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Come join us at our 2023 Rhythm on the River Concert Series. Free to the public every Thursday evening. Recently named the “Best Local Band in the Hudson Valley” by readers of Hudson Valley Magazine, Soul Purpose is a six-piece band fueled by a shared love of Soul, New Orleans Funk.


  • Date:7/27/2023 07:00 PM - 7/27/2023 08:30 PM
  • Location 3081 New York 208, Wallkill, NY, USA (Map)
  • More Info:Popp Memorial Park

Description

The 2023 Rhythm on the River Summer Concert Series in the Hamlet of Wallkill is on the way. Come jam with your favorite local bands at Lion’s Pavilion at Popp Park on Thursdays, 7 pm. 

Bring your family and friends, blankets and chairs.  Make it a picnic under the pavilion or a night out under the stars as you watch these bands perform. All concerts are free. 

For a second year, Soul Purpose will be performing on July 27. 

About Soul Purpose:


With a distinctive take on New Orleans Funk, classic and contemporary Soul and Swing, Soul Purpose is a “smokin’ band whose joyous renditions of R&B, Soul and Swing will lift your heart, gathering the boisterous energy of a dancing crowd and channeling it into a melodic explosion.”   - The Huguenot Herald.

Soul Purpose enthralls from the first note with powerhouse vocals, bold horns, lush keyboards, and blistering guitarwork with the rhythmic reference and underlying pulse for the band provided by expertly played bass and percussion.

Formed in New Paltz, New York over two decades ago and recently named “Best Local Band” by the readers of Hudson Valley Magazine, the band has played at numerous venues from intimate concerts, larger festival stages and benefits. Soul Purpose has headlined at the famed Daryl's House Club, Pawling, NY, iconic Towne Crier Cafe, Beacon, NY, historic Colony, Woodstock, NY and renowned Falcon, Marlboro, NY. The band has opened for such prominent artists as Grammy Award Nominee and Blues Music Award Nominee, Shemekia Copeland; Grammy Award Nominee Singer/Songwriter Blues album, Slam Allen, and the Chris O’Leary Band. 

Lead singer Sara Espinosa is joined by Dr. Lori Morris, alto and tenor saxophone, percussion, and vocals; Rich De Crosta, trumpet, flugelhorn, percussion and vocals; Cue Gerhards, guitar and vocals; Francis Ralston, bass and background vocals; Pete Calandra, keyboard, and Jerry Teters, drums and vocals.

Together, they create a vibe that is described by a recent concertgoer as, “Needle pushing the end & bouncing - a 10 +on a scale of 10 with the poor needle trying to break the stopper!”

You can find out more about this band, click here on their website, Facebook and Instagram pages. 

Tonight's concert is sponsored by the Town of Shawanugnk


 Learn more about these talented bands by clicking on their names below.

Vision of Wallkill and sponsoring partners proudly present:

July 6 -  Hillbilly Parade

July 13 - Blu Crush

July 20 - Oxford Station

July 27 - Soul Purpose

August 3 - Sons of Hudson

August 10 - The Mustangs '65

Thank you to our sponsors of this year's concert series.

First Student

Mr. Paul Mader

Town of Shawangunk

Wallkill Body Shop

Wallkill Certified Auto Repair

Wallkill Valley Federal Savings & Loan