The Atlantic Festival Announces New Events Across New York City
Among the speakers announced today: actor Robert Downey Jr. and Pulitzer Prize–winning playwright Ayad Akhtar, in conversation with The Atlantic 's editor in chief Jeffrey Goldberg; actor Tom Hanks, who voices several historical figures in the new Ken Burns documentary series The American Revolution and who will join the premiere screening of the series at the Town Hall; comedian, writer, and director Richard Ayoade in a conversation moderated by talk-show host, comedian, and producer David Letterman; Executive Producer of The Apollo Kamilah Forbes; Professor of Marketing at NYU's Stern School of Business and a serial entrepreneur Scott Galloway; clinical psychologist and Founder and CEO of Good Inside Becky Kennedy; and TV personality, chef, author, and activist Andrew Zimmern. Previously announced Festival speakers include Mark Cuban, Jennifer Doudna, Arvind Krishna, Monica Lewinsky, Tekedra Mawakana, H.R. McMaster, and Clara Wu Tsai.
The Atlantic Festival will also host an exclusive first look for Season 3 of Netflix's The Diplomat, which debuts this fall, followed by a conversation with the show's stars Keri Russell and Allison Janney and creator and executive producer Debora Cahn; a sneak peek screening of FX's The Lowdown, along with a talk with creator, executive producer, writer, and director Sterlin Harjo and executive producer and star Ethan Hawke; and a screening of The American Revolution, followed by a discussion with directors and producers Ken Burns and Sarah Botstein, along with actor Tom Hanks, who voices several historical figures, and historian Annette Gordon-Reed.
New this year: The Atlantic Festival introduces Out and Abouts, intimate events around the city that are ticketed individually. Among the events announced today:
Atlantic Reads book talks at McNally Jackson Seaport. Featuring Walter Mosley for his new novel Gray Dawn; Susan Orlean for her memoir Joyride; and a poetry conversation around The Singing Word: 168 Years of Atlantic Poetry, featuring the book's editor and Atlantic contributing editor Walt Hunter, with Singing Word contributor and MIT professor Joshua Bennett.
Premiere of Dread Beat an' Blood at BAM (Brooklyn Academy of Music), featuring a live performance by legendary poet Linton Kwesi Johnson.
The Big Story Live events, across downtown venues:
'What Does it Mean to Be an American?,' at the Tenement Museum, featuring staff writers Xochitl Gonzalez and Clint Smith, plus more speakers to be announced.
'The Future of the Arts in a Changing World,' at Hauser & Wirth, featuring Jeffrey Goldberg, Noah Hawley, and Kamilah Forbes, with more speakers to be announced.
With more to be announced, including a live taping of the Radio Atlantic podcast.
The festival's Single-Day Passes and Out and About tickets will go on sale this Wednesday, July 23, at 11 a.m. ET. Atlantic subscribers receive an exclusive 30 percent discount on festival passes and select Out & About programming.
Festival sessions will be led by Goldberg and many of The Atlantic 's writers and editors, including Adrienne LaFrance, Tim Alberta, Ross Andersen, Anne Applebaum, Gal Beckerman, Elizabeth Bruenig, Sophie Gilbert, Jemele Hill, Walt Hunter, Shirley Li, Ashley Parker, and Clint Smith.
The 2025 Atlantic Festival is underwritten by Microsoft at the Title Level; CenterWell, Eli Lilly and Company, and Scout Motors at the Presenting Level; and Aflac, Allstate, the Annie E. Casey Foundation, Destination DC, Diageo, Genentech, Gilead Sciences, Hauser & Wirth, KPMG, and the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation at the Supporting Level.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
New festival to take over Richmond with live music, food, art and more
Richmond's town centre is set to be taken over by a brand new festival. The event will see live performances, street food, theatre, dance and art activities fill the streets on Saturday, September 13, 2025. The festival will extend across George Street and Whittaker Avenue, creating a vibrant celebration of music, creativity and community spirit. The free event aims to offer something for everyone, from dance workshops to a communal dining experience. An opening procession led by youth, and an evening filled with DJ sets and live music will highlight the talents of the local community. The event is being organised in partnership with local organisations, including Orange Tree Theatre, Combination Dance, The Basement Door and Richmond Music Trust. Read more Free festival set to bring south east Asian culture to Battersea Power Station Battersea Power Station to host free family-friendly music event Councillor Katie Mansfield, lead member for Richmond town centre, said: "This festival is all about bringing fresh energy to our town centre. "Whether you're seeing a street performance with friends, dining outdoors or stepping on stage for the first time, this is your invitation to get involved." The festival aims to draw on Richmond's history as a hub of youth culture, while also looking towards the next generation of creatives who will shape the town's identity. Richmond's lesser-known landmarks such as riverside boatyards, historic theatres, independent businesses and cultural venues will also be showcased. The event plans to include pop-up dining, local buskers, and a classic Routemaster bus experience hosted by Peter Hendy. Councillor Gareth Roberts, leader of Richmond Council, said: "Residents want to see real change in our town centre, not just more plans. "This festival is a clear step forward; it's a change people can see and experience on the high street. "It's also a reminder that Richmond isn't just a historic town – it's a creative one too." The festival is part of Richmond's wider Town Centre Vision, which focuses on the improvement of public spaces, support for local businesses, and the creation of a high street that brings the community together. Councillor Mansfield added: "A great high street should feel welcoming to everyone – whether you're eight or 80. "This is part of a much bigger effort to make our town centre more vibrant, inclusive and alive. "It's a way to try new ideas, build partnerships, and show what's possible when we use our streets differently. "It's also a chance to celebrate the talent and energy already here." The festival programme, including event times and activities, will be announced soon. Local businesses, artists, and community groups are encouraged to join the celebration, with a call-out set to be shared on the council's website and social media in the near future. Regular festival updates will be provided on the Richmond Council's website and social media, with signage due to appear throughout the town centre in the run-up to the event.
