Hanging around the city this upcoming weekend? Here are some events you might want to check out while you beat the heat. From blues to breakdancing, barbeque to jazz, there’s something for everyone to enjoy!
Blues & BBQ Festival: Moving to its new, larger home at Pier 26, Hudson River Park’s Blues BBQ Festival returns for the 16th season! Pairing America’s best Blues and Roots musicians with New York City’s best BBQ restaurants, makes for an unforgettable summer day on the Hudson River! Rain or Shine. Featured artists include Otis Taylor Band; Naomi Shelton & The Gospel Queens; Jarekus Singleton; Vaneese Thomas; The Ed Palermo Big Band featuring Jimmy Vivino and Felix Cabrera (Performing the music of Paul Butterfield and Mike Bloomfield). Saturday, August 22, 2-9 p.m.
Afropunk Festival: AFROPUNK 2015 is returning to Brooklyn’s Commodore Barry Park, also known as City Park, for a weekend of live music, vibrant art and good vibes on August 22nd and 23rd. Described by the New York Times as “the most multicultural festival in the US,” the word AFROPUNK itself has become synonymous with open-minded, nonconforming and unconventional, placing the institution at the epicenter of urban culture inspired by alternative music. Come to AFROPUNK 2015 this summer and sweat, mosh, and shout! Feel the music, express yourself, free your mind, and join the movement. Friday, August 21 through Sunday, August 23.
Breakdance Competition: The independent owners and operators of McDonald’s New York Tri-State will present McDonald’s B-Boy Royale II, the city’s largest annual breakdance competition, on August 22 at the NYU Skirball Center for the Performing Arts. Hosted by rapper MC Jin and former MTV VJ Grace Subervi, the event will feature eight award-winning East Coast dance crews battling it out for a grand prize of $5,000. The event will also honor breaking pioneer Richard “Crazy Legs” Colón of the legendary Rock Steady Crew with a Lifetime Achievement Award. Tickets are $25 and on sale at www.McDonaldsBBoyRoyale.com. All proceeds from the event will benefit Ronald McDonald House Charities of the New York Tri-State Area. Saturday, August 22, 7-10 p.m. The festival is a rain or shine event..
Charlie Parker Jazz Festival: Charlie Parker Jazz Festival is New York City’s annual salute to the legendary saxophonist. City Parks Foundation is proud to celebrate this histories festival, featuring contemporaries of Charlie Parker as well as young jazz musicians that continue to shape and drive the art form. In a world of modern music – not just jazz – few figures loom as large or cast as long a shadow as saxophonist Charlie Parker, best known as “Bird” (short for “Yardbird”) to generations of musicians. He was born in 1920, and almost sixty years since his death in 1955, he is universally celebrated for single-handedly inventing bebop and bringing jazz into the modern era. Each year we assemble some of the finest musicians in the world who reflect Charlie Parker’s musical individuality and genius, to promote appreciation for this highly influential and world-renowned artist. Thursday, August 20 through Sunday, August 23.