2. SummerStage
“Privately Funded, Publicly Enjoyed”
SummerStage is New York’s largest free performing arts festival bringing
over 100 shows to 18 parks throughout the five boroughs. The main stage
at Central Park will feature free shows by artists including Yo-Yo Ma and
Pink Martini plus the Blue Note Jazz festival which includes performances
by Medeski Martin & Wood. Some highlights from the outer boroughs
include Talib Kweli at Red Hook Park and the Charlie Parker Jazz Festival at
Tompkins Square Park.
Photo Credit: summerstage.org
3. Good Morning America Concert Series
in Central Park
If you’re an early bird, then this concert series is made for you! Lady
Gaga kicked off Good Morning America’s Summer Concert Series but
other big names such as Jennifer Hudson, Florence and the
Machine, Beyonce, Brad Paisley and Nicki Minaj will be hitting the
stage at Rumsey Playfield all throughout the summer.
Photo Credit: Good Morning America
4. Today Show at Rockefeller Plaza
What better place to see your favorite artist than right
smack dab in the middle of Manhattan? American Idol
winner Scotty McCreery and runner up Lauren Alaina as
well as Kenny Chesney, Cee Lo Green, Maroon 5 and
Enrique Iglesias will be stopping by Rockefeller Plaza this
season for some songs and fun in the sun at the Today
Show’s Toyota Concert Series.
Photo Credit: Today Show
5. South Street Seaport Concert Series
The Seaport will be rockin’
every Friday and Sunday for
their summer-long concert
series. Ted Leo and the
Pharmacists have played the
festival every year since it
kicked off 10 years ago and
they’ll be back again this time.
Other bands to check out
include Lower Dens, The Wake
and My Teenage Stride.
Photo Credit: seaportmusicfestival.com
6. 4Knots Music Festival
For those of you who like to say “I
knew them when…” the Village
Voice is here to bring you some of
the best artists in the indie music
scene. The Black Angels, Davila 666
and Oberhofer will be playing the
Voice’s 4Knots Music Festival on July
16 at South Street Seaport’s Pier 17.
Photo Credit: voicemediagroup.com
7. Met in the Park
Can’t get to the opera? No problem, the opera is coming to you!
The Metropolitan Opera is bring six performances to parks across
all five boroughs this July featuring rising opera stars soprano
Angela Meade, mezzo-soprano Jennifer Johnson Cano and tenor
Dimitri Pittas.
Photo Credit: metoperafamily.org
8. Naumburg Orchestral Concerts
Since 1905, the Naumburg Orchestral
Concerts has continuously presented
free, outdoor classical music concerts.
Today, the concerts feature promising
new talent and promote the
professional development of young
composers and conductors. It is the
oldest such concert series in the
United States.
Photo Credit: naumburgconcerts.org
9. Washington Square Music Festival
The Washington Square Music Festival celebrates its 53rd season
of free classical and jazz concerts in 2011. This free outdoor
concert series showcases classical music and jazz, performed by
musicians who regularly play at Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center and
the Brooklyn Academy of Music. Concerts are held on Tuesdays,
starting at 8pm
Photo Credit: washingtonsquarefestival.org
10. Broadway in Bryant Park
Performers from Broadway shows perform
2-3 songs during these hour-long lunchtime
concerts. There are plenty of chairs and
tables throughout Bryant Park, though you
may want to bring a blanket if you want to
sit on the grass. Join host Helen Little as
they kick off Broadway in Bryant Park 2011
with a special performance by the cast of
Memphis!
Photo Credit: bryanpark.org
11. Celebrate Brooklyn!
This festival has presented over
2,000 artists and ensembles
reflective of the borough's
diversity, ranging from
internationally acclaimed
performers to emerging,
cutting-edge artists. Past
performers include Talib Kweli,
Ladysmith Black Mambazo and
the Lincoln Center Jazz
Orchestra.
Photo Credit: bricartsmedia.org
