Central Park SummerStage Announces 2011 Lineup
Free Shows All Summer In All Five Boroughs

Late last week, City Parks Foundation announced its SummerStage 2011 season. New York's largest free performing arts festival, bringing over 100 performances to eighteen parks throughout the five boroughs. The festival runs from June 7 until September 2.

With performances ranging from American pop, Latin and world music to dance, spoken word and theater, SummerStage fills a vital niche in New York City's cultural festival landscape. Since its inception twenty six years ago, more than six million people from New York City and around the world have enjoyed SummerStage.

This season, in addition to its impressive lineup of over 300 artists, City Parks Foundation's SummerStage has commissioned a number of artists to create unique programs that will premiere at SummerStage.

Yemen Blues, Hugh Masekela, Somi and Freshlyground are just to name a few artists that will be appearing at this years SummerStage, as well as two LAMC (Latin Alternative Music Conference) associated shows featuring Choco Quib Town, Rita Indiana and Ursula 1000.

These programs span the worlds of music, dance and theater and feature some of the brightest rising stars, as well as several critically acclaimed artists. These distinctive events further SummerStage's dedication to not only presenting the best artists from around the world, but to also play an active role in promoting artistic creativity.

2011 SummerStage Event Schedule:

NIGHT AT THE CARAVANSERAI
TALES OF WONDER featuring
YO-YO MA, THE SILK ROAD ENSEMBLE
and SILK ROAD CONNECT STUDENTS
Tuesday, June 07
Mainstage at Central Park, Manhattan

Salute to Hip-Hop featuring
EPMD / FUNKMASTER FLEX
Tuesday, June 07

SPECIAL ED
Wednesday, June 08
Betsy Head Park, Brooklyn

B.T. EXPRESS / FELIX HERNANDEZ RHYTHM REVUE
Thursday, June 09
Betsy Head Park, Brooklyn

PASSION OF TAP
Hip-Hop Master Class with Shaun T
Friday, June 10
Von King Park, Brooklyn

The Blue Note Jazz Festival:
MEDESKI MARTIN & WOOD,
JOSH ROSEMAN & THE KING FROOPY ALLSTARS,
JIM BLACK'S ALASNOAXIS
Saturday, June 11
Mainstage at Central Park, Manhattan

SHLANK SQUAD, ELITE FORCE and LADIES OF HIP-HOP with MAWU
Hip-Hop Master Class with Members of Shlank Squad,
Elite Force and Ladies of Hip Hop
Saturday, June 11
Von King Park, Brooklyn

TYE TRIBBETT
Presented in Association with Globe Star Media and WLIB
Tuesday, June 14
Von King Park, Brooklyn

NICE AND SMOOTH and THE AWESOME 2
Wednesday, June 15
Von King Park, Brooklyn

JON B / OLIVIA
Presented in Association with Globe Star Media and WBLS
Thursday, June 16
Von King Park, Brooklyn

ISTANBULIVE III: Sounds of Civilizations
ZÜLFÜ LIVANELI / maNga and SPECIAL GUESTS
Friday, June 17
Mainstage at Central Park, Manhattan

INDOMITABLE: JAMES BROWN
Featuring BURNT SUGAR, THE ARKESTRA CHAMBER
and BRANDON VICTOR DIXON
SummerStage Theater
Friday, June 17 and Saturday, June 18
Von King Park, Brooklyn

9th CINE FEST PETROBRAS BRASIL NY:
Featuring Live Performance from MART'NÁLIA
Screening: "ELZA"
Sunday, June 19
Mainstage at Central Park, Manhattan

Fête De La Musique:
Featuring Live Perfromance from BEN L'ONCLE SOUL
Screening: "GAINSBOURG AND HIS GIRLS"
Tuesday, June 21
Mainstage at Central Park, Manhattan

TALIB KWELI
Tuesday, June 21
Red Hook Park, Brooklyn

REGGIE WATTS / NATASHA LEGGERO
Wednesday, June 22
Mainstage at Central Park, Manhattan

OZOMATLI
Wednesday, June 22
Red Hook Park, Brooklyn

WE ARE SCIENTISTS / MILAGRES
Thursday, June 23
Red Hook Park, Brooklyn

REGGIE WATTS / DJ STORMIN' NORMAN
Friday, June 24
Red Hook Park, Brooklyn

LEE FIELDS & THE EXPRESSIONS
FITZ & THE TANTRUMS
ANDREYA TRIANA
DJ RICH MEDINA
Saturday, June 25
Mainstage at Central Park, Manhattan

DANCE GRAND MOULTRIE with
MALCOLM LOW/FORMAL STRUCTURE Inc.
Saturday, June 25
Red Hook Park, Brooklyn

HUGH MASEKELA
FRESHLYGROUND
SOMI
Sunday, June 26
Mainstage at Central Park, Manhattan

THE MOTH
Hosted by ANDY BOROWITZ
Tuesday, June 28
Mainstage at Central Park, Manhattan

