A program of Newtown Parks & Recreation, the Summer Jam Concert Series has returned for its fourth annual summer at Dickinson Memorial Park. This year's seven-week series was off to a strong start on June 21, when a large turnout of parents and younger children waited near the stage at noon.This Year's PerformersNewtown Parks & Recreation Facebook page and the Summer Jam Facebook page will be updated. The Newtown Bee will also post announcements on its website and Facebook page should weather force the need for a concert's relocation.Orangutan Van. He has been the recipient of numerous awards including two Parents' Choice Gold Awards. His personality is effervescent, his lyrics witty and his music catchy.Bon Voyage and her catchy music continues to climb the children's music charts.Press Play. Brady has received two Grammy nominations for Best Children's Album, one in 2014 for Just Say Hi! and also in 2008 for Here Comes Brady Rymer and the Little Band That Could.Love Me for Who I am. Prior to entering the children's music scene in 2000, Brady's musical roots were with the RCA Records group From Good Homes.Singing Our Way Through: Songs for the World's Bravest Kids, an album that he co-wrote with his daughter after she was diagnosed with childhood leukemia.All Kinds of You and Me, has received very favorable reviews along with multiple awards and nominations. Alastair is a two-time Parents' Choice Gold Medal Winner for his folksy, rootsy music.Home focuses on the theme of togetherness.

Coordinating the event and introducing the Grammy-winning children's entertainer Mister G was Erin Masotta, who quickly hopped off the stage. Mister G began: "Before we get started, I have one important question - do you like chocolate?

"Imagine your tummy filled with delicious chocolate," he continued.

With his attention glued to the stage, Luke Boku adjusted his hat and laughed at the question. He and his nanny, Rachel Rowan, waved their arms and clapped during the songs.

Unwittingly mirroring her mother's pose while watching the show was Sara Wasley, who was also clapping her hands and grinning at Mister G's songs. Behind her and standing in the sun was her mother Cecelia Wasley as she listened to Mister G begin a new song about pizza.

"I'd rather eat pizza than walk on the moon, I'd rather eat pizza than clean my room," he sang. "Pizza in the morning and a little ice cream, when I go to sleep at night, that's what I dream."

Eager to join the many little girls holding hands and spinning in circles, 2-year old Brooklyn Domack in her bright pink-rimmed sunglasses grabbed her brother James, 4, to dance. Mom Kate Domack watched from her shady spot on a blanket.

Mr G sang about summer bugs.

"Put your arms like this," and as children imitated his pose, he said, "There, now you've got wings. Flap your wings and let me hear that buzzing sound."

Concerts are again being offered on Tuesdays, with the series running for six more weeks, concluding on August 2. Concerts begin at noon pm at the band shell at Dickinson Park, 50 Elm Drive.

Concerts will be held rain or shine but may be moved under the pavilion at Dickinson in the event of light rain.

For more severe weather or due to extreme heat, performances will be moved to an indoor location in town. For important updates and any weather-related location changes, the

The 2016 performance roster covers so many genres - from jazz and roots to blues to indie, to name a few - organizers are sure the 2016 series will please an all ages audience. This year's performers have collectively earned multiple Grammy nominations and awards, multiple Parents' Choice Awards, and a plethora of additional accolades and awards. Among this group of musicians is Tim Kubart, the most recent Grammy winner for Best Children's Album; and this week's performer: Mister G, the 2015 Latin Grammy winner for Best Children's Album.

The concert series will continue on June 28 concert with PBS mega personality SteveSongs (a/k/a Mr Steve). Steve participated in Summer Jam last year and had the crowd jumping, singing and dancing. His interactive show included teaching the parents and children the lyrics and dance moves to "Recess Rocks" and "Taking Care of My Body." The feedback was overwhelmingly positive so Steve will be back to jam with the crowd again this summer.

Mr Steve has eight albums, the most recent being his 2014 release

There are also some very talented and special new additions to the Summer Jam roster this year. Jazzy Ash & The Leaping Lizards will be joining the series with her band's performance on July 5. Jazzy's performance will highlight jazz and Caribbean rhythms using a variety of instruments.

Her most recent album is

Summer Jam is welcoming back Grammy nominee Brady Rymer on July 12. Brady is returning following his rocking rootsy performance last year.

He has a brand new album just being released called

Brady also received a Parents' Choice Gold Award in 2011 for

On July 19, Summer Jam welcomes Alastair Moock. Alastair is a 2013 Grammy nominee for

His new release,

On July 26, Summer Jam welcomes 2016 Grammy winner for Best Children's Album, the Emmy Award-nominated actor and musician Tim Kubart. Tim's Grammy winning album

Tim is also the host of "Sunny Side Up," the only live morning show geared for preschoolers, which is broadcast on the Sprout Channel. His "indie pop for all ages" is sure to entertain the all ages Summer Jam crowd.

The 2016 series will conclude on August 2 with a performance by the charismatic Vanessa Trien and the Jumping Monkeys. Vanessa was the very first performer to sign-on to Summer Jam back in the winter of 2013. She has been a huge supporter of this series and every year has traveled from Boston with her band to sing her heart out for Newtown.

Vanessa's music is a mixture of folk, blues, pop, and pure delight. She has three Parents' Choice award-winning albums and is currently releasing a fourth album.

This series is for all ages, with a special focus on children 10 and younger.

Families are invited to bring a blanket, a picnic lunch, and friends. Performances are open to the public.

Admission is free courtesy of the series sponsors. Claris Construction Inc is the title sponsor of the series for the fourth year. Gold sponsors include Caraluzzi's, Andy Sachs and the Around Town Team at Coldwell Banker, Honda of Danbury, People's United Bank, Popowich Chiropractic & Acupuncture Care, and Union Savings Bank. Additional support has been provided by CrossFit Hook'd and Mexicali Rose.

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