Ithaca Reggae Festival 2023 took over Stewart Park this over June 23-24, bringing some roots and rhymes to local reggae fans. Giant Panda Guerilla Dub Squad closed the festival off Saturday evening playing some favorites.
For five years now the Ithaca Reggae Festival has been drawing crowds to the Finger Lakes Region. This years line up included Sundub, New Planets, Scientist, Double Tiger, and the Giant Panda Guerilla Dub Squad. With great food, arts, and activities for youth and adults, the reggae festival helps build community and keeps the music alive.
Rochester Reggae and Jam band Giant Panda Guerilla Dub Squad finished the festival off Saturday night with high energy felt from both the crowd and the band. Founded in 2001, the band is well known for their reggae roots and dub sounds. Performing old and new songs from their latest release, Love In Time, the crowd was left wanting more.
The West Indian American Day Carnival Association (WIADCA) has announced their annual celebration of New York City’s West Indian Labor Day Parade. The festival is a celebration of West Indian culture that entails a full day of soca/dancehall music, vibrant costumes, dancing, and food for sale nearby. This all day event will occur on September 4th in Crown Heights, Brooklyn.
Traditions of the West Indian Labor Day Parade Festival dates back to the 1920s. A Trinidadian immigrant named Ms. Jesse Waddle met with other immigrants to find a solution to their homesickness. The people missed celebrating cultural carnivals in their hometowns. As a result, Ms. Waddle organized a carnival celebration to take place in the months of February or March. The carnivals were held indoors at places such as the Savoy, the Renaissance, and the Audubon Ballroom due to New York’s cold winter weather. Eventually the indoor carnivals became an issue because of its space limitations. Ms. Waddle applied for and received a street parade permit in the 1940s. This shifted the celebrations to the summer.
The permit was originally used in Harlem but was revoked because of a violent riot. Five years later, a committee organized by Trinidadian Carlos Lezama acquired another permit for a parade on Eastern Parkway. Since then, the parade has begun from Eastern Parkway and Utica Avenue ending at Grand Army Plaza. The West Indian Labor Day Parade has grown into one of the biggest parades of New York City, attracting up to four million people.
Some Caribbean Islands celebrated by the parade include Trinidad and Tobago, Haiti, Barbados, Dominica, Saint Lucia, Jamaica, Saint Vincent and Grenada, Afro-Panamanians, etc. The festival is a representation of Caribbean’s pride in their country, heritage, and culture. Participants of the celebration invest both money and time to brainstorm themes, costumes, and floats for the festivities. Face masks come in a variety of styles inspired by natural and spiritual elements, mythical creatures, political events, and popular culture. The artistic and historical value of the parade are displayed through costumes which are later recognized with prizes.
The march from Eastern Parkway to Grand Army Plaza is accompanied by the sounds of drums, whistles, calypso, soca, dancehall, kompa, and reggae music. Oftentimes people enjoy a battle of throwing paint and powder. There is also a wide range of ethnic treats to fuel up on to keep the party going. Although the parade itself is on Labor Day, the partying starts days before.
A celebration called J’ouvert marks the official start of carnival. It means “daybreak,” and occurs during early morning hours. J’ouvert was celebrated as the opportunity to embrace the emancipation of Caribbean slaves. During slavery the French excluded Black people from their masquerade balls so J’ouvert and Carnival became a celebration of culture. Like carnival, people are dressed in costumes with bright colorful feathers, glitter and sometimes you can even catch people walking on five- foot stilts. Both events are also used as a way for Caribbean immigrants to adjust to society without forgetting their roots.
The West Indian Labor Day Festival is welcome to all and free for everyone. End your summer with a bang by enjoying one of the most exhilarating parades of the summer with the Carribbean residents of New York City.
For 30 years, Music Haven has presented an amazing array of global sounds in Schenectady’s Central Park. Proctors Collaborative is extending its partnership with the storied summer concert series to bring a dynamic new slate of world music events to the GE Theatre at Proctors in Schenectady, and Universal Preservation Hall in Saratoga Springs for the 23-24 season. While international travel offers little in the way of discounts, the Proctors Passport Series pass gives patrons tickets to all seven shows for the price of four. The series runs from October to May.
Saturday, Oct. 7 – Ablaye Cissoko and Cyrille Brotto
To kick off the globetrotting series, world-renowned kora player and Senegalese griot Ablaye Cissoko teams up with the French diatonic accordion maestro Cyrille Brotto to create music to clear the mind and inspire the senses at the GE Theatre at Proctors 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 7.
Friday, Oct. 20 – Lengaïa Salsa Brava
Lengaïa Salsa Brava, founded by Latin-Guyanese trombonist Giany-Frantz Huyghues-Despointes, is a 12-piece multi-awarded big band based in Montreal. The orchestration of three trombones and a baritone saxophone gives a powerful edge and identity to their music while maintaining the heritage of the ‘70s New York salsa dura style. They will be welcoming listeners and dancers alike to UPH 7:30 p.m. Friday, Oct. 20.
