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Chuck Schumer 'steps up fight' for Pool Parties

Chuck Schumer @ the Williamsburg Waterfront (more by Tim Griffin)
Schumer

Chuck Schumer sent out the following press release today…

WITH JELLY POOL PARTIES IN DANGER OF BEING SHUTDOWN
SCHUMER STEPS UP FIGHT TO ENSURE SERIES WILL BE BACK IN 2010 FOR ANOTHER SUMMER OF MUSIC

Schumer, A Brooklyn Native, Attended Two Pool Parties in 2009 and Pledged His Support To Keep the Music Playing

Schumer Meeting With NYS Parks, OSA and Elected Officials To Ensure Pool Parties Return in 2010 At East River State Park in Williamsburg, Brooklyn; Schumer Pledges to Press Officials to Iron Out Remaining Concerns

Schumer: The FREE Jelly NYC Pool Parties Are A Big Part of Why Summers in NYC are So Great And I Will Do Everything In My Power to See They Return

Today, United States Senator Charles E. Schumer announced he is pressing officials to iron out remaining concerns to see that the JELLY Pool Parties are saved from being shut down. Schumer is meeting with state and park officials and organizations to get the ball rolling on a permanent solution. The JELLY Pool Parties, a very successful free summer concert series started in 2005, were held at East River State Park in 2009. Unfortunately, the New York State Parks Department and the Open Space Alliance (OSA) indicated that the Jelly Pool Parties may not return for a 2010 season. No final schedule has been set for the 2010 season and Schumer is committed to seeing the JELLY Pool Parties remain a fixture for next summer and beyond. Schumer, a Brooklyn native who attended two of the Pool Parties this past summer, was struck by the quality and popularity of the concerts and the enthusiasm of the crowd. Schumer has already met with the NYS Parks Department and OSA and has pledged to do whatever it takes to see the Pool Parties return 2010.

“Summer in Brooklyn without the JELLY Pool Parties simply would not be the same and I will do everything in my power to see that they return in 2010,” Schumer said. “As I was riding my bike through Williamsburg this summer, I came upon the Pool Parties and was inspired and energized by the huge crowds who came to see the concerts. People came from far and wide to enjoy the Brooklyn concert series, and when I heard they were in danger I just could not sit idly by and let the JELLY Parties get cancelled. Events such as the JELLY Pool Parties are what New York’s parks are made for – they are lively and exciting and build energy and enthusiasm for people to stay and live and play in NYC – and I will fight to ensure they are back in action in 2010.”

“The Brooklyn music scene exploded over the last decade, drawing hordes of new bands and artists to the borough and making Williamsburg the epicenter of some of the best new music in the world. The recent East River events have been the culmination of it all, showcasing VICE bands and other artists to thousands of music junkies across New York. VICE salutes Brooklyn native Chuck Schumer – a man who clearly knows his music – for going to bat for countless New York City concert -goers,” said VICE founder Suroosh Alvi.

JELLY NYC is the biggest summer concert series to hit New York City in decades. The Pool Parties were originally held at the McCarren Park Pool but were recently moved to the East River State Park due to construction. Within just a few years, the concert series experienced a huge jump in popularity, with audience traveling from across the country, and even the world, to attend the concerts. The 2009 season featured 8 weeks of free performances featuring Mission of Burma, Dirty Projectors, Grizzly Bear, Dan Deacon, Deerhunter, Simian Mobile Disco, The Black Lips, and Girl Talk.

But the future of the concerts was put in jeopardy as the New York State Parks Department and the Open Space Alliance indicated that the East River State Park may not be available for the 2010 season. In August, Schumer, took the stage on the last night of the Pool Parties and pledged to the cheering crowd that they would be back on the waterfront in 2010.

Since Schumer spoke to the excited audience, he has led the fight to save the JELLY Pool Parties. Schumer is meeting with the New York State Parks Department, the Open Space Alliance, and local elected officials to work on a deal to ensure the Pool Parties return to the East River State Park next year. Schumer and JELLY NYC hope to have all the necessary papers signed in the near future so the Pool Parties will be back in Brooklyn for a 5th year.

Schumer’s office has received over 200 e-mails from concerned constituents urging him to help bring back the JELLY Pool Parties.

PREVIOUSLY: Jelly asking for help to ensure future of Pool Parties