Jelly, the biggest summer event series to hit New York in decades, is in danger of being shut down. The Pool Parties were originally held at McCarren Park Pool and were moved to the East River State Park in 2009. The future of the Pool Parties at the East River State Park could be in jeopardy.
After a very successful 2009 season with eight weeks of free performances including Grizzly Bear, Girl Talk, The Black Lips, Dirty Projectors, Deerhunter, Dan Deacon, No Age, Mission of Burma, Beach House, and Simian Mobile Disco, news came from the New York State Parks Department and the Open Space Alliance that the East River State Park may not be available to Jelly for the 2010 season. This will ultimately put an end to the flourishing free summer series.
U.S. Senator Charles Schumer, a Brooklyn native, is now leading the fight to save the Jelly Pool Parties. The Senator took the stage at the last Pool Party in August 2009 and pledged that the free concert series would return to the waterfront in 2010. Senator Schumer and his staff have been campaigning for the Pool Parties to remain at the East River State Park, speaking to other state and city officials to ensure Jelly’s free summer series will be back for a 5th year.