Many people spend Memorial Day weekend by getting outside with friends and family to eat barbecue and corn on the cob while drinking a cold beer. But for others, Memorial Day weekend has become synonymous with great music.
Tom Petty performs on stage during the 28th Annual Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony on April 18, 2013 in Los Angeles, California. Petty will be performing at the Beacon Theater over Memorial Day weekend. (WireImage)
Matt Skiba, Derek Grant and Dan Andriano of Alkaline Trio will be performing at the Best Buy Theater on May 24th at 8 p.m. (FilmMagic)
Alan Gilbert, chief conductor of the New York Philharmonic leads a rehearsal in Germany. The orchestra is performing for free on May 27th at 8 p.m. (REUTERS)
Macy Grey will be performing at the City Winery in Brooklyn over Memorial Day weekend. (FilmMagic)
• Mariah Carey
This year gets off to a very early morning start on Friday with Mariah Carey kicking off the “Good Morning America Summer Concert Series” with a live performance in Central Park. While the concert is free, fans need advance tickets and should arrive at the 72nd Street entrance at 6:00 a.m. or earlier to snag a spot.
Central Park, Rumsey Playfield
Get in line at the 72nd Street and 5th Ave. park entrance
May 24, Performance is between 7 and 9 a.m. Arrive at 6 a.m.
Tickets are free and will become available closer to the date. Go to gmaconcerts.com for more information.
• Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers
If the idea of getting up at the crack of dawn isn’t your thing, then head over to the Beacon Theater to hear Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers. The classic rock god Perry and his band are playing both Saturday and Sunday night at 8 p.m.
The Beacon Theatre
2124 Broadway between 74th and 75th, Manhattan
May 20, 21, 23, 25, and 26 at 8 p.m.
Tickets range from $54-$130, for more info click here.
• The Shins + Man Man
Scintillating songstresses and aging rock gods aren’t everyone’s cup of tea, however, so for the younger crowd there are shows from The Shins (in Williamsburg Park) and Alkaline Trio (at the Best Buy Theater). Cheap seats for Alkaline Trio are readily available on StubHub while the Albuquerque, New Mexico-based Shins have general admission tickets still available on Ticketmaster.
Williamsburg Park
North 12th St. and Kent Avenue in Brooklyn
May 26, 5:30 p.m.
Tickets are $55.90, click here for more information.
Alkaline Trio
Best Buy Theatre
1515 Broadway at 45th St, Manhattan
May 24th at 8 p.m.
Tickets are sold out but you can find plenty on stubhub.com.
• New York Philharmonic
All of the above offerings will either cost you money or piece of mind (standing outside at dawn in Central Park isn’t exactly relaxing), but the New York Philharmonic won’t cost either. Performing Anton Bruckner’s Symphony No. 3 in D Minor in a free concert at the The Cathedral of Saint John the Divine, all you have to do for a night of calm entertainment is claim tickets in advance.
The Cathedral Church of St. John the Divine
112th St and Amsterdam Avenue, Manhattan
May 27th and 8:00 p.m.
Tickets are free but must be claimed in advance here.
• Macy Grey
Finally, grab a glass of wine in the intimate surrounding at the City Winery in Brooklyn and catch a show from Macy Grey. The raspy voiced R&B singer is playing both Saturday and Sunday nights at 8 p.m.
City Winery
155 Varick St, Brooklyn
May 25th and 26th at 6:00 p.m.
Tickets range from $45-$65 and can be purchased here.
Now all fans have to do is decide which act they want to see and whether or not the show is a family activity or an escape from the family.