The Central Park Blog » SummerStage

McCoy Tyner Swings at SummerStage

John Moore — Fri, 25 Jun 2010 03:33:39 +0000

McCoy Tyner at SummerStage

The Mccoy Tyner Quartet appeared Wednesday night at SummerStage and the band was just as hot as the 90 degree weather.Featuring Ravi Coltrane on saxophone, Esperanza Spalding on bass and Francisco Mela on drums the combo traded solos through a consistently tight set. McCoy Tyner has influenced two generations of jazz pianists, most notably Chick Corea, and he was at his best, coolly swinging through the summer heat. Ravi Coltrane has become an accomplished leader over the years and proved equal to the task of matching the master at his best. Combined with a rhythm section that grooved seamlessly with both, the performance made everyone forget the sweltering heat and get into the incomparable experience of world class jazz singing at the heart of Central Park.

Simon and Garfunkel at SummerStage

John Moore — Wed, 09 Jun 2010 19:52:06 +0000

Dar Williams & Stephen Kellogg

Last night’s SummerStage Gala Benefit to raise funds for the Parks Foundation’s free music festival featured the songs of Simon and Garfunkel, and what better way to celebrate summer in the city than by enjoying the music of New York’s most legendary singing duo. The weather was perfect and after being introduce by Mayor Bloomberg, Art Garfunkel observed that he and Paul had always felt that some of the best interpretations of their music had been by others. On this night those words seemed especially apt – if not prescient.

The evening kicked off with a bouncing rendition of “We’ve Got A Groovy Thing Going Baby” by Dar Williams and Stephen Kellogg. This was followed by a smokingly soulful take on “Mrs. Robinson” by the Homes Brothers. With these first two songs the gauntlet was laid down and each successive act was challenged to keep up with the one before.

Aimee Mann

Next on the bill was “Baby Driver” featuring Jorma Kaukonen, one of several Simon & Garfunkel contemporaries to perform, and the multi-talented Larry Campbell. This was followed by a hauntingly evocative version of “Scarborough Fair” by Ollabelle, which also served brilliantly as the back-up band for the evening. Aimee Mann and John Roderick then took their turn with “The Only Living Boy In New York“, followed by Marc Cohn and Jonatha Brooke treating “Sounds of Silence” to their remarkably complementary vocal interpretation. As dusk turned to night, it seemed that each successive song built upon the last in a rising wave of good vibrations.

Loudon Wainright and Lucy Wainright Roche then sang “Bleecker Street“, which featured an impromptu dance by father and daughter. This was followed by another folk veteran, Livingston Taylor, combining with Jill Sobule on the “59th Street Bridge Song“, forever immortalized as “Feelin Groovy“. Corey Chisel and Brendan Benson then gave their take on the Andean flute classic “El Condor Pasa“, one of Paul Simon’s initial forays into rich oeuvre of international music. Veteran Ricky Skaggs then led Joan Osborne and Gordon Kennedy out onto the stage for a solid performance of that sixties anthem to adolescent angst (mine anyway) “I Am A Rock“. John Forté and the angelic Valerie June followed with Cecilia, Forté exhorting the crowd to clap along to the playful pop melody. Next “April, Come She Will” was given a beautiful interpretation by David Hines and Olivia Mori. The duo of Dean and Britta then leant their singular voices to “Homeward Bound”

Shawn Colvin

One of the high points of the evening was the combination of Shawn Colvin and Paula Cole giving a stirring rendition of “America“. Their brilliantly combined voices soaring into the Central Park night had the crowd on its collectively well-shod feet and was one of the most powerfully evocative performances of the evening. Cole and Colvin made the song theirs in a way that few others had approached and took the night to an entire other level. The torch was then passed to Ben Gibbard and St. Vincent who answered with a suitably psychedelic version of “Fakin It” with St. Vincent’s distorted guitar wailing into the darkness.

Last on the menu, but by no means least, were songwriters Alejandro Escovedo and New York’s own Willie Nile giving a stirring rendition of “The Boxer” that had the crowd dancing in the aisles. This was followed by an ensemble encore with everyone on stage harmonizing to “Bridge Over Troubled Waters”

Paul Simon

The show’s production was flawlessly managed by City Winery’s Michael Dorf. The staff of SummerStage once again made the evening a complete success by their always attentive professionalism. The perfect evening with a good cause benefitting from brilliant performances as all the acts donated their time to the City Parks Foundation which makes the SummerStage free performances possible. Halfway through the evening Paul Simon joined the crowd and afterwards it seemed that everyone was reflecting his unassuming smile and charmingly unaffected good nature. A much more intimate night than the duo’s classic 1981 performance, but one that resonated through the Central Park night long after the lights had dimmed.

