Holiday Events Announced For David Rubenstein Atrium at Lincoln Center

The weather may have turned cold, but the holidays are heating up at the David Rubenstein Center Lincoln Center with a range of great, FREE programs this November, December and January. Lincoln Center's vibrant public and visitors space on the Upper West Side is the perfect place to take a break from shopping, warm up with a hot drink from ‘wichcraft, and enjoy great music with Target® Free Thursdays, Meet the Artist Saturdays and special Winter's Eve at Lincoln Square events.

Target® Free Thursdays brings free public performances by a wide-range of popular artists to the new David Rubenstein Atrium every Thursday night throughout the year...holidays included. This Thanksgiving, November 25, after gobbling down the last morsel, get ready to move to the lively, nostalgic jazz of The Blues Vipers of Brooklyn. On December 14, celebrate a down-home, folk-rock Christmas in Balthrop, Alabama, with a group that started out as a band and became a town. Classic soul girl-group The Sweet Divines' Holiday Soul Spectacular rolls into the Atrium on December 23 with special guests Maxine Brown and Eli "Paperboy" Reed. And wrapping up the holidays on January 6 is a one-of-a-kind variety show, Sxip's Hour of Charm, featuring music-making, samurai swordplay, butoh-inspired contortion and more. All Target® Free Thursdays take place at 8:30 p.m.

Meet the Artist Saturdays offers a special holiday program for families on December 4 at 11 a.m. George Balanchine's The Nutcracker Children's Workshop, co-presented with New York City Ballet, goes behind-the-scenes of the beloved holiday ballet exploring the music, story, costumes and movement with demonstrations by dancers, audience participation and more.

Just added to the Atrium's Schedule is Red Baraat, on Monday, November 29, part of Winter's Eve at Lincoln Square, the annual, neighborhood holiday party sponsored by the Lincoln Square Business Improvement District. Red Baraat, a traditional Indian-meets-New Orleans-style jazz street band, will make this a not-to-be-missed party in your holiday rounds!

Admission is FREE for all events. Seating is limited and available on a first-come, first-served basis. A schedule of events through January 6 follows, below. The David Rubenstein Atrium at Lincoln Center is located at Broadway between 62nd and 63rd Streets. Easy access via subway: No. 1 IRT Broadway local to 66th Street/Lincoln Center or A, B, C, D or No. 1 to 59th Street/Columbus Circle; Buses: M5, M7, M11, M66, M104 to Broadway. Parking is available. For more information, including a calendar of performances and programs, visit www.LincolnCenter.org/Atrium.

Target is proud to sponsor Target® Free Thursdays at the David Rubenstein Atrium at Lincoln Center

HOLIDAYS @ THE ATRIUM
Schedule of Free Events For the Holiday Season at
David Rubenstein Atrium at Lincoln Center

Thursday, November 25 at 8:30 p.m.
Target® Free Thursdays
A Special HOLIDAYS @ THE ATRIUM presentation
THE BLUE VIPERS OF BROOKLYN
Billy Nemec-guitar/lead vocals
Chris Pistorino-bass/vocals
David Langlois-washboard percussion/vocals
Sam Hoyt-Trumpet/vocals
Thom Abbott-Saxophone
The Blue Vipers of Brooklyn are five talented musicians who hail from various points across the U.S. and Paris, France who perform early jazz, swing and blues. Guitar and lead vocals member Billy Nemec's apprenticeship with legendary New Orleans street performers such as Anthony "Tuba Fatts" Lacen and The New Orleans Jazz Vipers inspired the band's name. Winners of the GoSwingDancing.com Battle of the Bands competition and the 2007 Subway Idol contest, the band specializes in a witty repertoire from the 1920s, 30s and 40s that features catchy four-part harmony and original tunes with, in turns, moving, and bawdy lyrics. Work off that Thanksgiving turkey shakin' a leg to this band's infectious vintage sound. Music legend Willie Nelson is a fan, calling the Blue Vipers, "fantastic entertainment." For more information about the artists visit: www.thebluevipersofbrooklyn.com

Monday, November 29 at 7 p.m.
A Special HOLIDAYS @ THE ATRIUM presentation
For Winter's Eve at Lincoln Square
BHANGRA PARTY
Featuring RED BARAAT
"A raucous, blaring, clashing celebration of a multitude of cultures come together as one joyous explosion," is what Music Connection Magazine said about Brooklyn-based Red Baraat. Led by Sunny Jain, Red Baraat is the first and only dhol 'n' brass band in the United States, melding the infectious North Indian rhythm of Bhangra with brass funk. The group has performed at the Montreal Jazz Festival, Chicago Word Music Festival, and Lincoln Center Out of Doors and Midsummer Night Swing. Red Baraat released its first CD, Chaal Baby (Sinj Records) last January. With dhol (a double-sided, barrel-shaped North Indian drum slung over one shoulder), drum set, percussion, sousaphone, and five horns, this high-energy group plays fresh originals and Bhangra classics and produces an irresistible urge to get up and dance wherever they perform. Red Baraat appears at the Atrium as part of the 11th Annual Winter's Eve at Lincoln Square sponsored by the Lincoln Square B.I.D. For more information about the artists visit: www.redbaraat.com

