Nicky Siano

(NEWARK, NJ) -- Lincoln Park Coast Cultural District (LPCCD) has announced the 18th consecutive Lincoln Park Music Festival Season (including two hybrid “Covid” seasons 14.1 and 14.2).  Headlining the legendary House Music Day is none other than dance music and Disco pioneer – Nicky Siano!  Nicky Siano is one of the only surviving DJs who actually started the dance music scene in New York City and he’s coming to Newark’s #1 House Music Day for the first-time ever!

Nicky Siano is one of the last true pioneers of the inception of New York's dance music scene, a music genre that later became DISCO. His first job playing records at New York’s famed club The Round Table, was in 1971.  In 1972, at the age of 17, he co-owned, designed and was the DJ at The Gallery nightclub, called “the first disco” in books such as Love Saves the Day and Love Goes to Buildings on Fire.   Both books and documentaries such as Maestro chronicle how Nicky started many DJ techniques like beat matching records, designing the first crossover and building the first club bass horns.  He inspired owners to build such clubs as The Paradise Garage and Studio 54.  He launched the careers of Grace Jones, D.C. La Rue, Loleatta Holloway, Larry Levan and Frankie Knuckles, to name a few. His party at hot spot Twelve West (1999-2002) was heralded by New York Magazine, The Village Voice, Time Out, Hx, Next, Flyer, DJ Times and Paper Magazine as the party of the year.  Nicky's live theatrical experience Hallelujah Disco: Stonewall to Studio 54 is a compelling immersive experience where the story, beginning at the Stonewall Riots in New York City and the first PRIDE celebration, comes to life!  

This year, Lincoln Park Music Festival spotlights the global 50th Anniversary of Hip Hop in addition to House. Music, Gospel, Jazz, and R&B/Soul.  Lincoln Park Music Festival’s second week officially launches in partnership with EQUAL SPACE as they present “Newark Tech Week Summer Sessions: Rap Battles and AI: Voice Ownership in the Digital Age”, a panel discussion and mixer that kicks off their annual Newark Tech Week summit this October. The week continues with 50th Anniversary of Hip Hop free outdoor movie night; Lincoln Park Music Festival’s Youth Day Fest; The Soul of Lincoln Park; and a Caribbean infused Lincoln Park Caribana experience.

“In our twentieth year as a non-profit, and upon the precipice of implementing the federally earmarked $3.5 million for green space revitalization secured by U.S. Senator Menendez and U.S. Senator Booker, our signature arts and culture program – the Lincoln Park Music Festival – is the best example of future use.  We are outdoor programmers and Lincoln Park is our world class venue”, states LPCCD Executive Director Anthony Smith.  “Lincoln Park Music Festival is where legends, icons, pioneers come to play for “the people” of Newark.  Our annual House Music Day’s lineage descends directly from the dance clubs such as Le Joc's, Shanique’s, Paradisio, Club Dock’s and of course Zanzibar.  It’s a reunion of the House Music community.  Nicky Siano is next in a long line of legends that have come to play.”

Over the past 18 consecutive seasons, the festival has evolved to a full umbrella season of music, arts, culture and wellness from April to October annually.  Check out the schedule below!

Here's a list of festival season activities that should be on every summer calendar.

YOGI FEST with Tyrone Daye | Saturday, July 8. Check In 10:11am. Event runs from 11:11am to 5:55pm. Yogi Fest “Namaste The Park” with a day of Yoga, Arts, Culture, Healthy Vendors, Upliftment.  Facilitators include Yoga Every Daye, Farah Fit Baddie, Daily Growth Yoga, Fruits of Life Yoga, Move With Jas, Hoops Yogi, Sensate Wellness, Movement by Jordan.  Special performances by Ashley Thee Great, God Sent and 10th Ltr with music by DJ MPURE.  Powered by Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey, RWJBH, and Prudential’s Community Grant Program Save time and pre-register online for this free event. 

Jazzy Soul Series 2023 | July 18, August 17 and September 28 from 6:00pm to 9:00pm. Influenced by founding board member Amiri Baraka’s love of jazz, Lincoln Park Jazzy Soul Series program, introduces jazz infused live soul music to a new generation of music lovers.  For the 5th time, the Lincoln Park Music Festival, drawing upon its Jazz heritage, will produce the Jazzy Soul Series, a cabaret-style series of live music events.  This year’s Jazzy Soul Series is in conjunction with Tito’s Handmade Vodka, WBGO 88.3FM and The Positive Community Magazine.

The Jazzy Soul Series is kicking off at Swahili Village, 2 Center Street, Newark, NJ on July 18th. RSVP required, click here to reserve space online. For table reservations, call 973-494-7379. The series continues at local eateries around the City of Newark on August 17th and September 28th.

Lincoln Park Sustainable Living Community WALKERS CLUB 2023 - Saturdays from 8:45am to 10:00am. Walk, Hike and Fellowship with Us! Powered by Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey, RWJBH. Saturdays 7/8, 8/19, 9/9, and 9/30.

Lincoln Park House Music BAR CRAWL 2023 - Saturday, July 15 from 4:00pm to 10:00pm. It’s the 4th year running!  Lincoln Park Music Festival (LPMF) House Music Bar Crawl was designed to create economic impact in downtown Newark.  Our crawlers will cash mobbing and dancing to the tunes of Jersey’s best House Music DJs!  In partnership with Tito’s Handmade Vodka.

Lincoln Park Music Festival Official Events 2023

July 26 - Gospel Night - 5:00pm-10:00pm

July 27 - Soul Line Dancing - 5:00pm-9:00pm

July 28 - R&B Night - 5:00pm-10:00pm

July 29 - House Music Day - 12:00pm-10:00pm

July 30 - Hip Hop Culture Day: 50th Anniversary Hip Hop - 12:00pm-9:00pm

August 3 - Hip Hop 50th - Free Hip Hop  Films Night - 5:00pm-10:00pm

August 4 - Youth Fest Day - 11:00am-4:00pm

August 5 - The Soul of Lincoln Park - 12:00pm-9:00pm

August 6 - Lincoln Park Caribana - 12:00pm-9:00pm

Don’t Miss This Season Closer! Lincoln Park Sustainable Living Community BIKE RIDE | Sunday, September 17. Check in at 8:30am. Ride from 9:30am to 11:30am.  Fest & Fellowship from 11:30am to 4:00pm.

This year, the ride will have two routes:  one originating in Newark, NJ through the city's historic wards and parks; and a second route coming into Newark from a neighboring city or township.  Then, chillax and fellowship at the “fest” with food, Live DJ and cycling culture activities. Powered by Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey, RWJBH

The annual Lincoln Park Music Festival (LPMF) is the largest music experience rooted in traditions of the African American and Afro Caribbean diaspora in the tri-state region.  LPMF has expanded into an audience of 50,000-60,000 international attendees that comes together, over two weekends, to experience multiple genres of music including Gospel, Jazz, House, Hip-Hop, Rhythm & Blues, Reggae, Dancehall, Soca, Kompa and of the Latinx/Hispanic diaspora, as well as film, tech and music business education. 

The Lincoln Park Coast Cultural District, Inc. (LPCCD) is a non-profit organization actively engaged in the practice of economic development through Creative Placemaking. Its mission to plan, design and develop a comprehensive arts and cultural district in the Lincoln Park neighborhood of downtown Newark.  LPCCD’s main arts & culture programs are the annual Lincoln Park Music Festival, Lincoln Park Music Speaks citywide humanities initiative, the Lincoln Park Jazzy Soul music series, the Lincoln Park Sustainable Living Community Podcast and the public art initiative Lincoln Park Gallery Without Walls.