Learn about the hidden gems, exciting events, and volunteer opportunities at six of our favorite and most beautiful parks and gardens in New York City. New York City is more than a concrete jungle – it’s home to more than 29,000 acres of green space across 1,942 sites. It’s impossible to go far without stumbling across a park or garden, and we’re featuring six locations here: Bronx River, Caramoor, CityParks, Governors Island, Riverside Park, Van Cortlandt Park, and Wave Hill. They’re sharing some of the exciting events and features to enjoy this spring and summer, including some exclusive insider tips! Read on to discover these spaces and plan your next adventure in New York City!

The Bronx River​

Contributor: Alyssa Perez, Communications and Development Assistant

At the Bronx River Alliance, great strides are being made to promote community advocacy and stewardship right here in the Bronx. A major testament to our work was the opening of Starlight Park Phase II in 2023 that created new pedestrian bridges, added to the existing Bronx River Greenway, and incorporated stormwater retention features into the development. This all-new connection brought communities together! In addition, our continued efforts in rain garden maintenance speaks to the prevalent flooding issues NYC experiences during wet weather events.

For a unique experience, you can canoe the Bronx River during programming season, visit the ONLY edible food garden at Concrete Plant Park’s Foodway, and cycle continuously through on the Bronx River Greenway. You can also join us at major events like Open House on April 20th, Our Amazing Bronx River Flotilla on May 4th, and so many volunteer opportunities for an experience unlike any other in the Bronx! Find us at bronxriver.org or @bronx_river on Instagram!

Caramoor

Caramoor Center for Music and the Arts in Katonah, NY just announced the 79th Summer Season and tickets are now on sale! The concert season is from June 9 – August 16, and features a wide variety of genres throughout the summer. What makes Caramoor different from all other venues? The non-profit organization sits on 80 acres of grounds, which lends itself to having four very distinct outdoor venues. You could potentially go to four concerts at Caramoor and have four entirely different concert experiences! Concert highlights include a Music & Meditation series that’s located in the lush and butterfly-filled Sunken Garden, world-renowned stars in the Venetian Theater such as Sutton Foster, Rhiannon Giddens, the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra with Wynton Marsalis, and so many more. The Spanish Courtyard provides a serene experience where you can sit among the stars in a very intimate venue which is perfect for chamber music, and sit back and relax (or dance!) on Friends Field during the popular Concert on the Lawn series where picnicking is encouraged – check out the Great Performances Concessions Tent for some great bites! Don’t forget to check out their all-day American Roots and Jazz Festivals, which is a great way to see all the corners of Caramoor while listening to multiple musicians in one day. Plus, check out their calendar for free concerts and the Concerts for Little Ones series that is geared for ages 2–6. Here’s a tip! For most Caramoor summer concerts, there is a free shuttle that goes back and forth between the Katonah Metro-North train station and the venue. This means you can take the hour-long train ride from NYC, and easily get to Caramoor and back to the train! Caramoor is the perfect place to experience live music while being in the beautiful outdoors!
We’re gearing up for our busiest season at City Parks Foundation, as the weather warms up and New Yorkers start coming back to their local parks. In celebration of Earth Day, we’re excited to share what we’ll be working on across the city.

Our CityParks Play team will be hosting free sports instruction across all five boroughs for both kids and seniors, with everything from tennis to tai chi on offer right in your neighborhood park. At CityParks Learn, we’ll be going into the classroom and hosting park field trips to teach kids about biodiversity and the role that our parks play in mitigating climate change.

Our programs wouldn’t be possible without parks that are well cared for – if you’re interested in giving back to your community, check out our wide range of It’s My Park beautification and service projects coming up this Earth Day (and every day!). Come together with your community to make a difference right in your neighborhood.

Then, bring the whole family to enjoy a show at the Swedish Cottage Marionette Theater, which is currently featuring the high-flying tale of a cow who joins the circus in Bessie’s Big Shot. It’s a perfect family-friendly activity, with showings Thursday-Sunday in Central Park.

