Queens’ own DJ Rekha brings the party no matter where they go. That includes 10 appearances at Capital One City Parks Foundation SummerStage over the years.

“What I love about these shows is that they are free, they are accessible, the programming is diverse, it’s really been important in my career. It’s all ages. It’s just a fantastic time in New York. This is why I love summer in New York City,” DJ Rekha said. 

Rekha will add two more performances this summer as part of SummerStage. There are 85 mostly free and some ticketed benefit shows at Central Park’s Rumsey Playfield and at parks across the five boroughs.

Erika Elliott, executive artistic director for SummerStage, has been curating the festival for 20 years. She said it’s all about celebrating New York culture and communities.

“Rock icon Kim Gordon performing with Sun Ra Arkestra, which is going to be incredible. We have Corinne Bailey Rae. We got some really great artists from the [United Kingdom], Ezra Collective, and Yussef Dayes. One of my favorites, The Pharcyde from Brooklyn, is going to be incredible,” Elliott said.

DJ Rekha will be spinning tunes one night between acts at Rumsey Playfield, and also presenting a Basement Bhangra show at Flushing Meadows Corona Park. It’s a tribute to the downtown club shows that ran for 20 years, with music that originated in South Asia.

“My performances that I DJ, I always have dancers. It’s very interactive, and the shows that I put together here, have just a wide range of different kinds of artists,” DJ Rekha said.

It’s a day in the park. That’s the mission of the City Parks Foundation, to encourage New Yorkers to use their neighborhood parks.

“Obviously Central Park and SummerStage is our premier property, but we do all kinds of great work connecting New Yorkers with their public spaces,” Elliott said.

For a full schedule of shows, visit cityparksfoundation.org/summerstage