Central Park

===Concerts and performances===
[[File:SS Venue and Crowd.JPG|thumb|upright=1|alt=The covered stage known as Summerstage with a band entertaining a crowd of people|[[Summerstage]] in Central Park features free musical concerts throughout the summer.]]
Central Park has been the site of concerts almost since its inception. Originally, they were hosted in the Ramble, but these were moved to the Concert Ground next to the Mall in the 1870s.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.nycgovparks.org/about/history/concerts|title=History of Concerts in Parks|publisher=New York City Department of Parks and Recreation|access-date=April 19, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190419033334/https://www.nycgovparks.org/about/history/concerts|archive-date=April 19, 2019|url-status=live}}</ref> The weekend concerts hosted in the Mall drew tens of thousands of visitors from all social classes.{{sfn|Rosenzweig|Blackmar|1992|pp=225–227}} Since 1923, concerts have been held in [[Naumburg Bandshell]], a [[Shell (theater)|bandshell]] of [[Indiana limestone]] on [[Central Park Mall|the Mall]].<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1989/02/19/realestate/streetscapes-naumburg-bandshell-everyone-but-donor-s-family-wants-it-gone.html |title=Streetscapes: The Naumburg Bandshell; Everyone but the Donor's Family Wants It Gone|last=Gray|first=Christopher|date=February 19, 1989|work=The New York Times|access-date=April 19, 2019|issn=0362-4331|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190419033337/https://www.nytimes.com/1989/02/19/realestate/streetscapes-naumburg-bandshell-everyone-but-donor-s-family-wants-it-gone.html|archive-date=April 19, 2019|url-status=live}}</ref> Named for banker [[Elkan Naumburg]], who funded its construction, the bandshell has deteriorated over the years but has never been fully restored.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2014/06/25/nyregion/central-parks-marred-band-shell-gets-a-golden-pick-me-up.html |title=Gold Touches Up Sullied Band Shell in Central Park|last=Gregory|first=Kia|date=June 24, 2014|work=The New York Times|access-date=April 19, 2019|issn=0362-4331|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190419033340/https://www.nytimes.com/2014/06/25/nyregion/central-parks-marred-band-shell-gets-a-golden-pick-me-up.html|archive-date=April 19, 2019|url-status=live}}</ref> The oldest free classical music concert series in the United States—the Naumburg Orchestral Concerts, founded in 1905—is hosted in the bandshell.<ref name="Concerts-Conservancy"/> Other large concerts include ''[[The Concert in Central Park]]'', a [[benefit concert|benefit performance]] by [[Simon & Garfunkel]] in 1981,{{sfn|Eliot|2010|p=174}} and [[Garth: Live from Central Park]], a free concert by [[Garth Brooks]] in 1997.<ref>{{cite web|last=Bergren|first=Joe|title=Flashback: Garth Brooks Makes History With 1997 Central Park Concert|publisher=[[KTVB]]|date=August 7, 1997|url=https://www.ktvb.com/article/entertainment/entertainment-tonight/flashback-garth-brooks-makes-history-with-1997-central-park-concert/277-462482639|access-date=June 16, 2020}}</ref>

Several arts groups are dedicated to performing in Central Park.<ref name="Concerts-Conservancy">{{Cite web|url=http://www.centralparknyc.org/things-to-see-and-do/attractions/concerts.html |title=Concerts|publisher=Central Park Conservancy|access-date=April 19, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190419091512/http://www.centralparknyc.org/things-to-see-and-do/attractions/concerts.html|archive-date=April 19, 2019|url-status=live}}</ref> These include [[Central Park Brass]], which performs concert series,<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2004/06/09/arts/arts-briefing.html |title=Arts Briefing|last=Gelder|first=Lawrence Van|date=June 9, 2004|work=The New York Times|access-date=April 19, 2019|issn=0362-4331|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190419043300/https://www.nytimes.com/2004/06/09/arts/arts-briefing.html|archive-date=April 19, 2019|url-status=live}}</ref> and the [[New York Classical Theatre]], which produces an annual series of plays.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2017/07/14/theater/free-shows-to-see-in-new-york-this-summer.html |title=Free Shows to See in New York This Summer |last=Piepenburg|first=Erik|date=July 14, 2017|work=The New York Times|access-date=April 19, 2019|issn=0362-4331|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190419033342/https://www.nytimes.com/2017/07/14/theater/free-shows-to-see-in-new-york-this-summer.html|archive-date=April 19, 2019|url-status=live}}</ref>

There are several regular summer events. The Public Theater presents free open-air theater productions, such as [[Shakespeare in the Park (New York City)|Shakespeare in the Park]], in the Delacorte Theater.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2013/05/31/arts/shakespeare-in-the-park.html |title=Shakespeare in the Park|last=Lee|first=A. C|date=May 31, 2013|work=The New York Times|access-date=April 19, 2019|issn=0362-4331|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190419034733/https://www.nytimes.com/2013/05/31/arts/shakespeare-in-the-park.html|archive-date=April 19, 2019|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.timeout.com/newyork/theater/shakespeare-in-the-park|title=The complete guide to Shakespeare in the Park in NYC|work=Time Out New York|access-date=April 19, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190419033333/https://www.timeout.com/newyork/theater/shakespeare-in-the-park|archive-date=April 19, 2019|url-status=live}}</ref> The City Parks Foundation offers Central Park [[Summerstage]], a series of free performances including music, dance, spoken word, and film presentations, often featuring famous performers.<ref name="Concerts-Conservancy"/><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.timeout.com/newyork/music/central-park-summerstage|title=Your guide to SummerStage 2019|work=Time Out New York|access-date=April 19, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190419033334/https://www.timeout.com/newyork/music/central-park-summerstage|archive-date=April 19, 2019|url-status=live}}</ref> Additionally, the [[New York Philharmonic]] gives an open-air concert on the Great Lawn yearly during the summer,<ref name="Concerts-Conservancy"/> and from 1967 until 2007, the Metropolitan Opera presented two operas in concert each year.<ref>{{cite web|last=Gretschel|first=Johanna|title=Jenny Simpson Aims For Sixth Title, Course Record At 5th Avenue Mile|work=FloTrack|date=October 5, 2017|url=http://www.flotrack.org/article/61403-jenny-simpson-aims-for-sixth-title-course-record-at-5th-avenue-mile|access-date=October 12, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171012152718/http://www.flotrack.org/article/61403-jenny-simpson-aims-for-sixth-title-course-record-at-5th-avenue-mile|archive-date=October 12, 2017|url-status=live}}</ref> Every August since 2003, the Central Park Conservancy has hosted the Central Park Film Festival, a series of free film screenings.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.metro.us/things-to-do/new-york/central-park-movie-nights-2018|title=Here's the schedule for Central Park Movie Nights 2018|date=July 10, 2018|work=Metro US|access-date=August 1, 2019}}</ref>