Harlem Stage, in partnership with Bryant Park, NYC Parks, and Jazzmobile, presents the premiere of the live, outdoor summer concert event.
Craig Harris’ Nocturnal Nubian Ball for Conscientious Ballers and Cultural Shot Callers — led by world-renowned trombonist and composer Craig Harris, featuring legendary, 97-year-old Sun Ra saxophonist Marshall Allen, with Harris’ own band, Nation of Imagination.
Two free public concerts will take place Thursday, August 12, 2021, at Bryant Park (7 PM) and Friday, August 13 at Marcus Garvey Park (7 PM) in Harlem, NY.
On Saturday, August 14, a private recording will take place at the Harlem Stage Gatehouse.
This exclusive performance, along with select performances from both outdoor concerts, plus bonus content, will premiere virtually on harlemstage.org later this fall; date TBA.
A mashup of intricate melodies, harmonies and rhythms, Craig Harris’ Nocturnal Nubian Ball for Conscientious Ballers and Cultural Shot Callers honors the music, influence, and teachings of the late icon and visionary artist Sun Ra, and pays tribute to Marshall Allen, an original member of the Sun Ra Arkestra who has led the Arkestra since 1993.
It is the culmination of Harlem Stage’s Afrofuturism series that launched in 2019 as a citywide, multi-venue (Harlem Stage, Park Avenue Armory, Metropolitan Museum of Art) celebration of Sun Ra’s legacy.
Harris, who started working with Sun Ra in 1976 (and is a former member of the band), has embraced many of Sun Ra’s concepts and performance methodologies in his own accomplished body of work.
Harris’ ‘Nation of Imagination’ ensemble will feature up to 12 mesmerizing, improvising musicians, who will create what Harris describes as an “audio sanctuary for the thirsty ear” and deliver a musical tribute like no other “honoring the influence of Sun Ra and the spirit of artists everywhere who have always strived for freedom and experimentation in all aspects of life.”
ENTRY & Covid-Safe Protocols
For 8/12 at Bryant Park:
Advance ticket registration is no longer required.
Entry to Bryant Park Picnic Performances will be open to the public on a first-come, first-serve basis for all audience members who present either digital or physical proof of full COVID-19 vaccination or an immediately recent negative COVID-19 test, along with a government-issued photo ID.
Please arrive no earlier than 5:30 pm when doors open.
The concert will be live-streamed on Bryant Park’s Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube channels: @bryantparknyc courtesy of Bank of America
For 8/13 at Marcus Garvey Park:
Attendees must agree to follow city and state guidelines regarding COVID-19.
Two Free Outdoor Public Concerts
World Premiere | August 12-13, 2021 | New York City
#NocturnalNubianBall
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