News Release - Mayor Richards Announces 2013 Rochester SummerFest Details

City of Rochester

News Release

(Friday, May 10, 2013) – Mayor Thomas S. Richards and City Council President Lovely A. Warren joined event promoter Eddie Hammonds of the Team E. Foundation today to announce that award-winning R&B artists “TGT” will headline the Rochester SummerFest, now in its second year. SummerFest will be held on Friday, July 12 at the Auditorium Theater and on Saturday, July 13 at the Blue Cross Arena at the War Memorial.

The Rochester SummerFest features a weekend full of City-sponsored musical entertainment paired with a basketball tournament and social events organized by the Team E. Foundation Inc., a non-profit organization that helps disadvantaged city youth who have demonstrated a commitment to overcoming adversity.

“SummerFest is a great addition to the many things to do in Rochester this summer. The hope is that this festival joins the ranks of the Jazz Fest and Party in the Park as an annual tradition and helps cement Rochester’s position as the premier summer destination for music fans,” said Mayor Richards. “Many thanks go to event promoter Eddie Hammonds and the Team E Foundation for organizing the great events that involve our youth and for making such a great lineup of musical acts possible.”

“I am thrilled about the lineup and events planned for this year’s SummerFest. Once again Eddie Hammond has secured an exciting lineup of artists that spans the generations of our residents,” said City Council President Lovely Warren. “I look forward to attending the concerts and basketball tournament this July and supporting one of our city’s finest festivals.”

The full Rochester SummerFest Music Schedule is as follows:

Friday, July 12:
• Concert at the Auditorium Theatre featuring The Whispers. Doors open at 7 p.m. for the 7:30 p.m. show, tickets prices are $25 to $30.

Saturday, July 13:
• Concert at the Blue Cross Arena featuring TGT (Tyrese, Ginuwine and Tank), Kelly Rowland formerly of Destiny’s Child, Fabolous and Chrisette Michele. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. for the 7:30 p.m. show, tickets prices are $25 to $70.

SummerFest 2013 Artist Biographies (provided):
• TGT: Composed of three of R&B’s most celebrated solo artists, Tyrese, Ginuwine and Tank, TGT burst on the scene in 2007. The trio is signed to Atlantic Records. Tyrese released his self-titled album “Tyrese,” in 1998. Ginuwine released his debut album in 1996 titled, “Ginuwine the Bachelor,” and Tank came on the scene in 2000 with his first album, “Force of Nature.” Nominated for several Grammy Awards, Tank has also been a part of the writing team for such artists as Brian McKnight, Kelly Rowland and Keisha Cole.

• Kelly Rowland: As one third of the group Destiny’s Child, Kelly Rowland has been successful by many measures. Following a 15-year span of performing with band mates including Beyonce Knowles, Rowland embarked on her solo work in 2002. Releasing four solo albums, with hits that topped the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop songs chart the Billboard Hot 100.

• Fabolous: This artist has given his fans a string of top 10 hits. The Brooklyn native has written and produced six albums and has been nominated for two Grammy Awards. The rapper has often collaborated with R&B artists, such as Ashanti, Lil’ Mo and Tamia.

• Chrisette Michele: Signed to Island Def Jam Music Group, Chrisette Michele is a Grammy Award-winning soul singer. Known for her smooth vocals and melodic tracks, Michele has toured with such artists as Raheem DeVaughn and Solange Knowles. Chrisette Michele’s third album titled, “Better” is set to be released in the summer of 2013.

• The Whispers: Starting in the 1960’s, The Whispers have produced countless hits. This soul-stirring group is responsible for such hits as “It’s a Love Thing,” “Just Gets Better With Time,” and “(Olivia) Lost and Turned Out.” The group’s single “Rock Steady” reached number one on the R&B chart and placed The Whispers on the Hot 100. In 2012 the R&B group was inducted into the Soul Music Hall of Fame.

Tickets for the July 13 concert go on sale at 10 a.m. on Saturday May 11, online at www.ticketmaster.com and are also available on Saturday at the Blue Cross Arena, 1 War Memorial Sq. For the July 12 concert, tickets may be purchased at Auditorium Theater, 885 E. Main St., and other locations throughout the city starting on Friday, May 17. For locations and more information, visit www.cityofrochester.gov/summerfest.

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News Media: For more information contact City Special Events Manager Margaret Reichert at (585) 428-6694.