Little Island Announces 2026 Summer Series Featuring Julio Torres, Justin Vivian Bond, and More

NYC’s Little Island park has announced its 2026 summer programming which runs July 29 through September 6 at The Amph and The Glade , as well as a few parkwide takeovers. Tickets are on sale now. Some highlights:

Julio Torres & Martine Gutierrez: Marina (Aug 27-30 @ The Amph): Julie Torres and Martine Gutierrez — who worked together on HBO’s Fantasmas — conceived of this “underwater fairytale about love, belonging and catfishing.”

Thomas Bartlett: Allen Ginsberg At 100 (Sep 2-6 @ The Amph): An epic series of concerts, readings and park wide takeovers celebrating Allen Ginsberg’s centennial. Thomas Bartlett (Doveman) curated the series which includes special guests Rufus Wainwright (Sep 2), Bill Frisell (Sep 3), and more TBA.

Justin Vivian Bond: Summer’s Eve (Jul 29-31): Returning to Little Island, the cabaret icon keeps it fresh with a brand-new act of music and revelry” with Bernice “Boom Boom” Brooks, Nath Ann Carrera, Claudia Chopek, Mike Jackson, Matt Ray.

Qween Jean: Summer Legacy Ball (Aug 1 @ The Amph): A one-night-only ballroom extravaganza featuring legendary performers, fabulous runway walkers, and virtuosic spectacle hosted by Qween Jean.

There’s lots more and you can check out Little Island’s 2026 slate of summer programming and

LITTLE ISLAND: 2026 SUMMER PROGRAMMING

JUSTIN VIVIAN BOND: SUMMER’S EVE

• Performances July 29-July 31 in The Amph

• Performances at 8:30 pm, with all tickets $25

• Returning to Little Island, the cabaret icon keeps it fresh with a brand-new act of music and revelry.

• Lighting Designer: Christopher Gilmore; Sound Designer: David Schnirman; Styling for Justin

Vivian Bond and her band by Christopher Rao; Scenic Consultation by Adam Charlap Hyman

• Performers: Justin Vivian Bond, Bernice “Boom Boom” Brooks, Nath Ann Carrera, Claudia Chopek, Mike Jackson, Matt Ray

RADIOLAB: FRUIT FANTASIA

• Performances July 31 – August 2 in The Glade

• Performances at 5:00 pm, free admission

• A live radio show that reveals the surprising histories, mysteries, and marvels behind our most familiar staples.

• Host: Latif Nasser; Musical Guest: Rafiq Bhatia; Guests: Mona Pirnot, Ben Shattuck and more

• Food Pop Up: Amanda’s Bananas, a unique frozen banana treat topped with your choice of

crunchy sweets or juicy fruits.

PAPI JUICE PARTY

• Performance July 31 in The Play Ground

• Party Starts at 9:45 pm, free admission

• Brooklyn nightlife stars throw their signature DJ fueled party

• Curator: Papi Juice; Lighting Designer: Wildblur

• Musical Guests: Tama Gucci, Nita Aviance, Bobby Beethoven

QWEEN JEAN: SUMMER LEGACY BALL

• Performance August 1 in The Amph

• Performance at 8:00 pm, with all tickets free

• A one-night-only ballroom extravaganza featuring legendary performers, fabulous runway walkers, and virtuosic spectacle.

• Creative Direction and Hosted by: Qween Jean; Scenic Designer: Simean Carpenter; Lighting Designer: Cha See; Sound Designer: DJ Potts

• Honorees: Miss Major Griffin-Gracy, Boom Boom Balenciaga, Kiara St. James, Brenda Continental Milan Soulja; Headliner: Infinite Coles; Preacher: Samora Pinderhughes & Dr. Jehbreal Jackson; MCs: Julz Romell, Thunda; Performers: Haus of Telfar; Runway Facilitators: Daniella Agosto, Darius Case; Panelists: Luna Luis, Tracey Africa Norman, Mother Pandora West; DJs: Blaize (Ball), DANIRO (Afterparty)

ANTHONY ROTH COSTANZO: MINIMALISM

• Performances August 5-9 in The Amph

• Performances at 8:30 pm, with all tickets $25

• A singular group of artists unlock new dimensions of the musical movement from its downtown roots to today.

