THURSDAY EVENINGS IN THE DUMBO ARCHWAY
Live Performances + Interactive Art + Drinks + Magic, all just below the Manhattan Bridge.
Shows are at 6pm. Always all ages. Always rain or shine.
2019 season to be announced in April.
summer of fun
Live at the Archway
A Performance Series as Enchanting as Its Venue.
The DUMBO Improvement District is giving us yet another reason to be stoked for open-air entertainment.
Time Out New York
About the Pop Up Gallery
Every at Live at the Archway, Tfnf’s The Space Station pops up in the Archway under the Manhattan Bridge. Brainchild of artist Nathan Sinai Rayman and with a footprint of only 32 square feet, Tfnf’s The Space Station replicates (in flat pack, modular, franchisable form) his DUMBO gallery This Friday or Next Friday – “likely the tiniest, most inconsequential gallery in NYC, maybe on the face of the Earth”.
Each week, we present an exhibition featuring a DUMBO-based artist and invite the public to create a collaborative piece with the artist over the course of the evening.
The 2018 Season
Our fourth season of Live at the Archway brought hundreds of happy DUMBOnians and visitors out Thursdays in 2018 to experience the Archway come alive with music and art–from Cuban salsa, hip hop and New Orleans hot jazz, to modern dance, psychedelic soul, a time-traveling speakeasy and World Cup-inspired ensembles from Russia, Argentina, and Colombia.
In 2018, we continued to present DUMBO-based artists in our pop-up gallery, The Space Station, in partnership with TFNF. Each week, a different DUMBO artist exhibited their work, and invited the public to collaborate on an interactive piece wrapped around the outside of the gallery.
Season four was curated by Clara Inés Schuhmacher of the DUMBO BID, and produced by the Dumbo Improvement District. Season four was generously supported by Greendesk, Dumbo's native co-working space.
One of the coolest and most picturesque spots to see a show.
Time Out New York
What the Press is Saying
“One of the coolest and most picturesque spots to see a show." - Time Out New York
“Both backdrop and music will be spectacular at Live at the Archway.” - Brooklyn Rail
“Summer’s almost here and it’s time for dancing in the street — or under the Manhattan Bridge. You can experience just that at Live at the Archway Dumbo!” Zeal NYC
The Gallery is an installation not to be missed according to Untapped Cities.
And #LiveAtTheArchway was a top pick in New York Today - nine times.
And top hits in the New York Times, Time Out New York, New York Observer, AM New York, The Brooklyn Paper, Metro, Brooklyn Vegan, El Diario de la Prensa, Brokelyn, Brooklyner, Untapped Cities, Mommy Poppins, and more!
The shows!
June 14: Ljova and the Kontraband
We kicked off Live at the Archway with an energetic, danceable, one-of-a-kind musical experience–with Fogo Azu, an all-female Brazilian drum line, followed by the magical musical stylings of Moscow-born Ljova and his band, in honor of opening day of the 2018 World Cup in Russia. Katie Hector took over the pop up gallery.
June 21: Natalia Clavier
We celebrated Make Music New York and cheered on Argentina in the World Cup with the psychedelic stylings of Natalia Clavier, lead singer of Thievery Corporation. Charlotte Lily Gaspard took over the pop up gallery with a shadow puppetry experience
June 28: Grupo Rebolu
This week at #LiveAtTheArchway, we honored Colombia's World Cup game with a danceable set from Afro-Colombian masters Grupo Rebolu. Catherine Haggerty took over the pop up gallery.
July 5: Blue Vipers of Brooklyn
We swing danced on the cobbles to the old school stylings of the Blue Vipers of Brooklyn. Nathan Sinai Rayman, the mastermind behind The Space Station, took over the pop up gallery with a group show of Hunter MFA artists.
July 12: Brown Rice Family
Perennial #LiveAtTheArchway favorites Brown Rice Family bridged cultures while creating a fun atmosphere within improvisation on July 12. Samuel Jablon took over the pop up gallery.
July 19: Michael Blume
We got down with the soul pop stylings of Michael Blume. Emily Ullrich took over the pop up gallery.
July 26: White Wave Dance Company
We were once again awed by contemporary dance in the Archway, curated by WHITE WAVE, while in the pop up gallery Marney Fuller created a magical reflective forest from paint and steel.
