Join us for this celebration of 60 years of Lincoln Center. With free live music, dance presentations, art-making stations, food trucks, film programming, tours, and more, there’s something for all ages at this very special block party that stretches across the iconic Lincoln Center campus.
Follow @LincolnCenter on Twitter for the latest updates, including weather-related information.
Schedule of Activities:
Outdoor Performances and Events
10–10:45 am
Welcoming Event: Chief Dwaine Perry of the Ramapough Lunaape opens this day’s celebrations with a land acknowledgement ceremony and is joined by Cliff Matias and artists from the Redhawk Dancers for a lively performance. # @
10–11 am
Ticket Distribution: Score free tickets to attend an intimate concert by artists of the Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center at 11 am, hear from the stars of today at New York City Ballet’s 11 am presentation of Inside NYCB: Originating Roles in David H. Koch Theater, or see the stars of tomorrow hone their craft by observing School of American Ballet’s 12:30 pm class. Free tickets are limited, and available on a first-come, first-served basis.
10 am–2 pm
Art-making Stations: Flex your creative muscles with fun craft activities. While supplies last.
10 am–2 pm
Ticket Giveaway: Sign up to be entered to win tickets to a variety of performances across Lincoln Center.
10 am–1:30 pm
Tours: Stop by one of our five Guided Tour Stations to hear fun facts and insider stories about Lincoln Center’s art and architecture, notable performances, and six decades of history. # %
10:45–11:15 am
Performance: Brazilian-inspired, New York City–based, all-women drum line Fogo Azul NYC performs samba and reggae. @
11–11:30 am
Performance: With traditional and handmade instruments, Plezi Rara brings the energy and sounds of Haitian roots music to our celebration on the plaza. @
11:30 am–12:10 pm
Performance: Christian Dante White delights with a song from Lincoln Center Theater’s My Fair Lady and Jazz at Lincoln Center artist Melanie Charles presents a unique blend of jazz, soul, experimental, and roots music. # @
12–12:15 pm
Performance: Step dancing by the NYC Department of Youth and Community Development’s Step It Up NYC, a city-wide program serving youth 10-20 with the aim of leveraging the performing arts and the building of community leadership. In 2019, DYCD is honoring the 50th anniversary of the Stonewall Uprising with theme of “Step It Up for LGBTQ rights.” @
12:15–12:45 pm
Performance: Opera Noire of New York—a performing arts organization dedicated to the advancement of African American artists—presents classic vocal works in a special program called The Chorale. # @
12:30–1 pm
Performance: Enjoy a special concert by a Juilliard student ensemble. @
1–1:30 pm
Performance: Brooklyn’s own Red Baraat PLUS, a 30-piece ensemble led by Sunny Jain, mixes North Indian bhangra with elements of hip-hop, jazz, and raw punk energy. @
1:30–2 pm
Grand Finale: Musical Director Sunny Jain leads a super-ensemble of musicians from the day’s performances in an original arrangement of music that honors and celebrates our community and city. @
11 am–12 pm
Performance: Singer Falu Shah performs her Grammy-nominated kids’ project Falu’s Bazaar, which blends classical Indian music with American pop and a good dose of storytelling. This performance is part of our LC Kids Artists in the Atrium series and is recommended for kids ages 2–5. # & ^
12:45–1:45 pm
Performance: Teaching Artists of the New York Philharmonic present American Journeys, an interactive concert that explores the different ways that composers in America have expressed the story of immigration with their music, featuring performances of works by Antonín Dvořák, Lembit Beecher, Florence Price, Chen Yi, and Gabriela Lena Frank. # & ^
2:30–3 pm
Performance: Members of the Mostly Mozart Festival Orchestra offer a sneak peek of their summer concerts with a short program of chamber music selections. # & ^
Elinor Bunin Munroe Film Center
10 am–2:30 pm
Film Programming: Film at Lincoln Center opens the Amphitheater at the Elinor Bunin Munroe Film Center for free programming from 10 am–2:30 pm. &
11 am–12 pm
Dance Presentation: At New York City Ballet’s Inside NYCB: Originating Roles, you’ll hear from today’s dancers about what it’s like to have work created on them, and see excerpts from some of the Company’s 21st century choreography. Note: A limited number of free tickets will be distributed on a first-come, first-served basis on Josie Robertson Plaza starting at 10 am. $20 tickets are also available at the David H. Koch Theatre Box Office oronline. #
Samuel B. and David Rose Building
11–11:50 am
Performance: Kristin Lee (violin) and Gilles Vonsattel (piano) of the Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center perform an intimate concert of works by Gershwin, Mendelssohn, Clara Schumann, and Ravel in the Daniel and Joanna S. Rose Studio. A limited number of free tickets will be distributed on a first-come, first-served basis on Josie Robertson Plaza starting at 10 am. #
12:30–1 pm
Class Observation: The School of American Ballet opens its dance classes to the public for observation. Note: A limited number of free tickets will be distributed on a first-come, first-served basis on Josie Robertson Plaza starting at 10 am.
Bruno Walter Auditorium at the New York Public Library
2:30–3:30 pm
Performance: Vocalist Leslie Fornino returns to The Library for a fun and engaging afternoon with her one-woman show The Story Goes On, which weaves Broadway and pop tunes into storytelling that reveals her quirky perspective on life. &
9–10 am & 3–4 pm
Exhibition: The Metropolitan Opera opens its lobby to the public in two hour-long sessions to view a current exhibition of paintings by contemporary artist Cecily Brown as well as the famed Marc Chagall murals and the iconic red velvet staircase.
Lincoln Center gratefully acknowledges the leadership support provided by the following individuals, foundations, and corporations, making possible the special programs of the 60th Anniversary.
60th Anniversary Steering Committee: Sarah Arison, Christina Baker, Michelle Copelman, Beth Dozoretz, Katherine Farley, Roy Furman, Audrey Gruss, Sheryl Kaye, Shelly Lazarus, Tyler Murphy, Jonelle Procope, Randi Rahm, Tom Schumacher
The 60th Anniversary Block Party is made possible by:
Morgan Stanley
The Walt Disney Company
Additional support is provided by:
The Starr Foundation
Holland America Line
Russell and Judy Carson
The Fribourg Foundation
James and Margo Nederlander
Nicki and Harold Tanner
Sue and Edgar Wachenheim III
Brad and Patty Wechsler
Anonymous