SCHUMER: POOL PARTY CONCERT SERIES SAVED -- ANNOUNCES POPULAR, FREE CONCERTS WILL BE BACK IN BROOKLYN IN 2010 FOR ANOTHER ROCKING SUMMER OF MUSIC

Today, United States Senator Charles E. Schumer announced that officials have reached an agreement and signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) that ensures that extremely popular Pool Parties will return in 2010. The JELLY Pool Parties, a very successful free summer concert series started in 2006, were held at East River State Park in 2009. Unfortunately, there were some indications that the Pool Parties may not return for a 2010 season. No events had been scheduled as of November, so Schumer stepped up to see the Jelly Pool Parties remain a fixture next summer. 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 recently met with OSA and NYS Parks Department and reached an agreement so that the Pool Parties will return in 2010 with a free 8 concert series. New York City Parks Commissioner Benepe also played a key role.

"Summer in Brooklyn without the free JELLY Pool Parties simply would not have been the same and I am beyond thrilled to see that they will return in 2010," Schumer said. "I have truly been inspired and energized by the enthusiasm behind these outstanding concerts and am proud to have worked so hard on behalf of concertgoers everywhere to see that they return. I'd like to thank OSA, NYS Parks, NYC Parks, Borough President Marty Markowitz, Assemblyman Joe Lentol, Senator Daniel Squadron and Councilman Stephen Levin for working so hard to see that the Pool Parties return in 2010. I can't wait to ride my bike this summer to the East River State Park to rock out at these concerts once again."

The Open Space Alliance for North Brooklyn (OSA), a notforprofit working to expand open space in the community, manages the summer concerts. "We are grateful that Sen. Schumer has taken an interest in the Williamsburg Waterfront Shows," said OSA Chairman Steve Hindy.  "We are delighted to partner with NYS Parks in providing the summer concert series.  It's a wonderful feature of life in North Brooklyn, and it contributes significantly to the improvement of existing parks and development of new parks in the area."

"We are very pleased that all our partners have worked so hard to continue the concerts in East River State Park. We look forward to a great summer," said Rachel Gordon, Regional Administrator for NYS Parks.

The pool parties have become the biggest summer concert series to hit New York City in decades. They 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.

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.

Jelly cofounders Alexander Kane and Sarah Hooper agree, "We owe a tremendous debt of gratitude to all parties involved including OSA and NYS Parks, but especially to our great Senator Chuck Schumer, who went above and beyond to see the free shows continue for a fifth straight year."

Since Schumer spoke to the excited audience, he has led the fight to save the JELLY Pool Parties. Schumer has met with 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 announced today that the Pool Parties will return to the East River State park in 2010 for an 8 concert series.