SummerStage presented by the City Parks Foundation brings over 100 performances to seventeen parks throughout the five boroughs. Performances range from pop, Latin and world music to dance, spoken word and theater. Check out the Calendar below for events in Central Park.
JUNE 11
City Parks Foundation Gala presented at SummerStage in Central Park
SINATRA IN THE PARK
Produced by Michael Dorf & City Winery
On Tuesday, June 11, City Parks Foundation (CPF) will welcome guests to our Annual Gala presented at SummerStage. The evening will help raise significant funds to support CPF’s year round free arts, sports, and education programs. …
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JUNE 14
ASK ME ANOTHER FROM NPR AND WNYC
Puzzlemaster Will Shortz and Wait Wait… Don’t Tell Me! host Peter Sagal walk into a bar… No, it’s not the start of a joke. It’s the essence of NPR’s and WNYC’s Ask Me Another, a rambunctious show that blends brainteasers…
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JUN 15
THE ZOMBIES / DJANGO DJANGO / ADAM GREEN & BINKI SHAPIRO / DJ SETS BY MODEST P
Hailing from St. Albans, and originating in 1961, The Zombies are a legendary English Rock band. Led by Rod Argent on piano and Colin Blunstone on vocals, the band scored US hits in the mid and late 1960s with “She’s…
Forwords Panel Discussion
“THE BRITISH INVASION”
Colin Blunstone and Rod Argent, from The Zombies & Jonathan Demme, filmmaker
In addition to its impressive lineup, SummerStage is launching “Forewords” a panel discussion series before select SummerStage programs co-curated with The Strand Bookstore. Forewords is a great way to help support SummerStage’s free programming and to get an inside look…
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11th Brazilian Film Festival of NY:
PRETA GIL / DJ SETS BY JUST MARCELO / SCREENING: “RIO 2096: ASTORY OF LOVE AND FURY”
Brazilian cinema is celebrating the 11th edition of the Brazilian Film Festival of NY. This annual event honors the best and the brightest of Brazil’s innovative new cinema. As is tradition, the closing night film of the 11th Brazilian Film…
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JOAN BAEZ / INDIGO GIRLS
Proceeds from this concert help make possible over 100 free SummerStage programs…
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THE AIRBORNE TOXIC EVENT FEATURING THE CALDER QUARTET WITH ORCHESTRA
The Airborne Toxic Event has gained a lot of attention for their lyrical arrangements, as well as their unique sound that can be described as a blend of Indie Rock music infused with a twist of classic orchestral arrangements. The…
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Fête De La Musique:
IAM WITH SPECIAL GUEST RAKIM
In association with The Cultural Services of the French Embassy and Bureau Export, French Music Export Office
Hailing from France and formed in 1988, IAM began its journey to fame in the city of Marseille. This French Hip-Hop group consisting of 5 members incorporates themes that include the sounds of Ancient Egypt, Africa, China, Japan, India and…
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“Make a Joyful Noise” A Tribute to Mahalia Jackson Featuring:
JOSHUA NELSON, THE PRINCE OF KOSHER GOSPEL AND SPECIAL GUEST DELLA REESE / SCREENING: “MAHALIA JACKSON: THE POWER AND THE GLORY”
In association with ImageNation Cinema Foundation
To mark the 50th anniversary of the March on Washington, which called for civil and economic rights for African Americans, SummerStage honors the storied legacy of famed Gospel singer and activist Mahalia Jackson with an evening of music and film.…
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FEMI KUTI & THE POSITIVE FORCE / SINKANE / DJ SETS BY KING BRITT
In association with Okayafrica
Femi Kuti & The Positive Force have blended Funk, Jazz, and African Folk throughout their 27 year career to create a colorful and distinctive sound in the music world. The records tell their story: After a short spell at Motown,…
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Blue Note Jazz Festival:
YASIIN BEY (FKA MOS DEF) AND OPENERS TBD
Produced By Jill Newman Productions
One of the most versatile artists of his time, Yasiin Bey (fka Mos Def) has become an international sensation in theater, film, television, and the music industry. Bey began his professional music career as Mos Def in 1994. Since that…
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“COMEDY CENTRAL Stars Under the Stars” hosted by Gabriel Iglesias and featuring performances by:
ADAM DEVINE / ANTHONY JESELNIK / NICK KROLL / JEFF ROSS / AMY SCHUMER
Gabriel Iglesias has been described as a witty, electrifying, and talented performer who has the ability to consistently deliver a uniquely hilarious comedy experience. His first two DVD specials, “Hot & Fluffy” and “I’m Not Fat…I’m Fluffy,” have sold well…
