Finally, we can plan our summer! "The Celebrate Brooklyn!" series’ 2010 schedule is in our little hands, offering up a bevy of free shows (okay, there’s a $3 suggested donation) and benefit bonanzas in Prospect Park.
Between the ones we already knew about (e.g. the Joneses, Norah and Sharon), the ones that are already sold out (Passion Pit, the National) and the rest (Rufus Wainwright!), it’s going to be a busy few months. Our favorites:
June 9
Opening Night Gala
Norah Jones
8:00PM/gates 6:30PM
Our take: We’re used to seeing Norah in more intimate venues, but her recent, rockier sound will have no problem filling the bandshell.
June 12
Allen Toussaint
Davell Crawford
NEA Influencers
7:30PM/gates 6:30PM
Our take: Toussaint is one of New Orleans’ greatest living pianists. Do it.
June 19
Celebrate Brooklyn! & CareFusion Jazz Festival present
Bitches Brew Revisited with Graham Haynes, James Blood Ulmer, DJ Logic and more!
7:30PM/gates 6:30PM
Our take: Miles Davis’ landmark jazz-meets-rock album rebooted, and joined by DJ Logic. Not to be missed.
June 24
Orquesta Buena Vista Social Club
featuring Omara Portuondo / Nelida Tirado - American Express Roots Music Series
7:30PM/gates 6:30PM
Our take: The Buena Vista sound, even with a completely different personnel lineup, will go perfectly with the leafy setting.
June 29
Passion Pit (sold out) (Benefit Show)
7:30PM/gates 6:30PM
Our take: Already sold out. Hit up your friends for an extra ticket. Or better yet, stand outside the fence.
July 11
OkayAfrica with The Roots, Talib Kweli and more!
4:00PM/gates 3:00PM
Our take: Jimmy Fallon’s house band rocks the park—what’s not to love?
July 20
Rufus Wainwright (Benefit Show)
7:00PM/gates 6:00PM
Our take: Expect a full helping of awesome from the most melodrama-loving member of the Wainwright clan.
July 22
The Chaplin Mutuals: Carl Davis / The Two Man Gentlemen Band- NEA American Masterpieces
Celebrate Brooklyn! & Brooklyn Philharmonic
7:30PM/gates 6:30PM
Our take: We’d hit this for the throwbacky thump-and-twang of The Two-Man Gentlemen Band alone.
July 27
The National (sold out) (Benefit Show)
7:30PM/gates 6:30PM
Our take: See Passion Pit, above.
July 30
The Swell Season
The Low Anthem - Bud Light Music Series
7:30PM/gates 6:30PM
Our take: If you missed The Swell Season (a.k.a. “Once”’s Glen Hansard and Markéta Irglová) at Radio City earlier this year, catch them here.
July 31
Sonic Youth
Grass Widow / Talk Normal
Celebrate Brooklyn! and Limewire present
7:00PM/gates 6:00PM
Our take: Sonic Youth. Yes, they cameo’ed on “Gossip Girl.” Still awesome, though.
August 5
Metric
Joan as Police Woman / Holly Miranda
7:00PM/gates 6:00PM
Our take: Melodic, intense Joan as Police Woman (a.k.a. Joan Wasser) is one of the most exciting singer-songwriters around.
August 7
Sharon Jones & the Dap Kings, Budos Band and more-American Express Roots Music Series
7:00PM/gates 6:00PM
Our take: Possibly by August 7 you’ll have come down from the high of seeing Sharon Jones at the Apollo last week. Maybe.
