Bryant Park announces lineup for this summer's free Picnic Performances
April 15, 2024, 10:31 a.m.
It's an "informal, comfortable way to experience world-class performing arts,” said Dan Fishman, the vice president of public events at Bryant Park.
You might want to start planning your summer in Midtown.
The lineup is in for Bryant Park Picnic Performances, an annual series of free shows taking place on the Bryant Park lawn throughout the summer.
The series will kick off with a two-night celebration of Puccini from New York City Opera on May 31 and June 1.
Other highlights of the summer include New York City Opera's production of “Tosca,” also from Puccini, on Aug, 23 and 24; performances from dance companies including the Mark Morris Dance Group and Blacks in Ballet on Aug. 31., and a two-day festival dedicated to emerging indie rock and soul music artists on June 28 and 29.
This year’s Picnic Performances, which are presented by Bank of America, will conclude with “The Man with The Golden Horn,” a celebration of the music from James Bond movies that will feature performances of the iconic scores from Arturo O’Farrill and the Afro-Latin Jazz Orchestra. among others.
“It's just a great place to come with your friends and family and experience something fun for free and outdoors,” said Dan Fishman, the vice president of public events at Bryant Park. "They're big events and they're meant to be celebrations of the exciting talents of New York City artists but also artists from all over the world.”
Fishman said this year's programming will have a “Family Day” event for the first time, featuring interactive workshops and dance performances from New York City-based companies Ephrat Asherie Dance and the Barkin/Selissen Project.
Over 75,000 people attended the picnic performances last year, while thousands watched through an online stream, according to Fishman. He said 16 shows will be livestreamed online this year.
“It’s really meant to be an informal, comfortable way to experience world class performing arts,” he said.
This year’s Picnic Performances will start on May 31 and conclude on Sept. 13. Most shows start at 7 p.m.
Below is the lineup.
May
May 31: New York City Opera – Puccini Celebration
June
June 1: New York City Opera – Puccini Celebration
June 6: Contemporary Dance – Sidra Bell, Ballet Tech, TBA
June 7: Contemporary Dance – David Dorfman Dance, Soles of Duende, Joffrey Concert Group, National Dance Institute
June 14: Contemporary Dance – Ronald K. Brown/EVIDENCE, Robin Dunn, Kevin Wynn Tribute, Brooklyn Arts
June 21: Jazzmobile – Sarah Vaughan Centennial Featuring Charenée Wade
June 28: Emerging Music Festival Day 1 – Artists TBA
June 29: Emerging Music Festival Day 2 – Artists TBA
July
July 5: Carnegie Hall Citywide – Tania León and The Harlem Chamber Players
July 12: Carnegie Hall Citywide – Thandiswa Mazwai
July 19: Carnegie Hall Citywide – Louis Cato
July 26: Carnegie Hall Citywide – Michael Olatuja & Lagos Pepper Soup
August
Aug. 2: Carnegie Hall Citywide – La Excelencia
Aug. 9: Joe's Pub – Broadway en Spanglish: Florencia Cuenca and Jaime Lozano
Aug. 10: New Victory Theater – Ephrat Asherie + Barkin/Selissen Project
Aug. 16: World Music Institute – Gyedu-Blay Ambolley, Artists TBA
Aug. 17: Jalopy Theatre – Artists TBA
Aug. 23: New York City Opera – Tosca
Aug. 24: New York City Opera – Tosca
Aug. 30: Asian American Arts Alliance – Vijay Iyer Trio
Aug. 31: Contemporary Dance – Mark Morris Dance Group, Blacks in Ballet, Reed Luplau
September
Sept. 5: Accordions Around the World – Dwayne Dopsie and the Zydeco Hellraisers, Afro Dominicano
Sept. 6: American Symphony Orchestra – Beyond the Hall
Sept. 12: Harlem Stage – Artist TBA
Sept. 13: The Town Hall – The Man With the Golden Horn
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