Free Concerts - Central Park Summer Stage, June 8th - September 16th

Five years ago I was a punk kid with minimum income who spent most of his summer looking for shit to do during the summer. Currently, I'm a young adult working and living in the city and trying to spend as much time and as little cash outside as possible. Thankfully, many NYScenters share my plight and thus a market has been created for really good cheap/free entertainment. Next up on NYCUG's profile of free concert series in NYC is The SummerStage in Central Park. This series hosts numerous events throughout the summer ranging from music to dance, and even spoken word. Many of the events are free, while others require advance tickets and serve as benefits for the summer series.

The series kicked of 6/8 with a benefit show featuring Common and Joss Stone. If you haven't already begun taking advantage, start today 6/24, with Canada Day! Featuring Broken Social Scene offshoot Apostle of Hustle. Some other concerts that i'm marking on my personal schedule include Rodrigo y Gabriela (7/1), Junior Reid (7/8), Femi Kuti & the Positive Force(7/11), Grizzly Bear and the Decemberist (7/16 - Paid), Neko Case (7/20), Brazilian Girls (7/22), Wildstyle 25th Anniversary Reunion: A celebration of the beginnings of Hip-Hop (7/29).

Central Park Summer Stage is the largest, most diverse, and longest running public event series in NYC... I'm a big fan and would actually love to work with them in the future. Check out their website and full event schedule. I'd be surprised if you didn't find something worth attending, especially since it won't cost much but your time and energy.



Full Schedule

Sunday, June 24: 3-6 p.m.
Canada Day!: Sloan, Apostle of Hustle, Duhks
Our annual showcase of music from our Northern neighbors.
Free

Thursday, June 28: 6:30-10 p.m.
The Levon Helm Band
SummerStage Benefit Concert Ticket Information

Saturday, June 30: 3-6 p.m.
Ozomatli, Babylon Circus, DJ Joro Boro
It’s a day of fusing music styles at Summerstage.
Free

Sunday, July 1: 3-6 p.m.
Rodrigo y Gabriela, Vietnam, JDH and DAVE P
Two acoustic guitarists kick up a noise and a rock foursome lay down the feedback frenzy as SummerStage welcomes July.
Free

Friday, July 6: 8-10 p.m.
Ronald K.

Brown / Evidence, Full Circle Soul Productions
SummerStage showcases African-American dance in all its complex and varied glory.
Free

Saturday, July 7: 3-6 p.m.
Cinematic Orchestra, RAMP, El Michels Affair, Kevin Michael, DJ Spinna
The art of the groove is on full display for this mid-summer event.
Free

Sunday, July 8: 3-6 p.m.
Junior Reid, Djakout Mizik, Diams, Black Alex & Mecca a.k.a "GRIMMO", Wyclef Jean & Papa Jube
The rhythms of the Caribbean will be in full effect at this event.
Free

Monday, July 9: 6-10 p.m.
Bob Weir & Rat Dog, Keller Williams
SummerStage Benefit Concert Ticket Information

Tuesday, July 10: 7-10 p.m.
Nortec Collective, Fedrico Aubele, Film screening: So What's Your Price?
This night’s artists explore globalization in music and film.
Free

Wednesday, July 11: 7-10 p.m.
Femi Kuti & The Positive Force, DJ Rich Medina [rb]Film screening: Music Is a Weapon
The power of Afrobeat is showcased live and on film.
Free

Saturday, July 14: 3-6 p.m.
Café Tacuba, Pacha Massive, La Sista
Program featuring three Latin artists who’ve incorporated rock, hip-hop and electronica into their sound.
Free

Sunday, July 15: 3-6 p.m.
Global Family Day: Hip-Hop Harry, Sippy Cups, Break!
Kids music that will not bore their parents to tears.
Free

Monday, July 16: 6:30-10 p.m.
The Decemberists, Grizzly Bear, Land of Talk
SummerStage Benefit Concert Ticket Information

