Music on the Oval: Free Outdoor Summer Concert Series at Stuyvesant Town Oval

Starting June 10th a new music act will perform for free every Wednesday at The Stuyvesant Town Oval in New York City. The Stuyvesant Town Oval is an outdoor venue located between 16th and 18th Streets and Avenues A and B. The series of free concerts has been labeled, appropriately enough, Music on the Oval and is sponsored by Verizon. It will run from June 10th to July 15th.

On June 10th The Budos Band, a beloved New York soul group will get things kicked off. Their set will be preceded by a set by DJ Honeydripper. The Budos Band blend retro funk grooves with African rhythms to create a hip and dance-ready sound that recalls the gritty films of the '70s.

On June 17th The Phenomenal Hand Clap Band will be shaking things up at the oval with their proggy take on dance music. A group unafraid to experiment and unafraid to keep hips shaking, The Phenomenal Hand Clap Band craft the sort of tunes meant for a party.

On June 24th Easy Star All-Stars will take the stage and crank out their take on summer-inflected reggae. With big grooves and a laid-back nature the Easy Star All-Stars are the perfect compliment to a summer day in the city. No run of the mill reggae band they've got the chops and the melodies to sooth an outdoor crowd.

On July 1st things will get a bit freakier as Jay Reatard takes the stage. Jay's brand of ultra-fast, ultra-catchy garage rock has gained him quite the following in the past few years. His lives shows are also known for their wild theatrics and 110% attitude. This is rock and roll at it's most raw and pure, a band that knows how destroy a set-list and listener expectations.

On July 8th things will switch back to the dance party atmosphere when Forro in the Dark take the stage. The group is known for applying traditional Brazilian elements to their big band dance music. It may not sound like what you are used to, but it is talented musicians mixing rhythms and tones with great care as they pound out funky grooves.

Finally on July 15th things will wrap up with Kaki King. Perhaps one of the most talented guitarists working right now, Kaki will blow your mind with her nontraditional style. Playing the guitar more like a piano King plucks, pops, bangs, and taps her away across the fret-board generating beautiful and complex sounds that are unexpected but well-worth hearing.