Festival of Firsts

Join us for the second annual Festival of Firsts at Lincoln Center from October 5–27, 2023. The festival features artists embarking on new journeys and celebrating significant moments in their careers—premiere performances in the U.S. and NYC, Lincoln Center debuts, album debuts, fresh collaborations, and so much more! Don't miss this opportunity to experience groundbreaking moments by classical, Hip-Hop, musical theater, jazz, and cabaret stars... all for free at the David Rubenstein Atrium.

Past Events from 2023

October 26 at 7:30 pm

Festival of Firsts

Truth Future Bachman's Skyward: An Endling Elegy

World Premiere

Lincoln Center Presents

October 26 at 7:30 pm

David Rubenstein Atrium

Take flight into the latest chapter of Truth Future Bachman's trans-human superhero musical theater universe with the world premiere of Skyward.

October 25 at 7:30 pm

Festival of Firsts

Migguel Anggelo's JOY

World Premiere

Lincoln Center Presents

October 25 at 7:30 pm

David Rubenstein Atrium

Artist Migguel Anggelo presents JOY, a work-in-progress featuring mime, dance, and music, asking us to reconsider the hidden power of silence.

October 20 at 7:30 pm

Festival of Firsts
¡VAYA!

Uptown Royalty

Lincoln Center Debut

Lincoln Center Presents

October 20 at 7:30 pm

David Rubenstein Atrium

Uptown Royalty's fusion of classic salsa with pop, disco, rock, and R&B ignores divisions of genre for an unmatched night of social dance.

October 19 at 7:30 pm

Festival of Firsts

Erni Lu

First Album & Lincoln Center Debut

Lincoln Center Presents

October 19 at 7:30 pm

David Rubenstein Atrium

Erni Lu commands the swirling sounds of boleros, waltzes, acid jazz, funk, and Latin pop for an exciting concert celebrating his debut album, Siempre.

October 18 at 7:30 pm

Festival of Firsts

Truth to Power Café

U.S. Premiere

Lincoln Center Presents

October 18 at 7:30 pm

David Rubenstein Atrium

Who has power over you and what do you want to say to them? With that simple prompt, Truth to Power Café crafts socially inspirational theater.

October 14 at 11:00 am

Festival of Firsts
Kids, Teens, and Families

Story of the Sky by The Bruces & Friends

Debut Children's Album

Lincoln Center Presents

October 14 at 11:00 am

David Rubenstein Atrium

A family edition features songs about belonging and the natural world, inspiration, and joy in a fun and interactive event!

October 13 at 7:30 pm

Festival of Firsts

Lady Wray

Lincoln Center Debut

Lincoln Center Presents

October 13 at 7:30 pm

David Rubenstein Atrium

Certified chanteuse Lady Wray's latest album Piece of Me evokes both 90s boom-bap R&B and classic southern soul.

October 12 at 7:30 pm

Festival of Firsts

Salty Brine’s And If You Listen Very Hard: The Led Zeppelin Show

Lincoln Center Debut

Lincoln Center Presents

October 12 at 7:30 pm

David Rubenstein Atrium

Alt-cabaret innovator Salty Brine merges monologue, Stevenson's Treasure Island, and the immortal Led Zeppelin IV album for an unforgettable show.

October 11 at 7:30 pm

Festival of Firsts

Rafiq Bhatia and Chris Pattishall

Lincoln Center Presents
In collaboration with Jazz at Lincoln Center

October 11 at 7:30 pm

David Rubenstein Atrium

Celebrated composers, producers, and strikingly versatile voices in New York’s jazz scene and beyond come together for a one-night-only collaboration.

October 06 at 7:30 pm

Festival of Firsts

J Noa

Lincoln Center Debut

Lincoln Center Presents

October 06 at 7:30 pm

David Rubenstein Atrium

The Latin GRAMMY nominee's tongue-tying rhymes, nonstop bars, and skills to switch up her flow from heartbeat to heartbeat shine bright for her first time at Lincoln Center.

October 05 at 7:30 pm

Festival of Firsts

Rami Khalifé's LOST, Return to Beirut

Lincoln Center Debut

Lincoln Center Presents

October 05 at 7:30 pm

David Rubenstein Atrium

The virtuosic Lebanese pianist and composer Rami Khalifé takes inspiration from his homeland with the premiere of LOST, Return to Beirut.