• Curator: Anthony Roth Costanzo; Lighting Designer: Christopher Gilmore; Sound Designer: Jody Elff

• Aug 5 Performers: Anthony Roth Costanzo, Sandbox Percussion, Bryan Wagorn; Aug 6 Performers: Anthony Roth Costanzo, Sandbox Percussion, Bryan Wagorn; Aug 7 Performers: Anthony Roth Costanzo, PUBLIQuartet, Vicky Chow, Bryan Wagorn; Aug 8 Performers: Anthony Roth Costanzo, Rachael Wilson, Vicky Chow, Bryan Wagorn; Aug 9 Performers: Anthony Roth Costanzo, Rachael Wilson, Vicky Chow, Bryan Wagorn

LIONS AND LEGENDS: FOLKTALES AND FOODLORE

• Performances August 6-8 in The Glade

• Performances at 5:00 pm, free admission

• Podcasting duo Rebecca Sheir and Eric Shimelonis (Circle Round) premiere their new family podcast and transport us to India and the Philippines with flavorful folktales about the origins of the mango and durian.

• Hosts: Rebecca Sheir and Eric Shimelonis

PAPI JUICE PARTY

• Performance August 7 in The Play Ground

• Performance at 9:45 pm, free admission

• Brooklyn nightlife stars throw their signature DJ fueled party

• Curator: Papi Juice; Lighting Designer: Wildblur

• Musical Guests: Anysia Kym, Oscar Nñ, Zainab

CÉCILE MCLORIN SALVANT: TIN PAN ALLEY

• Performances August 12-16 in The Amph

• Performances at 8:30 pm, with all tickets $25

• The Grammy Award-winner curates and performs a week of concerts revealing the surprising edges of Tin Pan Alley.

• Curator: Cécile McLorin Salvant; Lighting Designer: Mary Ellen Stebbins; Sound Designer: Shannon Slaton

• Performers: Aug 12 Performers: Lillias White, Billy Stritch, Buddy Williams, George Coleman; Aug 13 Performers: Lillias White, Billy Stritch, Buddy Williams, George Coleman; Aug 14 Performers: Mikaela Bennett and special guest to be announced; Aug 15 Performers: Cécile McLorin Salvant and Sullivan Fortner; Aug 16 Performers: Cécile McLorin Salvant, Sullivan Fortner, Kyle Poole, Paul Sikivie

RADIOLAB: GRASS FED

• Performances August 14-16 in The Glade

• Performances at 5:00 pm, free admission

• A live radio show exploring how grass, yes grass, became the largest food item in the world.

• Host: Molly Webster

• Food Pop-Up: Gracie Baked, serving dirt cups and other baked goods

PAPI JUICE PARTY

• Performance August 14 in The Play Ground

• Performance at 9:45 pm, free admission

• Brooklyn nightlife stars throw their signature DJ fueled party

• Curator: Papi Juice; Lighting Designer: Wildblur

• Musical Guests: Pauli Cakes, Kevin Aviance

LOUIS CATO: THE HARLEM RENAISSANCE

• Performances August 19-23 in The Amph

• Performances at 8:30 pm, with all tickets $25; free post-show swing dance party in The PlayGround (Aug 22)

• The Late Show bandleader takes us back to the legendary dance hall of The Savoy in a joyous journey through the music of the Harlem Renaissance

• Curated by Louis Cato; Lighting Designer: Mary Ellen Stebbins; Sound Designer: Shannon Slaton; Arrangements: Louis Cato and Philip Kuehn

• Performers: Louis Cato, Louis Fouché, Alphonso Horne, Philip Kuehn, Jeffrey Miller, Tivon Pennicott, Mathis Picard, Catherine Russell and Evan Sherman; Featuring Recorded Interviews With: Ron Carter, Catherine Russell, and more

GHETTO GASTRO: RED RICE

• Performances August 21-23 in The Glade

• Performances at 5:00 pm, free admission

• The famed culinary collective traces the journey of a beloved food across cultures and geographies

• Performers: Immanuel Wilkins and more (Aug 21); Dr. Margarita Lila Rosa and more (Aug 22); Niara Sterling and more (Aug 23)

• Food Pop-Up: Teranga, serving red rice Joloff bowls, full of bold West African flavors, rooted in tradition

PAPI JUICE PARTY

• Performance August 21, in The Play Ground

• Performance at 9:45 pm, free admission

• Brooklyn nightlife stars throw their signature DJ fueled party

• Curator: Papi Juice; Lighting Designer: Wildblur

• Musical Guests: Ahya Simone, Kfeelz, Sterling Juan Diaz

JULIO TORRES AND MARTINE GUTIERREZ: MARINA

• Performances August 27-30 in The Amph

• Performances at 8:30 pm on August 27, 28, 30; Performance at 9:30 pm on August 29, with all

tickets $25

• A world premiere underwater fairytale about love, belonging and catfishing.

