Amaury Laporte via Flickr
The much-anticipated lineup for NYC’s iconic SummerStage music festival, featuring mostly free concerts throughout the city, has just been announced – and some major star power is coming to Central Park. The season’s opening day, June 1, will feature a free performance in the park by Grammy-winning and Oscar-nominated soul and R&B singer Andra Day in association with Blue Note Jazz Festival.
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Other artists coming to Central Park SummerStage include the Counting Crows, The Saw Doctors, Corinne Bailey Rae, KES, Pride Disco with Trixie Matell, Amanda Lepore, Jess King, performers from the Metropolitan Opera and many more.
“SummerStage is back for another incredible season of free performances,” said Heather Lubov, Executive Director of City Parks Foundation, which organizes the series. “It’s always an honor to bring a lineup of both established and rising artists that celebrate the rich cultural fabric of our neighborhoods across the city to parks, all for free.”
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In all, a whopping 85 shows will bring music and artistry to 13 neighborhoods throughout all five boroughs. Most shows are free while some are benefits to help support the Foundation and the festival and will require a ticket. Some of the other parks hosting shows will include Marcus Garvey Park in Harlem, Tompkins Square Park in the East Village and the Coney Island Amphitheater.
Now in its 38th year, the women-run festival will continue to champion diversity, uplift women pushing boundaries, and bring artists to the city from around the world, the Foundation noted in its press release. It will also showcase performers from across the music spectrum, including jazz, hip hop, indie, salsa, opera, soul, rock and much more. More than 200,000 spectators attend the shows each summer and since the festival’s founding almost 40 years ago, more than seven million spectators have been entertained, according to the festival’s website.
Rock music icon Kim Gordon and the legendary Sun Ra Arkestra will bring an electrifying show to the stage on June 13. The Aussie BBQ will return to the park on June 15 highlighting the latest sounds of Australia. Additional highlights include performances by Corinne Bailey Rae and Dixson on June 16. On June 22, London drummer Yussef Dayes will showcase his unique experimental style at The Yussef Dayes Experience, alongside interpretive contemporary jazz bassist and vocalist Aneesa Strings. The Metropolitan Opera Summer Recital featuring Leah Hawkins, Mario Chang and Michael Sumuel will perform in the park June 18.
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On July 14, Bastille Day will be celebrated in Central Park when French music will take center stage in association with the Consulate General of France, showcasing performances by Laurie Darmon, Magic System, and other guests. Arooj Aftab, the first Pakistani-American woman to win a Grammy, known for weaving Urdu ghazals and poetry into electronic soundscapes, will perform on July 24.
The festival will also continue to highlight NYC as the birthplace of hip-hop with performances across the city. On August 18, Funkmaster Flex will celebrate his birthday with performances by Slick Rick, Dana Dane, Doug E. Fresh, DJ Maseo and more.
“We are thrilled to once again celebrate the vibrant diversity of New York City’s cultures and communities across all five boroughs,” said Erika Elliott, Executive Artistic Director of SummerStage.
The full calendar and more information can be found on the SummerStage website. And a season brochure can be found here.
