New York's Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts (LCPA) is gearing up once more for the kick-off of its upcoming third annual "Summer for the City" festival, offering over 200 free or "choose-what-you-pay" events and activities.
Announced last April 17, the highly anticipated NYC summer staple features both new and classic commissions, alongside a wide variety of programming comprising work by thousands of artists worldwide in a celebration of culture, history, and intertwined stories within the city.
What the 'Summer for the City' 2024 Festival is About
From June 12 to August 10, Lincoln Center's campus will become a welcoming oasis for neighbors and New Yorkers alike, where they can participate in performances, relax, and enjoy expansive food offerings at the Lincoln Center Night Market.
Designed by Visual Director Clint Ramos, the outdoor spaces are to be inundated with designs inspired by the flora and fauna of the American prairie, with greenery and plants by Donyale Werle Design, lighting designs by Andrew Grant, and projection designs by Zachary Borovay.
Driven by this year's guiding curatorial theme: "Life Liberty and Happiness," the festival aims to highlight the importance of active participation in the arts, especially in strengthening the civic bonds and relationships of everyone in the community amid contentious times.
"Our guiding theme this summer helps reinforce so much of what we all share, but sometimes lose in our busy daily lives," said LCAP's Ehrenkranz Chief Artistic Officer, Shanta Take, in a statement.
"The arts are core to our collective well-being and to helping us realize our hopes and dreams for future generations," she added. "We look forward to coming together this summer with artists from across the globe and with neighbors from across New York City."
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Rundown of Lincoln Center's 'Summer for the City' Schedule
This year, new commissions will join the festival, including a series of dynamic concerts by the Festival Orchestra of Lincoln Center; a week-long celebration of Indian cultural traditions during India Week; and a contemporary concert series curated by Nadia Sirota.
Recent additions also include the return of the BAAND Together Dance Festival; Pride Month celebrations; Juneteenth events; comedy nights; artistic and technological activations; wellness events and workshops; and expanded family-friendly offerings.
Lincoln Center will also shine a light on the amazing work done by deaf and disabled artists through the return of its Deaf Broadway event; a Night of Access Magic silent disco curated by Kevin Gotkin; and performances centering disability artistry from guest curator Ryan J. Haddad.
In addition to this, there will also be an open rehearsal with the Festival Orchestra and inclusive dance classes with Mark Morris Dance Group's Dance for PD program, alongside the return of Big Umbrella Day, among many other inclusive offerings.
For the full calendar and schedule, visit Lincoln Center's website by clicking here.
The majority of the some-200 events that will play out during the "Summer for the City" festival are free. That said, select indoor performances have a Choose-What-You-Pay ticketing model, starting at $5.
