One of the city’s favorite music festivals is just around the corner, and it’s bringing over 100 performances to 18 parks across all of the five boroughs!
Nothing says summer in NYC like SummerStage (…well, maybe the unescapable smell of hot garbage and the perpetual sweating). This year’s festival will see over 100 shows in 18 of the cities parks spanning all corners of the city.
Summer Stage will kick off it’s free shows on June 2 in Central Park with a soulful and inspring performance headlined by Gregory Porter, in association with Sony’s Blue Note Jazz Festival.
The full lineup is diverse enough to have a little something for everyone. Keep your eye on The Metropolitan Opera Summer Recital Series (June 11 at 8 p.m.), Kool & the Gang (June 16 at 5 p.m.), Talib Kweli (June 30 at 6 p.m.), Judy Torres (July 26 at 7 p.m.), and Mura Masa (August 19 at 8 p.m.).
In sponsorship of the free concert series, there are paid events you can attend throughout the season with performances and galas featuring big names like Steven Tyler and Mac DeMarco.
Here’s a look at the full schedule lineup that’s been released so far:
June 2 at 7 p.m.
GregoryPorter / Victory, in association with Blue Note Jazz Festival at Central Park
June 9 at 7 p.m.
Bowie Symphonic: Ensemble LPR led by Evan Ziporyn performs Bowie’s Blackstar for cello and orchestra / solo cellist TBA / Donny McCaslin Group at Central Park
June 11 at 8 p.m.
The Metropolitan Opera Summer Recital Series featuring Latonia Moore, Mario Chang and Joshua Hopkins at Central Park
June 13 at 7 p.m.
Yiddish Under the Stars at Central Park
June 13 at 7 p.m.
The Metropolitan Opera Summer Recital Series featuring Latonia Moore, Mario Chang and Joshua Hopkins at Brooklyn Bridge Park
June 16 at 7 p.m.
Rhiannon Giddens / Son Little at Central Park
June 16 at 5 p.m.
Only in Queens SummerStage Concert: Kool & the Gang at Flushing Meadows Corona Park
June 20 at 7 p.m.
Big Daddy Kane: Long Live the Kane 30th Anniversary at Ford Amphitheater at Coney Island
June 20 at 6 p.m.
Fête de la Musique: Vianney / Chassol / Joakim, in association with FranceRocks and Bureaux Export at Central Park
June 21 at 7 p.m.
San Fermin / The Weather Station at Coffey Park
June 21 at 7 p.m.
The Metropolitan Opera Summer Recital Series featuring Gerard Schneider, Gabriella Reyes de Ramírez and Adrian Timpau at Clove Lakes Park
June 22 at 7 p.m.
“Hip Hop You Don’t Stop” in association with INSITU Dance Festival featuring It’s Showtime NYC / Lil Buck / Passion Fruit Dance Company / RestorationArt Youth Arts Academy / A Lady in the House Co with guest DJ KS360 at Coffey Park
June 23 at 3 p.m.
The Metropolitan Opera Summer Recital Series featuring Gerard Schneider, Gabriella Reyes de Ramírez and Adrian Timpau at Williamsbridge Oval
June 23 at 5 p.m.
Secret Circle / DJ Lucas / Nedarb at Coffey Park
June 23 at 6 p.m.
Mariza / Noiserv / Renato Diz, in association with Arte Institute at Central Park
June 24 at 7 p.m.
Nicky Siano’s Hallelujah Disco with the Harlem Gospel Choir and Melba Moore / The Illustrious Blacks at Central Park
June 24 at 5 p.m.
Jay Critch / Tony Seltzer and Friends / Nuyorican Poets Cafe: muMs and Aurora at Coffey Park
June 25 at 6 p.m.
Rock Rubber 45s film premiere with live DJ sets from Rich Medina, Stretch Armstrong, Spinna & Bobbito Garcia, special performance by lyricist Pharoahe Monch, and appearance by Rosario Dawson at Central Park
June 27 at 7 p.m.
The Metropolitan Opera Summer Recital Series featuring Gerard Schneider, Gabriella Reyes de Ramírez and Adrian Timpau at Jackie Robinson Park
June 28 at 7 p.m.