And of course, we will soon announce a new season of SummerStage, coming to you from May to October in parks across New York City. Already we’ve announced several stellar benefit shows in Central Park, from new “jazz-trap-alt” artist Masego to Irish legends The Saw Doctors, and our entire season of free concerts will follow later this month. Sign up for our membership program today so you can enjoy perks at concerts, including skipping the line and watching the show as a  VIP. As always, you can also enjoy delicious food right in Central Park thanks to our partnership with Great Performances– so be sure to come hungry.

See you in the parks!

Contributor: The Trust for Governors Island

From free arts and culture to climate solutions demonstrations from NYC’s most innovative small businesses to large scale concerts with powerhouse headliners, there is something for everyone at Governors Island—now open 365 days a year. The summer season will feature 20+ food and beverage vendors, a packed calendar of free events, a unique collection of arts and cultural programming, monthly nature walks, free walking tours, volunteer opportunities, and, of course, some of the city’s most unique outdoor recreation, including 7 miles of car-free bike paths, urban hiking in our award winning, climate resilient park, and the longest slide in NYC.

Don’t miss our incredible collection of public art, presented through Governors Island Arts—the Trust’s arts and culture program. The Island is home to long term and tem¬po¬rary works from mul¬ti¬dis¬ci¬pli¬nary artists that interact with and respond to Gov¬er¬nors Island’s park and his¬toric landscapes. We also have a large cohort of Organizations in Residence presenting free exhibits, artist residencies, and events every weekend from May through November in the Island’s historic former military houses.

We have a ton of new resources on our website to help visitors connect with our green space—head to the Governors Island Nature tab under “About” to see what plants are currently in season (and where to find them), explore an interactive map of the Island’s 3,500+ trees, and learn about each of our natural areas and the ecological horticultural projects that help them thrive.

Governors Island offers a unique opportunity for organizations and event producers to reach new audiences in an unforgettable setting. At the Trust for Governors Island, we work with cultural, educational and commercial organizations to host independent festivals, concerts, outdoor exhibitions, performances, screenings, workshops, and more.

Contributor: Alison Ettinger-DeLong, Communications Manager at Riverside Park Conservancy

2024 is an exciting year for Riverside Park Conservancy! Working in partnership with NYC Parks, the Conservancy cares for five Manhattan parks: Riverside Park, Riverside Park South, Sakura Park, West Harlem Piers Park, and the shoreline portion of Fort Washington Park up to 181st Street. Comprising nearly 400 acres of public parkland, the area is enjoyed by millions of people each year and provides critical habitat for birds and other wildlife. The Conservancy is committed to building a more sustainable Park – from climate resiliency to environmental justice to financial stability.

We recommend exploring the Park’s pollinator meadows and gardens, which provide valuable habitat for bees, butterflies, and other pollinator populations. Our 119th Street Pollinator Meadow is a hidden gem; to reach it, follow the path behind the nearby 119th Street Tennis Courts, and you’ll reach an expansive, hidden meadow filled with tall flowers and grasses.

This year, the Conservancy is expanding our popular Summer on the Hudson public programming, with many new events in the northern section of our park. The brand-new array of events uptown complements the Conservancy’s increased focus on volunteer activities, landscape stewardship, park equity and community partnerships. Uptown parkgoers can now enjoy movie screenings by the Hudson River waterfront each Thursday in August as well as a Black Birders Week birding walk hosted in partnership with NYC Audubon. Returning events uptown include Fort Washington Park’s beloved Little Red Lighthouse Festival and World Fish Migration Day, and last year’s inaugural Sunset Yoga series at the 145th Street Lawn.

NYC Parks welcomes a variety of permitted events in the Park, including birthday parties, weddings, and other celebrations.

