Bryant Park Presents "Accordions Around the World," June 29 - August 31 (FREE)
(Published: June 21, 2016)
SUMMER OUTDOOR PERFORMING ARTS SERIES, BRYANT PARK PRESENTS, ANNOUNCES LINE UP FOR ACCORDIONS AROUND THE WORLD, BEGINNING JUNE 29
Beginning with the Inaugural Accordion Picnic (June 29) and Culminating with the Second Annual Accordion Band Festival (August 31), Bryant Park Presents Accordions Around the World Series Consists of Weekly Performances by Accordionists in a Wide Range of Genres
Bryant Park Presents, an outdoor performing arts series with over 50 free events, announces the lineup of Accordions Around the World, a weekly series that regularly features over 75 accordionists - as well as bandoneon, bayan, concertina and harmonium-players of different musical genres - performing in various locations around Bryant Park. The series, which highlights six musicians each Wednesday, represents many cultures and genres, offering audiences the chance to experience the often underappreciated instrument. The series, produced with Ariana's List, has garnered acclaim fromThe New York Times, Wall Street Journal, ABC News and NY1. The series begins this year with the first ever Accordion Picnic (June 29), featuring 24 accordionists, and culminates with the second annual Accordion Band Festival (August 31), featuring Fidelina Pascual performing Dominican merengue tipico, as well as local favorites Pistolera, Golem and more.
Ariana Hellerman, founder of Ariana's List, says, "We Americans can think of the accordion as a symbol of the yesteryear kitsch of polka, when in actuality it is one of the most important instruments in many cultures around the world. With this series, audiences and passers-by are invited each week to roam the park to get a taste of these different musical traditions and share in something that they may never have experienced before, all in an accessible and intimate manner."
"Bryant Park has become THE place throughout the United States to see an extremely diverse representation of accordion music by very talented accordionists," says Ethan Lercher, Executive Producer of Bryant Park Presents. "This summer, Ariana Hellerman has brought together many favorite players from the last three years and several new performers to highlight, plus an amazing schedule for Accordion Band Festival, which was attended by over 3,500 people last August."
Bryant Park Presents is a singular contribution to a city already rich with summer festivals. The venue is extraordinarily convenient, within a few blocks of major transportation hubs including Penn Station, Times Square and Grand Central Terminal, and virtually all subway lines. There's never a need to wait in line since the park can easily accommodate several thousand attendees on chairs or blankets. Amenities abound, including free board games, ping-pong, kubb, Petanque, and Wi-Fi, plus food and beverages available for purchase from a variety of in-park and nearby restaurants.
More Information: http://www.BryantPark.org/BryantParkPresents
