Genuinely unexpected cross-cultural collaborations like this — djembe and dun dun conversing with banjo and bodhrán — are what free parks programming does at its best. The setting seals it: the lawn of NYC's oldest surviving building, a 1748 Dutch Colonial house in the Bronx's grand old park. If you collect only-in-New-York afternoons, an Irish-Ghanaian session on a colonial lawn qualifies.
What to expect
A two-hour open-air concert blending compositions from both traditions, with the musicians explaining the instruments and connections between sets. Blankets and lawn chairs are the seating plan. The crowd is a neighborhood mix of families, hikers off the park trails and world-music fans who made the trip.
Good to know
- 1 train to Van Cortlandt Park-242 St; the house museum lawn is a short walk in
- Free — RSVP via the Alliance's Eventbrite link
- Bring a blanket or low chair
- The Van Cortlandt House Museum is worth a visit while there
- Plenty of park trails for a pre- or post-show walk
Planning Sep 19–20, 2026 in NYC?
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Common questions
What is the musical combination exactly?
Irish traditional tunes and Ghanaian drumming traditions performed together — banjo, fiddle and bodhrán woven with djembe, dun dun and gankogui.
Is it kid-friendly?
Very — it's a free lawn concert with space to roam, and drumming holds kids' attention.
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