Exciting things happening in Van Cortlandt Park this spring and early summer:

  • Volunteer with us, as we gear up for spring, planting lots of new trees and shrubs. Upcoming volunteer events are listed on the Van Cortlandt Park Alliance calendar here.
  • From April 26-29, Van Cortlandt Park Alliance will participate in the City Nature Challenge, a global contest or “bio blitz” between cities to find and document wildlife on iNaturalist. Any picture, video, or recorded sound of plants, animals, or evidence of life counts as a submission! Van Cortlandt Park had the most wildlife observations of any NYC park two years ago! Details on a public event for this challenge coming soon!
  • Van Cortlandt Park is a great place to explore the history of NYC with sites like the Grand Central Stones and the Van Cortlandt House Museum
  • Cultural events, like our annual Pinkster Festival on Saturday, May 4, connect visitors to the park’s history through live music, crafts, and food.
  • On Tuesday, June 11, the New York Philharmonic plays its annual free concert on Van Cortlandt Park’s Parade Ground. With dazzling fireworks at the end of the evening, it’s our favorite way to kick off summer!
Event Suggestions:

  • Hike in Van Cortlandt Park – the best way to escape the sights and sounds of the city, accessible via subway! Full list of trails here
  • Summertime is the best time to picnic in the park!
Note that any event in the park of 20 people or more requires a Special Events permit, which must be applied for at least 30 days in advance. More info at the link here.

Contributor: Jess Brey, Senior Horticultural Interpreter at Wave Hill

My favorite view at Wave Hill is from the Secret Garden. An enclosed hillside surrounded by hedges and specimen trees and shrubs offers intimacy with a view. The plantscaping directs attention towards a “garden window”, a break in the plants, to enjoy the best view. Overlooking the nearby Conservatory and Flower Garden, the view spans out towards sweeping lawns and the distant Hudson River and New Jersey Palisades. Many times, there will be some Wave Hill chairs positioned in the Secret Garden offering a seated view from underneath the sweeping arms of an old blue Atlas cedar. Many miss this garden area on their visit as it is a “secret”, however I think it is one of the must stops at Wave Hill during late spring into early autumn. You can even watch Sunset Wednesday concerts from here!

Last month, we unleashed joy in the most epic way at our 40+4 Anniversary Celebration at our Bronx HQ. We invited our partners, collaborators, clients, vendors, and more to join us as we celebrated 40 (plus 4) years of being of service, delivering deliciousness, and helping others celebrate their milestones.

From the moment our guests arrived at our building – by car or by foot – they knew they’d arrived at the right place when they saw the large graffiti mural by Scratch decorating the front of the building and were greeted with the The Marching Cobras Drumline and Danceline who dazzled with energizing drums and electrifying dance.

Guests quickly checked their coats and stepped into Mae Mae Café and Plant Shop where they enjoyed live jazz music from Jazz at Lincoln Center and got their first bite and sip of the day – a Berry Beet Shot and some Carrot Tartare – before they embarked on a tour of our space.

We had so much to share with our guests! They started with the first floor commissary that starts on the south with the loading dock for incoming ingredients, goes through various walk in refrigerators, cold kitchens and hot kitchens, blast chillers, and pack out refrigerators to the out going loading dock. Inside the production kitchen which was still bustling with activity, they enjoyed some bites highlighting our production lines. The Sauce line presented Butternut Squash Soup with Truffled Croutons; the Starch Line presented Twice Baked Potato Gruyere Bites; and the Vegetable Line presented Eggplant Meatballs.

A fan favorite at our venues and at our 40th was a guest appearance from our friend and partner, Charles’ Pan Fried Chicken who served bite-sized portions of his Chicken Slider, Catfish Slider, and Cornbread.

Guests then headed up to the third floor, home to our administrative offices and pastry kitchen, where they had a photo moment in front of our mural painted by Crash, peeked in at the Sylvia Center and the Design/Marketing Offices before continuing through the main office to the Pastry Kitchen where they grabbed one of our incredibly delicious chocolate chip cookies.

A quick hop down to the second floor, they had the chance to see our Design Warehouse, a cave of wonders packed with all the essentials to turn an event into a party! Walking past our Subway Mural created by Scratch (complete with subway audio!), they stepped into our 2nd Floor Event Space! We transformed the open space into a swanky lounge with bars, food stations, a demo area, and a seated lounge.

Warm, friendly staff members greeted guests and offered a selection of our most popular hors d’oeuvres including House Made Kosher Pigs in a Blanket; Smoked Salmon Napoleon; Tuna in a Birds Nest; Mushroom Mole Tostada; Habanero Smoked Tofu Taco; Red Pepper Puffed Tortilla; Fluke Ceviche; Goat Cheese Bonbon; Beet Terrine; and Boneless Lamb Chop.