Salute to Hip-Hop featuring
FUNKMASTER FLEX and Special Guests
Tuesday, June 28
Soundview Park, Bronx

Comedy Central Park starring
JIM GAFFIGAN with special guest JOHN PINETTE
Wednesday, June 29
Mainstage at Central Park, Manhattan

LARRY HARLOW and THE LATIN LEGENDS BAND
Wednesday, June 29
Soundview Park, Bronx

HECTOR TRICOCHE / CHRIS ALFINEZ
Thursday, June 30
Soundview Park, Bronx

PASIÓN Y ARTE with ON TAP
Flamenco Master Class with Elba Hevia y Vaca
Friday, July 01
St Mary's Park, Bronx

"EVERYBODY LOVES THE SUNSHINE"
ROY AYERS and THE JAZZ MAFIA SYMPHONY plus special guests
Saturday, July 02
Mainstage at Central Park, Manhattan

OPUS DANCE THEATER and DANCE IQUAIL!
Saturday, July 02
St Mary's Park, Bronx

RAM / GROUP DOUEH / BALOJI / GLOBESONIC SOUND SYSTEM
Sunday, July 03
Mainstage at Central Park, Manhattan

LAVOE ALL STARS featuring RENZO PADILLA / 8 Y MÁS
Presented in Association with Globe Star Media and La Mega
Tuesday, July 05
St Mary's Park, Bronx

JARABE DE PALO / ELY GUERRA / NOVALIMA / MR. PAUER
Presented in association with
LAMC (Latin Alternative Music Conference)
Wednesday, July 06
Mainstage at Central Park, Manhattan

TONY VEGA
Wednesday, July 06
St Mary's Park, Bronx

RAY SEPULVEDA / CHRIS ALFINEZ
Thursday, July 07
St Mary's Park, Bronx

SANGRE
SummerStage Theater
Friday, July 08 and Saturday, July 9
St Mary's Park, Bronx

CHOCQUIBTOWN / RITA INDIANA / URSULA 1000 / QUE BAJO?!
Presented in association with
LAMC (Latin Alternative Music Conference)
Saturday, July 09
Mainstage at Central Park, Manhattan

THE METROPOLITAN OPERA SUMMER RECITAL SERIES
Monday, July 11
Mainstage at Central Park, Manhattan

SLICK RICK with DJ BRUCIE B
Tuesday, July 12
Crotona Park, Bronx

XCSTACY
Wednesday, July 13
Crotona Park, Bronx

THE METROPOLITAN OPERA SUMMER RECITAL SERIES
Wednesday, July 13
Brooklyn Bridge Park, Brooklyn

ARMITAGE GONE! DANCE and special musical guest VIJAY IYER
with DANCE GRAND MOULTRIE
Friday, July 15 and Saturday, July 16
Mainstage at Central Park, Manhattan

SANGRE
SummerStage Theater
Friday, July 15
Crotona Park, Bronx

SANGRE by Mando Alvardo
SummerStage Theater
With THE PUBLIC THEATER presents Summer ShakeUp! Workshop
Saturday, July 16
Crotona Park, Bronx

PINK MARTINI
Sunday, July 17
Mainstage at Central Park, Manhattan

THE MANHATTANS / FELIX HERNANDEZ RHYTHM REVUE
Sunday, July 17
Crotona Park, Bronx

THE METROPOLITAN OPERA SUMMER RECITAL SERIES
Tuesday, July 19
Crotona Park, Bronx

KOOL MOE DEE
Tuesday, July 19
Queensbridge Park, Queens

HAROLD MELVIN'S BLUE NOTES /
FELIX HERNANDEZ RHYTHM REVUE
Wednesday, July 20
Queensbridge Park, Queens

THE METROPOLITAN OPERA SUMMER RECITAL SERIES
Thursday, July 21
Clove Lakes Park, Staten Island

Salute to Hip-Hop featuring
FUNKMASTER FLEX and Special Guests
Thursday, July 21
Queensbridge Park, Queens

CREATIVE OUTLET DANCE THEATRE OF BROOKLYN
with WAHEED WORKS
Friday, July 22
Queensbridge Park, Queens

KEIGWIN + COMPANY with
CREATIVE OUTLET DANCE THEATRE OF BROOKLYN
Saturday, July 23
Mainstage at Central Park, Manhattan

MARCELO D2 / PITTY / DJ NUTS
Sunday, July 24
Mainstage at Central Park, Manhattan

DONELL JONES / OLIVIA
Tuesday, July 26
Springfield Park, Queens

THE METROPOLITAN OPERA SUMMER RECITAL SERIES
Tuesday, July 26
Socrates Sculpture Park, Queens

WANDA JACKSON / IMELDA MAY
Wednesday, July 27
Mainstage at Central Park, Manhattan

HEZEKIAH WALKER
Wednesday, July 27
Springfield Park, Queens

THE METROPOLITAN OPERA SUMMER RECITAL SERIES
Thursday, July 28
Jackie Robinson Park, Manhattan

