Summer Concerts - FREE

JUNE 
1 The Band Perry, #BandPerryTODAY

8 Chris Brown, #ChrisBrownTODAY

15 Justin Bieber, #BieberTODAY

22 Kenny Chesney, #ChesneyTODAY

29 Maroon 5, #Maroon5TODAY

JULY 6 Flo Rida, #Only1FloTODAY

13 Zac Brown Band, #ZacBrownTODAY

20 Hot Chelle Rae, #HCRTODAY

AUGUST 17 Shakira, #ShakiraTODAY
24 Train, #TrainTODAY

31, Jason Mraz with special guest Christina Perri, #MrazTODAY

SEPTEMBER 3, Matchbox Twenty

Additional performances may be announced throughout the season.

Fans and visitors are encouraged to come to the plaza for the live performances. Viewing is on a first-come, first-served basis outside TODAY's window-on-the-world studio, located at 49th Street and Rockefeller Plaza in New York City. Fans should arrive by 6 a.m. for best viewing.

Jim Bell is the executive producer of TODAY (Monday-Friday, 7-11 a.m.). Melissa Lonner is the senior producer responsible for the "Toyota Concert Series on TODAY."

2012 MERMAID PARADE - SATURDAY, JUNE 23RD, 2PM! 30TH ANNIVERSARY! QUEEN MERMAID ANNABELLA SCIORRA KING NEPTUNE JACKIE "THE JOKE MAN" MARTLING

Check out the WINNERS from the 2011 Parade Sponsor the Parade FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT THE PARADE 2011 Pics and Videos
		2012 MERMAID PARADE - SATURDAY, JUNE 23RD, 2PM! 30TH ANNIVERSARY! QUEEN MERMAID ANNABELLA SCIORRA KING NEPTUNE JACKIE "THE JOKE MAN" MARTLING   CLICK HERE TO REGISTER FOR THE 2012 PARADE!   Want to be a Mermaid Parade Judge with review stand seating? It's easy, just become a member of Coney Island USA at the Big Spender Level or above. You can also purchase a Judgeship/Mermaid Ball Combo Ticket! Click here for info.

About The Mermaid Parade:A completely original creation of Coney Island USA, the Mermaid Parade is the nation's largest art parade and one of New York City's greatest summer events. The parade is proud to have some incredible sponsors. Click here for answers to common questions.

Founded in 1983 by Coney Island USA, the not-for-profit arts organization that also produces the Coney island Circus Sideshow, the Mermaid Parade pays homage to Coney Island's forgotten Mardi Gras which lasted from 1903 to 1954, and draws from a host of other sources resulting in a wonderful and wacky event that is unique to Coney Island. 

The Mermaid Parade celebrates the sand, the sea, the salt air and the beginning of summer, as well as the history and mythology of Coney Island, Coney Island pride, and artistic self-expression. The Parade is characterized by participants dressed in hand-made costumes as Mermaids, Neptunes, various sea creatures, the occasional wandering lighthouse, Coney Island post card or amusement ride, as well as antique cars, marching bands, drill teams, and the odd yacht pulled on flatbed.

Each year, a different celebrity King Neptune and Queen Mermaid rule over the proceedings, riding in the Parade and assisting in the opening of the Ocean for the summer swimming season by marching down the Beach from the Boardwalk, cutting through Ribbons representing the seasons, and tossing fruit into the Atlantic to appease the Sea Gods. In the past, David Byrne, Lou Reed, Laurie Anderson, Queen Latifah, Ron Kuby, Curtis Sliwa, Moby, David Johansen and Harvey Keitel have graced our shores, presiding over the assembled masses.

The Parade is followed by the Mermaid Parade Ball, a post-parade gathering where costumed parade participants can get together with each other and parade spectators to listen to live music, enjoy cocktails and watch burlesque and sideshow acts performed by some of New York City's hottest performers.

Come on out and join us on one of Coney Island's best days of the summer! We can't wait to see you there!

* The Parade will start at West 21st Street and Surf Avenue
* The Parade will roll east to West 10th Street
* at West 10th Street the Parade will turn south towards the boardwalk
* cars and motorized floats can park on West 10th Street
* At the Boardwalk, the marchers and push-pull floats will turn west and head towards West 15th Street
* At West 15th Street, the Parade will disband

PUSH PULL FLOATS AND MARCHERS will register at Surf Avenue and West 21st Street.
MOTORIZED FLOATS AND ANTIQUE CARS will register at Surf Ave. Side at West 19th and West 20th street.

