Published on June 14th, 2016 | by Dr. Jerry Doby
0City Parks Foundation announces SUMMERSTAGE 2016 SEASON presented by Capital One Bank
Season runs May 16 – September 23
More than 115 FREE music, dance, comedy, family, film and theater programs in 16 parks across all 5 boroughs
New York, NY– City Parks Foundation is proud to announce the 2016 season of SummerStage (@SummerStage), New York City’s largest free performing arts festival, bringing more than 115 free performances to Central Park and 15 neighborhood parks throughout the five boroughs. With performances ranging from American pop, Yiddish Soul, and Taiwanese music to dance, comedy and theater, SummerStage will feature more than 200 unique artists, filling a vital niche in New York City’s summer arts landscape, ensuring that New Yorkers will have access to exceptional cultural experiences, free of charge. Since its inception 31 years ago, SummerStage has benefited more than six million people from New York City and around the world.
Having highlighted hip-hop music and culture in 2013 and salsa and Latin music in 2014, the festival is thrilled this year to honor another distinctly New York musical form: Jazz. The 2016 season of SummerStage will both showcase exceptional performing artists from around the globe, and will also feature more jazz performances than ever before, with nearly half a dozen planned for Central Park and many more in neighborhood parks across the city. The focus on jazz this season coincides with the upcoming centennial of the musical dawning of the term “jazz,” as well as what would have been the 100th birthdays of late jazz greats including Dizzy Gillespie, Thelonious Monk, and Ella Fitzgerald.
Living jazz legends McCoy Tyner, Ron Carter, and Roy Haynes will kick off the festival in Central Park on June 4, with the first free show of the season. Other notable performances will include the acclaimed Kamasi Washington, also in Central Park; jazz trumpeter Terence Blanchard in Staten Island’s Clove Lakes Park performing Breathless, a work based on the final words of borough native Eric Garner; pre-eminent soul jazz vocalist Dianne Reeves in Queensbridge Park; and Stefanie Batten Bland presenting an interdisciplinary dance collaboration with jazz ensemble Burnt Sugar the Arkestra Chamber also in Queensbridge Park. The annual, three-day Charlie Parker Jazz Festival, New York City’s annual salute to the late saxophonist, will feature performances from Jason Lindner: Breeding Ground, Randy Weston African Rhythms Sextet, and DeJohnette – Moran – Holland. The final free show of the 2016 season will celebrate the 20th anniversary of the hit Jazz Age Broadway musical, Chicago, with performances from the current cast.
SummerStage is thrilled to welcome Comedy Central back to the festival for a guaranteed laugh-filled evening of stand-up from The Daily Show with Trevor Noah. Accompanying a screening of A Ballerina’s Tale, the 2015 documentary on African-American principal ballerina Misty Copeland, award-winning choreographer Jeremy McQueen will present “The Black Iris Project,” a premier ballet collaborative celebrating diversity in art and dance.
Roger Guenveur Smith will perform his one-man show, Rodney King, which explores the very timely and sensitive issues of police brutality. Other highlights include reggae sensation Alpha Blondy in Harlem’s Marcus Garvey Park; Latin soul icon Joe Bataan in St. Mary’s Park in the South Bronx; the return to Central Park of the folk rock duo Indigo Girls, whose last performance at SummerStage took place using generators during the 2003 blackout; hip-hop greats Public Enemy in Brownsville’s Betsy Head Park, and electronic rockers Neon Indian in East River Park.
“At City Parks Foundation, we believe culture should be convenient and affordable for everyone. Our SummerStage festival removes the barriers to culture, bringing world-class artists, topical and popular, to neighborhood parks across all five boroughs, free of charge,” said Heather Lubov, Executive Director of City Parks Foundation. “SummerStage brings together New York’s diverse communities in authentic and meaningful ways, making high quality performing arts — from music to spoken word, circus and contemporary dance — truly accessible. We are thrilled to bring another season, filled with exceptional artistry, to communities across the City.”
