SummerStage, a program of City Parks Foundation, presents performances of outstanding artistic quality, free of charge, to serve the diverse communities of New York City. The artists represent a breadth of genres and cultures and perform in an outdoor setting accessible to people of all ages and backgrounds. SummerStage strives to develop audiences’ deepening appreciation for contemporary, traditional, and emerging artists as well as the communities in which these artists originate.
The SummerStage festival presents over 100 free performances and benefit concerts each year in 16 parks throughout the city, ranging from American pop, Latin and world music to dance, spoken word and theater.
*Many of the events are free and others have an entrance fee. Please refer to the official website for more info*
Hip Hop Hangout with Rennie Harris Puremovement
August 1 @ 12:00 pm – 2:00 pm
“HISTORY OF HIP HOP” Special SummerStage Matinee Program with Rennie Harris Puremovement: Moderated by Rodney Hill and principal members of Philadelphia’s world renowned dance company, Rennie Harris Puremovement, this program introduces audiences to personalities who influenced or invented various techniques and styles that have contributed to the Hip Hop dance culture. The program illustrates how Hip Hop has its roots in African tradition and culture throughout the Diasporas and includes not only African American, but Afro-Brazilian, Afro-Cuban and Puerto Rican cultures from the early sixties…
Ultimate Break and Beats Anniversary / BreakBeat Lou / SPECIAL ED / Camp Lo / hosted by Lord Finesse
August 2 @ 6:00 pm – 9:00 pm
The brand that set the blueprint for sampled music celebrates with the help of several hip-hop notables
Featuring 6pm workshop with Scratch Academy…
NYRR Open Run to SummerStage, Crotona Park
August 2 @ 6:00 pm – 7:00 pm
Join SummerStage and New York Road Runners for a 6pm Open Run in Crotona Park before the Ultimate Break and Beats Anniversary / BreakBeat Lou / SPECIAL ED / Camp Lo SummerStage show starting at 7pm. Runners will meet just north of the Crotona Park Tennis Center. Participants will be able to access a bag check as well as VIP seating during the performance with light refreshments.
Rennie Harris Puremovement and Philadanco Present – Straight Outta’ Philly
August 2 @ 7:00 pm – 10:00 pm
Celebrated Philadelphia dance troupes, known for their hip-hop and modern styles, join for an evening-length program titled Straight Outta Philly
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Dashboard Confessional / The All-American Rejects / The Maine
August 3 @ 5:30 pm – 10:00 pm
Two powerhouse bands that rule emo, alt, indie and acoustic rock and pop punk…
A Bronx Tale
August 3 @ 7:00 pm – 9:00 pm
Live excerpts from Broadway’s hit musical, plus a full-length film screening …
Stevie B / Ted Smooth
August 4 @ 7:00 pm – 9:00 pm
Freestyle hit maker best known for classics I Want to Be the One and Because I Love You…
Kid Capri’s Block Party Live / MIKE / Vina Love
August 5 @ 4:00 pm – 7:00 pm
Legendary Bronx-born hip-hop DJ turning tables since the ’70s with high-profile cred
Featuring 4pm workshop with Scratch Academy…
Elza Soares / Liniker e os Caramelows / Teleseen in association with Brasil Summerfest
August 5 @ 6:00 pm – 10:00 pm
Brazil’s iconic samba singer, provocative persona and signature vocalist, with a rising star who brings unique perspective to Brazilian soul…
Basement Bhangra 20th Anniversary: Apache Indian / Panjabi MC / DJ Rekha / Madame Gandhi / Anik Khan / Horsepowar / Sikh Knowledge / DJ Petra / DJ Shilpa
August 6 @ 2:00 pm – 7:00 pm
Celebrate NYC’s legendary party with Bhangra royalty and explosive sounds and dance from the South Asian diaspora…
Jadakiss
August 6 @ 5:00 pm – 7:00 pm
Dynamic emcee dominates with potent prose and long-lasting beats…
Afro Cuban Modern Dance Workshop with Malpaso Dance Company
August 7 @ 7:30 pm – 9:00 pm