Friday, Nov. 3 – The Brooklyn Nomads
The Brooklyn Nomads is a celebrated cross-cultural ensemble rooted in musical traditions from the Arab World, with a mission to create memorable experiences for its audiences. Join them in Schenectady at the GE Theatre at Proctors 7:30 p.m. Friday, Nov. 3
Saturday, Dec. 2 – The Klezmatic’s Happy Joyous Hanukkah Concert
The Klezmatics’ Happy Joyous Hanukkah Concert–co-promoted with The Eighth Step–will celebrate the annual Festival of Lights in the GE Theatre at Proctors 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 2 with songs from the beloved Klezmer band’s Grammy-winning collaboration with recently discovered Woody Guthrie lyrics.
Friday, Feb. 16, 2024 – Bassekou Kouyate
The foremost of a new generation of bandleaders from the musical hotbed of Mali, Bassekou Kouyate has been revolutionary in developing new techniques of playing the ngoni, an ancient traditional lute found throughout West Africa. Join them at UPH 7:30 p.m. Friday, Feb. 16.
Thursday, April 18, 2024 – BeauSoleil avec Michael Doucet
Multi-Grammy™ winning BeauSoleil avec Michael Doucet has been hailed as “the best Cajun band in the world.” Credited with taking the art form from its regional roots in Louisiana to popularity worldwide, Doucet and the band are celebrating their 50th anniversary this year with select dates, including one at UPH 7:30 p.m. Thursday, April 18.
Wednesday, May 15, 2024 – Ricardo Ribeiro and Diana Vilarinho
Fado, with its spirited singing and lithe acoustic accompaniment, captures the spirit and inventiveness of Portugal in a seamless tradition stretching out over more than 150 years. One of few international art forms that have not yet been presented in the Capital Region, fado takes over the GE Theatre at Proctors 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, May 15, with a stunning double bill featuring one of the genre’s biggest stars, Ricardo Ribeiro, joined by breakout singer Diana Vilarinho.
Tickets are available through the Box Office at Proctors in-person, via phone at (518) 346-6204 Monday-Saturday 10 a.m.-6 p.m. or online at universalpreservationhall.org or proctors.org.
Presented by the Kupferberg Center for the Arts, Live at the Gantries brings free music to the banks of the East River. The concert series runs every Tuesday from July 11 through August 15. Performances are set to take place at Gantry Plaza State Park in Queens.
Each concert is scheduled to start at 7:00 PM. The series looks to support and foster some of the most talented local artists and bands in NYC. This year’s lineup features music from several different genres, including R&B, Afrobeat, Soul, Dance, and Jazz.
The beauty of Live at the Gantries is that it brings together the vibrant Queens community and showcases the incredible musical talent. It’s a celebration of diversity, culture, and the power of music to bring people together
Jon Yanofsky, Director of Kupferberg Center for the Arts
Gantry Plaza State Park sits on 12 acres of land and gives attendees a pristine view of the Manhattan skyline. The park provides the perfect venue to enjoy the sounds of live music as the sun sets over the Big Apple.
Live at the Gantries Lineup
TUE, JUL 11, 7 PM: AJOYO
AJOYO is a groovy mixture of jazz, electronic, and pop all grounded in strong West African rhythms. Spearheaded by Sarah Elizabeth Charles, Yacine Boulares, and Jesse Fischer, their unique sound is perfect for summer.
TUE, JUL 18, 7 PM: Bartlett Contemporaries
Bartlett Contemporaries with the Uptown Funk Sound is a dynamic band influenced by the diverse sounds of Queens, NY. Their music often lies somewhere in the realm of hip-hop. Blending bebop, hip hop, dance and more to create a sound that is both timeless and fresh.
TUE, JUL 25, 7 PM: Afro Dominicano
Afro Dominicano infuses their songs with a captivating Afro-Caribbean soul. Incorporating Dominican styles with African elements, Afro Domincano produces music that encapsulates both the diversity and collectivity of NYC.
TUE, AUG 1, 7 PM: Linda EPO’s Ensemble New Yorkino
Growing up in Queens, New York City and Puebla City, Mexico Linda EPO’s voice has been greatly shaped by her cultural surroundings. As part of her career, Linda has been on a worldwide tour with the Grammy nominated Heritage Blues Orchestra.
TUE, AUG 8, 7 PM: Michael Olatuja & Lagos Pepper Soup
New York-based composer and bassist Michael Olatuja combines the sounds of Lagos, London, and New York City to create “cinematic Afrobeat”. One of the most innovative artists today, Olatuja has worked with the likes of Diana Ross, Stevie Wonder, Shakira, and Angelique Kidjo.
TUE, AUG 15, 7 PM: Slavo Rican Assembly
The Slavo Rican Assembly was founded by Jan Kus, a saxophonist and composer hailing from Slovenia and based in New York City. This seven-piece band combines Latin jazz scene with South Slavic musical heritage.
The Bronx Music Heritage Center has announced the return of their signature Bronx Rising! with the addition of various music performances, a film screening, and moderated conversations exploring Congolese influences in Caribbean music and dance. Bronx Rising!is set to begin on June 24th and will stretch to the end of August with three Congolese events scattered throughout.