Thursday, December 2 at 8:30 p.m.
Target® Free Thursdays
JODY OBERFELDER DANCE PROJECTS
Choreography by Jody Oberfelder
Program: Dance works: For All Intents and Purposes, Dancing Diva, Moved (to music of Stephin Merritt)
Film: Come Sit Stay (directed by Jody Oberfelder)
Jody Oberfelder, voted Outstanding Choreographer at the FringeNYC Festival, creates strong, athletic post-modern works, as well as opera and theater pieces. The New York Times called her new choreography for Dido & Aeneas, commissioned by the Orchestra of St. Luke's, "fresh, imaginative, and utterly charming." Her company, which just celebrated its 20th Anniversary season, has performed at venues and festivals throughout Europe and Asia, including: Paris' Centre National de la Danse, Die Werkstatt in Dusseldorf, The Pusan National Theater in Korea, The 20th Annual International Festival of Modern Dance in Seoul, and The Belgrade Dance Festival. Stateside appearances include Jacob's Pillow, Dance MASS MoCA, Washington College, MOCAD in Detroit, and The Yard in Martha's Vineyard. Visit: www.jodyoberfelder.com.

Saturday, December 4 at 11 a.m.
Meet the Artist Saturdays
A Special HOLIDAYS @ THE ATRIUM presentation
George Balanchine'S THE NUTCRACKER^TM CHILDREN'S WORKSHOP
Presented in collaboration with The New York City Ballet
In this engaging 45-minute presentation, children and their families will get an up close look at one of the most beloved ballet classics of all time-the timeless story of Clara and her Nutcracker prince. New York City Ballet dancers, musicians and teaching artists take the audience inside the story, music, and themes of this holiday favorite, as they get the audience on their feet to experience the way imagination can inspire movement. There will be an opportunity for a Q&A with the artists. Suggested for ages 4 and up.
For more information about New York City Ballet visit: www.nycballet.com

FREE ADMISSION; seating is limited and is available on a first-come, first-served basis.

 

Thursday, December 9 at 8:30 p.m.
Target® Free Thursdays
ULLA-LAA!
Virtuosic flutist and expressive pop/folk vocalist of many languages, Ulla Suokko and acclaimed accordionist Dr. Bill Schimmel take audiences on a multicultural, sensuous and imaginative journey through the many faces of love. Suokko is a cosmopolitan bard in the tradition of the medieval troubadours, proclaiming the power of the heart and soul. An advocate of the healing power of music, Dr. Suokko was one of the musicians who brought music to the relief workers and to the families of the victims of the WTC tragedy. In addition to holding a Doctor of Musical Arts degree from The Juilliard School, she has performed in some of New York City's most prestigious concert venues, including Carnegie Hall, Avery Fisher Hall, Alice Tully Hall, Merkin Hall and the Miller Theater. Internationally, she has toured to Tashkent, Uzbekistan; Ulan Bator and Gobi desert in Mongolia; Baku, Azerbaijan; Tbilisi, the Georgian Republic; and Tokyo, Japan. For more information about the artists visit: www.ullasuokko.com or www.billschimmel.com

Thursday, December 16 at 8:30 p.m.
Target® Free Thursdays
A Special HOLIDAYS @ THE ATRIUM presentation
CHRISTMAS IN BALTHROP, ALABAMA
"Jemison Thorsby" - Pascal Balthrop, guitar, vocals
"Georgiana Starlington" - Lauren Balthrop, keyboards, vocals
"Douglas Snead" - Chris Buckridge, bass, alto saxophone
"Benton Whitehall" - Matt Moon, tenor saxophone
"Aurora Rockledge" - Alex Suarez, baritone saxophone
"Miss 12-Year-Old Babbie Jackson" - Annie Nero, bass
"Clanton ‘Lake' Mitchell" - Josh Kaufman, electric guitar, keyboards
"Luverne Dozier" - Therese Cox, accordion, vocals
"Titus Falkner" - Jason Lawrence, drums
"Cotton Tyler Guin" - Andrew Vladeck, banjo
"Ansley Henderson" - Mike Quoma, electric guitar
"Toxey Goodwater" - Michael Arthur, ink & paper
In 2006, Alabama-born songwriter-siblings Pascal and Lauren Balthrop moved to New York City to start a band and ended up founding a town. "Balthrop, Alabama" (population 11 or so) is their bustling folk rock township and you're invited to their holiday party! Come experience the magic of the holidays in Balthrop, Alabama! Everyone in town has conjured a brand new holiday classic, each with a very Balthrop bent. You won't find any roasting chestnuts or singing snowmen in these lyrical tales of whee and woe - instead you'll be regaled with new-found legends of lovelorn jailbirds and flying cows. Accompanying the band in pen and ink will be town-drawer Toxey Goodwater, née Michael Arthur. While the music plays, Toxey's drawings appear live on the big screen as he draws them, a holiday chalk-talk that will warm the cockles of the hardest of hearts. For more information about the artists visit: http://www.balthropalabama.com/ and http://www.myspace.com/balthropalabama.

