ARTS IN THE PARKS

Should Mayor Mike Bloomberg's PlaNYC go off without a hitch, all New Yorkers will soon live within ten minutes of a City park. When that day comes, not only will we all be walking distance from trees, tracks and swings, but also from world-class entertainment. Here's a look at the cultural playgrounds scattered across the borough and beyond.

Astoria Park Waterfront Concert Series

Astoria Park Lawn
(Shore Boulevard between Hell Gate Bridge and the Pool)
(718) 728-7820
www.centralastoria.org

June 30- Independence Celebration - The Glenn Miller Orchestra followed by fireworks
July 10- The Duprees
July 17-1920 The Fruitgum Factory
July 24-Rocksplosion
July 31-Joe Battaglia and the New York Big Band
Aug. 7-Joey Dee and the Starliters
Aug. 14-Come Together - A Tribute to the Beatles
Aug. 21-Gary U.S. Bonds

Queensbridge Park

Performances at George Sueffert Bandshell are a Queens tradition.

CityParks Dance and CityParks Concerts fill Queensbridge Park. For more information, visit www.CityParksFoundation.org.

July 12-CityParks Dance, 3 p.m. Rennie Harris/ Ballet Africains perform.
July 13-CityParks Dance, 3 p.m. Eleone Dance Theatre/ Silver Brown Dance Company perform.
July 15-CityParks Concerts, 7 p.m. Felix Hernandez Rhythm Review performs.
July 29-CityParks Concerts 7 p.m. Delfonics performs.

Forest Park
George Seuffert Bandshell
(718) 235-4100
www.nycgovparks.org

When George Seuffert Sr. took the stage with his band more than 100 years ago in Forest Park, he couldn't have known the tradition he started would remain to this day. Now backed by a Bandshell, which was built in 1920, performers such as Garth Brooks, the Platters, Johnny Maestro and thousands of others have taken the stage at Forest Park in front of countless audiences.

After Seuffert died, his son continued the Sunday afternoon tradition until his death in 2005. Now, the Queens Symphony Orchestra has taken on the task.

Performers and sponsors kick-off the new performance series “Live at the Gantries.”

For audiences, a vast wooden bench seating area surrounds the outdoor theater, which is located in the borough's third largest park. Numerous trees and wildlife also add to the atmosphere.

The park's history dates back to around the time Seuffert began his performances. The surrounding neighborhoods of Richmond Hill, Kew Gardens, Woodhaven and Glendale have long been recognized for their cultural diversity, and the Bandshell continues to serve the general public with an array of cultural events, which are held throughout the week during the summer months.

Although the park itself is known for its rich agriculture and wildlife, the Bandshell provides an added amenity that is both free and entertaining. Check the performance schedule and head out to Forest Park this summer and see for yourself the Seuffert tradition that still stands.

July 2, 7:30 p.m.-The HMS Pinafore performed by the Gilbert & Sullivan Light Opera Company
July 10, 7:30 p.m.-A Tribute to Frankie Valli & The 4 Seasons
July 11 & Aug. 1, 6 p.m.-A Tribute to the Oldies
July 17, 7:30 p.m.-Dance the Night Away with the music of the Temptations & 4 Tops
July 20 & Aug. 17, 5 p.m.-Police Auxiliary Band
July 25, 7 p.m.-BR & Timebomb - a hip hop combination of reggae, soul and funk.
July 27, Aug. 3, Aug. 10, 5 p.m.-Queens Symphony Orchestra
July 31, 7:30 p.m.-Nashville Attitude - The New York Metro Country Music Association presents music and dancing
Aug, 7, 7:30 p.m.-Hannah - A special tribute to Hannah Montana/Miley Cyrus featuring Jeni Walls.
Aug. 8, 7:30 p.m.-Kirsten Thien Band
Aug. 9, 7 p.m.-Gen3ration - three generations of rock musicians playing Latin rhythms.
Aug. 14, 7:30 p.m.-Fame - full production of the Broadway musical.
Aug. 15, 7 p.m.-Puppets in the Park: "Cinderella Samba"
Aug. 24, 2 p.m.-Southern Heart - Presentation by the New York Metro Country Music Association

Gantry Plaza State Park

New Summer Free Concert Series: Live at the Gantries
50th Avenue and the East River
Tuesdays at 7 p.m.
(347) 505-3017
www.queenscouncilarts.org/liveatthegantries

