80+ free outdoor performances happening in Times Square this summer
Images courtesy of the Times Square Alliance
New York City’s annual celebration of its diverse creative community returns to Times Square this May. Hosted by the Times Square Alliance, TSQ Live will offer over 80 free, open-air performances at plazas throughout the neighborhood, allowing performers to show their craft on one of the world’s most public stages. Running through September, TSQ Live features a variety of events, including live DJ sets, concerts, and dance performances from NYC institutions like Carnegie Hall, Pioneer Works, and Jazz at Lincoln Center.
Every summer, the Times Square Alliance honors the five borough’s creative community with a series of free, easily-accessible events. Hundreds of thousands of New Yorkers and visitors in Times Square are invited to enjoy the medley of music, dance, and performance art. The program is the largest free performance series in NYC.
“This summer we have the chance to turn over Times Square to the artists, musicians, and performers that make New York City such an incredible place,” Jean Cooney, Times Square Art Director, said.
“In turn, the plazas of Times Square become a stage for over 80 free events – from punk shows to classical music; West African dance workshops to voguing classes – all timed to reach the millions in Times Square this summer heading home from work, to a show, or visiting for the very first time.”
Presented by Rash Bar, Soul Summit, and Elsewhere, the live DJ sets will be hosted every Tuesday for the duration of the festival from 5 p.m. to 6 p.m. at Broadway and 43rd Street.
Live jazz music, presented by Jazz at Lincoln Center, will be hosted on Thursdays at 5 p.m. at Broadway and 46th Street. Featured musicians include Christopher McBride, the Mariel Bildsten Septet, and the Roxy Coss Quartet.
Carnegie Hall will be presenting musical performances on June 9 and June 16 at 5 p.m. at Broadway and 46th Street. Performers include singer, songwriter, and accordionist Gregoria Uribe, and Trio Fadolin, a string ensemble consisting of Sabina Torosjan on violin, Valeriya Sholokhova on cello, and Ljova on the fadolin.
Dance workshops, presented by Ailey Extension, will take place on May 5, 12, 26, and June 2, and 30 at 5 p.m. at Broadway and 46th Street. In celebration of hip hop’s 50th anniversary, a special dance workshop will be held on August 10. Workshops will offer instruction on a wide variety of dance styles, including Broadway jazz, hip-hop, and West-African dance.
Every Friday night, Times Square will host concerts highlighting up-and-coming talent from NYC and beyond. Highlights include a punk rock show by arts organization NEW INC, singer and songwriters Madison Watkins and Brooke Alexx, and NYC native Julia Wolf.
TSQ Live will run through September. Find out more about the festival’s performance schedule here.
RELATED:
