Free things to do in NYC this weekend: Sharon Jones and the Dap-Kings, more
Sharon Jones and The Dap-Kings perform during the Bonnaroo Music and Arts Festival in Manchester, Tenn. (June 8, 2012) Credit: AP
Friday
JAZZ LEGENDS: CHARLIE PARKER TRIBUTE
Celebrating its 20th year, the Charlie Parker Jazz Festival is taking place at various New York City venues during the next couple of weeks. Some events are free, some aren't, but all aim to pay homage to the saxophonist known as Bird as well as the larger jazz scene he grew out of. The Sugar Hill Quartet performs 5 to 7 p.m. Friday at Whole Foods Market, 808 Columbus Ave. at 97th Street, in Manhattan. Check out the full schedule at cityparksfoundation.org.
Saturday
SHARON JONES & THE DAP-KINGS
Courtesy of the funky gods, this is one perfect outdoor summer show. Soulful singer Sharon Jones and her way-funky band offer up solid, timeless stuff. Get to Williamsburg Park by 5 p.m. to catch openers Antibalas and Menahan Street Band. More: sharonjonesandthedapkings.com/shows.
Saturday-Sunday
DOWNTOWN DANCE FESTIVAL
Celebrating 31 years, the Downtown Dance Festival covers eight days total courtesy of the folks at Battery Dance Company. Saturday, from 1 to 4 p.m., head to the lawn at Battery Park for six performances, including the Jamal Jackson Dance Company ?and Morales Dance. Sunday, same time and place, eight troupes bring it on, with Battery Dance Company among them. For the full schedule: batterydance.org.
Sunday
THE UPRIGHT CITIZENS BRIGADE PRESENTS THE ALL-STARS OF IMPROV
Improv can be a scary, and scary uncomfortable, thing when approached by amateur minds, but the quick wits behind the Upright Citizens Brigade have proved how good this form of comedy can be. The proof is in the troupe's output, with big names (Amy Poehler, Patton Oswalt) and big gigs — writing for, among others, “Saturday Night Live” and “The Jon Stewart Show.” Check out the all-stars troupe and see who's next up in the pipeline 7 to 8:30 p.m. at East River Park in Manhattan. Info: ucbtheater.com.
Photo: Sharon Jones and the Dap-Kings perform during the Bonnaroo Music and Arts Festival in June.
