07/05/07

Stoooooopid!

by mau1

Summerstage USED to be fun. Even when they moved it on top of the hill into that "state of the art" TINY space. That was a really stupid idea and has caused all kinds of issues they never had before. There were much better plans and designs, you just know this was some kind of suck-up payoff. It was ok to go to, cuz the music was great. Then they put all those crowd control rails in. Now you have to wait in line to go in because there is no room for anyone. If you DO get in and aren't sitting on the overcrowded bleachers, it gets really hot--Like the subway but you are outdoors! There are fences all over the place so you can't walk up an view from the outside. Now you really have sit all the way down the hill to just listen. If you can't get in, you can't see anything. The new, improved 300 lb. M/F bouncers are the weirdest touch ever. But they seem to be everywhere these days--even at art gallery openings. The music program has become as homogenized and sanitized as the rest of the strip mall NYC has become.

I will never go here again. Celebrate Brooklyn has it down--great stage design and placement, no overwhelming, self-important security, places to sit and see if it gets too crowded inside, and most importantly, MUCH better music. Their free music program is usually what is here for $$ a couple of years later.

• Pros: Sometimes they do have some good music and performance
• Cons: Very "safe" programming, oppressive entry and viewing, overpriced F&B

05/02/06

No matter what you're into, SummerStage will have an outdoor party waiting.

by Contributor

In Short
Everyone from Upper East Side dowagers to downtown retro-punks to savvy tourists makes it to Central Park's Rumsey Playfield for at least one of SummerStage's myriad events, including 32 free events such as concerts by major world music, rock and jazz musicians, as well as poetry readings and dance and opera performances. To help pay for it all, the venue puts on six benefit concerts each year featuring big-name musicians.

10/04/02

Natalie Merchant at Summerstage

by pt109

I saw Natalie Merchant here two summers ago. We had to wait a looooooong time for her to come on, and the opening acts weren't very good. Also we had to sit on the ground which was incredibly uncomfortable.

08/09/02

it is free

by redtop

great music for no money, it is a great cheap date.

08/08/02

7

by zsantos

Excellent place to hang out; the concerts are great but have to work more on the bathroom locations.

• Pros: Good concerts
• Cons: very crowed

07/22/02

Kodo takes the stage

by dezerteo

Kodo incorporates ancient tribal drumming, tabla, enormous Japanese bass drums to produce one of the most unique sounds witnessed. Being a connosieur of progressive house - I've oft wondered where the sampled beats in many of our favorite techno anthems come from, and this is defnintely one major source. Triple-threat DJs were interesting, 3 turntablists spinning hip-hop with sampled Asian music at once...nice vibe. They actually learned the crowd about new equipment they were using (Pioneer plug), basically a digital turntable (cd with a rollerball to scratch). They had the crowd going for a while as Kodo was setting up. Triple-threat definitely takes the cake for "best song" at this event. They re-mixed Tupac's "Take Mine" with a RaviShankar-esque sitar soliloquy to produce a untouchable bass heavy home run. Best concert thus far at summerstage this season.

• Pros: Great venue, Beautiful Ladies, Good Food/Beer
• Cons: Not enough chairs, No Phazon sound sys

07/19/02

Lots o' Hot Buff Men!

by chichi726

I love Summerstage because it's a place where people of all races, nationalities, religions, sexual preferences, etc., can come together peacefully in the spirit of music and fun. I love the energy when I'm there. It's beautiful, the international bands that come are amazing and the men who come to shows are always soooo cute, but usually taken. Damn!

• Pros: Great Music, Cute Boys, Free!
• Cons: Food too expensive

06/25/02

miss the old days

by gersh94

the best free arts in the city. BUT YOU CAN'T GET IN WITHOUT WAITING IN LINE FOR HOURS.

Also, with the new process, you can't even hang around just outside the venue, everything is cordoned off. I miss the old days when anyone could get in to all shows.

• Pros: great schedule, great atmosphere, discover new music
• Cons: the lines, the lines, the lines

05/31/02

NYC Summer Institution

by susanchenelle_citysearch

The variety and quality of the events at SummerStage is nothing short of astonishing. The best talent from New York and around the globe, year after year. And it's all free!

• Pros: Free
• Cons: Crowded

05/21/02

dusty, crowded--like a NYC microcosm

by DylanSiegler

Always creatively booked and well-organized, Summerstage is one of the benefits of living in New York during the hottest months of the year. Remember to meet your friends beforehand, because there's no way you'll find them in the dusty, crowded morass of Rumsey Playfield.