Posts Tagged ‘Free Music’

Bach in the Subways: Free Classical Music Concerts in New York on March 21

Celebrate the birthday of one of the world’s great composers with a program of free concerts happening all over the city. Bach in the Subways happens internationally on March 21, with a program of 13 concerts throughout New York City.  This wonderful gift to straphangers was created by cellist Dale Henderson in 2011 in celebration of German composer Johann Sebastian Bach’s birthday and is presented free in subways and public spaces around the world.

Tips are not expected, as this is a gift from the creator to encourage more people to access classical music.  Henderson notes that the subway is a perfect place to reach all types of people and has applauded the MTA’s receptiveness to his program.

Dale Henderson

Dale, himself, will be playing at Columbus Circle (59th Street subway station) from midnight (when the program kicks off) until 1am and at Washington Place and 6th Avenue from 8pm-9pm.

Other New York City performances include:

Brian L. Thompson (viola) – 8:30am-11:30am, Park Place and Flatbush Avenue, Brooklyn

Jude Ziliak (Baroque violin) – 9am-10am, West 181st Street at Fort Washington; 4:30pm-5:30pm, West 59th Street at Broadway

Kay Lugh/Goldberg Variations (piano) – 10am-3pm, 5 Metro Tech Center, Bern Dibner Library, Ground floor lobby

Emily Trask (cello) – 10:30am-11:30am, 125th Street Subway, A/B/C/D

Lorenzo Sandi (double bass) – 10:30am-11:30am, Times Square

Robert Duncan and Mayumi Miyaoka (accordion duet) – 11am-5pm, Fulton Street

David de la Nuez (oboe) – 3-4pm, West 175th Street and Fort Washington Avenue

Sylvain Leroux (flute, chromatic tambin) – 11am-1:30pm, First Avenue and 14th Street

“Young Musicians’ Open Mic” (violin, cello) – 1pm-4pm, Grand Central Terminal

John Mark Rozendaal (violoncello) – 5:30pm-6:30pm, Dyckman and Broadway

For more information, visit http://bachinthesubways.com

Staten Island – Free Concerts and Events in August

Start your day or evening with a wonderful (and free) ride across New York Harbor on the Staten Island Ferry, and catch a bus or train to these freebies happening in various parts of Staten Island.

August 1: Noted percussionist Johnny Ray plays salsa at Tappen Park from 7-9pm. Stapleton, Canal Street, Water Street, Bay Street, Staten Island, 212-639-9675, www.nycgovparks.org/parks/R028/

August 2: It’s a night of Beatles music at the Richmond County Bank Ballpark starting at 7pm.  This annual event, with tunes performed by local musicians, is a benefit to raise awareness of autism. The park is the home of the Staten Island Yankees and is just a short walk from the Staten Island Ferry. St. George, 75 Richmond Terrace at Wall Street, Staten Island, 718-720-9265 http://www.nycgo.com/venues/richmond-county-bank-ballpark

August 3: St. George is also the site for the next evening’s Waterfront Festival, happening from 1-9pm along St. George Promenade, adjacent to the Staten Island Ferry. There will be entertainment, local artists, food, and shopping, with fireworks sponsored by Macy’s set for 9pm. Rain date is August 4.  St. George, 1 Bay Street (at Borough Pl), Staten Island.

August 8: The third event from the Starlight Concert series showcases Billy Joel cover band 52nd Street and Witness at the Conference House Park. Pittsville Street, Hyland Boulevard, Richmond Avenue, Tottenville, 212-639-9675, http://www.nycgovparks.org/parks/conferencehousepark

August 12: A morning family-friendly program by Disney-sponsored SummerStage Kids will bring jazz to Willowbrook Park from 10:30-11:30am.  The band Robbi K & Friends plays improvisations of original compositions and jazz favorites. http://www.cityparksfoundation.org/arts/summerstage-kids/ , Victory Boulevard, Staten Island, 718-698-2186, http://www.nycgovparks.org/parks/willowbrookpark

August 14: Also for the entire family, an especially the littlest kids, a dance party created by DJ Little Club Heads spins both current dance tunes and original music at Faber Park from 10:30-11:30am. Richmond Terrace, 718-816-5558, http://www.nycgovparks.org/parks/faberpark/

August 15: Westerleigh Park is the site for the fifth concert from the Starlight Concerts series, with performances by Due South and Fireflies.  Willard Avenue, Springfield Avenue, Maine Avenue, Neal Dow Avenue, Staten Island. http://www.nycgovparks.org/parks/westerleighpark

August 17-18: It’s an evening of fireworks and music at the annual August Back to the Beach celebrations at Midland Beach (and South Beach).  Now in its 18th year, the program includes performances by Brooklyn Keys, Parkway Soul (Motown) and Function 11.  The following evening’s line-up is Reminisce, Rave On, Disco Unlimited and New York Minute. Fireworks are scheduled for 9pm on both evenings. Midland and South Beach boardwalks, Midland Beach, Father Capodanno Boulevard (between Miller Field and Seaview Avenue), Staten Island, http://www.nycgovparks.org/parks/fdrboardwalkbeach/highlights/12257

