Jazz non-profit Gotham Yardbird Sanctuary is excited to start a fundraising campaign for The Summer Festival 2024.

This unique music festival is a collaboration between three local artists-entrepreneurs, Timothy Nuernberger, Francesca Khalifa and Rie Yamaguchi-Borden, to bring live classical, jazz and world music to the vibrant streets and outdoor spaces of the Ridgewick (Bushwick/Ridgewood) neighborhood.

Crafted out of the desire of resident artists to create a much deeper connection with their community across the music genres, The Summer Festival will be hosted mainly by the Nuernberger & Co., a piano workshop which offers complete restorations of vintage pianos to their original conditions, while the closing night will be held at Highland Park.

The artists line-up will feature an interconnection between musical traditions, artist practices and time periods with a spotlight aimed in particular to under-represented voices.

Performance Schedule (Free Admission)

Fundraising Concert

7/28 (Su) 1:30pm to 2:30pm

Cafe Ornithology / 1037 Broadway, Brooklyn, 11221

Organizers introductory talks with piano performances by Timothy Nuernberger and Francesca Khalifa and vocal/piano duo with Rie Yamaguchi-Borden and Nitsan Kolko

The Summer Festival

8/3 (Sa) 7:00pm

Open Air concert on Cody Avenue, in front of Nuernberger & Co. / 1659 Cody Ave. Suite C, Ridgewood, 11385 ( Rain day location: 1695 Cody Ave. Suite B )

Western Classical masterworks and Latin Classical gems by Francesca Khalifa (p)

8/10 (Sa) 7:30pm

Nuernberger & Co. / 1659 Cody Ave. Suite C, Ridgewood, 11385 ( Rain day location: 1695 Cody Ave. Suite B )

World music concert (details TBA).

8/17 (Sa) 7:30pm

Nuernberger & Co. in collaboration with Artist Studio/ 1659 Cody Ave. Suite B, Ridgewood, 11385

Italian Classical music and its influence in the tradition by Francesca Khalifa (p) and Dr. Nune Melik (v)

8/24 (Sa) 6:00pm

Highland Park Bandshell/Near Jamaica Ave and Elton St ( Rain day location and time: Cafe Ornithology/1037 Broadway 1:30pm to 2:30pm )

Rogers and Hart songbook by Trio Daphne: Rie Yamaguchi-Borden (v), John Merrill (g) and Reid Taylor (b)

Organizers

Timothy Nuernberger

Timothy's experience with pianos began in practice rooms and concert stages. His business of tuning, repairs and restorations steadily grew as a trusted source of high quality, professional service for New Yorkers including numerous respected artists and institutions. At his workshop in Ridgewood, Queens, Timothy continues to individually complete each aspect of the restoration to deliver rebuilds which satisfy his own uncompromising expectations as a pianist.

Francesca Khalifa

The Italian-Egyptian pianisit Francesca Khalifa was the winner of the Ferrara International Piano Festival in 2014, awarded by renowned pianist and musicologist Paul Badura-Skoda. Highlights of recent season include concerts as soloist with the Cairo Symphony Orchestra in Egypt, the Orchestra Filarmonica Pozzoli in Milan, a solo appearance at Steinway Hall New York City, chamber music concerts with OSJ La Verdi Chamber Orchestra in New York City, solo recitals in China (Harbin Concert Hall) and Cuba (Oficina del Historiador).

Rie Yamaguchi-Borden

Vice president of jazz nonprofit Gotham Yardbird Sanctuary and co-owner of Ornithology Jazz Club and Cafe Ornithology in Bushwick, Rie Yamaguchi-Borden is also a freelance Japanese Jazz vocalist and drummer.

Together with her husband Mitch Borden, the original founder of legendary Jazz Club Smalls in west village, couple has been dedicating their lifetime of work to NYC's Jazz community past 30 years.

They firmly believe the unifying power of Jazz, one of the most democratic art forms of America, will lead new Renaissance movement and make NYC a mecca for all creatives from all over the world

The Summer Festival 2024

An Open Air, free festival of sounds

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Team Members