Summer is close which means I’m going to be listing a shitload of concert series lineups over the next few weeks. As always Central Park will bring back the SummerStage series with some free and ticketed shows. The official website has the complete SummerStage calendar but here are some shows that stood out:

• •07.06.08 Afrika Bambaataa, Love Trio with U-Roy The Nublu crew joins the grandfather of hip hop. Free event; 3:00 PM - 7:00 PM
  
• •07.18.08 Video Music Box 25th Anniversary Concert Uncle Ralph brings the NYCTV program to Summer Stage with plenty of guests. Free event; 7:00 - 10:00 PM
• •08.02.08 Roy Hargrove Big Band and Special Guests Free event; 7:00 - 10:00 PM
• •08.03.08 Gilles Peterson, Janelle Monae, Little Jackie, & Jose James I rarely use the word tastemaker but Gilles Peterson definitely earns the title. DJ, producer, and much more he brings his Brownswood label fam to the park. Free event; 3:00 PM - 7:00 PM
• •08.17.08 Sharon Jones & The Dap Kings, Menahan Street Band, Naomi Shelton & The Gospel Queens Guess this is the ‘Daptone Revue’ show I posted about last week. You all know about Sharon Jones & the Dap Kings by now but also know Menahan Street Band as the group sampled on ‘Roc Boys.’ Free event; 3:00 - 7:00 PM