“The SummerStage festival celebrates the rich cultural fabric of New York City,” said Erika Elliott, Executive Artistic Director of City Parks Foundation. “This year, we’ll celebrate the 100th anniversary of jazz, with both emerging and master musicians, who will highlight the long legacy jazz has in the city and its continued impact on New Yorkers.”
“Capital One is proud to once again support SummerStage as it celebrates New York’s artistic energy and creativity,” said Michael Slocum, President, Commercial Banking and Northeast Regional President, Capital One. “The arts build communities and enrich lives, and this remarkable festival embodies our commitment to investing for good in the diverse communities where our associates live and work.”
For the most up-to-date scheduling and line-up for all SummerStage programming, follow SummerStage via the below links and visit www.SummerStage.org for festival information.
Twitter:
@SummerStage
Instagram:
@SummerStage
Facebook:
SummerStageNYC
SummerStage 2016 Schedule
Day | Date | Time | Artist | Park | Boro | Genre |
Saturday | Jun 4 | 6:00 PM | The Legends Honor McCoy: McCoy Tyner
Quartet / Ron Carter ft. guest Wallace Roney / Roy Haynes, in association with Blue Note Jazz Festival |
Central Park | MN | Music |
Saturday | Jun 11 | 3:00 PM | Cymande / KING / Deva Mahal / DJ
Parler, in association with Okayplayer |
Central Park | MN | Music |
Monday | Jun 13 | 7:00 PM | DJ Hard Hittin’ Harry / Screening:
Afripedia, in association with African Film Festival, Inc. |
Saratoga Park | BK | Music & Film |
Tuesday | Jun 14 | 7:00 PM | Chairlift | Coffey Park | BK | Music |
Wednesday | Jun 15 | 7:00 PM | Just Blaze and Friends, in association with MeanRed | Coffey Park | BK | Music |
Wednesday | Jun 15 | 7:00 PM | Yiddish Soul: A Concert of Cantorial
and Chassidic Superstars |
Central Park | MN | Music |
Thursday | Jun 16 | 7:00 PM | Blonde Redhead | Coffey Park | BK | Music |
Friday | Jun 17 | 7:00 PM | Liza Jessie Peterson / LuQuantumleap | Coffey Park | BK | Theater |
Saturday | Jun 18 | 7:00 PM | Dance on the Lawn / Master Class: Calvin Wiley | Coffey Park | BK | Dance |
Saturday | Jun 18 | 6:00 PM | Kamasi Washington, in association
with Blue Note Jazz Festival |
Central Park | MN | Music |
Sunday | Jun 19 | 4:00 PM | DJ Rich Medina / RAAA / Urban Word & Hi-Arts: Journal to
Journey / Ziearre |
Coffey Park | BK | Family |
Monday | Jun 20 | 7:00 PM | Screening:
In My Father’s House with Q&A with Rhymefest, in association with ImageNation |
Saratoga Park | BK | Film |
Tuesday | Jun 21 | 6:00 PM | Fête
de la Musique: CharlElie Couture / Yael Naim / General Elektriks / La Femme |
Central Park | MN | Music |
Tuesday | Jun 21 | 7:00 PM | Public Enemy / DJ Tedsmooth | Betsy Head Park | BK | Music |
Wednesday | Jun 22 | 7:00 PM | Angie Stone / DJ Chuck Chillout | Betsy Head Park | BK | Music |
Wednesday | Jun 22 | 8:00 PM | Metropolitan Opera Summer Recital
Series featuring Angel Blue, Ben Bliss, Alexey Lavrov, and Dan Saunders |
Central Park | MN | Music |
Thursday | Jun 23 | 7:00 PM | Duck Down BBQ | Betsy Head Park | BK | Music |
Friday | Jun 24 | 7:00 PM | Nuyorican Poets Cafe featuring
Mahogany Browne’s Redbone and reg e gaines’ The Last Celebrity |