Melody Gardot Kicks Off SummerStage

John Moore — Wed, 02 Jun 2010 18:17:13 +0000

Melody Gardot at SummerStage

Melody Gardot Led off the SummerStage season with a brilliant performance last night at Rumsey Playfield. Clad in a shimmering gold dress she lit up the stage, both visually and musically, and brightened what had threatened to be a dark and rainy evening. Her accompaniment by the New York Pops Orchestra was at all times seamless and frequently outstanding as the arrangements perfectly complemented her nuanced interpretations of standards and original material.

The New York Pops opened with a creatively orchestrated “Blue Rondo ala Turk” and followed with “It Don’t Mean A Thing If It Ain’t Got That Swing”. Melody Gardot then took the stage accompanied by a very tight and talented combo that included Charles Staab III on drums, Charnett Moffett on Bass, Irwin Hall and Anthony Ware, both taking turns on Saxophone Clarinet and Flute.

Highlights of the evening included a soulfully bopping version of the classic “Caravan” that featured Gardot’s smoothly sultry vocals as well as solos by Hall and Ware. Her subtly rich voice was also featured on “If The Stars Were Mine”, “My One And Only Thrill” and “Our Love Is Easy”.

The first song of her encore was an atmospherically perfect rendition of “Summertime” that segued smoothly into “Fever”. Gardot finished the evening with an evocative, and happily unsentimental, version of “Somewhere Over The Rainbow”. This followed her most personal moment of the performance when she described how her grandmother, who raised her, bought only one video recording to entertain Melody on a daily basis throughout her childhood. What sounded like some sort of Munchkin water torture resulted in a beautifully realized vocation.

Melody Gardot singing "If The Stars Were Mine" at SummerStage

The SummerStage Festival itself was run with it’s usual efficiency and good humor. That combined with a new sound system and a great performance resulted in a perfect kick off to this year’s season.

SummerStage 25th Anniversary Celebration

John Moore — Thu, 06 May 2010 03:09:06 +0000

SummerStage - Yannick Noah

On Tuesday, June 8, 2010, City Parks Foundation will welcome guests to the SummerStage 25th Anniversary Celebration in association with Michael Dorf & City Winery, an annual fundraising benefit, to support CPF’s free year-round arts programming. This year’s benefit will feature the songbook of Simon & Garfunkel with unique duets performed by Shawn Colvin, Aimee Mann, Dar Williams, Loudon Wainwright III, Lucy Wainwright Roche, Joan Osborne, Stephen Kellogg, Dean & Britta, Cory Chisel, The Holmes Brothers, John Forte, Valerie June, John Roderick, Ricky Skaggs, Willie Nile, Paula Cole, Alejandro Esovedo, Ollabelle (house band) and many more.

For event information, including ticket sales, please click here, or contact Jill Rothstein at 212-360-8170, or by email at JRothstein@CityParksFoundation.org.

The Wizard Of Oz Screened In Central Park

John Moore — Tue, 29 Sep 2009 00:46:27 +0000

Flying Monkeys in the heart of Manhattan? Subways and Buses and Tourists, Oh my! Yes, the Yellow Brick Road is winding through Central Park, tonight, Tuesday, September 29th. Netflix is sponsoring a 70th anniversary screening of the 1939 classic, “The Wizard Of Oz”. The showing is free and is taking place at Rumsey Playfield, the site of the annual SummerStage festival. Before the movie there will be an opening act featuring Jennifer Hudson and Julianne Hough. Sounds like the perfect way to enjoy an Indian Summer evening in the park. Ruby slippers optional.

Just the facts:

The Wizard of Oz

WHO WILL BE PERFORMING AT THE EVENT?

The opening concert will feature contemporary interpretations of classic songs from the “The Wizard of Oz” by Academy Award -winning actress and Grammy Award -winning singer Jennifer Hudson and two-time American Country Music winner and two-time “Dancing with the Stars” winner, Julianne Hough. The show is being produced by and will also feature The Roots’ Grammy Award -winning drummer and record producer Ahmir

?uestlove Thompson and a band assembled especially for the show. The concert begins at 7:30 p.m. ET.

