from 3 PM to 8 PM, with the Capital One City Parks Foundation SummerStage Concert beginning at 5 PM.

The festival will be hosted by Borough President Katz in partnership with New York City Comptroller Scott M. Stringer, NYC Parks, City Parks Foundation, NYC & Company Foundation, Delta Air Lines, Spectrum News NY1, and Resorts World Casino New York City.

Hailed as the “Queen of Percussion” and regarded as one of the best female drummers ever, SHEILA E. rose to fame during the 1980s thanks to her fierce drumming style and Latin rhythms. A protégé of Prince, Sheila E. was a drummer in his band before she went solo and recorded hits that included “The Glamorous Life,” the title track of her 1984 debut solo album.

The June 23 concert, which will be part of the annual citywide Capital One City Parks Foundation SummerStage concert series, will also feature performances by soul artist MUSIQ SOULCHILD and reggae and Dancehall singer KRANIUM.

“There is no better way to kickoff summer than by welcoming the Queen of Percussion to Queens for what will be a great concert,” said Borough President KATZ. “Sheila E., Musiq Soulchild and Kranium are sure to put on a show that will get everyone up and dancing. Best of all, the concert will be free for everyone to attend.”

This year’s Only in Queens Summer Festival will celebrate the 55th anniversary of the 1964 World’s Fair and the 80th anniversary of the 1939 World’s Fair. Both of those historic events were held in what is now Flushing Meadows Corona Park.

Prior to the 5PM start of the Capital One City Parks Foundation SummerStage concert, the Only in Queens Summer Festival will offer a range of food, entertainment and activities for people of all ages, including:

“Music and cultural programs provide New Yorkers with opportunities to enjoy the sights and sounds of inspiring artists. This summer, I’m proud to partner with Borough President Katz on another exciting SummerStage concert taking place at Flushing Meadows Corona Park, which will undoubtedly be a fun time for families. I encourage Queens residents to come out on June 23rd and enjoy the great music under the sun in the world’s borough!,” said City Comptroller SCOTT M. STRINGER.

“Every summer the Only in Queens Festival brings the funk to Flushing Meadows Corona Park,” said NYC Parks Commissioner MITCHELL J. SILVER, FAICP. “Showcasing a range of artists who represent the diversity of its home borough, the festival enlivens one of our city’s most historic parks. NYC Parks is proud to partner with Borough President Katz once again to host this great cultural and community event.”

“Capital One City Parks Foundation SummerStage is excited to partner with Queens Borough President Katz on this year’s Only in Queens Festival,” said HEATHER LUBOV, Executive Director of City Parks Foundation. “Presenting great artists in neighborhood parks, free of charge, is what SummerStage is about — turning those green spaces into lively community centers for all New Yorkers to enjoy.”

“The Only in Queens Summer Festival provides yet another reason for visitors and locals to explore this vibrant and culturally diverse borough, and we are proud to support this exciting, family-friendly event,” said FRED DIXON, President and Chair of NYC & Company Foundation.

“Delta is proud to be part of the fabric of the Queens community by supporting this year’s ‘Only In Queens Summer Festival,’” said PATRICIA ORNST, Managing Director, New York State and Local Government Affairs, Delta Air Lines. “We are honored to partner again with Borough President Katz on this annual event that brings families and friends together.”

“NY1 is thrilled to sponsor the Only in Queens Summer Festival in Flushing Meadows Corona Park,” said DAN RONAYNE, Spectrum News NY1 Senior Vice President. “We are proud to serve Queens residents and our local anchors and reporters look forward to celebrating with the community and covering this unique festival.”

“The Only in Queens Summer Festival is an exciting way for residents and visitors to celebrate our borough’s rich culture,” said MICHELLE STODDART, Director of PR and Community Development at Resorts World Casino New York City. “Resorts World is proud to partner with Queens Borough President Katz and the other sponsors, and we look forward to the great music, delicious food and endless fun at the event.”

WHAT:           Borough President Katz to Host 2019 “Only In Queens Summer Festival” Featuring Free Capital One City Parks Foundation SummerStage Concert

WHEN:           Sunday, June 23, 2019 at from 3 PM to 8 PM (SummerStage concert starting at 5 PM)

WHERE:         Flushing Meadows Corona Park

WHO:              MELINDA KATZ, Queens Borough President

                         SHEILA E., the “Queen of Percussion”

                         MUSIQ SOULCHILD, soul artist

                         KRANIUM, reggae and Dancehall singer

 

About Sheila E.

