By: Richard L. Smith
The City of Paterson, in collaboration with Celebrating Paterson Inc. and Hinchliffe Stadium, is set to present a free house music event as part of this year's Great Falls Festival on Sunday, September 1, 2024
The event will take place from 3 p.m. to 10 p.m. at the Great Falls National Historical Park, located at 72 McBride Avenue Extension in Paterson.
"As we celebrate the Great Falls Festival this year, we're not just honoring our past but also driving forward Paterson's future," said Mayor Andre Sayegh.
"This festival is a testament to our ongoing community revitalization efforts and the artistic renaissance taking place across our city."
The house music event will pay tribute to the Cheetah Club, a beloved house music venue in Paterson during the 1980s and 90s.
Paterson native and renowned singer Sybil, one of the headliners, will perform during the Cheetah Club reunion set from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m.
The set will also feature legendary DJ Kevin Hedge and singer Adeva, another Paterson native.
"The level of excitement I feel having the opportunity to return home for the Great Falls Festival is indescribable," said Sybil. "To have the honor to do it on the backs of saluting The Cheetah Club makes it more special, as it was the only place in Paterson where my music was played and partied to on a regular basis."
Following the reunion set, the event will continue with deep house, afro-house, and Latin house music sets by internationally known DJs Tony Touch, Rich Medina, and Flagrant Drums from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m.
A dance floor will be installed in front of the stage to enhance the house music experience. The event was conceived by Baye Adofo-Wilson, Esq., a Paterson native and developer who spearheaded the restoration of Hinchliffe Stadium.
"Like the legendary dance club Zanzibar in Newark, the Cheetah Club also made a significant contribution to house music culture that we should celebrate," said Adofo-Wilson, CEO of BAW Development.
"Now that Hinchliffe Stadium has reopened and been restored, we aim to offer more concerts and programming as part of the Great Falls Festival to celebrate the cultural renaissance happening in the City of Paterson."
The Great Falls Festival, which began in 1971 with a performance by jazz legend Duke Ellington at Hinchliffe Stadium, now attracts tens of thousands of visitors each year.
This year’s festival will be held from Saturday, August 31, through Monday, September 2, featuring food, rides, entertainment, fireworks, and the natural beauty of the Great Falls.
Orlando Cruz, Executive Director of Celebrating Paterson Inc. and chair of the Great Falls Festival, expressed his enthusiasm for the event.
"Adding this iconic celebration as an attraction to the Great Falls Festival honors the legacy of a venue that was a heartbeat of Paterson’s vibrant music scene," Cruz said. "This year’s festival is a perfect blend of history and culture that will resonate with our community and visitors alike."