The Cuban technique of modern dance is a fusion of North American Modern Dance (including (Sokolov), Graham, Limon, Cunningham), European ballet, and traditional Afro-Cuban dances and rhythms. The central teaching of the class is based around contraction and release technique, combined with spine undulation movements from Afro-Cuban dance styles. The across the floor combinations encourage a focus on rhythm of and musicality. The combination of influences (American, European and Afro) manifest within Cuban dance provides the students a unique (transcultural)…
Afro Cuban Modern Dance Workshop with Malpaso Dance Company
August 8 @ 3:00 pm – 4:30 pm
The Cuban technique of modern dance is a fusion of North American Modern Dance (including (Sokolov), Graham, Limon, Cunningham), European ballet, and traditional Afro-Cuban dances and rhythms. The central teaching of the class is based around contraction and release technique, combined with spine undulation movements from Afro-Cuban dance styles. The across the floor combinations encourage a focus on rhythm of and musicality. The combination of influences (American, European and Afro) manifest within Cuban dance provides the students a unique (transcultural)…
Malpaso Dance Company / Daymé Arocena / Nickodemus
August 9 @ 7:00 pm – 10:00 pm
Afro-Cuban singer of jazz and neo-soul meets celebrated Cuban contemporary dance troupe
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Nuyorican Poets Cafe: Staceyann Chin / Ntozake Shange / Sarah Kay
August 9 @ 7:00 pm – 9:00 pm
Famed poetry house presents performances by a trio of celebrated women wordsmiths
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The Revivalists / White Denim
August 10 @ 5:00 pm – 10:00 pm
Breakout, anthemic rockers, redefining New Orleans with their chart-topping hits….
Company SBB with Burnt Sugar Arkestra
August 10 @ 7:00 pm – 9:00 pm
NYC-based dance company partners with futuristic jazz ensemble to perform the interdisciplinary work Patient(ce)
7pm dance workshop with Calvin Wiley Dance
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Andy Montañez
August 11 @ 6:00 pm – 9:00 pm
Known as El Godfather de la Salsa, Puerto Rican bolero singer/songwriter legend
Featuring 6pm dance workshop “Rhythm & Power: ¡Dance Nueva York!” in association with the Museum of the City of New York…
Family Day: They Might Be Giants: Kids, Science, and Beyond / Bill Childs of Spare Rock, Spoil the Child Radio
August 12 @ 2:00 pm – 5:00 pm
Notable alt-rock favorites bring the family together with their contagious melodies…
CityParks PuppetMobile presents Cinderella Samba at SummerStage in Central Park as a part of Family Day
August 12 @ 3:00 pm – 4:00 pm
Cinderella Samba is a contemporary twist on the classic “Cinderella” fairy tale. The CityParks PuppetMobile production sets the timeless tale in the lush landscape of Brazil, where, thanks to the help of her fairy godmother, Cinderella attends Rio de Janeiro’s biggest Carnival gala and dances the samba with Prince Paulo himself. After Cinderella is forced to flee the gala just before midnight, the prince sets out to find the mystery woman who stole his heart, in hopes of marrying her. The…
Khalid
August 12 @ 5:00 pm – 7:00 pm
Alt-R&B star and a millennial sensation in smooth rhythms…
Taj Mo: The Taj Mahal & Keb’ Mo’ Band / Jontavious Willis / Dante Ross
August 13 @ 4:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Collaboration between two generations of blues giants, merging masterful talents, rich vocals and guitar styles to create an historic night of music
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Funkbox in the Park: Tony Touch / Danny Krivit / Jellybean Benitez / D-Train / honoring Evelyn Santos
August 13 @ 4:00 pm – 7:00 pm
A medley of the best DJs and special guests from across NYC, spinning SummerStage into a classic house and funk dance party
Featuring 4pm DJ and dance workshop with Voodoo Ray…
Stew and The Negro Problem
August 15 @ 7:00 pm – 9:00 pm
Playwright and singer/songwriter Stew presents an irreverent homage to the original black-punk-novelist James Baldwin…
Bilal / DJ Reborn in association with Jill Newman Productions
August 16 @ 7:00 pm – 9:00 pm
Grammy award winning musician/composer/producer with boundless dimensions…
Categories: Summer in NYC, Tourist Attractions New York City
