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Concert Pick

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Time Out New York, Concert Pick >>

Summer concert guide

Free (or super-cheap) summer concerts

Rock out all June, July and August without burning through your savings account.
By Cristina Black

JUNE

1 Jay Electronica
The mysterious rapper—who’s best known as Erykah Badu’s baby daddy—is a hot commodity on this summer’s festival circuit despite his refusal to release a proper album. He’ll show off some of his unconventional material at this out-of-the-way Brooklyn show. Red Hook Park. 7pm.

5 Black Rock Coalition 25th Anniversary with Living Colour
Funk rock might be about 20 years past its prime, but the genre’s most illustrious perpetrators are just as entertaining as they were in their heyday. Founded by guitarist Vernon Reid and friends in the ’80s, black artist collective BRC celebrates its staying power with a performance by Reid’s much-loved band, Living Colour. Central Park SummerStage. 3pm.

6 Jose Conde and a DJ Tribute to Fania
Brooklyn’s own Jose Conde jumps on this DJ-heavy bill (DJs Bobbito Garcia, Laylo and Sake One will all be spinning), turning it into a proper rump-shaking party. Central Park SummerStage. 3pm.

9 Norah Jones
Cobble Hill–townhouse owner Norah Jones opens the Celebrate Brooklyn season by bringing her commercially praised, slow jazz jams to Prospect Park. A new backing band updated Jones’ sound on her current album, The Fall, but her smoky voice remains a lullaby on its own. Celebrate Brooklyn at the Prospect Park Bandshell. 8pm, suggested donation $3.

12 Allen Toussaint + Davell Crawford
It’s hard to think of a more powerful cross-generational piano pair-up than these two New Orleans stalwarts: The classy Toussaint and the flamboyant Crawford have few real peers in the R&B ivories game. Celebrate Brooklyn at the Prospect Park Bandshell. 7:30pm, suggested donation $3.

14 Baaba Maal + Playing for Change
The Vampire Weekends of the world owe a giant debt of gratitude to Baaba Maal, who has made a stellar career of bringing his Senegalese guitar pop to the international stage. Bono-approved music project Playing for Change unites street musicians from all over the globe to promote peace. Central Park SummerStage. 7pm.

15 Dan Deacon
Oddball party rocker Dan Deacon totes his laptop to Red Hook to unleash his quirky electronic pop. But don’t expect to be able to just stand around—the bespectacled art-community creator thrives on crowd participation. Red Hook Park. 7pm.

18 J.G. Thirlwell’s Steroid Maximus + Dr. Lonnie Smith Trio
Australian iconoclast J.G. Thirlwell plays music from his latest project, Steroid Maximus, the thrilling instrumental electronica spin-off of his other band, Foetus. Hammond B-3 god Dr. Lonnie Smith warms things up. Celebrate Brooklyn at the Prospect Park Bandshell. 7:30pm; suggested donation $3.

19 CareFusion Jazz Festival with Bitches Brew Revisited + Mike Stern Trio
The all-star Bitches Brew Revisited—which includes coronetist Graham Haynes, guitarist James Blood Ulmer and drummer Cindy Blackman—will summon the earth-shaking spirit of Miles Davis. Fusion guitar staple Mike Stern opens. Celebrate Brooklyn at the Prospect Park Bandshell. 7:30pm; suggested donation $3.

20 Fête de la Musique/Make Music NY Celebration with Salif Keita + Tabou Combo + Lo’Jo
Djembe and kora sounds will be prominent at this show, starring Malian Afropop singer-songwriter Salif Keita. The albino activist is supported by the tropical sounds of Haiti’s Tabou Combo. Central Park SummerStage. 3pm.

23 CareFusion Jazz Festival with McCoy Tyner Quartet + Stanley Clarke Band
It’s possible that sparks will fly tonight, when two giants of modern jazz descend on Central Park: Electric bass innovator Stanley Clarke and keys master McCoy Tyner are as good as it gets. Central Park SummerStage. 7pm.

24 Orquesta Buena Vista Social Club with Omara Portuondo
Fans of trad Cuban sounds will think they’ve died and gone to heaven tonight, when some of the most revered son players serenade Prospect Park, led by the great Omara Portuondo. Yell for her version of Nat King Cole’s “Quizas, Quizas, Quizas.” It’s exquisite. Celebrate Brooklyn at the Prospect Park Bandshell. 7:30pm; suggested donation $3.

25 Kid Koala + Hess Is More
Beloved by fans of jam bands and backpacker hip-hop, turntablist Kid Koala mixes uncommon samples (the violins from “Moon River,” for example) into something entirely new. Equally playful multi-instrumentalist Mikkel Hess, billed as Hess is More, kicks things off. Celebrate Brooklyn at the Prospect Park Bandshell. 7:30pm; suggested donation $3.

26 Texas Tornados + Red Clay Ramblers
Two established combos treat Brooklyn to a folky rave. First, Red Clay Ramblers do it up Appalachian string-band style. Then, Tejano vets Texas Tornados sing English and Spanish lyrics over a two-step accordion frenzy. Celebrate Brooklyn at the Prospect Park Bandshell. 7:30pm; suggested donation $3.

26 Tinariwen + Omar Souleyman + Toubab Krewe
World music fills Central Park this afternoon as Tuareg band Tinariwen brings Malian rebel sounds to NYC. They’re echoed by Toubab Krewe, the North Carolina group popular on the jam-band circuit for playing music in that same country’s tradition. The two acts sandwich prolific Syrian musician Omar Souleyman. Central Park SummerStage. 3pm.

27, Aug 5 Gil Scott-Heron
The poet, hip-hop innovator and undeniable local treasure performs tracks from his latest release, I’m New Here. Downtrodden city dwellers should raise their voices if Scott-Heron adds “New York Is Killing Me” to his set list. Central Park SummerStage. 3pm. Aug 5: Marcus Garvey Park. 7pm.

30 Beth Orton
Downtempo diva Beth Orton has been less active since touring on her 2006 release Comfort of Strangers, so take advantage of this chance to see her perform her signature folky electronica. There’s a new release in the works, which means she’ll probably play some fresh material, too. River to River Festival, Rockefeller Park. 7pm.

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