Carnegie Hall Citywide: Orrin Evans and the Captain Black Big Band
Led by visionary pianist and composer Orrin Evans, the Grammy Award–nominated Captain Black Big Band delivers big-band jazz with bold energy and fearless creativity. Known for its explosive sound and improvisational fire, the ensemble transforms hard-swinging grooves, bluesy soul, and avant-garde edges into a thrilling, unpredictable ride. With Evans at the helm, expect a powerhouse performance that pushes boundaries and lights up the stage at this Citywide performance at Bryant Park.
Carnegie Hall Citywide is the Hall’s free concert series that brings a diverse lineup of live performances to neighborhoods throughout New York City. Presented in partnership with esteemed community organizations across the five boroughs, the series highlights dynamic artists from a variety of musical genres—including classical, jazz, folk, Latin music, and more.
Bryant Park lends out hundreds of free blankets on a first-come, first-served basis, or bring your own cotton or fleece blanket. To protect the lawn, please do not sit on waterproof materials such as plastic tarps, yoga mats, or inflatable chairs.
Take a seat in one of the pre-set chairs on the lawn or grab a chair from the gravel. You can use a chair anywhere in the park except for the center lawn "blanket zone".
Bring your own picnic or purchase food and drinks from tents on the east side of the lawn. Attendees can enjoy cuisine from the five boroughs with a rotating line-up of artisanal vendors curated by Hester Street Fair.
Stout NYC also offers giant pretzels, gourmet popcorn and other light bites as well as a selection of beer, wine, and non-alcoholic beverages for purchase.
Visit the Bryant Park Shop tent for exclusive Picnic Performances merchandise and more!
Find a parachute, hula hoops, and more fun on the east side of the lawn at select events.
Dogs are welcome on the gravel and bluestone, but not on the lawn.
Performances are cancelled when it is unsafe to be outdoors. In some cases, the lawn may be too wet to open but the performance may continue. Follow @bryantparknyc on Twitter and Instagram for day-of event updates. You can also check the lawn status on the bryantpark.org homepage.
Bryant Park Picnic Performances presented by Bank of America is a free outdoor festival that welcomes all New Yorkers to experience the city’s vibrant arts and culture. The series provides a platform for extraordinary artists and serves as a vital outdoor venue for a wide array of New York’s cultural institutions.
