Fun, Fabulous and Free at Lincoln Center Arts Festival

A “Festival of Firsts” is coming back to Lincoln center this October. It’s a multidisciplinary celebration of music, theater, art, and performances that meld, surprise and defy categorization. It’s also, as its name implies, the first time many of the artists and works have been presented in New York, or, in some cases, anywhere. How exciting to be the first to witness a creative work, and Lincoln Center is inviting everyone to do just that for free.

The festival runs from Oct. 3–23, and includes Grammy-nominees, drag performers, live jazz, immersive art experiences and more. It’s part of the “Lincoln Center Presents” program that runs throughout the fall and winter. All take place at the David Rubenstein Atrium. Some are recommended for specific age groups (most are for ages 12 and up). Some are first-come, first-served, and some require preregistering, so check the event website:

Oct. 3 at 7:30 p.m.

Memory, history and technology are joined in a one-man show by Chilean artist Malicho Vaca Valenzuela in a digital/performance art/theatrical debut called “Reminiscicencia.” (Recommended for ages 14+.)

Oct. 4 at 7:30 p.m.

A funk/pop/punk-rock set from Blake Fusilier to introduce his new collection, Ambush. He’s been in the music industry as both a soloist and an instrumentalist, but this is his first album and his first appearance at Lincoln Center.

Oct. 9 at 7:30 p.m.

Ana Everling and her quartet’s fusion of jazz and folk arrive from Chicago for their first New York performance. Expect a merging of styles, techniques and sounds rooted in Eastern European traditional music.

Oct. 10 at 7:30 p.m.

The Latin Grammy nominated female trio, DARUMAS, featuring Aldana Aguirre, Ceci Leon, and Vedala Vilmond, perform a concert featuring an upbeat mix of pop and funk just in time for Hispanic Heritage Month. It’s their Lincoln Center debut.

Oct. 15 at 7:30 p.m.

Singers/songwriters/performers “Love? Said the Commander” are a duo from Philadelphia and New Jersey, Kate Hall and Chris Bishop. Formed in 2018 and featured on WNYC’s Public Song Project they’re known for compelling simplicity.

Oct. 16 at 7:30 p.m.

Who in New York doesn’t need an “Art Bath?” Head in for a multisensory, multidisciplinary, immersion in dance, opera, music, theater, and visual art curated and presented by Mara Driscoll and Liz Yilmaz. With Grammy-winning mezzo soprano J’Nai Bridges; musicians from Dharma Swara Gamelan Ensemble with violist Zoë Martin-Doike from The Metropolitan Opera Orchestra, a traditional Balinese dancer from Dharma Swara and sculptures by MOOKNTAKA filling the atrium, it promises to be something new.

Oct. 17 at 7:30 p.m.

Up next is “Sparklemami” a singer/songwriter who fuses her Mexican and Indian heritage with Brazilian jazz, soul, funk, Mexican bolero, and more, making surprising connections while drawing in the audience.

Oct. 22 at 7:30 p.m.

As Halloween draws near, something new. “Apocalypse Noir” is a rock cabaret hosted by a drag queer performance collective (founded/led by Andrew Barrett Cox). The Atrium becomes transformed into a costumed, rocking gothic fantasyland (best for ages 16+).

Oct. 23 at 7:30 p.m.

Acclaimed countertenor and Marion Anderson Vocal Award winner, Key’mon Murrah presents “The Fach?!” It’s his Lincoln Center debut and features timeless classics and an exciting new repertoire from this artist acclaimed by Opera News for his “resplendent, voluptuous tone.”

Rounding out the month is Lincoln Center’s fourth annual Open House on Oct. 26. It’s a campus-wide, family-friendly day of art activities, music, stories, and performances from Cirque Kikasse, the School of American Ballet and New York City Ballet, Jazz at Lincoln Center and more. Come in costume, if you like, and leave enriched, entertained, and enlightened. And, keep an eye out for future announcements from Lincoln Center. In the coming months, they’ll be presenting performances from the Chamber Music Society, Lincoln Center Theater, Jazz at Lincoln Center, The Metropolitan Opera, New York City Ballet, and the School of American Ballet—all for free.