Duck Down BBQ featuring Black Moon and Smif N Wessun with live band and special guests at Betsy Head Park
June 29 at 7 p.m.
Raheem DeVaughn / DJ Boogie Blind at Betsy Head Park
June 29/17 at 7 p.m.
The Metropolitan Opera Summer Recital Series featuring Gerard Schneider, Gabriella Reyes de Ramírez and Adrian Timpau at Socrates Sculpture Park
June 30 at 6 p.m.
Talib Kweli / OSHUN at Betsy Head Park
June 30 at 7 p.m.
3 Sides of Damien Sneed: Classical, Jazz and Sanctified Soul with Brandie Sutton, Stefon Harris and Keke Wyatt / Jazzmeia Horn at Central Park
July 1 at 3 p.m.
Northern Beat: Broken Social Scene / Melissa Laveaux / The East Pointers at Central Park
July 1 at 7 p.m.
Melanie Fiona / DJ mOma at Betsy Head Park
July 5 at 7 p.m.
RAM / Paul Beaubrun / DJ Hard Hittin Harry, in association with Afro-Latino Festival at Springfield Park
July 6 at 7 p.m.
The Legendary Ladies of SKYY / Rhythm Revue with Felix Hernandez at Springfield Park
July 7 at 4 p.m.
Kranium / Federation Sound / DJ Polish (KING MIDAS) at Springfield Park
July 7 at 6 p.m.
Taiwanese Waves: Soft Lipa / Sheng Xiang Band / Elephant Gym at Central Park
July 8 at 5 p.m.
EPMD / DJ Sylk at Springfield Park
July 8 at 6 p.m.
Barrington Levy / Third World / Kabaka Pyramid / DJ Gravy / Federation Sound at Ford Amphitheater at Coney Island
July 9 at 7 p.m.
Oh Wonder / Sasha Sloan at Central Park
July 11 at 6 p.m.
Gabriel Garzón Montano / Nicola Cruz / Tomasa del Real / DJ Bitman, in association with the Latin Alternative Music Conference at Central Park
July 12 at 7 p.m.
Systema Solar / Very Be Careful, in association with the Latin Alternative Music Conference at Queensbridge Park
July 13 at 7 p.m.
Calpulli Mexican Dance Company at Queensbridge Park
July 13 at 7 p.m.
Tito Rojas / Andy Montanez at Ford Amphitheater at Coney Island
July 14 at 3 p.m.
Jorge Drexler / Trending Tropics / ÌFÉ, in association with the Latin Alternative Music Conference at Central Park
July 14 at 4 p.m.
Special Guest To-Be-Announced at Queensbridge Park
July 15 at 3 p.m.
Family Day: Rebirth Brass Band / Big Chief Monk Boudreaux at Central Park
July 15 at 4 p.m.
Jungle Brothers and Friends / O.C. / Kool DJ Red Alert / with special guest DJ KOOL FLASH and more at Queensbridge Park
July 19 at 7 p.m.
George Lamond / Soul Sonic Force / The Philharmonik at Corporal Thompson Park
July 20 at 6 p.m.
Mobile Mondays! CeCe Peniston / Robin S with Joey Carvello at Corporal Thompson Park
July 21 at 4 p.m.
Las Cafeteras / M.A.K.U. SoundSystem / iBomba (DJ Ushka & DJ Beto), in association with La Isla Bonita Summer Festival at Corporal Thompson Park
July 22 at 5 p.m.
Ginuwine / The Ladies of Pink Diamond / DJ Stacks at Corporal Thompson Park
July 25 at 8 p.m.
Alonzo King LINES Ballet at Central Park
July 26 at 7 p.m.
Judy Torres / TKA / GrandWizzard Theodore at Saint Mary’s Park
July 27 at 7 p.m.
Bombazo Dance Co / The Sabrosura Effect in association with Pepatian at Saint Mary’s Park
July 28 at 3 p.m.
Pete Rock & The Soul Brothers / Hannah Williams & The Affirmations / DJ Emz at Central Park
July 28 at 4 p.m.
Spanish Harlem Orchestra at Saint Mary’s Park
July 29 at 3 p.m.
Femi Kuti & the Positive Force / Jupiter & Okwess / DJ Geko Jones at Central Park
July 29 at 5 p.m.
