Be patient, Central Park Summerstage is almost ready to deliver more than 100 free outdoor concerts to 17 New York city neighborhoods.
Despite the fact weather conditions have been just short of frightful, crews at the Rumsey Playfield — where the biggest free, outdoor concert series has been staged annually — have been relentless at the flagship central concert venue to meet next month’s deadline building of presenting a new look and sound.
Committed to offering a new state-of-the-art stage, refined sound-system, upgrade of their backstage area, elevating seats for better visibility, improved sound system and adding to the lighting weather has not factored with construction crews toiling at full throttle days, nights and even some weekends.
Their aim is to be ready in less than a month when funkmaster George Clinton and Parliament Funkadelic move into the park to provide heat and maybe compensate for the seemingly dreary spring by delivering on his One Nation Under A Groove Farewell tour to New York.
And while there is plenty to absorb while traversing the recently released 2019 schedule which is slated to last through to Fall, Caribbean audience can look forward to August 10 where a 40th anniversary celebration of VP Records, promise a showcase of talents featuring Elephant Man, Estelle, Junior Reid and Raging Fyah.
“The park will be lit,” Andy Williams, a reggae fan said.
Summerstage organizers have extended their audiences to connect with audiences in 16 neighborhood parks in every borough.
Calypso music lovers will find appeal and also “get lit” when The Mighty Sparrow arrives on July 5 with a bill to feature Casym Steel Orchestra for a free, outdoor concert at Springfield Park in Queens.
Later in the season look for another Summerstage concert date at Marcus Garvey Park in Harlem on Aug. 18. Headlined by the Wailers’ own Julian Junior Marvin with Queen Majesty, plenty of righteous reggae will keep the crowds in motion.
Parks in every borough will offer jazz, hip-hop, calypso, reggae, salsa, spoken word, Afrobeat, indie, dance and films from June to October — all free.
Brooklyn gets a bonus with a bonus beach, boardwalk and an amusement park at a Coney Island venue Summerstage proudly boasts as a sure attraction.
Most alluring too is the sky-show — an often added fireworks attraction on Fridays
For more check www.summe
BRIC in Brooklyn was first to announce the opening night attraction on June 4 of their 41st annual BRIC Celebrate Brooklyn! Festival at Prospect Park Bandshell.
Opening with Patti LaBelle crowds are sure to connect as she delivers flavorful samplings from her catalogue of hits when she led the trio The Bluebells and later LaBelle with Nona Hendryx and Sarah Dash as well as those she surpassed as a solo singer.
BRIC’s schedule with a shorter season runs to August but also packs a whoppingly diverse lineup. Look out for Salif Keitu on July 13 with Courtnee Roze on the schedule at www.brica
Lincoln Square Summer Concert Series on Thursday nights begin on June 6 and ends Aug. 29.
The Flat Cats will be first to deliver swing, jazz, blues, contemporary classics and music that will delight patrons willing to dance on the plaza during the free summer season.
Check their portal at www.linco
