The Return of the Arts
As the days grow longer and the seasons change, new life and new hope begins to take hold in theater, dance, museums, music, and all kinds of in-person live events.
WNDW has been a staunch ally of the arts since our beginning, working with many of the greatest artists and institutions in the history of their respective genres. The friends we’ve made, and that have made us, continue to thrive and inspire.
Hundreds of organizations are opening up all across the country this Spring. Here are three annual events from world-famous New York City institutions, back and ready to thrill:
MoMA – Uniqlo NYC Nights
The Museum of Modern Art has provided visitors free admission every Friday evening since 2013. The pandemic suspended the program for a couple years, but it’s back this year as UNIQLO NYC Nights, starting with the first Friday of each month, now through August. MoMA offers free public access to its vast collection of modern art, as well as exhibitions and film programs.
As part of the partnership, UNIQLO has been granted a license to offer a collection of apparel inspired by works of MoMA artists. According to MoMA Senior Deputy Director of External Affairs Todd Bishop, “Making art accessible to everyone is at the heart of MoMA’s mission, and our partnership with UNIQLO plays a key role in introducing our collection to new audiences.” Advance reservations are required so check the MoMA website for more info.
The Apollo Theater – Africa Now! Festival
The world famous Apollo Theater is hosting music and entertainment from the African continent, as it continues to drive trends across all facets of culture around the globe. The Apollo’s Africa Now! Festival returns for its eighth year to celebrate the best cultural innovators from the African Diaspora. Presented in partnership with Bob Sumner (producer of Def Comedy Jam, creator of LaffMobb on Aspire), the Apollo Comedy Club celebrates these rich comedic roots, featuring the best emerging talent in comedy today featuring Akintunde, Alfred Kainga, Marcela Onyango, and Yedoye Travis with music by DJ Qool Marv.
Apollo’s Music Café will be showcasing the talents of Nkumu Katalay who blends the music of his homeland with contemporary sounds from the Americas to create a rhythmic Afrobeat unlike any other. He is joined by Nigerian producer and curator DJ YB (a.k.a. “The General of Afrobeats”) for an energetic performance that will have audiences on their feet and dancing from start to finish.
New York City Center Encores! – The Life
Having worked on the original 1997 Broadway production of ‘The Life’, this New York City Center Encores! reintroduction has special meaning for us. Encores! Is celebrating its 28th year with ‘The Life’, nominated for 12 Tony Awards (including Best Musical). The story of Queen, and her fellow sex workers, who strive for a better life against all oppressive forces in post-disco Times Square.
The Life tells the story of Queen, and her fellow sex workers, who strive for a better life against all oppressive forces in posEmmy and Tony Award-winning artist Billy Porter (FX’s Pose, Kinky Boots) reclaims this musical as this production’s adapter and director to bring forth the gritty, dangerous, and exciting decadence of 1980s New York City and an authenticity to the lives of sex workers. Presented by New York City Center which has championed the work of extraordinary artists and inspired audiences with vibrant programming since the theater was founded nearly 80 years ago by Mayor Fiorello La Guardia.