Guests wandered around the space, learning about our Exclusive Venue Partners and Nonprofit Partners (and how to support them); learning more about our history through our wall of Iconic Moments; adding their tags to a graffiti wall by Scratch; becoming experts in napkin folding with Kevin Horne, a long-time member of our event team; slinging cocktails with our mixologist Daniel Dougherty; and learning how to use vegetables in place of meat with Chef Andrew Smith.

We made sure everyone stayed hydrated throughout the event with our bar station and beverages from our partners at Dio. And of course we made sure that everyone left full of delicious treats from stations representing the breadth of our menus and partners.

At Katchkie Deli, named after our organic farm in upstate New York and featuring a vegan take on the classic NY Reuben with a Pastrami Cured Butternut Squash on Herbed Focaccia.

We shared our Momofuku Station, a collaboration with Momofuku to prepare and share their recipes at events, sharing Charred Eggplant Dip; Tingly Lamb; Chilled Spicy Noodles; Ginger Scallion Noodles; Spicy Pork Rice Cakes; Wagyu Ragu Rice Cakes; Shiitake Bao; Brisket Bao; Bing Bread.

Our friends at Russ & Daughters hosted a station featuring Bagel Chips; Latkes; Wild Alaskan Salmon Roe; Trout Roe; Smoked Salmon.

We worked with JJ Johnson to bring FIELDTRIP to the party with their fan favorite Short Rib & Carolina Rice Bowl and Quinoa Falafel & Wild Rice Bowl.

We rounded out the menu with our Pan African Station serving a variety of dishes that represent different regions across Africa: Chapati (East African Flatbread); Zaalouk (Moroccan Vegetable Dip); Burkina Faso Chicken Brochette; Senegalese Jollof Rice; Khudraat Mashwiyya (Moroccan Spiced Roasted Vegetables); Kelewele (Ghanian Sweet Plantain); and Tanzanian Tofu Curry.

We were thrilled to receive a number of citations and proclamations including a Citation of Merit from Vanessa L. Gibson, President of the Borough of The Bronx; and a proclamation from Mayor Eric Adams declaring March 11, 2024 Great Performances Day in New York City!

It was an incredibly joyous event, and we lived up to our Mission of Unleashing Joy through Genuine Hospitality. We love throwing parties with our clients; and we love even more having them over at our own home and throwing a party for them!

 

40+4 Video

Video credit: Hechler Photographers

Great Performances Through the Years


 

Gallery images credit Hechler Photographers

WOLLMAN RINK CELEBRATES ITS THIRD SEASON WITH GREAT PERFORMANCES

By Stacy Shuster, Wollman Rink

At Great Performances, we’ve been thrilled to partner with Wollman Rink since it’s reopening three years ago. We’ve captured the spirit of New York City with our menus featured at the Cafe and through our partnership with Melba’s Cafe which operates a kiosk on the overlook.

With tempting treats from hot chocolate and a Chili Bar, we’re delighted to offer delicious and warming dishes that can accommodate a variety of dietary preferences.

Learn more about our partnership with Wollman Park Partners (WPP), a join venture between HSBE, Related Companies, and Equinox below.

 

Featured in iconic films such as Serendipity and Home Alone 2, Central Park’s Wollman Rink has become an everlasting symbol of New York City. The ice skating rink kicked off another ice season in October and welcomed tourists from across the globe to experience a picturesque holiday season in NYC.

As the venue’s food and beverage partner, Great Performances introduced skaters to a variety of new options this season to enjoy at Wollman Rink’s rinkside cafe. The latest cozy treats included a Build Your Own Chili Bar featuring vegan options and a Pasta Station with bolognese, alfredo, and a rotating chef’s special. Also new this season is the Sundae Station with a variety of ice cream flavors and toppings to create some frozen magic alongside a signature Hot Chocolate Bar for a cozy treat.

In addition to introducing new options, Great Performances brought back some fan favorites including the Wollman Smash Burger (secret sauce, cheddar cheese, pickles, potato bun), which is also available as a Vegan Smash Burger, and the classic New York Style Hot Dog with the classic toppings available all beef or vegan. To enhance some of these favorite dishes, Great Performances sourced ingredients straight from their organic farm, Katchkie Farm, to bring Thunder Pickles and Katchkie Hot Sauce to Central Park.

