Carnegie Hall Citywide Night Heads to Bryant Park

Carnegie Hall Citywide Night is the four-hour finale of the Carnegie Hal Citywide series at Bryant Park. As part of the series, Carnegie Hall has offered free concerts at Bryant Park this summer, featuring outstanding classical, folk, Afro-Brazilian, Latin, Celtic, funk, and gospel artists. "For more than four decades, Carnegie Hall has partnered with community organizations in all five boroughs, offering free performances by renowned main stage artists and rising musical stars in New York City neighborhoods, bringing together local residents and people from all over to share in great music," said Clive Gillinson, Carnegie Hall's Executive and Artistic Director.

Matuto, "country boy" in Brazilian slang, has been described as "weird and wonderful ... unorthodox and delightful" by JazzTimes magazine. You'll hear why when this lively quartet takes Brazilian folk music and shakes it up with the flatpicking guitars and fiery fiddles of American bluegrass to create a musical experience Matuto likens to "Brazilian Carnival in the Appalachian Mountains." Anchored by the guitar of Clay Ross and accordion of Rob Curto, Matuto's joyous explorations of every folk, world, and jazz style are invigorating.

Consider every possibility for what's exciting and daring in Irish fiddle playing and Eileen Ivers surpasses them. This Grammy Award winner, Emmy nominated, and nine-time All-Ireland Fiddle Champion has played with major orchestras around the globe as well as such luminaries as Sting, the Chieftains, Patti Smith, and countless others. Called "the Jimi Hendrix of the violin" (The New York Times), she is deeply rooted in tradition while remaining dedicated to exploring new possibilities for the instrument.

Zydeco, that intoxicating accordion-driven South Louisiana-rooted blend of Cajun, Afro-Caribbean, and African-American popular music, burns brightly when Nathan and the Zydeco Cha Chas perform. Nathan Williams's accordion playing sets the boisterous tone while his brother Dennis's jazz-tinged guitar brings a unique flavor to the music. Bass, drums, and rubboard add extra spice to this Louisiana-styled musical gumbo for a performance that will get your feet moving, fingers snapping, and heart pounding.

This event is part of Bryant Park Picnic Performances presented by Bank of America, a series of world-class music, theater, and dance performances in Midtown Manhattan. All Picnic Performances are free to the public and designed to be enjoyed casually - no tickets required. At each show, the park lends out 250 free picnic blankets for audience members to relax on while enjoying the show on the Lawn.

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