Your Guide to the Best Free Summer Concerts in New York City

Learn about some of the best free summer concert series in NYC (including Hudson Square, above).

Who says going out in New New York City has to cost a lot? There are countless free concerts in the summer, and here's a guide to some of the best series going. We'll add additional events here or in future posts.

And see the Oh My Rockness guide to free summer shows for even more no-cost gigs, including McCarren Park shows and the House of Vans concerts. And if you're an early riser, there are the free concerts put on by the "Today" show and "Good Morning America."

SummerStage - The grandaddy of NYC free summer concerts includes free performances in parks in all five boroughs, with spoken word, dance, and film as well as music. Most shows are free, but several paid, ticketed concerts help pay for the free ones. Highlights include Sisqó, John Butler Trio, Bonobo and Cibo Matta, and Dr. John.

Celebrate Brooklyn! - This long-running Prospect Park attraction has become more and more popular (and has snagged increasingly well-known entertainment). Like SummerStage, most shows are free, but a number of big-name benefit concerts help subsidize the freebees. Among this summer's lineup: Janelle Monae, St. Vincent, Dum Dum Girls, and Flea, Laurie Anderson, David Murray, and Patti Smith (that last one is one show, folks!)

Madison Square Music - Skip the big crowds and long lines with this low-key series. Simply walk into the park & sit yourself down on the lawn. Madison Square Music remains one of the undiscovered free-music gems of summer in the City, offering quality acts in a no-frills atmosphere. (Note: you will probably find a long line at the Shake Shack in the park.) Acts this summer include Nicole Atkins and Forro in the Dark and Debo Band. 

Hudson Square Music Festival - Here's a great idea: a series of right-after-work shows that gives you plenty of time for dinner or another concert later on. These downtown gigs start early (around 5:30pm), so you can see some live music and have plenty of time for other plans (or getting home). The venue is a parking lot outside of City Winery (the series' sponsor). Shows include Commander Cody, former X member John Doe, and Drivin' n' Cryin'.

It's free concerts galore in New York in the summer. Get out there and enjoy!

Concert Notes: Schedules for SummerStage, Lincoln Center Out of Doors, Other Free Concerts Are Out

Summer means lots of great free concerts in NYC, and several outdoor music festivals announced their line-ups for the season. These range from the sprawling SummerStage festival, the Lincoln Center Out of Doors series, and the intimate, low-key Hudson Square shows sponsored by (and held in back of) City Winery.

SummerStage once again stretches its wings far beyond Central Park with music, dance, poetry, and film in city parks in all five boroughs, from June through September. Among some of the highlights in Central Park on the first month (see the schedule here):

• rock and soul legend Bobby Womack in Central Park on June 7th; 
• the New York Pops with Ozomatli (also Central Park) on June 12th;  
• Dawes with Kurt Vile and the Violators (Central Park) on June 16th; 
• Alabama Shakes, Diamond Rugs, and Robert Ellis in Central Park on June 24th

 The outer boroughs feature some good shows, too, including Deer Tick with Jonny Corndog in Red Hook Park on June 21st.

Lincoln Center Out of Doors runs from July 25th to August 12th. The artists include: Nile Rodgers & The CHIC Organization on July 25th; a full day (and night) of Irish music and dancing on July 29th; events showcasing music around the world, from Central American to Finland.

There's also the popular Roots of American Music festival on August 11th and 12th, this year including:

• a revue "Celebrating The Music of Laura Nyro" featuring Nona Hendryx and Sarah Dash, Desmond Child & Rouge, and other guests
• Otis Clay & The Platinum Band
• singer-songwriters Tom Paxton and Erin McKeown
• an "An All-Star Gathering for Gil Scott-Heron" performed by Black Rock Coalition Orchestra & Guests
• the Willie Mae Rock Camp for Girls All-Stars Band

City Winery's Hudson Square Music & Wine Festival heads into its fourth year with early (5:30) Tuesday night performances that leave you plenty of time to go out afterwards. Some of the artists on this year's slate:

• Portland Cello Project on June 26th
• Sam Moore (of Sam and Dave) on July 17th
• Ollabelle on Juy 31st
• Marshall Crenshaw on August 14th
• Poundcake (featuring Teddy Thompson, Jeff Hill, and Ethan Eubanks) on August 28th

There are other free outdoors concerts in New York (such as those in Madison Square Park, the Lower Hudson Blues Festival, and others), and I'll give information on these in forthcoming posts. For now, look through these listings and start marking your calendars!

Free Summer 2011 Concerts: Hudson Sq. Music & Wine Fest (Tuesdays)

City Winery presents a series of free Tuesday night after-work shows.

City Winery is sponsoring its free Hudson Square Music & Wine Festival for the third year in a row, and tonight's show features those ageless wonders of blues and soul, the Holmes Brothers.

The festival, which features shows early on Tuesday nights (5:30 to 7:30), is held in the courtyard behind City Winery, which is at 155 Varick Street, between Spring and Vandam (see directions here).

Previous shows have featured Mike Doughty and Emily Wells and the New York Gypsy All Stars. Upcoming shows in the Hudson Square Music & Wine Festival:

• 7/5 - The Holmes Brothers
  
• 7/12 - Vernon Reid (of Living Color)
  
• 7/19 - Williamsburg Salsa Orchestra (salsa versions of songs from indie bands such as Spoon, Arcade Fire, etc.)
  
• 7/26 - Forro in the Dark (native Brazilians playing world music that blends country, folk, jazz, and more)
  
• 8/2 - CCB Reggae All-Stars
  
• 8/09 - Nicole Atkins
  
• 8/16 - The Wood Brothers (with Chris Wood from Medeski Martin & Wood)

If you live or work in the downtown area and get out of work early, this is a great way to see live music in the evening without getting home late. Even though I have a flexible schedule and staying out late isn't a problem for me, I will still sometimes skip a show after realizing that a 7:30 or 8 start time means the headliner won't come on till 9 or so. So the Hudson Square series is a nice option.