For upscale corporate and private events, Great Performances has introduced enhanced catering packages to be enjoyed for both full venue buyouts or intimate private events in the rinkside tents. The new catering packages include a carving station with options like a delectable filet mignon, brie fondue, artisanal cheese boards, and a raw bar with fresh seafood and sauces.

Wollman Rink is celebrating its third season of operation by Wollman Park Partners (WPP) – a joint venture between HBSE, Related Companies and Equinox. With the evolving and creative menus from Great Performances, Wollman Rink continues to serve both New Yorkers and tourists alike as a dynamic culinary destination.

When it comes to choosing the perfect season for your wedding, summer holds a special appeal for many couples. From vibrant outdoor backdrops to longer daylight hours that stretch celebrations into golden evenings, the advantages are endless.

 

In this article, Amanda, GP’s resident wedding expert and seasoned event director, brings her extensive experience—gained from working on hundreds of weddings across New York City’s most sought-after venues—to highlight the top three reasons why a summer wedding could be the ideal choice.

 

Whether you’re envisioning a chic city rooftop or a scenic outdoor ceremony, Amanda’s insider insights will help you make the most of every summer advantage while crafting an unforgettable celebration.

 

#1 Fruitful Farmland

Encouraged by the early spring rain, farms are at peak production, providing a wide variety of fresh produce to incorporate in your menu. Few fruits and vegetables are off limits in the summer months, making it all the more enjoyable to craft the perfect assortment of dishes to accompany your big day. Our very own organic farm in Hudson Valley, Katchkie Farm, is always a source of great inspiration to us here at GP, especially during the summer season.

#2 Fun Food Activations

Drawing from nostalgic summers past, implementing related fun food activations is a perk of planning a wedding for the warmer months. Ice cream trucks and pool-side inspired petit fours are both engaging and delicious, sure to be enjoyed by all of your guests.

#3 Flourishing Florals

If sand’s not your thing, no worries! A lush garden wedding is guaranteed to be just as much of a hit. Similar to the flourishing farm, gardens everywhere will be in full bloom, making for the perfect fairytale-style setting in which you can begin your Happily Ever After.

Main photo by Daniel Chen (Chennergy)

2022 IN PHOTOS

By Great Performances

What an adventure 2022 has been! Coming out of pandemic to a flurry of events from company events and employee gatherings to fundraisers and galas; from intimate dinners to lavish weddings! It’s been wonderful gathering and celebrating with all of you.

With so many photos to choose from, we’ve selected a few of our favorites that capture the spirit of 2022.

GP ARTISTS - UPCOMING EVENTS

Our Great Performances Artists have been busy! Check out some of their creative and artistic endeavors below!

ASHTON HEYL

Egg Party, a short film I co-wrote and acted in, will have its World Premiere at Cinequest Film Festival. The Festival runs March 20th-30th, and tickets are 99 cents to view any time during that period. Tickets are at https://creatics.org/cinejoy, and our website with a trailer to the film is www.eggpartyfilm.com. We were also awarded the Panavision New Filmmaker Award to make the film. The Story: In late spring, six powerhouse women gather together in a Brooklyn apartment for a not-so-sober egg decorating party to support one of their own struggling with fertility. As the afternoon unfolds, the strength of their laughter and friendship creates new birth.

JENNIFER HIEMSTRA

Will be performing in a choral concert with Ember Choral Arts on March 26-27th with musical messages of bridging divides, and later this summer will be joining the U.S. Army as a vocalist in their Regional Band career field!

KEVIN HORNE

I have a TikTok account that features all things New York City. While part of GP’s delivery teams for the Get Food NYC project during the first 7 months of the pandemic. I became fascinated with the outdoor seating areas that restaurants were building. There seemed to be no way for people to know what a given restaurant was building, so I showcased local businesses. It’s since grown into a channel featuring anything and everything about this wonderful city we call home. I post to other social media, but TikTok is where my audience is- 56K and growing!

