FREE OUTDOOR SHOWS IN NYC -- AUGUST

It's been an amazing summer for free concerts in the Big Apple, and the fun continues through Labor Day. Don't miss the following . . .

Slick Rick on Thu, Aug 10th at Marcus Garvey Park in Harlem, with Kool DJ Red Alert on the wheels. When folks talk about the great Golden Era emcees, they always bring up Rakim, Kane, LL, G Rap, KRS, Chuck D. But don't forget about Slick Rick the Ruler! Not only is he rap's most gifted storyteller, he has an amazing sense of humor and style and a unique, soft-spoken, melodic flow. He was so fly back in the late-Eighties that he even made having a British accent cool. Can you imagine that today? Actually, MC Ricky D's best days may not all be behind him. His 1999 album The Art of Storytelling was a surprisingly strong comeback -- his best release since his debut -- and I don't doubt he is capable of the same magic again.

Sharon Jones & the Dap-Kings on Wed, the 16th at Jackie Robinson Park in Harlem. I love this woman! She is in her fifties, but she's got more energy on stage than Beyonce and Mary J combined. I'm not exaggerating. It just makes you realize, they don't make em like they used to. Think of a female James Brown -- in fact, they are both from Augusta, GA -- backed by a tight eight-piece funk band of young white Brooklyn record-nerd dudes (obviously I mean that lovingly, as I could easily be described in the same way). Just trust me, if you see her live, you'll be totally hooked.

Other noteworthy free, outdoor shows in August:

-- Raheem DeVaughn on Thu Aug 3 at South St Seaport

-- James "Blood" Ulmer on Fri the 4th at Metrotech in BK

-- Hot Chip on Fri the 4th at South St Seaport

-- Eddie Palmieri on Fri the 4th at Damrosch Park, Lincoln Cntr

-- African music festival on Sat the 5th at Prospect Park Bandshell

-- Lenine on Sun the 6th at Central Park Summerstage

-- LL Cool J on Mon the 7th at Wingate Field in BK

-- Burnt Sugar on Wed the 9th at Josie Robertson Plaza, Lincoln Cntr

-- BT Express on Thu the 10th at South St Seaport

-- The B-52s on Thu the 10th at Asser Levy Park at Coney Island

-- ?uestlove, Deerhoof, etc., on Sun the 13th at McCarren Park Pool in Williamsburg

-- Toots & the Maytals, etc., on Mon the 14th at Wingate Field in BK

-- Antibalas on Thu, the 17th at Marcus Garvey Pk in Harlem

-- Betty LaVette, etc., on Fri the 18th at Damrosch Pk, Lincoln Cntr

-- The Box Tops feat. Alex Chilton on Fri the 18th at South St Seaport

-- Eddie Floyd, Percy Sledge, etc., on Sat the 19th at Damrosch Pk, Lincoln Cntr

-- Mavis Staples, etc., on Sun the 20th at Damrosch Pk, Lincoln Cntr

-- Kurtis Blow on Wed the 23rd at Jackie Robinson Pk in Harlem

-- Dwele on Thu the 24th at Marcus Garvey Pk in Harlem

-- Talib Kweli, Jean Grae, etc., on Sat the 26th at Central Pk Summerstage

-- Charlie Parker Jazz Festival on Sat the 26th at Marcus Garvey Pk in Harlem

-- Charlie Parker Jazz Festival on Sun the 27th at Tompkins Square Park

-- Sonny Rollins on Sun the 27th at Damrosch Pk, Lincoln Cntr