On Tuesday, June 3, City Parks Foundation presented the 2014 SummerStage Gala in Central Park. Honoring Andrew Tisch with the 2014 People and Parks Award, the evening helped raise significant funds to support CPF’s year round free arts, sports, and education programs. The clouds broke right on schedule and the crowd was treated to a brilliant rainbow to start the evenings festivities, This year’s concert featured the music of THE BEATLES. An all star line up of GE Smith and his all star band, Jon Batiste, David Broza, Paula Cole, Marshall Crenshaw, Philip Bailey, Southside Johnny, Willie Nile & Teddy Thompson ripped through a fast paced set that immediately had the crowd on its feet dancing the entire evening.
GE Smith kicked off the show with a rocking version of 8 Days A Week and laid down the gauntlet for the rest of the following artists to bring their A game – and they did! Highlights included downtown music legend Willie Nile‘s killer rendition of A Hard Days Night followed by Israeli singer-songwriter, David Broza’s igniting the crowd with Twist and Shout. Paula Cole kept the party going with Get Back with Marshall Crenshaw‘s inspired version of a lesser known gem from the Yellow Submarine Album – It’s All Too Much. The first half of the show finished with Wille Nile joining Crenshaw on Some Other Guy.
After GE got the second set started with She Said, She Said Louisiana prodigy Jon Batiste gave Blackbird a bluesy twist, which Teddy Thompson followed with a rocking version of Can’t Buy Me Love (See pic of airborne Teddy below). Southside Johnny then brought the house down with a classically manic Helter Skelter. Philip Bailey kept the crowd dancing with I Saw Her Standing There. The show finished with the entire ensemble singing All You Need Is Love, ending the night way too soon for everyone.
A brilliant production, as always, by the City Parks Foundation, raising a record amount for the cause and kicking off what looks to be the best Summerstage season to date.
Full Set List –
| GE Smith & his all star band 8 Days A Week | MARSHALL CRENSHAW It’s All Too Much Some Other Guy | SOUTHSIDE JOHNNY Helter Skelter Drive My Car |
| WILLIE NILE Hard Days Night Revolution | GE Smith & his all star band She Said She Said | PHILIP BAILEY l Saw Her Standing There Got to Get You Into My Life… |
| DAVID BROZA In My Life Twist and Shout | JON BATISTE Blackbird Paperback Writer | FINALE All You Need Is Love |
| PAULA COLE Get Back She’s Leaving Home | TEDDY THOMPSON And Your Bird Can Sing Can’t Buy Me Love |
Grand Finale
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Rainbow
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GE Smith
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David Broza
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Paula Cole
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Paula Cole
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Paula Cole
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Paula Cole
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Paula Cole
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Paula Cole
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Paula Cole
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Marshall Crenshaw
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Marshall Crenshaw
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Willie Nile
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Marshall Crenshaw & Willie Nile
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Willie Nile
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Musician performing at the Summerstage Gala 2014 in Central Park, New York City.
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Live performance at Central Park Summerstage celebrating The Beatles' music during the Summerstage Gala 2014.
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Live Beatles tribute performance at Central Park Summerstage during the Summerstage Gala 2014.
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Live Beatles tribute performance at Central Park Summerstage during the Summerstage Gala 2014.
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Musician performing at Central Park Summerstage during the Beatles tribute concert.
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Performer at the Summerstage Gala 2014 in Central Park, New York City, during a musical event honoring The Beatles.
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A singer performing passionately at the 2014 Summerstage Gala in Central Park, New York City.
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A singer performing passionately at the Summerstage Gala 2014 in Central Park, NYC.
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A singer performing at the Summerstage Gala 2014 in Central Park, celebrating The Beatles' music.
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Live performance at Central Park Summerstage 2014 during the Summerstage Gala, featuring a Beatles tribute band.
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Musicians performing Beatles songs at Summerstage Gala 2014 in Central Park, New York City.
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Two musicians on stage during the Summerstage Gala 2014 in Central Park, celebrating The Beatles' music.
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Performer at the Summerstage Gala 2014 in Central Park, celebrating The Beatles' music.
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Performer at Summerstage Gala 2014 in Central Park during a Beatles tribute concert.
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A male performer singing passionately at the Summerstage Gala 2014 in Central Park.
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Performer at Summerstage Gala 2014 in Central Park during a musical performance.
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Performer at Summerstage Gala 2014, celebrating The Beatles' music in Central Park.
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Performer playing guitar during the Summerstage Gala 2014 in Central Park.
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Grand Finale
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Live performance of Beatles music at Central Park Summerstage Gala 2014, featuring diverse artists and vibrant stage lighting.
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Performers at Summerstage Gala 2014 celebrating Beatles music in Central Park.