Charlie Aponte at Saint Mary’s Park
July 29 at 7 p.m.
The LOX / Young M.A / Special Guest DJ Funk Flex, hosted by Torae at Ford Amphitheater at Coney Island
July 31 at 11 a.m.
Special Youth Dance Matinee & Workshop at Central Park
August 1 at 6 p.m.
Tito Nieves / Bodoma & Garifuna Culture Band at Crotona Park
August 1 at 8 p.m.
Special Guest to-be-announced / Movement of the People Dance Company at Central Park
August 2 at 7 p.m.
The Movement: Messiah / Darell / Young Flow / El Sosa / Nelly Nelz at Crotona Park
August 3 at 6 p.m.
Ultimate Break Beats: BreakBeat Lou, Special Ed, Lord Finesse at Crotona Park
August 4 at 4 p.m.
Sister Nancy & Shinehead with DJ Misbehaviour at Crotona Park
August 4 at 6 p.m.
The Originals (Stretch Armstrong, Clark Kent, D-Nice, Rich Medina, Tony Touch) at Central Park
August 5 at 3 p.m.
BaianaSystem / Hamilton de Holanda Trio feat. Roberta Sá / Xênia França, in association with Brasil Summerfest at Central Park
August 9 at 6 p.m.
Wild Style 35th Anniversary Reunion at The Amphitheater with Special Guest DJ Funk Flex at East River Park
August 10 at 7 p.m.
Peridance Contemporary Dance Company at East River Park
August 11 at 5 p.m.
Porches / Sunflower Bean / Crumb, in association with Brooklyn Magazine at East River Park
August 11 at 6 p.m.
KOREA GAYOJE: TOKiMONSTA / Kero One, in association with Korean Cultural Center New York and MeanRed at Central Park
August 12 at 4 p.m.
Jerry Rivera / Nuyorican Poets Cafe: La Bruja and Chembo Corniel at East River Park
August 12 at 7 p.m.
Dej Loaf at Ford Amphitheater at Coney Island
August 12 at 7 p.m.
Music + Revolution: Greenwich Village in the 1960s, hosted by Richard Barone at Central Park
August 15 at 6 p.m.
Alice Smith / Akala / DJ Stormin Norman at Marcus Garvey Park
August 16 at 7 p.m.
Jeremy McQueen’s Black Iris Project at Marcus Garvey Park
August 18 at 4 p.m.
Pape Diouf & la Génération Consciénte at Marcus Garvey Park
August 19 at 7 p.m.
Mura Masa / Jessy Lanza, in association with MeanRed at Central Park
August 19 at 5 p.m.
Rapsody at Marcus Garvey Park
August 22 at 8 p.m.
“Mr. Gaga” with GALLIM at Central Park
August 26 at 6 p.m.
Eddie Palmieri La Perfecta / Tony Vega at Central Park
August 28 at 8 p.m.
Voices of A People’s History featuring Staceyann Chin, Rachel Dratch, Michael Ealy, Laura Gómez, Celisse Henderson, Viggo Mortensen and more at Central Park
September 27 at 7 p.m.
Angelique Kidjo’s Remain in Light / Resistance Revival Chorus at Central Park
Charlie Parker Jazz Festival Schedule:
August 24 at 7 p.m.
Charlie Parker Jazz Festival: Charles Tolliver’s 50 Year Anniversary of Paper Man featuring Gary Bartz, Jack DeJohnette, Buster Williams & Surprise Guest / Brianna Thomas at Marcus Garvey Park
August 25 at 3 p.m.
Charlie Parker Jazz Festival: Monty Alexander – Harlem Kingston Express / Catherine Russell / Keyon Harrold / Matthew Whitaker Trio at Marcus Garvey Park
August 26 at 3 p.m.
Charlie Parker Jazz Festival: Gary Bartz Quartet / The Bad Plus / Amina Claudine Myers / UNHEARD: Adam O’Farrill, Immanuel Wilkins and Joel Ross commissioned in association with The Joyce and George Wein Foundation under the artistic supervision of The Jazz Gallery at Tompkins Square Park
For a list of the Summer Benefit Shows and more information about the SummerStage events, check out their site at summerstage.org.
Featured image source [ summerstage.org Gallery]