Bronx Rising! is an annual series that brings the Bronx’s cultural riches, past and present, to life. The kick-off event on June 24th will begin the Congolese series with ‘The Congo Influence in Puerto Rican Bomba’ at 3:00 PM in the Bronx Music Hall Plaza. This conversation will be open to the public and be presented by musical artist Nkumu Katalay and Alex LaSalle, bandleader of the Afro-Puerto Rican Alma Moyo, followed by a performance of both their ensembles.
The next event in the series will take a different direction in exploring Congolese influence as it will feature a special screening of “Kumina Queen.” The film follows Imogene Queenie Kennedy, a priestess in post-colonial Jamaica, as she shares the African spiritual practices of Kumina with the world. Kumina’s basic elements are song, dance, and trance possession which is a driving force in Jamaica’s culture and identity as the music and rhythms employed during Kumina ceremonies have heavily influenced Jamaican popular music including reggae and dancehall. Today, artists such as Nyasha Laing, the film’s director, producer, and screenplay writer, are reimagining Kumina in part because of the constantly changing mysteries of spirit possession. Taking place on July 22nd at 7:00 PM in the BMHC Lab, the event will continue with a moderated discussion and Q&A with Laing and anthropologist Dr. Kenneth Bilby pertaining to the Congo influence present in popular Jamaican music. Tickets for the event will be sold for $10 for adults and $5 for students and seniors.
On August 26th, the series will conclude back at the Bronx Music Hall Plaza with ‘Congo Roots in the Diaspora: “Quien no tiene de Kongo tiene de Karabal픑 which will feature a performance by the Román Díaz Ensemble. Román Díaz himself will remain after the free performance to converse with cultural historian Dr. Ivor Miller and BMHC co-artistic director Bobby Sanabria. The men will examine how Congolese influences have shaped Cuban traditions thus producing some of the most famous performance ensembles of the island.
Despite having such a large impact, Congolese influences and connections have been emphasized less both in the music world and within the Latin American and Caribbean communities in the United States, but their presence pervades many of the music, dance, and artistic traditions. Throughout this summer’s Bronx Rising! Congolese events, the Bronx Music Heritage Center will work to bridge this gap and highlight the connections between cultures, music, religion, and art present in the Bronx.
Bronx Rising! Participating 2023 Artists and Scholars
Nyasha Laing is a documentarian who works to transform our understanding of diverse social and cultural movements and practices. Her independent storytelling—which has appeared in and on the Los Angeles Pan-African Film Festival, BBC World Service, YES Magazine, The Art Museum of the Americas, IMZ International Festival, and European Traveling Showcase—explores loss, regeneration, identity, and freedom.
Dr. Kenneth Bilby is an American anthropologist, ethnomusicologist, and author. His published works include the books Words of Our Mouth, Meditations of Our Heart: Pioneering Musicians of Ska, Rocksteady, Reggae, and Dancehall (2016), Enacting Power: The Criminalization of Obeah in the Anglophone Caribbean, 1760–2011 (2012; with Jerome S. Handler), True-Born Maroons (2005), and Caribbean currents: Caribbean music from rumba to reggae (1995; with Peter Manuel and Michael Largey).
Nkumu Katalay is an artist, orator, multi-instrumentalist, and social activist whose main objective is to promote humanity. Born in Kinshasa, the capital city of the Democratic Republic of Congo, he lives in New York City. Nkumu’s vision highlights the contribution of Congolese cultures in modern world history. He is the founder of The Life Long Project Band, a musical group and a project which focuses on pushing the positive narrative of the Congolese culture via music and social-cultural and educational initiatives. He is also founder of the Afro Congolese Dance program and company which offers weekly dance activities throughout New York City, in schools, corporations, or cultural centers for all ages from children to adults and seniors.
Alex LaSalle is a high priest (Tata Nkisi) to one of the oldest houses of Kongo-Cuban Palo in Cuba and now New York City—Batalla Sacampeño Mayombe. His teacher and mentor is Florencio Miguel Garzon (“Loanganga”) from Cuba. In addition to serving as a diviner and priest, Alex is also a specialist in hundreds of Afro-Cuban Kongo Mambo songs and rituals. Alex is fluent in the Afro-Cuban Bantu/Kongo language, is an avid researcher and oral historian. He has presented lectures for educators and students at Yale, Columbia, New York University, Long Island University, and others. A teaching artist in New York City public schools, Alex is the founder and director of Alma Moyo Afro-Puerto Rican Bomba group, and member of Grammy Nominated Los Pleneros de la 21 and Grupo Folklorico Experimental Nueva Yorquino. Alex has performed with such groups as Roberto Cepeda’s Bomba Aché, William Cepeda’s Afro-Boricua, Felix Alduén y su Tambores, Pa’lo Monte, Nchila Ngoma Mayombe, and 21 Division.
