Lincoln Center’s Summer for the City

Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts (LCPA) will host its first-ever Summer for the City. Summer for the City will animate every corner of the outdoor campus across 10 stages, as well as some of the indoor venues, with more than 300 artistic and civic activations.

Stages will include:

“The Oasis,” the city’s largest outdoor dance floor complete with a mega 10’ disco ball. The creative vision of costume and set designer Clint Ramos, the blue, muraled installation will transform Josie Robertson Plaza and invite New Yorkers to come back together through dance among a sea of mirrors that reflect the myriad participants. Live music, silent discos, adapted dance lessons, dance parties, salsa, swing, soul, and more will all be offered, under the dynamic lighting designs of Andrew Grant. The dance floor will be free and open to the public during the day. Opens June 1st.

“The Outdoor Cinema” will host films projected in front of the under-renovation David Geffen Hall. Complete with popcorn and drinks, and transmitted via Quiet Event headphones, the three-week mini festival is in collaboration with Film at Lincoln Center. Begins July 13th. More outdoor film screenings in NYC here. 

“The Speakeasy,” a pop-up bar and performance space built in the underground driveway at the front southeast corner of campus will host comedy, spoken word, poetry, jazz, and cabaret performances. Designed by Clint Ramos. Begins June 4th.

Held over three months and featuring hundreds of free events, this year’s Summer for the City has three central themes: Rejoice, Reclaim, Remember. 

Rejoice and come together after such a challenging period
The jam-packed summer kicks off with Sing New York, a joyful outdoor singalong for hundreds of New Yorkers. Groove the night away at social dance events at The Oasis—salsa, swing, bachata, merengue, soul, and more. Celebrate LGBTQIA+ Pride at the Mini Kiki Ball, Criminal Queerness Festival, and ULTRA PRIDE!! dance party.

Reclaim the traditions and rituals that were postponed
Couples and lovers of New York, register beginning June 12 to participate in Celebrate LOVE: A (Re)Wedding, a group wedding celebration. Also in June, a site-specific, evening-long performance sweeps across the campus in honor of Juneteenth; and in July, an immersive theater event, QUINCE en la Plaza, welcomes guests to experience the festive rite of passage.

Remember our losses and collectively heal through art
Summer for the City honors and celebrates the lives of iconic individuals across the arts including James Baldwin and Greg Tate. Two versions of Mozart’s Requiem offer moments for remembrance: Mostly Mozart Festival Orchestra and Requiem: Fire in the Air of the Earth. On June 11, a Jazz at Lincoln Center Second Line celebrates lives lost and offers space to mourn.