Just Announced: 20th Edition of NYC’s River to River Festival Returns this Year!
June 10 – 27, 2021
Following a year of the COVID-19 crisis endured by New York City and its residents the Lower Manhattan Cultural Council (LLCC) announced that the River to River Festival would be back this year.
Fittingly, it comes 20 years after its onset following the city’s recovery from 9/11.
Their latest newsletter reads as so:
River To River has long highlighted the fundamental role that creativity in all its forms plays in processes of recovery, resilience and renewal.
Curated by Lili Chopra and Nanette Nelms, this year’s festival features the work of groundbreaking artists, including Arthur Jafa, esperanza spalding, Wayne Shorter, Black Gotham Experience featuring Kamau Ware and Rodney Leon, Okwui Okpokwasili, Miguel Gutierrez, The Illustrious Blacks, Maria Hassabi, nora chipaumire, Mariana Valencia, Meg Webster, Onyedika Chuke, Damon Davis, Muna Malik and more.
The following is the listing of events as highlighted by the LLCC. As of this writing, it’s unclear exactly which events will be taking place in person, virtually or otherwise. We’re confident additional details will be released in the near future.
Music
June 10
Opening Concert
with esperanza spalding, Terri Lyne Carrington & Leo Genovese
Film/Conversation
June 10, 12, 17, 19, 24, 26
Streaming on June 12, 17, 18, 24, 26
WS, a longer super nova
Directed by Arthur Jafa
Writing
June 10 – 27
Land of the Blacks
Kamau Ware
Participatory Event
June 12-22
SONGWRIGHTS APOTHECARY LAB
esperanza spalding
Visual Art
June 12
A Day at The Arts Center at Governors Island
Film
June 12-27
The Stranger
Damon Davis
Participatory Event
June 13, 20, 25
Processions
with Miguel Gutierrez,
Okwui Okpokwasili &
The Illustrious Blacks
Film
June 15-27
Womxn in Windows
Walking Tour + Podcast
June 16, 19, 22, 24
As Above So Below
Black Gotham Experience
Dance
June 25-27
Futurity
Mariana Valencia
Dance
June 26-27
TOGETHER (2019)
Maria Hassabi
Opera
June 26
Nehanda
nora chipaumire