It’s not just beach season — Memorial Day also marks the start of free music events throughout the Big Apple!
Dozens of performers — ranging from hip hop DJs to classical violinists — will make the open air groove for zero cover charge in all five boroughs starting this week.
Free shows include the award-winning one-man electronic act Caribou, funk queen Chaka Khan at Celebrate Brooklyn in Prospect Park and indie hitmakers Tune-Yards — along with smaller performances by local bands at pop-up venues including The Archway under the Manhattan Bridge and City Winery in SoHo.
“It’s a good excuse to wrap up work early — getting outside to enjoy music,” said Allyson Stone of the Hudson Square Music and Wine Festival which is staging free Tuesday night concerts at 5:30 p.m. from June 2 to Aug. 25 at City Winery.
“There’s a great at mix of local and national musicians in what’s basically a parking lot turned into a performance space. It’s amazing that it’s totally free,” she said, adding the line-up includes folk rockers Elephant Revival and singer-songwriter Joe Pug.
There are also dozens free outdoor movies, dance performances and plays in all five boroughs, event planners said.
“From opera to hip-hop, film to circus, there’s something for every New Yorker,” says Heather Lubov, executive director of City Parks Foundation, which runs the Summerstage shows in Central Park.
Highlights this summer include:
Manhattan:
Secret Agent 23 Skidoo, Columbus Park, July 7, 10:30 a.m. (Kids music)
Elephant Revival, City Winery, July 21, 5:30 p.m. (Folk)
Caribou, East River Park, Aug. 6, 7 p.m. (Electronic)
Quantic / Gilles Peterson / Afrika Bambaataa, Central Park, Aug 8, 6 p.m. ( Dance /World)
Oliver Lake Big Band, Marcus Garvey Park. Aug. 21, 6 p.m. (Jazz)
The One Hundreds, Rockefeller Park, June 20, 7 p.m. (Dance)
Brooklyn:
Doppel Gang with a DJ Eugene Tambourine, The Archway, 5:30 p.m. (Electronic)
Chaka Khnan, Prospect Park, June 3, 8 p.m. (Funk)
tUnE-yArDs, Prospect Park, August 8, 7:30 p.m. (Rock/electronic)
BattleFest League Dancers, Red Hook Park, June 7, 7 p.m. (Dance)
Queens:
George Clinton and Parliament Funkadelic, Queensbridge Park. July 15, 7 pm. (Funk)
