City Parks Foundation offered 75 high quality and diverse performing arts programs in neighborhood parks throughout New York City this summer, all entirely free of charge. CityParks Concerts, CityParks Dance, and CityParks Theater, a trio of performing arts festivals, provides community parks with both renowned and rising talent in a multitude of genres including hip-hop, salsa, indie rock, pop, jazz, modern dance, ballet, and contemporary theater, ensuring that all New Yorkers have an opportunity to experience the best in the arts with programming that celebrates the cultural richness of the communities in which we serve.

The 2009 season was a great success and we thank all of you who came out to share in these exciting performances. Highlights from the 2009 season included City Parks Foundation’s first ever commissioned play, "Dirt Rich," by Chisa Hutchinson, memorable concert performances by hip-hop innovators KRS-One, Slick Rick, Raekwon, and MC Lyte, R&B stars Joe, Chico DeBarge, Deborah Cox, and Jon B, Latin music sensations Andy Andy, N’Klabe, Xtreme, Ismael Miranda, and many, many more, plus interactive dance programs by several highly acclaimed dance companies including Morphoses/The Wheeldon Company and the Dayton Contemporary Dance Company.

The 2009 City Parks Foundation summer arts programs came to a spectacular close with the longstanding two-day Charlie Parker Jazz Festival at Marcus Garvey Park in Harlem and Tompkins Square Park in the East Village. The festival, which pays homage to the musical genius of Charlie Parker, saw remarkable performances by such luminary jazz musicians as Frank Wess, Cedar Walton, Gary Bartz, and Papo Vazquez Pirates Troubadours paired with newcomers José James, Benny Reid, Pyeng Threadgill, and the Dred Scott Trio.