Following the hazy, toxic, blanket that consumed the New York landscape recently, City Parks Central Park Summerstage launched a season of summer events in every borough by offering 55 free concerts in 13 parks and locations.
On schedule for a June 10 opening event at their central stage at Rumsey Playfield, four days after the debacle of imagining an apocalypse, there was no delay caused by the reported Climate Change synergy prompted by more than 400 fires in Canada.
More than six million patrons have already experienced the Big Apple treat therefore there was no doubt that the show would go on.
As schools reverted to remote teaching, businesses shuttered for a day, mandates implored quarantine with resumed recommendation of the use of superior quality masks, the inferno created another diversion from visiting ‘the city that never sleeps.’
New York City was branded the worst in the world for its air quality.
Where acceptable numbers regularly register 50, the Big Apple scored digits closer to 500. However, three days later, that figure plummeted to acceptable standards measuring between 70s and 60s.
For the 37th series season, jazz, indie rock, country, bhangra, afro beats, opera, pop, r&b, reggae, dance, films and drama are in the mix.
A celebration of the 50th anniversary of hip-hop is slated in every borough.
As the birthplace of rap, NYC’s best deejays and rappers are billed. Among them, Ralph McDaniels at Marcus Garvey Park, Funk Master Flex and Friends with Raheem De Vaughn, Rob Base and more at Coney Island Amphitheater; Dead Prez, Large Professor with DJ Set at Von King Park, and a Juneteenth celebration on June 19.
Grandmaster Flash & Friends are slated for Crotona Park in the Bronx on Aug. 4.
Skip Marley joins a reggae cavalcade billed Reggae Takeover on July 9; and VP Records’ annual reggae feast features a roots reggae review from their roster on Aug. 12.
Latin beats are billed into Coney Island’s boardwalk showplace on Aug. 20 with Jose Alberto. The music of Machito, Tito Rodriguez and Tito Puente, Karen Joseph and Mambocha.
A total of 80 concerts are actually scheduled.
Paid events bill fundraising headliners to benefit continuation of the annual.
Check for a full lineup and updates at summerstage.org
Due to the same weather phenomenon, Brooklyn’s Bric Arts organizers were forced to cancel their Friday opening which headlined Taj Mahal and Corinne Bailey Rae. As soon as the air cleared on Monday, Celebrate Brooklyn honored the promise by delivering Mahal and the Harlem Travelers to Prospect Park revelers.
‘When we canceled our opening night out of concern for community wellness, the legendary Taj Mahal told us he couldn’t wait to get back on the Bandshell stage,” a press release from Bric Arts stated about the legend’s appearance at the renamed Lena Horne performance space.
“With his enthusiasm and our commitment to bringing world class artists to Brooklyn we worked some magic to make it happen!’
Unfortunately, the British song stylist was unable to make the date which now adds DJ Tara to the lineup for a reimagined version of the postponed opening night celebration of the 45th season.
Marcia Griffith is booked there on July15.
Look for details at bricartsmedia.org
With a plethora of musical treats to choose from NYC parks provide the cheapest and most diverse outdoor entertainment.
Amid trees, flora and fauna and the ocean, vista adds to the allure residents and tourists will flock.
— Catch You On The Inside!
