PierFest Will Heat Things Up In Jersey City

Kick off your fall weekends on the Jersey City waterfront with some fiery Latin music! Riverview Jazz and Exchange Place Alliance have partnered to bring this exciting free series to the J. Owen Grundy Pier at Exchange Place. The four-part Friday evening series will feature world-class music, food trucks, and cold beer provided by Lutze Biergarten. Each PierFest event begins at 6pm and will present two bands.

"PierFest is an opportunity to feature some really incredible music that will get people up and dancing," says Riverview Jazz Executive Director Bryan Beninghove. "We have an unparalleled skyline view, great partners, and an eclectic mix of legendary bands and fantastic local artists. It's family friendly and I really can't think of a better way to spend your Friday night."

PierFest begins Friday September 21 with the legendary Tito Puente sideman John "Dandy" Rodriguez's Dream Team and the dynamic flautist Andrea Brachfeld/Bill O'Connell Latin Jazz Project. September 28 hosts Grammy-nominee Doug Beavers Art of the Arrangement and Cuban drumming titan Enildo Rasua "The Third Hand". In a special Jersey City Artist Studio Tour edition, October 5 will feature Cuban vocalist Chino Pons and Jersey City native Alex Tea with his Brazilian and reggae-inspired band. The final concert October 12 stars two Brooklyn-based horn heavy ensembles, Balkan brass band Slavic Soul Party and the African-influenced Molly Tigre. (For list, see below).

Admission is free and the events are rain or shine. In case of rain, the event will take place at the Harborside Atrium (210 Hudson St.) courtesy of Mack-Cali. Public transportation is available via the PATH, Hudson-Bergen Light Rail, NY Waterway ferries, and NJ Transit bus. For more information go to www.RiverviewJazz.Org and www.ExchangePlaceAlliance.com.

PierFest is sponsored by Exchange Place Alliance, a not-for-profit Special Improvement District. PierFest is also made possible in part by Mayor Steven M. Fulop, the Jersey City Municipal Council, and the Office of Cultural Affairs. RiverviewJazz.Org is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization.

September 21:

• John "Dandy" Rodriguez Dream Team 7:30 p.m.

• Andrea Brachfeld/Bill O'Connell Latin Jazz Project 6 p.m.

September 28:

• Doug Beavers Art of the Arrangement 7:30 p.m.

• Enildo Rasua "The Third Hand" 6 p.m.

October 5:

• Chino Pons 7:30 p.m.

• Alex Tea 6 p.m.

October 12:

• Slavic Soul Party 7:30 p.m.

• Molly Tigre 6 p.m.