Music in the Park (and Comedy too)
So one of the best things about summer in the city – aside from all the adorable warm-weather fashions that Kai keeps digging up – is the plethora of outdoor concerts, shows, and other events that go on all throughout town from May to September – many of them free! I’ve been fortunate enough to attend a handful of these recently and hey, you can’t beat the mix of high and low culture, good weather and great company (and maybe some wine). Show up early to get a good seat, or just show up late and try your luck. A few ideas after the jump!
Concerts at the Naumburg Bandshell
I went to the first in a series of four classical music concerts at the Naumberg Bandshell last night. The bandshell, built in 1923, is a beautiful, classically designed half-dome that houses an acoustically powerful stage for live music performance. Last night’s Bach program featured a group of young musicians called The Knights with soloist Lara St. John, an accomplished violinist from Canada. Chairs are provided, although like most free concerts, you need to get there pretty early (i.e. 45 minutes to an hour in advance) to score one. Fortunately the bandshell is also located amidst rows of park benches, so it was easy enough to sit there and watch the performance. Bring some food and prepare to relax. The sun set during the concert and listening to live music while watching the sky go from blue to pink to purple to dark is a pretty great experience. The full list of concerts and the history of the concert program (which has been going on for a hundred years!) can be found here.
The bandshell is located in Central Park, just south of the 72nd street crossing – enter the park from the east or west side (it’s closer to the east), and it’s just south of Bethesda fountain, in the center of the area known as the Mall.
Events at Damrosch Park
Damrosch Park is an outdoor performance venue at Lincoln Center, entrance near Amsterdam Avenue at 62nd street. A few weeks ago we attended a free performance of Yo-Yo Ma’s Silk Road Ensemble there, a real treat. Plenty of chairs are provided and guests are welcome to bring food, although bottles and coolers are frowned upon. The line starts early – as early as 6, for an 8 PM performance – but there are lots of seats, and a large screen in the back broadcast the show to people sitting too far away for a good view.
For three weeks in July, Damrosch Park will be home to the annual Midsummer Night Swing, fifteen nights of salsa, tango, soul, swing, jazz, rockabilly and who knows what else. There’ll be a big dance floor so you can kick up your heels and rock the night away to the tunes of some of the best musicians and DJs in the country. Sounds like fun, no? Unfortunately this one isn’t free – tickets are $15 each, and you’re instructed to leave bags and food at home (to make room for more dancing!).
Come August, however, prices go down as Lincoln Center Out Of Doors hosts 2 1/2 weeks of free performances at Damrosch and nearby venues. Expect a little of everything — classical, jazz, international music, family-friendly shows — and show up early to get a good seat.
Central Park Summerstage
The annual Central Park Summerstage Performing Arts Festival features free shows all season long. Located at Rumsey Playfield, just east of the Naumburg bandshell in the Central Park, Summerstage performances include stand-up comedy, puppet shows, jazz, opera, reggae, dance, film .. frankly too many variations to count. Check out the performance calendar at the site. As always, show up early to get a chair, or bring a blanket and sit on the grass. If you get there after the gates close, you can usually score a spot on the lawns or rocks surrounding the venue – where you might not get the best view, but you’ll still be able to hear the music (and chat with your friends at the same time).
That’s it for now .. enjoy and happy summer!
