MANHATTAN — As summer approaches, so does the 2012 season of SummerStage, which this year will present performances by hip-hop stars Brand Nubian and Big Daddy Kane, soul legend Bobby Womack, comedians from Upright Citizens Brigade and Comedy Central and the all-female dance troupe Decadancetheatre.
In total, the SummerStage series, presented by the City Parks Foundation, will host more than 110 free performances in 18 city parks across the five boroughs.
“Audiences have come to expect the highest-quality, free arts programming from SummerStage, and we intend to continue that tradition,” said City Parks Foundation President Alison Tocci.
In addition to big-name concerts, SummerStage, now in its 27th year, will host four performances specially commissioned for the festival.
“A King of Infinite Space,” a play adapted from Shakespeare’s “Hamlet,” will be performed at St. Mary’s Park and Crotona Park in The Bronx.
The Charlie Parker Jazz Festival will celebrate its 20th anniversary in Marcus Garvey Park in Harlem.
In Central Park, two separate dance shows are scheduled to light up the stage.
Camille A. Brown & Dancers will perform live with special guest Imani Uzuri in a show that combines original choreography with music from Uzuri’s new album, “The Gypsy Diaries.”
The Limón Dance Company will celebrate its 65th anniversary with a performance set to the music of the Grammy-winning Cuban composer Paquito D’Rivera.
AT&T is sponsoring the summerlong festival and will provide free charging stations at the various parks around the city that will be hosting the free events.
For an up-to-date schedule of performances, visit the SummerStage website.