August 21: Disney-sponsored SummerStage Kids returns to Staten Island Faber Park from 10:30-11:30am for the final event on Staten Island with The Ohmies for a morning of interactive story with singing and dancing. Richmond Terrace, 718-816-5558, http://www.nycgovparks.org/parks/faberpark/

August 22: The final event of The Starlight Concerts series comes to Clove Lakes Park with music by De’ja Vu and Alive n’ Kickin’.1150 Clove Road, Sunnyside, Staten Island, 718-398-8000, http://www.nycgovparks.org/parks/CloveLakesPark

August 30: Closing out the summer of free music and events is the End of the Summer Doo-Wop Concert, a Borough President James P. Molinaro presentation, at Wolfes Pond Park. Music, starting at 6:30pm, it features a concert by Cameos and Manhattan Skyline, to be followed by fireworks at 9pm. Rain date is August 31. Cornelia Avenue, Staten Island, 718-390-8000, www.nycgovparks.org/parks/wolfespondpark

Staten Island Offers Up Free July Family and Music Events

Staten Island made the news this year thanks to Hurricane Sandy’s devastating effects. However, this summer is all about the borough’s determined rebuilding with a bevy of concerts and events free to all. Borough President James P. Molinaro wants to make sure everyone knows that Staten Island hasn’t given up; in fact, it’s just the opposite with programs to entertain and bring the community together all summer.

Here is July’s list of wonderful happenings in Staten Island. For those of you who have never been to Staten Island, you can begin your exploration with a wonderful (and free) ride across New York Harbour on the Staten Island Ferry, marvelling at the Statue of

Liberty and the Manhattan skyline en route.  When you arrive either walk to the event, or catch an easy bus or train to these free events.

July 18: The Starlight Concerts summer series begins the summer festivities at Silver Lake Park from 7:30-10pm with oldies band The Clusters (some of you might remember their tunes from the late 50s including “Darling Can’t You Tell” and “Pardon My Heart”) and Sweetwater. Silver Lake Park Road, North Shore of Staten Island, Staten Island, 212-639-9675, www.nycgovparks.org/parks/silverlakepark. ‎

July 22: The street festival Van Duzer Days offers up a full day of live music from 1-6pm, headlined by local funk-rock group Friction Division, all-girl post-punk band Yeti, and hip-hop group The Rising Sun Allstars . 381 Van Duzer Street, Stapleton, between Beach and Wright streets. http://vanduzerdays.wordpress.com/about/

July 25: The Metropolitan Opera’s Summer Recital Series in Clove Lakes Park is a program of arias and duets, from 7-8pm, with artists Ying Fang (soprano), Mario Chang (tenor), and Brandon Cedel (bass-baritone), accompanied by Bradley Moore on the piano. Sunnyside, 1150 Clove Rd  Staten Island, (718) 390-8000, http://bit.ly/18jnocb

July 25: For more oldie tunes, The Starlight Concerts series presents The Expressions, along with the Jimmy Buffet Tribute band Parrotbeach from 7:30-10pm at Snug Harbor Cultural Center. Richmond Terrace, Tysen Street, Kissel Avenue, Henderson Avenue, North Shore of Staten Island, http://www.nycgovparks.org/parks/sailorssnugharbor.

July 28: A Children’s Day Extravaganza takes place from 2-5pm at the Willowbrook Carousel with Music with Patrick along with arts & crafts, face painting, inflatable rides, games and prizes for all. Northern tip of Staten Island, 1 Eaton Pl (at Victory Blvd), Staten Island, http://www.nycgovparks.org/parks/willowbrookpark

July 30-31: A dance and music atmosphere will prevail at Tappen Park from 7-9pm on these two evenings, with concerts led by radio DJ Felix Hernadez’s Rhythm Revue and his distinctive mix of soul, Motown, funk and salsa. The second night features Brooklyn acapella group The Persuasians as well. Stapleton, Canal Street, Water Street, Bay Street, Staten Island,  212-639-9675, http://www.nycgovparks.org/parks/tappenpark/

More Free Concerts in New York City — Downtown and Brooklyn

Summer Concert Series in NYC: Downtown Manhattan and Brooklyn

Manhattan and Brooklyn keep on rocking this summer with even more outdoor festivities.  And the music is as free and beautiful as the outdoor setting.  Try to arrive early to get the best spaces.

More on More Free Concerts in New York City — Downtown and Brooklyn

Free Music Concerts in August

One of my favorite parts of living in New York City is the list of amazing free events offered each summer in New York City.  If events like Broadway in Bryant Park happening from 12:30pm-1:30pm for the next couple of Thursdays have you tapping for more, here’s a list of some other big-production, musical freebies that you can enjoy. 

More on Free Music Concerts in August

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