‘The Green’ Summerstage & ‘Picnic Performances’ coming
Mimi Lien will design the set at Josie Robertson Plaza, Lincoln
Center for the event. Here she is seen accepting the
award for best scenic design of a musical for “Natasha,
Pierre & The Great Comet of 1812” at the 71st annual
Tony Awards on Sunday, June 11, 2017, in New York. Michael
Zorn/Invision/AP, fi le
Caribbean Life, APRIL 23-29, 2021 13
Promoters of New York
City’s biggest outdoor summer
concert series are being
cautiously optimistic about
resuming the annual festivals
which until the coronavirus
pandemic delivered free films,
dance, spoken word and a potpourri
of music genres.
A few recently announced
plans to accommodate funloving
patrons and entertainment
starved New Yorkers who
have been quarantined from
the usual summer/fall revelry
that distinguishes the Big
Apple from others.
One such is the City Parks
Foundation, presenters of Central
Park Summerstage at the
Rumsey Playfield which annually
offer the largest and most
diverse, free, entertainment
throughout the seasons.
“SummerStage will help
restore vibrancy to our city
through free performances in
parks, which have been such
important public spaces for
New Yorkers seeking safe respite
during the pandemic,”
Heather Lubov, City Parks
Foundation’s Executive Director
said.
Reputed for booking an
extensive lineup of international
and local acts, the series
usually continue into fall when
paid benefit concerts book
exclusive artists for evening
presentations.
“The last year has been enormously
difficult for our city,”
Lubov added.
“Live performance, with
the energy that is generated
by experiencing it with others,
will be a balm for our collective
soul.”
Throughout the seasons the
signature series has expanded
its specialty to spotlight the
Charlie Parker Jazz Festival at
Harlem’s Marcus Garvey Park
as well as deliver borough-wide
concerts in neighborhoods
throughout the city.
The good news is that following
last year’s hiatus due
to the pandemic, instead of
another drought this summer
a cautious and safe approach
will entreat patrons to revisit at
least two Manhattan parks.
The full City Parks lineup
has not been announced, however,
socially distanced concerts,
benefits in the fall, virtual
presentation and assurances
to jazz lovers that scat and
bebop will return to the Richard
Rodgers Amphitheater in
Harlem have been confirmed.
The announcement noted
that all in-person performances
will be livestreamed on
SummerStageAnywhere.org
Last year, the series launched
its first-ever digital festival,
presenting more than 100 digital
performances. One of the
major highlights included VP
Records’ 40th anniversary celebration
which featured Elephant
Man, Junior Reid, Estelle
and other reggae acts.
“Performances will follow
all state and local regulations
regarding large-scale outdoor
events, including limited
capacity, masks and socially
distanced seating.”
Admittance will require a
free ticket, proof of vaccine
and/or negative COVID test,
and health screening — such
as a questionnaire and temperature
checks.”
At Lincoln Center where a
plaza there annually features
live orchestras, swing sessions
and a myriad of classical showcases,
the 16-acre outdoor,
concrete surface will be transformed
by a grassy turf and
public installation called “The
Green.” The organizers say the
performance green space will
accommodate 10 new outdoor,
venues.
Commissioned by celebrated
set designer Mimi Lien, the
installation will transform Lincoln
Center’s iconic Josie Robertson
Plaza into an expansive
green space open to all New
Yorkers.
Catch You On The Inside!
Inside Life
By Vinette K. Pryce
/SummerStageAnywhere.org
