Central Park SummerStage
Now a quarter century old, the venerable (and generally free) New York series continues to offer one of the most diverse slates of summer programming in the country. summerstage.org
Celebrate Brooklyn at the Prospect Park Bandshell
Three bucks—and that’s a suggested donation; cheapskates can glide through the door with nothing more than a guilty nod—gains you admittance to consistently solid concerts in Park Slope. celebratebrooklyn.org
River to River Festival
Every summer, historic lower-Manhattan sites—from the Hudson to the East River—make room for rock, world and country musicians. rivertorivernyc.com
Lincoln Center’s Roots of American Music series at Damrosch Park
One of Manhattan’s oldest outdoor series remains young at heart. Last summer, Patti Smith, the Haden Family and the Knitters played—and that was just one day. lincolncenter.org
East River Music Project at the East River Park Amphitheater
The lunatics have taken over the asylum at East River Park, where far-out sounds blast on hot summer days. ermp.org
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