Hell's Kitchen attitude, New York state of mind
In the same way that nothing beats listening to your favorite song on vinyl, there’s something about an outdoor concert that makes music sound even better — and if you’re hoping to jam-pack your summer evenings with breezy fresh-air shows, check out SummerStage’s 2022 lineup of mostly free concerts across the city’s parks.
The just-released official lineup includes artists like Caribou, George Clinton, Sharon Van Etten, Waxahatchee, MC Solaar, The Barenaked Ladies, Modest Mouse, Fitz and The Tantrums, Trombone Shorty, Belle & Sebastian, Andy Grammer, Lucy Dacus, Angel Olsen, Julien Baker and The Decemberists. SummerStage 2019 in Central Park. Photo: Phil O’Brien
Sponsored by Capital One and the City Parks Foundation — a nonprofit dedicated to maintaining, improving, and providing programming for New York’s public greenspaces, SummerStage returns to a full season as the city’s largest outdoor performing arts festival, mounting 90 concerts over from June to September across 12 parks in the five boroughs.
“We are so happy to be back in local neighborhood parks after a two-year hiatus and to be able to once again build our newly refurbished flagship concert venue in Central Park,” said Heather Lubov, City Parks Foundation’s Executive Director. “Parks have always been neighborhood gathering spaces, but the pandemic brought to light just how absolutely critical they are to our city’s health. We are thrilled to be able to bring neighbors together in their parks to enjoy a diverse, representative line-up that is reflective of our city’s rich cultural fabric.”
SummerStage organizers stressed an emphasis on the diversity of their programming — the women-run festival features a lineup of 52% women and non-binary performers and 95% BIPOC-identified artists.
“Each season, SummerStage has always presented a festival full of talent as diverse and broad as the communities that host these performances in parks across all five boroughs,” said Erika Elliott, Executive Artistic Director of SummerStage. “The artists we are presenting this season not only represent their own distinct cultures but reflect the global diversity that truly matches the spirit of New York City.”
While shows will take place in parks across the city, the majority of concerts will be held conveniently adjacent to Hell’s Kitchen at the newly-renovated Rumsey Playfield venue in Central Park. Acts from the free Central Park lineup include legendary jazz pianist and composer Herbie Hancock with Keyon Harrold in association with the Blue Note Jazz Festival, a series of Metropolitan Opera recitals, a Dancehall meets Hip Hop 90s music evening hosted by music video director Ralph McDaniels, and DJ sets from Black Midi / Sal Valentinetti / Alisa Ali hosted by SNL’s Sarah Squirm.
In addition to a significant selection of free SummerStage acts, there are also several high-profile benefit concerts available for purchase, including 90s legends Barenaked Ladies (don’t be shy, you know all of the lyrics to One Week!!!), indie acts Modest Mouse and Belle & Sebastian, rapper Big Freedia, and Andy Grammar (of the summer earworm Honey, I’m Good).
And if you’re down for a double feature, concerts at Rumsey Playfield will begin with showings of international short films through SummerStage’s partner org, Rooftop Films and their Summer Series showcase of new independent cinema. The festival will also feature a free outdoor screening of the Oscar and Grammy award-winning documentary Summer of Soul (…Or, When the Revolution Could Not Be Televised) for its second year in Marcus Garvey Park —site of the original Harlem Cultural Festival documented in the film — on June 17, commemorating Juneteenth. Summer Stage 2021 in Central Park with Lake Street Dive. Photo: Phil O’Brien
Organizers hope the season-long festival will contribute to the city’s continued cultural recovery. Said Andy Ramamoorthy, Executive Vice President, Commercial Banking and New York City Market President, Capital One: “Now more than ever, we are committed to both supporting and celebrating New York’s revival. Vibrant parks, free live music, dance performances, and this festival’s mission of diversity and inclusion are critical to revitalizing our neighborhoods and building a sense of community. We are honored to play a role in New York City’s revival by sponsoring SummerStage performances again this year and keeping them free and open for all New Yorkers to enjoy.”
