Central Park Music & Performance: Fri May 15 – Fri May 22

Hey music fans,

New Friday-evening edition. The Bandshell is dark this week, but there are two outdoor music moments worth walking out for. Here’s the week.

Sat May 16, 1–5 PM — That Guitar Man From Central Park

That Guitar Man (Dave Ippolito) at Hernshead, 1–5 PM. A park institution — Dave’s been playing the rocks at Hernshead for 30+ years. His sets are equal parts live music, sing-along, and shared park space ritual. Free, donations welcome.

Hernshead is the rocky promontory on the west side of the Lake, near Ladies’ Pavilion. Bring a blanket; the rocks are the seats.

Sun May 17, 11 AM–7 PM — Folkdancers at King Jagiallo

Central Park International Folkdancers at King Jagiallo Plaza. Live music, costumed dancers, traditional repertoire from cultures around the world. Drop in for an hour or stay for the afternoon. Free.

Continuing all week — Julius Caesar at The Pool

Not music per se, but the production carries live musical staging and runs daily 10 AM–9 PM. The Pool Lawns are at 100th & CPW. Worth attending now — the run continues through May 30 but the lawn fills up on later weekends.

Bandshell is quiet this week

No scheduled performances at the Bandshell this entire week. Buskers along the Mall are your fallback if you’re craving live music. Best busker windows: Saturday and Sunday afternoons.

Looking ahead

• Sat May 23 — Bandshell programming likely picks back up (will confirm next week)
• May 28–30 — Barefoot Shakespeare opens at the Bandshell
• Watch for SummerStage announcements — Rumsey Playfield usually starts late May / early June

Quick recap

Sat 5/16, 1–5 PM — That Guitar Man at Hernshead A park ritual. Bring a blanket.

Sun 5/17, 11 AM–7 PM — Folkdancers at King Jagiallo

Daily — Julius Caesar at The Pool (live musical staging)

Bandshell — dark this week. Buskers along the Mall.

The Central Park Guide