Real Good for FREE: The Music Haven Concert Series in Schenectady’s Central Park

Travel the world one concert at a time!

For years now, that’s been the slogan of the free, summertime Music Haven Concert Series that takes place in the heart of Schenectady’s Central Park. And this year is no different.

The 2013 seven-concert series roams the globe with musical styles ranging from South African soul to rootsy Americana; from gut-busting gospel to hot salsa; and from piano blues to Malian guitar pyrotechnics.

“We’re thrilled to present another season of incredible music in Central Park,” says Music Haven founder and artistic director Mona Golub. “We can’t wait to see the joy on people’s faces when they experience these shows.”

The Music Haven Concert Series will take place at 7pm on Sundays from July 7-August 11. And as always, admission is FREE.

Here’s the schedule for the 2013 season:

JULY 7
VIEUX FARKA TOURE
Descended from a historic tribe of soldiers, the Hendrix of the Sahara has collaborated with Dave Matthews, Derek Trucks, John Scofield and his famous father, Ali Farke Touré. His new album, Mon Pays, is an homage to his Malian homeland.

JULY 14
LORRAINE KLAASEN & AFRICAN CONNEXION
Daughter of Tandie Klaasen — the Ella Fitzgerald of South Africa — this Soweto-bred singer is on a life-long mission to bring the joyous, infectious beat of township music to the world. She honors her strongest influence on her latest album, 2012’s A Tribute to Miriam Makeba.

JULY 21
THE ANA EGGE BAND
Lucinda Williams calls Brooklyn’s Ana Egge “a folk Nina Simone,” and fans include John Prine, Shawn Colvin and Iris Dement. Steve Earle produced her latest haunting and tuneful slice of Americana, Bad Blood, which finds her still playing a guitar she built with her own hands.

JULY 28
MARIA MULDAUR & THE CAMPBELL BROTHERS
Only one thing beats the high-energy gospel soul of the sacred steel tradition, and that’s pairing the reigning steel guitar kings with the legendary blues diva, Maria “Midnight at the Oasis” Muldaur. There will be growling, wailing, shouting, singing and swinging from every corner.

AUGUST 4
DONA OXFORD
The Goddess of Soul plays a homecoming show. Longtime Nippertonian gone L.A., Doña Oxford is the real thing, playing and singing piano blues that drips with honesty, sweat and funk. She’s gigged with the best, including Keith Richards, Bob Weir, Buddy Guy and Levon Helm.

AUGUST 11
ALEX TORRES & HIS LATIN ORCHESTRA
For over 30 years, Bronx-born bassist Alex Torres has led one of the hippest, most hard-hitting bands in Nippertown. The Amsterdam-based brass orchestra will light up a hot August night with salsa, merengue, cha-cha, bomba, plena and Latin jazz.

ADDITIONAL REAL GOOD FOR FREE EVENTS FOR 2013
Collar City Film Festival @ Monument Square, Troy (Friday, May 31)
Art On Lark @ Lark Street, Albany (Saturday, June 8)
Capital Pride Festival @ Washington Park, Albany (Sunday, June 9)
River Street Festival @ River Street, Troy (Saturday, June 15)
Summer at the Plaza @ Empire State Plaza, Albany (various days)
Rockin’ On the River @ Green Island Bridge Parking Lot/Riverfront Park, Troy (Wednesdays from June through August)
Alive at Five @ Riverfront Park, Albany (Thursdays from June through August)
Jazz On Jay @ Jay Street, Schenectady (Thursdays from June through September)