Sharon Jones, CSN to play Central Park SummerStage

New York City is, without a doubt, the best city in the world (in the opinion of this writer). Where else can you walk outside at 3 a.m. and run into foot traffic? Where else can you wander down to the Hudson River Park to sunbathe, walk the dog, or stare out across the bay into New Jersey (and mock it senselessly)? Where else can you find 14 different types of ethnic food—all on one block? Where else can you find a 500-square-foot apartment that costs $2,150 in rent per month, and have it called "spacious?" (Okay, so no one ever said the city was perfect.)

Anyway, beyond all that, there's another reason that We Heart NYC. (That's right, we said "heart.") A reason that comes in the form of a summer music festival-type-thing. Yeah, we know, that's a shock, right? However, it's a good one, so read on, and quash those hipster-y ironic thoughts.

The initial lineup for the Central Park SummerStage, held annually in—you guessed it—Central Park, has just been released, and it's as eclectic as the city itself. Everyone from Seun Kuti (youngest son of the venerable Femi Kuti) to math-rockers Battles to Sharon Jones & the Dap Kings will perform, which means that there quite literally might be something to quell the thirst of 99% of music fans out there. Oh NYC, you so amazing.

With one event scheduled for each weekend this summer, SummerStage will feature 30 (free!) performances, including poetry evenings, the Annual Latin Alternative Music Conference, and six benefit concerts, where both Thievery Corporation and Crosby, Stills & Nash are scheduled to play. (No, not together—that'd be too weird, even for the city that never sleeps).

This summer, go against the enormous masses that head out of the city each weekend and check out the SummerStage. It is in New York City, after all.

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