Román Díaz is a Cuban born master percussionist and a living repository of Afro-Cuban culture. He is a noted scholar of Cuban religious and folkloric music as well as a composer and performer of contemporary Afro-Cuban music and Jazz. He has performed and recorded with Cuban diva Mercedíta Valdes, Canadian Jane Bunnett, Juan Carlos Formell, Paquito D’Rivera, and folkloric artist, Orlando “Puntilla” Rios, and Pianist Danílo Pérez. He has also recorded with the Afro-Cuban folkloric groups; Yoruba Andabo, Raices Profundas and Los Marqueses de Atares. He has also performed at Jazz at Lincoln Center, The Kennedy Center, and the Smithsonian Museum. As a member of the seminal Rumba ensemble, Yoruba Andabo, Díaz aided in the creation of the sound that has defined contemporary Rumba since the 1980’s in Cuba and around the world. Díaz continues to innovate the song style as well as migrating the conical two-headed Bata drum from religious music into contemporary Jazz.
Dr. Ivor Miller is a cultural historian specializing in the African Diaspora in the Caribbean and the Americas. He was a Senior Fellow at the National Museum of African Art at the Smithsonian Institution (2011-2012), a Fulbright Scholar to Nigeria (2009-2011), and teaches in the Bassey Andah Institute for African and Asian Studies at the University of Calabar, Cross River State, Nigeria. His most recent book, “Voice of the Leopard: African Secret Societies and Cuba” (UP of Mississippi 2009/ CBAAC Lagos 2011) was awarded Honorable Mention by the Association for Africanist Anthropology. Based upon fieldwork in Nigeria, Cameroon, Cuba, and the USA, it documents ritual languages and practices that survived the Middle Passage and evolved into a unifying charter for transplanted slaves and their successors.
Bobby Sanabria is Bobby Sanabria is co-artistic director of The Bronx Music Heritage Center and an eight-time Grammy-nominated drummer, percussionist, composer, arranger, conductor, producer, educator, and bandleader. He has performed and recorded with legends such as Tito Puente, Mongo Santamaría, Ray Barretto, Cándido, Henry Threadgill, Larry Harlow, and the Godfather of Afro-Cuban jazz, Mario Bauzá. A South Bronx native of Puerto Rican parents, Sanabria was inducted into the Bronx Walk of Fame in 2006. He holds a B.M. from the Berklee College of Music and is on the faculty of the New School and the Manhattan School of Music, conducting the Afro-Cuban Jazz Big Bands at both schools.
The theme for the second installment of Albany’s Alive at 5 was Jam Night. On Thursday, June 15th, Mihali along with Side B played 2 non-stop jam sessions for the people of Albany.
Mihali is one of the co-founders of the jam band Twiddle. Out of Vermont, Mihali has been with Twiddle for the last 18 years. Late last year Twiddle, made the announcement that they were taking an “indefinite hiatus” following their Distance Makes the Heart tour.
Mihali plans to join the band for a few of their shows, but really started to branch off from the band. He has his own shows that he’s doing along with the Twiddle tour. He also released a single, “Raise it,” last month along with his second solo album Effection last summer.
Side B from Albany played a solid hour set to open Jam Night. They are no stranger to Albany stages as they played a set during the Holiday Tree Lighting. The young alt-rock band played an electric and energetic set for their first Alive at 5. Guitarist A.J. Horton ran in to the crowd to get them on their feet. They really started to turn heads as they grew a bit on an audience towards the end of their set, especially with a cover of Presidents of the United States of America’s “Peaches.”
Mihali played an almost non-stop one and a half hour set to a large crowd of Albany residents. The band really worked together well to take few breaks between songs and just really jam out. The saxophonist had a large presence on stage as they had many breakout solos alongside some of the other band members.
There was not one bad vibe to be found as Mihali played a mixture of covers, old, and new music. Parents with their children might have had stories to tell about some of their favorite Twiddle songs from high school.
As Mihali was leaving the stage, there was a reluctance from the crowd to just go home. No chants for an encore erupted, but instead a long applause. Nonetheless, Mihali came back saying that they still have 5 more minutes left of their set. He started of with the smooth a reggae beat from “Enemies” before switching to a more hard rock beat. It really felt that every strum of the guitar struck a cord on your inside.
Jam Night of Albany’s Alive at 5 – Photo by Jarron Childs
To catch Mihali next, he will be playing at the Peach Music Festival at June 29th in Scranton, PA. Mihali plans to rejoin Twiddle on August 10th for the Catskill Montain Jubilee on July 14th. To catch Twiddle next, they will be playing in Buffalo at the Cobblestone Music and Arts Festival on July 14th.
Mihali Setlist: All Day, Open House, Strongest of Our Kind, Terrestrial Tango, Carved Lines, Maplewood, Plush, Empty Overflow, Iron Lion Zion, Ballad of the Broken, Hypocrite, Find My Way, Breath and Let Go, Living is the Lesson, Enemies, Watchtower, Stairway
The NY Harvest Festival & Freedom Fair are returning to Ithaca for the 26th straight year of celebrating music, arts, and cannabis culture. Taking place October 6-9, 2023 at the Trumansburg Fairgrounds, attendees will get to experience a packed musical lineup along with interactions with local cannabis companies.