Thursday, December 23 at 8:30 p.m. AND 10:30 p.m.
Target® Free Thursdays
A Special HOLIDAYS @ THE ATRIUM presentation
THE SWEET DIVINES' HOLIDAY SOUL SPECTACULAR
With Special Guests: Maxine Brown & Eli "Paperboy" Reed
When the Sweet Divines are on a bill, something special is bound to happen. These four young ladies and their backing band have gotten raves for their spot-on summoning of the look, feel, and sound of a classic soul revue-both with their original material and as a backing band for several veteran singers of the era (Otis Clay, Marva Whitney, Howard Tate, Baby Washington, Betty Harris, and many more). In their first ever Holiday Soul Spectacular, the Sweet Divines will warm up Christmas Eve Eve with music from their recent release, renditions of their favorite holiday soul 45s, and a touch of gospel, with two sets-8:30 and 10:30 p.m. Some of their talented friends will be joining the party, including soul wunderkind Eli "Paperboy" Reed, as well as the legendary Maxine Brown! For more information, visit: http://www.thesweetdivines.com/;
http://www.maxinebrown.com/bio.html; http://www.elipaperboyreed.com/

Thursday, December 30 at 8:30 p.m.
Target® Free Thursdays
A Special HOLIDAYS @ THE ATRIUM presentation
CHRIS BYARS QUARTET
Presented in collaboration with Jazz at Lincoln Center's The Rhythm Road
This New York-based quartet generates new, inventive music inspired by the 1950s Bop tradition. Its members have spent years developing relationships with and learning from musicians who thrived during the period. As part of Jazz at Lincoln Center's Rhythm Road project, the Chris Byars Quartet toured the Balkans, Mediterranean, Persian Gulf and Central Europe in 2008 and 2009, using jazz as common ground for mutual understanding and cooperation between communities. The quartet gathers inspiration from the music and traditions of the regions where they tour while continuing explore the work of home-grown musicians such as Gigi Gryce. Gryce, an inspiration to the ensemble, was an American jazz musician who converted to Islam in the 1950s. For more information visit: http://www.jalc.org/theroad/

Thursday, January 6 at 8:30 p.m.
Target® Free Thursdays
A Special HOLIDAYS @ THE ATRIUM presentation
SXIP'S HOUR OF CHARM HOSTED AND CURATED BY SXIP SHIREY
Composer, circus-performer, story-teller Sxip Shirey brings his wacky, traveling variety show featuring some of New York City's most intriguing and unusual performing artists to the Atrium. On the bill are Butoh-trained dancer and contortionist Jonathan Nosan; Samurai Sword Soul, choreographed Japanese sword fighters; the raunchy, funny and loveable comedian/story-teller Greg Walloch; Butt Kapinski (the clown alter-ego of improv performer Deanna Fleysher) and violinist Sarah "Snaps" Alden performing A Clown Noir; and blues and jazz-inflected singer-songwriter Dayna Kurtz. Bid "ta-ta" (or maybe "good riddance") to the 2010 holiday season with a zany Twelfth Night extravaganza of a show. For more information visit: http://www.sxipshirey.com

Please check www.LincolnCenter.org/Atrium for the full schedule of Atrium programs.

 

The David Rubenstein Atrium at Lincoln Center, the new community, visitors and ticketing facility, is home to an array of programs, services and amenities designed for area residents, out-of-towners and visitors to Lincoln Center. This new public space is named in honor of the philanthropist, financier and Vice Chairman of Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts, in recognition of his $10 million gift to the Bravo Campaign. Serving as a gateway to Lincoln Center and the entire Upper West Side community, the Atrium offers-for the first time in Lincoln Center history-day-of discount tickets to available performances across the campus in addition to access to full-price tickets via onsite kiosks and telephone services. Along with free performances, including Target® Free Thursdays every Thursday night of the year, and Meet the Artist Saturdays-free, family-friendly participatory programs at 11 a.m. on the first Saturday of every month-other attractions and amenities in the Atrium include: a ‘wichcraft café, a departure point for expanded Lincoln Center tours, a staffed Information Desk, free Wi-Fi, and restrooms.

