Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts (LCPA) marks the 60th anniversary of the center’s groundbreaking with a block party that includes free activities, performances, and community art-making from the constituent organizations that comprise Lincoln Center.

Musical Director Sunny Jain is coordinating the day’s performances, leading a series of concerts on the plaza.

Schedule of Activities:

Outdoor Performances and Events

10–10:45am
Welcoming Event: Chief Dwaine Perry of the Ramapough Mountain Indians of New Jersey opens this day’s celebrations with a land acknowledgement ceremony, joined by Cliff Matias and artists from the Redhawk Dancers for a lively performance.

10–11am
Dance Event Ticket Distribution: Score free tickets to hear from the stars of today at New York City Ballet’s 11am 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 12:30pm class. Free tickets are limited, and available on a first-come, first-served basis.

10am–2pm
Art-making Stations: Flex your creative muscles with fun craft activities, including screen printing your own 60th Anniversary commemorative tote bag. While supplies last.

10am–2pm
Raffle: Sign up to be entered to win tickets to a variety of performances across Lincoln Center.

10:45–11:15am
Performance: Brazilian-inspired, New York City–based, all-women drum line Fogo Azul performs samba and reggae.

11–11:30am
Performance: With traditional and handmade instruments, Plezi Rara brings the energy and sounds of Haitian roots music to the celebration on the plaza.

11:30am–12:10pm
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.

12–12:15pm
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.”

12:30–1pm
Performance: Enjoy a special concert by a Juilliard student ensemble.

1–1:30pm
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.

1:30–2pm
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.

David Rubenstein Atrium
Broadway between 62nd and 63rd Streets
11am–12pm
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 the LC Kids Artists in the Atrium series and is recommended for kids ages 2–5.

12:45–1:45pm
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.

2:30–3pm
Performance: Members of the Mostly Mozart Festival Orchestra offer a sneak peak of their summer concerts with a short program of chamber music selections.

Elinor Bunin Munroe Film Center
144 West 65th Street
10 am–2:30pm
Film Programming: The Film Society of Lincoln Center opens the Amphitheater at the Elinor Bunin Munroe Film Center for free programming from 10 am–2:30pm.

David H. Koch Theater
20 Lincoln Center Plaza
11am–12pm
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 or online.

Samuel B. and David Rose Building
165 West 65th Street
11–11:50am
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.

12:30–1pm
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
111 Amsterdam Avenue
2:30–3:30pm
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.

Metropolitan Opera House
30 Lincoln Center Plaza
9–10am & 3–4pm
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.

Looking for more festivals?