The musical duo of Tessa Lark and Michael Thurber bridges European classical music traditions with American folk music traditions. Lark is a violinist, while Thurber plays the upright bass.

The pair are among the musicians, dancers and actors who will take the stage this summer for the Bryant Park Picnic Performances presented by Bank of America.

"We grew up in the Midwest, so we take inspiration from all of the music that was happening around us," Lark said. "Folk music, Appalachian, blues, and we put that all together in our tunes."

Bryant Park partners with cultural institutions like Carnegie Hall Citywide and the New York City Opera to present free concerts and performances. Audiences take it all in on the Midtown park's iconic lawn.

"We're a New York park, and this is for New York, and we want to express the whole range of arts in New York City," said Dan Fishman, vice president of public events at Bryant Park.

There is music, theater and dance from around the world on Friday evenings and a handful of other days. Those performances are among the number of free things to do at the park throughout the summer months.

There are also yoga classes and Paramount Plus movie nights, which are celebrating 30 years of screenings under the stars. Lark and Thurber say playing in front of a crowd outside in the heart of Manhattan is an experience like no other.

"It embodies everything that is New York, which is an an incredible diversity of people, an incredible amount of activity," Thurber said.

"To just play in the heart of it all around all of these buildings, the Empire State Building, the library, for thousands of people is absolutely a dream come true, and it's so fun to hear the music wafting through these incredible historic buildings," Lark said.

For a full schedule of picnic performances and other activities at Bryant Park, head to the park's website.