River To River Returns!

This weekend, as part of its 40th Anniversary year, the Lower Manhattan Cultural Council (LMCC) launches the 2013 edition of the annual River To River Festival – downtown’s completely free summer arts festival. From June 15–July 14, enjoy a number of contemporary dance, theatre, music, and interactive projects by notable companies and performers in both traditional and unexpected Lower Manhattan locations.

“River To River is as much about the built environment and neighborhoods between the Hudson and East rivers as it is about the diverse range of cultural experiences offered,” says Sam Miller, Lower Manhattan Cultural Council President. “From large outdoor stages to storefronts, from university theaters to the intersection of Broad & Wall, River To River is often where you least expect it. This year, over 60 artists will respond to the iconic locations as well as timely social issues and ideas through their movement, projection, sculpture, writing and sound. Through River To River we encourage everyone to discover their own Lower Manhattan.”

Below are a few highlighted performances that you may want to check out this year.  For the full 2013 River To River Festival schedule, you can download their official brochure here or visit their website by clicking here.  As a proud sponsor of R2R, festival programming details are also available on the Downtown Alliance website and mobile app.

BANG ON A CAN MARATHON
Jun 16 | 1–10pm
Michael Schimmel Center for the Arts
Music Co-presented with Pace University

A non-stop, nine-hour super-mix of boundary-busting music from around the corner and around the globe. Experience an astonishing range of musical styles, including contemporary sounds, fresh voices, and an unmatched diversity of performances all in one place.  This year’s marathon includes performances by: Alarm Will Sound, Asphalt Orchestra, Bang On A Can All-Stars, Brooklyn Youth Chorus, Le Cabaret Contemporain, Hotel Elefant, Talea Ensemble, Talk Normal, TILT Brass, Shara Worden, and more.

RASHAUN MITCHELL & SILAS REINER – REVEAL
Jul 3, 5 & 6 | 1:30pm
Elevated Acre

r e v e a l  is a site-specific dance work. It includes transformation, nature, magic, latex, flaying, ecstasy, skin, hair, creatures, monsters, fantasy, aggression, impulses, the future, peristalsis, masks, perception, articulation, control, freedom, exertion, underwater trees, silk, minotaurs, semiotics, aliens, animals, sorcery, urgency, agency, fluency, and the translational acts of communicating through space and movement.

IMPROV EVERYWHERE – THE MP3 EXPERIMENT
Jul 14 | 3pm, 7pm
Exact location TBA (near the South Street Seaport)
Co-presented with Improv Everywhere

Chaos, joy, and pure fun—that’s what you can expect to experience when you join this participatory public event. Participants download an mp3 file, arrive at the designated destination, and then see what happens when everyone presses play all at the same time! Watch the trailer here. Creators: Charlie Todd & Tyler Walker

River To River was founded in 2002 by American Express, the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, the Alliance for Downtown New York, Arts Brookfield, Battery Park City Authority, Lower Manhattan Cultural Council, and South Street Seaport.  For a full list of this year’s sponsors, click here.