Summer concert series features all-star lineup

Sparta — The free 2011 Sparta Summer Concerts Season kicks off with the Latin Jazz and Funk Group the Dalton Gang (www.secondstepmusic.com). A ten-piece band led by guitarist, arranger and composer Willy Dalton, the band mixes jazz with a blend of funk and latin music. Coming up on the roster are renowned jazz and blues musicians Billy Hector, Danielia Cotton, David Keyes, Mark Egan, Nick Rolfe, Kermit Driscoll, John Hart, Jeff Ciampa, Karl Latham, renowned folk artist Patrick Fitzsimmons and regional favorite SubCommittee. The Sparta Summer Concerts will also showcase local performers on most shows and at a Local Talent Night a Teen Talent Night and recently, the SCAC battle of the bands. The complete 2011 Sparta Summer Concerts Friday night concert schedule is: June 24 - the Dalton Gang July 1 - Teen Night July 8 - Local Talent Night July 15 - Danielia Cotton July 22 - Billy Hector July 29 - Mark Egan Unit 1/Jeff Ciampa Trio August 5 - Patrick Fitzsimmons and Geoff Doubleday August 12 - The David Keyes Group August 29 - Subcommittee All concerts start at 7 p.m. in Dykstra Concert Park (behind the Sparta Library) at the Nicholson Pavilion, the rain location is the Sparta High School auditorium. Visit www.spartaarts.org for updates on weather related concert information. The Sparta Summer concerts are presented through contributions of local patrons and sponsors and through the the Township of Sparta. Sparta Cultural Affairs Committee membership includes Stew Liebmann, Lynne Shankell, Joe Mowatt, Neil Sauerwine, Vince DeCataldo, Dorota Ellington, Glenn Allan, Elliot Wolfson and Stephen Hespelt. For more information visit www.spartaarts.org.