RON DELSENER - City Parks Foundation

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
G A LA CO N C ERT &
D I N N ER AT
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
HONORING
RON DELSENER
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.
GAL A CO NC ERT &
D I N N ER
H ONORING
RON DELSENER
P E R FO R M A N C E S BY
JON BON JOVI
IDINA MENZEL
DAVID SANBORN
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)
FATHER GUIDO SARDUCCI (DON NOVELLO)
Please RSVP by Friday, June 3
PAUL SHAFFER AND THE PARK RANGERS
reply form enclosed
A N D OT H E R S U R P R I S E G U E S T S
www.CityParksFoundation.org/Gala
or