An expanded program for the recovery and reemergence of the performing arts in New York—NY PopsUp—launches on Saturday, February 20, kick-starting a 100-day rollout of 300 free concerts, recitals, and theatrical and comedy performances in venues across the state, ending on Labor Day, 2021. The initiative is, according to Governor Andrew Cuomo and project organizers, the most ambitious by any state to revitalize the performing arts. The inaugural event is a live performance at the Javits Center, a tribute to health-care workers on the front lines of the covid-19 crisis, featuring band leader Jon Batiste, countertenor Anthony Roth Costanzo, jazz vocalist Cécile McLorin Salvant and dancer Ayodele Casel.
The first pop-up performances will also occur on February 20th on street corners and in parks around New York City, includiing a procession in Brooklyn from Walt Whitman Park to Golconda State Park. On Sunday, February 21, Garth Fagan Dance will perform at MAGIC Spell Studios at Rochester Institute of Technology as a tribute to the staff there.
Added to the list of already announced performers are Tony winners Idina Menzel and Billy Porter; television stars Danielle Brooks and Sarah Jessica Parker, comedian Kenan Thompson; hip-hop and rock singers Q-Tip and Patti Smith; dancers Savion Glover. and Sara Mearns; and opera singers Davóne Tines and J’Nai Bridges. They join participants including Chris Rock, Renée Fleming, Hugh Jackman and Amy Schumer, who are committed to helping revitalize the spirit and emotional well-being of New York citizens through the energy of live performance.
According to Governor Cuomo, however, the schedule of the free events will not be released ahead of time in order to not draw big crowds. However, the in-person events will available to watch online. NY PopsUp is curated by interdisciplinary artist Zack Winokur in partnership with a state council of creative advisors. Events will be staged at “transit stations, parks, subway platforms, museums, skate parks, street corners, fire escapes, parking lots, storefronts, and upstate venues—and other locations never before used for performances.
As more New Yorkers receive the vaccine in the coming months, the initiative will begin to include the reopening of some venues with an audience, if rapid COVID-19 testing is in place. “Flexible” venues that could reopen under the program include The Shed, the Apollo Theater, Harlem Stage, La MaMa and the Alice Busch Opera Theater.
In conjunction with NY PopsUp, the new downtown Little Island will host a festival during the final weeks of NY PopsUp from August 11 through September 5, with a total of 16 events per day.
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