CELEBRATE WITH KOOL & THE GANG ON “EAST BOSTON DAY” AT SUFFOLK DOWNS, SATURDAY, AUGUST 22

EAST BOSTON, MA – Classic R&B recording artist Kool & The Gang, whose prolific resume of hits includes party favorites Celebration, Ladies Night and Get Down On It, will be performing live at Suffolk Downs on Saturday, August 22, which is also “East Boston Day,” the eighth of a summer-long series of days recognizing individual cities and towns in the Suffolk Downs community.
 

The concert is the culmination of the track’s 2009 “Commitment to Community” program which has celebrated individuals and organizations that make a positive difference in eight surrounding communities: Everett (June 13), Chelsea (June 20), Salem (July 11), Lynn (July 18), Winthrop (July 25), Revere (August 1), Saugus (August 8) and East Boston.

The following East Boston organizations will be recognized in the track’s “Community Winner’s Circle”: East Boston Pop Warner, Harborside Community Center, East Boston Ecumenical Community Council, Roca, East Boston Youth Hockey, East Boston Little League and EBARC.

The “Community Winner’s Circle” was established last year by Suffolk Downs in a continuation of the track’s long-standing community outreach program. Each “Community Winner’s Circle” honoree is recognized by the track in a post-race winner’s circle ceremony and with a contribution to their cause.

Special first post time for live racing on “East Boston Day” is 3:00 p.m. In addition to a full card of live racing, the track will provide free family entertainment at the outdoor tent and playground area from 2:45-5:45 p.m. Activities include pony rides, carnival games, face painting, a balloon artist and the “Fan Photo Experience” that allows fans to have their picture taken with a racehorse and jockey. Oldies 103.3 FM in Boston will be broadcasting live from the track throughout the day.

Tickets for the concert are $10 each, with all sales to benefit organizations in the eight cities and towns that have been recognized in the track’s “Commitment to Community” program.

Admission for the raceday portion of “East Boston Day” is free for all East Boston residents (with proper ID). Concert admission of $10 at the door will begin at 4 p.m. Concert-goers should enter at the North Grandstand entrance. In keeping with the community theme, parking is free the entire day.

The concert is scheduled for 7:30 p.m., shortly after the conclusion of live racing. Special opening act will be “The Diversity Band” representing ZUMIX of East Boston. ZUMIX is a non-profit, 501(c)(3) cultural organization dedicated to building community through music and the arts.

Kool & The Gang has sold over 70 million albums worldwide and influenced the music of three generations. They have earned two Grammy Awards, seven American Music Awards, 25 Top Ten R&B hits, nine Top Ten Pop hits, and 31 gold and platinum albums. Kool & The Gang has performed continuously for the past 35 years, longer than any R&B group in history. Additional hits include Jungle Boogie, Fresh, Too Hot, Joanna and Cherish.

Suffolk Downs boasts a rich musical history, which includes the final Boston-area appearance by the Beatles in 1966, performances by Aerosmith and the Jackson 5 in the 1970s, and a variety of shows and festivals in the last decade featuring acts such as Elvis Costello, Hootie and the Blowfish, the Goo Goo Dolls, and the Dropkick Murphys.
 

Source: Suffolk Downs Press Release