FROM THE IVORY COAST: Grammy award-winner Dobet Gnahoré performs on July 13 at 8 p.m. at the Princeton High School Performing Arts Center in the first of two Blue Curtain concerts this summer. (Photo by Lumar Studio 3)

Blue Curtain, a Princeton summer tradition, returns to Pettoranello Gardens Amphitheater with two free concerts in July. The first concert has been moved from Pettoranello Gardens to the Princeton High School Performing Arts Center at Franklin Avenue and Walnut Lane in anticipation of extreme heat.

Grammy Award-winner Dobet Gnahoré appears on Saturday, July 13 at 8 p.m. Hailing from Coté d’Ivoire (Ivory Coast), Gnahoré is known for her vocal and dance talents as well as her color style sense. She appeals to fans of Angelique Kidjo, Rokia Traoré, Fatoumata Diawara, Oumou Sangaré and other divas of African music. She is currently on tour with concert stops in New York City, Berkeley, Ca.; Vancouver, Canada; and Princeton to support her newest album Zouzou. 

The series continues on Saturday, July 20 at 7 p.m. with a night of Brazilian Jazz by Nanny & Dani Asiss. Rooted in Afro-Brazilian traditions, singer and percussion master Nanny Assis has performed with such artists as Vinicius Cantauria, Eumeir Deodato and John Patitucci, and is a master of the many styles of Brazilian music, including samba, the music of Bahia, Brazilian Jazz, and other popular and folkloric sounds from his homeland.

He will be joined by his son, Dani Assis, winner of the 2024 Ella Fitzgerald Jazz Vocal Competition. Opening will be the Ampersand Jazz Quartet, featuring bassist Kai Gibson, a 2017 Princeton High School and 2021 Berklee College of Music graduate.

Blue Curtain, co-sponsored by the Princeton Recreation Department is a nonprofit dedicated to presenting the highest quality of culturally diverse music and dance to the audiences in the Princeton area. Concertgoers are encouraged to bring lawn chairs and blankets. Email info@bluecurtain.org for more information.