MAYFEST 2026
MayFest 2026 returns to Springfield Avenue with a full day of food, vendors, live music, family fun, and community celebration — transforming Maplewood’s busiest corridor into a vibrant street festival filled with color, culture, and local pride. On Sunday, May 17 from 11 AM to 5 PM, neighbors, families, and visitors will come together between Indiana and Rutgers Streets to enjoy entertainment, kids’ activities, and the energy of our NY/NJ World Cup Bus, all supported by an incredible lineup of local sponsors. It’s the kickoff to summer, the heartbeat of Springfield Avenue, and one of Maplewood’s most joyful community traditions. Live music will be provided by Gregory Burrus Productions.
Table of Contents & Live Music Lineup
NY/NJ World Cup Bus
Live Music Schedule – 11 AM – 5 PM
Live Music Artists
Lynette Sheard
Lynette Sheard is a soul‑jazz vocalist known for her elegant phrasing and storytelling approach to song. Her sets are intimate journeys—she favors lyrical clarity, subtle improvisation, and a warm timbre that invites listeners in. Whether fronting a small combo or a full band, Lynette creates moments of quiet intensity and graceful release that linger after the show. See Artist Management Services
Yassmeena
Yasmeena Sharif is a rising vocalist whose warm tone and soulful jazz‑infused style first lit up North Jersey stages before taking her talents to the University of Southern California. Now expanding her craft on the West Coast and abroad, she blends jazz, R&B, and contemporary vocal artistry with a clarity and maturity far beyond her years. A proud alum of Gregory Burrus Productions showcases, Yasmeena continues to grow as one of the most promising young voices representing our community on national and international stages.
Is a recipient of our Artist Abroad Program.
Alex Desrivires. the AlleyCatSax
Alex Desrivieres Band blends warm, soulful melodies with tight rhythmic grooves that invite listeners to move and reflect. Their sound mixes jazz‑informed harmonies, Caribbean‑tinged rhythms, and contemporary songwriting, creating sets that feel both intimate and expansive. On stage they build momentum with tasteful solos and a deep pocket, making them a favorite for audiences who appreciate musicianship and heart.
Laurie Vega
Laurie Vega is a powerhouse vocalist who fuses Latin soul, jazz phrasing, and modern pop sensibility into every performance. Her voice is at once rich and agile, able to soar over big arrangements or deliver hushed, emotional moments that land with real impact. Laurie’s stage presence is magnetic—she connects with listeners through storytelling, rhythmic nuance, and an unmistakable warmth.
https://www.laurievega.com/videos
Badia Farha
Badia Farha brings theatrical training and a commanding vocal presence to contemporary and classic material alike. Her performances are dramatic, precise, and emotionally honest, with a dynamic range that moves effortlessly from intimate balladry to full‑throttle climaxes. Badia’s background in musical theatre gives her shows a polished, narrative quality that keeps audiences engaged from first note to last.
Manuela Zapata
Manuela Zapata is a modern Latin pop vocalist whose bright tone and rhythmic sensibility bring contemporary flair to traditional influences. Her performances balance catchy hooks with emotional depth, and she moves between uptempo grooves and tender moments with ease. Manuela’s charisma and polished delivery make her a natural fit for both radio‑ready songs and intimate live showcases.
https://gregoryburrusproductions.com/manuela-zapata-singer
David Easton Band
The David Easton Band brings a vibrant mix of funk‑ and jazz‑infused rock powered by Easton’s soulful vocals, standout keyboard work, and a seasoned lineup that delivers both precision and feel. Based in New Jersey, the band moves effortlessly between original music and reimagined covers, blending groove, musicianship, and a dynamic stage presence that connects with audiences of all kinds. Whether headlining festivals, concert series, or intimate venues, the David Easton Band brings a polished, high‑energy sound shaped by diverse influences and years of performing across the region.
