The Insider's Guide to Summer Music
Years ago, New York's cultural scene was dead over the summer, but no more. Here are selected listings of the best outdoor music you can catch this summer. To keep up with the latest concert info, see our online Events Calendar. And check out Membership at wfuv.org to get a Festival Blanket to take with you.
CENTRAL PARK SUMMERSTAGE
Rumsey Playfield
Where: Rumsey Playfield located at 69th St, mid-park, Central Park
When: Through July 18
Highlights:
David Byrne* - June 29
Music of Nick Drake - July 2
Blind Boys of Alabama /
Citizen Cope - July 10
Shelby Lynne / Alana Davis - July 15
Celebrate New Orleans: Kermit Ruffins & the Barbecue Swingers /
Donald Harrison & New Mardi Gras Sound / Rebirth Brass Band - July 16
Femi Kuti / Brazilian Girls - July 17
Lyle Lovett* - July18
Elvis Costello and the Impostors featuring Emmylou Harris* - July 19
Dan Zanes & Friends / Batoto Yetu - July 24
MC5 / The Sun Ra Arkestra - July 30
Patti Smith / Janet Hamill &
Morning Star - August 4
Pianos in the Park: Brad Mehldau /
Jason Moran & the Bandwagon /
Eric Lewis - August 5
Death Cab for Cutie w/ The Decemberists and Stars* - August 18
How to get tickets: Tickets for benefit concerts (*) are available at www.ticketmaster.com. Others are free (with suggested $10 donation). All concerts are general admission, rain-or-shine.
Information: 212-360-2777 or www.summerstage.org
FYI: Enter under the covered walkway between Summerstage and the bandshell – the lines are much shorter! If a concert sells out, you can still hear the music clearly in the park outside Rumsey Playfield.
This is their 20th season!
CELEBRATE BROOKLYN
Prospect Park
Where: Prospect Park Bandshell, at Prospect Park W. & 9th St. in Park Slope, Brooklyn.
When: Through August 7
Highlights:
The Del McCoury Band / Chip Taylor &
Carrie Rodriguez - June 30, 7:30pm
Polygraph Lounge / Laurie Berkner - July 9, 5:00pm
Ozomatli / Pacha - July 14, 7:30pm
Charlie Musselwhite / Bettye Lavette - July 15, 7:30pm
Rufus Wainwright / Ben Folds* - August 4, 7:00pm
Kasey Chambers / The Greencards - August 6, 7:30pm
How to get tickets: Suggested donation of $3 at the gate.
* Special prices for benefit concerts.
Information: www.briconline.org
FYI: Prospect Park is easily accessible via the F, 2, 3, and Q subway lines. Parking can be difficult. Please do not double park or leave your car illegally parked around Prospect Park or on the side streets. It will be ticketed and/or towed.
RIVER TO RIVER FESTIVAL
South Street Seaport
Where: Pier 17 at South Street Seaport
When: Through August 26, 6-9pm
Highlights:
Sarah Lee Guthrie and Johnny Irion w/ Ollabelle - June 30
• Graham Parker - July 7 Son Volt w/ Dr. Dog - July 14
Rodney Crowell - July 22
Chris Smither w/ Thea Gilmore - August 3
Chuck Prophet w/ Teddy Thompson - August 17
How to get tickets: No tickets required!
Information: www.RiverToRiverNYC.com
FYI: The Seaport is served by numerous subway lines. Stop at the Fulton Street or Broadway-Nassau station and walk east on Fulton to Water Street. There are also parking lots in the area.
RIVER TO RIVER FESTIVAL
Concerts Downtown
Where: World Financial Center (WFC) Rockefeller Park (RP), Battery Park (BP)
When: Through August 10, 7pm
Highlights:
Garth Hudson - June 29(RP)
Yo La Tengo/Stephen Malkmus/The Jicks - July 4(BP)*
Fab Faux w/ Willie Nile - July 12(WFC)
The Waifs and Jimmie Dale Gilmore - July 26(WFC)
Ronnie Spector and The Uptown Horns - August 3(RP)
How to get tickets: All concerts are free!
* This special holiday concert takes place at 3:30pm on the lawn of Battery Park
Information: www.RiverToRiverNYC.com
FYI: You can enjoy live music and a lovely sunset overlooking the Hudson.
RIVER TO RIVER FESTIVAL
Concerts at Castle Clinton
Where: Castle Clinton, Battery Park
When: July 7- August 4, 7pm
Highlights:
Clem Snide - July 7
Calexico - July14
M. Ward - July 21
Robert Earl Keen - July 28
McCoy Tyner - August 4
How to get tickets: Tickets are free and distributed on a first-come, first-served basis at Castle Clinton starting at 5:00 pm on concert day.
Information: www.RiverToRiverNYC.com
FYI: Concerts are held in the courtyard of historic Castle Clinton, a national monument.
RIVER TO RIVER FESTIVAL
Dance Events in Battery Park
Where: Battery Park
When: September 14- September 17, 7:30pm
Highlights:
Ballet Hispanico (Tito Puente) & more - September 14
Parson Dance Company (George Harrison) & more - September 15
Merce Cunningham Dance Co.
Battery Park event - September 16
Renne Harris Puremovement (Classic hip-hop) & more - September 17
How to get Tickets: All performances are free.
Information: www.RiverToRiverNYC.com
FYI: Evening Stars is a four-day dance festival that's a finale to the summer.