Check out the full schedule below: DateTimeArtistsParkType of ShowSat, Jun 47:00 PMAurora presents the Gods We Can Trust tour / Sub UrbanCentral ParkBenefitWed, Jun 86:00 PMModest Mouse / The CribsCentral ParkBenefitSat, Jun 117:00 PMHerbie Hancock / Keyon Harrold in association with Blue Note Jazz FestivalCentral ParkFreeMon, Jun 136:00 PMTrombone Shorty’s Voodoo Threauxdown / Tank & the Bangas / Big Freedia / Cyril Neville / George Porter Jr. & Dumpstaphunk / The Soul RebelsCentral ParkBenefitWed, Jun 156:00 PMGeorge Clinton & Parliament Funkadelic / Dopapod / Pimps of JoytimeCentral ParkBenefitThu, Jun 166:00 PMBelle & Sebastian / Los BitchosCentral ParkBenefitFri, Jun 177:30 PMSummer of Soul (….or, When the Revolution Could Not Be Televised)Marcus Garvey ParkFreeSat, Jun 184:00 PMTHE AUSSIE BBQ: Baker Boy / Electric Fields / G Flip / Haiku Hands / Peking Duk / You Am I in association with Sounds AustraliaCentral ParkFreeMon, Jun 208:00 PMTHE METROPOLITAN OPERA SUMMER RECITAL featuring Brittany Renee, Ben Bliss and Justin AustinCentral ParkFreeTue, Jun 217:00 PMFête de la Musique: MC Solaar / Bon Entendeur / Hyphen Hyphen in association with France Rocks and FIAFCentral ParkFreeWed, Jun 226:00 PMWaxahatchee / Swearin’ / Ohmme / Delphine Blue DJ SetCentral ParkFreeWed, Jun 227:00 PMTHE METROPOLITAN OPERA SUMMER RECITAL featuring Brittany Renee, Ben Bliss and Justin AustinBrooklyn Bridge ParkFreeThu, Jun 237:00 PMTHE METROPOLITAN OPERA SUMMER RECITAL featuring Brittany Olivia Logan, Cierra Byrd and Vladyslav BuialskyiJackie Robinson ParkFreeThu, Jun 236:00 PMLawrence & MisterWives Sounds of Summer Tour / Winetka Bowling LeagueCentral ParkBenefitSat, Jun 254:00 PMTHE METROPOLITAN OPERA SUMMER RECITAL featuring Brittany Olivia Logan, Cierra Byrd and Vladyslav BuialskyiWilliamsbridge Oval ParkFreeSat, Jun 254:00 PMOnly in Queens: Queens Live!Flushing Meadows-Corona ParkFreeSat, Jun 257:00 PMStephanie Mills / Keni Burke / Ted Smooth / DJ J-RoninConey Island AmphitheaterFreeSun, Jun 264:00 PMMonobloco / Nailah Blackman / DJ Patricktor4Flushing Meadows-Corona ParkFreeMon, Jun 277:00 PMTHE METROPOLITAN OPERA SUMMER RECITAL featuring Brittany Olivia Logan, Cierra Byrd and Vladyslav BuialskyiSocrates Sculpture ParkFreeWed, Jun 297:00 PMTHE METROPOLITAN OPERA SUMMER RECITAL featuring Brittany Olivia Logan, Cierra Byrd and Vladyslav BuialskyiCloves Lakes ParkFreeSat, Jul 26:00 PMPatrick Watson w/ Attacca Quartet / Elisapie / La Force in association with the Consulate General of Canada in New YorkCentral ParkFreeSun, Jul 37:00 PMMichael Franti & SpearheadCentral ParkBenefitWed, Jul 66:00 PMBarenaked Ladies Last Summer On Earth Tour / Gin Blossoms / Toad the Wet SprocketCentral ParkBenefitFri, Jul 87:00 PMUniversal Latino Presents: New Generation! in association with the