Thursday, July 19: 7:30-10 p.m.
UCB Theatre's Comedy Cabaret: Human Giant, Demetri Martin, Rebecca Drysdale, The Defibrillators
New York’s best up-and-coming comedians.
Free

Friday, July 20: 7-10 p.m.
Neko Case, Eric Bachman
Country and folk get an update through the highly personal work of two great singer-songwriters.
Free

Saturday, July 21: 3-6 p.m.
Shrhabeel Ahmed, Aboaraki Al Bkheid, Yousif El Moseley, Hadia "Al Balabil" (Humming Bird), Ali Al Segid, Rasha Sheikh Aldein, Al Wareef Sheikh Aldein, Brides of the Nile Dance Group, Emmanuel (South of Sudan), Omer Ehsas (Darfur), The Nile Music Orchestra
A showcase of the music and culture of Sudan.
Free

Sunday, July 22: 3-6 p.m.
Brazilian Girls, Cat Empire, HIMALAYAS conducted by Kenny Wollesen & Jonathon Haffner
Two groove-heavy groups and an avant-garde marching band.
Free

Thursday, July 26: 7:30-10 p.m.
Marisha Pessl, Jennifer Egan
Two novelists read from acclaimed recent works.
Free

Friday, July 27: 8-10 p.m.
David Parsons Dance, Cedar Lake Contemporary Ballet
An evening of dance from two of New York’s most exciting modern companies.
Free

Saturday, July 28: 7-10 p.m.
Liz McComb, King Britt presents Sister Gertrude Morgan featuring Ben Jaffe
A special gospel evening.
Free

Sunday, July 29: 7-10 p.m.
Wild Style 25th Anniversary Reunion: The Chief Rocker Busy Bee, The Cold Crush Brothers, GrandMaster Caz, DJ GrandWizzard Theodore, Fab 5 Freddy + special guests, Film screening of Wild Style
A grand celebration of the beginnings of hip-hop.
Free

Thursday, August 2: 7:30-10 p.m.
Amiri Baraka, Sonia Sanchez
Two literary giants from the Black Power era.
Free

Friday, August 3: 8-10 p.m.
Philadelphia Dance Company (Philadanco), Camille A Brown & Dancers
Two companies with unique visions of modern dance.
Free

Saturday, August 4: 3-6 p.m.
Spanish Harlem Orchestra, Spam Allstars, Tato Torres Y Yerba Buena, Bobbito Garcia a.k.a Kool Bob Love
Classic salsa, Latin electronica and Boricuan rhythms.
Free

Sunday, August 5: 7-10 p.m.
Cine Fest Brasil: AfroReggae Film screening: Zuzu Angel
The sounds and sights of Brazil.
Free

Thursday, August 9: 6-10 p.m.
Black Crowes
SummerStage Benefit Concert Ticket Information

Friday, August 10: 8-10 p.m.
Complexions Contemporary Ballet, TAKE Dance Company
Evening of dance includes works of explosive creativity and calm command.
Free

Saturday, August 11: 3-6 p.m.
Celebrate New Orleans: Soul to Soul III, Galactic & special guests Big Chief Monk Boudreaux & The Golden Eagle Mardi Gras Indians & Soul Rebel Brass Band
Our annual celebration of the Big Easy with jam band sounds and deep second-line voodoo.
Free

Sunday, August 12: 3-6 p.m.
Zap Mama, Angelique Kidjo, K'Naan
The music of the African continent is brought to life.
Free

Sunday, August 19: 6:30-9:30 p.m.
Rufus Wainwright
SummerStage Benefit Concert Ticket Information

Sunday, September 16: 1:30-6 p.m.
New York World Festival - Sounds of the Mediterranean: Hassan Hakmoun, Orchestre de Tanger, Amalia Papastefanou, Chris Tiktapanides, Dimonis de Mallorca
The music of the Meditarrean and North Africa will be celebrated this special day of performance and education.
Free