Central Park SummerStage: Difference between revisions
YellowFives (talk | contribs) possible conflict of interest |
SummerStage (talk | contribs) No edit summary |
||
| Line 3: | Line 3: | ||
'''SummerStage''' is New York's premiere outdoor concert venue in [[Central Park]] ([[New York City]]), founded in 1986. In 1994, SummerStage was transferred to City Parks Foundation, where it has remained. From the beginning, the philosophy of SummerStage has been to bring to Central Park as wide a range of performing arts as possible, making them accessible to people of all ages and backgrounds. It continues to present performances of outstanding artistic quality, free of charge, including music, dance, spoken word, and film events in the summer months. The artists represent an array of genres and cultures, including American soul and U.S. debuts from trailblazing international acts, and specializing in New York City's own emerging indie-rock talent. [[Image: SS Venue and Crowd.JPG|thumb|450px|right|Central Park SummerStage at Rumsey Playfield]] |
'''SummerStage''' is New York's premiere outdoor concert venue in [[Central Park]] ([[New York City]]), founded in 1986. In 1994, SummerStage was transferred to City Parks Foundation, where it has remained. From the beginning, the philosophy of SummerStage has been to bring to Central Park as wide a range of performing arts as possible, making them accessible to people of all ages and backgrounds. It continues to present performances of outstanding artistic quality, free of charge, including music, dance, spoken word, and film events in the summer months. The artists represent an array of genres and cultures, including American soul and U.S. debuts from trailblazing international acts, and specializing in New York City's own emerging indie-rock talent. [[Image: SS Venue and Crowd.JPG|thumb|450px|right|Central Park SummerStage at Rumsey Playfield]] |
||
In August 2003, during the famous Eastern Seaboard blackout, the Indigo Girls were scheduled to perform. The band showed up to play and did, after the technical staff rewired the venue to work off a single generator. The Indigo Girls returned to SummerStage in 2009 |
In August 2003, during the famous Eastern Seaboard blackout, the Indigo Girls were scheduled to perform. The band showed up to play and did, after the technical staff rewired the venue to work off a single generator. The Indigo Girls returned to SummerStage in 2009. |
||
SummerStage has consistently brought a diverse range of performers to its stage. A sample of these artists are: [[Ladysmith Black Mambazo]], [[ [[Vampire Weekend]], [[Marion Williams]], [[David Bowie]], [[Santogold]], [[Curtis Mayfield]], [[Sonic Youth]], [[Yeah Yeah Yeahs]], [[Patti Smith]], [[M.I.A.]], a [[Joni Mitchell]] tribute, in which Joni herself showed up for the finale, [[Toni Morrison]], [[Junot Diaz]], [[Sun Ra Arkestra]], [[Devo]], Femi and Seun Kuti, and [[John Legend]]. [[Celia Cruz]] gave her last performance ever at SummerStage, which was recorded and subsequently released on the 2005 SummerStage anniversary compilation CD "Live from the Heart of the City." |
|||
2009 marked the 24th consecutive season of Central Park SummerStage. The |
2009 marked the 24th consecutive season of Central Park SummerStage. The series officially opened on June 12 with a performance by [[Josh Ritter]] backed by the [[New York Pops]]. City Parks Foundation commissioned its first ever dance and music piece for the ballet troupe Morphoses/The Wheeldon Company and modern folk singer/songwriter, [[Martha Wainwright]]. The 15 minute ballet featuring live music by Wainwright, entitled "Tears of St. Lawrence" premiered on August 14 and 15, 2009. Despite a rainier than average summer, the 2009 season drew record crowds with almost all of the performances reaching capacity. Other highlights of the season included performances by [[TV on the Radio]], [[Yannick Noah]], [[Oumou Sangare]], [[Alpha Blondy]], [[Lee Scratch Perry]], [[Bettye LaVette]], [[Q-Tip]], [[Jerry Rivera]], [[Jazmine Sullivan]], and many more. The season officially came to a close with returning SummerStage performers [[Dinosaur Jr.]]. |
||
Over 1700 individual artist performances have taken place in its 24-year history, reaching a cumulative audience of more than 3 million people. While most shows are free and patrons are asked to donate money at the gate, a handful of performances (usually six per season)are paid events, considered "Benefit Concerts" to support the free season of arts programs. |
Over 1700 individual artist performances have taken place in its 24-year history, reaching a cumulative audience of more than 3 million people. While most shows are free and patrons are asked to donate money at the gate, a handful of performances (usually six per season)are paid events, considered "Benefit Concerts" to support the free season of arts programs. |
||
Revision as of 20:35, 16 November 2009
 | A major contributor to this article appears to have a close connection with its subject. (November 2009) |
SummerStage is New York's premiere outdoor concert venue in Central Park (New York City), founded in 1986. In 1994, SummerStage was transferred to City Parks Foundation, where it has remained. From the beginning, the philosophy of SummerStage has been to bring to Central Park as wide a range of performing arts as possible, making them accessible to people of all ages and backgrounds. It continues to present performances of outstanding artistic quality, free of charge, including music, dance, spoken word, and film events in the summer months. The artists represent an array of genres and cultures, including American soul and U.S. debuts from trailblazing international acts, and specializing in New York City's own emerging indie-rock talent.
In August 2003, during the famous Eastern Seaboard blackout, the Indigo Girls were scheduled to perform. The band showed up to play and did, after the technical staff rewired the venue to work off a single generator. The Indigo Girls returned to SummerStage in 2009.
SummerStage has consistently brought a diverse range of performers to its stage. A sample of these artists are: Ladysmith Black Mambazo, [[ Vampire Weekend, Marion Williams, David Bowie, Santogold, Curtis Mayfield, Sonic Youth, Yeah Yeah Yeahs, Patti Smith, M.I.A., a Joni Mitchell tribute, in which Joni herself showed up for the finale, Toni Morrison, Junot Diaz, Sun Ra Arkestra, Devo, Femi and Seun Kuti, and John Legend. Celia Cruz gave her last performance ever at SummerStage, which was recorded and subsequently released on the 2005 SummerStage anniversary compilation CD "Live from the Heart of the City."
2009 marked the 24th consecutive season of Central Park SummerStage. The series officially opened on June 12 with a performance by Josh Ritter backed by the New York Pops. City Parks Foundation commissioned its first ever dance and music piece for the ballet troupe Morphoses/The Wheeldon Company and modern folk singer/songwriter, Martha Wainwright. The 15 minute ballet featuring live music by Wainwright, entitled "Tears of St. Lawrence" premiered on August 14 and 15, 2009. Despite a rainier than average summer, the 2009 season drew record crowds with almost all of the performances reaching capacity. Other highlights of the season included performances by TV on the Radio, Yannick Noah, Oumou Sangare, Alpha Blondy, Lee Scratch Perry, Bettye LaVette, Q-Tip, Jerry Rivera, Jazmine Sullivan, and many more. The season officially came to a close with returning SummerStage performers Dinosaur Jr..
Over 1700 individual artist performances have taken place in its 24-year history, reaching a cumulative audience of more than 3 million people. While most shows are free and patrons are asked to donate money at the gate, a handful of performances (usually six per season)are paid events, considered "Benefit Concerts" to support the free season of arts programs.
In 2010 Central Park SummerStage will celebrate its 25th anniversary. A benefit concert by the iconic alternative rock outfit Pavement is currently scheduled for September 21. Tickets for the show went on sale a year in advance, selling out within minutes.
External links
40°46′21″N 73°58′13″W / 40.77250°N 73.97028°W
 | This article about a New York City building or structure is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it. |