https://www.facebook.com/davideastonband
Jackie Harmon Johnson
Jacque Harmon Johnson is a dynamic jazz vocalist, jam leader, and community connector whose warm tone, swinging phrasing, and inviting stage presence have made her a beloved voice in New Jersey’s jazz scene. She leads the long‑running Sidewalk Swing Jam in Montclair and is a featured vocalist and jam leader at many venues and at Rutgers Institute of Jazz Studies’ Clements Place, where she brings musicians and audiences together through her spirited leadership and deep love of the music. Her performances blend classic jazz and blues sensibilities with a modern, community‑driven energy, making her a standout presence at concerts, jams, and cultural events across the region.
https://www.facebook.com/jacquejazzjohnson
New Jersey DJ Services – DJ Jimmy
New Jersey DJ Services – DJ Jimmy opens and closes the festival with high‑energy, crowd‑reading sets that set the tone and send people home smiling. With a deep crate of dancefloor classics, global grooves, and timely transitions, he keeps momentum steady and the vibe cohesive across the day. Jimmy’s mixes are crafted to support artists onstage while keeping the audience engaged between performances.
Gregory Burrus Productions
Gregory Burrus Productions (GBP) curates festival flow and production polish, blending technical expertise with artist‑forward programming. GBP’s role is to ensure smooth transitions, strong sound, and moments that highlight each performer while keeping the event moving. Their production approach emphasizes clarity, pacing, and a celebratory atmosphere that elevates both artists and audience experience.
https://gregoryburrusproductions.com
Live Music All Day Long
As MayFest comes alive on Springfield Avenue, New Jersey DJ Services sets the tone at 11 AM with upbeat, community‑friendly mixes that open the street and welcome the crowd. By late morning, the festival locks into its signature groove as the Alex Desrivieres Group — joined by Ben Kovacs and Orion Turre — delivers a dynamic blend of jazz, rhythm, and modern edge.
Throughout the early afternoon, MayFest becomes a showcase for powerful vocalists:
- Manuela Zapata brings warmth and clarity at noon
- Yasmeena Sharif follows with soulful, contemporary flair
- Badia Farha lifts the block with Broadway‑ready presence
- Lynette Sheard commands the 1:30 slot with her signature jazz‑soul power
The afternoon deepens with expressive duos and seasoned musicians:
- Laurie Vega and Tom Placito at 2:15 bring a smooth, intimate set
- David Easton with Barry Travis and Mike Cacciapuoti at 3 PM deliver classic musicianship and crowd‑pleasing energy
- Jacqueline Harmon Johnson and Tom Placito close out at 4 PM with a soulful, expressive performance
As the day winds down, New Jersey DJ Services returns to close the festival, sending the crowd home with feel‑good tracks and a final burst of community celebration.
Together, this lineup reflects MayFest’s blend of polished artistry, neighborhood pride, and joyful cultural expression — a full day of music shaped by Maplewood’s creative heartbeat.
Press Notices
Springfield Avenue Comes Alive for MayFest 2026: Live Music, Vendors, and Community Partners Unite
MayFest 2026: Live Music Singer Celebration on Springfield Avenue
Live Music, NY / NJ Soccer Bus and More at 2026 MAYFEST on Springfield Ave Maplewood NJ
MAYFEST Gallery 2026
Gregory Burrus Productions Posts 2024
History – A Walk Through the Music That Has Lit Up Springfield Avenue
TRIBUTE TO MY BUDDY TERESA WARE AND 2024 MAYFEST
Join Us.
About MAYFEST
The annual MayFest Street Fair attracts thousands of visitors from communities across New Jersey, filling Springfield Avenue with food, vendors, entertainment, family activities, and a full day of live music
Festival Details: https://www.springfieldavenue.com/mayfest
GREGORY BURRUS PRODUCTIONS
THANK YOU ALL FOR PARICIPATING.
Discover more from Gregory Burrus Productions
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
You must be logged in to post a comment.