Music

Join us on February 1st for the first New York performance by emerging young talent, Borys Ostapienko. In 2013, this 19-year-old engineering student from Toronto traveled to Ukraine where he won first place in the most prestigious bandura competition. His playing combines impressive technical mastery of the instrument with nuanced musicianship and creative, idiomatic arrangements. The concert is organized as part of the Bandura Downtown series curated by Julian Kytasty, who will introduce the gifted young musician.

As a citizen of the world, Emiko's music reflects her international heritage - half Japanese, half Jewish-American - as she brings to life her journeys through music. Whether it's through the pulsing march of a lone drum on her son "The Great North Road" or the romantic nostalgia of "6am" (both from her upcoming album to be distributed through Universal Music Group), Emiko finds herself crossing musical genres as often as she crosses international borders these days. She performs on Tuesday, October 18, at 8 PM.

“For me, the lyrics are more important than the melody. I write almost all my own words. I also perform the classics of Malian tradition. I draw a lot of inspiration from what happens in society. As soon as I see or feel something, I write it down. I say what I want, and what I think, because I am a free woman. I believe that my music has had an impact on the life of African women.” 

Do you know whole passages of The Bridges of Madison County by heart? Or have a secret Grisham obsession? Got a great Berendt impression? Introducing your new favorite monthly series, inspired by your favorite guilty Friday night activity. Think you've got literary chops? You've got three minutes to prove it by reading a passage from a book that will surprise and delight the crowd. Our theme for this month is Greatest Hits of the 90s, so you'll need to come prepped to read your favorite three minutes from a book published between 1990 and 1999.