August 2: Strings N Skins
The infections Haitian-Colombian rhythms of singer and drummer Okai and Latin Grammy Winner violinist, dancer, and singer Luisa Bastidas got the Dumbo Archway dancing. Pasqualina Azzarello took over the pop up gallery.
August 9: Tiê
This week at #LiveAtTheArchway we continued our collaboration with Brazil SummerfestBrazil Summerfest, bringing the celebrated Tiê to DUMBO from Brazil! Steve West took over the pop up gallery.
August 16: Akie Bermiss
Akie Bermiss took the stage at #LiveAtTheArchway with his signature trio, performing an effortless blend of R&B, jazz, hip hop, and funk. Sam Keller took over the pop up gallery.
August 23: Los Habaneros
Los HabanerosLos Habaneros brought their "...joyful, gyratory salsa celebration..." (so says Time Out New York) to Dumbo. Robin Kang took over the pop up gallery.
August 30: JSWISS
This week at #LiveAtTheArchway, we brought the classic hip hop stylings of JSWISS to Dumbo. The Source says “...fans of R&B, hip hop, soul, pop and rock all able to find something to like in JSWISS.” Patricia Brace took over the pop up gallery.
September 6: Shanghai Mermaid
Juliette Campbell brought the Shanghai Mermaid, her time traveling speakeasy cabaret, to DUMBO, curating a hot jazz experience complete with dancing and cigarette girls. Tanya Rynd took over the pop up gallery.
September 13: Gangstagrass
Gangstagrass brought their dynamic and spontaneous fusion of bluegrass and hip hop to DUMBO in a show that featured lots of musical friends from the borough. Kay Gordon took over the pop up gallery.
September 20: Chiquita Brujita presents a night of Brooklyn Brujeria
Through music, dance, drums, and song, our closing evening–curated by Chiquita Brujita–honored the strength and power of Puerto Rico as we marked one year of resilience and resistance since Hurricane Maria.
The 2017 Season
Our third season of Live at the Archway brought hundreds of happy DUMBOnians and visitors out Thursdays in 2017 to experience the Archway come alive with music and art–from Cuban salsa, flamenco and New Orleans hot jazz, to Indie afrobeat, modern dance, psychedelic soul, J-Pop and yes, even a hula hooping circus!
In 2017, we introduced The Space Station, a pop-up gallery presented in partnership with DUMBO-based gallery TFNF. Each week, a different DUMBO artist exhibited their work, and invited the public to collaborate on an interactive piece wrapped around the outside of the gallery.
Season three was co-curated by Clara Inés Schuhmacher of the DUMBO BID, and Tanya Rynd of Superfine. The series is produced by the Dumbo Improvement District.
Live at the Archway reflects the neighborhood's diversity and its commitment to the arts.
Brooklyn Daily Eagle
What the Press is Saying
"DUMBO Improvement district is giving us yet another reason to be stoked for open-air entertainment." - Time Out New York
Live at the Archway is Above & Beyond in the New Yorker.
"If you’re looking for somewhere to kick back and enjoy the cooler sunsets through September, find your chill vibes Live at the Archway in DUMBO." - Metro US
"The only thing that beats an outdoor concert is a free outdoor concert." - SpoiledNYC
"A great way to unwind after a workday." - ZealNYC
And top hits in the New York Times, Untapped Cities, Paper Magazine, Brooklyn Paper, Brooklyn Vegan, Art Haps, Ariana's List, PureWow, Brokelyn, Brooklyner, Mommy Poppins, Mommy Nearest and more!
The shows!
June 8: Los Cumpleaños
We kicked off Live at the Archway with an energetic, danceable, one-of-a-kind musical experience–with Fogo Azu, an all-female Brazilian drum line, psychedelic cumbia from Los Cumpleaños + live art with Tom Fruin (of Stained Glass Watertower fame!)
June 15: PopGun Presents Rhodes Rollins
We teamed up with the awesome guys behind PopGun Presents to bring you Rhodes Rollins' Americana-inspired pyschedelic rock, plus live art making with illustrator Melanie Hope Greenberg.
June 22: H+ | Hip Hop Dance Conservatory
This week at Live at the Archway we learned the foundational cornerstones of Hip Hop from dance all stars at H+, then test them out at a DJ dance party. Plus live art making with Zach Seeger. H+ spreads the knowledge of true hip-hop to the masses!
