IT'S THE FEST TIME OF YEAR
Summer festivals are bringing exciting art and eats to the city
Governors Ball Music Festival
It returns to Citi Field this June at long last. Kid Cudi headlines Day 1, Day 2 features Halsey in the top slot, while J. Cole does the headlining honors on Day 3. Taking the party inside, there will also be Gov Ball After Dark events at clubs across the city, including Irving Plaza (Tove Lo on June 9), Bowery Ballroom (Soccer Mommy on
June 10) and Brooklyn’s Elsewhere (Kaytranada on June 11).
June 10 to 12, Citi Field, GovernorsBallMusicFestival.com
Forest Hills Stadium
The pastoral setting and country club vibes make Forest Hills Stadium a magical musical getaway from the concrete jungle. And this season’s lineup is an eclectic assortment of acts for music fans of all tastes. The series kicks off with Grammy-winning indie folkie Bon Iver on June 3, and then Led Zeppelin god Robert Plant and bluegrass queen Alison Krauss will make a rootsy twosome on June 4. Later in the summer, Norah Jones torches up the stage on Aug. 4 and Queens’ own LL Cool J will headline his Rock the Bells hip-hop festival at the venue on Aug. 6.
Various dates, Forest Hills Stadium, ForestHillsStadium.com
Rooftop at Pier 17
In just its fourth season, this South Street Seaport venue has become a summer music haven, with the Brooklyn Bridge providing the scenic backdrop for an array of artists. Among the acts docking this year are singer-songwriter Vance Joy on June 4, reggae band Rebelution on June 15 and rapper Pusha T — who recently debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 with his new album, “It’s Almost Dry” — on June 16. Other highlights include a night of new wave nostalgia with the Psychedelic Furs on July 15 and downtown New York legends Blondie on Aug. 17 and 18.
Various dates, 89 South St., Pier17NY.com
Electric Zoo
New York’s biggest electronic music festival is turning up the technology with a Web 3.0 theme this year. And in another tech twist, the festival will only be accepting crypto payments. But one thing remains the same: It will ultimately be all about the DJs who will be sending the masses spinning on Randall’s Island Park over Labor Day weekend. Dutch DJ Martin Garrix — who was the most requested in fan surveys — will lead a loaded lineup that also includes Diplo, DJ Snake, Armin Van Buuren, Afrojack and British house music master Carl Cox.
Sept. 2 to 4, Randall’s Island Park, ElectricZoo.com
SummerStage
While Central
Park will always be the heart of SummerStage, this year’s festivities will have you venue-hopping all over the city to soak up the sounds of the season. Legendary jazzman Herbie Hancock will officially open the proceedings with a free Central Park concert on June 11 that is being held in associNote ation with the Blue Jazz Festival. Central Park will also host beneindie fit shows featuring rock band Modest Mouse (June 8), George Clinton and Parliament Funkadelic (June 15) and singer-songwriter Andy
Grammer (Aug. 4). For “Bird” lovers, the Charlie Parker Jazz Festival will be bopping everywhere from arlem’s Marcus Garvey Park to e East Village’s Tompkins quare Park Aug. 26 to 28. Various dates and locations, CentralPark.com
Shakespeare in the Park
The 60-year-old Central Park institution is back in its full glory with two productions: “Richard III,” starring Danai Gurira of Marvel’s “Black Panther” as the title king, and a new musical version of the comedy “As You Like It” from the talented composer Shaina Taub, whose “Suffs” is currently on at the Public Theater downtown. Tickets for alfresco Shakespeare are free and there are plenty of ways to get your hands on them (a daily distribution in person, a standby line and a digital lottery). Proof of vaccination is required.
At the Delacorte Theater, 81 Central Park West. “Richard III” runs June 17 to July 17; “As You Like It” runs Aug. 10 to Sept. 11. PublicTheater.org
Rooftop Films
The indie movie screenings take place in offbeat settings (not always actual rooftops) like the Green-Wood
Cemetery or on top of the Old American Can Factory in Gowanus. Some fun titles this year include “Fire of Love,” a documentary about a volcano scientist couple; “Memoria,” a Tilda Swinton-led flick from Palme d’Or winning director Apichatpong Weerasethakul; and “I Love My Dad,” starring Patton Oswalt. At venues around the city. Tickets are $16. RooftopFilms.com
Smorgasburg and Bronx Night Market
Discover a smorgasbord of local food vendor options while supporting small businesses in Williamsburg, Prospect Park, lower Manhattan and Jersey City during this weekly open-air food festival that made the Spaghetti Donut and the Ramen Burger famous. Meanwhile, at the Bronx Night Market at Fordham Plaza, now in its fifth year, a rotating lineup of more than 50 vendors showcase cuisines from over 20 countries. Don’t miss Filipino-style barbecue from Barbecue on a Stick and lobster from Rockin’ Cajun Seafood Grill.
For hours and locations, go to Smorgasburg.com; Bronx Night Market, 1 Fordham Plaza, The
Bronx; starting May 28 at 1 p.m., TheBronxNight Market.com
Seltzerland
Get your spritz on Aug. 6 when this touring hard seltzer festival stops in NYC. Expect crowd pleasers such as White Claw and Mike’s Hard Lemonade Seltzer, as well as more lesser known brands like Vizzy, BuzzBallz and Topo Chico Hard Seltzer. Aug. 6 at Pier 36 (299 South St.), Seltzerland.com
Summer for the City
With more than 300 events planned, the Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts is looking to put the spring back in New Yorkers’ steps. “One of the most basic jobs of the arts is to help heal,” chief artistic officer Shanta Thake said in a press release. “This summer we will do exactly that.” The Oasis dance floor installation will allow revelers to move their feet to salsa, swing, bachata, merengue and more. The BAAD! Bronx Academy of Arts and Dance will present the Mini Kiki Ball for Pride Month, and there will be the BAAND Together Dance Festival in August. And July 10, couples “whose weddings were canceled or diminished due to the pandemic” are invited to redo the ritual alongside hundreds of other New Yorkers, with live musical performances, a “second dance,” desserts and a reception on the dance floor.
Through Aug. 14, Lincoln Center; SummerForTheCity.org