Summer in NYC: Central Park's 'SummerStage,' kicks off June 7

Central Park's free annual SummerStage festival kicks off at Manhattan's main stage on June 7 with 'Night at the Caravanserai: Tales of Wonder' featuring Yo-Yo Ma, followed by 'Salute to Hip-Hop,' featuring EPMD and Funkmaster Flex.

Notable performances not to miss include 'Passion of Tap' on June 10 at the Herbert Von King Park in Brooklyn. The show begins with soloist Omar Edwards and finishes with a full-cast freestyle jam session.

On July 1, 'Pasion Y Arte' with 'On Tap' will perform at St. Mary's Park in the Bronx. Inspired by old and new flamenco dance, 'Pasion Y Arte', a female dance company mix Flamenco with other dance forms, musical genres, and mixed media.

'On Tap,' celebrates the artistry of tap dancing. The group will perform excerpts from some of the hottest tap shows in development, such as Jazz Suite, Broadway Underground, and Possibly Maybe Know.

On July 20, Queensbridge Park in Queens will host 'Philly soul' group, 'Harold Melvin's Blue Notes' along with 'Rhythm Revue' with Felix Hernandez.

'Harold Melvin's Blue Notes', If You Don't Know Me by Now, was nominated for a Grammy Award, which helped the group reach gold and platinum status.

On July 21, The Metropolitan Opera Summer Recital Series will perform in Staten Island at Clove Lakes Park. The series is in its third consecutive year.

The July 21 performance will include soprano Layla Claire, mezzo-soprano Renee Tatum, and bass-baritone Ryan Speedo Green, accompanied by pianist Bradley Moore.

SummerStage is a privately funded, nonprofit organization that offers park programs throughout New York's five boroughs. Check out their website to see all scheduled performances and activities.