Herbert Von King Park's amphitheater is a real sunken bowl with tiered stone seating, which means a DJ session there sounds like an event rather than a speaker in a field. A classics set is exactly the right programming for it: soul, disco, R&B and old-school hip hop for an audience that spans grandparents and toddlers. Bed-Stuy has kept this park at the center of its social life for over a century, and free afternoons like this are why.
What to expect
A DJ working the amphitheater stage with the tiered seating filling through the afternoon, dancing in the open space at the front and picnics spreading across the surrounding lawns. Expect a warm, all-ages neighborhood crowd, singalongs at the obvious records, and easy in-and-out from the park's four entrances.
Good to know
- Herbert Von King Park is bounded by Marcy, Tompkins, Lafayette and Greene Avenues; G to Bedford-Nostrand Avenues
- Free and open to the public
- The amphitheater's fixed seating fills first; bring a blanket for the grass above
- Restrooms, a playground and a cultural arts center are on site
- Limited shade in the bowl itself, so bring water on a hot afternoon
- Step-free access to the park, with the amphitheater reached by paths and steps
Common questions
What kind of music is played?
Classic material, typically soul, disco, R&B and old-school hip hop rather than current releases.
Where is the amphitheater?
Inside Herbert Von King Park in Bedford-Stuyvesant, a sunken bowl with tiered seating at the park's center.
Is it free?
Yes. It is free and open on public parkland.