THE NYC MUSIC CRUISE 2005
Where: Departing from 42nd Street and Hudson River Circle Line Pier 83
When: July 13- August 31
Highlights:
Buckwheat Zydeco - July 20
Hot Tuna - July 27
Roomful of Blues - August 3
Los Amigos Invisibles - August 10
The Radiators - August 17
Bo Diddley - August 24
How to get tickets: By phone at 212-630-8888 or online at Ticketweb.com. Tickets vary in price, but are typically $30 - $40.
Information: 212-560-BLUES or www.bluescruiseny.com
FYI: Check their website for additional concerts. It's a good idea to bring along a sweater or a windbreaker, because it can get cool on the water.
LONG ISLAND SUMMER FESTIVAL
Where: Planting Fields Arboretum State Historic Park Oyster Bay, L.I., N.Y.
When: Through August 27
Highlights:
Donovan - July 6, 7:30pm
Bo Diddley/ Nellie McKay - July 16, 8pm
Little Feat - July 23, 8pm
Nanci Griffith - July 30, 8pm
John Hiatt & The North Mississippi
Allstars - August 4, 7pm
Susan Tedeschi - August 10, 7pm
Arlo Guthrie & The Mammals - August 27, 7:30pm
How to get tickets: At www.ticketmaster.com or by contacting Friends of the Arts at 516-922-0061.
Information: www.fotapresents.org
FYI: You can purchase reserved seat tickets under the tent or lawn seating. Gates usually open 90 minutes before showtime. Come early and enjoy a picnic on the beautiful grounds.
FALCON RIDGE FOLK FESTIVAL
Where: Long Hill Farm, Rt. 23 in Hillsdale, NY, in the tri-state corner of Massachusetts, New York, and Connecticut
When: July 21- July 24
Highlights:
Dar Williams
Tracy Grammer
Ani DiFranco
Susan Werner
Acoustic Hot Tuna
Vance Gilbert
Eddie From Ohio
Jesse Colin Young
Eliza Gilkyson
The Nields
Chris Smither
The Kennedys
How to get tickets: By phone at 877-844-7742, online at www.falconridgefolk.com, or by mail: Falcon Ridge Folk Festival, 74 Modley Rd., Sharon, CT 06069. After July 1, four-day passes are $95 ($115 with on-site camping). Single day tickets range from $25- $35. Kids 12-16 are $45 (with four-day camping) and $30 (without camping). Children under 12 are free. Please leave your pets at home. They are not allowed on the festival grounds or in the onsite campground areas.
Information: 860-364-0366 or www.falconridgefolk.com
FYI: If you need a break from the music, check out the crafts area, dance stage, or family stage.
DUNKIN' DONUTS NEWPORT FOLK FESTIVAL
Where: Fort Adams State Park, Newport, RI
When: August 5- 7
Highlights:
Arlo Guthrie
Nanci Griffith
Elvis Costello & the Impostors
Emmylou Harris
Richard Thompson
Bright Eyes
Ray Lamontagne
Patty Griffin
Bela Fleck
Kasey Chambers
How to get tickets: Through www.ticketweb.com, by phone at 866-468-7619 or by mail at: P.O. Box 1221, Newport, RI 02840. (Include $4 check or money order.)
Tickets to Arlo Guthrie and Nanci Griffith concert August 5 at 8 pm, at Newport Casino, are $30, $45, and $75.
General admission tickets to Fort Adams events August 6-7 will be $48.00 for adults on Saturday, August 6 and $58.00 on Sunday. $5.00 for children between 2 and 12 either day. A limited number of Adult 2-Day Saturday/Sunday tickets are available for $90.00.
Information: www.newportfolk.com or 401-847-3700
FYI: The opening night Arlo Guthrie / Nanci Griffith concert at Newport Casino celebrates “Alice's Restaurant 40th Anniversary Massacree”
MIDSUMMER NIGHT SWING
Where: Lincoln Center
When: Through July 16
Highlights:
Duke Robillard - July 1
Rosie Flores w/ Wanda Jackson - July 5
Hot Club of New Orleans & New Orleans Nightcrawlers - July 12
The Clark Terry Band - July 16
How to get tickets: Tickets are required for access to the dance floor. They can be purchased by phone 212-721-6500, online at www.lincolncenter.org or on the day of the performance at Avery Fisher Hall (indoors) for that night's performance/lesson only.
FYI: Dance lessons precede the performances from 6:30-7:15. You can also enjoy the music for free anywhere on the fountain plaza.
LINCOLN CENTER OUT OF DOORS
Where: August 13- September 4
When: North Plaza and Damrosch Park Bandshell
Highlights:
Marcia Ball Blues Band / Dr. John - August 13, 8pm
World Dance Party - August 21, 4pm
ChoreoQuest - August 23, 5:30pm
Angelique Kidjo - August 26, 8pm
The Paul Winter Consort - September 2, 7:30pm
Sourdough Slim / David Francey - September 3, 3-6pm
Doc Watson - September 3, 8pm
The Highwaymen / Si Kahn - September 4, 3-6pm
Suzy Bogguss - September 4, 8pm
Ricky Skaggs and Kentucky Thunder - September 4, 9pm
How to get tickets: All concerts are free.
Information: www.lincolncenter.org
FYI: A multicultural celebration of music and dance in its 35th season
PHILADELPHIA FOLK FESTIVAL
Where: Schwenksville, PA
When: August 26-28
Highlights:
Emmylou Harris
David Grisman Quartet
Buddy Miller
Arlo Guthrie
Marcia Ball
Darol Anger
How to get tickets: Get tickets online at www.folkfest.org or call 215-247-1300
FYI: One of the oldest active folk festivals, now in its 44th year, it takes place on a farm outside of Philadelphia and is the model for festivals like Falcon Ridge, with camping, crafts, a dance tent, and kids' activities.
