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TSQ LIVE, A New Public Programming Initiative Will Bring Live Concerts, DJ Sets, Comedy & more to the Crossroads of the World
New York, NY – May 4, 2022 – This spring, the Times Square Alliance ramps up their plaza programming, marking the district’s most robust season of open-air live offerings to-date. TSQ LIVE will feature music, dance, comedy and more—free and accessible to the growing number of New Yorkers and visitors alike headed to the Crossroads of the World.
Each year in the warmer months, the Times Square Alliance celebrates New York City’s vibrant arts community with free performances in our public plazas. The newly rebranded TSQ LIVE is a continuation of this annual programming, showcasing the incredible diversity of talent that our district and city have to offer across a spectrum of engaging artforms, including live music, DJ sets, dance workshops, public art installations, comedy hours, and more. The open-air series brings together artists, performers, and cultural partners to share their work on one of the world’s most iconic public stages, and in turn, New Yorkers and visitors alike have the chance to experience the rich landscape of arts and culture that make our city so special.
Kicking off TSQ LIVE in May on our new stage located at 46th and Broadway, are two engaging performance series, curated by two iconic cultural institutions, and presented by Morgan Stanley.
LAUNCHING IN MAY
JAZZ in TIMES SQUARE with Jazz at Lincoln Center
Presented by Morgan Stanley
Thursdays, May 5 - June 16 | 5pm
Broadway and 46th St
Give your Thursday night a new rhythm. Jazz at Lincoln Center joins us this summer to bring New York City’s jazz scene to Broadway, creating the feeling of an intimate club amidst the lights and sounds of Times Square.
On Thursday, we’ll be presenting Alphonso Horne’s Gotham Kings, a high energy immersive jazz experience. Two-time Grammy nominated trumpeter Alphonso Horne has put together a band that weaves the sound of New Orleans into a rich musical fabric that demonstrates the history of the trumpet and the story of jazz.
Click here to register for a free concert.
Thursday, May 5: Alphonso Horne's Gotham Kings
Thursday, May 12: Clotter Prime Time Band
Thursday, May 19: Summer Camargo Quintet
Thursday, May 26: New Jazz Underground
Thursday, June 2: Jeremy Bosch Sextet
Thursday, June 9: Immigrantet featuring Juan Diego Villalobos, Nicola Caminiti, Hamish Smith and Timothy Angulo
Thursday, June 16: Josanne Francis
DANCE in TIMES SQUARE with Ailey Extension
Presented by Morgan Stanley
Fridays, May 6 - June 17 | 5pm
Broadway and 46th St
Alvin Ailey brings its “real classes for real people” to Times Square for a series of free outdoor workshops by Ailey Extension instructors. Each Friday, fun for all unfolds with participatory, high-spirited dance sessions, ranging from the iconic choreography of Ailey’s Revelations, to West African dance, mambo, and more at the Crossroads of the World. Marking Ailey’s first-ever classes on Broadway, the public is invited to move and groove through this series right into NYC Dance Week with the two closing dance events on June 10 and 17.
The inaugural class will feature Director of Ailey Extension and former Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater Company member Lisa Johnson-Willingham teaching a lively crowd the iconic choreography from Alvin Ailey’s must-see masterpiece Revelations (1960), which has inspired more people around the world than any other work of American modern dance with its themes of determination, hope, faith and joy.
Click here to register for a free class.
Friday, May 6: Revelations Workshop with Lisa Johnson-Willingham
Friday, May 13: West African with Maguette Camara
Friday, May 20: Zumba with Jose Ozuna
Friday, May 27: NY Style Mambo with Katherine Jimenez
Friday, June 3: Masala Bhangra with Sarina Jain
Friday, June 10: Hip Hop with Jonathan Lee (part of NYC Dance Week)
Friday, June 17: Broadway Jazz with Judine Somerville (part of NYC Dance Week)
In addition to supporting ‘Jazz in Times Square’ with Jazz at Lincoln Center and ‘Dance in Times Square’ with Ailey Extension, Morgan Stanley is also presenting three Carnegie Hall concerts September 9, 16, and 23 for TSQ LIVE.
