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Lincoln Center is throwing a party for the bold and the brand-new—and you’re invited, no ticket required. From October 3 through 23, the David Rubenstein Atrium will be taken over by the Festival of Firsts, a three-week spree of free performances that spotlight artists making their U.S. and NYC debuts, launching albums, premiering works or stepping onto the Lincoln Center stage for the first time.
The fourth annual edition leans into the unexpected. One night you might catch a drag-fueled rock cabaret staged as a gothic Halloween fantasia; the next, an intimate multimedia theater piece straight from Chile. The series kicks off October 3 with Reminiscicencia, Chilean artist Malicho Vaca Valenzuela’s blend of memory, history and technology. The next night, Atlanta native Fusilier drops his debut punk-rock album Ambush, a mash-up of funk, pop and queer Black identity.
Other highlights include Romanian-born vocalist Ana Everling’s hypnotic jazz-folk fusion (October 9), Latin Grammy–nominated trio Darumas bringing their vibrant Latin funk (October 10) and the Philly-Jersey duo Love? Said the Commander with their slow-burn, stripped-down harmonies (October 15).
If you’re more into sensory overload, October 16 belongs to Art Bath, an immersive combo of dance, opera, music, theater and visual art curated by Mara Driscoll and Liz Yilmaz. The following night, multidisciplinary artist Sparklemami bends genres with Brazilian jazz, Mexican bolero and funk. Then comes spooky season: Apocalypse Noir (October 22) transforms the Atrium into a drag-rock spectacle fit for Halloween, all velvet capes and searing vocals.
The finale on October 23 features acclaimed countertenor Key’mon Murrah in The Fach?!, a one-of-a-kind theatrical recital designed to bring down the house.
With every performance free and first-come, first-served, the Festival of Firsts offers a rare chance to catch rising artists at turning points in their careers—all under one roof, all in the span of three weeks.