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A first look at Lincoln Center's massive disco ball and dance floor

The 10-foot-wide disco ball weighs 1,300 pounds and yes, it actually spins.

Shaye Weaver
Written by
Shaye Weaver
Editor, Time Out New York
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Lincoln Center's Josie Robertson Plaza is now a bonafide dance floor.

As of this week, the plaza is among NYC's coolest outdoor music venues, not only because of forthcoming concerts and dance events but because its disco ball is massive. The 10-foot-wide disco ball weighs 1,300 pounds and yes, it actually spins.

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The disco ball is at the center of "The Oasis," now the city's largest dance floor, where there will be tons of free dances, concerts and performances throughout the summer as part of Lincoln Center's "Summer for the City" program that runs through August 14. Not only that, but there will be silent discos and even a mini film festival from Film at Lincoln Center that will be projected at the "Outdoor Cinema" in front of the under-renovation David Geffen Hall. Those who attend will get popcorn and drinks with movie audio transmitted via Quiet Event headphones.

The dance floor will be free and open to the public during the day in case you'd like to take a mid-day dance break.

The Oasis at Lincoln Center
Photograph: Chris Lee
The Oasis at Lincoln Center Eddie Palmieri
Photograph: courtesy of Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts

This week, Eddie Palmieri Salsa Orchestra performed at The Oasis (pictured above). You can stay up-to-date on weekly events at The Oasis here. Coming up are silent discos for the Queen's Platinum Jubilee on June 4 and to celebrate the Notorious B.I.G. on June 10.

The Oasis isn't the only cool venue Lincoln Center has outside. The Speakeasy is reopening under the driveway at the front southeast corner of campus. It's a pop-up bar designed by Clint Ramos set up for comedy, spoken word, poetry, jazz, and cabaret performances. (See below.)

The Speakeasy at Lincoln Center
Photograph: Chris Lee

Lincoln Center's Damrosch Park 2,500-seat amphitheater is also hosting some free, live and in-person concerts as well as group participatory celebrations, including singalongs, poetry readings, local graduations, and an all-city wedding ritual and reception. Plus, before the Biggie silent disco over at The Oasis, there's an orchestral tribute to him featuring Miguel Atwood-Ferguson and The Originals you won't want to miss.

Check out Damrosch Park's line-up here

Visual art is also taking up space at the campus with Amanda Phingbodhipakkiya’s participatory installations called "Gather" through July 3. "Gather" is meant to invoke emotions of grief, hope, catharsis, joy, and connection through four moving installations that respond to the pandemic and its effects.

Each week, Phingbodhipakkiya hosts scheduled interactive events surrounding and sometimes before other events, which she is calling "rituals." You can find out how to take part in those here.

GATHER Ritual: Islands in the Sea Amanda Phingbodhipakkiya Lincoln Center
Photograph: Shaye Weaver/Time Out New York

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