Friends of the High Line Announces 2017 Programming Schedule

The High Line will host more engaging, community-focused free programming than ever in 2017 with an all-new line-up of performers for its most popular programs, as well as the return of favorites including Latin dance night ¡Arriba!, monthly family festival series "Make It!", and well-being classes. Debuting April 22, the 2017 season will make the High Line a community destination and cultural venue where New Yorkers can come together to see the unexpected.

"Our programming brings together a diverse mix of well-known local artists and up-and-coming personalities who are meant to inspire our visitors," said Solana Chehtman, Friends of the High Line Associate Director of Public Programs. "We want our neighbors and New Yorkers in general to come to the High Line to experience unique performances in one of the most unique spaces in the city-and to feel like the High Line is a go-to place for engaging, thought-provoking experiences."

The season kicks off on Saturday, April 22, from 1 PM-6 PM, with our second annual Culture Shock-an only-on-the-High-Line celebration of spring that will bring the park to life with music, performances, and family activities.

Visitors will experience an afternoon of music acts including Brooklyn Raga Massive and Chargaux (at 14th Street), as well as a comedy set by Maysoon Zayid, a series of personal stories about the outdoors told by collective Queer Memoir, and a live version of the popular podcast For Colored Nerds by co-hosts Brittany Luse and Eric Eddings (at 16th Street).

For families, fun and educational age-specific activities will be available all day to engage kids and parents, and kid-friendly music performances by a Brazilian folk group and Natalia "Saw Lady" Paruz will inspire children as they build (at 23rd Street).

Culture Shock audiences will also be among the first visitors to view High Line Art's new exhibition, Mutations. And they can stop by the High Line's Chelsea Market Passage for sweet and savory delights from our High Line Food vendors including Melt, La Sonrisa, and People's Pops.

Culture Shock is just the start of the season's programming. Other offerings include:

• OUT OF LINE: After a smash debut on the High Line last year, our popular monthly performance series returns for a second season with provocative acts from some of New York City's most exciting artists. The line-up includes cabaret favorite Justin Sayre and his new work, "The Lamentable Tale of a Dog; as told by Beppo, formerly of the Castaglioni company of Padua"; Shaun Leonardo's "The Eulogy," a poignant commentary on police violence; "Heisenberg," a new audio-based, participatory work from Janani Balasubramanian; and "Listen Without Prejudice Vol. 01011863," a night of karaoke hosted by the glamorous CHEEKY LaSHAE, where politics and pop songs will combine in an investigation of freedom. May 18; June 15; July 20; August 17, 9 PM - 10 PM. All performances will be on the High Line at 14th Street except for Shaun Leonardo, who will perform at 8 PM at the park's 34th Street entrance.

• ¡ARRIBA! Latin Dance Party: Started in 2012 at the suggestion of community residents living in local public housing, ¡Arriba! has transformed the High Line into an epic dance floor with the rhythms of some of New York City's hottest Latin bands for the past five years. Start the evening with a Salsa lesson and dance the night away to live music from returning favorite Orlando Marin, a.k.a. "The Last Mambo King," and, later in the summer, join ¡Arriba! newcomers Folklore Urbano and Williamsburg Salsa Orchestra. June 7,July 5, August 2, 6 PM - 7 PM (Salsa lessons), 7 PM - 9 PM (live music), on the High Line at 16th Street.

• For Families: MAKE IT! Family Festival Series: Create, listen, build, and learn as a family through stories, art, nature, and design-with a different theme each month. Learn about horticulture through our mobile garden; create a large-scale art installation with a local artist; and design custom-made structures with the High Line's own Children's Workyard Kit. Programs will reflect different cultures shared by New York families through Interactive storytelling, dance, and music performances, which will combine for an unforgettable family day on the High Line. June 24; July 29; August 26; September 23, 10 AM - 1 PM, on the High Line at 14th Street.

• MEDITATION AND TAI CHI: Join the Integral Yoga Institute and Sivananda Yoga Vedanta Center for weekly guided meditations, and join the Taoist Tai Chi Society for Tai Chi. Open to people of all ages and experience levels.Meditation: Weekly, every Tuesday, June - September, 8 AM - 9 AM, on the High Line at 22nd Street. Tai Chi: Weekly, every Tuesday, June - September, 9:30 AM - 10:30 AM, under The Standard, on the High Line at 13th Street.

• STARGAZING: Peer at the stars from the High Line through high-powered telescopes provided by members of the Amateur Astronomers Association of New York. Weekly, every Tuesday, April - October, dusk to 30 minutes before close, on the High Line at 14th Street.

For a full calendar of events, please visit thehighline.org/activities.

ABOUT FRIENDS OF THE HIGH LINE

Friends of the High Line raises 98% of the High Line's annual budget. Owned by the City of New York, the High Line is a public park maintained, operated, and programmed by Friends of the High Line, in partnership with the New York City Department of Parks & Recreation.