2021 NY Harvest Festival Cannabis Cup
Featuring multiple stages, fine art displays, street vendors, workshops, activist & educational speakers, a farmers market, onsite camping, and many more activities, the NY Harvest Festival expects to embody the connection between cannabis and music.
On Friday, October 6, the headliner event features two sets of Dogs in a Pile, whose exploratory music blends psychedelia, jazz, fusion, funk, traditional, and rock n roll. Performing their first-ever festival show here years ago, Dogs in a Pile returns to put on yet another unforgettable showing.
Saturday, October 7th’s lineup will additionally feature more local New York talent, as Sophistafunk, The Garcia Project, Gratefully Yours, and special guest Immortal Technique will all take the stage.
Other artists anticipating performances at the event include The Tyler Neal Band, Tony Vacca & World Rhythms, EARTH, The Cosmic Charlies, and so many other up-and-coming local talents.
Lastly, the festival’s main event, the Cannabis Cup, takes place Sunday, October 8 at 4:20 pm, and festival producer and veteran NY cannabis activist Rob Robinson will be the host. Known as America’s longest-running cannabis cup, everyone over 21 that wants to be, gets the opportunity to be a judge.
“NY Harvest Fest is a celebration of our cannabis culture. A place where the culture could always feel free, despite prohibition. Now that cannabis is legal and its potential is being realized, we are excited to bring this event, this culture, back into the light.”
– Rob Robinson
As the longest-running, largest, private cannabis event in New York, the NY Harvest Festival continues paving the way in the marijuana industry while intertwining it with community involvement. Now, for the 26th straight year, the festival has even more freedom and excitement surrounding cannabis legalization.
A shot of the crowd from the 2022 NY Harvest Festival
Colombian singer-songwriter Mónica Giraldo announced a four show tour with performances in Boston, Philadelphia, New York City, and Washington DC. The tour will stop at the Lincoln Center on June 15.
Giraldo has been nominated for a Latin Grammy for Best New Artist. She also received two Billboard Awards as a singer-songwriter. She has six recorded works, including albums such as Muy Cerca (Very Close), Todo da Vueltas (Everything Turns), and Que Venga la Vida (Let Life Come).
With past concerts in the United States, Mexico, France, Japan, and other countries, Mónica Giraldo is an experienced world traveler. She also worked as an architect at CBT Architects in Boston as well as at other leading architecture firms in Spain and Colombia. Furthermore, Giraldo is an Ambassador of the Berklee College of Music in Colombia. Additionally, she has collaborated with Totó La Momposina and Mafalda Veiga, among other artists.
Enrique Iglesias, Ricky Martin and Pitbull have announced The Trilogy Tour with stops at Madison Square Garden and the Barclays Center. For the first time ever, the three artists will share the stage featuring three unique headlining sets, one from each artist.
The tour kicks off in Washington DC on October 14. They will perform at Madison Square Garden in New York, NY, on Thursday, October 26 and Friday, October 27, as well as at Barclays Center in Brooklyn on Saturday, October 28, 2023.
All three artists are hugely popular. To start, Enrique Iglesias is a global superstar recognized for his musical versatility across pop and urban genres in Spanish and English. He sold more than 180 million albums worldwide, released 11 studio albums and 3 greatest hits compilations. He also headlined 10 sold-out world tours and performed in front of 10+ million fans.
I am incredibly excited to be going on tour with my friends Pitbull and Ricky. The Trilogy Tour will be an amazing experience for ALL of our fans. It’s going to be a once in a lifetime tour.
Enrique Iglesias
Often refered to as the “King of Latin Pop,” Ricky Martin is a global music icon. Throughout his nearly four-decade career, Martin has brought Latin music and culture to the mainstream, paving the way for crossover talent. His recent successes include the Latin Grammy-winning EP “Pausa” and the album “PLAY,” featuring collaborations with acclaimed artists such as Bad Bunny, Residente, and Sting.
Beyond his artistic achievements, Martin is also a dedicated philanthropist. He established the Ricky Martin Foundation, which actively fights against human trafficking and modern-day slavery. As a Global Ambassador for UNICEF, he has provided significant support to communities affected by natural disasters. Martin has received numerous humanitarian awards, including the Hispanic Federation’s “Humanitarian Award” and the Human Rights Campaign’s “National Visibility Award.” In recognition of his contributions, the City of New York declared “Ricky Martin Day” to honor his artistic legacy and philanthropic work.
Going back on the road with not only Enrique, but now with Pitbull it’s very exciting. This tour will be a wild party from beginning to end so get ready, it’s going to be epic!
Ricky Martin
Armando Christian Perez, more commonly known as Pitbull, is a Grammy-award winning independent international superstar, education advocate, entrepreneur and motivational speaker. With billions of audio streams and video views plus hundreds of gold and platinum certifications, Pitbull has one of the most impressive careers in music history. Not only did he successfully help establish Sports Leadership Arts and Management (SLAM!), tuition-free public charter schools across the country, he also is co-owner of the NASCAR racing team Trackhouse.
