MPAC Unveils Free Summer Lineup: Music Beyond Borders, Movies, Concerts & More

You don't always need to buy a ticket to enjoy music, dance and movies at Mayo Performing Arts Center this summer. The region's largest and most popular performing arts center will be presenting a variety of free events through July and August, in addition to its stellar lineup of ticketed concerts.

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Music Beyond Borders, presented in conjunction with Morris Arts, brings four free world music concerts to the Morristown Green. The series kicks off on Tuesday, June 28 at 12:30 pm with Smitty's Polka Band, and continues on alternate Tuesdays through August 9 (all events at 12:30 pm). In case of rain, these events are moved to the United Methodist Church on the Green.

The lineup includes:

Tuesday, June 28: Smitty's Polka Band Trio:
Featuring the renowned accordionist/lead singer "Papa Bavarian," Smitty's has performed at major events and venues throughout the metropolitan area, including the Circle Line Bear Mountain cruise, top corporate and community Oktoberfests and even Derek Jeter's retirement party! Bring your dancing shoes and join the fun!

Tuesday, July 12: Indian Ragas and Rhythms, with Shivalik Ghoshal on Tabla and Vocalist/Harmonium player Andrew Shantz
Take a sonic trip to the intricate and compelling world of classical Indian music with these two award-winning virtuoso performers from the Brooklyn Raga Massive.

Tuesday, July 26: Mexico Beyond Mariachi
An "exuberant feast for the senses," Mexico Beyond Mariachi explores the long history of diverse regions of Mexico, the rituals, myths, and celebrations, with colorful costumes, authentic instruments, and lively music and dance. With drums, flutes, conch shells and dances of the pre-Hispanic through the modern eras, they have performed for over one million people across the world.

Tuesday, August 9: Lei Pasifika - Tahitian and Hawaiian dance from the Pacific
A performance group focused on preserving and sharing the music, dances and cultural heritage of Polynesia (primarily Tahiti and Hawaii), Lei Pasifika takes audiences on a magical voyage through the legends and history of Polynesian culture.

New this summer is the MPAC Free Summer Movie Series. MPAC will present three free indoor movies this summer, starting with the Sing-A-Long version of Frozen on Monday, July 18 at 7 pm.

The lineup includes:
Monday, July 18 at 7 pm: Sing-A-Long Frozen (Rated PG)
Thursday, August 4 at 7 pm: Pitch Perfect (Rated PG-13)
Tuesday August 16 at 7 pm: Peanuts - The Movie (Rated G)

Performances on the Plaza is a new initiative that launched this spring that puts free entertainment on the MPAC Plaza prior to many mainstage concerts. The series is an opportunity for emerging artists and local musicians to be seen and heard prior to select MPAC events. You do not have to purchase a ticket to the mainstage concert that evening to enjoy the free outdoor concert (though we encourage it!). Stroll along South Street and enjoy these sweet summer sounds. Each mini-concert begins approximately 45 minutes prior to curtain and lasts for a half hour. (In case of rain, these outdoor events may be cancelled)

The current lineup (additional acts may be added):

Friday, July 8: Gabby Toledo (7:15 pm prior to Yacht Rock)
Gabby Toledo is a sophomore at Randolph High School. Her music is a mix of acoustic pop, soft rock and soul. She has been performing since she was 7 years old in various school and church choirs, fundraisers and specialized community events. She was awarded the Randolph Middle School Outstanding Achievement Award for Chorus and Music as well as Randolph Middle School Best Vocalist for Hairspray.

Tuesday, July 12: Narrow Escape Duo (7:15 pm prior to Maks and Val)
Narrow Escape Duo is Roberta Pescow and Jim Baldessari, vocals and guitar, covering vintage/retro standards, swing and jazz with some original tunes and a few surprises thrown in.

Thursday, July 21: Mythology: (7:15 pm prior to Dave Mason)
Hailing from West Milford, Mythology is a powerful 3-piece band that culls influences from the greatest rock bands of yesteryear. Elements of jazz, hard rock, blues, and classical all come together in a cohesive fashion.

Monday, August 1st: The Louis Pettinelli Band (7:15 prior to Lyle Lovett and His Large Band)
Jazz with fusion, pop, and hip hop elements. Louis Pettinelli is a bassist enrolled at Rowan University, where he is currently pursuing a bachelor's degree in instrumental music education. He has studied jazz bass privately with jazz great Buster Williams, Andy Lalasis, Joseph Conyers, Glenn Dewey, Tom DiCarlo and Mike Boone, among others

MPAC also has a great lineup of ticketed events this summer, including Eric Stonestreet from Modern Family, Eric Burdon and The Edgar Winter Band, Dion, Celtic Thunder and much more. The full lineup of events can be seen at www.mayoarts.org.

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Mayo Performing Arts Center, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, presents a wide range of programs that entertain, enrich, and educate the diverse population of the region and enhance the economic vitality of Northern New Jersey. The 2016-2017 season is made possible, in part, by a grant the New Jersey State Council on the Arts/Department of State, a Partner Agency of the National Endowment for the Arts, as well as support received from the Geraldine R. Dodge Foundation, F.M. Kirby Foundation and numerous corporations, foundations and individuals. The Mayo Performing Arts Center has been designated a Major Presenting Organization by the New Jersey State Council on the Arts.

Mayo Performing Arts Center is located at 100 South St., Morristown, NJ 07960. Contact the box office at (973) 539-8008 or go online at www.mayoarts.org. All Programs Subject to Change.

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