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Summer is here, and we're feelin' the vibes. Catch one of the free outdoor concerts near you this week!
BRIC Celebrate Brooklyn! Festival
Head to the Prospect Park Bandshell on Saturday 18 at 7:30pm, when ’80s punk rockers Violent Femmes take over. Don’t forget sunscreen, lest you get a “Blister in the Sun,” and get there early for a spot.
Prospect Park Bandshell, closest entrance at Prospect Park West and 9th St (bricartsmedia.org). Various dates and times.
Central Park SummerStage
This week, our parks come alive with Yiddish soul music in Central Park (Wednesday 15 at 6pm), hip-hop artist Just Blaze in Coffey Park (Wednesday 15 at 7pm) and legendary rappers and Rock and Roll Hall of Famers Public Enemy in Betsy Head Park (Tuesday 21 at 7pm).
Various locations, dates and times (cityparksfoundation.org)
Make Music New York
The longest day of the year brings 1,200 performances from all genres of music across the city, from the High Line to Corona Park. Check out the full schedule, and don’t miss this year’s Inside the Bird Chorus, in which trained musicians improvise songs with live birds at Brooklyn Botanic Garden (5am and 9pm), Wave Hill (8:30am) and other outdoor venues.
Various locations (makemusicny.org). Tue 21.
Riis Park Beach Bazaar
Every weekend through Labor Day, the sand at Riis Park becomes a stage. Hitch a ride to Rockaway to dance in your bathing suit on Saturday 18 at noon to Afrobeat New York outfit Underground System, or enjoy Breakdown Brass Band’s wave of funky horns on Sunday 19 at noon.
157 Rockaway Beach Blvd (riisparkbeachbazaar.com). Various dates and times.
River to River Festival
This 11-day arts festival that celebrates dance, music, and theater is back for its 15th year across downtown and Governors Island. We recommend Black Wall Street, a concert performance that explores the history of African- Americans in finance through jazz, rock and Indian Carnatic music at Federal Hall (Sunday 19 and Monday 20 at 7pm).
Various locations, dates and times (lmcc.net)