a summer filled with song, rhythm, and melody

New York City is exciting and wonderful for many reasons, and I wanted to share my latest discovery with you today - the City Parks Foundation SummerStage. What began in 1986 as one free concert in Central Park, has escalated to a summer music festival that takes place from May to October and encompasses over sixty five concerts that span over fifteen genres - and all but five shows are completely FREE. The concerts take place on both weekdays and weekends and I am kicking myself for not taking this more seriously in past years. Why on earth have I been spending all of my time and energy visiting people who never (or rarely) visit us when there is so much going on right in our backyard?! 

While the summer weekend concerts don't necessarily excite me because I heart the beach, there are a number of shows during the week that sound totally awesome. The nerd in me wants to start organizing a spreadsheet this very instant, but instead I am going to take a deep breath, relax, and revisit the schedule sometime this weekend. My heart hurts a little because one of my absolute favorite bands happens to be playing for FREE on a weekend and I already have plans (so, so, so sad - I would have totally traded in a beach day without an ounce of hesitation for that one), but I guess I need to turn my frown upside down and be happy I have the opportunity to see two hundred other artists. While I am sure at times the shows sound a bit like a fund drive, I am willing to grin and bear it. In my opinion, especially as a fundraising professional, they should. A lot of work goes into putting on events and having over sixty five in a span of five months is no small feat. I also already feel like I am contributing because I just bought tickets to one of the ticketed events - First Aid Kit - and I am so excited! Click here to see the schedule.