TNC to Host 22nd Annual Lower East Side Festival Over Memorial Day

One of the first and most time-honored FREE Summer Festivals in NYC each year - the LOWER EAST SIDE FESTIVAL - will take place this year for the 22nd year in a row - Memorial Day Weekend, May 26 - 28th at Theater for the New City (155 First Ave. at 10th St.), it has been announced by Crystal Field, co-founder and Artistic Director of Theater for the New City.

Dozens of artists -- from the worlds of theater, music, cabaret, dance, aerial arts, film and poetry with personal or professional roots on the culturally and historically rich Lower East Side in NYC - will be on hand for THREE DAYS OF FREE ENTERTAINMENT.

Notable performers on tap to participate include: Singer/writer Gretchen Cryer; cabaret star KT Sullivan; renowned chanteuse Luba Mason; playwright Eduardo Machado, Penny Arcade, UPRIGHT CITIZENS BRIGADE, BURNING CITY ORCHESTRA, downtown legendary performer Phoebe Legere, David Amram, BURNING CITY ORCHESTRA, CHINESE THEATRE WORKS, CONSTELLATION MOVING COMPANY, EPSTEIN AND HASSAN, FAIRY TALE MARIONETTES, TAMMY FAYE, CRYSAL FIELD, FOLKSBIENE NATIONAL YIDDISH THEATRE, BEN HARBURG, INFINITY DANCE THEATRE, LE SQUEEZEBOX CABARET, Rod Rodgers Dance Company, TEXTILE THEATER COMPANY, PETER WELCH and WISE GUISE .

One of the Festival's annual highlights will take place this year on Saturday, May 27 starting at noon when Theater for the City presents performances on an outdoor stage at First Ave and 10th Street. From 2 to 5 pm that day, LES FEST's wildly popular Youth Events will by hosted by circus juggler and bubble master John Grimaldi.

ADMISSION IS FREE TO ALL EVENTS DURING THE 3-DAY LOWER EAST SIDE FESTIVal May 26-28. For a complete calendar of event dates/times, visit www.theaterforthenewcity.net. Or call 212 254 1109.

THEATER FOR THE NEW CITY is a Pulitzer Prize-winning community cultural center known for its high artistic standards and widespread community service. TNC produces 30-40 new American plays per year, at least 10 of which are by emerging young playwrights. THEATER FOR THE NEW CITY created LOWER EAST SIDE FESTIVAL in 1995 and has presented nearly 1,000 artists and their works including theater, music, dance, comedy, performance art, poetry, video and fine arts.