A 24-Decade History of Popular Music: 1900 – 1950s

Presented by New York Live Arts as part of The Public Theater’s Under the Radar Festival.
Called a “critical darling of the New York scene” (New York Magazine), Taylor Mac makes his New York Live Arts debut with the celebrated A 24-Decade History of Popular Music, presented in association with the Under the Radar Festival. Featuring the years 1900 – 1950 at Live Arts (the 1950s commissioned specially for the Live Arts stage), Mac will emerge as a bedazzled creature, accompanied by a live band, dancing beauties and special guests, to present a performative ritual using popular music from the first half of the 20th Century. Eventually, this work will comprise of a 24-hour spectacle dissecting the last 240 years of popular music in America. As The New York Times writes of Mac, “Fabulousness can come in many forms, and Taylor Mac seems intent on assuming every one of them.” Adding Live Arts to a venue roster including The Public Theater, Lincoln Center, The Sydney Opera House and more, Mac’s celebration of music, performance and all things fabulous will surely be a highlight of our 2014-2015 season. In conjunction with the performances, Mac’s collaborator and designer Machine Dazzle will transform the Live Arts lobby, giving further context to the work with commissioned décor.

Jan 22 Come Early Artist Talk at 6:30pm with Visual Designer Machine Dazzle

24-Decade History of Popular Music: 1950s is commissioned by New York Live Arts and made possible, in part, by the National Endowment for the Arts and contributors to the Dance Theater Workshop Commissioning Fund at New York Live Arts.

This presentation of 24-Decade History of Popular Music: 1900s-1950s is made possible, in part, by the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs in partnership with the City Council.