As the weather warms, New York culture comes outdoors to play.
Shakespeare in the Park, a New York institution since 1957, is as much a part of a New York summer as fireworks on the Fourth of July. The outdoor free event at the open-air Delacorte Theater in Central Park was the brainchild of the late Joseph Papp, former director of the Public Theater. Each summer usually features a revival of a Shakespeare play featuring a large company, including at least one or more "names" from film or television. The 2007 slate was set to feature Romeo and Juliet. The productions run from June to early September. Depending on the star power, tickets can be quite scarce.
The Delacorte Theater itself, next to Belvedere Castle near 79th Street and West Drive, is a dream -- on a starry night, there's no better stage in town. Tickets are distributed at the theater free on a first-come, first-served basis (two per person) at 1pm on the day of the performance. The Delacorte might have 1,881 seats, but each is a hot commodity; whatever the show, people line up next to the theater 2 to 3 hours in advance (even earlier if a big name is involved). You can also pick up same-day tickets between 1 and 3pm at the Public Theater, at 425 Lafayette St. For more information, call the Public Theater at tel. 212/539-8500 or the Delacorte at tel. 212/535-4284, or visit www.publictheater.org.
Free concerts by the New York Philharmonic and the Metropolitan Opera are held beneath the stars on Central Park's Great Lawn and in parks throughout the five boroughs. For schedules, call the Philharmonic at tel. 212/875-5656 or the Metropolitan Opera at tel. 212/362-6000. The Philharmonic maintains a list of their upcoming gigs at www.newyorkphilharmonic.org; look under "Attend Concerts."
The most active music stage in Central Park, however, is SummerStage, at Rumsey Playfield, midpark around 72nd Street. SummerStage has featured everyone from James Brown to Patti Smith; recent offerings have included concerts by Hugh Masekela, the Jon Spencer Blues Explosion, and Marianne Faithfull; "Viva, Verdi!" festival performances by the New York Grand Opera; cabaret nights; and more. The season usually lasts from mid-June to August. While some big-name shows charge admission, tickets aren't usually required but donations are always accepted. Call the hot line at tel. 212/360-2777 or visit www.summerstage.org.
Beyond Central Park, more free outdoor fun includes the Bryant Park Summer Film Festival, held in Bryant Park, just behind the main branch of the New York Public Library, at Sixth Avenue between 41st and 42nd streets. Every Monday night a classic film -- think Dr. Zhivago or Viva Las Vegas -- is shown on a large screen under the stars. The lawn is open at 5pm for blankets and picnicking; the movie starts at dusk (about 8 or 9pm). Rain dates are Tuesdays. For the schedule and more information, call tel. 212/512-5700.
The calendar of free events heats up throughout the city's parks in summertime. You can find out what's happening by calling the Parks and Recreation Special Events Hot Line at tel. 888/NY-PARKS or 212/360-3456 or pointing your browser to www.nycgovparks.org.
Music Under New York -- The noise of honking horns, car alarms, and sirens are not the only sounds you will hear in your travels around Manhattan. Music is everywhere. In the warm weather, a trumpet player or violinist will set up at a busy corner and play for hours. In the winter musicians head into subway stations, where, legally, they are not allowed to play, but I've rarely seen the law enforced. Many are very good, while others, well, are just trying to make a few bucks. Some of the good ones, who actually audition for the opportunity, perform under a program sponsored by the New York Metropolitan Transit Authority (MTA) called "Music Under New York." If selected, they can perform legally at designated subway stations, including Times Square/42nd Street, 34th Street/Sixth Avenue, 14th Street/Union Square, and 59th Street/Columbus Circle. In the summer there is a Music Under New York festival at Grand Central Station and Bowling Green Park. The variety of music is amazing and the quality is as good as you might see at some of New York's clubs. In subway stations I've heard gospel, blues, Cajun, Dixieland jazz, Andean, Brazilian drumming, rumba, and my favorite, doo-wop, the original sound of the New York subways. So take a few moments before boarding your train and listen to the music. For more information, visit the MTA website (www.mta.nyc.ny.us/mta/aft/muny.htm).
