by Howard Morrel & Leslie Hirsch
Discover world premieres and exciting debuts this October.
New York City’s cultural heartbeat is alive and well at Lincoln Center this fall, as the Festival of Firsts returns for its third season, running from October 2–18, 2024. This unique series celebrates artists from around the globe, all making major career milestones such as world premieres, collaborations, and Lincoln Center debuts. Best of all, the performances at the David Rubenstein Atrium are free to the public.
A Global Showcase
Audiences can look forward to a variety of musical, theatrical, and comedic artistry from Mexico, Norway, Iran, Cuba, Chile, Jordan, and local NYC talent. According to Shanta Thake, Lincoln Center’s Ehrenkranz Chief Artistic Officer, the festival is designed to break down perceived barriers, welcoming diverse artists who may have felt Lincoln Center was beyond their reach.
Spotlight Performers
Some of the standout acts this year include:
- Truth Future Bachman returns with their new work, SECOND SIGHT, an epic queer futurist narrative that blends genre-bending storytelling with heart (October 3).
- Ingrid Hansen, a puppeteer from Fraggle Rock, presents her Lincoln Center debut, Epidermis Circus, a bizarre and delightful puppet show (October 11).
- Farah Siraj, the Jordanian vocalist, brings a family-friendly world premiere with her band, fusing bossa nova, flamenco, jazz, and Middle Eastern music into a vibrant singalong experience (October 12).
A Diverse Lineup
The festival will also highlight a wide range of performances:
- Bendik Giske, the Grammy-winning Norwegian saxophonist, showcases his bold and experimental sound (October 9).
- Amina Claudine Myers, an influential composer and musician, performs a blend of jazz, gospel, and classical music (October 10).
- Alex Cuba, the Cuban-Canadian singer, merges Cuban folk with North American influences (October 16).
- Luz Elena Mendoza and her group Y la Bamba present visionary alt-pop with Mexican folk influences (October 4).