July 12, 2006

Free in Central Park: New York Philharmonic, fireworks

If the rains stay at bay tonight, the New York Philharmonic will play a free two-hour concert on Central Park's Great Lawn -- followed by a fireworks show.

Tchaikovsky's "Festival Coronation March" and "Violin Concerto" as well as Dvorák's "Symphony No. 8" are on the program for the event, which will begin at 8 p.m. Xian Zhang will be conducting and Jennifer Koh is the featured violinist.

Some as the prime seating is already gone, according to NY1, which is reporting live from the blanket-covered lawn this morning. One woman said she showed up at 6:45 a.m. and people had already staked out their territory with blankets and then headed off to work.

Every summer, the Philharmonic makes the rounds of all five boroughs - and then some. Last night was Brooklyn, tomorrow is Queens, Friday is Staten Island, Saturday is Heckscher State Park at East Islip on Long Island, and Monday is the Bronx.

On Tuesday, the Philharmonic will return to Central Park for Beethoven's "Symphony No. 5." (Full schedule.)

If you go tonight, best to enter the park on Central Park West from W. 81st or 86th streets or from Fifth Avenue at E. 79th or 85th streets.

Related: New York Philharmonic on iTunes

July 12, 2006 09:03 AM in Cheap Stuff, Romance, Sightsology, Upper East Side, Upper West Side

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