Immediately following the free concert, “The Wizard of Oz” 70th anniversary edition will be shown on site on a giant inflatable screen.

HOW DO I GET TICKETS?

The concert performance and movie screening are free, but seating is first come, first served, so be sure to arrive early for the event.

WHERE WILL THE EVENT TAKE PLACE?

The concert and movie screening will take place outdoors at Rumsey Playfield in Central Park, New York. Enter the park at 69th Street and 5th Avenue on the east side or at 72nd Street and Central Park West on the west side.

WHAT HAPPENS IF THERE IS RAIN?

There is a back up location in the event of rain. Please check the official site for updates before the show to confirm.

Pavement Reuniting For Concert At SummerStage In 2010

John Moore — Fri, 18 Sep 2009 21:52:55 +0000

Pavement performing at SummerStage in 2010

A benefit concert to support the full season of free programs at Central Park SummerStage.

After years of speculation, the most important American band of the Nineties is returning to the stage with the lineup of Mark Ibold, Scott “Spiral Stairs” Kannberg, Stephen Malkmus, Bob Nastanovich and Steve West reuniting for dates around the world in 2010. Please be advised this tour is not a prelude to additional jaunts and/or a permanent reunion.

Described in their own Wikipedia entry as having experienced “moderate commercial success,” Pavement’s catalog for the Matador, Domino, Drag City and Treble Kicker imprints has come to define in the eyes of many the blueprint for independent rock over the past generation. An evidentiary compilation release is planned to coincide with the touring sometime in 2010.

The first show announced is a New York performance on September 21, 2010 at Central Park SummerStage. The general on-sale is slated for 10:00 AM EDT on Friday, September 25, 2009. Please note that tickets will be available without surcharges from the Nokia Theatre box office in Times Square and from Earwax at 218 Bedford Avenue in Williamsburg.

Bettye LaVette Rocks SummerStage

John Moore — Tue, 28 Jul 2009 05:08:28 +0000

Bettye Lavette‘s musical abilities span an eclectic range of genres that run from blues to disco to rock to soul and country. Last Friday she put on a performance at Central Park’s SummerStage Festival that ran the gamut – and back again. Telling the crowd “It’s been a good year!” Ms. LaVette wowed the crowd as she launched into a soulfully hot set. Performing “A Change is Gonna Come”, which she had sung for President Obama during the inaugral celebration was one of the early highlights and you could (almost) hear a pin drop as she clearly moved the audience. LaVette also offered a rapturous cover of Sinead O’Connor’s ‘I Do Not Want What I Haven’t Got’ and went on to sing Willie Nelson’s ‘Somebody Pick Up My Pieces’

While Bettye Lavatte‘s career may have taken a number of unexpected turns along the way – but her performance in Central Park’s SummerStage last Friday clearly proved that she taken that life experience into a formidable repertoire of vocal skills. She can belt out a big number with all the exuberance of any of the great soul divas – and then bring the crowd close to tears with a civil rights anthem. Her ability to combine musical sensibilities and styles, while taking the audience with her every step of the way, is a tribute to not only her huge talent – but also a heart just as big to go along with it.

2009 Central Park Film Festival Schedule

John Moore — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 06:25:51 +0000

Central Park presents an outdoor cinema series every summer. Most of these films usually feature a New York theme and they are a great way to enjoy a summer evening in the park. This year’s lineup features some interesting choices – this year’s theme is “Be Cool” featuring five films with actors or actresses who epitomize “cool.” Hmmm. I guess the definition of cool is relative. While the remake of Ocean’s 11 is certainly an entertaining film, I’m not sure exactly sure what it has to do with New York City. Same for Goldfinger, although there is no denying the Sean Connery cool factor – besides I’ll vote for it just to hear Shirley Bassey belt out the title song on a warm summer night.

2009 Central Park Film Festival Schedule

Tuesday, August 18: Sex & The City Get Carried away! A New York writer (Sarah Jessica Parker) on sex and love is finally getting married to her Mr. Big. But her three best girlfriends must console her when one of them inadvertently leads Mr. Big to jilt her. (2008)

Wednesday, August 19: Shaft John Shaft (Richard Roundtree) is the ultimate in suave detectives. A cool private eye, Shaft is hired by a crime lord to find and retrieve his kidnapped daughter. (1971)

"Enchanted" in Central Park

Thursday, August 20: Ocean’s 11 Hollywood’s A list stars come together to pull off the most daring heist Las Vegas has ever known…11 men, 3 casinos, 150 million dollars, 1 chance to pull it off. (2001)

Friday, August 21: Twilight When you can live forever what do you live for? A teenage girl risks everything when she falls in love with a vampire. (2008)

Saturday, August 22: Viewer’s Choice! – Visit www.7online.com to vote between July 15 and August 15, 2009.

