Thornden Park hosts final concert of vaccination series
PRESS RELEASE
Contact:
Larry Luttinger
441 E. Washington St.
Syracuse NY 13202
315-479-5299
Thornden Park hosts final concert of vaccination series
Summerlong cash raffle winners will be announced
Syracuse NY – The final event of the Syracuse Community Health “Family Health Gatherings,” the summer public health event series that has been blanketing Syracuse parks since June, will conclude with a major concert featuring international contemporary jazz artist Eric Darius in Thornden Park’s amphitheater, Thornden Park Drive, Syracuse 13210. The event is scheduled for this Sunday August 22nd from 2:00 to 5:00 p.m.
Darius is well-known to area smooth jazz fans, having performed here for the Health Center’s annual “Evening of Jazz” events and this February’s virtual CNY Jazz Black History Month Cabaret. Of Haitian and Jamaican descent, Eric’s career started in his teens, touring internationally with Sonny LaRosa’s “America’s Youngest Jazz Band.” His first album was released when he was seventeen. After study at the University of South Florida, he has become a leading figure in contemporary jazz, performing internationally at major festivals, theaters, and clubs. His most recent hit single “Breakin’ Thru” has been a staple on Contemporary Jazz radio, reaching #1 on the Billboard Charts.
Derrick Murry, COO of Syracuse Community Health and driving force behind this urban vaccination effort, said this about the current environment, “My message to urban Syracuse and to our entire region is this. We are now in a pivotal and uncertain time in the history of this pandemic. Black and Hispanic Americans are dying at a much higher rate than others, and urban neighborhoods are still lagging behind in vaccinations and are very high in infection rates. Get vaccinated against COVID-19. Don’t listen to misinformation. Turn uncertainty into certainty by speaking to trusted messengers who can provide you with credible information about COVID-19 and the vaccines that are available to fight this virus. Please get vaccinated to protect yourself, your parents, your children, your co-workers, everyone around you. You owe it to your family, your friends, and your entire community, to immunize yourself and eliminate the spread of COVID-19 to others. Do this and we can beat this variant, future variants, and send our children back to school safely as well.”
The biggest incentives of the series will be awarded at the concert. The last of the six flat screen TVs will be raffled, and at the conclusion of the concert, three people who have been vaccinated will win prizes of $1,000, $500, and $250 in a final drawing. According to Larry Luttinger of CNY Jazz, organizer of the series, “I want to thank the health center, 100 Black Men of Syracuse, and all of our dedicated health care and corporate sponsors for making it possible for us to complete this urgent awareness campaign and cultural series. The arts are a powerful platform for social awareness and change. I am humbled to be able to make this effort to move the public health needle in a positive direction for urban Syracuse. If we’ve saved one life, this entire effort has been worth it. So let’s all come celebrate on Sunday.”
Minority arts and crafts vendors will be present, as well as a food vendor for those who don’t wish to bring coolers and food baskets. Additional information is available at www.cnyjazzinthecity.org . The event is rain or shine. Parking is limited in the area, so attendees are encouraged to arrive early and drop off their groups before parking. Patrons are encouraged to bring tent covers, chairs, food and drink, enjoy the afternoon, and bring loved ones 12 and older to attend and be vaccinated.
If You Go
WHAT: The Syracuse Community Health “Family Health Gathering” Series
WHO: Eric Darius
WHERE: Thornden Park, Thornden Park Drive, Syracuse NY 13210
WHEN: Sunday August 22nd, 2021
SCHEDULE: 2:00 to 5:00 p.m.
COST: free
