The Grammy Award-winning hip-hop group Arrested Development is set to headline Schenectady County SummerNight, coming up on Friday, July 14.
“We’re very excited to bring headlining talent Arrested Development to Schenectady County SummerNight, the Capital Region’s biggest summer block party,” said Schenectady County Legislator Cathy Gatta, Chair of the Committee on Tourism, Arts & Special Events. “Residents and visitors from near and far are invited to immerse themselves in a whirlwind of live music, delicious food, and fun games for all ages in downtown Schenectady on July 14.”
Arrested Development, which first came together in 1991, is known for “People Everyday,” “Natural” and “Honeymoon Day,” among other tracks. The group has previously won a Grammy for Best New Artist and Best Rap Performance by a Duo or Group. While Arrested Development’s line-up has changed over the years, its sound has remained rooted in hip-hop, with lyrics focused on peace and spirituality.
The group is currently on tour in the United Kingdom in support of “For the FKN Love,” its latest album which was released in 2021.
Its Schenectady set begins at 8:30 p.m. Prior to that, the trail-blazing group will share the main stage with a few local groups, including The Stockade Kids, which will reunite for the first time since 2016. A special performance by DJ Ketchup and DJ HollyW8D will celebrate 50 years of hip-hop and be held during the Price Chopper & Market 32 fireworks show.
Elsewhere, on the Sunmark Credit Union Stage, there will be performances by rock band Whits End, singer-songwriter Girl Blue and party band Grand Central Station starting at 5 p.m.
The popular sand sculpture will return, with the artist starting to sculpt at 10 a.m. Friday morning.
Kid-friendly activities will be offered in the expanded Best Fitness/MVP Health Care Kids Zone on Jay Street in front of City Hall. Kids can “test drive a trumpet,” glaze sculptural tiles, create fence art and add to a mural. There will also be corn hole, a basketball shootout, a 100-foot inflatable obstacle course, henna tattoos and face painting. For families with very young children, four lactation tents will be available.
Downtown restaurants and vendors will offer food, drinks and desserts throughout the event.
It will run from 5-10 p.m. and will take over State Street between Broadway and Barrett Street, and stretch onto Jay Street. Shops will remain open for business during the event and many will bring their operations outdoors.
The SummerNight tradition has grown quite a bit since it started more than 20 years ago. It began as a community event featuring regional bands and demonstrations from local performers that would attract around 2,000 people. Eventually, the county started bringing in national acts and it snowballed in terms of popularity. In previous years, it’s brought in upwards of 20,000 people downtown.
Smash Mouth, Blues Traveler and Spin Doctors have all headlined the block party in previous years. Though it took a two-year hiatus during the pandemic, the event returned last year with a performance by Better Than Ezra and drew a crowd of around 20,000.
The summer block party is presented by Rivers Casino & Resort with support from Saratoga Eagle.
“We’re so happy to be partnering once again with Schenectady County as presenting sponsor for the Capital Region’s biggest and best summer block party,” said Rivers Casino & Resort General Manager, Joe Lodise. “Downtown Schenectady will be the place to be on July 14, and we can’t wait to see everyone there for an amazing night of live music, food, fireworks and fun.”
For more information visit schenectadycountyny.gov/summernight.
Categories: Entertainment, Life and Arts, News, Schenectady, Schenectady County
