Lincoln Center celebrates the summer with the return of its two popular outdoor programs of music and dance, Midsummer Night Swing (July 8—26) and Lincoln Center Out of Doors (August 7—24). The Center remains committed to presenting these events despite ongoing construction on the Josie Robertson Plaza. This year, both progrmas will take place in Lincoln Center’s Damrosch Park, W. 62nd Street and Amsterdam Avenue, with Out of Doors showcasing additional performances on the South Plaza (W. 62nd Street between Columbus and Amsterdam Avenue).

Nelly McKay & The Aristocrats Swing Band perform for the first time at Midsummer Night Swing, now in its 20th season. The fifteen nights of dancing feature artists Orquestra Tipica Imperial from Buenos Aires and La Troba Kung-Fu from Barcelona making their US debuts. The event will also add new genre’s this time around including go-go, Balkan bass band, underground club music, and rumba Catalan.

The following month’s 38th Annual Lincoln Center Out of Doors program also features several debuts. The free event will mark the world premiere of Wordless Music: 800 Years of Minimalism and the New York debut of Still Black, Still Proud: An African Tribute to James Brown. The 25th Anniversary of Roots of American Music celebrates the music of New Orleans as well as R&B; and Bluegrass. Charlie Haden’s all-star traditional country project and Patti Smith perform on the last night of this three week celebration.

To view the events’ full schedule, or to purchase tickets for Midsummer Night Swing, check out Lincoln Center’s website, www.LincolnCenter.org.