Downtown Alliance kicks off free lunchtime concert series at Oculus Plaza next week
Lower Manhattan's lunch crowd is getting a serious upgrade next week. Starting on Wednesday, June 4, the Downtown Alliance is reviving its "Art Is All Around" performance series with six weeks of free midday concerts designed to turn your typical lunch break into a full-on vibe.
Every Wednesday at noon through July 9, a new act will take over either the World Trade Center's North Oculus Plaza or 140 Broadway, bringing everything from salsa to soul, swing to funk. The series, programmed by acclaimed jazz vocalist and producer Svetlana Shmulyian, blends live music with professional dance performances—think tap, cha-cha-cha and modern jazz, all unfolding in the middle of the Financial District.
The opening show on June 4 features Lulada Club, a powerhouse group specializing in vintage tropical rhythms like bolero and salsa, reimagined for modern audiences. They'll be followed the next week by Svetlana herself and the New York Collective, whose interactive jazz performance includes both audience participation and live tap dancing by Lisa La Touche. The third concert on June 18 brings the party courtesy of Norman Edwards Jr. and his band SpinKicK, with infectious grooves inspired by Jamiroquai and Prince, and dancer Michela Marino Lerman helping bring it all to life.
After that, the series shifts to 140 Broadway. Highlights include Ginita y La Orquesta Esa's Latin jazz set on June 25, a high-energy New Orleans-inspired show from Alphonso Horne and His Gotham Kings on July 2 and a rousing finale on July 9 featuring trumpeter Wayne Tucker and the Bad Mothas, joined by dancer Bianca Delli Priscoli.
'Whether you're taking a lunch break from the office or out exploring the neighborhood, these performances are an energizing and uplifting way to enjoy summer in the city,' said Downtown Alliance President Jessica Lappin.
The concert series is part of the Alliance's larger "Art Is All Around" initiative, which brings public art and performances to the streets of Lower Manhattan. No tickets are required, and all performances are free—just show up and enjoy the show.
With this much rhythm packed into an hour, don't be surprised if your casual lunch run turns into a full-on dance break.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
North Wales Chronicle
2 hours ago
- North Wales Chronicle
Royal Ascot backs next generation of hat-makers from King's charity
Ahead of this month's world-famous meet, known as much for its colourful and creative displays of headwear as the horseracing, Ascot has introduced a £10,000 annual bursary to support a King's Foundation and Chanel graduating millinery student. Daniel McAuliffe, education director at The King's Foundation said: 'The royal family are incredible ambassadors for the craft of millinery and as the King's charity we are proud to be supporting the future of this skill at the most iconic hat-wearing event of the year.' The Foundation's students will also be showcasing their hats at this year's Royal Ascot, which runs from June 17-21, with a special display for racegoers in the Queen Anne Enclosure on the Berkshire course. The Chanel and The King's Foundation Metiers d'Art Millinery Fellowship in Partnership with le19M, Chanel's creative hub for artisans in Paris, was launched in 2024 with a cohort of six students. The intensive programme aims to develop a network of young specialist milliners in the UK, with the support of Parisian hat-maker Maison Michel at le19M. It forms part of The King's Foundation's wider work, inspired by Charles's passion for protecting traditional heritage skills at risk of being lost. Future students joining the millinery course will also be tasked with designing a Royal Ascot-inspired hat, with one selected to feature in the Royal Ascot Millinery Collective from 2026 onwards as its 11th design. The collective, which is celebrating its 10th anniversary, is an annual presentation of 10 bespoke designs created exclusively for Royal Ascot under the creative direction of British fashion designer Daniel Fletcher. Mr McAuliffe added: 'This is such a fantastic opportunity for our talented millinery students as they begin to build their businesses. 'We are delighted to be working with Ascot and our long-term partners Chanel and le19M to recognise the importance of the British tradition of millinery.' Felicity Barnard, Ascot Racecourse's chief executive, said: 'Exquisite hats and millinery masterpieces are woven into the very fabric of Royal Ascot's heritage and we are committed to preserving and celebrating this tradition for generations to come.'