Born Sheila Cecelia Escovedo in 1957, family, faith and music were guiding forces for Sheila E. as she was growing up in the Bay Area of California.

In addition to her percussionist dad Pete Escovedo, the Oakland, California native counts former Santana member and Azteca founder Coke Escovedo, solo recording artist Alejandro Escovedo, The Dragons front man Mario Escovedo and The Zeroes member Javier Escovedo as uncles. In addition, fellow Latin star Tito Puente was her godfather.

While being weaned on Latin Jazz and Motown as a child, Sheila E. was also exposed to a diverse array of Bay Area acts and artists. Those influences ranged from the rock of Jefferson Airplane and the Grateful Dead to the R&B/pop of the Pointer Sisters and the funk of Tower of Power and Sly & the Family Stone.

It is no surprise that after such a music-immersive childhood, Sheila E. began amassing an impressive string of credits, playing not only with her dad but also with pioneering talents like George Duke, Marvin Gaye, Lionel Richie and Herbie Hancock.

Following a Bay Area gig in the late ‘70s, Sheila E. met Prince backstage. Their Purple Rain recording sessions—including her vocals on the 1984 classic “Erotic City”—morphed into launching her solo career that same year. Her debut album “The Glamorous Life” included the Grammy Award-nominated top 10 hit of the same name, plus a second top 40 single, “The Belle of St. Mark.”

In between her ‘80s work as drummer, songwriter and musical director for Prince’s band, Sheila E. released three more solo albums (“Romance 1600”, “Sheila E.” and “Sex Cymbal”) and scored two more classic hits with “A Love Bizarre” and “Hold Me.” Later, after taking some time away from the spotlight, she decided to tap into her Latin Jazz roots and, under the name E-Train, released “Writes of Passage” and “Heaven.”

Sheila E.’s fierce, dynamic verve onstage has made her a major concert draw since the ‘90s. Along the way she has acted in several films (including “Krush Groove,” “The Adventures of Ford Fairlane” and “Chasing Papi”) and has performed with such luminaries as Ringo Starr (as a member of Ringo Starr’s All-Starr Band), Gloria Estefan, Beyoncé and Pharrell Williams. She was also the first female music director for a late night talk show (“The Magic Hour” with Magic Johnson) and received an Emmy nomination for her work as musical director for the 2009 PBS special “Fiesta Latina – In Performance at The White House.”

About Musiq Soulchild

Philadelphia native Taalib Johnson a.k.a Musiq Soulchild, is a soul artist whose unique style blends R&B, soul, funk, rock, blues, jazz, and Hip Hop, creating a sound unlike any other. He is also notable for his creative and unique way of titling his albums and songs.

Musiq Soulchild has had two platinum albums, two gold albums and seven hit singles. He has received awards from Billboard, BET, ASCAP, BMI, and Soul Train. Musiq has also earned award nominations from MTV, the American Music Awards, and the NAACP. He has received nine Grammy nominations, including three for his 2007 album “Luvanmusiq” (Love and Music).

About Kranium

Kemar Donaldson, more commonly known as Kranium, is known for his melodic flow, clever wordplay, and ability to break all barriers when it comes to his music.  Born in Montego Bay, Jamaica and raised in Jamaica, Queens, Kranium offers the perfect blend of authentic Dancehall music with a unique vibe of his own.

Kranium is one of the main artists leading the Dancehall scene in New York and across the world thanks to his modern fusion of Dancehall & R&B sounds, which have garnered a vast following ever since his breakout in 2015 with his hit single “Nobody Has To Know” and his debut EP “Rumors.”

Kranium’s distinct sound can be heard on major collaborations with artists such as Ty Dolla $ign, Wizkid, Major Lazer, Tory Lanez, Rotimi, Bebe Rexha and Ed Sheeran. Kranium has also established himself as a global touring artist, bringing Dancehall to stages worldwide.

Follow Borough President Katz via @QueensBPKatz on Twitter and Facebook

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