SHARE

Celebrate Fall At Top, Foot Of Alpine Palisades Cliffs

ALPINE, N.J. -- Celebrate the fall with a September weekend of music and barn dancing at the top and foot of the Palisades Cliffs at Interstate Park in Alpine.

Barn Dance

Barn Dance

Photo Credit: COURTESY: Anthony Taranto
Music on the rocks

Music on the rocks

Photo Credit: COURTESY: Anthony Taranto

“Music on the Rocks” returns to the Palisades Cliffs Saturday at 7p.m. Sept. 17 at the State Line Lookout with “Mel’s Jazz Zone.” 

The Hudson River Barn Dance on Sept. 18 welcomes New York City musicians Dave Harvey and the Backyard Boys to call and provide music for an afternoon dance 2-4 p.m. for visitors of all ages and abilities.

“Music on the Rocks” is open to all, with no advance reservations required. Admission is $5 per person.

Some seating at café tables will be available, or visitors can bring their own chairs or blankets. 

The program will be held outdoors, near “Lookout Inn,” a stone refreshment stand built during the New Deal era that will have a special evening menu during the event. Guests can also bring a picnic, including their own beer or wine. 

A short stroll to the lookout point — more than 500 feet above the Hudson River — provides views to Westchester County and Long Island. Overhead, people might glimpse ospreys and bald eagles. 

Mel’s Jazz Zone is a five-person ensemble that brings their own mix of funky jazz, ballads, standards and blues. 

The group is headed by Mel Nusbaum, a veteran musician on both guitar and piano, originally from Chicago. 

Joining him will be Tim Armacost on saxophone and flute, Mike Richmond on bass, Eliot Zigmund on drums, and special guest vocalist Lynn Stein. 

Taken together, they have worked with musicians such as Al Foster, Bill Jones, Miles Davis, Dizzy Gillespie, and Quincy Jones. 

They perform throughout the tristate area, including at the New Jersey Jazz Festival, the Turning Point, and the Iridium, as well as venues across the country. 

Rain date is Saturday, Sept. 30. 

Click here for more information or directions, visit the Park’s website, njpalisades.org, or call the Lookout at 201-750-0465. 

The Hudson River Barn Dance is 2-4 p.m. on Sunday, Sept. 18, and again welcomes New York City musicians Dave Harvey and the Backyard Boys to call and provide music for an afternoon dance for all ages and abilities. 

The dance will be held at the Alpine Pavilion at the Alpine Picnic Area and Boat Basin.

All ages are welcome to give it a try, and no reservations, experience, or dance partners are needed to participate. 

The event takes place at the foot of the cliffs alongside the shore on the Hudson River and is an open-air, covered pavilion.

Built in 1934, a new hardwood dance floor complements the native stone and timber construction.

Hot dogs will be will be on sale for $1, with proceeds benefitting the park’s historic Kearney House. 

Dave Harvey, founder of New York City Barn Dance, will call the afternoon dance, offering simple but effective instruction. 

Harvey will be accompanied by the band, Backyard Boys.

“Dave is an amazing teacher. He has a way of getting everyone out there having fun,” said Eric Nelsen, a historical interpreter at both the park and the Kearney House. “You really get a chance to touch a part of America’s past when you give this a try, especially in a setting like this.” 

The barn dance will be held rain or shine at the Alpine Pavilion at the north end of Alpine Picnic Area and Boat Basin. 

Click here about the barn dance or call 201-768-1360.

to follow Daily Voice Englewood and receive free news updates.

SCROLL TO NEXT ARTICLE