Hearing the word “free” is often music to the ears of cash-strapped New Yorkers. Metro gives you a look at the notable concerts and festivals New York City is offering gratis this summer.
Lyricist Lounge featuring Ghostface Killah
Prospect Park, Ninth Street and Prospect Park West
Saturday, 7:30 p.m.
Staten Island native Ghostface Killah — arguably the most talented lyricist of iconic rap collective Wu-Tang Clan — takes the stage at the Bandshell in Brooklyn’s Prospect Park as part of Celebrate Brooklyn. The 20th anniversary of the Lyricist Lounge — which exhibits both famous and rising stars in hip-hop — also features performances by Camp Lo and Astro.
Punk Island 2012
Sunday, 11 a.m.
Governor’s Island
Governor’s Island becomes Punk Island as headbangers, thrashers and mosh pit warriors unite for an all-day festival sponsored by Make Music New York. More than 50 bands — including Sworn Enemy and the Homewreckers — rock a lineup featuring largely undiscovered bands handpicked by New York City punk promoters ABC No Rio. Ferries to Governor’s Island begin at 10 a.m. and run every half hour.
Etkin’s Timbalooloo
Tuesday, 10:30 a.m.
Madison Square Park,
Madison Avenue at 23rd Street
This show, one of a series of family-friendly concerts put on in Madison Square Park, comes from Grammy Award-winning musician Oran Etkin. Timbalooloo highlights sounds from around the world, and aims to instill an appreciation of music in young children.
R&B Festival at MetroTech: Fishbone
June 28, noon
MetroTech Concert Stage,
Myrtle Avenue between Jay Street and Flatbush Avenue
The festival, produced by the Brooklyn Academy of Music, has a new show in Brooklyn’s MetroTech Commons every Thursday until Aug. 9. On June 28, Fishbone, the prolific alternative/ska/punk/funk/ soul rock band formed in Los Angeles in 1979, takes the stage to perform. The series concludes with a concert featuring soul singer-rapper Aloe Blacc.
New York Philharmonic Concerts in the Parks: Central Park
July 13, 8 p.m.
Great Lawn, Central Park
Music director Alan Gilbert conducts the United States’ oldest symphony orchestra for a concert on the Great Lawn of Central Park. The show — just under two hours — features performances of Tchaikovsky’s “Symphony No. 4,” as well as Respighi’s “Fountains of Rome” and “Pines of Rome.”
Afropunk Festival 2012
Aug. 25 and 26
Commodore Barry Park, 266 Nassau St.; All ages, Free
The two-day festival held in Brooklyn’s Commodore Barry Park originated as a celebration of the cross-pollination between African-American and punk rock cultures. The Afro-punk Festival resumes after its cancellation last year due to inclement weather from Hurricane Irene. Gym Class Heroes, Janelle Monae, Erykah Badu, Das Racist and Reggie Watts headline the star-studded lineup. Aside from the music offerings, Nike is sponsoring Battle for the Streets, a competition among amateur skateboarders and BMX bikers judged by professionals of both sports, including professional skateboarder Paul Rodriguez.
