Get Out and Go to Fun Summer Events

Our writers’ favorite summer events run the gamut from the ultra local fare of a day devoted to mustard in a small Midwestern town to the huge SummerStage series in New York and the glorious Montreal Jazz Festival.

In a city as crazy expensive as New York, the SummerStage free concert series gives music lovers’ wallets a break and the best reason to stay in town instead of heading to the beach. SummerStage has its main stage in the Rumsey Playfield in Central Park. But last year, when the series celebrated its 25th anniversary, SummerStage expanded to outdoor venues throughout the city. I’ve been going since the beginning, and oh, the memories. David Byrne playing a rhythm-mad set backed by a great Latin band, when a sudden downpour soaked him and us. (He kept playing and we kept dancing.) The New York-born, now European-based Kid Creole and the Coconuts, in a rare U.S. appearance, as fresh and suavely funky as in their ‘80s heyday. Lucinda Williams, backed by my favorite of her bands, with guitarist Gurf Morlix, treating us to “Passionate Kisses” and other songs from her early albums. Gospel great Marion Williams ensconced on a throne in a huge tent set up onstage, regal and thrilling. The Malian duo Amadou and Mariam, turning Central Park into one big joyous party, a fête in a global village, with their Francophone blues rock. Italian pop star Jovanotti playing ‘80s hip-hop with a multinational band of Italians, Brazilians, and New Yorkers. An astonishing revue of Roma music, with an explosive closing set by Mahala Raï Banda from Bucharest. This year I’m looking forward to Hugh Masakela and the terrific, young South African band Freshlyground, Levon Helm and Emmylou Harris (paid admission, to benefit SummerStage), Pink Martini, rockabilly queen Wanda Jackson, and Istanbulive, a revue of contemporary Turkish music. We New Yorkers can’t imagine summer without SummerStage, and it’s a popular tourist destination, too. Come join the party in the park! George De Stefano