If Midtown is the heart of Manhattan, then the Upper West Side is the center of the city’s art world. From renowned music schools to emblematic performing arts institutions such as the Lincoln Center, this neighborhood attracts artists looking to make their dreams come true whether it is through music, painting, or writing. This spring, many artists are visiting some of the neighborhood’s finest venues to showcase their talent. From Broadway tributes to fiery Latin dance routines, here are some of the best concerts happening in the next two months!
Tori Kelly
April 28 & 29, Beacon Theatre
Tori Kelly will be headlining her first show ever and kicking off her North American tour at the Beacon Theatre for two nights. Kelly was nominated for a Grammy under the Best New Artist category for her debut album Unbreakable Smile. The tour will be promoting the songs from the album which features an infectious blend of R&B and pop melodies. Some of her best known hits include “Nobody Love” and “Should’ve Been Us” which demonstrate Kelly’s talent and range as a vocalist. Unbreakable Smile debuted at #2 on the Billboard 200 chart and was reissued this past winter to include the brand new single “Hollow” and another new track called “Something Beautiful”. A second night was added at the historical Beacon Theatre venue due to popular demand. Make sure to catch the latest sensation in pop before tickets sell out!
Catherine Russell: Sunny Side of the Street
April 15 & 16, The Appel Room at Lincoln Center
Above & Beyond
May 20 – 22, Beacon Theatre
The London-based electronic group Above & Beyond will be playing at the Beacon Theatre this coming May for three consecutive nights. After launching their acoustic project in 2013 to great success, the band is planning on releasing another acoustic album this year and a tour across three different continents to promote it. They’ll be playing at some of the most prestigious music venues in the world including the Beacon. For reference, the Beacon is a restored 1920’s movie house that remains architecturally beautiful while also displaying historical significance through it’s detailed interior. The show will feature new arrangements from some of their biggest hits “Alchemy” and “No One On Earth” from their Billboard Dance Chart topping LP We Are All We Need. Catch their unique act that Billboard describes as “one of the finest shows in dance music history” in the heart of the Upper West Side.
Wall to Wall Stephen Schwartz
April 16, Symphony Space
The annual event that celebrates the music and lyrics of Broadway legend Stephen Schwartz comes back this spring a the Symphony Space. During his career spanning more than five decades in the industry, Schwartz managed to earn three Academy Awards, four Grammys, and a spot in the Theater Hall of Fame and The Songwriter Hall of Fame. He’s the genius behind Broadway mega hit shows such as Godspell, Wicked, and Pippin. He has also contributed to the world of animated films by helping compose the soundtrack of classic like “Pocahontas” and “The Prince of Egypt”. Wall to Wall is a lively tribute to one of Broadway’s greatest and combines opera and show tunes for a magical concert. Some of the performers include The Yale Vocal Ensemble, TADA! Resident Youth Ensemble, and Judith Clubman’s Essential Voices USA.
Dancing the Gods Festival
April 23 & 24, Symphony Space
Films in Concert
May 19 – 24, New York Philharmonic
New York Festival of Song: Compositora – Songs By Latin American Women
April 26, Kaufman Music Center
Often overlooked, many talented Latina composers have contributed to the world of music through their Latin roots. The “Compositora – Songs by Latin American Women” festival honors their accomplishments with a spectacular program that seamlessly goes from the concert stage to the dance floor against the backdrop of the Kaufman Music Center. The show will be accompanied by piano, guitar, and percussion, and they will help bring the rhythm of the jungle beats and even the passionate boleros. The program counts with up-and-coming vocalists Maria Valdes, the soprano, and Efrain Solis, the baritone, who are both lauded Adler Fellows for the past two seasons at San Francisco Opera. Some of the Latin composers present will be Maria Grever from Mexio, Violeta Parra from Chile, and Joyce Morena from Brazil amongst others. This bold Latin festival will delight the audience with one surprise after another!