Mercedes Ellington to be Honored at 52nd St Jazz Festival, 10/22

Encore Community Services will hold its 37th ANNUAL 52nd STREET AMERICANA JAZZ FESTIVAL on Saturday, October 22nd on 52nd Street from Fifth to Seventh Avenues from 12 Noon to 5 PM. Renowned dancer/choreographer Mercedes Ellington (granddaughter of the late, great Duke Ellington) and the Duke Ellington Center for the Arts will be honored at this year's Festival.

Headlining the free entertainment on the stage at Sixth Avenue will be a one-hour performance from 3 to 4 PM featuring a six-piece subset of the Duke Ellington Center's Big Band, noted jazz musicians and singers, including Darby Dizard, Antoinette Montague and Marion Cowings; and will also showcase Latin and Classical Ballroom and Tap Dance.

The Blue Haze Quartet, headed by Leviticus Gory, a well known saxophonist, will play
traditional jazz and blues on the stage from 1 PM to 3 PM and from 4 PM to 5 PM.  Over 400 artists and craftspersons, antiques and collectibles dealers and purveyors of general merchandise will be exhibiting at the Festival. They will display their one-of-a-kind creations including pottery, ceramics, silver and gold jewelry, dolls, macramé and woodworking. There will be showings of 19th and 20th century artifacts including advertising memorabilia, ephemera, vintage clothing, postcards, china, glass and antique jewelry. In addition, there will be an ethnic food festival featuring the delicacies of over 20 countries.

The 52nd Street Americana Jazz Festival is the oldest street festival in New York City. It originated while Abe Beame was the mayor.
Encore Community Services has been serving the elderly in the midtown area since 1977. It provides breakfast and lunch to over 300 people in addition to delivering 165 hot meals daily and 800 meals on Saturday and Sunday. It also provides social services, health services, and recreation and education programs.

The Festival and concerts are free and will be held rain or shine. For further information call
212-764-6330.