Culture Lab LIC turned a 12,000-square-foot warehouse and the lot behind it into an arts centre with two galleries, an 80-seat theatre and an outdoor stage, then made the summer music free and named the fundraiser Keep the Summer Free. Across two afternoons you get six acts, from Yes Cats and Strangely Enough to Sons of Mercury, plus a curated pop-up market. If you want live music that costs an RSVP, this is the Queens answer.
What to expect
You RSVP, then walk into an open outdoor lot with a stage at one end, vendor tables along the edges and a concession stand for drinks and snacks. Sets run back to back across the afternoon and into the evening. The crowd is local and mixed-age, and the space is standing with some seating.
Good to know
- The 7 train to Vernon Boulevard-Jackson Avenue or the G to 21st Street both leave a short walk
- RSVP in advance even though there is no charge, since the lot has a capacity
- It is outdoors, so bring sun cover early in the afternoon and a layer for later
- A concession stand handles drinks and snacks, and pop-up vendors sell alongside
- It suits anyone who wants live music without a cover, including families early in the day
- The LIC waterfront and Gantry Plaza are a ten-minute walk if you want to extend the day
Get Saturday planned every Thursday
One email a week — the best of the NYC weekend board. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.
Common questions
Is Live in The Lot really free?
Yes. Culture Lab LIC issues free RSVP tickets through Humanitix, with an optional donation. The organisation funds the series through a campaign it calls Keep the Summer Free.
Who is playing?
The Saturday bill is Yes Cats, Riko and Whaler Collective, and Strangely Enough. Sunday runs CiXSo with Turiya Electric followed by Sons of Mercury.
What is Culture Lab LIC?
A Long Island City arts centre in a 12,000-square-foot converted warehouse with two fine art galleries, an 80-seat theatre and an 18,000-square-foot outdoor venue.
More this weekend