LAMCConey Island AmphitheaterFreeSat, Jul 93:00 PMCarla Morrison / Love of Lesbian / Dannylux / Canyon Cody DJ Set in association with LAMCCentral ParkFreeSun, Jul 107:00 PMKOREA GAYOJE: Brave Girls / Golden Child / AleXa in association with the Korean Cultural Center New YorkCentral ParkFreeSun, Jul 107:00 PMPuerto Rican Power / Domingo Quinones / Lower East SalsaConey Island AmphitheaterFreeWed, Jul 138:00 PMArt Move Concept/ Passionfruit Dance CompanyCentral ParkFreeFri, Jul 156:00 PMNai Ni Chen Dance Company/ ALL ARTS “Past, Present, Future” featuring Ayodele Casel and Les Ballet AfrikFlushing Meadows-Corona ParkFreeSat, Jul 167:00 PMRevive Big Band feat. Thaïs Lona and friends / Melanie Charles / Erika the DJCentral ParkFreeSat, Jul 166:00 PMChocQuibTown / Nanpa Basico / Salt Cathedral DJ Set in association with New Latin WaveFlushing Meadows-Corona ParkFreeSun, Jul 176:00 PMNey Matogrosso / Francisco El Hombre / Fado Bicha / Surma DJ Set in association with Arte InstituteCentral ParkFreeWed, Jul 207:00 PMCory Henry / Rustam Ospanoff DJ SetCentral ParkFreeThu, Jul 216:00 PMMIKE’s Young World 2 with Special Guest Slick RickVon King ParkFreeThu, Jul 216:00 PMLucy Dacus / Hop AlongCentral ParkBenefitFri, Jul 226:00 PMDallas Black Dance TheatreVon King ParkFreeSat, Jul 233:00 PMEveryday People feat. WurlDCentral ParkFreeSat, Jul 236:00 PMSampa The Great / Pink Siifu / Alisa Ali DJ Set in association with meanredVon King ParkFreeSun, Jul 246:00 PMBlack Midi / Sal Valentinetti / Alisa Ali DJ Set hosted by Sarah SquirmCentral ParkFreeSun, Jul 244:00 PMA Party Called Rosie PerezVon King ParkFreeWed, Jul 277:00 PMParcels In ConcertCentral ParkBenefitThu, Jul 287:00 PMCaribou / Ela Minus / Toribio DJ Set in association with meanredCentral ParkFreeSat, Jul 306:00 PMSaba / Eryn Allen Kane / theMIND in association with moveforward musicCentral ParkFreeSun, Jul 316:00 PMSons of Kemet / Makaya McCraven / DJ LindseyCentral ParkFreeWed, Aug 36:00 PMDoris Muñoz / Film Screening: Mija / Helado Negro / Silvana Estrada / Jacks Haupt in association with Rooftop films and Disney Original DocumentaryCentral ParkFreeThu, Aug 45:00 PMBudos Band / Rogê / hosted by Tom Ferrie in association with Maker Park RadioCorporal Thompson ParkFreeThu, Aug 46:00 PMAndy Grammar and Fitz & the TantrumsCentral ParkBenefitFri, Aug 56:00 PMMaimouna Keita African Dance CompanyCorporal Thompson ParkFreeSat, Aug 63:00 PMBasement Bhangra 25th Birthday Bash: DJ Rekha / Jasmine Sandlas / Red Baraat / Ganavya /Raaginder / David Sharma / Sikh Knowledge / DJ Ushka / ZEEMUFFIN / Ajna Dance / Rajuju BrownCentral ParkFreeSat, Aug 65:00 PMAna Tijoux / Meridian Brothers / Bembona DJ SetCorporal Thompson ParkFreeSun, Aug 73:00 PM“El Rey Supremo” Luis Vargas / El Gran Alcover / Grupo De Ahora / TelemundoCentral ParkFreeSun, Aug 