Lots of outdoor cultural events this month for when the weather’s nice, and indoor events for when it’s just too muggy and buggy. Even better, many of them are free. Enjoy them all!
PBS presents A Capitol Fourth
Premieres July 4
Most PBS stations air the concert at 8pm and repeat the program at 9:30pm. Check local listings.
A Capitol Fourth, America’s National Independence Day celebration, honors our country’s birthday with an all-star salute. For over 40 years, this television event, featuring a parade of superstars — this year including Smokey Robinson, Fantasia, Sister Sledge, Darren Criss, Chloe Flower, and Sheila E.— has offered the best in American entertainment and helped set the tone for a spectacular American birthday party. This extravaganza features coverage from 20 cameras positioned around Washington, D.C., ensuring viewers are front and center for the greatest display of fireworks in the nation.
The concert is broadcast to our troops serving around the world on the American Forces Network. It can also be streamed live on YouTube, the PBS app, and PBS.org, and will remain available for two weeks following the live broadcast.
Learn more on PBS.org
NY Opera Conservatory presents July 2024 Summer Concert Series: Verdi’s Il Trovatore
Wednesday, July 3, 7pm | Friday, July 5, 7pm | Saturday, July 6, 7pm | Sunday, July 7, 3pm
Croton Free Library, 171 Cleveland Drive, Croton-on-Hudson, NY
Verdi’s turbulent tragedy Il Trovatore is a mainstay of the operatic repertory. The score is both dark and energetic, with infectious tunes that are not easily forgotten. The Taconic Opera summer program for emerging opera singers, New York Opera Conservatory (NYOC), offers you an opportunity to hear the upcoming generation of professionally trained singers as they gain valuable experience perfecting their craft in a leading role. Performances are free; each includes the complete opera and is semi-staged with costumes and props.
Learn more on Taconic Opera’s website
PBS presents Great Performances at the Met: La Forza del Destino
Premieres on Sunday, July 7. Check local listings.
Yannick Nézet-Séguin conducts Verdi’s grand tale of love, deadly vendetta, and family strife with soprano Lise Davidsen starring as Leonora, one of the repertory’s most tormented heroines.
Watch a preview on PBS.org
Jazz Forum Arts presents Free Outdoor Jazz Concerts
Jazz Forum Arts presents 32 concerts annually in July and August at five Hudson River locations: Dobbs Ferry Waterfront Park, Lyndhurst and Pierson Park in Tarrytown, Horan’s Landing in Sleepy Hollow, and Henry Gourdine Park in Ossining.
View the full schedule of free outdoor jazz concerts
The Hudson River Museum presents the 2024 Summer Amphitheater Series
Friday and Saturday evenings from July 12 to August 17
All performances are free and begin at 8pm. Doors open at 7:30pm
The diverse selection of entertainment includes music, dance, magic, and even a master falconer in an outdoor venue overlooking the majestic Palisades and the Hudson River. Seating is on a first-come, first-serve basis. Free parking is available. ADA entrance on Kennedy Boulevard.
View the event schedule on the Hudson River Museum’s website
The Hudson River Museum Summer Saturdays
July 13 and July 20
Celebrate summer by visiting the HRM after hours from 5–7pm. Experience current exhibitions and enjoy the outdoor courtyard with games for all ages. Plus, catch the special planetarium show, Pink Floyd’s The Dark Side of the Moon, at 6pm. Please note: the planetarium show is optional and requires a ticket.
Learn more and get planetarium tickets on the Hudson River Museum website
Aspen Music Festival and School presents Summer Livestreams
July livestreams include performances by Inon Barnatan, Conrad Tao, Bruce Liu, and Jennifer Koh, as well as Humperdinck’s Hansel and Gretel.
Free on the AMFS Virtual Stage.
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Culture Picks celebrates the performing arts. In each post, PAC staff member Coni Guhl shines the spotlight on work by artists that you know and love from their appearances at The Purchase PAC, and offers recommendations about other performing arts events that you really should not miss. Experience them all!
All times are EDT unless otherwise noted.
Pictured: Mark Morganelli and the Jazz Forum All-Stars Performing at Horans Landing. Photo (c) Jazz Forum Arts