June 29: Rising Choreographers
On June 29, we were awed by six contemporary dance companies, curated by WHITE WAVE, and made art in the gallery with DUMBO-based CAM (of DUMBO Walls fame!)
July 7: 79.5
DUMBO grooved to the “...honeyed vocalists, street flautists, and psych guitarists...” (The New Yorker) of the band, 79.5 and made art with Vladimir Nazarov in the gallery.
July 14: Brown Rice Family
Perennial #LiveAtTheArchway favorites Brown Rice Family bridged cultures while creating a fun atmosphere within improvisation on July 14. They were followed by a DJ set by DJ Jigüe – in Brooklyn one week only straight from Havana, Cuba! Plus Jaimie Walker was in the Gallery.
July 21: Ola Fresca
This week at Live at the Archway, we danced salsa with Ola Fresca, one New York's best ensembles, plus made art with James Nazarov. Ola Fresca was thrilling, and the dancing never stopped (thanks to salsa dancing help from Marlene Veras.)
July 28: Jah Pan
We sank into summer with New York City’s preeminent steel drum band ensemble, Jah Pan, followed by DJ DuctTape. DUMBO-based artist Michael Farmer was in the gallery.
August 3: Ghost Train Orchestra
This week at Live at the Archway, we learned to swing with Paolo Pasta Lana, then danced along with Ghost Train Orchestra, a band that the new New York City Jazz Record claims “There hasn’t been big band music as exciting as this since forever.” Plus Dale Kaplan was featured in the gallery.
August 10: Brasil SummerFest
For the first time, we partnered with Brasil SummerFest to bring Batuque da Lan Lanh to DUMBO, straight from Brazil! This week, Damon May took over the gallery.
August 17: Big Sky Works
This week at Live at the Archway, we had a unique, participatory circus experience--great for all ages--from our friends at Big Sky Works, made even more special by Cara Lee Sparry's immersive subway installation in the gallery.
August 24: Los Chantas
We transformed the Archway into a magical milonga, with a class to start led by Adam and Ciko, and a tango social to follow with music from Los Chantas. Michael Muster brought his moody paintings to the gallery, rounding out the evening.
August 31: Underground System
We danced along to female-fronted Afrobeat in this mind-blowing show from Underground System. And Kylin O'Brien turned the gallery into an immersive installation for the first time all season with The Scream Room.
September 7: Espiritu Gitano Ensemble
DUMBO reveled in the beauty and boldness of flamenco this week thanks to Espiritu Gitano Ensemble, plus made some live art with Eleanor Kupencow (who made those FunSeetz you love to sit on in Old Fulton Plaza.)
September 14: Hot Sardines
We had the best in vintage jazz thanks to an epic set by the Hot Sardines, learned some swing moves, and made some art with DUMBO's own Natchie.
September 21: Nickodemus
DJ Nickodemus & friends took us on a dance ride around the world on their WONDERWHEEL Recordings label. Plus we made art with Tara Dixon.
September 28: Gaijin à Go-Go
This week we were treated to a rare reunion of DUMBO's most famous Japanese pop band (the first in ten years!): Gaijin à Go-Go. And in the gallery, our own Tanya Rynd popped up!
The 2016 Season
Our second season of Live at the Archway brought hundreds of happy DUMBOnians and visitors out every Thursday to experience puppetry, sizzling salsa, swing bands, Sierra leon bubu ensemble, alt-classical percussion, Colombian cumbia, some epic video projections, and more. Season two was co-curated by Clara Inés Schuhmacher of the DUMBO BID, and Tanya Rynd of Superfine. The series is produced by the Dumbo Improvement District.
The Manhattan Bridge Archway is the place to be on Thursday evenings this summer
Time Out New York
What the press is saying
"Listening to a band under the Manhattan bridge at The Archway should be on everyone's NYC bucket list." - Alexandra Farrington
"Enjoy some of Brooklyn's top talent at Live at the Archway in DUMBO." – Viewing.Nyc
"It’s the best place to be every Thursday night." - South Brooklyn
And top hits in the New York Times, Brooklyn Paper, Brooklyn Vegan, am New York, Village Voice, Brooklyn Rail, Oh My Rockness, Ariana's List, Brokelyn, Mommy Poppins, Mommy Nearest and more!
