Sweating It Out In the Park
Five years ago I got my first taste of SummerStage when I headed there to see what turned out to be Celia Cruz's final performance. I recall how her voice seemed to falter during the show, as she seemed to forget words to certain songs and her intensity of emotion. Little did any of us know that she was already ill from cancer, and a year later she'd be gone. Halfway through her set, a strange hailstorm fell, and as she ended her performance with "Bemba," she freestyled the now-poignant words, "As I prepare to leave, please God, remember my name...And if I die, just bury me right here in Central Park."
I'm not sure if I'd like to have my remains rot at the Great Lawn, but I must confess that I'm a sucker for Summerstage. After all, where else can you see-for free-a display of such diverse talent? But then there's always the endurance test: when temperatures hit 105 degrees during Aterciopelados' set in last July and mixed with dust and the cigarette smoke, it was just enough to breathe, let alone enjoy music.
But despite all the hardships, there's always something that tempts me back. This year it includes eight-string jazz guitarist Charlie Hunter (June 16) and his trio, Brooklyn-based Jewish dub duo Balkan Beat Box (July 1, with Antibalas) and dance performances of Noche Flamenca and Roxanne Butterfly (July 7).
Last year, Algerian DJ, Cheb I Sabbah, made such an impression with his eclectic mix of traditional rhythms and electronic beats that he returns with his new release, La Kahena Remixed (July 22). For a bit of nostaligia there's Edie Brickell and The New Bohemians who make their return to the stage after more than 10 years (July 28). Also, Amadou and Mariam, "the blind couple from Mali" who have become superstars in the World Music scene (July 16).
The ever-present music of Brazil is represented by Seu Jorge, who brings his socially motivated music and odd Bowie cover (July 2), while singer/songwriter Lenine opens The Brazilian Film Festival with songs from his U.S. début (August 6). If you think Mexico is about mariachis and Norteña music, consider hearing The Mexican Institute of Sound (August 5), the electronic music project of EMI Executive Camilo Lara. Finally, have a little heart and pay tribute to The Big Easy by dropping $30 to charity (the money will go to The New Orleans Musicians' Clinic) and check out Soul to Soul, Irma Thomas and The Hot 8 Brass Band (August 12).