SummerStage has announced the return of the iconic annual event this year, with the first show featuring Dawes and Erin Rae at Rumsey Playfield in Central Park on September 17. More events are expected to take place here and at Harlem’s Marcus Garvey Park.
The return comes after New York City cancelled early summer concerts and festivals in 2020 to curb the coronavirus outbreak. The shutdown paved the way for “SummerStage Anywhere,” which allowed people to watch digital versions of events which had been streamed from the SummerStage Youtube channel.
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The 2021 performances of Summerstage will “follow all state and local regulations regarding large-scale outdoor events, including limited capacity and socially distanced seating.” In addition, “admittance will require a ticket, proof of vaccine and/or negative COVID test, and health screenings.” All 2021 SummerStage shows will be live-streamed at SummerStageAnywhere.org.
Dawes, the American folk-rock band from Los Angeles, played a sold out show at the Beacon Theatre in 2017 on the “An Evening With Dawes” tour. At one point during the evening, lead singer and guitarist, Taylor Goldsmith, told the crowd playing the historic Beacon was a dream come true for the band. Tickets to see Dawes at SummerStage in Central Park will go on sale Friday, April 16 at 10am and can be purchased here.
SummerStage was established in 1986 by the Central Park Conservancy to bring a diverse selection of music to the park. The first shows took place at the Naumberg Bandshell and featured acts including the Sun Ra Arkestra (1986) and Ladysmith Black Mambazo (1987).
As indoor theater performances were recently allowed to resume, iconic UWS venues have new artists lined up as well.
Widespread Panic will return to the Beacon Theatre where the Athens, Georgia rockers played a five-night residency just days before the pandemic shut down the live music scene. The dates are September 16th, 17th, 18th, 19th, and 20th. Tickets for these performances will go on sale Friday, April 16th at 10am.
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Last week it was announced that “Curbside Comedy” would be taking place outside of West Side Comedy Club at 201 West 75th Street. Running from April 21-24, each performance will take place at 7:30pm, and masks and social distancing will be required. This upcoming street comedy fest is part of NYC’s Open Culture initiative.
It feels like the beginning of change in the city, and we’ll continue to update you as events are announced.
“the Sun Ra Arkestra (1986) and Landy Black Mamazo (1987)”
Do you mean Ladysmith Black Mambazo?
Paging the proofreaders…