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JOEL PLASKETT / SPIRIT OF THE WEST / BRASSTRONAUT
Presented by: Canada Day International in association with BlackBerry
SummerStage joins Canada Day International and BlackBerry in celebrating Canada’s 146th birthday, presenting a free showcase of top Canadian talent. With countless awards to their credit, Joel Plaskett and his band The Emergency, have performed thousands of tour dates, and…
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BIG STAR’S THIRD: AN ORCHESTRATED LIVE PERFORMANCE OF THE LEGENDARY ALBUM
Featuring Mike Mills, Jody Stephens, Sharon Van Etten, Kurt Vile, Marshall Crenshaw, Pete Yorn, Reeve Carney and many more
Big Star’s Third is a full performance of the iconic album by an astonishing who’s who of rock music featuring famed vocalists including Sharon Van Etten, Kurt Vile, Marshall Crenshaw, Pete Yorn, Reeve Carney (Spiderman: Turn Off The Dark), Jonathan Donahue (Mercury Rev)…
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THE FREEDOM DANCE PARTY WITH SPECIAL GUEST CAMEO
Join The Freedom Dance Party as they celebrate 10 years of weekly parties with a huge live performance with Funk and R&B legend, Cameo! The Freedom Dance Party is the longest running, weekly, Friday-night party in NYC history. Winner of…
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BLINK YOUR EYES: SEKOU SUNDIATA REVISITED – LONGSTORYSHORT: REMIXED FEATURING: NONA HENDRYX / SANDRA ST. VICTOR / TOSHI REAGON AND BIGLOVELY / POETS: FAYBIENE MIRANDA / LENELLE MOISE
Presented as part of Blink Your Eyes: Sekou Sundiata Revisited, a seven-month, citywide retrospective featuring theater, poetry, music concerts and humanities events curated and produced by MAPP International Productions through a major partnership of 17 cultural and educational institutions. …
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Forwords Panel Discussion
“A TRIBUTE TO SEKOU SUNDIATA”
Curated by the Nuyorican Poets Cafe
In addition to its impressive lineup, SummerStage is launching “Forewords” a panel discussion series before select SummerStage programs co-curated with The Strand Bookstore. Forewords is a great way to help support SummerStage’s free programming and to get an inside look…
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Bowery Presents
SHE & HIM / CAMERA OBSCURA
Proceeds from this concert help make possible over 100 free SummerStage programs…
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Global Family Day Featuring:
THE CARPETBAG BRIGADE & NEMCATACOA TEATRO / ELIZABETH MITCHELL
Natural Expression Rhythm Band / ASE Dance Theater Collective / Ifetayo Youth Ensemble
SummerStage Kids presented by Disney presents Global Family Day, a day dedicated to engaging children and their families through engaging performances! This family affair will awaken the kid in all of us through interactive performances from around the world and…
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Bowery Presents
SHE & HIM / CAMERA OBSCURA
She & Him consists of the pairing of Zooey Deschanel and M.Ward. For 6 years, She & Him have been taking the indie world by storm as they churn out hits for the world to hear. This unlikely pairing has…
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CUARTO PODER / LOS RAKAS AND OTHERS
In association with Latin Alternative Music Conference
**Note: Tego Calderón will not be performing on this date. Stay tuned for artist updates!** One of the biggest names in Latin American Hip-Hop, Cuarto Poder built a reputation in Venezuela as leading MCs before releasing their US debut album In Tha House, which features…
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LILA DOWNS / NATALIA CLAVIER / PAMELA RODRIGUEZ / RAUL CAMPOS
In association with Latin Alternative Music Conference
Born in Oaxaca, Mexico, Lila Downs embraces and highlights her origins in the U.S. and Mexico. Downs’ roots have always been an important aspect of her music, as well as the topics of political and social justice, immigration, and transformation, all embedded…
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JULIETA VENEGAS / CARLA MORRISON / ALEX ANWANDTER
In association with Latin Alternative Music Conference
Julieta Venegas is a renowned Mexican singer, instrumentalist and songwriter. With over six released albums to date, Venegas has sold more than 9 million copies of her albums worldwide. The Washington Post describes Venegas as a different sort of artist.…
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FANFARE CIOCARLIA / RED BARAAT / DJ SETS BY JORO-BORO