July 1-The F# Miners, Irish Traditional M-sic
July 8-Blue Pipa, Chinese Folk Music
July 15-Bliminal, Indie Rock
July 22-Calpulli Mexican Dance, Traditional Mexican Dance
July 29-York College Summer Big Band
Aug. 5-Mahina Movement, Folk, Rock and Rhymes
Aug. 19-Zikrayat, Arabic Music and Belly Dancers
Aug. 26-Noirceur and Uzuhi, Punk

Fort Totten Park

Totten Avenue between Totten and 15th Roads, Bay Terrace
(718) 352-4793

June 29, 6 p.m.-Bayside Historical Society presents their annual Lawn Concert featuring "Chicken Head"
July 27, 7 p.m.-Moosehall Theater presents "The Curse of Capistrano - El Zorro"

Fort Totten Parade Grounds (gazebo area)

Free outdoor theater overlooking beautiful Long Island Sound. Please bring your own chair or blanket.

Aug. 18, 10:30 a.m.-Puppets in the Parks presents, "Cinderella Samba." It's Cinderella with a Latin flair.

Alley Pond Park

76th Ave off Springfield Blvd.
(718) 352-4793

July 7, 10:30 a.m.-Puppets in the Parks presents "Cinderella Samba"
July 8, 10 a.m.-Enjoy storytelling of children's books with some other fun reading activities. For children 10 and younger.
July 13, 6:30 p.m.-"Squeaky Clean" - a family concert
Aug. 1, 7 p.m.-Plaza Theatricals presents "The Emperor's New Clothes."
Aug. 5, 1 p.m.-Enjoy storytelling of children's books with some other fun reading activities. For children 10 and younger.

SummerStage

Rumsey Playfield, Central Park
(212) 360-2756
www.summerstage.org
June 27-Aug. 17

Dancers at SummerStage.

New York City prides itself on its diversity. So where else would you expect a free summer entertainment series - incorporating music, dance, film and poetry - to include performances by French lyricists, traditional Brazilian dancers and a novelist from the Dominican Republic?

A creation of the City Parks Foundation, Central Park's SummerStage program "strives to develop audiences' deepening appreciation for contemporary, traditional, and emerging artists as well as the communities in which these artists originate," according to their Web site.

Those are haughty words, but when you watch the colorful costumes and energetic dances of African folk music, or hear the raw emotional pull of a spoken word poem, it's easy to feel the force of distinct and powerful cultural identities running through your bones.

Moreover, tucked away in the scenic surrounding of the City's most recognizable park - just a little west of the 69th Street and Fifth Avenue entrance - the elements often add a natural splendor to the performances. However, because it's City parkland, it means City rules: no alcohol, coolers, pets, bicycles, rollerblades, folding chairs, beach umbrellas or flash photography.

Almost all the performances are free of charge, except for a few benefit concerts that fund the rest, which this year will feature Crosby, Stills & Nash, Wyclef Jean and Sonny Rollins among others.

SummerStage gears up for another season.

