The Armory Puts the New in New York

The Park Avenue Armory is a less-well-known venue for all sorts of entertainment and cultural events in New York City. It is in many ways a non-conventional space for many non-traditional visual and performing artists. This non-conventionality has been going on since 2007, and in 2011 the New York Times noted about the Armory that, “Park Avenue Armory…has arrived as the most important new cultural institution in New York City.”

The Armory has a long and unique history. It was built as a location for the well-heeled Seventh Regiment of the National Guard, the original volunteer fighting force which responded to President Abraham Lincoln’s outcry for soldiers in 1861. The regiment included some of New York’s most prominent families, such as the Vanderbilts, Roosevelts and Harrimans.

The building served both functions of social club and military facility. Designed by the leading artists and interior designers of the day, the Armory’s central 55,000 square-foot drill hall is one of the largest open spaces of its kind in New York City today. It was a marvel of engineering technology, designed by Regiment veteran and architect Charles W. Clinton who later went on to design the Apthorp Apartments and the Astor Hotel, which was later torn down.

Guided tours of the Armory are available at a variety of times, and can also be arranged for groups.
Coming events include:

Yerma: March 23-April 21, an updated play based on the 1934 drama by Federico Garcia Lorca.

Myriad: May 22-24, “Oneohtrix Point Never's myRiad is a hyperstitial “concertscape” imagined from the perspective of an alien intelligence that explores disorienting relationships between space and sound and mutates forms of live musical performance.”

The Let Go: June 7-July 1, is a dance-based town hall commissioned by the Armory. Nick Cave, the creator, will present a hybrid installation, performance, gathering and dancing environment.

And that is just a sample. For more performances check the Armory’s website.