NEW YORK EMPIRE ANNOUNCES ENTERTAINMENT LINEUP AND NATIONAL ANTHEM PERFORMERS FOR FIRST SEASON
AT CARY LEEDS CENTER FOR TENNIS & LEARNING
Accomplished Recording Artist Vivian Sessoms and Actor James Bernard Highlight
a Special Season Featuring Top Americans John Isner and Sloane Stephens
The New York Empire presented by Citi announced the entertainment lineup and performers for the team’s seven home matches during the 2019 season at Cary Leeds Center for Tennis & Learning in The Bronx, N.Y.
As part of WTT Opening Night on Sunday, July 14, local band “The Road Goes on Forever” will provide musical entertainment, performing under the one-night only pseudonym “The Empire Strikes Backhand”. In addition, fans will be treated to a national anthem performance from head coach Luke Jensen, who played bass guitar alongside his brother Murphy, and Pat and John McEnroe, in the band “We’ve Never Heard of You, Either” during their playing careers.
On Community Hero Night – a celebration of the Bronx’s public heroes – the NYPD Ceremonial Band will serve as the pre-match entertainment and NYPD officer William Bove will sing the national anthem.
Jason Walker, a five-time Billboard No. 1 dance music recording artist, performs the national anthem on Thursday, July 18, when Sloane Stephens takes the court for the Empire.
On July 19, the same night that seven-time singles Grand Slam winner Venus Williams is visiting Cary Leeds Center, accomplished recording artist and New York City nativeVivian Sessoms will open the show by singing America the Beautiful.
Thirteen-year-old Isabelle Gottfried will kick off the festivities on Family Fun Night, performing the anthem at Cary Leeds Center on Sunday, July 21. Gottfried, a rising eighth-grader from Philadelphia, enjoys singing, songwriting and dancing while attending a performing arts school.
On Monday, July 29 when the Springfield Lasers visit Cary Leeds Center as part of Bronx Night, thirteen-year-old professional singer and actor James Bernard will sing the national anthem. Bernard’s credits include Gateway’s production of A Christmas Story (Ralphie), the National Broadway Tour of The Sound of Music (Kurt Von Trapp), Queens Theatre’s production of To Kill a Mockingbird (Dill) and Off-Broadway production of And a Child Shall Lead (Eric). James has also appeared on television’s Saturday Night Liveand Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt (Jason).
The Empire will announce entertainment aspects and performers for Empower Her night on July 30 at a later date.
Prior to the Empire’s season-opening match on Sunday, July 14 at the Cary Leeds Center, Empire players including John Isner and head coach Jensen will play with and against fans as part of the New York Empire Pro-Am benefiting NYJTL. Fans who purchase a minimum of four tickets to the match featuring Isner will receive 50% off of tickets of an equal or lesser value for a second match later in the season, some restrictions will apply.
Those purchasing box-seat tickets to the match featuring Venus Williams on July 19 will receive a 20-percent discount for box-seat tickets to all other matches using the special code “JULY19”. The purchases for other matches must be made during the same transaction.
After every Empire home match, fans 16-and-under will be welcomed onto the court to meet players from both teams and get autographs.
Season and individual match tickets can be purchased by visiting New York Empire Tennis Tickets or www.NYEmpireTennis.com. Match tickets start as low as $10 for children age 16-and-under and $25 for adults. The Empire offers both reserved box seats and general admission seating, along with hospitality packages, which include food and beverage service. A limited number of VIP tables are also available.
New York Empire – Home Match Schedule
Date Time Opponent Featured Player(s)
Sunday, July 14 5 p.m. San Diego Aviators John Isner & Ryan Harrison
Tuesday, July 16 6:30 p.m. Vegas Rollers Reilly Opelka
Thursday, July 18 6:30 p.m. Orange County (Calif.) Breakers Sloane Stephens
Friday, July 19 6:30 p.m. Washington (D.C.) Kastles Venus Williams
Sunday, July 21 5 p.m. Orlando Storm Feliciano Lopez
Monday, July 29 7 p.m. Springfield (Mo.) Lasers Mardy Fish
Tuesday, July 30 6:30 p.m. Philadelphia Freedoms Mardy Fish
For more information on the New York Empire, visit www.NYEmpireTennis.com or call the team office at (844) 5-EMPIRE (844-536-7473). For more information on World TeamTennis, visit www.WTT.com.
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