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[title]Whether you're outside, slogging through the puddles, or inside, staring forlornly at today's deluge, you could probably use a reminder that balmier times are on their way. The complete schedule for this year's mostly free Celebrate Brooklyn! series in Prospect Park—undoubtedly one of the coolest summer festivals NYC has to offer—arrived this morning, and if your tastes are anything like ours, you'll be squealing with delight when you see this list of names. Yes, we already knew about the trio of benefit gigs by indie-rock heroes The National and the free opening-night bash featuring prog-R&B visionary Janelle Monáe, but there's so much more going down.
RECOMMENDED: See the complete guide to Celebrate Brooklyn!
Perhaps we can interest you in a July 24 gig by bluegrass progressives Nickel Creek, recently resurgent in the wake of a new comeback effort, A Dotted Line? Or a show featuring future-minded hip-hop supergroup Deltron 3030? Or perhaps—deep breath—an August 9 appearance from ever-enthralling art-pop queen St. Vincent? (Free, free and free.)
On the jazz front, the highlight of the season is undoubtedly a June 12 Ornette Coleman tribute featuring the saxophone legend's son and constant collaborator, drummer Denardo. The special-guest list for that one is, frankly, insane: Bill Laswell, Afrika Bambaataa, Flea, Henry Threadgill, Patti Smith, James Blood Ulmer and more. The Robert Glasper show on July 5, featuring heavyweight MC Talib Kweli, looks scarcely less awesome. Neither gig will cost you a penny.
We couldn't possibly run through all the highlights—which also include the July 25 screening of Amandla!: A Revolution in Four-Part Harmony, a documentary about the role of music in the fall of apartheid, and Vote, It Ain't Illegal Yet, a starry multimedia commemoration of the 50th anniversary of the Voting Rights Act—so feast your eyes on the full lineup below. Here's to retiring those umbrellas—we'll see you and about!
CELEBRATE BROOKLYN! 2014 LINEUP
Wednesday, June 4 at 8pm
Janelle Monáe
Opening-night concert
Free
Saturday, June 7 at 7pm
Bud Light Music Series
The Soul Rebels | Jon Cleary & the Absolute Monster
Gentlemen | The Lost Bayou Ramblers
Free
Tuesday, June 10 at 7pm
Jack Johnson | Bahamas
Celebrate Brooklyn! benefit concert
SOLD OUT
Thursday, June 12 at 7pm
Celebrate Brooklyn! & Blue Note Jazz Festival present
Celebrate Ornette: The Music of Ornette Coleman featuring Denardo Coleman Vibe
FREE
Saturday, June 14 at 4pm
Ozomatli's Ozokidz
Ezra Jack Keats Family Concert
FREE
Tuesday, June 17 at 7pm
The National | Phosphorescent
Celebrate Brooklyn! benefit concert
SOLD OUT
Wednesday, June 18 at 7pm
The National | Lord Huron
Celebrate Brooklyn! benefit concert
SOLD OUT
Thursday, June 19 at 7pm
The National | MS MR
$50, advance $49.50
Friday, June 20 at 7:30pm
Amos Lee | Lake Street Dive
FREE
Saturday, June 21 at 7pm
Dum Dum Girls | Hospitality | Teen
FREE
Thursday, June 26 at 7:30pm
Warpaint | Yellowbirds
FREE
Friday, June 27 at 7pm
Bud Light Music Series
Shovels & Rope | Valerie June | Shakey Graves
FREE
Saturday, June 28 at 7:30pm
Luciano | Sandra St. Victor
FREE
Saturday, July 5 at 7pm
Robert Glasper Experiment featuring Talib Kweli | Glenn Kotche | Aja Monet
FREE
Thursday, July 10 at 7pm
Bud Light Latin Music Series, Celebrate Brooklyn! & LAMC present
Illya Kuryaki & the Valderramas | ChocQuibTown | RVSB
FREE
Friday, July 11 at 7:30pm
Vote, It Ain't Illegal Yet!
FREE
Saturday, July 12 at 7:30pm
MUSIC & MOVIES
Alloy Orchestra: He Who Gets Slapped | Stéphane Wrembel
FREE
Thursday, July 17 at 8pm
Shen Wei Dance
FREE
Friday, July 18 at 7pm
Celebrate Brooklyn! & Brasil Summerfest present
Bebel Gilberto | Vinicius Cantuária | Netsayi
FREE
Saturday, July 19 at 7:30pm
Deltron 3030 | Nomadic Massive
FREE
Tuesday, July 22, and Wednesday, July 23 at 7pm
Neutral Milk Hotel | Circulatory System
Celebrate Brooklyn! benefit concert
JULY 22: SOLD OUT
Thursday, July 24 at 7:30pm
Nickel Creek
FREE
Saturday, July 26 at 7pm
Nick Cave & the Bad Seeds | Devendra Banhart | Nicole Atkins
Friday, July 25 at 7:30pm
MUSIC & MOVIES
Amandla!: A Revolution in Four-Part Harmony | Neo Muyanga
FREE
Thursday, July 31 at 7:30pm
Dance Theatre of Harlem | Leyla McCalla
FREE
Friday, August 1 at 7:30pm
Bud Light Latin Music Series
Jimmy Bosch y Su Estrellas | Pedrito Martinez Group featuring Ariacne Trujillo
FREE
Saturday, August 2 at 7:30pm
Kes the Band | Kuenta i Tambu (Kit)
FREE
Thursday, August 7 at 7:30pm
Altan | Maura O'Connell
FREE
Friday, August 8 at 7:30pm
MUSIC & MOVIES
Asian Dub Foundation: THX 1138 | Taylor McFerrin
FREE
Saturday, August 9 at 7:30pm
St. Vincent | San Fermin
FREE