ROCKWELL GROUP, TAIT, OPENCULTUREWORKS, AND MOËT HENNESSY USA CELEBRATE THE REVIVAL OF AMERICA’S CULTURAL CAPITAL
(New York, NY) – July 7, 2021 – David Rockwell and his architecture and design firm Rockwell Group, TAIT, a global leader in design, engineering and manufacturing for live events, and
Moët Hennessy USA have joined forces with OpenCultureWORKS, a non-profit organization dedicated to bringing live performing arts programs and events to streets, parks, plazas, and other public spaces around the City. With the support of Moët Hennessy USA, a founding partner in Rockwell Group’s pro-bono DineOut NYC last summer and avid supporter of small businesses and restaurants, OpenCultureWORKS will bring free outdoor performances and programming to 10 Open Boulevards locations throughout the five boroughs. As the city’s vaccination rate increases, and we experience a revival of our communities as we know them, New Yorkers can enjoy free live entertainment and support surrounding restaurants from July through October.
Open Boulevards, the New York City Department of Transportation (DOT)’s newest public initiative will transform city streets into cultural destinations for New Yorkers and visitors. The program will collaborate with and highlight small businesses and restaurants, ensuring that vibrant communities can come back stronger, and more united than ever before. In addition to boosting outdoor dining, Open Boulevards will offer new arts, culture and community programming that will help revitalize New York City, supporting another iconic New York industry that has been devastated by the pandemic: performing arts.
Rockwell Group, who previously worked with the DOT to develop DineOut NYC, engaged with the DOT once again to help bring performances to the 10 locations. Working with artists, independent arts groups, and non-profit, community-based arts organizations,
OpenCultureWORKS will be responsible for site-specific programming beginning on July 10 and continuing into the early fall months. Upcoming events include:
- July 10, 2-6:30pm: Open Boulevards Performance Series Kick-Off Event on Columbus Avenue @ 107th Street in partnership with the Columbus/Amsterdam Business Improvement District. Performances by Mambembé NY ; Keith Nelson from Bindlestiff Family Cirkus; It’s Showtime NYC!; Jody Sperling/Time Lapse Dance; and Sonido Costeño.
- July 17: Songkran Music & Cultural Celebration on Woodside Avenue in Queens in partnership with Thai Community USA and Juttana Rimrearteate.
- August 14: B’Rhythm presented by Jiva Dance | Jiva Performing Arts on Garfield Place in Brooklyn.
The performances will feature a wide array of New York’s performing arts and music styles, from comedians, spoken word artists, and tap and modern dance companies, to indie rock and Latin jazz bands. For a full schedule of events, visit opencultureworks.com.
Two TAIT stages will travel to the following locations: Park Slope Fifth Avenue (Brooklyn),
Columbus Avenue (Manhattan) and Ditmars Boulevard (Queens). Arthur Avenue (Bronx), Vanderbilt Avenue (Brooklyn), Sunset Park Fifth Avenue (Brooklyn), Alexander Avenue (Bronx), Minthorne Street (Staten Island), and Woodside Avenue (Queens).
The stages are part of an initiative spearheaded by Rockwell Group and TAIT that kicked off earlier this year, called OpenStage NYC. Bronx Academy of Arts and Dance (BAAD!) hosted the inaugural OpenStage NYC event on June 12, the second-annual Mini Kiki Ball, marking the beginning of Pride Month celebrations and a reintegration with our communities. BAAD!’s season of programming will continue regularly throughout October.
Participating restaurants in the surrounding areas will spice up their menus with fun, celebratory cocktails curated with some of Moët Hennessy USA iconic brands, including Belvedere, Chandon, Glenmorangie, Hennessy and Volcan.
David Rockwell, set designer for many Broadway and off-Broadway productions, including She Loves Me, Hairspray, Kinky Boots, and The Normal Heart, recently launched his book, Drama, and of Illuminarium, said, “It’s such an exciting time for New York City. There’s always been something magical about the city in the summer. Now that we’re largely re-emerging from the pandemic, I’m proud to help work on this initiative that recreates a sense of community after a challenging past year. While we’ve been isolated for so long, opportunities like this remind us of the vibrant offerings, and our city’s uniqueness that sets us apart and makes our community shine.”
“Moët Hennessy is an avid supporter of small business and the restaurant community,” said Anu Rao, Vice President, Corporate Communications, Moët Hennessy USA. “We are delighted to come together with fellow hometown partners to craft this experience that honors and rejoices in the revival of this resilient city.”
Brian Levine, of TAIT, says, “We are thrilled to partner with Rockwell Group, Moët Hennessy USA and OpenCultureWORKS to bring live performance back to New York. Our expertise lends itself to this quick-to-deploy endeavor and we’re proud to put our staging inventory to good use in such a unique way, in support of the arts community. We are right there with the audiences, sharing the same excitement for outdoor performances. We’ve all been craving live entertainment and are thrilled to be able to be part of OpenStage NYC.”
Rick Murray, of OpenCultureWORKS, says, “OpenCultureWORKS is thrilled to bring New York City beautifully staged free cultural events-on streets, parks, and plazas-for all to enjoy. The donation of stages, sound equipment, and lighting gives performing artists, musicians, and community cultural groups the opportunity to present their work outdoors with high production values at very low costs. We are extremely grateful to Rockwell Group, TAIT and DOT for making this possible.”
“Thanks to Rockwell Group, TAIT, and OpenCultureWORKS, DOT will be bringing high quality productions to all 10 Open Boulevards through October, providing employment to artists and production personnel who suffered significant losses during the pandemic,” said Sean Quinn, Assistant Commissioner for Street Improvement Programs at the New York City Department of Transportation. “This initiative is just one part of our Public Space Activations plan for the summer, with pop-up learning, a circus, free theater, and more, coming to Open Streets and other public spaces around the city—with a particular emphasis on the top 33 communities hit hardest by the COVID-19 crisis.”
Please see link to rendering HERE – Credit: Rockwell Group
