Fall 2021 Update from LSBID President Monica Blum

Dear Lincoln Square BID Members & Friends:

Finally, after almost a year and a half, there is reason for optimism. Our streets and sidewalks are busy, schools are open, and there is energy and a buzz in the air. Our daily pedestrian counts are beginning to increase and every table and chair in our parks is filled with people eating, laughing and enjoying being together.  Most importantly, the beating heart of our neighborhood - Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts - is alive, well, and open for business once again offering in-person performances. This past weekend, the New York Philharmonic offered its first performance after an 18 month hiatus to an incredibly enthusiastic audience at Alice Tully Hall, one of several local venues it is using while Geffen Hall is being renovated. Next up, the Phil will perform for three nights at the Rose Theater (inside Deutsche Bank Center) from Thursday, September 23- Saturday, September 25. Many of the other Lincoln Center constituents are starting in-person seasons this month and next, and there will be an even bigger influx of people in Lincoln Square looking for places to eat and enjoy drinks before and after performances. While there is understandably some anxiety associated with reopening, our cultural organizations are taking extraordinary measures to insure patron and performer safety. 

The New York City Ballet is opening its doors tonight -- Tuesday, September 21 with an exciting season; curtain times are 7:30pm on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday; 8:00pm on Friday and Saturday; 2:00pm for the Saturday matinee; and 3:00pm for Sunday matinees. There will be no intermission to minimize crowd interaction and all performances will be limited to approximately 90 minutes, plus proof of vaccination is required and children under 12 are not permitted for performances (but are able to attend Public and Access Programs). Click here for ticket and other information. This season includes some can't-miss farewell performances for several dancers, which you can read about here.

Opening night for Film at Lincoln Center’s New York Film Festival is this Friday, September 24 and it will run through Sunday, October 10. This highly anticipated festival will draw many people to the neighborhood for two solid weeks, and you can view the schedule here as well as safety and health protocols here. Live jazz performances from Jazz at Lincoln Center are continuing this week on Thursday, September 23 in Dizzy’s Club and will run through the first week of November. Performance times for evening shows are at 7:30pm and 9:30pm. Click here to view the current schedule. Dizzy’s Club will require guests to sign a COVID-19 Liability Waiver to attend performances and other requirements can be found here.

The Metropolitan Opera has scheduled it’s in-person debut for Monday, September 27 with Fire Shut Up in My Bones at 6:30pm—the Met’s first performance of an opera by a Black composer—and if it is as powerful as the streaming of Verdi’s Requiem audiences are sure to be thrilled. The Met’s operas will take place typically at 7:00pm and 7:30pm for evening performances with some weekend afternoon performances—check each performance for details. They are also taking extraordinary measures to insure patron and performer safety, which you can read about here. Both the Chamber Music Society and the American Ballet Theater will begin seasons in October, too.  

Restaurants get ready! With all this cultural activity, restaurants should get ready for more customers and may want to adjust hours to make sure that people have a place to eat and drink before and after performances. 

Toward that end we will try to post as much timely information as we can on our website, www.lincolnsquarebid.org, so please make sure that you check out our website, as well as Lincoln Center’s, for the most up to date information on more in person openings and other happenings in Lincoln Square. And, if you have information for us to share, please let me know.

I look forward to seeing you on the streets of Lincoln Square.

Sincerely,

Monica Blum
President