The shows!
June 2: Los Hacheros
Modern-day torchbearers of the Golden Age of Latin music, Brooklyn-based ensemble Los Hacheros launched our second season, with an opening set by the one-and-only BatalaNYC.
June 9: Lynette Williams
Harlem-based artist Lynette Williams brought her joyful R&B to the Archway, and The Poofs brought their mysterious puppetry to the stage.
June 16: Greg Humphreys Electric Trio
Brooklyn-based guitarist by way of North Carolina, former leader of the bands Dillon Fence and Hobex, and DUMBO resident Greg Humphrey took to the #LiveAtTheArchway stage this week.
June 23: Beat Kaestli
Internationally acclaimed vocalist, songwriter, arranger and producer (and DUMBO resident!) Beat Kaestli brought his jazzy set to the #DumboArchway.
June 30: Mary C and the Stellars
This week at Live at the Archway we had rock-n-roller Mary C, plus the charming wiles of Ask a Puppet.
July 7: Conjunto Guantanamo
Ambassadors of Cuban folklore, Conjunto Guantánamo, led by longtime Dumbo resident Ulises Beato, turned the Archway into an epic dance party for a second year.
July 14: Janka Nabay and the Bubu Gang
This week at #LiveAtTheArchway we were treated to a special performance by Sierra Leonean Bubu King Janka Nabay, and enjoyed the charming wiles of Ask a Puppet..
July 21: Blue Vipers of Brooklyn
This week at #LiveAtTheArchway, we learned some dance moves with Paolo & Laurentina, and then put them to use with The Blue Vipers of Brooklyn.
July 28: Tigue
One half new music ensemble, one half art-rock band, Brooklyn-based trio TIGUE turned the Archway into an immersive sound experience, and PB n DJs extended the experience with a live painting project.
August 4: Madame T and the Starlights
Madame T, aka Tanya Rynd of Dumbo staple Superfine Restaurant, aka cabaret and jazz singer brought a set of whistle blowing train songs, sizzling summer swing and a journey of high camp performance to the Archway that made us dance and swoon!
August 11: Harlem Swing Dance Society
The premiere organization that shares the history of Lindy Hop and Swing Dance, the Harlem Swing Dance Society came down to Dumbo for a night of dancing.
August 18: M.A.K.U. Soundsystem
The raw-edged, punk-tinged band M.A.K.U. Soundsystem rocked the Archway with their Afro-Colombian beats.
August 25: Stratos y el Trio de Arrabal
We transformed the Archway into a magical milonga, with a class to start led by Adam and Ciko, and a tango social to follow with music from Stratos y el Trio de Arrabal.
September 1: White Wave Young Soon KIM Dance
Dumbo's own modern dance company performed excerpts from “Eternal NOW” on the cobblestones.
September 8: Bella Tonic
This Millennial jazz-lounge group, with Cara Dineen at the helm, brought their revamped jazz and with crowd-pleasing pop hits to #LiveAtTheArchway.
September 15: Brown Rice Family
"Brown Rice Family is bridging cultures together while creating a fun atmosphere within improvisation. Amazing…" -- Vogue Japan
September 22: Ava Luna
Brooklyn-based indie art funk septet Ava Luna packed the Archway for an epic evening, and puppets from Great Small Works rounded out the visuals.
September 29: AV LIVE
We closed out our second season of Live at the Archway with an evening of single channel video projections + music by DUMBO-based artist Glowing Bulbs.
The 2015 Season
The first season of Live at the Archway was launched in 2015 as a joint effort of the DUMBO Improvement District and Superfine restaurant. Every Thursday from May through October, the Archway under the Manhattan Bridge came alive with free performances! From Cuban salsa to indie pop, brass bands to Afro Brazilian outfits, old school punk to New Orleans style jazz and even an opera ensemble, Live At The Archway brought the neighborhood together, presenting local talent and celebrating local companies.
Highlights included a packed house for Mr. Twin Sister, a performance by mother-son Cuban duo Xiomara Laugart & Axel Tosca Laugart; a DJ set by the incredible Tim Lee; salsa with Ola Fresca; avant pop/experimental rock project Oracle Room; crowd pleasers the Williamsburg Salsa Orchestra; and much more!