Event Details
The Joyce Theater brings three contemporary dance companies to Central Park, celebrating Jazz music through a wide range of styles. SummerStage alum Complexions Contemporary Ballet, founded in 1994 by Dwight Rhoden and Desmond Richardson, will perform Rhoden’s latest company premiere Midnight Riff, which celebrates legendary female vocalists including Billie Holiday and Sarah Vaughn, set to recordings by New York Voices.
Led by Artistic Director Michael Novak, The Paul Taylor Dance Company, founded in 1954, makes its festival debut with the vibrant work by Resident Choreographer, Robert Battle, Under The Rhythm, set to music by Ella Fitzgerald, Wycliffe Gordon, and more. SummerStage alumna LaTasha Barnes’ The Jazz Continuum presents The Look of Love, featuring musical direction by GRAMMY award-recognized saxophonist Christopher McBride. The performance showcases the powerhouse Barnes alongside guest music and dance “explorers”—including a DJ/Turntablist—in a celebration of the powerful joy and vitality of Black American music and dance.
Led by Artistic Director Michael Novak, The Paul Taylor Dance Company, founded in 1954, makes its festival debut with the vibrant work by Resident Choreographer, Robert Battle, Under The Rhythm, set to music by Ella Fitzgerald, Wycliffe Gordon, and more. SummerStage alumna LaTasha Barnes’ The Jazz Continuum presents The Look of Love, featuring musical direction by GRAMMY award-recognized saxophonist Christopher McBride. The performance showcases the powerhouse Barnes alongside guest music and dance “explorers”—including a DJ/Turntablist—in a celebration of the powerful joy and vitality of Black American music and dance.
About SummerStage
The 2026 season lineup is here! Celebrating the 40th Anniversary of Capital One City Parks Foundation SummerStage, the season features more than 60 shows in 13 parks and honors SummerStage history by presenting beloved veterans and tomorrow’s icons.
In June 1986, the first-ever SummerStage show kicked off with avant-garde Afrofuturist Sun Ra Arkestra at the Naumburg Bandshell in Central Park. Both the park and the city’s cultural landscape were forever changed. In the 40 years since, SummerStage has presented thousands of global artists to audiences numbering over seven million, bringing free live performances to neighborhood parks across the city. Whether attending since the very first show or discovering SummerStage more recently through performances by Jon Batiste, The Roots, Marcus Miller, or Soccer Mommy, audiences have continued to dance, sing, and groove together.
In June 1986, the first-ever SummerStage show kicked off with avant-garde Afrofuturist Sun Ra Arkestra at the Naumburg Bandshell in Central Park. Both the park and the city’s cultural landscape were forever changed. In the 40 years since, SummerStage has presented thousands of global artists to audiences numbering over seven million, bringing free live performances to neighborhood parks across the city. Whether attending since the very first show or discovering SummerStage more recently through performances by Jon Batiste, The Roots, Marcus Miller, or Soccer Mommy, audiences have continued to dance, sing, and groove together.
Location
Central Park
Rumsey Playfield
New York, NY 10021
Image: Courtesy of SummerStage 2026