An eclectic mix of bands have been confirmed for New York Citys annual Central Park SummerStage concert series. Singer/Songwriter Josh Ritter will kick off the annual free series with a special collaborative performance alongside the New York Pops. A number of free shows will follow, spread across a diverse mix of genres. Highlights include an evening of gospel on June 13 (Smokie Norful, Tye Tribbett & G.A. and Ruben Studdard), vocal jazz on June 28 (Ledisi, Esperanza Spalding and Jonathan Batiste), African music on July 5 (Oumou Sangare, Les Nubians and A?a), hip-hop on July 18 (Q-Tip, Chester French, Little Dragon and Benji B), reggae on July 19 (Alpha Blondy & The Solar System, Lee ‘Scratch’ Perry & Dubblestandart and Subatomic Sound System), soul on July 19 (Bettye Lavette, Budos Band and Felix Hernandez Rhythm Revue), indie (M. Ward, Mike Watt and Wilcos Nels Cline) and string music on August 3 (Bela Fleck and Toumani Diabat

SummerStage will also host a mix of films, dance performances, spoken word recitals and family activities. As in years past, these free shows will be funded by a number of SummerStage benefits held at the same location in Central Park: TV on the Radio and the Dirty Projectors (6/5), Indigo Girls and Matt Nathanson (6/16), 311, Ziggy Marley and The Expendables (6/25), Explosions in the Sky and Constantines (6/30) and Umphreys McGee and Matisyahu (7/9).