DANIEL LERNER

I just released my new single in anticipation of my upcoming EP (due later in 2022). The single is called Harvest the Moon. https://fanlink.to/htm.

JEROME BROOKS JR

Composer & Performer

I was a 2021 #CityArtistCorps Grant recipient for my original musical. Since I want to also create opportunities for fellow GP Actors to perform I cast Philip Eng in one of the roles and the 1 night event presentation was SOLD OUT. SOCIAL DISTANCE Musical follows a week amidst the Coronavirus where four multiethnic New York artist friends unite via technology while in quarantine at the start of the pandemic: a black musician, a Chinese gamer, a South East Asian medical student and a BIPOC Social Media Influencer. In the spirit of Lieber and Stoller, Ain’t Misbehavin, Jesus Christ Superstar, and Songs for a New World, SOCIAL DISTANCE is a sung through musical . The presentation took place at the OFF-Broadway PLAYERS THEATRE Oct. 27th, 2021 This is a link to the Broadway World Article: https://www.broadwayworld.com/article/Musical-Theatre-Composer-Jerome-Brooks-Jr-Recognized-with-City-Artists-Corp-Grant-20210909 These are the social media links to relive the show with hopes it will progress to a possible bigger opportunity for all involved🤞🏾

ADDITIONAL LINKS

Personal / Professional

Other

Musical

YULEIMA

Music Producer

Yelitza (my twin sister) and I work with Linda Briceño aka Ella Bric, a two-time Latin Grammy winner and the first woman to win as Producer of the Year. When the quarantine started we thought that our block needed a little help at the 7 pm clap for essential workers. So one day, after coming back from delivering meals for the elderly, with the help of a friend, we set up the speakers in a window and asked Ella to play her trumpet while Yelitza played the tambourine and I played the maracas from the street. Well, the neighbors loved our mini-concert so much that one day became three months. Every day at 7 pm “La trompeta de Harlem” came out and played for 10 minutes. First by herself, but later with many well-known musicians that wanted to join the cause.

People came in from all over Harlem, the Upper West Side, Long Ilsand City and even New Jersey. They came out from their windows, their balconies, fire escapes, and some of them stayed in their cars while many were on the street.

We were featured on the local news, on Univision, CNN, on an AT&T commercial, and on the first documentary for YouTube Originals called “Aislados”.

On October 16th at 7 pm, Ella Bric will be played at the Lincoln Center: Gold Sessions at the Hearst Plaza.

SANTOS IRWIN

Photographer

In 2018 I had the great opportunity to visit Uganda and Rwanda.

I got to see amazing animal life and meet remarkable people while learning about the roots “where it all began”. 

These portraits are of some of the children I met along the way.

Every child welcomed me with a smile or laugh and it opened my eyes and heart even more. 

Many kids have to trek miles for school, necessities, work and water. 

Each child had such a presence when they talked to me.

The purity and kindness of the children reminded me that we must treat each other with love and respect.

I thought this would tie in with what is happening in our world today.

With Black Lives Matter we all have to stop looking at our differences the hate and anger has to be turned into love, acceptance and understanding. These images help to remind me during these turbulent times of the saying I heard while in Africa “One Blood, One World”.

NY's Waiters Sing Their Hearts Out

NY's Waiters Sing Their Hearts Out

It’s a different holiday season for us. We’re not throwing parties and our gifted waiters aren’t able to extend their skills and talents to provide the gracious service you’ve associated with our events. Instead, NY’s Waiters Sing Their Hearts Out as Great Performances’ incredibly talented team members share their talents in song, story, and music to help spread holiday cheer in your homes.

