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Governors Island to Host Philharmonic, moe., and More
By
John Del Signore
Published Apr 9, 2008
Modified Apr 9, 2008
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By
John Del Signore
Published Apr 9, 2008
Modified Apr 9, 2008
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Although the proposed redesign to Governors Island won’t be finished until at least 2013, the island’s administrators are coming up with plenty of reasons to pay a visit today. Starting May 31st, the island, which has expansive parks, a full-circle bike path, former military bases and a spectacular view of Brooklyn and lower Manhattan, will be open on more days and for longer hours than ever before. And the calendar of concerts and events is said to be expanding.
Most noteworthy is a just-announced free concert by the New York Philharmonic, which will mark their first visit to Governors Island and a new stop on their annual Concerts in the Parks summer series. Set for Saturday July 5th, the program promises works by Rossini, Copland, and Rimsky-Korsakov, as well as Tchaikovsky’s 1812 Overture, accompanied by the requisite fireworks display. The orchestra will perform on the island’s Parade Grounds, with the Lower Manhattan skyline as a backdrop.
On the other end of the musical spectrum, moe., jam band keepers of the Phish phlame, are playing a gig on June 15th as part of the Highline Ballroom’s Governor’s Island concert series. These shows, which so far include the Grateful Dead tribute band Dark Star Orchestra and The Saw Doctors, are definitely not free. But Olafur Eliasson's ambitious NYC Waterfalls costs nothing, and visitors to the island will be able to marvel at his 120-foot tall waterfall on Governors Island's north shore, facing the Battery. For more information, check out the island's website.
Photo: Andrew Moore
Tagged
concerts
dark star orchestra
free
governors island
moe
New York Philharmonic
olafur eliasson
The Saw Doctors
John Del Signore
Originally from the Albany area, John Del Signore has called NYC home since 1995. In addition to his thousands of meticulously-crafted bespoke blog posts for Gothamist, his writing has also been published in The Awl, Deadspin, The Nervous Breakdown, and performed at The Brick Theater in Brooklyn.
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Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
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