Groovin’ In The Park is New York City’s premier reggae and R & B concert taking place this Sunday in Roy Wilkins Park in Queens. The outdoor event is celebrating its seventh renewal, and over the years Groovin’ has attracted a dazzing array of the finest available talent in both genres. Beres Hammond, Jimmy Cliff, Steel Pulse, Bob Andy, Morgan Heritage, Chronixx, Mavado, Toots, John Holt, Beenie Man, Stitchie and many other luminaries have blazed the reggae stage. On the R & B and pop side, the stage has been set on fire by Michael Bolton, Air Supply, Gladys Knight, Patti Labelle, Babyface, Peabo Bryson, Regina Belle, Billy Ocean, Brian McKnight and Boyz 11 Men.
But while the Groovin’ talent list is unmistakably superlative year after year, another powerful attraction of the festival are the luxurious and thoughtful considerations that come with the Groovin’ experience. For starters, this Sunday will be in the soul-warming 80s and a generous supply of bottled cold water will be distributed to attendees in the general admissions section. Attendees will have not just a choice of Jamaican food items but health-conscious culinary treats will be served up from cuisines from around the world. And almost a hundred portable bathrooms including fifteen outfitted for the handicapped will ensure that a visit to the restroom is never a 10K marathon on Sunday.
The VIP section of Groovin’ will take on the posture of a tropical island with designers incorporating vibrant Caribbean colors in various sections that they have created in the park. Each VIP attendee will be supplied with two hot meals plus unlimited beverage while they jam to the sweet nostalgic sounds of Busy Signal, Freddie McGregor, Tarrus Riley, Ken Boothe, Leroy Sibblies and U Roy.
And in the VVIP luxury suites, a day in the park will become a blissful magic carpet ride. A limited number of elevated sky boxes will offer the prefect optics for viewing the pied piper of R & B, R Kelly and songbird and Grammy winner Stephanie Mills. An all-inclusive, unlimited gourmet experience against a backdrop of plush over-sized sofas, high ball tables and Ottoman chairs will make the Groovin’ experience feel like more than a luxury resort. Each sky-suite will be provisioned with a bountiful basket of fresh fruits, and after the mouthwatering nouvelle Caribbean cuisine, VVIP guests can savor sweet delights like Sabrina’s rum cake and sorrel cheese cake. The VIP and VVIP bathrooms will be spacious and self-flushing with attendants offering toiletries and fragrances by leading designer brands. Additionally, a round-the-clock janitorial crew will ensure that the entire venue is impeccabl e.
“My friends and I look forward to Groovin’ In The Park every year”, Myrna Merchant, a former banker and executive administrator in New York was quoted as saying, “We love the music. We also come for the natural mystic and the overall Groovin’ experience which is priceless…it is a fabulous vibe session and reunion for family, friends, school mates and colleagues”, she affirmed.