ABOUT THE PREFORMERS

Aubrey Barnes

Come, O Come Emmanuel

The Christmas Song

Christmas Medley (Live)

Aubrey Barnes is indeed the musical doyen of multi-genre song.  His current project, the debut of his jazz standards CD, in the spring of 2021, is his passionate focus for the time being.  He’s actually fond of sharing the fact that the venerable Frank Owens, pianist to the stars and former Johnny Mathis pianist, is his pianist for his debut CD.  “The CD will showcase an impressive array of familiar and uncommon songs from the primer songbook, ‘The American Songbook…’ “ Aubrey shares.  Aubrey credits and thanks his Mother for his lifelong artistry, for her personal example and for her love and support.  “Hearing Aubrey sing is nothing short of receiving a spiritual transmission.  He sings from such an intensely personal place that it immediately becomes universal; the audience is included, embraced and uplifted.  Aubrey Barnes is a stunning vocalist and a deeply powerful performer.  He will make you want to live more fully, love, laugh and cry.  Aubrey Barnes brings the magic-inspiring audiences in this hurting, yet still precious world.”  Hilary James

Website: aubreybarnes.com

Caitlin Borek

Grown Up Christmas List

I’m Caitlin Borek. I hail from the midwest but I’ve called NYC my home for nearly 5 years now. GP was a huge reason I was able to flourish in this grand city, with it’s flexible hours, solid pay, and the artists they hire. It’s the best kind of environment for a hustling performer. I studied musical theatre, and am currently performing in a Christmas Concert up in Wisconsin. The theatre has gone above and beyond with safety measures due to Covid-19, including occupying the house at only 25% capacity, installing iodizers in the filtration system, social distancing the audience and requiring the use of masks, and keeping the 4 singers 8ft away from everyone at all times. This piece I submitted is one of the songs from the show. I love how it captures the desire for peace and love in these trying times, and I wanted to share that sense of optimism. 

www.caitlinborek.com
IG @sea2bee2
Tiktok @caitlinborek

Chandra Albritton

The Man with the Bag

Chandra Albritton is a singer/actor originally for Maryland. She has worked in various theatre in Virginia, Wisconsin, Florida, and New York. She is currently keeping herself busy with classes and working on her film reel. You can find her vocal work at http://www.youtube.com/user/PinkChan09 and acting work at https://vimeo.com/user66398098. 

Ellen Christi

Merry Christmas Baby

Santa Baby

Since the mid-seventies, Ellen Christi has steadily gained ground as an important contributor to American improvised music and contemporary jazz. As a composer/vocalist, Ms. Christi has worked in varying performance venues ranging from multi-media theatrical productions to solo vocal concerts. She has also been an active advocate in supporting innovative performing artists through organizations that she has co-founded or directed. Presently, she has reopened Christi Sound Studios and has begun  recording and editing podcasts and also teaching vocal technique and vocal improvisation. You can find more information at her website www.ellenchristi.com.

Jason Lee

The Laughing Heart

Jason Lee is an actor/singer from Taiwan currently based in New York, and is a Lee Strasberg Theatre and Film Institute. Recent credits include Eighty-12 (Amazon Prime Video), Richard III (American Theatre of Actors), Gypsy (Heights Players), Here To Recruit You (Wild Project) and Yell-Low (Dixon Place). He has also acted in an original French play he co-wrote with friends, and a theatrical adaptation of Franz Kafka’s The Metamorphosis which won the Excellence Award of Taipei Fringe Festival. His latest work CherryBomb will launch on Amazon Prime Video in March 2021.

www.jasonchlee.com
Instagram: @jason.c.h.lee

Jerome Brooks, Jr.

Jerome Brooks, Jr. is a SAG-AFTRA/ AEA Actor/ Composer.

FaceBook: @JeromeBrooksMusicFans
Twitter: @JeromeBrooksJr
Instagram: @JeromeBrooksMusic
YouTube: @Azeyol

Kat Liz Kramer

Christmas Medley (Live)

Kat Liz Kramer – American Singer Songwriter.  Favorite past credits include: Cabaret- This Is Me at Don’t Tell Mama, David Drumgold’s variety show, Kat Liz Kramer & Friends, and Mondays, mondaysintheclub.com Theatre- Smokey Joe’s Cafe 20th Anniversary(National tour) Man in The Mirror(World tour) Hero, An Origin Story as Rea(NYMF), Single Room Occupancy as Crystal(Fringe), Anything Goes as Reno Sweeney(regional), Special guest on Rising Star(BeTerrificTV) Kat’s original music can be found on all streaming platforms with My Wonderland Special Edition. She is currently recording her first full length album using Broadway musicians and production staff affected by the COVID shutdown. The world may have stopped but the music lives on. Kat was the first artist in residence for We Light www.welighthome.com another way to bring a bright light in times as these.

https://gf.me/u/yz5g93
https://music.apple.com/us/album/my-wonderland-special-edition/1536264382
Instagram & Facebook @katlizkramer
katlizkramer.com

Kat is a proud member of Actors Equity.

