By Daniel Jumpertz
Special to DNAinfo
A couple of huge weekend dance festivals dominate the week ahead. The Electric Zoo Festival takes over Randall's Island for three days and Rock the Bells, featuring Ms. Lauren Hill, Nas, Erykah Badu and Cypress Hill, among many others, moves onto Governors Island. Trekking to an island with the hordes not your thing? Don't fear! From songbirds in Central Park (Sara Bareilles) to legendary axemen in bars (Tom Morello), we've got your bases covered for a sound Labor Day engagement.
Wednesday August 31
Four years ago, Sara Bareilles came from nowhere with "Love Song," which hit the number one spot on the national pop chart. Starting the third season of NBC's "The Sing Off," Bareilles will be a celebrity judge alongside Ben Folds and Shawn Stockman of Boyz II Men. Her most recent album is "Live From Soho". Tonight with Joshua Radin & Raining Jane at Rumsey Playfield, Central Park.
Also tonight: Singer and pianist Bruce Hornsby & the Noisemakers at Beekman Beer Garden Beach Club.
Thursday September 1 - PICK OF THE WEEK
When Rage Against The Machine emerged in the early '90s, their sound was forged by the dynamic otherworldly sounds emanating from Tom Morello's guitar. Tom Morello is a Grammy winner, a Harvard graduate, a former erotic dancer and the co-founder of the non-profit political activist organization, Axis of Justice. He explains his Nighwatchman project - on show here tonight - as "my political folk alter ego… I look at it more as an extension of my politics." At City Winery.
Also tonight: Las Vegas's Panic! At the Disco and Neon Trees with Black Cards at Rumsey Playfield, Central Park
Friday September 2
The Electric Zoo Festival 2011, probably New Yorks biggest electronic music bash, takes over Randall's Island this Labor Day weekend starring David Guetta, Snoop Dogg (DJ), Tiësto, Calvin Harris, Skrillex, Chromeo, Armin van Buuren, BennyBenassi, MSTRKRFT and dozens more over Friday, Saturday and Sunday. DJ legend Fatboy Slim will be playing an after-party for this event at Pacha, 618 West 46th St, from 11pm.
Saturday September 3
Ms. Lauryn Hill is the Queen of Governors Island from midday today, as the Rock the Bells 2011 Festival rolls into town. The epic line-up also stars Nas, Erykah Badu, Cypress Hill, Black Star, Raekwon, Ghostface Killah, Mobb Deep, GZA, Immortal Technique, Doom and many, many more. The $420 High Roller VIP tickets are all gone, but there are still general admission tickets available from $99. South Island Field, Governors Island.
Sunday September 4
Manu Chao, the former frontman for Euro post-punk legends Mano Negra, hits Terminal 5 tonight. While Manu grew up in suburban Paris, his family was exiled from Franco's Spain. Manu sings in Spanish, French, English, Portuguese, Galician, Arabic and Wolof, often mixing several languages in the same song. Also Monday night.
Monday September 5
Melodic Canadian folk rockers Great Lake Swimmers play City Winery.
Tuesday September 6
A very chilled-out line-up in the vein of Panda Bear & Washed Out - very, very "now". Braids with Painted Palms and the ghostly waves of Blue Hawaii at Mercury Lounge.
Also tonight: English singer-songwriter and former member of Traffic, Dave Mason at City Winery. Dave played the powerful acoustic guitar on Jimi Hendrix's classic cut All Along The Watchtower.
ON SALE THIS WEEK
Noel Gallagher's High Flying Birds November 14, Beacon Theatre
Kaiser Chiefs, Mar 8, Terminal 5.