Betsy Head Park | BK | Theater |
Friday | Jun 24 | 7:00 PM | Metropolitan Opera Summer Recital Series featuring Angel
Blue, Ben Bliss, Alexey Lavrov, and Dan Saunders |
Brooklyn Bridge Park | BK | Music |
Saturday | Jun 25 | 7:00 PM | Brooklyn Dance Festival / Master Class: Mr. Kid | Betsy Head Park | BK | Dance |
Saturday | Jun 25 | 3:00 PM | Butler, Bernstein, and the Hot 9
/ The Hot Sardines / Bria Skonberg and the New York Hot Jazz Festival All-Stars featuring Anat Cohen, Vince Giordano, Joe Saylor and Dalton Ridenhour, in association with the New York Hot Jazz Festival |
Central Park | MN | Music |
Sunday | Jun 26 | 4:00 PM | Christian Cultural Center C3 Choir / Mr. Reed / Boots Step
Team / DJ Styff, in association with ARTs East New York Inc. |
Betsy Head Park | BK | Family |
Sunday | Jun 26 | 7:00 PM | DJ Gringo / Screening:
Queen Nanny: Legendary Maroon Chieftainess, in association with African Film Festival, Inc. |
Betsy Head Park | BK | Music & Film |
Sunday | Jun 26 | 5:00 PM | Only in Queens Summer Festival featuring Ginuwine / Mack
Wilds / Kid ‘n Play / DJ Camilo |
Flushing Meadows Corona Park | QN | Music |
Sunday | Jun 26 | 8:00 PM | Comedy Central Presents: The Daily
Show with Trevor Noah Stand-Up in the Park |
Central Park | MN | Comedy |
Monday | Jun 27 | 7:00 PM | Felix Hernandez’s Rhythm Revue / Screening:
20 Feet From Stardom, in association with ImageNation |
Saratoga Park | BK | Music & Film |
Monday | Jun 27 | 7:00 PM | Indigo Girls / Lucy Wainwright Roche | Central Park | MN | Music |
Tuesday | Jun 28 | 7:00 PM | Lisa Simone / Screening:
What Happened Miss Simone?, in association with ImageNation |
Herbert Von King Park | BK | Music & Film |
Wednesday | Jun 29 | 8:00 PM | Screening:
A Ballerina’s Tale / Jeremy McQueen’s Black Iris Project / Pre-Show Panel |
Central Park | MN | Dance & Film |
Wednesday | Jun 29 | 7:00 PM | Soul in the Horn featuring Theo Croker, Maurice Mobetta
Brown, Marcus Machado / Kendra Foster / DJ Natasha Diggs. Hosted by DProsper. |
Herbert Von King Park | BK | Music |
Thursday | Jun 30 | 7:00 PM | Vivian Green / GrandWizzard Theodore | Herbert Von King Park | BK | Music |
Friday | Jul 1 | 7:00 PM | Maimouna Keita Dance Company / Master Class | Herbert Von King Park | BK | Dance |
Saturday | Jul 2 | 7:00 PM | Freedom Party®
13th Anniversary |
Central Park | MN | Music |
Saturday | Jul 2 | 7:00 PM | Everyday People | Herbert Von King Park | BK | Music |
Sunday | Jul 3 | 3:00 PM | King Sunny Adé / Orlando Julius and
the Afro Soundz / DJ Rich Medina, in association with World Music Institute |
Central Park | MN | Music |
Sunday | Jul 3 | 7:00 PM | Trouble Funk / Operator Emz | Herbert Von King Park | BK | Music |
Tuesday | Jul 5 | 7:00 PM | George Lamond / DJ Lucho | Crotona Park | BX | Music |
Wednesday | Jul 6 | 6:00 PM | Mexrrissey / Los Cafres / La Dame
Blanche, in association with Latin Alternative Music Conference |
Central Park | MN | Music |
Wednesday | Jul 6 | 7:00 PM | Fat Joe / Tony Touch hosted by Lyricist Lounge | Crotona Park | BX | Music |
Thursday | Jul 7 | 7:00 PM | Tribute to Latin Jazz Great Dave Valentin | Crotona Park | BX | Music |
