July 16th Free Levitt AMP Concert Series Lineup

See the impressive lineup for tonights free Levitt AMP Concert Series.

The Levitt AMP Concert Series takes place at Kopernik Park located at 317 Genessee Street (stage in DeSales parking lot) in Utica every Monday night rain for shine. Thank You to the Season Sponsor Empire Recycling. The Levitt AMP weekly sponsor this week is Trenton Technology and the partner of the week is the Mohawk Valley Resource Center for Refugees.

Headlining Act: Sultans of String ~ World Music

LEVITT AMP

Sultans of String will WOW you tonight at 7 pm! Here's a bit about the group according to their website.

"3-time JUNO Award nominees and Billboard charting band Sultans of String create “Energetic and exciting music from a band with talent to burn!” according to Maverick Magazine. Thrilling their audiences with their genre-hopping passport of Celtic reels, flamenco, gypsy-jazz, Arabic, Cuban and South Asian rhythms, the group celebrates musical fusion and human creativity with warmth and virtuosity. Fiery violin dances with rumba-flamenco guitar, while bass and percussion lay down unstoppable grooves. Acoustic strings meet with electronic wizardry to create layers and depth of sound, while world rhythms excite audiences to their feet with the irresistible need to dance."

Special Guest Imad Al Taha Will Play A Few Songs With Sultans of String Tonight:

Imad Al Taha is a well-known Iraqi violinist who has performed throughout Iraq and the Arabian Gulf region. Imad is a master of Turkish, Iraqi Kurdish, Southern Iraqi and Gulf Styles of playing. He has written, recorded and performed music upon request from state leaders, including the president of Dubai, Sheikh Hamdan Bin Mohammed al Maktom, and has worked for many national broadcasting companies including the famed Hopping Recording Studios. While living in Iraq, Imad was forced to perform for Saddam Hussein, under threat of execution. When Saddam’s government was overthrown, he later found himself threatened by religious extremists who found his music offensive and bombed his home when he tried to return to Iraq. Imad and his wife and three children are currently political refugees who first fled to the United Arab Emirates, and are now resettled in the United States awaiting a green card after 6 years of vetting with the UNHCR. [Journey West Music]

Opening tonight's show is Lori Thompson and Cincinnati Creek:

Joe Rowland

Lori Thompson, Cathy Martin, Chris Pepe and Gary Dygert entertain audiences in CNY performing original and traditional bluegrass music and will open the show at 6 pm.

Intermission act:

The House of the Good Shepherd presents Shepherd Singers Krystal and Lyrick, who will each sing one song. Under the mentorship of the music teacher, Teresa Dunn, both girls have previously performed for small audiences and have just recently experienced recording a song in a professional recording studio.

Special activities for the kids include:

The unveiling of the Kids’ Art Circle, which will showcase old school desks that were donated by the MV Resource Center for Refugees and that have been painted and designed by local artists. Kids can use the desks to sit and draw while listening to music. Throughout the remaining concerts, we’ll have artists overseeing projects.
Sidewalk Chalk
Bubbles
Big Jenga

The Rust 2 Green team will be on site with their 4th installment of buttons - they only do 150 each week, so you must get one early. If you collect 5 buttons, you get a free tote bag. The Rust 2 Green Cafe will also be set up with spool tables and umbrellas for the audience to enjoy.

Pack a picnic dinner during the show or let the family order from the food on site: