Central Park Summerstage: New York City's Free Festival of Music, Dance, and More

I am waiting anxiously for mid-May, when the 2007 schedule for Central Park SummerStage, will be revealed. This is the thing to do in the summer in New York City. When the Big Apple becomes the "Baked Apple", there is no cooler place to be than Central Park after sundown. And the best evenings to be there are evenings when there is a Central Park SummerStage event. And, here is the best part: with the exception of a few benefit events to raise the money to enable SummerStage to keep going, SummerStage events are FREE!!! That's right! Totally free of charge! Now, New York is not the most economical city to entertain yourself, so Central Park SummerStage is the best bargain in town, and probably one of the most wonderful free summer events in North America.

Now I know what you are probably thinking. You are probably thinking that the events feature second-rate acts nobody wants to see. Well, think again. SummerStage 2006 featured accomplished performances from around the world. Last summer, there were respected performers from the worlds of music and dance representing Africa, the Middle East, and Latin America. There were events like The Refugee All Stars from Sierra Leone, "Nu Jazz Today -- an evening of progressive jazz, show tunes and gospel music by Broadway star Audra McDonald, and author Joan Didion reading from her bestselling book "The Year of Magical Thinking". These, and other exciting events were entirely free.

A benefit starring Joss Stone (tickets only $37.50) will start off the 2007 season. Admission to free events do not require tickets, and are on a first-come-first-served basis, so get to there early to secure a seat! Check the SummerStage website in mid-May-- http://www.summerstage.org -- for the 2007 schedule. You will certainly find events you will love. The fun way to do it is to get a group of friends together, leave work a little early if necessary, and enjoy a picnic in Central Park outside SummerStage, before the performance. Check out the restaurants close to Central Park, because many will put together picnic meals that you and your group can carry into the park and have a gourmet feast; some even include dessert. Since SummerStage doesn't allow coolers or your own food or beverage, these come in disposable containers you can easily dispose of.

All SummerStage shows go on, rain or shine, and are only cancelled in the event of dangerous lightning during a performance. Gates open 90 minutes prior to performances on weekends and at benefit concerts, and 60 minutes prior to performances on weekdays. Tickets to benefits can be purchased through Ticketmaster, and all performances are accessible to the mobility-impaired. Be sure to check the SummerStage website for this summer's schedule, and regulations, so you can make the most of your outing. If you are going to be in New York City this summer, check out SummerStage.. Celebrate the diversity of New York City with performances by contemporary, traditional, and emerging artists in the fields of music, dance, and other genres at Central Park SummerStage!