Origin Presents 2019 EUROPEAN MONTH OF CULTURE NYC

Artists and companies from close to two dozen European countries will gather in New York for the 2nd annual "European Month of Culture NYC," presented by Origin Theatre Company in partnership with the Delegation of the European Union to the United States. A dynamic schedule featuring performances, screenings, readings of new plays, concerts, art exhibits, panels and roundtable discussions, master classes and parties - many of them free events - runs from May 2 to 30, 2019 at venues across the City.

A sister festival of "European Month of Culture" (which has taken place every May in Washington DC since 2013), "European Month of Culture NYC" emphasizes encounters and collaborations between visiting artists and the sizable diaspora audience and artist communities living and working in New York. Numerous European consulates, and New York-based groups, companies and individuals are participating to sponsor and host some 60 individual events showcasing consequential new voices, new works and new ideas emanating from Europe. Origin Theatre Company is the city's only theatre company devoted to introducing local audiences to the stunning array of work and perspectives produced across Europe today. For ticket information and schedules visit www.origintheatre.org

The Festival's VIP Launch is on Thursday May 2, with a Welcoming Ceremony and reception at 6pm hosted by Origin Theatre Company and the Delegation of the European Union to the United States at Fordham University's Lincoln Center campus. At the event key Month of Culture participants will detail festival highlights to gathered participants and the media. The Empire State Building will be lit in the European Union colors on Thursday May 9.

Among the highlights are several multi-week festivals-within-the-Festival, including "In Scena!" the first Italian theatre festival of its kind, taking place in all five boroughs (April 29 to May 13); the acclaimed "Brits Off-Broadway" season at 59E59 Theaters, which annually curates work by writers and producers from the UK in the month of May; "Nordic Impressions" - a contemporary art exhibition showing artists from Åland, Denmark, Finland, Greenland, Iceland, Norway, and Sweden at Scandinavia House; and the "European Sounds Series" showcasing European jazz in New York during the Blue Note Jazz Festival (kicking off on May 27). In addition the Austrian Cultural Forum plans Month of May cultural programming, as does the French Embassy to the United States in partnership with Alliance Française.

The central film event is the Panorama Europe Film Festival 2019, running at the Museum of the Moving Image (MOMI) & The Bohemian National Hall from May 3 to 19. The 11th edition of this festival championing new and vital European cinema, will present an up-to-the-minute portrait of contemporary Europe during a period of tremendous flux.

Among the music events scheduled are:

Swedish Singer Zara Larsson performs in concert at Irving Plaza on May 9.

Estonian folk singer Mari Kalkun performs an evening of unique compositions inspired by nature, Estonian poetry and folk music at Scandinavia House on May 14.

The groundbreaking Swedish pop singer-songwriter Neneh Cherry brings her headlining show to New York in support of her brooding, forward-thinking 2018 full-length 'Broken Politics' project. Staged at Elsewhere in Brooklyn on May 14.

Birdland Jazz Club presents a special five-show special engagement of Dr. Lonnie Smith with The Jazz Orchestra of the Concertgebouw, a groundbreaking contemporary jazz ensemble from the Netherlands. May 21 through 25.

Among the theatre performances and workshops:

"Glimpse," a visual theatrical concert for young audiences by the award-winning Dutch company Oorkaan will be seen at the Brooklyn Academy Of Music (BAM Fisher), May 4 through 12.

The "Between the Seas Festival NYC" presented at Theaterlab NYC is a four-day platform that showcases the vibrancy and diversity of contemporary Mediterranean performing arts. Running from May 16 through 20.

Norwegian theatre director Henning Hegland conducts a master class for students by invitation at The American Academy of Dramatic Arts on May 26.

Among the theatre readings scheduled are:

A reading of "Los Vecinos de Arriba" by the playwright and filmmaker Cesc Gay, directed by Erwin Maas. Presented in partnership with the Instituto Cervantes and Institut Ramon Llull on May 3.

A staged reading of "Kogelvis" ("Pufferfish") by Dutch playwright Nick Bruckman, directed by Erwin Maas. Presented in partnership with NYU Ireland Glucksman House and Dutch Culture USA on May 6.

A weekend of staged readings from playwrights hailing from the Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland, Romania & Slovakia. Staged with local actors with the support of the Bohemian Benevolent and Literary Association at The Bohemian National Hall, May 10 through 12.

A staged reading of "Raymond Fight Beck" by Maltese playwright André Mangion, translated by Simon Bartolo, presented in partnership with Arts Council Malta and Instituto Cervantes on May 13.

A staged reading of "The Unmanageable Sisters," adapted by Deirdre Kinahan from Les Belles-sœurs by Michel Tremblay. Directed By George C. Heslin, and presented in partnership with Lincoln Center Library for the Performing Arts on May 16.

A staged reading of "Borgestryptich" by Bulgarian performance artist Yasen Vasilev. "Borgestryptich" is the inaugural winner of the Interdisciplinary Art Grant, funded by the American Foundation for Bulgaria, and designed by the Council for European Studies, the Bulgarian Concert Evenings in New York, and the Elizabeth Kostova Foundation of Creative Writing. Presented in partnership with the Bulgarian Consulate NYC and Elizabeth Kostova on May 21

A staged reading of "Strakur Okkar" ("Our Boy") by Icelandic playwright Hávar Sigurjónsson, directed by Henning Hegland. Presented in partnership with the Scandinavian American Theatre Company and Scandinavia House on May 30.

Among the literary events are:

The PEN World Voices Festival of International Literature is hosted by more than 60 venues around New York City from May 6 to 12.

From Spain, a reading by poet Gemma Gorga, and translator Sharon Dolin of new work. Presented in partnership with Book Culture on May 30.

Among the dance events are:

A masterclass conducted by Swedish/ Bosnian choreographer Mersiha Mesihovic at the Julliard School Dance Department. By invitation only for students on May 2.

Italian Dance Connection NYC's "Contemporary Dance & Film Festival" runs from May 22 through 24 at the Sheen Center.

Swedes in NYC presents three nights of dance presentations and live music with

visiting Swedish specialists from the world famous Herräng Dance Camp. May 24 through 26.

Among the visual arts events are:

Various Belgian artists will present at the 1-54 Art Fair at Industria in The West Village starting May 3.

Origin Theatre artistic director George C. Heslin remarked about the events planned: "With its diversity of viewpoints and cultural perspectives 'European Month of Culture NYC' will epitomize a culturally diverse New York helping all of us embrace our leadership in promoting global citizenship, respect among cultures and recognizing the social and economic benefits of free and tolerant exchanges of ideas, art and culture."

Since 2002, Origin Theatre Company has been telling stories that stir the emotions and explore cultural identity from fresh, new voices from Europe. Origin is devoted to discovering, nurturing, and introducing pan-European playwrights to NY audiences with work that offers unique perspectives on national identity, cross-cultural relations, and global understanding. Origin's dynamic, non-profit programming includes Off-Broadway productions, the annual Origin 1st Irish Theatre Festival, the Bloomsday Celebration, new work readings, artistic workshops, and other special events each year. Through these programs, Origin is proud to provide influential European artists an important gateway to America.

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