Since she was 12 years old, Samoa Wilson has been captivating audiences with a voice the New York Times calls “sweet, effortless, old-timey”. Raised in the riverbed of traditional North American folk music, she came up in the Boston scene, under the wing of jug band and folk legend Jim Kweskin. Her two duos, the Four O’Clock Flowers, and Fatboy Wilson & Old Viejo Bones, have become staples of the thriving New York City folk community. Additionally, her vintage jazz trio has been filling ears with material from the golden era of 20’s and 30’s musical treasure; a sound at once more bluesy and more contemporary than expected. Her choice of repertoire makes the difference: torchy and honeyed renditions of haunting little-known tunes, from a woman’s perspective. From the source of the traditional and classic material, she poses a modern complaint, salutes the transformation of women’s work and suffering into women’s triumph.

THE HOT TODDIES JAZZ BAND are a fun-loving hot jazz & swing band from NYC. They have an eclectic mix of styles perfect for dancing, lindy hop, and good times!

Founded in 2018, the band quickly became one of the top swing bands on the scene in NYC, the birthplace of the dance. In Summer 2023 they headlined the beloved outdoor swing dance at Lincoln Center in front of over 2,000 people during “Summer for the City” (formerly Midsummer Night Swing). This was also the release of their debut full length album, that was praised by critics, on Jazz Charts for 3 weeks (hitting #11 on the NACC Top 30), and playing on over 50 radio stations nationwide.
Led by noted composer / producer / drummer PATRICK SOLURI (Prohibition Productions), the band features some of today’s top musicians in the swing & trad jazz worlds including noted vocalist HANNAH GILL (Post Modern Jukebox); Grammy winning reedman LINUS WYRSCH, trombonist JAKE HANDELMAN (Gordon Webster Band), guitarist JUSTIN POINDEXTER (Jazz at Lincoln Center), and IAN HUTCHISON  (Sw!ng Out, Eyal Vilner Big Band).

Charles Turner & Uptown Swing is a Swing Jazz Band Led by Vocalist & Band Leader Charles Turner. Currently based in NYC, Uptown Swing brings the Spirit & Music of Harlem to Swing Dancers & Listeners across the Globe.  With Vibrant Swing , Virtuosic Bebop & Vital Blues, the band extends music from the swing era to the present with songs from as early as the 1920’s to original composition written for today. Rooted in the tradition of jazz, swing and the blues, Charles Turner & Uptown swing bring fresh new energy to the genre. Since the inception of the band in 2018, Uptown Swing have been playing for swing dancing audiences and for jazz listeners all across NYC and the world.

Cassidy Haley Productions is an entertainment production company that provides professional specialty talent and cutting edge costuming. Artist and entrepreneur Cassidy Haley, with a background in fashion, performance and circus arts, has created a world of captivating characters that compliment his love of story and show. With extravagant headpieces and bold, fashion forward silhouettes animated by some of the best talent New York City has to offer, CH Productions brings a truly unique immersive experience to any event or production.  Cassidyhaley.com

Robert M. Morgenthau Citizenship Award

As President & CEO of Riverside Park Conservancy from 2018-2022, Dan Garodnick led the organization through a period of tremendous growth and innovation. With his trademark dynamism and creativity, Dan raised the Conservancy’s profile, expanded its reach to new supporters, catalyzed new efforts to improve its underserved northern areas, and helped secure millions of dollars in City investment in its infrastructure. In February 2022, Dan assumed his current role as Director of the NYC Department of City Planning and Chair of the City Planning Commission. As a Champion for “City of Yes,” he has passed zoning text amendments aimed at making our city greener, creating and supporting businesses and jobs, and incentivizing the creation of record numbers of new homes across the five boroughs to help bring down rents. Prior to joining the Conservancy, Dan served for twelve years as a member of the New York City Council, where he demonstrated his passion for environmental protection and defense of the City’s public spaces. In the Council, he was highly respected for his ability to drive results. Dan balanced diverse interests to lead a rezoning of 80 blocks in East Midtown to promote commercial growth and delivered the city’s largest affordable housing preservation deal in Stuyvesant Town and Peter Cooper Village. Dan lives with his wife Zoe and two sons, Asher and Devin, on the Upper West Side.

Charlotte Mayerson Volunteer Spirit Award

Laurie Brown Kindred is the volunteer leader of Riverside Valley Community Garden, commonly referred to as “Jenny’s Garden,” located in Riverside Park at 138th Street. Following in the footsteps of the Garden’s creator, Jenny Benitez, who transformed an abandoned lot into a horticultural oasis, Laurie works with a community of volunteers to steward this special one-acre space, which produces a significant harvest every year, much of which is donated to local soup kitchens. In her professional life, Laurie has managed and created live entertainment and special events for over twenty years – from Broadway, Off-Broadway, China, theme parks, corporate events, and non-profits. Currently, she is the Director of Production at Pace University’s Sands College of Performing Arts where, since 2017, she has produced fourteen productions each year.

at the Headliner, Presenter, and Marquee levels

Riverside’s famous weed-eating goats will be baaaack in July! This is your chance to go “behind the fence” and meet the herd, up close and personal.

• A“meet-and-bleat” inside the pen with our friendly goats on a day of your choice for up to 6 guests.
• Photo opportunities with the hardworking herd.
• Learn from our team about the goats’ role in building a healthy ecosystem.
• A Goatham swag kit for all guests (hats, shirts and totes!)