Preservation Hall Jazz Band will perform at City Parks Foundation’s 2026 dinner and concert benefit fundraiser, according to Billboard. The event is set for Sept. 10 at Rumsey Playfield in Central Park, SummerStage’s flagship venue.
Joe Killian, who founded SummerStage in 1986, will receive the 2026 SummerStage Icon Award. The honor recognizes his role in launching and executive producing the festival from 1986 to 1993, and he continues to serve on the SummerStage board.
Alex Blavatnik, vice chairman of Access Industries and a senior adviser to the Blavatnik Family Foundation, will also be honored with the 2026 City Parks Foundation Icon Award. Billboard notes that he served on the Warner Music Group board for 12 years, until 2023, and now oversees the Blavatnik Archive, a nonprofit focused on preserving materials related to 20th century Jewish and world history.
Heather Lubov, executive director of City Parks Foundation, said the organization is celebrating SummerStage’s 40th anniversary this year and is honoring Killian for his vision of bringing free, world-class performing arts to New Yorkers. She also said the foundation is pleased to recognize Blavatnik and his family’s support for preserving cultural history and making it freely accessible.
