By Bobby Panza
What started as a way to get people together outdoors during the pandemic has now become an annual tradition. On Wednesday, June 12, Lincoln Center will launch its third “Summer for the City,” offering hundreds of free events over three months. The 2024 festival features new commissions and a diverse array of programming, bringing together thousands of artists from around the world to celebrate the many cultural histories represented within the city.
“Life, Liberty, and Happiness” is this year’s guiding theme. From June 12 to August 10, Lincoln Center’s campus will transform into a welcoming oasis with outdoor spaces designed by Visual Director Clint Ramos and inspired by flora and fauna of the American prairie.
Kicking off opening night festivities on Wednesday at 7:30 p.m. is “Soundcake: Aural Confection” by Sapphira Cristál & Monét X Change in Damrosch Park. This new commission from director James Blaszko unites the beauty of opera and drag, paying homage to the gender expansion present in both.
New for 2024 is the world premiere of “The Dream Machine Experience,” from the mind of Nona Hendryx. This experience pushes the boundaries of art and technology, combining Augmented Reality, Virtual Reality, and Artificial Intelligence with Afrofuturist and art music. It will take place over multiple spaces across Lincoln Center’s Campus from June 12 – June 30. To learn more and take part, download The Dream Machine App.
The disco ball and dance floor are back at the Josie Robertson Plaza, for a summer filled with a diverse array of musical genres. “Social Dance on the Dance Floor” invites you to groove along with dance tutorials and DJ sets preceding live performances. Among the new artists gracing the stage this year are Abaddón New York Tango (June 21), the NYC Ska Orchestra (June 28), and Louie Vega (August 8). Returning fan favorites include Joe McGinty & The Loser’s Lounge (June 20), Garba360 (July 11), Stud Country (July 25), and more. Plus, the ever-popular Silent Discos will be taking place multiple nights per week; showcasing dance styles ranging from cumbia, Hip-Hop, salsa, a celebration of LGBTQIA+ Pride, Indian traditional, contemporary music, and more.
Returning this year is “Underground at Jaffee Drive,” the speakeasy-inspired space in Lincoln Center’s underground garage. Stand-up comedy nights with NY Laughs are every Wednesday at 8 p.m., while Sunday night will feature “Jazz Underground” starting at 6 p.m. An outdoor film series in Damrosch Park will have a lineup of screening events, complete with popcorn and drinks, and transmitted via Quiet Event headphones.
For all you lovebirds out there, “The Wedding: New York’s Biggest Day,” is once again inviting hundreds of couples to celebrate love on June 22, from those getting symbolically married for the first time, to those renewing vows or simply celebrating their love for the city. The celebration brings couples together for a wedding ceremony with music, poetry, and dance.
And There Will Be Food
Introducing the new Lincoln Center Night Market, open Wednesdays to Sundays from 5 p.m to 10 p.m. This outdoor food emporium will offer a range of cuisines, including Jerrell’s Betr Brgr serving 100% plant-based burgers, Maya’s Snack Bar featuring Mexican dessert snacks, Harlem Seafood Soul with gourmet seafood and soul food, Japanese-style street food from Yakitori Totto, Manousheh, serving traditional Lebanese street food, and authentic Mexican from Taqueria al Pastor. There will also be a tent with rotating food offerings that align with that week’s programming. Joe Coffee will be available during the day. Additional vendors are expected to be announced soon.
The majority of the more than 200 events during Summer for the City are free, with select indoor performances having a choose-what-you-pay ticketing model, starting at $5.
Most free performances offer a free Fast Track line to gain priority access to the event ahead of the general admission line. Free Fast Track registrations are available every Monday at noon for that week’s performances.
For a chronological list of all of the festival’s events, click — HERE.
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Happiest place to be on a summer evening on the UWS. We’re big dancers, but even on nights when we aren’t planning to cut a rug, it’s wonderful to walk by and take in world-class performers and the appreciative crowd.
I’m of the generation that’s a bit beyond rug-cutting in big crowds, but I agree with you about the happiness of the scene, even if you’re just observing. One great memory from my dancing days: Coming out of a Philharmonic concert at intermission and there was Tito Puente’s band. We started dancing and never went back inside for the second half of our concert.
I remember the first time I heard of Tito Puente: On the Simpsons! I was a child so it was out of my wheel house from the MTV era but I could’t help but shake it. Been a fan ever since. I last saw him at Lincoln Centers Rose Theater in 2023.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p9kdDet7G14
Will LC not be blasting the hotel across Columbus and the apartments across Broadway with noise this year?
No the blasting has started tonight. With the uptick in events at LC this might be Summer for the. It y but it is horrid for those that live proximate to LC.
Right, LC doesn’t know how to be a good neighbor. Can’t conceive of turning the base down, or focusing the speakers into the plaza.
An eye sore and sound pollution for the neighborhood. Though Lincoln Center claims this is to bring in locals, why not hold the events inside the beautiful spaces and allow locals to enjoy the gorgeous architecture? Oh right, they’re afraid of the company sitting on the furniture. Instead they cover the beautiful plaza with hideous neon plastic. Reeks of performative diversification. If LC wanted to bring in diversity, they would hire diverse classical composers and performers. Instead they opt for cheap DJs and call it a day.