Thursday | Jul 7 | 7:00 PM | Metropolitan Opera Summer Recital Series featuring Michelle
Bradley, Kang Wang, Yunpeng Wang, and Dan Saunders |
Clove Lakes Park | SI | Music |
Friday | Jul 8 | 6:00 PM | Leon Larregui / Rodrigo Amarante
/ Grenda, in association with Latin Alternative Music Conference |
Central Park | MN | Music |
Friday | Jul 8 | 7:00 PM | Nuyorican Poets Cafe: Craig ‘muMs’ Grant’s “A Sucker Emcee” | Crotona Park | BX | Theater |
Varies | Jul 8 – Jul 31 | 8:00 PM | Classical Theatre of Harlem Presents
Macbeth |
Marcus Garvey Park | MN | Theater |
Saturday | Jul 9 | 7:00 PM | Acrobuffos / Rob & Miss Jane / Sxip’s Hour of Charm / It’s
Showtime NYC |
Crotona Park | BX | Circus |
Saturday | Jul 9 | 7:00 PM | Metropolitan Opera Summer Recital Series featuring Michelle
Bradley, Kang Wang, Yunpeng Wang, and Dan Saunders |
Jackie Robinson Park | MN | Music |
Sunday | Jul 10 | 3:00 PM | Justin Roberts & the Not Ready For
Naptime Players / Mister G / Excerpts from Finding Neverland / Gizmo Guys |
Central Park | MN | Family |
Sunday | Jul 10 | 7:00 PM | DJ Kool Herc / Little Shalimar / Screening:
Rubble Kings |
Crotona Park | BX | Music & Film |
Monday | Jul 11 | 7:00 PM | The Metropolitan Opera Summer Recital Series featuring
Michelle Bradley, Kang Wang, Yunpeng Wang, and Dan Saunders |
Socrates Sculpture Park | QN | Music |
Tuesday | Jul 12 | 7:00 PM | Johnny Rivera / Joan Català | St. Mary’s Park | BX | Music |
Wednesday | Jul 13 | 7:00 PM | Joe Bataan Meets Setenta / Joan Català | St. Mary’s Park | BX | Music |
Wednesday | Jul 13 | 7:00 PM | The Metropolitan Opera Summer Recital Series featuring
Michelle Bradley, Kang Wang, Yunpeng Wang, and Dan Saunders |
Crotona Park | BX | Music |
Thursday | Jul 14 | 7:00 PM | Tito Rojas | St. Mary’s Park | BX | Music |
Friday | Jul 15 | 7:00 PM | Felix Hernandez’s Rhythm Revue / Screening:
We Like It Like That |
St. Mary’s Park | BX | Music & Film |
Saturday | Jul 16 | 6:00 PM | Taiwanese Waves: Anpu / Wonfu / Sunset
Rollercoaster |
Central Park | MN | Music |
Saturday | Jul 16 | 7:00 PM | Full Circle Souljahs Presents:
From The Streets To The Stage/Behind The Groove / Master Class: Kwikstep and Rokafella |
St. Mary’s Park | BX | Dance |
Sunday | Jul 17 | 4:00 PM | Legacy Women / Recess Monkey / Music with a Message / Double
Dutch Dreamz |
St. Mary’s Park | BX | Family |
Sunday | Jul 17 | 3:00 PM | Paulo Flores / Herencia de Timbiquí
/ Monsieur Periné / DJ Greg Caz / DJ Manny |
Central Park | MN | Music |
Monday | Jul 18 | 7:00 PM | The Feelies / Beach Fossils | Central Park | MN | Music |
Tuesday | Jul 26 | 7:00 PM | Black Moon & Smif-N-Wessun, performing
a tribute to Enta Da Stage & Dah Shinin’ |
Queensbridge | QN | Music |
Wednesday | Jul 27 | 8:00 PM | Complexions Contemporary Ballet /
Carolyn Dorfman |
Central Park | MN | Dance |
Wednesday | Jul 27 | 7:00 PM | Dianne Reeves / DJ Greg Caz | Queensbridge Park | QU | Music |
Thursday | Jul 28 | 7:00 PM | Lyfe Jennings | Queensbridge Park | QU | Music |
Friday | Jul 29 | 7:00 PM | Nuyorican Poets Cafe: Paolo Javier and Maria Lisella host
a night of Queens Poets |
Queensbridge Park | QU | Theater |
Saturday | Jul 30 | 7:00 PM | Stefanie Batten Bland with Burnt Sugar the Arkestra Chamber
/ Master Class: Karisma Jay |