“TSQ LIVE is a celebration of both Times Square’s history as a cultural district and its ongoing role as a space for free creative expression that is open to all, and we are beyond excited to bring so many talented artists and cultural producers together for a truly diverse and engaging lineup of events this summer,” said Jean Cooney, VP of Arts and Culture, Times Square Alliance.
MORE IN JUNE AND BEYOND
“We are thrilled to see New Yorkers and tourists continuing to return to the heart of New York City,” said Tom Harris, President of the Times Square Alliance. “Over the past few weeks, we’ve seen a steady increase of daily pedestrian count in Times Square’s plazas, along with new local businesses opening in the district over the past few months. In addition, with 16 new Broadway shows debuting this spring, coupled with our diverse programming from live entertainment to public art displays and more, we look forward to welcoming all to our vibrant district throughout the warmer months.”
In addition to TSQ LIVE, Times Square will stage signature events and host partner initiatives for a full season of arts, culture, and entertainment including the Broadway Grand Gallery exhibition with giant Playbills filling Times Square celebrating Broadway, Solstice in Times Square: Mind Over Madness Yoga’s 20th annual event, and exciting new public art offerings from Times Square Arts.
From mid to late-March 2022, the daily average pedestrian count in Times Square’s plazas increased to 300,000 with a weekend daily average at 334,000. On March 19, 2022, over 342,000 people came through Times Square which is only 9% down from the same day in 2019 before the pandemic. Compared to 2021, the daily average during the same time of year was 110,000 with the weekend at 158,000. Pre-pandemic levels averaged at 346,000 with weekend average at 376,000. With hotels regularly seeing over 80% occupancy and two new hotels opening recently, 16 new Broadway shows opening in April with a total of 36 currently running, as well as numerous businesses opening each week, the Times Square Alliance is pleased to add this free, live programming to the mix.
For more information, visit www.timessquarenyc.org and follow the Times Square Alliance on Twitter @TimesSquareNYC, Instagram @TimesSquareNYC and Facebook @TimesSquareNYC.
For more information about Times Square Arts, visit www.tsq.org/arts and follow on Instagram @TSqArts.
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About Times Square Alliance: The Times Square Alliance works to improve and promote Times Square - cultivating the creativity, energy and edge that have made the area an icon of entertainment, culture, and urban life for over a century. Founded in 1992, the Alliance keeps the neighborhood clean and safe, promotes local businesses, manages area improvements and produces major annual events with partners including New Year's Eve, Solstice in Times Square and Taste of Times Square. As the custodians of Times Square, the Alliance works every day to improve the quality of life for the neighborhood residents and businesses while driving economic growth in New York City. www.TSq.org
About Times Square Arts: Times Square Arts, the public art program of the Times Square Alliance, collaborates with contemporary artists and cultural institutions to experiment and engage with one of the world's most iconic urban places. Through the Square's electronic billboards, public plazas, vacant areas and popular venues, and the Alliance's own online landscape, Times Square Arts invites leading contemporary creators to help the public see Times Square in new ways. Times Square has always been a place of risk, innovation and creativity, and the Arts Program ensures these qualities remain central to the district's unique identity. Generous support of Times Square Arts is provided by the Rockefeller Brothers Fund; the National Endowment for the Arts; the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of Governor Kathy Hochul and the New York State Legislature; and public funds from the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs in partnership with the City Council. Additional support for Midnight Moment is provided by the New York State Council on the Arts, the National Endowment for the Arts, and the Times Square Advertising Coalition. Visit TSq.org/Arts for more information. Follow us on Instagram at @TSqArts.
About Morgan Stanley: Morgan Stanley (NYSE: MS) is a leading global financial services firm providing a wide range of investment banking, securities, wealth management and investment management services. With offices in 41 countries, the Firm’s employees serve clients worldwide including corporations, governments, institutions and individuals. For further information about Morgan Stanley, please visit www.morganstanley.com.
Media Contacts
TJ Witham: tjwitham@timessquarenyc.org
Shin-Jung Hong: ShinJung@nicholaslence.com
Ali Rigo: ali@culturalcounsel.com
Lauren Gagnon: lauren@culturalcounsel.com
