New York, aside from being one of the fashion mecca’s of the world, is also known for its music scene. So if you happen to be in the New York area in the summer, check out these music festivals.

Philharmonic Concerts in the Parks

July 15 to 20

This free concert series, performed in various parks around the New York, always delivers venues filled to capacity, so be sure to get there early, and remember to bring a blanket as the classical renditions will lull you into relaxation.

www.nyphil.org

R & B Festival at Metrotech

June 4 to August 6

Past performers at this free outdoor event include Jimmy Cliff, The Wailers, and The Spinners. The concert also features a number of new artistes, so who knows, you could be witnessing the birth of a superstar. Performing this year are artistes such as Simone and the Spanish Harlem Orchestra.

Metrotech Commons, Flatbush Avenue, Brooklyn

www.bam.org

Harlem Meer Performance Festival

Sundays, June 21 to September 6 | 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.

A wide range of musical genres are represented at this festival; from Latin to jazz, world music to gospel. There is something for everybody at this summer festival. Performers include ARC Gospel Choir, ¡Retumba! and more.

Charles A. Dana Discovery Center,

Broadway in Bryant Park

July 9 to August 13

Bryant Park, located behind the New York Public Library, plays host to a number of lunchtime Broadway productions on Thursdays. The one-hour productions are free and usually feature a few songs from several popular Broadway works.

Bryant Park

(Fifth Avenue, Sixth Avenue, 40th St. and 42nd St.)

www.bryantpark.org

2009 Toyota Concert Series on NBC’s Today Show

May 1 to September 2009

Friday mornings from May to September will come alive with the Today Show, Toyota Concert Series. The series features many popular performers such as Beyonce and the Jonas Brothers and upcoming performers include Natasha Bedingfield, Flo Rida and Jennifer Hudson. The performances are put on at the Rockefeller Plaza and are free, but you have got to reach there by at least 6am in order to be able to see the show.

Rockefeller Plaza

30 Rockefeller Plaza

Fifth Avenue, between 49th St. and 50th St.

7:00 am – 10:00 am

http://today.msnbc.msn.com/

City Parks Concert

July 7 to August 26

No matter what borough of New York you may be in, the City Parks Foundation has a concert lined up for you. Chrisette Michele, Naughty by Nature and Wayne Wonder are just a few of the awesome performances you can hope to see.

Venues include:

St. Mary’s Park (146 St. and St. Ann’s Ave), and Crotona Park (173 St. and Crotona Park East), in the Bronx.

Red Hook (Bay St.), Von King Park (Tompkins Ave.), and Brower Park (Brooklyn Ave.), in Brooklyn.

East River Park (between Grand St. and Jackson St.), Highbridge Park (174 St. and Amsterdam Ave.), and Marcus Garvey Park (124 St. and Mt. Morris Park), in Manhattan.

Queensbridge Park (41 Ave., Bridge Plaza, Vernon Blvd and East River), Springfield Park(184 St. and 147 Ave), and Rochdale Park (Guy R. Brewer Blvd. at 134th Ave) in Queens.

Mahoney Playground (Beechwood Ave, Crescent Ave, Cleveland St. and Jersey St.), and Tappen Park (106 Water St.), in Staten Island.

www.cityparksfoundation