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Music, dance, theatre, and performance art headline the cultural calendars in all of Night+Day’s cool cities. We combed through dozens of annual performing arts festivals worldwide, and here are the best of the best.
Best Performing Arts Festivals in....
Best Performing Arts Festivals
New York
Broadway on Broadway Second or third Sunday of September, 11:30am, Free broadwayonbroadway.com
The Draw: Broadway fans take note: This your chance to preview all the upcoming shows at once—along with more than 50,000 spectators in neon-lit Times Square. The Scene: The city closes down the strip of Broadway that runs through Times Square for this concert, which includes live musical numbers performed on a massive outdoor stage, a slew of celebrity performers, and a grand finale that rains confetti on the crowd. Hot Tip: Missed the concert? No worries: A couple days after the performance, a scaled-down one-hour version generally screens on prime-time television. Also, check the website for special contests and prizes for fans; in previous shows, fans dressed as their favorite Broadway characters have been given access to the up-close-and-personal “Fan Zone.”
The Draw: Comparable to the South-by-Southwest music festival in Austin, Texas, the CMJ Marathon is one of New York’s largest musical events, with more than 1,000 acts in more than 65 venues throughout the city. The Scene: The event all but promises a band in every bar, and you’ll see loads of fans—and musicians—venue-hopping through the streets. While the focus is on emerging and established musical acts, you can also catch plenty of indie film premieres, parties, and cultural panels. All schedules and venues are subject to change, and many do at the last minute, so make sure to check out the weekly free papers, such as the Village Voice. Hot Tip: Keep your eyes peeled: It’s not uncommon to see established rock stars popping into unassuming venues for a visit. Also, the earlier you register, the more you save on your festival badge. Check out the Web page for details.
Shakespeare in the Park Late May to late August, Central Park,
Free publictheater.org
The Draw: Greenwich Village’s venerable Public Theater (which opened in 1967) showcases Shakespeare in a breezy, open-air theatre in the lush heart of Central Park. The Scene: This is the ultimate summer “art in the park” ritual, when audiences can indulge in Shakespeare and the verdant outdoors all in one go. Watching the action unfold on stage, against the backdrop of Central Park’s foliage, makes for a memorable evening. Big names often star. Hot Tip: You can now try for free tickets online. Register at publictheater.org, then log on between midnight and 1pm on the day of the performance to submit a request for up to two tickets. You must log on again between 1pm and 6pm to see if you’ve been selected. Or, you can do it the traditional way, and line up for your two free tickets on the day of the performance beginning at 1 pm at The Delacorte Theater in Central Park (closest entrances to the Delacorte are at 81st St. and Central Park West, and 79th St. and Fifth Ave.).
