April 22, 2008
Central Park SummerStage 2008, Its Finally Here!
My favorite concert series just announced their 2008 summer schedule, and its looking promising.
The Central Park SummerStage is New York City’s premier cultural and musical celebration. The City Parks Foundation organizes these events in more then 700 parks in New York City, but Central Park’s has always stood out. This year we can expect to see artists from Brazil, Argentina, Mexico, Mali, Israel, and many more eclectic international mixtures. Of course the majority is still US based performers, including many who came from New York City themselves.
What my picks this season? Well last year I was excited for the New Orleans Galactic, sensual Brazilian Girls, jammin’ Bob Weir, and energetic Beastie Boys. This year I’ll be looking forward to the Argentine group Bajofondo, dance-rock group Battles, African folk artist Vieux Farka Toure, and the occasional dance performances.
Remember, this is a free concert series, except for the few benefit shows. If you enjoyed yourself and want to see more next year, drop some change in their collections, or even a few bills if you can spare. Support the music
Check back for the complete schedule and artist website links.
| Date | Day | Artist | Time |
| June 13 | Friday | Mavis Staples - Stephanie McKay | 7-10 |
| June 14 | Saturday | Vampire Weekend - Kid Sister - Ecstatic Sunshine | 4-8 |
| June 15 | Sunday | Victor Manuelle w/ guests | 3-7 |
| June 20 | Friday | Stephen Lynch - Mike Birbiglia - Julian McCullough | 8-10 |
| June 21 | Saturday | Kokayi - Lemon - La Bruja - Will Power - JLove Calderon | 7:30-10 |
| June 22 | Sunday | Yael Naim - David Donatien - Piers Faccini | 7-10 |
| June 26 | Thursday | Thievery Corporation - Seu Jorge - Bebel Gilberto - Federico Aubele | 6-10 |
| June 28 | Saturday | Vieux Farka Toure - Fallou Dieng - Kaleta - ZoZo Afrobeat | 3-7 |
| June 29 | Sunday | Mosh Ben Ari - Rupa - The April Fishes - Y-Love - DJ Diwon | 3-7 |
| July 5 | Saturday | Rachid Taha - Dengue Fever - Apollo Heights | 3-7 |
| July 6 | Sunday | Seun Kuti and Egypt 80 - Afrika Bambaataa - Love Trio with U-Roy | 3-7 |
| July 9 | Wednesday | La Lupe Queen of Latin Soul - Bragging Rights: Stickball Stories - Cucu Diamentes | 7-10 |
| July 10 | Thursday | The Harder they Come - I-Wayne | 7-10 |
| July 11 | Friday | Rennie Harris - Pure Movement - Francesca Harper Project | 8-10 |
| July 12 | Saturday | Julieta Venegas - Plastilina Mosh - DJ Bitman | 3-7 |
| July 13 | Sunday | Big Nazo - Baby Loves Salsa - Jose Conde - Cinderella Samba | 3-7 |
| July 17 | Thursday | Junot Diaz | 7-10 |
| July 18 | Friday | Video Music Box 25th Anniversary Concert | 7-10 |
| July 19 | Saturday | Donald Lawrence - Hezekiah Walker - Dave Holister | 3-7 |
| July 20 | Sunday | Santogold - Diplo - Plastic Little - A-Trak - Kid Cudi | 3-7 |
| July 23 | Wednesday | Mark Knopfler | 7-10 |
| July 26 | Saturday | Kibbutz Contemporary Dance CompanyPeepDance | 8-10 |
| July 27 | Sunday | Taj Majal - Skatalites - Los Pinguos | 3-7 |
| July 29 | Tuesday | Crosby - Stills & Nash | 7-10 |
| July 31 | Thursday | Richard Price - Charles Bock | 7-10 |
| August 1 | Friday | DanceBrazil - Max Pollak and RumbaTap | 8-10 |
| August 2 | Saturday | Roy Hargrove Big Band w/ guests | 7-10 |
| August 3 | Sunday | Janelle Monae - Little Jackie - Jose James - Gilles Peterson | 3-7 |
| August 6 | Wednesday | Sonny Rollins | 8-10 |
| August 8 | Friday | Jennifer Muller / The Works - Erica Essner Performance Co-Op | 8-10 |
| August 9 | Saturday | Kinky - Alejandro Escovedo with Strings - Pistolera | 3-7 |
| August 10 | Sunday | The House of Tom / Mundo, Monde, Mondo - Maria Rita | 7-10 |
| August 14 | Thursday | Los Lonely Boys - Los Lobos | 7-10 |
| August 15 | Friday | Bajofondo | 7-10 |
| August 16 | Saturday | Battles - Black Dice | 3-7 |
| August 17 | Sunday | Sharon Jones & The Dap Kings - Menahan Street Band - Naomi Shelton & The Gospel Queens | 3-7 |
