With the down jackets and bulky sweaters finally packed away, it’s finally time to enjoy summer in New York with its summer Fridays, weekend getaways in the park, and outdoor festivities. Lincoln Center continues its series of outdoor summer activities with Lincoln Center Out of Doors 2019, a free outdoor festival that runs from July 24th to August 11th.
Now on its 49th year, Out of Doors promises a diverse line-up of music, spoken word, family events and dance for New Yorkers and visitors alike.
Lincoln Center Out of Doors 2019 Lineup:
Soul at the Center
Wednesday, July 24, (Damrosch Park)
Soul at the Center was created in 1972 by Ellis Haizlip in collaboration with Lincoln Center. This groundbreaking event was the first presentation of Black culture and art at the Lincoln Center. This year, Lincoln Center Out of Doors invites Lala Hathaway and the Illustrious Blacks to kick off the summer series by celebrating Haizlip.
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Disney/Pixar’s Coco + La Santana Cecilia
Thursday, July 25 at 7:00 PM (Damrosch Park)
Start the evening serenade by the Los Angeles-based music group. La Santa Clara. Appropriately named after the patron saint of musicians, the band seamlessly fuses together jazz, rock, Bossa nova, and every other musical genre. After the performance, audiences will be treated to a screening of Disney/Pixar’s award-wining movie, Coco.
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Jeff Tweedy and Helen Gillet
Friday, July 26 at 7:30 PM (Damrosch Park)
Jeff Tweedy brings his soulful and introspective music to Damrosch Park. Helen Gillet, jazz-based cellist, singer, composter, and improviser opens the evening with her enigmatic-styled performance.
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Shine a Light
Friday, July 26- Saturday, July 27 (Plazas of Lincoln Center)
Walk around the Lincoln Center plaza to experience the performance installation by Professional Arts Workshop, who creates the giant puppets of New York’s Village Halloween Parade.
More InfoRecommended: Rosé Roof Party at the Arthouse Hotel
La Casita
Saturday, July 27, 2019 at 1:00 PM (Hearst Plaza)
Sunday, July 28, 2019 at 2:30 PM (Teatro Pregones)
Listen as artists use poetry, stories, and music to honor everyday heroes who work tirelessly to fight for LGBTQ, women’s, civil, immigrant, and human rights.
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Look at My Soul: The Latin Shade of Texas Soul
Saturday, July 27 at 7:00 PM (Damrosch Park)
Look at My Soul celebrates the musical contributions of Chicano soul singers and sessions musicians in the 1950’s and 60’s with guest vocalists Jonny Benavidez, Eric Burton, Kam Franklin, Johnny Hernandez, Ruben Ramos, and Paul Schaldaunder with musical direction from Adrian Quesada.
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Made in NYC 2.0
Sunday, July 28 at 1:00 PM (Hearst Plaza)
Celebrate the next generation of artists whose music, stories, and talents are “made in NYC”.
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Caribbean Cultural Center
Sunday, July 28 at 7:00 PM (Damrosch Park)
The Caribbean Cultural Center celebrates the legacy of African influences on Puerto Rico’s musical history featuring Moncho Rivera, Cita Rodriguez & Su Banda, Carlito Padron & Su Banda, and Bombazo Dance Company.
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NPR Music’s Turning the Tables Live: The Motherlode
Wednesday, July 31 at 7:30 PM (Damrosch Park)
Now on its third season, Turning Tables will explore the female artists who shaped music from its early days up until the 1960’s in the genres of jazz, blues, gospel, classical, and Latinx music.
More InfoRecommended: Free Summer Concerts at Richard Tucker Park
Liza with a “Z”
Friday, August 2 at 7:20 PM (Damrosch Park)
Sing, Sing, Sing from Bob Fosse’s DANCIN’ (1978), performed by students of LaGuardia High School
The evening will feature a one-night only celebration Liza Minnelli with a screening of Liza with a Z, a concert film directed by Bob Fosse. The evening will also include dance performances by Caleb Teicher and the LaGuardia High School.
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Family Day
Saturday, August 3 from 11:00 AM – 2:15 PM (Hearst Plaza)
Featuring the Brown Rice Family, Najee Omar, VIBEZ by SOLE Defined, and Lola Lovenotes
Enjoy Lincoln Center’s annual day of singing, dancing, and fun around the Lincoln Center fountain with the kids.
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An Evening of Stand-Up Comedy: Roy Wood Jr. & Guests
Saturday, August 3 at 7:30 PM (Damrosch Park)
Enjoy an evening of laughs with The Daily Show correspondent, Roy Wood Jr., and his friends. (According to the Out of Doors page, the full lineup will be announced in July.)
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desi:NOW
Sunday, August 4 at 7:30 PM (Damrosch Park)
Meet the artists who continue to redefine South Asian-American identity such as G. Sidhu, Rianjali, Taizu, Rolex, Robin Dey, SA Grooves, IMGE Dance, Project Convergence, and DJ Sharad.
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Jesús Carmona: Amator
Wednesday, August 7, 2019 at 7:30 PM (Damrosch Park)
Flamenco phenomenon, Jesús Carmona, whose deep love for Spanish dance inspired him to create Amator, a performance considered to be one of his most deeply personal projects.
Arooj Aftab, a Lahore-born, Brooklyn-based artist, known for combining Sufi-mystical poetry with indie rock, will present new music with an ensemble featuring Maeve Gilchrist, Shahzad Ismaily, Gyan Riley and Greg Fox.
More InfoRecommended: Rolling Loud NYC
OkayAfrica: Gold & Soul
Thursday, August 8 at 7:30 PM (Damrosch Park)
Featuring Adekunle Gold & Friends and DJ Poizon Ivy
Thanks to OkayAfrica, Damrosch Park will be bursting with the spirit and rhythm of African soul and chart-topping club music. Dance the night away with DJ Poison Ivy and Adekunle Gold.
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MTV & Save the Music
Friday, August 9 at 7:30 PM (Damrosch Park)
featuring H.E.R. and Samm Henshaw
Enjoy an intimate performance at Damrosch Park with MTV, MTV Push Artist H.E.R., Samm Henshaw, and the top students from Save the Music Programs.
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Patty Griffin and Yola
Saturday, August 10 at 7:30 PM (Damrosch Park)
The new queen of country soul, Yola, opens for Grammy Award-wining singer songwriter Patty Griffin.
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Roots of American Music Weekend: Americanafest NYC
Sunday, August 11 at 7:30 PM (Damrosch Park)
The grand finale of Lincoln Center Out of Doors promises exciting lineup from the long-running Roots of American Music.
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Fun, Food + Drink at Lincoln Center Out of Doors 2019!
There will be food trucks available onsite as well as the Fun Bar, which offers drinks such as frozen rose, summer cocktails, wine and drinks. (Please note outside alcoholic beverages are not allowed on the Lincoln Center campus.)
Since the Out of Doors festivities also welcome children, there will be a Kids Zone complete with a mini bar for Lincoln Center’s young patrons to enjoy juice, snacks, fruits, and games.
Throughout summer, everyone is invited to witness rising talent and classic works under the summer sky at Damrosch Park. For more info about Lincoln Center Out of Doors 2019, check out the official website.
Featured images by Ian Muttoo via Flickr
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