NYC’s City Parks Foundation has announced its participation in
PRS Foundation’s International Keychange pledge by presenting a lineup that features a 50:50 gender balance. The female-run festival has planned an informational panel on Aug. 4 entitled “Why Aren’t There More Women on Festival Stages?” before Grammy-winning jazz songstress Corinne Bailey Rae takes the newly-renovated stage at 7 p.m. in Central Park. Opening night for the city-wide festival includes a performance by singer-songwriter Emily King at Central Park on June 1.
In addition to a focus on gender balance, the festival celebrates diversity with two Central Park shows during Pride Month: bounce icon Big Freedia on June 13 and drag ballet troupe Les Ballets Trockadero de Monte Carlo on June 19.
The festival will also be honoring musical milestones, such as the 100th birthday of revered choreographer Merce Cunningham with a dance showcase on July 17 in Central Park and the 50th anniversary of the Harlem Cultural Festival – Black Woodstock – with a showcase of jazz and hip hop luminaries at the original festival site in Marcus Garvey Park on August 17.
Notable headliners this year also include The B-52’s, George Clinton, and The Wailers. For details on the full lineup, visit the SummerStage website.