Men in Black Will Smith & Tommy Lee Jones are protecting the earth from the scum of the universe. (1997)

Goldfinger Investigating a gold magnate’s gold smuggling, James Bond uncovers a plot to contaminate the Fort Knox gold reserve. (1965)

Desperately Seeking Susan A bored suburban housewife, seeking adventure to her life, accidentally gets hit on the head, wakes up with amnesia, and is mistaken for a free-spirited New York City drifter named Susan (Madonna). (1985)

All screenings are FREE and start at 8:00 pm. Gates open at 6:00 pm. To find Rumsey Playfield, enter the Park at Fifth Avenue and 69th Street. Rain or shine.

Rumsey Playfield
East 72nd Street off Fifth Avenue

Josh Ritter At SummerStage

John Moore — Sun, 14 Jun 2009 18:54:36 +0000

The 24th season of SummerStage got off to a rousing start Friday night with the performance of Josh Ritter and the New York Pops. It was a perfect June evening in Central Park and it was apparent from the moment he bounded on stage that Josh was thrilled to be there.

Josh Ritter at SummerStage

His boyish enthusiasm infused the evening with an ebbullient energy as he played old favorites (“Kathleen”, “Other Side”) as well as selections from his newest album – “Historical Conquests”. He was brilliantly backed by the New York Pops Orchestra, which added just the right amount of musical stylings to take the evening to another level.

Mr. Ritter was also joined on stage twice – once by Grammy winning violinist Hillary Hahn and once more by Glen Hansard of ”The Frames”. It was an amazing evening of music, with the SummerStage venue managed to perfection by the New York Parks Foundation. It is difficult enough to find a worthwhile free performance in New York City, it is truly stunning to find one where they actually seem happy to see you.

Complete Central Park SummerStage Schedule Announced

John Moore — Mon, 27 Apr 2009 08:02:04 +0000

The 24th Anniversary edition of the annual SummerStage Festival in Central Park promises to be one of the best ever. Here’s a few things to remember that will help you enjoy your time at the concerts.

1) Video cameras are not allowed, so please leave them at home
2) Glass bottles and alcohol are a no-no too
3) Leave your folding chairs at home (we do have bleacher seating and a blanket’s nice too)
4) Shows are rain or shine (you may want to have a poncho handy in case of passing summer showers)
5) Gates open one hour prior to show time and many of our shows fill to capacity so it’s a good idea to come early, especially for our highly visible, popular shows
6) Pack a lunch or purchase food, drinks, beer or wine from our concession stands
7) Central Park SummerStage is located at Rumsey Playfield and is easily accessed by entering the park at 69th Street and 5th Avenue or 72nd Street and Central Park West
8 ) There is priority seating for our wheelchair and disabled patrons
9) There’s a hotline for up to date info on performances: 212-360-2777

Click here for a printable pdf schedule

TV on the Radio
Dirty Projectors
Friday, June 05, 2009
From 5:30 PM to 10:00 PM
A benefit concert to support the full season of free programs at Central Park SummerStage.

Josh Ritter and The New York Pops
Friday, June 12, 2009
From 8:00 PM to 10:00 PM

Smokie Norful
Tye Tribbett & G.A.
Ruben Studdard
Saturday, June 13, 2009
From 3:00 PM to 7:00 PM

Indigo Girls
Matt Nathanson
Tuesday, June 16, 2009
From 4:30 PM to 10:00 PM
A benefit concert to support the full season of free programs at Central Park SummerStage.

Word
Wally Lamb
Zoë Heller
Wednesday, June 17, 2009
From 7:30 PM to 9:30 PM

Sharon Olds
Thomas Sayers Ellis
Thursday, June 18, 2009
From 7:30 PM to 9:30 PM

Comedy Central Park
Gabriel Iglesias
Pablo Francisco
Friday, June 19, 2009
From 8:00 PM to 10:00 PM

Definitely Poetry Hosted by Majora Carter
Earthdriver
Staceyann Chin
Jennifer Johns
Artbattles
Urban Word NYC
Saturday, June 20, 2009
From 3:00 PM to 7:00 PM

Fête de la Musique
Yannick Noah
Coralie Clément
Mayra Andrade
Sunday, June 21, 2009
From 3:00 PM to 7:00 PM

311
Ziggy Marley
The Expendables
Thursday, June 25, 2009
From 5:00 PM to 10:00 PM
A benefit concert to support the full season of free programs at Central Park SummerStage.