74:00 PMStaten Island celebrates Jessie Lee Daniels with Force MDs & Friends DJ S1 and Fred “Bugsy” BuggsCorporal Thompson ParkFreeThu, Aug 117:00 PMTony Vega / George Lamond / Uptown Vinyl SupremeCrotona ParkFreeThu, Aug 117:00 PMSpread Love Hip-Hop Jam Hosted by Ralph Mc Daniels and DJ ScratchConey Island AmphitheaterFreeFri, Aug 126:00 PMUrban Bush Women / Cheri L. StokesCrotona ParkFreeSat, Aug 137:00 PMVP Records presents Dancehall meets Hip Hop 90s style: Wayne Wonder hosted by Ralph McDanielsCentral ParkFreeSat, Aug 137:00 PMShatta Wale / WiyaalaCrotona ParkFreeSun, Aug 146:00 PMPatoranking / Flavour / Juls / Superhero DJ Jon Quick & friends with co-hosts Lisa Yaro & Osei The Dark SecretCentral ParkFreeSun, Aug 144:00 PMKid Capri’s Block Party Live feat. Vina Love and The HoodiesCrotona ParkFreeThu, Aug 187:00 PMThe Last Poets / Impact Repertory Theatre & The Harlem Bomb Shelter / DJ Greg Caz in association with JazzmobileMarcus Garvey ParkFreeFri, Aug 196:00 PMOMAR Edwards | Tap Master / LaTasha Barnes Dance in association with JazzmobileMarcus Garvey ParkFreeSat, Aug 206:00 PMMAROONS & SUFFRAGETTES: A GREG TATE TRIBUTE CONCERTCELEBRATING THE 20TH ANNIVERSARY OF BURNT SUGAR/DANZA Tate Family program featuring Burnt Sugar/Danz, Burnt Sugar The Arkestra Chamber,Harriet Tubman, Resistance Revival Chorus, Bardo Steppers, and DJ RebornMarcus Garvey ParkFreeSat, Aug 206:00 PMThe Wild Hearts Tour with Sharon Van Etten / Angel Olsen / Julien BakerCentral ParkBenefitSun, Aug 216:00 PMThe Wild Hearts Tour with Sharon Van Etten / Angel Olsen / Julien BakerCentral ParkBenefitSun, Aug 214:00 PMRed Alert & friends feat. Case and Wil TraxxMarcus Garvey ParkFreeTue, Aug 236:00 PMThe Decemberists – Arise from the Bunkers / Brigid Mae PowerCentral ParkBenefitFri, Aug 267:00 PMCPJF – Jazzmeia Horn and Her Noble Force / Calvin Booker On Tap & Friends in association with JazzmobileMarcus Garvey ParkFreeSat, Aug 273:00 PMCPJF – Terence Blanchard featuring the E-Collective and Turtle Island Quartet / Buster Williams & Something More / NIKARA presents Black Wall Street / Vuyo SotasheMarcus Garvey ParkFreeSun, Aug 288:00 PMHubbard St Dance ChicagoCentral ParkFreeSun, Aug 283:00 PMCPJF – Archie Shepp & Jason Moran + Special Guest / Melissa Aldana / Bria Skonberg / Pasquale GrassoTompkins Square ParkFreeWed, Aug 318:00 PMJazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra with Wynton MarsalisCentral ParkFreeThu, Sep 226:00 PMRainbow Kitten SurpriseCentral ParkBenefit LATEST NEWS Hell’s Kitchen Needs Housing, Not Objections or Delays Snitch and the City: New Yorkers Encouraged to “Rat” Parking Violators As Cameras Move Inside Subway Cars Luxury Building Lyra Opens Apartment Lottery in Hudson Yards and Hell’s Kitchen
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