Hosted by MacArthur Fellow and Grammy Award-winning mandolinist, singer, songwriter Chris Thile and featuring special guests Cécile McLorin Salvant and Sullivan Fortner, Zakir Hussain and Ganesh Rajagopalan, Emily King, Damon Daunno, and Timo Andres (with more to be announced soon), the concert will commemorate the remarkable history of The Town Hall.
The Town Hall’s centennial concert in Bryant Park commences the storied hall’s centennial season. The evening will pay tribute to the great artists and art forms that the hall nurtured and introduced to New York City. Known for being at the vanguard, the Town Hall held the concert hall debuts of many great artists like Marian Anderson, Isaac Stern, Billie Holiday, Glenn Gould, Leontyne Price, Nina Simone, Bob Dylan, Coretta Scott King and João Gilberto, among others. From 1935 - 1956, The Town Hall hosted America’s Town Meeting of the Air, one of the first of the radio “talk shows,” a program which featured guests, scholars, and experts who discussed important issues of the day. Over its two decade run, the program’s guests included Eleanor Roosevelt, Langston Hughes, Earl Browder, Senator Joseph McCarthy, Carl Sandburg, Pearl Buck and Mary McLeod Bethune.
MacArthur Fellow and Grammy Award-winning mandolinist, singer, songwriter Chris Thile, who The Guardian calls “that rare being: an all-round musician who can settle into any style, from bluegrass to classical,” and NPR calls a “genre-defying musical genius,” is a founding member of the critically acclaimed bands Punch Brothers and Nickel Creek. For four years, Thile hosted public radio favorite Live from Here with Chris Thile (formerly known as A Prairie Home Companion). With his broad outlook, Thile creates a distinctly American canon and a new musical aesthetic for performers and audiences alike, giving the listener “one joyous arc, with the linear melody and vertical harmony blurring into a single web of gossamer beauty” (The New York Times). Most recently, Chris released Laysongs on Nonesuch.
“It is very exciting to mark our 100th landmark year for The Town Hall with this celebratory concert in Bryant Park, hosted by the great Chris Thile,” said Artistic Director Melay Araya. “As live entertainment in New York gets re-energized for a Fall opening, we know our centennial season will be our best yet with varied programming, thought-provoking conversations, and most of all, our live audiences.”
For anyone unable to attend in person, a free livestream broadcast of the performance will be available nationwide via Bryant Park’s website and social media platforms, thanks to the generous support of Bank of America. Additional support for on-site events is provided by Amazon.
The event is free and open to the public. The Park opens at 5:30pm for in person attendance.
Sections for Seating
1: Vaccinated and Tested Section
Attendees wishing to sit on the west side of the lawn must provide on-site digital or physical proof of full vaccination or a recent negative COVID-19 test along with a government issued photo ID.
We encourage attendees to wear masks during the check-in process. Masks are not required once vaccinated or tested attendees are seated.
Attendees are welcome to enjoy food and drink from one of our many park vendors, or bring their own, for a picnic on the lawn.
Attendees can bring a blanket or use a park chair.
2: Distanced Section
Unvaccinated or untested attendees may sit in our socially distanced section. Masks are strongly encouraged until patrons are seated and properly socially distanced (six feet from other parties at all times).
Once seated and properly socially distanced, tested attendees are welcome to enjoy food and drink.
Attendees will sit in park chairs; no outside blankets or chairs allowed.
Please do not attend if you are unwell.
3: Open Seating Section
Additional non-distanced seating is available off the Bryant Park Lawn on park grounds at attendees' discretion.
Please do not attend if you are unwell.
As New York State and City safety guidelines for public gatherings quickly change in response to the ongoing success of NYC's COVID-19 vaccination program, Bryant Park continues to reassess its on-site protocols for upcoming shows with the intention of safely accommodating as many attendees as possible. For the most current guidelines, program updates and additional venue information and restrictions, please visit bryantpark.org/picnics.