Little Island, one of New York’s newest destinations, a park-like outcropping at West 14th Street in the Hudson River, sits on huge concrete pedestals with pathways and plantings. Its space offers sunset views and cooler Hudson River breezes on these hot summer nights.
Three venues within the park provide a variety of performance spaces on Little Island.
Last Friday night comedy for young people took over The Glade, the stage set at the foot of a lawn where free music, comedy, and workshop events are held.
Meanwhile, come sundown, the plaza with tables and vendors—The Playground—turned into an outdoor dance hall. New Yorkers, getting a little relief from the sun’s heat, enjoyed the heat of salsa rhythms with Orquesta Broadway.
At the ticketed The Amph— its 687-seat performance space facing the Hudson River, the evening was devoted to percussive dance including many forms — tap, traditional Indian, and a modern transformation of flamenco.
The evening’s performers are part of Little Island’s Music and Dance Festival, launched last week, an 11-day park-wide festival, celebrating blues, jazz, hip hop, soul, Broadway and more. The music/dance fete is curated by artists-in-residence Ayodele Casel and Michael McElroy along with Torya Beard.
As summer progresses, the amphitheater will continue to host other stellar performance artists. Among these, toward end of August, Arturo O’Farrill and his orchestra for three nights will grace The Amph. [For more info on all ticketed events: www./littleisland.org/attend-an-event]
Additionally, Little Island has many free pop-up performances and interactive activities: www.littleisland.org/attend-an-event/#free-events. Its website lists all there is to do there.