Because West 21st Street is much narrower than our old staging area (West 10th Street), you will NOT be able to PULL YOUR TRUCK OR VEHICLE to unload materials for assembling your push-pull cart or costume. But, DON’T WORRY- you will be able to assemble your cart in a secure location with vehicle access on Surf Avenue between West 21st and West 22nd Street. You may then push you cart onto West 21st Street. 

Marcus Samuelsson in Conversation With Ruth Reichl Marcus Samuelsson, Ruth Reichl - Tuesday June 26, 2012 7:00 PM

Marcus Samuelsson in Conversation With Ruth Reichl Marcus Samuelsson, Ruth Reichl Author Event The celebrated chef/owner of Red Rooster and Ginny's Supper Club talk about his life and career via his new memoir Yes, Chef with Ruth Reichl. Tuesday June 26, 2012 7:00 PM Union Square33 East 17th Street, New York, NY 10003, 212-253-0810 Special Instructions Event space opens at 5:00 pm. Please do not arrive for this event prior to 5:00 pm. Priority seating available with purchase of Yes, Chef. Standby customers who do not wish to purchase the book will be seated at management's discretion as space allows. Yes, Chef by Marcus Samuelsson Hardcover Reader Rating :                                         See All Detailed Ratings Read customer reviews  Write a review Available for Pre-Order This item will be available on Jun 26, 2012. More about this book

Live Events at J&R - Join us at historical Park Row, across from City Hall Park, in downtown NYC and share in the fun.

Live Events at J&R

J&R hosts a number of free live events, like our annual SummerFest and MusicFest, as well as exciting intimate performances and autograph sessions with some of the greatest names in entertainment. Join us at historical Park Row, across from City Hall Park, in downtown NYC and share in the fun.

(NYC Store - Directions and Hours)

 

 

Smashing Pumpkins

Wednesday, June 20th
Autograph Signing at 6:00PM
23 Park Row

The Smashing Pumpkins will be signing autographs of their new CD Oceania at J&R. Stop by J&R on Friday, June 15th at 6PM for our Smashing Pumpkins listening party. Pre-order the new CD and receive a bracelet granting you access to this exclusive event.

The Smashing Pumpkins have created one of the most acclaimed bodies of work in musical history, having sold more than 30 million albums, and won multiple Grammy awards in the process. Formed in Chicago in 1988, they released Gish, their influential and platinum debut in 1991, which was followed by albums including the nine-time platinum Mellon Collie And The Infinite Sadness and the four-time platinum Siamese Dream, as well as the platinum certified 1998 album Adore.

The pivotal group's many hits defined the alternative music era and continue to resonate on modern rock radio, influencing a whole new generation. The Pumpkins returned in 2007 with their acclaimed sixth album Zeitgeist and they have since remained on the cutting edge of music and technology with various online releases. OCEANIA is their 7th studio album and the band will support it with a global tour in 2012.

 

 

Paulette McWilliams & Nat Adderley Jr.

Thursday, June 21st
Performance & Autograph Signing at 12:30PM
23 Park Row

You've heard her voice! The iconic voice behind Michael Jackson on 'Don't Stop Til You Get Enough!' On Aretha Franklin's number one hit 'Jump To It.' On Billy Idol's number one hit 'Mony Mony.' And so many others... She also toured and sang live with Luther Vandross and sang all of the Tammi Terrell duets with Marvin Gaye on his last tour.

A Chicago native, McWilliams earliest memories of singing are with her mother. "Unlike a lot of singers that I know, I didn't grow up in the church. I went to Catholic school and grew up singing Jazz and Blues with my mom."

After years of touring and recording with big names, McWilliams is finally taking control of her own destiny. Her latest CDTelling Stories is set for release in early 2012.

 

 

Donovan

Friday, June 22nd
Performance & Autograph Signing at 5:30PM
23 Park Row

Donovan was born Donovan Philips Leitch in, Glasgow, Scotland as part of the post-war baby-boom in 1946. Recently on April 14, 2012 Donovan was inducted into The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. He is a legendary Poet, folk-rock & pop-troubadour that remains an important part of popular culture since his career began in 1965. He truly is one of the preeminent members of British Rock Royalty.

 

 

R. Kelly

Friday, June 22nd
Listening Party at 6PM
15 Park Row (at the rear of store)

R. Kelly is hosting a listening party at J&R! He will be at 15 Park Row (at the rear of the store) 6pm, wine and cheese to be served! Featuring wines from Tamaya and Don Baltazar.

R. Kelly, the three-time Grammy winning king of R&B, makes music of epic proportions. After 18 years of stardom, the multi-instrumentalist, producer and vocalist continues to forge an artistic path that caters to fantasy and captures the hearts of adoring fans, which is in essence, how an artist sells over 34 million records, and wears the crown of a king.