City Parks Foundation Announces SummerStage Kids

City Parks Foundation is proud to announce the 2016 launch of SummerStage Kids, New York City’s unique, interactive family festival presenting nearly 100 performing arts events across 32 locations citywide. This free festival will run from July 6h to August 18th in Queens, exposing audiences to the local, national and international world of arts and culture, through a diverse collection of engaging artists unparalleled by any other festival of its kind in New York City.

Taking place predominantly on weekday mornings, SummerStage Kids brings free music, dance, circus, puppetry and theater performances to local neighborhood parks across the five boroughs. This year, festival-goers can look forward to fan favorite Secret Agent 23 Skidoo’s fresh beats and rhymes, rollicking jug music from Lard Dog and The Band of Shy, and Latin-inspired tunes from jarana-player Sonia de los Santos, to name just a few musical acts. In addition, audiences will enjoy storytelling and tap dancing from Joseph Webb, comedy and juggling from the Gizmo Guys, African diaspora-rooted dance from Rashida Bumbray, and a host of other thrilling activities throughout the summer.

This year, as the SummerStage performing arts festival honors the distinctly New York musical form that is jazz, SummerStage Kids will celebrate in tandem, presenting jazz music and dance performances across the city. Audiences are invited to party New Orleans-style to zydeco, swing, and blues music from Jazzy Ash; jam out with jazz drummer Winard Harper & Jeli Posse; dance along to B-Love’s Hip Hop Jazzy Groove; and enjoy a mix of Latin jazz, salsa, and rock tunes compliments of Mister G. A special jazz themed Community Family Day taking place in Queensbridge Park will feature jazz pianist, composer, and producer Marc Carey, who will host an open-invite jam session, and acclaimed jazz vocalist Brianna Thomas & The Jazz Travelers.

The 2016 season also marks the fourth year of SummerStage Kids' focus on contemporary circus. This year, audiences will get the chance to see extraordinary circus performers from New York City and beyond, including world-renowned Chinese acrobat Li Liu, Harlem-based husband-wife duo Acrobuffos performing with fellow clown couple Rob and Miss Jane, and Brooklyn’s own aerialist-dance collective Hybrid Movement Company. These high-flying acts are sure to entertain and delight New Yorkers young and old.

“SummerStage Kids is a one of a kind performing arts festival that tailors its offerings specifically to an all-ages audience. The festival is thoughtfully curated to appeal to the rich cultural diversity of the New York City community, while also presenting unique and culturally specific music, dance, and circus performances that entertain, inspire and educate,” said Monique Martin, Programming Director for City Parks Foundation.

This year, the SummerStage Kids Community Family Day series will offer seven dates across all five boroughs. These weekend programs take place in the late afternoon and feature music, dance, circus, and other interactive activities, ranging from pick-up games, sports, and engaging, educational fun for the whole family. Special highlights this year will include performances from up-and-coming Brooklyn “gospel rapper” Ziearre, in Red Hook Park; celebrated children’s ensemble Justin Roberts & The Not Ready For Naptime Players in Central Park; and famed emcee DJ Spinna celebrating the songs of Earth, Wind and Fire in East River Park. Featuring African drumming and hip-hop dance parties, teen propelled spoken word, double dutch and everything in between, these Community Family Days will entertain toddlers, teens and adults alike!

The complete SummerStage Kids schedule in Queens follows. Schedule is subject to change. For the most up-to-date scheduling and line-up for all programming, visit http://www.cityparksfoundation.org/arts/summerstage-kids/.

July

Wednesday, July 6

Jazzy Ash

Astoria Heights Playground, Queens

30th St. & 45th Rd.

10:30 AM

Monday, July 11

Acrobuffos + Rob and Miss Jane

Rochdale Park, Queens

New York Blvd. & 134th Ave.

10:30 AM

Tuesday, July 12

Acrobuffos + Rob and Miss Jane

Rufus King Park, Queens

Jamaica Ave. at 151st St.

10:30 AM

Wednesday, July 13

Todd Rolle: Kids Day Out

Astoria Heights, Queens

30th St. & 45th Rd.

10:30 AM

Monday, July 18

PuppetMobile’s Puss in Boots

Rochdale Park, Queens

New York Blvd. & 134th Ave.

10:30 AM

Tuesday, July 19

Music With a Message

Rufus King Park, Queens

Jamaica Ave. at 151st St.

10:30 AM

Wednesday, July 20

PuppetMobile’s Puss in Boots

Astoria Heights, Queens

30th St. & 45th Rd.

10:30 AM

Monday, July 25

Chinese Acrobat Li Liu

Rochdale Park, Queens

New York Blvd. & 134th Ave.

10:30 AM

Tuesday, July 26

PuppetMobile’s Puss in Boots

Rufus King Park, Queens

Jamaica Ave. at 151st St.

10:30 AM

Thursday, July 28

PuppetMobile’s Puss in Boots

Flushing Meadows Corona Park, Queens

Near the Unisphere

10:30 AM

Hopalong Andrew

Queensbridge Park, Queens

41st Ave. & Vernon Blvd.

10:30 AM

Sunday, July 31

COMMUNITY FAMILY DAY featuring Marc Cary: The Harlem Sessions / Joseph Webb: Dancing Buddhas / WBGO Kids Jazz feat. Brianna Thomas and The Jazz Travelers

Queensbridge Park, Queens

41st Ave. & Vernon Blvd

4:00 - 7:00 PM

August

Monday, August 1

Moona Luna

Rochdale Park, Queens

New York Blvd. & 134th Ave.

10:30 AM

Thursday, August 4

Lard Dog & the Band of Shy

Flushing Meadows Corona Park, Queens

Near the Unisphere

10:30 AM

Diva’s 3 Music

Queensbridge Park, Queens

41st Ave. & Vernon Blvd.

10:30 AM

Monday, August 8

Secret Agent 23 Skidoo

Rochdale Park, Queens

New York Blvd. & 134th Ave.

10:30 AM

Thursday, August 11

B-Love’s Hip Hop Jazzy Groove

Flushing Meadows Corona Park, Queens

Near the Unisphere

10:30 AM

PuppetMobile’s Puss in Boots

Queensbridge Park, Queens

41st Ave. & Vernon Blvd.

10:30 AM

Thursday, August 18

Shine & The Moonbeams

Flushing Meadows Corona Park, Queens

Near the Unisphere

10:30 AM

B-Love’s Hip Hop Jazzy Groove

Queensbridge Park, Queens

41st Ave. & Vernon Blvd.

10:30 AM