HONORING RON DELSENER

GALA CONCERT &

DINNER AT

Each year we present the People and Parks Award to a recipient

who shares our commitment to enriching New York City’s culture.

This year we honor Ron Delsener, a maverick, innovator, and

one of the most influential promoters in the history of the music

industry.

Mr. Delsener’s legendary career began in 1964, when he assisted

the promoter of the Beatles’ first outdoor concert at Forest Hills,

Queens. He pioneered concerts in Central Park, beginning in

1966, by engaging seminal artists including Led Zeppelin, The

Doors, Bruce Springsteen and Miles Davis, to perform at the

Rheingold Central Park Music Festival, which evolved into the

historic Schaefer Music Festival beginning in 1968. He conceived

of and promoted Simon & Garfunkel’s legendary 1981 Concert in

Central Park; presented Sting at the Metropolitan Opera House;

and presented Neil Young at Carnegie Hall. In 1983, Delsener

reinvented the Jones Beach Amphitheater and launched its

famed concert series, which continues today.

Celebrating his 80th birthday this year, Delsener continues his

impressive work, and the spirit of his ground breaking outdoor

concerts lives on, inspiring our SummerStage series today. We are

thrilled to recognize his extraordinary contributions to the field

and to the cultural life of New York City.

Cover art inspired by original concert posters promoting the Schaefer Music

Festival created and produced by Ron Delsener from 1968 through 1976.

PERFORMANCES BY

JON BON JOVI

IDINA MENZEL

DAVID SANBORN

FATHER GUIDO SARDUCCI (DON NOVELLO)

PAUL SHAFFER AND THE PARK RANGERS

AND OTHER SURPRISE GUESTS

GALA CONCERT & DINNER

HONORING

RON DELSENER

MONDAY, JUNE 20, 2016

Under the stars at SummerStage

Central Park

72nd Street and Fifth Avenue

Cocktails at 6:30 pm

Dinner & Concert Performance at 7:30 pm

Cocktail Party Attire

Rain or Shine

(Tented Venue)

Please RSVP by Friday, June 3

reply form enclosed

or

www.CityParksFoundation.org/Gala