Summer of Lukewarm
I love the sun. I love music. I love free shit. So it should come as no surprise that I am an avid attender of the manifold free music shows that sprout up in parks and along waterfronts here in New York City every summer. The chief of these is Central Park SummerStage closely followed by Park Slope's Celebrate Brooklyn. This year, like last, both rosters disappoint. They are a little too worldly, Williamsburgy and skew mighty old. I mean, I didn't have one aha moment as I scrolled through the bills, no "wow," no, "I always wanted to hear so and so live, but never had the opportunity." There are some good artists on the bills, but many of them are all too accessible. That said there are a few exceptions. There is no way I'm missing Isaac Hayes or Miriam Makeba take Prospect Park's bandshell. As for SummerStage, Roy Hargrove will drag me out as will Janelle Monae although I wish she was paired with someone other than Jose James, whose music is not bad just a little sleepy. I'd have booked Tiombe Lockhart or Res or both to share the bill with Ms. Monae. Now that would be big fun!
On the subject on festivals, seems the New Orleans Jazz Fest, which is finally back up to pre-Katrina form and runs through next weekend is pricing out the locals.
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Comments
1.
Aisha says:
Hmm... nothing jumps out at me either except for what you have already mentioned.... Was dance ever included before? It seems that there are quite a few dance troupes performing onstage.
05/07/2008 at 11:38 PM