Brooklyn Public Library Partners with Lincoln Center to Offer Free Programming at Branches Throughout the Borough
World-Class Artists Were Chosen by Communities at Six Participating Branches
One-Hour Shows Followed by Q&A with Artists Will Take Place in August and September
Brooklyn, NY (August 1, 2014) – Brooklyn Public Library (BPL) announced today that it will partner with Lincoln Center Education (LCE), the educational cornerstone of Lincoln Center, to bring free music, theater and dance performances to BPL branches during the months of August and September. The six, hour-long performances will take place at different branches throughout the borough, and will feature a dynamic show by world-class artists followed by a question and answer session with the performers. The series, titled Lincoln Center Local Live (LCL), will culminate in a special presentation live-streamed from Lincoln Center's campus.
More than 10,000 library patrons and other members of the community voted for their favorites among a list of 36 possible productions. Each hosting BPL branch offered a ballot complete with performance descriptions and images. Ballot links were posted on the BPL and Lincoln Center websites, and available in hard copy at local branches.
The partnership between BPL and LCE is an effort to bring cultural and artistic experiences to as many Brooklyn communities as possible. From classical piano to gospel to Broadway smash hits and everything in between, Lincoln Center Local Live allows Brooklynites to have first-hand encounters with a variety of outstanding performers, free of charge.
The participating BPL branches include Coney Island, Kensington, Kings Highway, Macon, New Utrecht and the Central Library.
Details of the upcoming performances are described below:
Sasha Papernik
Saturday, August 2 at 11:00 am
New Utrecht Library
Russian-American classical pianist/singer/songwriter Sasha Papernik presents an eclectic program of gorgeous pieces spanning the genres and continents. Join her band as they offer classical selections, songs by the American Songbook masters Irving Berlin and George Gershwin, reimagined Russian folk tunes and inspired originals while telling lively stories about the music, composers and the times they lived in. Suggested ages 5 and up.
Zikrayat
Saturday, August 9 at 2:00 pm
Macon Library
Zikrayat, Arabic for "memories," performs music and dance from Egypt and the Greater Arab World, with a focus on the Egyptian musical cinema of the 1940s – 1960s. The performance traces the common thread in the music that runs across the Mediterranean region from Egypt, Syria, Turkey and Greece to Tunisia and beyond. Alternating vocal and instrumental numbers with solo and group dance numbers, Zikrayat’s mission is to highlight the diversity of Arab culture for mainstream Western audiences in an authentic yet entertaining contemporary representation.
Zikrayat's master performers are among the finest Arab musicians and dancers in the United States, including Mariyah, Dameshe, Sami Abu Shumays, Faisal Zedan, Zafer Tawil, Rami El Aasser and Apostolos Sideris. The ensemble has performed at Lincoln Center Out of Doors, Joe’s Pub, The Metropolitan Museum of Art, The Lowell and American Folk Festivals, GlobalFEST, Alwan for the Arts and many more. Suggested for ages 7 and up.
Harlem Gospel Choir
Wednesday, August 13 at 5:00 pm
Coney Island Library
The world-famous Harlem Gospel Choir will have audiences on their feet, clapping and singing to their hearts’ content, enthusiastically spreading the universal message of peace, hope and joy.
Performing contemporary gospel with a touch of jazz and blues, the Harlem Gospel Choir is synonymous with power vocals, glorious sound and infectious energy. For over two decades, they have been America’s premier gospel choir and have toured the globe, thrilling audiences with the inspirational power of black gospel music.
Harlem Gospel Choir has performed alongside superstars such as Keith Richards, Bono, Diana Ross, The Chieftains, Trace Adkins, The Gorillaz and André Rieu. They have performed for President Barack Obama, President Jimmy Carter and President Nelson Mandela as well as Pope John Paul II and Pope Benedict XVI. Suggested for ages 5 and up.
Rodgers & Hammerstein Celebration
Saturday, August 16 at 2:00 pm
Kensington Library
Saturday, September 13 at 1:30 pm
Kings Highway Library
Thrill to the brilliant music of this legendary team with songs from its celebrated collaborations featuring music from South Pacific, The Sound of Music, State Fair, The King and I, Carousel and Oklahoma!. A favorite for audiences of all ages! Broadway Pops International brings Broadway to the world in themed, choreographed shows featuring stars singing today’s jazz, Motown, pop, rock and opera hits. The group continues to set the standard of excellence in entertaining and innovative productions. Suggested for ages 5 and up.
Hammerstep & DEORO
Saturday, September 6 at 2:00 pm
Central Library Plaza
This dynamic and innovative collaboration between world champion dancers and Grammy-nominated musicians creates a groundbreaking dance extravaganza integrating traditional Irish step, tap, and hip hop. Cutting-edge choreography from Hammerstep meets traditional music and innovative live beats with hip hop flair from DEORO to create a unique presentation. Performances include a Q&A with the artists. Suggested for ages 5 and up.
Villalobos Brothers
Saturday, September 27 at 2:30 pm
Masterfully blending the indigenous rhythms and melodies of their native Veracruz with the intricate harmonies of jazz and classical music, the Villalobos Brothers deliver an intoxicating brew of brilliant musical cadence and virtuosity that awakens the senses as it redefines our notions of Latin music. The encore performance of the Villalobos Brothers at the David Rubenstein Atrium at Lincoln Center will be live-streamed to special viewing parties at the following branches: Central, Kensington, Greenpoint, Macon and New Utrecht.
“We are thrilled to host these performers selected by our patrons in neighborhoods from Coney Island to Bed-Stuy, and especially grateful to Lincoln Center Local for partnering with us to expand our cultural offerings and bring incredible performances to all corners of the borough,” said Linda E. Johnson, President & CEO of Brooklyn Public Library.
For more information about Lincoln Center Local Live, visit aboutlincolncenter.org/lclocal. Performers, dates and locations are subject to change. Due to varying seating capacities at each location, all seating is on a first-come, first-served basis.
About Brooklyn Public Library: Brooklyn Public Library (BPL) is an independent library system for the 2.5 million residents of Brooklyn. It is the fifth largest library system in the United States with 60 neighborhood libraries located throughout the borough. BPL offers free programs and services for all ages and stages of life, including a large selection of books in more than 30 languages, author talks, literacy programs and public computers. BPL’s eResources, such as eBooks and eVideos, catalog information and free homework help, are available to customers of all ages 24 hours a day at our website: www.bklynlibrary.org.
About Lincoln Center Education: Lincoln Center Education (LCE) is a global leader in arts education and advocacy and the education cornerstone of Lincoln Center, the world’s largest performing arts complex. LCE is committed to enriching the lives of students, educators, and lifelong learners by providing opportunities for engagement with the highest-quality arts on the stage, in the classroom, via digital platforms, and within the community. Founded in 1975 as Lincoln Center Institute, LCE has nearly four decades of unparalleled school and community partnerships, professional development workshops, consulting services, and its very own repertory. LCE has reached more than 20 million students, teachers, school administrators, parents, community members, teaching artists, pre-service teachers, university professors, and artists in New York City, across the nation and around the world. For more information, visit: lincolncentereducation.org.