On Saturday, July 31st, The Originals featuring Stretch Armstrong, Clark Kent, Rich Medina and Tony Touch will perform a free show in Central Park with special guest and performance by Slick Rick at 7:00PM ET (doors at 5:00PM ET). Tito Nieves and The Salsa Project take over the stage on Sunday, August 1st.

Hip-hop is a world-wide phenomenon, embedded in the sounds of pop music of every continent. But before it went global, it was the sound of New York, soundtracking block parties and club nights and college radio. Individually The Originals—as the name implies—have been there since almost the beginning, helping pull hip-hop from out of the underground and into the spotlight. The group also champions club culture and the various sounds and styles that New Yorkers want to dance to, from hip-hop to afrobeat, salsa and reggae to funk and house.

The Originals

The crew involves DJs Stretch Armstrong, known for programming the beloved “Stretch And Bobbito” radio show; hip-hop producer Clark Kent; Rich Medina, who ran the legendary weekly dance institution APT; and mixtape legend Tony Touch. They’ll be joined for a performance by special guest Slick Rick. A selection of short films presented by Rooftop Films will be shows at 6:00PM. The performance will livestreamed for one night only at summerstageanywhere.org.

Tito Nieves

On Sunday, August 1st in Central Park, SummerStage presents a free performance by Tito Nieves and The Salsa Project featuring DJ Jfuse at 7:00PM ET (doors at 5:00PM ET). Known as the “Pavarotti of Salsa,” Tito Nieves, with his booming, crystalline voice is capable of carrying an entire ensemble. The Puerto Rican-born, New York-bred musician was known as one of salsa’s leading voices of ‘80s and ‘90s New York. He’s perhaps best known for his version of Pete Rodriguez’s 1967 classic “I Like it Like That,” which has since become a salsa standard, re-introduced to the current generation by none other than Cardi B, J Balvin, and Bad Bunny.

“The Salsa Project” is a movement rooted in getting more young people involved in Salsa music. “The Salsa Project” takes a multi-disciplinary approach to its work, which includes events, a docu-series, community engagement, and merchandise. The culmination of these four elements creates a platform to engage, learn, and keep the culture alive. ¡Que Viva La Salsa! A selection of short films presented by Rooftop Films will be shows at 6:00PM. The performance will livestreamed for one night only at summerstageanywhere.org.

SummerStage no longer requires tickets for free performances. All free performances will be open to the public, first come, first served, and accessible to all but will be subject to venue capacity limits and CDC recommendations for health and safety related to COVID-19.

SummerStage asks that anyone who is not vaccinated to please wear your mask and try and remain 6 feet apart and strongly recommends vaccinated guests also wear masks and practice social distancing, due to the recent rise in cases in NYC. For the most current information about attending a SummerStage show, please visit cityparksfoundation.org/summerstage-experience

A full list of upcoming SummerStage shows and a digital brochure is available now at SummerStage.org.