As Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts unveils its ambitious 25/26 season—spanning September 2025 through May 2026—the campus becomes a vibrant canvas for stories that connect past, present, and future. Among the season’s most compelling offerings is “San Juan Hill: A New York Story,” an immersive multimedia experience created by acclaimed composer Etienne Charles, set to take the stage at Alice Tully Hall on October 23.
“San Juan Hill: A New York Story” is more than a concert—it’s a deep dive into the rich, layered history of the community that once thrived where Lincoln Center now stands. Through music, visuals, and first-person narratives, Etienne Charles crafts a powerful homage to the residents of San Juan Hill, a neighborhood that played a pivotal role in shaping New York City’s cultural landscape.
This innovative performance brings together Charles & Creole Soul, the University of Miami’s Frost Symphony Orchestra under the direction of Gerard Schwarz, and a roster of special guests. The result is a mesmerizing blend of genres—ragtime, jazz, stride piano, swing, blues, mambo, paseo, Antillean waltz, calypso, funk, disco, and hip-hop—all interwoven with historic film footage and storytelling.
Commissioned by Lincoln Center, “San Juan Hill: A New York Story” is a testament to the enduring spirit of the migrants from the American South and the Caribbean who brought their traditions, rhythms, and dreams to New York. The work shines a spotlight on the vibrant cultures and resilient communities that helped shape the city’s identity, even as their stories risk being forgotten.
The 2022 premiere of this piece, co-presented by Lincoln Center and the New York Philharmonic, set the stage for ongoing collaborations between artists, musicians, historians, and academics. Contributors to the project include playwright Eljon Wardally, video artist Maya Cozier, graffiti and visual artist Wicked GF (Gary Fritz), visual artist Bayeté Ross Smith, historian Julia Foulkes, and more—each adding depth and perspective to this moving tribute.
Etienne Charles invites audiences to experience the power of music and storytelling as vehicles for remembrance and transformation. This performance is not only a celebration of cultural heritage but also a call to honor the stories and communities that continue to shape New York’s creative future.
Join Lincoln Center on October 23 at Alice Tully Hall for a night where history, artistry, and innovation converge—illuminating the legacies that live on in the heart of the city.
For further information, please visit the Lincoln Center website.
Photo by Hollis King, courtesy of Lincoln Center
About Author