Fanfare Ciocarlia is one of the world’s greatest live bands, their energy and ingenuity having won them fans from Melbourne to Memphis, Tokyo to Toulouse. The National Geographic has said “the music of Fanfare Ciocarlia pulls not only from the…
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Forwords Panel Discussion
“THE ASCENT OF GYPSY CULTURE IN AMERICA”
Costel Oprica Ivancea from Fanfare, Ciocarlia and Henry Ernst, Asphalt Tango Production / Moderated by Jakab Orsos, Director, Pen World Voices
In addition to its impressive lineup, SummerStage is launching “Forewords” a panel discussion series before select SummerStage programs co-curated with The Strand Bookstore. Forewords is a great way to help support SummerStage’s free programming and to get an inside look…
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THE METROPOLITAN OPERA SUMMER RECITAL SERIES
An enchanting evening of favorite opera arias and duets featuring rising Metropolitan Opera stars Erin Morley (soprano), Isabel Leonard (mezzo-soprano), and Stephen Costello (tenor), accompanied by pianist Bradley Moore. Erin Morley was most recently heard at the Met as Sister…
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PLANET HEMP / GABY AMARANTOS / EMICIDA / DJ SETS BY GREG CAZ
Presented in Association with Brasil Summerfest
Planet Hemp first hit the scene in 1993 when Marcelo D2 and Skunk, founding members, joined together to become a rap duo in Brazil. Soon they were joined by musicians Rafael, Bacalhau and Formigão which fused the groups rap origin…
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OLIVER MTUKUDZI AND THE BLACK SPIRITS / FATOUMATA DIAWARA / KRAR COLLECTIVE
DJ sets by DJ Sirak
Oliver Mtukudzi and The Black Spirits, a revolutionary music group originating in Zimbabwe, have been performing since 1979. The Black Spirits members have changed over the years, consisting of over 50 members throughout its time, with Oliver Mtukudzi, both musician…
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Bowery Presents
TROMBONE SHORTY & ORLEANS AVENUE & SOULIVE
with Anders Osborne
Since the release of their GRAMMY-nominated 2010 debut album, Backatown, Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue have grown creatively while winning hordes of new fans performing nonstop on five continents. Their latest album, For True, offers substantive proof of their explosive…
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MARTHA GRAHAM DANCE COMPANY
Special Guest: Dancin’ Downtown at The Joyce Contest Winner
Informed by the expansive vision of pioneering choreographer Martha Graham, the Martha Graham Dance Company brings to life a timeless and uniquely American style of dance that has influenced generations of artists and continues to captivate audiences. As one of…
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Forwords Panel Discussion
“THE LONG-LASTING INFLUENCE OF MARTHA GRAHAM”
In addition to its impressive lineup, SummerStage is launching “Forewords” a panel discussion series before select SummerStage programs co-curated with The Strand Bookstore. Forewords is a great way to help support SummerStage’s free programming and to get an inside look…
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MARTHA GRAHAM DANCE COMPANY
Special Guest: Dancin’ Downtown at The Joyce Contest Winner
Informed by the expansive vision of pioneering choreographer Martha Graham, the Martha Graham Dance Company brings to life a timeless and uniquely American style of dance that has influenced generations of artists and continues to captivate audiences. As one of the most celebrated…
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LIANNE LA HAVAS / LP / QUADRON / DJ SETS BY DJ CENTER
Lianne La Havas received her first keyboard at just 7 years old, and has been a growing talent ever since then. With popular neo-soul artists as inspiration, such as Erykah Badu and Lauryn Hill, her style has traces of jazz,…
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Rock Steady Crew 36th Anniversary Concert Featuring:
PETE ROCK & C.L. SMOOTH AND SPECIAL GUESTS
The Rock Steady Crew celebrates its 36th anniversary of being a true Hip-Hop brand ambassador by bringing its annual free concert to SummerStage in Central Park for the first time. In typical fashion, RSC will present the who’s who of…
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The Bowery Presents
BEN HOWARD / MICHAEL KIWANUKA
Proceeds from this concert help make possible over 100 free SummerStage programs… …
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Rock Steady Crew Dance Celebration
WORLD PREMIERE OF “RSC GHETTO MADE”
Originally founded in 1977 in the Bronx, by Jimmy D and Jimmy Lee, Rock Steady Crew has become one of the most well-known and recognizable B-Boy groups in the world. These pioneers and creators of break-dancing used dance battles as…