Pitbull returned to the road in 2022 with the sold out North American Can’t Stop Us Now Tour along with his SiriusXM Globalization DJs packing amphitheaters and arenas coast-to-coast. He also performed for millions worldwide and even joined forces with the #1 life and business strategist, Tony Robbins, for numerous speaking engagements around the globe. This fall, Pitbull will release his next long-awaited Spanglish album titled Trackhouse.
It’s a true honor to tour with Enrique and Ricky, 2 music icons, who broke global music barriers for our culture and open doors for someone like myself. We’re excited to take The Trilogy tour around the world and give our fans the time of their Trilogy lives, Dale!
Pitbull
Verified Fan presale starts on Wednesday, June 7. A limited number of tickets will be sold during a general on sale starting on Friday, June 9 at 10 am at ticketmaster.com while supplies last.
Tour Dates
Sat Oct 14 – Washington, DC – Capital One Arena
Tue Oct 17 – Toronto, ON – Scotiabank Arena
Wed Oct 18 – Toronto, ON – Scotiabank Arena
Fri Oct 20 – Montreal, QC – Bell Centre
Sat Oct 21– Boston, MA – TD Garden
Thu Oct 26 – New York, NY – Madison Square Garden
Fri Oct 27 – New York, NY – Madison Square Garden
Sat Oct 28 – Brooklyn, NY – Barclays Center
Wed Nov 01 – Chicago, IL – United Center
Thu Nov 02 – Chicago, IL – United Center
Fri Nov 03 – Detroit, MI – Little Caesars Arena
Thu Nov 09 – Orlando, FL – Amway Center
Fri Nov 10 – Miami, FL – Kaseya Center
Sat Nov 11 – Miami, FL – Kaseya Center
Fri Nov 17 – Dallas, TX – American Airlines Center
NYC’s City Parks Foundation’s SummerStage is back for another year of concerts and entertainment. This season the series features everything from folk music icons to some of hip-hop’s most innovative voices. Most of the notable concerts will take place at Rumsey Playfield in Central Park. 12 different neighborhood parks across all five boroughs of NYC will also serve as venues. Concerts begin on June 3 and run until September 30.
Since its inception in 1986, SummerStage has established itself as one of New York City’s premier concert series. With 80 shows Summerstage showcases a diverse set of artists from various genres week after week. Apart from some ticketed benefit concerts, SummerStage events are usually open to the public and free.
In addition to concerts, Central Park will also screen films and host a multitude of different celebrations. The iconic greenspace has become an inseparable from NYC, hosting some of the most well known artists throughout the years. Curtis Mayfield, Elvis Costello, Crosby, Stills & Nash, and Jazmine Sullivan have all graced the stage in Central Park.
The other parks and outdoor spaces hosting SummerStage in 2023 include Marcus Garvey Park in Harlem, Tompkins Square Park in the East Village, Von King Park and The Coney Island Amphitheater in Brooklyn, Flushing Meadows-Corona Park in Queens, Crotona Park in the Bronx, Stapleton Waterfront Park in Staten Island, and SummerStage’s flagship venue at Rumsey Playfield in Central Park.
This year SummerStage will celebrate hip-hop as the genre celebrates its 50th anniversary. The series aims to highlight not only its significance to NYC but also the impact it has had worldwide.
As part of the celebration, a special edition showcase will take over Coney Island on August 6. The event will feature artists Special Ed and many more, hosted by Ralph McDaniels. Frankie Cutlass and Black Sheep’s Dres will join the festivities on August 12 in Staten Island. A day later DJ Funk Flex will bring his birthday celebration to Brooklyn on August 13.
SummerStage’s 2023 roster boasts several international musicians but also tries to celebrate some of the city’s local artists. Argentina’s TRUENO and Puerto Rico’s Villano Antillano highlight the influence of Caribbean and reggaetón. Meanwhile Brooklyn-based artist Nick Hakim looks to bring his soulful R&B sounds back to his hometown.
We are thrilled to present another vibrant season filled with captivating artists from around the world and introduce music fans to their diverse sounds
Erika Elliott, Executive Artistic Director of SummerStage.
