2016 free Central Park Summerstage shows (Feelies, UMO, Empress Of, Cymande, Kamasi, King Sunny Ade, more)

The 2016 free SummerStage concerts were recently announced. Like in past years, they take place in outdoor venues across all five NYC boroughs, including Central Park, Red Hook Park, Betsy Head Park, Crotona Park, East River Park, and more. Here’s a rundown of all the stuff happening in Central Park.

The first show of the season happens June 4 with legendary jazz pianist McCoy Tyner, who was a member of Coltrane’s classic early-mid ’60s quartet and is also an excellent bandleader in his own right. It’s billed as “The Legends Honor McCoy” and features Tyner’s quartet plus Ron Carter and Roy Haynes. (Tyner also happens to play NYC tonight [4/26] too.)

The next Central Park show has more veterans/legends: British psychedelic soul/funk group Cymande, who released their first album since 1981 last year. Cymande are headlining, and the super promising LA R&B trio KING will provide direct support. Before them it’s Taj Mahal’s daughter Deva Mahal and DJ Parlerr.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0kzJ3aXSo48

Another jazz highlight is the great Kamasi Washington on June 18. You can also catch Kamasi, who just played Coachella, in NYC during the Red Bull Music Academy in May.

On June 21, Central Park hosts “Fête de la Musique,” an evening of French artists including the super fun new wavey band La Femme, Israeli-French singer/songwriter Yael Naim (best known on these shores for “New Soul,” which is probably best known for its appearance in a 2008 iPod commercial), veteran soundtrack composer/painter/photographer/etc Charlélie Couture, and keyboardist Hervé Salters’ project General Electriks.

For laffs, Comedy Central is presenting The Daily Show with Trevor Noah Stand-Up in the Park on June 26.

The long-running Indigo Girls will hit the outdoor venue for a show on June 27.

Two legendary Nigerian musicians, King Sunny Adé and Orlando Julius, who have both been at it since the ’60s, will hit Central Park on July 3 with DJ Rich Medina.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e8iVKww_Jac

On July 8, there’s a lineup of all latino musicians with Leon Larregui, Rodrigo Amarante and Grenda.

Alternative rock heroes The Feelies hit Central Park in July 18 with support from a band who were surely influenced by them, Beach Fossils.

On July 30, it’s neo-psych popsters Unknown Mortal Orchestra and art pop musician Empress Of.

On July 31, the Rock Steady Crew celebrates their 39th anniversary with Nice & Smooth, Bahamadia and more.

It’s an all-Brazilian lineup on August 6 with Monobloco, Cabruêra, and the young psych rockers Boogarins, plus DJ Luiz Santos.

The great Congolese band Mbongwana Star will hit Central Park on August 14 with Batida (who collaborated on the new Konono No. 1 LP), Young Paris, Okayafrica Electrafrique feat. DJ Underdog, and a pre-show panel.

Rising DC rapper GoldLink hits Central Park on August 28 with Backyard Band and DJ Spicoli.

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There’s even more, and here’s the full lineup:

Saturday Jun 4 – 6:00 PM – The Legends Honor McCoy: McCoy Tyner Quartet / Ron Carter / Roy Haynes
Saturday – Jun 11 – 3:00 PM – Cymande / KING / Deva Mahal / DJ Parlerr
Wednesday – Jun 15 – 7:00 PM – Yiddish Soul: A Concert of Cantorial and Chassidic Superstars
Saturday – Jun 18 – 6:00 PM – Kamasi Washington
Tuesday – Jun 21 – 6:00 PM – Fête de la Musique: CharlElie Couture / Yael Naim / General Elektriks / La Femme
Wednesday – Jun 22 – 8:00 PM – Metropolitan Opera Summer Recital Series featuring Angel Blue, Ben Bliss, Alexey Lavrov, and Dan Saunders
Saturday – Jun 25 – 3:00 PM – Butler, Bernstein, and the Hot 9 / The Hot Sardines / Bria Skonberg and the New York Hot Jazz Festival All-Stars featuring Anat Cohen, Vince Giordano, Wycliffe Gordon, Joe Saylor and Dalton Ridenhour
Sunday – Jun 26 – 8:00 PM – Comedy Central Presents: The Daily Show with Trevor Noah Stand-Up in the Park
Monday – Jun 27 – 7:00 PM – Indigo Girls
Wednesday – Jun 29 – 8:00 PM – Screening: A Ballerina’s Tale / Jeremy McQueen’s Black Iris Project / Pre-Show Panel
Saturday – Jul 2 – 7:00 PM – Freedom Party® 13th Anniversary
Sunday – Jul 3 – 3:00 PM – King Sunny Adé / Orlando Julius and the Afro Soundz / DJ Rich Medina
Wednesday – Jul 6 – 6:00 PM – Mexrrissey / Los Cafres / La Dame Blanche
Friday – Jul 8 – 6:00 PM – Leon Larregui / Rodrigo Amarante / Grenda
Sunday – Jul 10 – 3:00 PM – Justin Roberts & the Not Ready For Naptime Players / Mister G / Excerpts from Finding Neverland / Gizmo Guys
Saturday – Jul 16 – 6:00 PM – Taiwanese Waves: Anpu / Wonfu / Sunset Rollercoaster
Sunday – Jul 17 – 3:00 PM – Paulo Flores / Herencia de Timbiquí / Monsieur Periné / DJ Greg Caz / DJ Manny
Monday – Jul 18 – 7:00 PM – The Feelies / Beach Fossils
Wednesday – Jul 27 – 8:00 PM – Complexions Contemporary Ballet / Carolyn Dorfman
Saturday – Jul 30 – 7:00 PM – Unknown Mortal Orchestra / Empress Of
Sunday – Jul 31 – 7:00 PM – Rock Steady Crew 39th Anniversary with Nice & Smooth / Bahamadia and more
Saturday – Aug 6 – 6:00 PM – Monobloco / Cabruêra / Boogarins / DJ Luiz Santos
Sunday – Aug 7 – 7:00 PM – Igmar Thomas & the Revive Big Band present: A Journey Through the Legacy of Black Culture, produced by Revive Music / Pre-Show Panel
Wednesday – Aug 10 – 8:00 PM – Tamar-kali with ASE Dance Theatre Collective / Nathan Trice Rituals
Sunday – Aug 14 – 6:00 PM – Mbongwana Star / Batida / Young Paris / Okayafrica Electrafrique feat. DJ Underdog / Pre-Show Panel
Wednesday – Aug 17 – 8:00 PM – DJ KS 360 & Full Circle Souljahs Presents: Behind The Groove / Soul Connected / Raphael Xavier
Sunday – Aug 21 – 3:00 PM – Sweet Micky / MHD / DJ Erick La Peau
Sunday – Aug 28 – 3:00 PM – GoldLink / Backyard Band / DJ Spicoli
Wednesday – Aug 31 – 8:00 PM – Chicago The Musical: 20th Anniversary Concert