Daily Mirror
3 hours ago
- Daily Mirror
Beyonce's Tottenham stadium bag policy and umbrella ban amidst rain forecast
Beyoncé is taking to the stage at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium tonight, and despite there being rain forecasted, umbrellas are completely banned Beyoncé's upcoming performances at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium have been hit with some serious rules. The Grammy Award-winning musician will perform six shows at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium – her first UK shows since her Renaissance World Tour in 2023. But ahead of her first show tonight, Beyoncé will go on to perform on June 7, 10, 12, 14, and 16, following a string of dates across America, where she had performed tracks from her eighth studio album. But just hours before the stadium opens its gates for 62,000 fans, hundreds of tickets are still available to purchase on Ticketmaster. Beyoncé lovers can get their hands on tickets for a seat with a restricted view for just £71, while on Viagogo, members of the BeyHive can pay £54 to secure their place inside Tottenham Hotspur Stadium this evening. Fans with a little more cash to splash on last-minute purchases can get themselves a South GA Standing Ticket for £224.85 or £278 for seated in decent areas. Are you heading to see Beyoncé at Tottenham Hotspur? Let us know your thoughts in the comments by clicking here. But just two years ago, Beyoncé sold out every single ticket for her five dates at the same venue. But ahead of the gates opening, bosses at the stadium have released some vital information, including banned items. Most importantly, the stadium will open at 5pm across the string of dates. But if you're hoping to have a drink throughout the night, you need to know that the bar closes at 10.30pm – one hour before the stadium closes. However, it's the bag policy that everybody should be aware of. Personal bags must be A4 or smaller (21cm x 30cm high). Those in attendance are able to use a clear carrier bag (maximum size 30cm long and 30cm high). You mustn't put any personal bags that do not meet the regulated sizes inside those bags, though. Elsewhere, prohibited items, including liquids, bottles, or high-visibility clothing, will not be permitted at the stadium. But despite a fair amount of rain being forecasted over the next couple of days, don't take an umbrella. Bosses have stated that no umbrellas, regardless of size, will be permitted entry into the stadium. They add that while the weather can be unpredictable, fans should dress appropriately for all weathers to ensure comfort. Throughout the stadium, there are 60 food and drink outlets available, including a Korean-inspired eatery, oven-cooked pizzas and a vegan eatery. The stadium offers a strict Challenge 25 policy, so ID will be required. If you're looking to get your hands on merchandise, you will be pleased to know that the merch is open for a long time. On June 5, 7, 10, 12, 14 and 16, the merchandise will be available to purchase between 12pm and 11.30pm at the Tottenham experience. On June 6, 8, 9, 11 and 13, it'll be open between 9.30am and 5.30pm. Meanwhile, on June 15, it'll open between 11am and 5pm. There is a strict no re-admission policy – once your ticket has been scanned, you won't be able to re-enter if you choose to leave. However, the turnstiles at the South Stand area will allow fans to enter Park Lane Square, where you can find more food and drink outlets.
South Wales Guardian
4 hours ago
- South Wales Guardian
Royal Ascot backs next generation of hat-makers from King's charity
Ahead of this month's world-famous meet, known as much for its colourful and creative displays of headwear as the horseracing, Ascot has introduced a £10,000 annual bursary to support a King's Foundation and Chanel graduating millinery student. Daniel McAuliffe, education director at The King's Foundation said: 'The royal family are incredible ambassadors for the craft of millinery and as the King's charity we are proud to be supporting the future of this skill at the most iconic hat-wearing event of the year.' The Foundation's students will also be showcasing their hats at this year's Royal Ascot, which runs from June 17-21, with a special display for racegoers in the Queen Anne Enclosure on the Berkshire course. The Chanel and The King's Foundation Metiers d'Art Millinery Fellowship in Partnership with le19M, Chanel's creative hub for artisans in Paris, was launched in 2024 with a cohort of six students. The intensive programme aims to develop a network of young specialist milliners in the UK, with the support of Parisian hat-maker Maison Michel at le19M. It forms part of The King's Foundation's wider work, inspired by Charles's passion for protecting traditional heritage skills at risk of being lost. Future students joining the millinery course will also be tasked with designing a Royal Ascot-inspired hat, with one selected to feature in the Royal Ascot Millinery Collective from 2026 onwards as its 11th design. The collective, which is celebrating its 10th anniversary, is an annual presentation of 10 bespoke designs created exclusively for Royal Ascot under the creative direction of British fashion designer Daniel Fletcher. Mr McAuliffe added: 'This is such a fantastic opportunity for our talented millinery students as they begin to build their businesses. 'We are delighted to be working with Ascot and our long-term partners Chanel and le19M to recognise the importance of the British tradition of millinery.' Felicity Barnard, Ascot Racecourse's chief executive, said: 'Exquisite hats and millinery masterpieces are woven into the very fabric of Royal Ascot's heritage and we are committed to preserving and celebrating this tradition for generations to come.'