Saturday, June 3, 7 p.m., Central Park – Hippo Campus & Gus Dapperton – Benefit Concert
Sunday, June 4, 6:30 p.m., Central Park – Indigo Girls – Benefit Concert
Saturday, June 10, 6 p.m., Central Park – Opening Night American Blues – FREE Concert
Wednesday, June 14, 7 p.m., Central Park – New York Sings Yiddish! – FREE Concert
Thursday, June 15, 7 p.m., Central Park – Sammy Rae & The Friends – Benefit Concert
Saturday, June 17, 4 p.m., Central Park – The Aussie BBQ – FREE Concert
Sunday, June 18, 6 p.m., Central Perk – Buddy Guy’s Damn Right Farewell Tour – Benefit Concert
Monday, June 19, 4 p.m., Central Park – Park Jams, a Juneteenth Celebration – Benefit Concert
Tuesday, June 20, 7 p.m., Central Park – The Metropolitan Opera Summer Recital ft. Gabriella Reyes / René Barbera / Will Liverman and Dimitri Dover – FREE Concert
Friday, June 23, 7 p.m., Brooklyn Bridge Park – The Metropolitan Opera Summer Recital ft. Gabriella Reyes / René Barbera/ Will Liverman / Dimitri Dover – FREE Concert
Saturday, June 24, 5 p.m., Central Park – Stanley Clarke N 4ever / Kenny Garrett / Brandee Younger / DJ Logic in Association with Blue Note Jazz Festival – FREE Concert
Saturday, June 24, 7 p.m., Jackie Robinson Park – The Metropolitan Opera Summer Recital ft. Erika Baikoff / Thomas Glass / Cierra Byrd / Juan José Lázaro – FREE Concert
Sunday, June 25, 3 p.m. – Dreamland – Pride in Central Park – Benefit Concert
Monday, June 26, 6 p.m., Williamsbridge Oval – The Metropolitan Opera Summer Recital ft. Erika Baikoff / Thomas Glass / Cierra Byrd / Juan José Lázaro – FREE Concert
Wednesday, June 28, 6 p.m., Socrates Sculpture Garden – The Metropolitan Opera Summer Recital ft. Erika Baikoff / Thomas Glass / Cierra Byrd / Juan José Lázaro – FREE Concert
Wednesday, June 28, 7 p.m., – Michael Franti & Spearhead – Benefit Concert
Friday, June 30, 7 p.m., Clove Lakes Park – The Metropolitan Opera Summer Recital ft. Erika Baikoff / Thomas Glass / Cierra Byrd / Juan José Lázaro – FREE Concert
Saturday, July 1, 5 p.m., Central Park – Andy Shauf / Leith Ross / Yves Jarvis in association with the Consulate General of Canada in New York – FREE Concert
Sunday, July 2, 5 p.m., Central Park – Andy Shauf / Leith Ross / Yves Jarvis in association with the Consulate General of Canada in New York – FREE Concert
Saturday, July 8, 5 p.m., Central Park – Catalan Sounds On Tour: Queralt Lahoz / Marala / Lia Kali with DJ sets by DJ Trapella in association with the Institut Ramon Llull – FREE Concert
Sunday, July 9, 5 p.m., Coney Island – Tuff Gong Takeover feat Skip Marley & Friends – FREE Concert
Monday, July 10, 6 p.m., Central Park – Noel Gallagher & High Flying Birds and Garbage – Benefit Concert
Wednesday, July 12, 6 p.m., Central Park – Juanes / Conexion Divina in association with LAMC – FREE Concert
Thursday, July 13, 5 p.m., Central Park – Bastille Day: Joachim Garraud & Marie Berson / Passi / Bénabar / Adèle Castillon in association with Consulate General of France – FREE Concert
Thursday, July 13, 7 p.m., Von King Park – Works & Process at SummerStage: The Masterz at Work Dance Family with Courtney Washington – FREE Concert
Friday, July 14, 6 p.m., Von King Park – Nick Hakim / June McDoom / Evan Wright – FREE Concert
Saturday, July 15, 4 p.m., Von King Park – MIKE’S Young World III: Noname / Georgia Anne Muldrow / 454 – FREE Concert
Saturday, July 15, 5 p.m., Central Park – TRUENO / Villano Antillano / Dawer x Damper / KEXP’s El Sonido with Albina Cabrera ft. Camola DJ set in association with LAMC – FREE Concert
Sunday, July 16, 4 p.m., Coney Island – GOLDEN OLDIES ON THE BOARDWALK 2023 feat. The Duprees / The Coasters / Charlie Thomas’ Drifters w/ Jeff Hall / Bobby Wilson / Stan Zizka’s Del Satins / Vito Picone & The Elegants / The Chiclettes and More / Hosted by Joe Causi with DJ Vinnie Medugno in association with Fever Productions and Brian Rosenberg – FREE Concert
Sunday, July 16, 6 p.m, Von King Park – dead prez / th1rt3en / Large Professor DJ Set – FREE Concert
Wednesday, July 19, 5 p.m., Central Park – Julia Jacklin / Y La Bamba / Black Belt Eagle Scout -FREE Concert
Thursday, July 20, 5 p.m., Central Park – Horsegirl / Iceage / Water From Your Eyes / Lifeguard – FREE Concert
Saturday, July 22, 5 p.m., Central Park – Michael Brun Presents BAYO – Benefit Concert