Be sure to check out these other great performances:
June 26, 6 p.m. - 10 p.m. Thievery Corporation (live) with Seu Jorge
Featuring Special Guests Bebel Gilberto & Federico Aubele, Turntables on the Hudso $59.50 in advance, $65 day of show.
June 28, 3 p.m. - 7 p.m.
Superstars from Mali, Senegal and Nigeria, featuring: Vieux Farka Toure, Fallou Dieng, Kaleta & Zozo Afrobeat, DJ Sirak
June 29, 3 p.m. - 7 p.m. Mosh Ben Ari - Featuring: Rupa and The April Fishes, Y-Love, Diwon
July 5, 3 p.m. - 7 p.m. Day of Global Rock. Featuring: Rachid Taha, Dengue Fever, Apollo Heights
July 6, 3 p.m. - 7 p.m. Fete of Afro-Beat, Hip Hop and Dub - Featuring: Seun Kuti & Egypt 80, Afrika Bambaataa, Love Trio with U-Roy
July 9, 7 p.m. - 10 p.m. Evening of Music and Film. Presented in Association with the Latin Alternative Music Conference.
July 10, 7 p.m. - 10 p.m. Music and Film Celebrating Jamaica. The Harder They Come, directed by Perry Henzell. Featuring music by: I-Wayne
July 11, 8 p.m. - 10 p.m. Hip Hop from the Street to the Stage. Featuring: Rennie Harris Puremovement, The Francesca Harper Project
July 12, 3 p.m. - 7 p.m. Artists from Mexico. Featuring: Julieta Venegas, Plastilina Mosh, DJ Bitman
July 13, 3 p.m. - 7 p.m. Global Family Day. Featuring: Little Maestros, Big Nazo, Baby Loves Salsa featuring Jose Conde, Cinderella Samba
July 17, 7 p.m. - 10 p.m. Novelists from the Dominican Republic and Sarajevo. Featuring: Junot Diaz, Aleksandar Hemon
July 18, 7 p.m. - 10 p.m Video Music Box 25th Anniversary Concert.
July 19, 3 p.m. - 7 p.m. Gospel Day. Featuring: Marvin Sapp, Hezekiah Walker, Dorinda Clark-Cole, Kurt Carr, 21:03.
July 20, 3 p.m. - 7 p.m. Afternoon of Electro-pop, Hip Hop, Ghettotech, Thrash, Baile Funk and Grime. Featuring: Santogold, Diplo, A-Trak, Kid Cudi.
July 23, 7 p.m. - 10 p.m. Mark Knopfler. Tickets are $70.
July 26, 7 p.m. - 10 p.m. Israeli Dance. Featuring: Kibbutz Contemporary Dance Company, Nimrod Freed/Tami Dance Company's Peep Dance
July 27, 3 p.m. - 7 p.m. Taj Mahal. Featuring: Skatalites, Los Pinguos
July 29, 7 p.m. - 10 p.m. Crosby, Stills & Nash. Tickets are $66
July 31, 7 p.m. - 10 p.m. Readings by Richard Price and Charles Bock
Aug. 1, 8 p.m. - 10 p.m. Dance Brazil with Max Pollak and RumbaTap
Aug. 2, 7 p.m. - 10 p.m. Roy Hargrove Big Band and Special Guests
Aug. 3, 3 p.m. - 7 p.m. Day of Urban Funk, Soul and R&B. Featuring: Jamie Lidell, Janelle Monae, Little Jackie, Jose James, Gilles Peterson
Aug. 4, 6:30 p.m. - 10 p.m. The National, Yeasayer, Plants and Animals. $30 in advance, $35 day of show
Aug. 6, 8 p.m. - 10 p.m. Sonny Rollins. $75 for field seats, $55 for bleacher seats
Aug. 8, 8 p.m. - 10 p.m. Evening of Contemporary Dance. Featuring: Jennifer Muller / The Works, Erica Essner Performance Co-Op
Aug. 9, 3 p.m. - 7 p.m. Celebration of Mexican Culture with Music, Food, Crafts, Art & Giveaways. Featuring: An Unexpected Mexico, Kinky, Alejandro Escovedo with Strings, Pistolera
Aug. 10, 7 p.m. - 10 p.m. CineFest Brasil at Summerstage. The House of Tom- Mundo, Monde, Mondo, directed by Ana Jobin. Featuring music by: Maria Rita
Aug. 12, 7:30 p.m. - 10 p.m. Wyclef Jean Featuring: Jill Scott. $65 in advance
Aug. 14, 7 p.m. - 10 p.m. Brotherhood Tour Featuring: Los Lonely Boys & Los Lobos
Aug. 15, 7 p.m. - 10 p.m. South American Beats from Argentina and Uraguay, Featuring: Bajofondo, Osunlade & The Yoruba Soul Orchestra
Aug. 17, 3 p.m. - 7 p.m. Brooklyn-based Soul and Funk Masters Featuring: Sharon Jones & The Dap Kings, Menahan Street Band, Naomi Shelton & The Gospel Queens

Shakespeare in the Park

Delacorte Theater, Central Park
(212) 539-8500
www.publictheatre.org

A 50-year tradition, Shakespeare in the Park is a free presentation of the Bard's plays in the Delacorte Theater in Central Park. Many young actors and actresses have started their careers at Shakespeare in The Park including Morgan Freeman, Natalie Portman and Christopher Walken.

"Hamlet" runs from May 27 to June 29, and "HAIR: The American Tribal Love-Rock Musical" runs from July 22 to Aug. 31. Shakespeare in the Park is free and tickets can be picked up at the Delacorte Theater on the day of the show. Ticket vouchers are available for the Friday, July 25 performance of HAIR in Queens from 1-3 p.m. the day of the show at the Queens Center Mall.