Friday, August 7, 2015

The Real NYC Part 17 - Lincoln Center Out of Doors

Lincoln Center Out of Doors
 Lincoln Center is probably the crown jewel on culture in New York City. Finished in 1966 its theaters host classical music, jazz, opera, Broadway theater, film and ballet. It is the permanent home to The Metropolitan Opera, The New York Philharmonic Orchestra, American Ballet Theater and the Julliard School of Music.

The Metropolitan Opera House

Avery Fischer Hall

The David Koch Hall




Damrosch Park

But summer is when Lincoln Center becomes an open air home to music and dance from around the world. In particular it hosts the program - Lincoln Center Out of Doors. For 43 years Lincoln Center has been home to a 3-4 week festival of FREE music and dance from around the world. This year they have included weekends dedicated to folk and blues, traditional American music and music from countries around the world in celebration of New York's long immigrant history.

 This year one of the performances was called Ache: Lavagem da Rua NY. This was a performance that turned Damrosch Park into a celebration of the African roots of music throughout the Americas. Organized by The Caribbean Cultural Center African Diaspora Institute this evening brought together a wonderful group of performers representing the African diaspora in countries and cultures throughout the Americas.

The mood for the evening was set by DJ Sabine Blaizin. She is a striking woman mixing afro-caribbean beats on stage as the crowd entered the park. She had the crowd moving and wanting more.



You can hear a wonderful mix music she produced in tribute to Nelson Mandela here,

Next we were treated to a wonderful performance of singing and drumming by members of the group Grupo Oriefun.






This was followed by a grand procession of performers:












Next up was the Ashé Dance Company a Haitian-American Company.





Legacy Circle, a group of Dominican and Puerto Rican Women Drummers and singers were next on the stage.





The Something Positive Dance Company gave an excellent and exciting performance representing several orishas

Ogun

Oshun

Yemaya



Chango


The evening finished off with Brazilian pop star Tatau, former lead singer of the group Araketu)





It was a wonderful, energetic evening that kept the crowd on its feet, dancing with the rhythm of drums and sound of Afro-Caribbean culture.

3 comments:

  1. This is great! I loose track of time reading your blogs! But it's a good thing. I feel like I have traveled with you.

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  2. This is great! I loose track of time reading your blogs! But it's a good thing. I feel like I have traveled with you.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Thank you Tanya. I am glad that you have enjoyed my pieces. Please share my blog with anyone else who you think might like it.

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