Istanbulive: The Sounds & Colors of Turkey
Mazhar-Fuat-Özkan
Painted on Water featuring Sertab Erener & Demir Demirkan
NY Gypsy All-Stars with Hüsnü Senlendirici and special guests
Saturday, June 27, 2009
From 3:00 PM to 7:00 PM

Ledisi / Esperanza Spalding
Jonathan Batiste
Sunday, June 28, 2009
From 3:00 PM to 7:00 PM

Explosions in the Sky
Constantines
Tuesday, June 30, 2009
From 5:30 PM to 10:00 PM
A benefit concert to support the full season of free programs at Central Park SummerStage.

Oumou Sangare, Les Nubians, Asa
Sunday, July 05, 2009
From 3:00 PM to 7:00 PM

Juana Molina
Curumin
El G (ZZK)
Wednesday, July 08, 2009
From 7:00 PM to 10:00 PM

Matisyahu
Umphrey’s McGee
Thursday, July 09, 2009
From 5:30 PM to 10:00 PM
A benefit concert to support the full season of free programs at Central Park SummerStage.

Los Fabulosos Cadillacs
Eric Bobo
Saturday, July 11, 2009
From 3:00 PM to 7:00 PM

Global Family Day!
DJ Lance Rock & Brobee (of Yo Gabba Gabba!)
Billy B.
Iza Trapani, Storyteller
“Sleeping Beauty” Puppet Show
Sunday, July 12, 2009
From 3:00 PM to 7:00 PM

The Metropolitan Opera Summer Recital Featuring Paulo Szot
Monday, July 13, 2009
From 8:00 PM to 10:00 PM

Q-Tip
Chester French
Little Dragon
Benji B
Saturday, July 18, 2009
From 3:00 PM to 7:00 PM

Alpha Blondy & The Solar System
Lee “Scratch” Perry & Dubblestandart
Subatomic Sound System
Sunday, July 19, 2009

From 3:00 PM to 7:00 PM

Bettye Lavette
Budos Band
Felix Hernandez Rhythm Revue
Friday, July 24, 2009
From 7:00 PM to 10:00 PM

Jerry Rivera and special guests
N’Klabe
Saturday, July 25, 2009
From 3:00 PM to 7:00 PM

Ginuwine
Joe
Chico DeBarge
Sunday, July 26, 2009
From 3:00 PM to 7:00 PM

Dance
RIOULT
Germaul Barnes/Viewsic Expressions
Friday, July 31, 2009
From 8:00 PM to 10:00 PM

M. Ward
Mike Watt & Nels Cline +
Saturday, August 01, 2009
From 7:00 PM to 10:00 PM

CineFest Brasil
If I Were You 2 (Se eu fosse você 2) directed by Daniel Filho
Silvia Machete
Sunday, August 02, 2009
From 7:30 PM to 10:00 PM

Toumani Diabaté
Monday, August 03, 2009
From 7:30 PM to 10:00 PM

Music & Film
I Am Cuba directed by Mikhail Kalatozov
The Pedrito Martinez Project
Wednesday, August 05, 2009
From 7:00 PM to 10:00 PM

Asbury Shorts: An Evening of the World’s Best Short Films
Mingus Dynasty Quintet
Thursday, August 06, 2009
From 7:30 PM to 10:00 PM

Dance
Dayton Contemporary Dance Company
nathantrice/RITUALS dance theater
Friday, August 07, 2009
From 8:00 PM to 10:00 PM

Boys Noize
Saturday, August 08, 2009
From 3:00 PM to 7:00 PM

Jazmine Sullivan
Chrisette Michele
Jon B.
Sunday, August 09, 2009
From 3:00 PM to 7:00 PM

Dance
Morphoses/The Wheeldon Company
with musical guest Martha Wainwright
Friday, August 14, 2009
From 8:00 PM to 10:00 PM

Dance
Morphoses/The Wheeldon Company
with musical guest Martha Wainwright
Saturday, August 15, 2009
From 8:00 PM to 10:00 PM