Saturday, July 22, 5 p.m., Flushing Meadows Corona – Kool and the Gang – FREE Concert
Sunday, July 23, 5 p.m., Central Park – Taiwanese Waves: Waa Wei / The Dinosaur’s Skin / Mandarin Homework (DJ Mr. Skin) – FREE Concert
Sunday, July 23, 6 p.m., Flushing Meadows Corona Park – DJ Rekha’s Basement Bhangra Bacchanal: DJ Rekha / Malkit Singh with live band / DJ Ana / Sikh Knowledge / Rolex Rasathy / Param Singh / Dholi Anuradha and guests – FREE Concert
Thursday, Aug 3, 6 p.m., Crotona Park – Ted Smooth’s Freestyle Jam ft. TKA and Judy Torres – FREE Concert
Friday, Aug 4, 5 p.m., Crotona Park – “Birth of a Culture” Grandmaster Flash and Friends – FREE Concert
Saturday, Aug 5, 5 p.m., Central Park – The Originals: Stretch Armstrong / Rich Medina / Tony Touch / Clark Kent / D-Nice – FREE Concert
Saturday, Aug 5, 7 p.m., Crotona Park – Stonebwoy in association with Ghanafest-NY Crotona Park – FREE Concert
Sunday, August 6, 4 p.m., Coney Island – Hip-Hop 50: SPECIAL EDITION: Nice N Smooth / Special Ed /Buckshot of Black Moon / Masta Ace / CL Smooth / Rah Digga / Rampage / Black Sheep Dres / Sweet Tee / Joeski Love / Sparky D / Hosted by Ralph McDaniels (Video Music Box) – FREE Concert
Wednesday and Thursday, Aug 9 & 10, 7 p.m. Mt. Joy – Benefit Concerts – Sold Out
Saturday, Aug 12, 5 p.m., Waterfront Park – Frankie Cutlass / The Original Cover Girls / Cynthia / Black Sheep / DJ Millo and DJ Medina in Association with Maker Park Radio Stapleton Waterfront Park – FREE Concert
Saturday, Aug 12, 5 p.m., Central Park – VP Records Presents Roots Reggae Review – FREE Concert
Sunday, Aug 13, 5 p.m., Coney Island – Funk Flex & Friends Birthday Concert Featuring Raheem DeVaughn, Rob Base & More – FREE Concert
Aug 13, 5 p.m, Waterfront Park – Las Cafeteras / Natu Camara / Justy / DJ Kitty the Disc Jockey in Association with Maker Park Radio and La Isla Bonita Stapleton – FREE Concert
Thursday, Aug 17, 7 p.m., Marcus Garvey Park – Works & Process at SummerStage: The Missing Element with The Beatbox House / LayeRhythm – FREE Concert
Friday, Aug 18, 7 p.m., Marcus Garvey Park – Jason Moran and the Big Bandwagon: James Reese Europe and the Harlem Hellfighters: From the Dancehall to the Battlefield in Association with Jazzmobile – FREE Concert
Saturday, Aug 19, 5 p.m., Marcus Garvey Park – Mixtape (Film Screening) / DJ sets by Ron G / Doo Wop / Mister Cee / Tony Touch / Brucie B – FREE Concert
Saturday, Aug 19, 5 p.m. – Cautious Clay, Wet, Christian Kuria, and Zindelphia – Benefit
Sunday, Aug 20, 4 p.m., Coney Island – Jose Alberto “El Canario” / The Big 3 Palladium Orchestra: The Music Of Machito, Tito Rodriguez and Tito Puente – FREE Concert
Aug 20, 5 p.m., Central Park – Everyday People – FREE Concert
Aug 20, 5 p.m., Marcus Garvey Park – Hip-Hop 50: Native Tongue Edition: Monie Love / Black Sheep Dres / Chi Ali / DJ Red Alert hosted by Ralph McDaniels (Video Music Box) – FREE Concert
Wednesday, Aug 23, 4:30 p.m. – Manchester Orchestra and Jimmy Eat World – Benefit Concert
Thursday, Aug 24, 8 p.m. – Regina Spektor – Benefit Concert
Friday, Aug 25, 7 p.m., Marcus Garvey Park – Charlie Parker Jazz Festival: Orrin Evans and the Captain Black Big Band featuring Dianne Reeves / T.K. Blue in association with Jazzmobile – FREE Concert
Saturday, Aug 26, 3 p.m., Marcus Garvey Park – Charlie Parker Jazz Festival: The Cookers / Endea Owens and the Cookout / Nduduzo Makhathini Trio / Akua Allrich and The Tribe – FREE Concert
Sunday, Aug 27, 3 p.m., Tompkins Square Park – Charlie Parker Jazz Festival: Charles McPherson with Terell Stafford / Something Else! Vincent Herring Septet / HERA feat. Chelsea Baratz and Andromeda Turre / Michael Mayo – FREE Concert
Sunday, Aug 27, 5 p.m., Central Park – Palmwine Festival: Show Dem Camp and Friends in association with Move Forward Music – FREE Concert
Wednesday, Aug 30, 7 p.m. – Vance Joy with Dan Sultan – Benefit Concert
Thursday, Aug 31, 6 p.m., Central Park – In Our Own Sweet Time Tour: Vance Joy / Dan Sultan Subaru Music Series – Benefit Concert
Sunday, Sep 3, 5 p.m., Central Park – Emicida / Goyo / Screening: AmarElo: It’s All for Yesterday / in Association with 27th Inffinito Brazilian Film Festival – FREE Concert
Thursday, Sep 14, 5 p.m., Central Park – Tanya Tucker / Nikki Lane Subaru Music Series – FREE Concert
