As New York slowly begins to reopen for live events, the statewide NY PopsUp initiative is helping bring back that spontaneous creative energy that makes New York City a worldwide artistic hub. On Saturday, Chris Thile hosted a NY PopsUp event at the East River Park Amphitheatre in Manhattan’s lower east side. In addition to the lauded mandolinist, the afternoon cavalcade also saw appearances from members of Lake Street Dive, guitarist Louis Cato, poet Carl Hancock Rux, and pianist Timo Andres.
Much like his former flagship program Prairie Home Companion—later renamed Live From Here—Saturday’s performance was a variety show of multiple artistic mediums. Though he performed a track from his forthcoming album Laysongs, Thile was mainly there in a hosting capacity and spent much of the afternoon standing off to the side.
Related: Lake Street Dive, Shakey Graves Collaborate On The Beatles’ “Two Of Us” For eTown [Watch]
Andres performed a cover of Meredith Monk‘s “Ellis Island” in addition to some original compositions. Rux gave a powerful recitation of his poem “The Baptism” which, according to Brooklyn Vegan, is a tribute to John Lewis and C.T. Vivian that was commissioned by Lincoln Center.
The afternoon also saw performances from Lake Street Dive’s Rachel Price, Bridget Kearney, and Akie Bermiss who delivered a joyful cover of Andrew Gold‘s “Thank You For Being A Friend”, familiar to many as the theme song to the Golden Girls sitcom, that swept up the crowd in the excitement as audience members held a steady beat. The trio also dipped into the band’s new album Obviously with a take on “Feels Like The Last Time”.
Check out a full-show video from the Chris Thile-led NY PopsUp show from Saturday in Manhattan. Thile will lead another pop-up show on September 30th in Bryant Park as he helps celebrate Town Hall‘s 100th anniversary.
Chris Thile And Friends – East River Park Amphitheatre – New York, NY – 4/17/21
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[H/T Brooklyn Vegan]
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