Queensbridge Park | QU | Dance |
Saturday | Jul 30 | 7:00 PM | Unknown Mortal Orchestra / Empress
Of, in association with Okayfuture |
Central Park | MN | Music |
Sunday | Jul 31 | 4:00 PM | Marc Cary: The Harlem Jam Sessions / Joseph Webb: Dancing
Buddhas / WBGO Kids Jazz Concert Featuring Brianna Thomas & The Jazz Travelers |
Queensbridge Park | QU | Family |
Sunday | Jul 31 | 7:00 PM | Rock Steady Crew 39th Anniversary
with Nice & Smooth / Bahamadia / Doug E. Fresh and more |
Central Park | MN | Music |
Tuesday | Aug 2 | 7:00 PM | Jon B | Clove Lakes Park | SI | Music |
Wednesday
|
Aug 3 | 7:00 PM | Screening:
Kirikou and the Wild Beasts / Orisha’s Journey / DJ Djib Sayo, in association with African Film Festival |
Clove Lakes Park | SI | Music & Film |
Thursday | Aug 4 | 7:00 PM | Jungle Brothers / G-Bo the Pro | Clove Lakes Park | SI | Music |
Friday | Aug 5 | 7:00 PM | Terence Blanchard Featuring The E-Collective | Clove Lakes Park | SI | Music |
Saturday | Aug 6 | 6:00 PM | Monobloco / Cabruêra / Boogarins
/ DJ Luiz Santos, in association with Brasil Summerfest / Pre-Show Panel |
Central Park | MN | Music |
Saturday | Aug 6 | 7:00 PM | Complexions Contemporary Ballet / Master Class: Jamel Gaines | Clove Lakes Park | SI | Dance |
Sunday | Aug 7 | 4:00 PM | Secret Agent 23 Skidoo / Sierra Leone Dance Troupe / Wahoo
Skiffle Crazies, in association with the Staten Island Arts Folklife |
Clove Lakes Park | SI | Family |
Sunday | Aug 7 | 7:00 PM | Igmar Thomas & the Revive Big Band
present: A Journey Through the Legacy of Black Culture, produced by Revive Music / Pre-Show Panel |
Central Park | MN | Music |
Tuesday | Aug 9 | 7:00 PM | Neon Indian | East River Park | MN | Music |
Wednesday | Aug 10 | 7:00 PM | “We Play For You, Butch Morris” featuring Nublu Orchestra
/ DarkMatterHalo with Wadada Leo Smith / Screening: Black February |
East River Park | MN | Music |
Wednesday | Aug 10 | 8:00 PM | Tamar-kali with ASE Dance Theatre Collective / Nathan Trice Rituals | Central Park | MN | Dance |
Thursday | Aug 11 | 7:00 PM | Tony Vega | East River Park | MN | Music |
Friday | Aug 12 | 7:00 PM | Roger Guenveur Smith “RODNEY KING” | East River Park | MN | Theater |
Saturday | Aug 13 | 7:00 PM | Carolyn Dorfman / Master Class: Theresa Lavington | East River Park | MN | Dance |
Sunday | Aug 14 | 6:00 PM | Mbongwana Star / Batida / Young Paris / Okayafrica Electrafrique
feat. DJ Underdog / Pre-Show Panel |
Central Park | MN | Music |
Sunday | Aug 14 | 4:00 PM | DJ Spinna celebrates Earth Wind & Fire / Shine & the Moonbeams | East River Park | MN | Family |
Tuesday | Aug 16 | 7:00 PM | Alpha Blondy | Marcus Garvey Park | MN | Music |
Wednesday | Aug 17 | 7:00 PM | Saul Williams / Kimberly Nichole | Marcus Garvey Park | MN | Music |
Wednesday | Aug 17 | 8:00 PM | DJ KS 360 & Full Circle Souljahs
Presents: Behind The Groove / Soul Connected / Raphael Xavier |
Central Park | MN | Dance |
Thursday | Aug 18 | 7:00 PM | Tamar-kali with ASE Dance Collective / Master Class: Calvin
Wiley |
Marcus Garvey Park | MN | Dance |
Friday | Aug 19 | 7:00 | Nathan Trice Rituals /
Harlem School of the Arts Young Dance Alliance / Master Class: Calvin Wiley |
Marcus Garvey Park | MN | Dance |