CHRISETTE MICHELE
Thursday, July 28
Springfield Park, Queens

TUNDE'S TRUMPET by Chisa Hutchinson
with Music by Elliot Goldman
SummerStage Theater
Friday, July 29 and Saturday, July 30
Springfield Park, Queens

FORCES OF NATURE DANCE THEATRE with
CECILIA MARTA DANCE COMPANY
Special Guest: Dancin' Downtown at The Joyce Contest Winner
Saturday, July 30
Mainstage at Central Park, Manhattan

YEMEN BLUES / WATCHA CLAN / SHABATE / AWESOME TAPES FROM AFRICA
Sunday, July 31
Mainstage at Central Park, Manhattan

THE SUGARHILL GANG
Tuesday, August 02
Tappen Park, Staten Island

THE BUDOS BAND
Wednesday, August 03
Tappen Park, Staten Island

ANDY COONEY
Thursday, August 04
Tappen Park, Staten Island

HENRY V by William Shakespeare
SummerStage Theater
Friday, August 05 and Saturday, August 06
Marcus Garvey Park, Manhattan

SHELEBRATION! A TRIBUTE TO THE WORKS OF SHEL SILVERSTEIN
Saturday, August 06
Mainstage at Central Park, Manhattan

FRIENDLY FIRES / THE NAKED AND FAMOUS / CULTS
Sunday, August 07
Mainstage at Central Park, Manhattan

TUNDE'S TRUMPET
With Music by Elliot Goldman
SummerStage Theater
Sunday, August 07 and Monday, August 08
Marcus Garvey Park, Manhattan

Salute to Hip-Hop featuring
ROB BASE and FUNKMASTER FLEX
Tuesday, August 09
Marcus Garvey Park, Manhattan

Live Performance with
JOE BATAAN, JOHNNY COLÓN and DJ TURMIX
Screening:
"WE LIKE IT LIKE THAT - THE STORY OF LATIN BOOGALOO"
Wednesday, August 10
Mainstage at Central Park, Manhattan

VASHAWN MITCHELL
Wednesday, August 10
Marcus Garvey Park, Manhattan

RYAN LESLIE
Thursday, August 11
Marcus Garvey Park, Manhattan

FORCES OF NATURE DANCE THEATRE with THE DASH ENSEMBLE
Hip-Hop Master Class with Theresa Lavington
Friday, August 12
Marcus Garvey Park, Manhattan

HENRY SANTOS
Saturday, August 13
Mainstage at Central Park, Manhattan

CECILIA MARTA DANCE COMPANY with FRANCINE E. OTT/THE WALK
Saturday, August 13
Marcus Garvey Park, Manhattan

Gospel Explosion featuring
DONALD LAWRENCE and special guests
Sunday, August 14
Mainstage at Central Park, Manhattan

BACHATA HEIGHTZ
Tuesday, August 16
Highbridge Park, Manhattan

SANGRE by Mando Alvardo
SummerStage Theater
Wednesday, August 17
Mainstage at Central Park, Manhattan

HENRY SANTOS
Wednesday, August 17
Highbridge Park, Manhattan

ANDY ANDY
Thursday, August 18
Highbridge Park, Manhattan

DRE.DANCE with WHITE WAVE YOUNG SOON KIM DANCE COMPANY
Groove 2 Move Master Class with Germaul Barnes
Friday, August 19
East River Park, Manhattan

TIKEN JAH FAKOLY/ META AND THE CORNERSTONES / LOS RAKAS
Saturday, August 20
Mainstage at Central Park, Manhattan

STEP AFRIKA! with BORDER CROSSING COLLECTIVE
Saturday, August 20
East River Park, Manhattan

RAKIM / EPMD / FUNKMASTER FLEX
Sunday, August 21
Mainstage at Central Park, Manhattan

TITO ROJAS
Tuesday, August 23
East River Park, Manhattan

THE COLD CRUSH BROTHERS
Wednesday, August 24
East River Park, Manhattan

WAVVES
Thursday, August 25
East River Park, Manhattan

Charlie Parker Jazz Festival featuring
TOOTS THIELEMANS
JAMES CARTER
TIA FULLER
CÉCILE McLORIN SALVANT
Saturday, August 27
Marcus Garvey Park, Manhattan

HENRY V by William Shakespeare
SummerStage Theater
Saturday, August 27
East River Park, Manhattan

Charlie Parker Jazz Festival featuring
ARCHIE SHEPP QUARTET
MADELEINE PEYROUX
THE GERALD CLAYTON TRIO
Sunday, August 28
Tompkins Square Park, Manhattan

JAGGED EDGE / AVANT / MELANIE FIONA
Sunday, August 28
Mainstage at Central Park, Manhattan

HENRY V by William Shakespeare
SummerStage Theater
Sunday, August 28 and Monday, August 29
East River Park, Manhattan

OEDIPUS REX
Tuesday, August 30 and Thursday, September 1
East River Park, Manhattan

SEVEN AGAINST THEBES
Wednesday, August 31 and Friday, September 2
East River Park, Manhattan