New York City’s CityParks SummerStage Unveils Lineup

Greg Allen / Invision / AP – Blink-182
ABC’s “Good Morning America,” Rumsey Playfield/SummerStage, New York City

There’s a lot to love about this year’s City Parks SummerStage schedule at Central Park, including free shows, festivals and benefit concerts featuring Liam Gallagher, Mac DeMarco and others.  Presented by Capitol One, the season gets underway in early June with Gregory Porter and Victory Boyd.

Although much of the action is centered on the Central Park SummerStage, City Parks Foundation will field shows in 17 neighborhood parks throughout the five boroughs.

Free shows always get plenty of attention and SummerStage does not disappoint. The June 2 season opener with Porter and Boyd is a freebie as is June 16 headlined by Rhiannon Giddens; Eddie Palmieri and Tony Vega Aug. 26; Mura Masa and Jessy Lanza Aug. 18; and Alonzo King Lines Ballet July 25.  Other acts performing free of charge at SummerStage include Broken Social Scene July 1; Gabriel Garzon-Montano with Nicola Cruz, Tomasa del Real, and DJ Bitman July 11; Uruguayan musician/actor Jorge Drexler July 14; and Femi Kuti & Positive Force, Jupiter & Okwess, and DJ Geko Jones July 29.

And don’t forget the free-admission Charlie Parker Jazz Festival running Aug. 24-26 and featuring performances by Monty Alexander; Harlem Kingston Express, Buster Williams, Jack DeJohnette, Catherine Russell and many others.

The no-charge performances are not limited to Central Park.  Indie rock band San Fermin will launch SummerStage’s four-day series at Red Hook’s Coffey Park June 21; Jungle Brothers will play Queensbridge Park July 15; and Sister Nancy along with Shinehead will entertain at Crotona Park Aug. 4.  Free shows also include Kool & The Gang at Flushing Meadows Corona Park June 16; Barrington Levy, Third World, Kabaka Pyramid, DJ Gravy, and Federation Sound at Ford Amphitheater at Coney Island July 8; and Ginuwine, The Ladies of Pink Diamond, and DJ Stacks at Corporal Thompson Park July 22.

CityParks SummerStage will also present several ticketed benefit concerts during the coming months.  Produced by The Bowery Presents, the shows are Liam Gallagher / Richard Ashcroft May 16; Jake Paul June 14; Dispatch with Nahko and Medicine For The People, and Raye Zaragoza July 18-19; “Voodoo Threauxdown” featuring Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue, Galactic, Preservation Hall Jazz Band, New Breed Brass Band; plus special guests Cyril Neville, Walter “Wolfman” Washington; and Kermit Ruffins Aug. 8; “Good Vibes” featuring Jason Mraz and Brett Dennen Aug. 9; O.A.R. with special guests Matt Nathanson, and The New Respects  Aug. 13; Mac DeMarco Sept. 8 and Blood Orange Sept. 26.

“New York is the quintessential global city, and the place SummerStage has been proud to call home for more than three decades,” City Parks Foundation Executive Director Heather Lubov said in a statement.  “SummerStage brings the best music from around the world to New York’s many and varied communities, using local neighborhood parks as gathering spaces in which to experience world-class culture. From iconic performers to the latest up-and-coming artist, we present everything from indie to Afrobeat, Latin trap to soul, reggae to contemporary dance, fado to EDM, and everything in between.  We’re thrilled to welcome all New Yorkers in to their local parks this summer to watch a legendary artist up-close or perhaps discover a new performer they love.”