Saturday & Sunday | Aug 20-21 | 7:00 PM | Kalabantè Circus / Iron Skulls & Quim Moya / Sxip’s Hour
of Charm |
Marcus Garvey Park | MN | Circus |
Sunday | Aug 21 | 3:00 PM | Sweet Micky / MHD / DJ Erick La Peau | Central Park | MN | Music |
Friday | Aug 26 | 7:00 PM | Jason Lindner: Breeding Ground / DJ Greg Caz | Marcus Garvey Park | MN | Music |
Saturday | Aug 27 | 3:00 PM | Randy Weston African Rhythms Sextet / Cory Henry & the
Funk Apostles / The Artistry of Jazzmeia Horn / Charles Turner III / Master Class: Samuel Coleman |
Marcus Garvey Park | MN | Music |
Sunday | Aug 28 | 3:00 PM | DeJohnette – Moran – Holland / Allan Harris / Donnie McCaslin
Group / Grace Kelly |
Tompkins Square Park | MN | Music |
Sunday | Aug 28 | 3:00 PM | GoldLink / Backyard Band / DJ Spicoli,
in association with MeanRed |
Central Park | MN | Music |
Wednesday | Aug 31 | 8:00 PM | Chicago The Musical: 20th Anniversary
Concert |
Central Park | MN | Theater |
SummerStage 2016 Benefit Show Schedule
Day | Date | Time | Artist | Park | Boro | Genre |
Monday | May 16 | 6:00 PM | The Bowery Presents: Cage the Elephant
/ Portugal. The Man / BRONCHO [SOLD OUT] |
Central Park | MN | Music
|
Tuesday | May 17 | 6:00 PM | The Bowery Presents: Cage the Elephant
/ Portugal. The Man / BRONCHO |
Central Park | MN | Music |
Wednesday | May 18 | 6:00 PM | The Bowery Presents: Rudimental /
Gorgon City / Walker & Royce |
Central Park | MN | Music |
Monday | Jun 13 | 6:00 PM | Live Nation presents: Barenaked Ladies
/ Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark / Howard Jones |
Central Park | MN | Music
|
Wednesday | July 20 | 7:00 PM | Live Nation presents: Ryan Adams
& The Shining |
Central Park | MN | Music |
Sunday | Jul 24 | 6:00 PM | AEG presents: Flight of the Conchords
Sing Flight of the Conchords [SOLD OUT] |
Central Park | MN | Music |
Monday | Jul 25 | Mass Appeal:
Live at the BBQ |
Central Park | MN | Music | |
Monday | Aug 1 | 7:00 PM | Live Nation presents: Garbage | Central Park | MN | Music |
Wednesday | Aug 3 | 6:00 PM | Live Nation presents: Phillip Phillips
/ Matt Nathanson / A Great Big World |
Central Park | MN | Music |
Monday | Aug 8 | 7:00 PM | Live Nation presents: Jerry Garcia
Symphonic Celebration featuring Warren Haynes |
Central Park | MN | Music |
Saturday | Aug 13 | 6:30 PM | Live Nation presents: The Go-Go’s
Farewell Tour |
Central Park | MN | Music |
Friday | Sep 23 | 7:00 PM | The Bowery Presents: Lucius / JD
McPherson / Big Thief |
Central Park | MN | Music |
About City
Parks Foundation
City Parks Foundation is the only independent, nonprofit organization whose mission is to offer programs in public parks throughout the five boroughs of New York City. At City Parks Foundation, we are dedicated to invigorating and transforming parks into dynamic, vibrant centers of urban life through sports, arts, community development, and education programs for all New Yorkers. Our programs and community building initiatives — located in more than 300 parks, recreation centers, and public schools across the city — reach 425,000 people each year. Our ethos is simple: we believe thriving parks reflect thriving communities.
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