Hamilton Spectator
17 hours ago
- Hamilton Spectator
City fines Montreal church for hosting MAGA-affiliated singer Sean Feucht
MONTRÉAL - The City of Montreal has fined a local church for hosting a concert by the U.S.-based Christian musician Sean Feucht. Feucht's controversial views and his status as a rising star in the MAGA movement have led officials to cancel his concerts in several Canadian cities in recent days. But on Friday evening, an evangelical church in Montreal allowed Feucht to perform a hastily scheduled concert over the objections of the city administration, and is now facing a $2,500 fine. A spokesperson for Montreal Mayor Valérie Plante said the Ministerios Restauración Church in the city's Plateau-Mont-Royal borough did not have a permit to organize a concert, and had been informed that the event could not take place. 'This show runs counter to the values of inclusion, solidarity, and respect that are championed in Montreal. Freedom of expression is one of our fundamental values, but hateful and discriminatory speech is not acceptable in Montreal,' Philippe Massé said in a statement. 'A ticket was issued because the organization violated the regulations by going ahead with the show.' Protesters gathered outside the church during the concert Friday evening. Montreal police say they arrested a 38-year-old man for obstruction. They also say a smoke bomb was set off inside the church during Feucht's performance. Feucht reacted Saturday on social media to the events in Montreal, claiming that two smoke bombs were thrown at his head during the concert. 'Now you want (to) fine the church for doing what the church does - WORSHIP,' he said on X. 'Every Canadian should be embarrassed/concerned with this. No bigger scandal in Canada.' The church did not respond to requests for comment from The Canadian Press. Feucht was scheduled to perform east of Ottawa in Alfred, Ont. on Saturday afternoon, before moving on to the Toronto area on Sunday. The Christian singer describes himself as a musician, missionary, author and activist. He has spoken out against 'gender ideology,' abortion and the LGBTQ+ community, and his religious and political views have grabbed the attention of U.S. President Donald Trump's administration. The Atlantic magazine, based in Washington, D.C., recently described Feucht as a Christian nationalist who has become a 'MAGA superstar.' 'Between praising President Donald Trump as God's chosen one and suggesting that abortion supporters are 'demons,' Feucht has repeatedly advocated for the fusion of church and state,' the article says. Complaints from residents and planned protests have prompted officials to cancel all six of the concerts scheduled as part of the eastern Canadian leg of Feucht's 'Revive in 25' tour over the last week, forcing him to seek alternate venues. On Tuesday, Parks Canada announced it had revoked a permit for a performance scheduled at a national historic site in Halifax, citing 'heightened public safety concerns.' Concerts have since been cancelled in Charlottetown, Moncton, N.B., Quebec City, Gatineau, Que. and Vaughan, Ont. Feucht announced his Montreal concert venue on Thursday, after his planned Friday show in Quebec City was cancelled. A second spokesperson for Plante said the show was scheduled at the 'last minute without notice.' The singer says he's the victim of 'Christian persecution,' and is accusing Canada of tyranny and censorship. 'A couple crazy activists started raising up all of this ruckus across Canada, and one by one all of our permits were cancelled out of safety concerns,' he said in a social media video posted Friday night following the Montreal performance. 'Here we are in the middle of a firestorm.' Feucht still has a series of concerts scheduled in western Canada in August. On its Spanish-language website, the Ministerios Restauración Church says it has 700 congregants, 'whose lives have been restored and transformed by the work God does through our ministry.' This report by The Canadian Press was first published July 26, 2025.
Yahoo
a day ago
- Yahoo
Singer encourages new artists to follow dreams
A singer has encouraged emerging artists to never give up on their dreams, after performing at a Birmingham festival. Czafari, also known as Czarena Brown, started writing music about nine years ago so she could share her love for storytelling with the world. The 26-year-old from Tipton performed at Mostly Jazz, Funk and Soul Festival in July, which was a milestone she "couldn't believe" after DJing at the event in 2021. "I remember soaking up the vibes four years ago and thinking, 'I need to be on one of those stages'," she said. Reminiscing about the festival, Czafari said performing on the second stage made her feel "absolutely incredible" and glad that she "kept going" as an independent artist. "There's been so many times where I felt like I wanted to give up because it was really slow, I wasn't getting many gig opportunities, and I didn't have the confidence to release music," she said. "I'm really grateful to have this experience and I haven't quit, I'm still going." Czafari said she has had a love for music since she was very young, when she competed in talent competitions and sang at her grandparent's gospel choir. "I was probably one of the youngest in the choir but I had a voice so I had to sing," she said. The artist described the performances as "very daunting at the time" but singing has "always been in her bones" and has given her the confidence she has now. "Singing has always filled me with joy and as I've got older I've noticed when I sing, my endorphin levels increase and I am happy and more connected to myself," she said. Looking at pictures over the years, it's clear to see that Czafari was not afraid to put on a performance - even at the age of five. Wearing a pink tiara, she sang to her family on Christmas Day with the new guitar, microphone and amp she had received that morning. "My parents basically affirmed my passion for music, it made me feel really seen," she said. Czafari released her first EP at the age of 17 and performed at her first event at The Night Owl in Digbeth, Birmingham. Since then, she has produced a second EP and her songs have featured on BBC 1Xtra. While Glastonbury Festival isn't returning until 2027, performing at Worthy Farm is a milestone she wants to tick off her bucket list. "I watch the performances back and I need to be there. To have that aspiration may sound really big but it's something I want to do, so I'm going to do it," she said. Follow BBC Wolverhampton & Black Country on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram. More on this story Festival generates £1m for city, say organisers
