SummerStage is a monster this year. Meet the mastermind behind it…
Alexa Birdsong began her career organizing jazz and blues concerts and festivals for George Wein's noted company, Festival Productions, Inc. more than twenty years ago and has continued to produce major national and international festivals since.
From cultural powerhouse Lincoln Center to the phenomenal CityParks Foundation, she has brought amazing programming to diverse audiences nationally and internationally. And if being the Executive Producer of Central Park SummerStage and CityParks Concerts wasn't enough, Alexa also runs Birdsong Productions whose client list is filled with big names like the ESSENCE Music Festival, New Orleans, LA and Grammy Award winning jazz vocalist Cassandra Wilson.
From cultural powerhouse Lincoln Center to the phenomenal CityParks Foundation, she has brought amazing programming to diverse audiences nationally and internationally. And if being the Executive Producer of Central Park SummerStage and CityParks Concerts wasn't enough, Alexa also runs Birdsong Productions whose client list is filled with big names like the ESSENCE Music Festival, New Orleans, LA and Grammy Award winning jazz vocalist Cassandra Wilson.
Recently, Birdsong gave Streets of New York her take on SummerStage and the city.
When did you become an official New Yorker:
I was bornand raised in New York City, first in Harlem, then Queens. Now, I'm back in Harlem in loving it!
How does New York culture influence your SummerStage selections:
SummerStage is a reflection of the diversity of the city, so, in a way New York City's culture influences SummerStage and my programming.
What was your most memorable SummerStage performance:
They are all memorable for me, but the standout was Grace Jones on Gay Pride Day in 2002, with Bjork peeking at her from backstage.
Who would perform at the ultimate SummerStage concert:
Carlos Santana, Miles Davis (though he's no longer with us). Blondie, Lauryn Hill, La Sonora Poncera, Terrence Trent Darby...everyone is wonderful at SummerStage...
Top Picks:
Favorite annual concert series… SummerStage
Emerging artists picks in music, visual arts and theater… Laura Veirs, Feist, Davell Crawford
Gallery/exhibition pick of the moment… Richard Serra at MOMA. I used to live on campus at Princeton and walked through his sculptures everyday
Tip for mastering the NY grind… Don't go out on Friday nights!
NY as a source of artist inspiration… Skyscrapers
What's in your music player… Lewis Taylor, Roberta Flack
Street culture inspiration of the moment… Graffiti
© T.I. Williams