• Conceived by Julio Torres & Martine Gutierrez; Written and Directed by Julio Torres; Composer: Lia Ouyang Rusli; Choreographer: Ryan McNamara; Production Designer: Griffin Stoddard; Costume Designer: Erik Bergrin; Lighting Designer: Yuki Nakase Link; Sound Designer: Christopher Darbassie; Video Designer: André Azevedo Sweet; Puppets and Props Designer: Camille Labarre; Make Up Designer: Nina Carelli

• Cast: Martine Gutierrez, Spike Einbinder, Brandon Flynn, River L. Ramirez, Scully James and more

THE SPORKFUL: THE GREAT YOGURT FEUD

• Performances August 28-30 in The Glade

• Performances at 5:00 pm, free admission

• A live podcast exploring the surprising story of how a yogurt-obsessed nation lost out to its Greek neighbors and their ubiquitous style

• Hosts: Dan Pashman and Eliza Rothstein; Musical Guests: Yasna Voices

• Food Pop-Up: Culture, serving frozen yogurt

PAPI JUICE PARTY

• Performance August 28, in The Play Ground

• Performance at 9:45 pm, free admission

• Brooklyn nightlife stars throw their signature DJ fueled party

• Curator: Papi Juice; Lighting Designer: Wildblur

• Musical Guests: Hosts: Coyado, x3butterfly, SoFTT

THOMAS BARTLETT: ALLEN GINSBERG AT 100

• Performances September 2-6 in The Amph

• Performances at 8:30 pm, with all tickets $25

DKC / O&M 212 695 7400 omdkc.com

• An epic series of concerts, readings and park wide takeovers celebrating Allen Ginsberg’s centennial

• Curated by: Thomas Bartlett; with Laurie Anderson and the Allen Ginsberg Estate, Peter Hale, Jesse Goodman; Lighting Designer: Mary Ellen Stebbins; Sound Designer: Shannon Slaton

• Performers: Thomas Bartlett, Laurie Anderson, Oren Bloedow, Jason Burger, Jennifer Charles, Spencer Murphy, Douglas Wieselman, Davóne Tines, Anne Waldman and more; Special Guests: Rufus Wainwright (Sep 2); Bill Frisell (Sep 3); Morgan Bassichis, Dr. Mahogany L. Browne, Adam Eli, Michael R. Jackson, Janice A. Lowe and more to be announced

CAKE ZINE: CLOSING TIME

• Performances September 4-6 in The Glade

• Performances at 5:00 pm, with free admission

• The James Beard Award® winning food magazine presents a live, interactive issue focusing on the past, present and future of New York’s ever changing dining scene with stories, music and conversation

• Host: Aliza Abarbanel; Sep 4: Original Stories Read By: Melissa Lozada Oliva, Fran Tirado, Stephanie Wambugu, Savannah Sobrevilla; Conversation With: Phoebe Tran and Aliza Abarbanel; Sep 5: Original Stories Read By: Hilary Leichter, Mychal Denzel Smith, Nicolaia Rips, Eric Kim; Conversation With: Ifrah F. Ahmed and Aliza Abarbanel; Sep 6: Original Stories Read By: Leslie Jamison, Larissa Pham, Sahir Ahmed, Doreen St. Félix; Conversation With: Erik Piepenburg & Florent Morellet

• Food Pop-Up: Sep 4: Phoebe Tran, Bé Bếp, Vietnamese-American inspired recipes; Sep 5: Mr.

Jong, park-inspired, freshly grilled family meal

PAPI JUICE PARTY

• Performance September 4, in The Play Ground

• Performance at 9:45 pm, free admission

• Brooklyn nightlife stars throw their signature DJ fueled party

• Curator: Papi Juice; Lighting Designer: Wildblur

• Musical Guests: Papi Juice, Soul Connection

_Originally reported by [Brooklyn Vegan](https://www.brooklynvegan.com/little-island-2026-summer-series-julio-torres-alan-ginsberg-at-100-justin-vivian-bond-more/)._