Discount and Full-Price Tickets
Among the David Rubenstein Atrium's varied programs and services is a one-stop box office location for available, same-day discount performance tickets to Lincoln Center events. Daily events from across the campus, including performances presented by Lincoln Center and its resident organizations will be available at the Donald and Barbara Zucker Box Office at the Atrium. Tickets to available performances will be discounted at 25 % OR 50 % off the regular price. Tickets go on sale at 12 noon every day and are sold, two per person, on a first come, first served basis. The Donald and Barbara Zucker Box Office is closed on Monday, so those tickets will be sold on Sunday. The Rubenstein Atrium also offers help and guidance to patrons who want to purchase full-price tickets for future performances.

A Visitor and Tourist Destination
The Rubenstein Atrium is also the new departure point for Lincoln Center campus tours. Tour options include foreign language tours in Spanish, Italian, French, German, and Japanese (for groups, by reservation only); a newly-created "Art and Architecture" tour (also for groups, by reservation); and special Jazz at Lincoln Center tours. Daily walk-up tours for the public are offered between 10:30 am and 4:30 pm (exact times are on the Atrium website.) Prices for Lincoln Center tours range from $8 to $20, depending on packages and student and senior discounts. For more information on tours call 212/875.5350, or email tour_desk@lincolncenter.org.

History of the David Rubenstein Atrium

Opened in 1905 as the Colonial Music Hall, the venue on the site of the current Atrium featured vaudeville acts such as the dance team of Fred and Adele Astaire and it introduced Charlie Chaplin to American audiences. In the 1920s it became a Broadway theater, then a movie palace in the 1930s and 40s, before becoming a TV studio for both NBC and ABC. In 1971 it was renamed the Harkness Theater to house Rebecca Harkness' ballet company and school, before closing in the late 1970s. The theater was torn down, replaced by condominiums and a public plaza called the Harmony Atrium.

 

About Lincoln Center
Lincoln Center is the world's leading performing arts complex, representing the highest standards of excellence in opera, symphonic and chamber music, theater, dance, film, and arts education. Its 12 resident organizations - The Chamber Music Society, The Film Society of Lincoln Center, Jazz at Lincoln Center, The Juilliard School, Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts, Inc., Lincoln Center Theater, The Metropolitan Opera, New York City Ballet, New York City Opera, New York Philharmonic, New York Public Library for the Performing Arts, and School of American Ballet - welcome 5 million visitors each year. After five decades of artistic excellence and service to its community, the nation and the world, Lincoln Center is nearing completion on a major transformation initiative to fully modernize its concert halls and public spaces, renew its 16-acre campus, and reinforce its vitality for decades to come.

About Target

Minneapolis-based Target Corporation (NYSE:TGT) serves guests at 1,744 stores in 49 states nationwide and at Target.com. Target is committed to providing a fun and convenient shopping experience with access to unique and highly differentiated products at affordable prices. Since 1946, the corporation has given 5 percent of its income through community grants and programs like Take Charge of Education. Today, that giving equals more than $3 million a week.

Meet the Artist Saturdays is a presentation of Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts, Inc. (LCPA), which serves three primary roles: presenter of superb artistic programming, national leader in arts and education, and manager of the Lincoln Center campus. As a presenter of more than 400 events annually, LCPA's programs include American Songbook, Lincoln Center Festival, Lincoln Center Out of Doors, Midsummer Night Swing, the Mostly Mozart Festival, and Live From Lincoln Center. In addition, LCPA is leading a series of major capital projects on behalf of the resident organizations across the campus.

Major support for Meet the Artist Saturdays is provided by Betty and John Levin. Additional support is provided by Newman's Own Foundation.

Endowment support for Meet the Artist is provided by The Walt Disney Company.

General operating support for the David Rubenstein Atrium at Lincoln Center has generously been provided by David M. Rubenstein, the Ford Foundation, The Rockefeller Foundation New York City Cultural Innovation Fund, Algin Management Co., LLC, Altman Foundation, Cushman & Wakefield, The Mai Family Foundation, the Xerox Foundation, and the Max and Victoria Dreyfus Foundation, Inc.

Target is proud to sponsor Target® Free Thursdays at the David Rubenstein Atrium at Lincoln Center,

Discounted tickets to Lincoln Center events are made possible in part by a generous gift from the Peter Jay Sharp Foundation.

Support for the Lizzie and Jonathan Tisch Media Wall and four information kiosks is provided by American Express, the proud partner of the David Rubenstein Atrium.

Movado is an Official Sponsor of Lincoln Center, Inc.

Continental Airlines is the Official Airline of Lincoln Center, Inc.

First Republic Bank is the Official Sponsor of the Fashion at Lincoln Center Online Experience.

MetLife is the National Sponsor of Lincoln Center, Inc.