Recording artist and multi-instrumentalist Louis Cato is no stranger to Bryant Park.

He performed at the park last summer and is returning with his trio on July 19 as part of Bryant Park Picnic Performances, presented by Bank of America.  

What You Need To Know

  • Bryant Park Picnic Performances, presented by Bank of America, is an event that brings free music, dance and theater to Midtown Manhattan

  • Performances are on Friday evenings and a handful of other days through September

  • Other free activities at the park include movie nights and yoga classes 

Viewers may also recognize Cato from his role as leader of the Late Show Band from “The Late Show with Stephen Colbert.”

“There is no audience like a New York audience, but a happy New York audience, in the summer, in Bryant Park. It doesn’t get any better than this,” Cato said. 

Picnic Performances is Bryant Park’s series of free music, theater and dance, with 25 events through September.

The park partners with cultural institutions, such as Carnegie Hall Citywide, New York City Opera and Joe’s Pub, to present the shows while audiences enjoy on the Midtown park’s iconic lawn.

“We love summer, free events, that’s what we do, the lawn, to have picnic performances presented by Bank of America it’s just such a pleasure to bring this joy to New York,” Dan Fishman, vice president of public events for Bryant Park, said. 

Performances are on Friday evenings and a handful of other days. Those are among the number of free things to do at the park throughout the summer. There are also yoga classes and Paramount+ movie nights.

The duo of Jaime Lozano and Florencia Cuenca bring their “Broadway en Spanglish” project to the park on Aug. 9. It’s the best of Broadway and a celebration of the couple’s Mexican culture. It’s their first time performing at Bryant Park. 

“Having the chance to share who we are [on] this beautiful stage, in the middle of the city, with the city, for free and so close to Broadway,” Lozano said. 

Cuenca was just as excited to play for crowds at the park, located between Fifth and Sixth avenues from 40th to 42nd streets. 

“It’s summer. We want to be outside, but we want to enjoy music, we want to enjoy art. So we invite you to come, bring your picnic blanket, and enjoy a beautiful evening hearing mariachi, hearing Broadway in Bryant Park,” Cuenca said. 

For more information, visit bryantpark.org.