Franklin Park hosts summer music Playhouse series

Once more the Franklin Park Coalition , the National Center of Afro-American Artists and the Boston Parks and Recreation Department’s ParkARTS Program are presenting a free summer performing arts series named for Elma Lewis, beloved Boston icon and arts promoter. Lewis established the Playhouse in the Park in Franklin Park in 1966, and from then through 1978 presented artists like Duke Ellington, Olatunji, Odetta, Billy Taylor, and the Boston Ballet.

This year, there will be ten Tuesday shows, July 13-August 10. The 11 a.m. shows, which feature youth performers, run about one hour, and are geared toward children, families and summer camps. Evening shows, hosted by Naheem, run from 6 to 8:30 p.m., unless otherwise noted. These free, outdoor performances take place at Valley Gates, next to The Playstead, the big field in Franklin Park between White Stadium and the rear entrance of the Zoo, not far from where the original Playhouse stood.

July 13, 11 a.m. — Drums: Stephen O’Neal and IntaAfrika, plus Marcus Santos and Batukaxe. IntaAfrika, features Stephen O’Neal who has been part of the Elma Lewis School of Fine Arts’ annual performance of Langston Hughes’ “Black Nativity” since the beginning in 1970. Also Afro-Brazilian ensemble Batukaxé

July 13, 6 p.m. — Jazz: Elan Trotman, a Barbadian saxophonist and a teacher in the Boston Public Schools explores smooth jazz in his own way.

July 20, 11 a.m. — Stajez Dance Company. This Randolph-based company’s performance team has a huge repertoire that includes Modern, Tap, Afro-Caribbean, Jazz, Hip-Hop, Liturgical dance and more. All members of the company, some of whom who come from Dorchester, are honor roll students.

July 20, 6 p. m. — Latin Jazz: Mango Blue. Ecuadorian composer, bassist and singer Alex Alvear leads this ensemble that playfully integrates a wide array of influences from Rhythm & Blues, Jazz and Funk to Caribbean.

July 27, 11 a.m. — Hip-Hop: OrigiNation. Under the direction of choreographer Shaumba Yandje Dibinga, they specialize in hip-hop, jazz, tap, step and Caribbean dance.

July 27, 6 p.m. — Boston Soul Revue. This local favorite plays time classic dance hits of the 60’s and 70’s —all the great disco and funky dance music.

August 3, 11 a.m. — Batons: Estrellas Tropicales. Cheer the baton twirling as this amazing troop from Jamaica Plain dances in honor of their Caribbean countries.

August 3, 6 p.m.- World Music: Zili Misik. Powerful Haitian, Brazilian, and West African rhythms infuse Zili’s original and traditional folk songs. Their lyrics glide seamlessly from English to Creole to Portuguese to Spanish.

August 10, 11 a.m. — Dance: Ballet Rox. This multi-racial,youth-based professional ballet company, led by Tony Williams, a former principal dancer with the Boston Ballet is best known for its beloved annual production of Urban Nutcracker.

August 10, 6 p.m. — Kendrick Oliver and the New Life Jazz Orchestra. This gospel jazz group plays classic spirituals with a Count Basie Band-type swing.

Bring all your friends, a picnic supper and your lawnchairs! Performances take place weather permitting.

For more information, call 617-442-4141 or visitfranklinparkcoalition.org.