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WLIB 6th Annual Gospel Explosion Featuring:
SHIRLEY CAESAR / DONALD LAWRENCE / JAMES FORTUNE & F.I.Y.A. / ERICA CAMPBELL / RICKY DILLARD
Shirley Caesar is The Undisputed 1st Lady of Gospel Music. In a career that spans over 60 years, Caesar is arguably the most beloved and celebrated Gospel artist of our time. Caesar started out in the early 60’s singing with…
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WBLS 5th Annual R&B Fest Featuring:
RAHEEM DEVAUGHN / LYFE JENNINGS / DONELL JONES / ERICA CAMPBELL AND SPECIAL GUESTS
Singer and songwriter Raheem DeVaughn has quickly burst onto the music scene. His debut album, The Love Experience, was released in 2005 to much critical acclaim. While reviewing The Love Experience, Allmusic said DeVaughn “is remarkably creative and talented and…
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SummerStage Theater Presented By Time Warner
“KING KONG”
By Alfred Preisser & Randy Weiner / Directed By Alfred Preisser
Acclaimed impresario of non-traditional theater Randy Weiner and director Alfred Preisser team up for a Hip-Hop themed theater remake of the classic story, “King Kong”, a totally original music/dance/comedy spectacle that radically subverts everything you thought you knew about one of…
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The Bowery Presents
DISCLOSURE / TNGHT / JULIO BASHMORE
Proceeds from this concert help make possible over 100 free SummerStage programs… …
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Live Nation Presents
JIMMY EAT WORLD
Proceeds from this concert help make possible over 100 free SummerStage programs…
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40th Anniversary of Hip-Hop Culture with
DJ KOOL HERC AND SPECIAL GUESTS
DJ Kool Herc is considered by many to be the “first hip-hop D.J”. In the early stages of hip hop music, DJ Kool Herc brought his sound system to block parties in the Bronx and began playing the brief rhythmic…
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Forwords Panel Discussion
“HIP-HOP TURNS 40” DJ KOOL HERC AND CINDY CAMPBELL
Moderated by Jeff Chang, author of “Can’t Stop Won’t Stop
In addition to its impressive lineup, SummerStage is launching “Forewords” a panel discussion series before select SummerStage programs co-curated with The Strand Bookstore. Forewords is a great way to help support SummerStage’s free programming and to get an inside look…
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SHUGGIE OTIS / JOSÉ JAMES / HIATUS KAIYOTE / DJ SETS BY OP! (I LOVE VINYL)
Presented in Association with Giant Step
Shuggie Otis is a musician’s musician, a reclusive genius from Los Angeles whose name has been spoken in reverential tones by his peers for more than four decades. After a long absence, Shuggie returns as a concert headliner with dates across North…
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SummerStage Theater Presented By Time Warner
DIABLO LOVE
By Mando Alvarado / Directed by Alfred Preisser / Music Direction & Composition by Tomás Doncker
“Diablo Love” is a fantastical love story featuring live music that re-imagines songs made famous by American Blues singer, guitarist and harmonica player, Howlin’ Wolf along with original compositions by Tomás Doncker. This production provides audiences with a masterful live soundtrack of Blues/Soul music and sets the…
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Built by meanred
TWIN SHADOW / AUTRE NE VEUT / ELLIPHANT / DJ SETS BY MANO
Twin Shadow is the musical child of Dominican-born George Lewis Jr. The alternative pop style of music that Lewis writes, sings, and produces has been on the rise since the inception of Twin Shadow in 2010. His most recent album, Confess was released in…
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SummerStage Theater Presented By Time Warner
DIABLO LOVE
By Mando Alvarado / Directed by Alfred Preisser / Music Direction & Composition by Tomás Doncker
“Diablo Love” is a fantastical love story featuring live music that re-imagines songs made famous by American Blues singer, guitarist and harmonica player, Howlin’ Wolf along with original compositions by Tomás Doncker. This production provides audiences with a masterful live soundtrack of Blues/Soul music and sets the…
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BOBBY MCFERRIN: SPIRITYOUALL
For decades Bobby McFerrin has broken all the rules. The 10-time Grammy winner has blurred the distinction between pop music and fine art, goofing around barefoot in the world’s finest concert halls, exploring uncharted vocal territory, inspiring a whole new…