In the first half of the 20th century, the area around where Lincoln Center stands today was known to many as San Juan Hill. A lively cultural center, the neighborhood nurtured luminaries in ragtime, stride, jazz, bebop, mambo and other Afro-Caribbean forms, visual arts, musical theater, and more. This year’s festival celebrates how community creates culture, exploring how the reciprocal influence of the diverse communities of San Juan Hill fostered extraordinary artistic innovation. Through an engaging series of music, dance, film, and participatory events, Lincoln Center honors San Juan Hill’s remarkable artistic legacy, one which continues to influence artists working today.

Explore the History