Kendrick Mitchell

This Christmas

Kendrick is a New York based actor and singer originally from Houston, Texas. He has toured the country, and sailed the seas with the Tony Award winning show, After Midnight. You can catch him on select Wednesdays and Saturdays at the Seville, jamming alongside his bandmates.

Instagram: @KendrickMitchellOfficial
Website: KendrickMitchell.com

Kevin Horne

Kevin is an actor, writer, director, and producer. He has performed in many regional productions, and although you probably don’t remember it, he sold you something via various commercials on TV. For seven years he produced the 90X Arts Festival, which was a showcase of the professional talent working at GP where shows such as Into the Woods, Little Shop of Horrors, and Urinetown were presented. He wrote the modern day farce Death Is a Waltz (affectionately described as Weekend at Bernie’s meets Chopped) which was being presented just as the pandemic hit, so be on the lookout for that when things get back to “normal“. You can follow him on TikTok and Instagram @NightWindNYC where he makes short videos showcasing restaurants in New York City.  He also finds it awkward writing about himself in the third person.

Lauren E King

The Spirit of Christmas

Lauren E King is an actor, singer, dancer, and NYC transplant from Lilburn, GA. After obtaining her BA in Theatre and BA in Advertising from the University of Georgia (’19), she joined the North American tour of PAW Patrol Live! The Great Pirate Adventure! as Mayor Goodway. After the cancellation of the tour from COVID and moving to New York, she performed in a workshop production of Homeless Garden with Refracted Theatre Company and is now channeling her energy into song covers and crafting her voiceover reel. Off stage you can find her admiring bodega cats while running errands as a Personal Assistant. She would like to thank her friends and family for their continuous outpour of love and support and the Universe for having a wicked sense of humor when it comes to making your plans into bigger and better things. 

Youtube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCrOcnAZdcb77m46vUkag0vw?view_as=subscriber

Instagram: @ren.elizabeth.king 

Mark Donato

Panis  Angelicus by César Franck

A “jack of all trades:” Mark Donato is a professional singer of 33 years, and Vinyasa Yoga (& Meditation) instructor of 22 years. He also worked professionally as a Tap Dancer for 15 years; doing National & International tours of Broadway shows; like “42nd Street,” “Crazy For You,” “The Will Rogers Follies,” & “State Fair.”

The last 15 years have been primarily focused as a classical tenor doing choral work in several concerts & Opera’s. Much of which have been with The American Symphony Orchestra, and the Bard Music Festival. Mark sang at Carnegie Hall 15 times. Once as a soloist! He also has an extensive history singing in Churches & Synagogues; much of which is as a Cantor/Chanter in Catholic Churches.

Within all of that, Mark also has a long history performing on cruise ships with companies like Holland America, and Celebrity.

Working in the Catering industry all these years is what makes this performing arts lifestyle possible.

Michael Fisher

SnowBirds

I’m an AEA actor and a U.S. Army veteran.  I love camping, hiking, and just being outdoors with friends and family. My dream house would have a woodworking shop in the back yard and a big wraparound porch where I could sit and play guitar in the evening. I love riding motorcycles and I am newly engaged to be married and my favorite color is orange!

https://soundcloud.app.goo.gl/ozAeoCqEuwuuwDHCA

Trifon Dimitrov

Alone Together

Christmas Time Is Here

Trifon Dimitrov was born in Pleven, Bulgaria. After graduating the National Academy of Music in Sofia, Bulgaria in 2002, Trifon moved to Frankfurt, Germany where he studied and performed till 2004. In 2004 he began studying at Brooklyn-Queens Conservatory of Music in New York, USA. He is

honored to be a student of the jazz legend Ron Carter. Trifon has performed at numerous Jazz Festivals, clubs, TV, Radio and Broadway shows. Currently based in New York, Trifon actively performs in USA and around the world.

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