This Week’s Must-See Shows in NYC

Lyle Lovett plays in Prospect Park this Saturday. Photo by Michael Wilson.

This week’s goal — spend as little time indoors as possible. And, if you see about half of the shows on this week’s must-see list, it’s a goal you can easily accomplish. First, folk balladeer M. Ward takes the Celebrate Brooklyn! stage tonight, sharing it with Jersey-bred alt-rock band Yo La Tengo. My ever-crossed fingers will tonight intersect in hopes of an appearance by any of Ward’s She & Him or Monsters of Folk counterparts.

On Saturday, head up to see Abigail Washburn and friends (like, Carolina Chocolate Drops-type of friends…) at Central Park’s SummerStage. Hopefully you’re already familiar with the clawhammering singer, but whether you are or aren’t, check out this amazing performance produced by friends Mason Jar Music to get an example of what you’re in for at Saturday’s show.

Plus, later that night in Brooklyn, curly-haired crooner Lyle Lovett plays the Prospect Park Bandshell alongside Aiofe O’Donovan. And, just gonna throw this out there – this could be a match made in musical heaven. Disregard the age difference … age, shmage.

More notable mentions below:
Tuesday, August 7
M. Ward / Yo La Tengo — 7 p.m. at Prospect Park Bandshell for Celebrate Brooklyn!
Lucinda Williams / Amy Cook — 8 p.m. at Bowery Ballroom
Michael Daves — 10 p.m. at Rockwood Music Hall

Thursday, August 9
Milk Drive — 9 p.m. at Hill Country BBQ

Friday, August 10
Lucinda Williams / Amy Cook — 8 p.m. at Music Hall of Williamsburg

Saturday, August 11
Abigail Washburn / Buckwheat Zydeco / Carolina Chocolate Drops – 3:30 p.m. at Central Park SummerStage
Lyle Lovett / Aoife O’Donovan – 7 p.m. at Prospect Park Bandshell for Celebrate Brooklyn!