Come Back to the Arts! 2021 Arts Al Fresco Series Has Something For Everyone - and It’s Free!

Con Edison is sponsoring Arts Al Fresco, an extraordinary series of free and safe outdoor arts experiences across the five boroughs, and Westchester, Orange and Rockland counties. Arts Al Fresco events are scheduled this week, throughout the summer, and into the fall. Visit ConEd.com/ArtsAlFresco to find an event near you.

"Con Edison's long-standing commitment to making the arts accessible to all New Yorkers is more important today than ever before," said Frances A. Resheske, Con Edison's senior vice president, Corporate Affairs. "As New York recovers from the pandemic, we are pleased to support local artists and cultural organizations in our free 'Arts Al Fresco' series."

From St. Ann’s Warehouse’s GET BACK! Rooftop Concert Series, to Queens Theatre’s Outdoor Performance Season, Pregones/PRTT’s Stage Garden Rumba, to the Juneteenth Freedom Festival at Snug Harbor and the Porch Plays in October, Arts Al Fresco includes an eclectic array of arts and cultural experiences with something for everyone. Check the website often for new events.

All events will adhere to Covid-19 health and safety protocols. For the most up-to-date information on Covid-19 protocols check the event website.

“Con Edison’s Arts Al Fresco series will further enhance the vibrancy of our City’s parks, museums, and cultural centers that New Yorkers and visitors are coming from near and far to enjoy this summer,” said Lorraine Grillo, New York City Senior Advisor for Recovery. “As we continue our work to build a recovery for all of us, we applaud this effort that creates opportunities for our city’s world-class performing artists and celebrates the cultural diversity of our communities.”

Con Edison is providing more than $850,000 in support of outdoor programming for this series that supports over 40 nonprofit partners.

"As a long-standing partner of the Union Square-14th Street neighborhood, Con Edison has supported the Union Square Partnership's annual outdoor community programming since its inception in 1976,” said Jennifer Falk, Executive Director, Union Square Partnership. “With their continued support this year, we are thrilled to welcome visitors back to our area for free community programming, and we applaud Con Edison for bringing vital cultural programs to communities across all five boroughs this summer."

The Arts Al Fresco experiences will be held on grand stages, pocket parks and plazas in our neighborhoods and communities across the five boroughs, and Westchester, Rockland and Orange counties.

“This summer, Con Edison is putting energy into the arts. As the city reopens, it is time for our hearts to reopen, as well,” said James Roe, President and Executive Director, Orchestra of St. Luke’s. “That is the work of the performing arts and Con Edison has been a foundational partner of Orchestra of St. Luke's in this endeavor since 1976. Orchestra of St. Luke’s is known as New York City’s hometown band. Each season we perform in over 20 venues, bringing music alive for our neighbors in all five boroughs. Music has the power to connect people and through the "Arts Al Fresco" series, Con Edison is providing that power to New York City!

” Arts Al Fresco seeks to promote equitable access to outdoor arts experiences in our neighborhoods and communities.

Taryn Sacramone, Executive Director, Queens Theatre said, “With Con Edison's support, we will be able to reconnect with our community members in person this summer, bringing people together for the shared joyful experiences that come with seeing performances live. Audiences welcomed us into their homes throughout the pandemic by participating in our digital programming, but now we're ready to welcome them back to ours. More than 300 artists - all of whom are eager to get back to live performances - will take the stage over the course of our first-ever outdoor summer season. We couldn't be more grateful or excited.”

Look for events including: Orchestra of St. Luke’s Summer Serenades Series, City Parks Foundation’s SummerStage, and ArtsWestchester’s Outdoor Concert Series, BridgeMusik’s ReStart Rockland Arts Festival, the BRIC Celebrate Brooklyn! Festival and many more.

Con Edison Arts Al Fresco partners include:

• 651 Arts
• Alice Austen House
• ArtsWestchester
• BAM
• Battery Conservancy
• BRIC
• BridgeMusik
• Brooklyn Arts Exchange
• Brooklyn Museum
• Center for Traditional Music and Dance
• City Parks Foundation
• Classical Theatre of Harlem
• DUMBO Improvement District
• Emelin Theatre for the Performing Arts
• Hook Arts Media
• Jamaica Center for Arts & Learning
• Jazzmobile
• LES Creative People In Action
• Lower Manhattan Cultural Council
• Madison Square Park Conservancy
• Museum of the City of New York
• Orchestra of St. Luke's
• Penguin Rep Theatre
• Piermont Civic Association
• Pregones/PRTT
• Queens Theatre
• Riverside Park Conservancy
• Snug Harbor Cultural Center & Botanical Garden
• Socrates Sculpture Park
• St. Ann's Warehouse
• Staten Island Children's Museum
• Street Lab
• Sundog Theatre
• Teatro SEA
• The Little Orchestra Society
• The Public Theater
• The Washington Square Association
• Theatrical Arts at Forestburgh
• Third Street Music School
• Wave Hill
• Yonkers Downtown Waterfront BID

Con Edison supports hundreds of nonprofits in New York City and Westchester County to strengthen neighborhoods, sustain communities and improve lives. In addition to the arts, these philanthropic efforts support the environment, and important educational initiatives in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.

Con Edison is a subsidiary of Consolidated Edison, Inc. [NYSE: ED], one of the nation’s largest investor-owned energy companies, with approximately $12 billion in annual revenues and $62 billion in assets. The utility delivers electricity, natural gas and steam, and serves 3.5 million customers in New York City and Westchester County. Through Consolidated Edison Inc.’s subsidiary, Con Edison Clean Energy Businesses, the company is the second-largest solar developer in the United States and the seventh-largest worldwide. For financial, operations and customer service information, visit conEd.com. For energy efficiency information, visit coned.com/energyefficiency. Also, visit us on Twitter and Facebook.