photos by Chris La Putt; words by Fred Pessaro // BBG

Buckwheat Zydeco at Summerstage 8/11/2012

Roots music was the focus of warm Saturday afternoon in Central Park, when Carolina Chocolate Drops, Buckwheat Zydeco and Abigail Washburn with Kai Welch and Bela Fleck played Summerstage on 8/11 as part of the ongoing summer concert series. Pictures from the show are below.

It's rather depressing to think that Summerstage only has another three shows left on its schedule before it comes to a close for the season. The next Summerstage event will feature R&B songstress Goapele and Yolanda Zama alongside a film screening of Come Back Africa and goes down tomorrow (8/14), while the remaining two occur over the weekend (8/18 with Megan Washington, Emma Donavan, DJ Ashley Feraude with Jonty Hall and 8/19 with Inner Circle, Israel Vibration, The Mighty Diamonds, DJ Carter Van Pelt). Take advantage, people!

Side note: does anyone else think it is kind of odd that the last song of the summer at Summerstage just might be the theme from Cops?

Pictures from Saturday's Summerstage are below.

Continue reading "Carolina Chocolate Drops, Buckwheat Zydeco and Abigail Washburn played Summerstage (pics)"

Amadou & Mariam

As you may remember from the past couple of years, "Summerstage" now encompasses more than just Central Park, but Central Park Summerstage will still always be the first thing that comes to mind when you think of the series. Here's the 2012 schedule. Check it out below...

Continue reading "Central Park Summerstage 2012 schedule (Alabama Shakes, Dawes, Kurt Vile, Gary Clark Jr, Amadou & Mariam & more)"

Pete Seeger @ Clearwater Festival 2009 (more by Chris La Putt)

Clearwater Festival, the annual benefit for the Hudson River environmental group of the same name, will be happening this year at Croton-on-Hudson's Croton Point Park on June 19th & 20th. Pete Seeger, the non-profit's founder, plays every year - joining him this year will be Steve Earle, Rhett Miller, Joan Osborne, Buckwheat Zydeco, Felice Bros and more. More of the initial lineup is below. Tickets to the fest are on sale (and currently almost half the door price). Pictures from last year's day one are HERE and day two are HERE.

A bit farther Upstate in Hunter, NY, the three-day Mountain Jam will be happening June 4th-6th. The lineup for that includes Gov't Mule, Levon Helm & Friends, Drive-By Truckers, Grace Potter and the Nocturnals, The Avett Brothers, Dr. Dog, Les Claypool, Jay Farrar (of Son Volt), These United States, Justin Townes Earle (note dad, playing above) and Tao Rodriguez-Seeger Band (the same, except grandpa). The full current lineup is below, and tickets are on sale.

Later this summer (in July), Camp Bisco will be in Mariaville, NY.

Lineups so far for both fests are below...

Continue reading "Mountain Jam (6/4-6) the Clearwater Festival (6/19-20) have announced initial 2010 NY concert lineups & tickets "

A performing arts program of BRIC Arts | Media | Bklyn, Celebrate Brooklyn! is one of New York City's longest running, free, outdoor performing arts festivals. Launched in 1979, as a catalyst for a Brooklyn performing arts scene and to bring people back into Prospect Park after years of neglect, Celebrate Brooklyn has been an anchor in the park's revitalization and has become one of the city's foremost summer cultural attractions. Over the course of its history Celebrate Brooklyn has presented over 1,700 artists and ensembles reflective of the borough's diversity, ranging from internationally acclaimed performers to emerging, cutting-edge artists. All Celebrate Brooklyn performances are free. The festival attracts upwards of 250,000 attendees from across New York City to the Prospect Park Bandshell each summer.

Continue reading "Celebrate Brooklyn! 2009 Prospect Park concert schedule "