Sound waves on the Hudson​

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 What is Westbeth MusicWorks?

 

Westbeth MusicWorks a collective of professional musicians, composers, educators and artists who reside at Westbeth Home of the Arts.  We are creating a vibrant music center at Westbeth.  We produce unforgettable musical events at Westbeth throughout the year, including music and multi-arts festivals, concerts, workshops, classes and events.​​

 

​The Annual Westbeth Music Festival  

 

In 2004 composer/lyricist Stan Satlin produced the First Westbeth Music Festival. Each year was better than the last, featuring a remarkable roster of world-class musicians living at Westbeth and their colleagues; a Pulitzer prize winning composer, a songwriter with a hit on Sirius radio, and many other incredible musical artists. People from many genres including Jazz, Indie Rock, Classical, Opera, Salsa, West African, Brasilian, Persian, Country, New Music, R n’ B, Broadway, Cabaret, avant-garde and more. Many events are free and offer diverse concerts and activities for all ages to the community.​

 

​ We produced a young peoples’ music festival; “Westbeth Kid’s Groove” which The NY Times called  “a Woodstock for the young!” and presented an exciting roster of bands, choirs, youth orchestras performing outdoors in Westbeth’s historic courtyard.  Also featured were storytellers, puppet theater, song-writing, drumming and dance workshops.

These are the kind of events which happen at Westbeth.

 

Greenwich Village’s huge population of young musicians whose energy, skills and spirit are leading the future of music now have a venue to showcase their innovations! 

 

Sound waves where the Highline meets the Hudson​.​

 

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 History of the Site​

 

Sound waves have been bubbling on this same spot since the turn of the last century when Bell Labs' sound technology developed the first condenser microphone and the amplifier and produced the first "soundie" with Al Jolson in "The Jazz Singer".​

 

​Conversion from Bell Labs to Westbeth​​

 

Bell Labs was converted to artists housing by architect Richard Meier and opened in 1970 as Westbeth Artists Community; a stellar example of urban re-design in The Meat-Packing District of New York City. ​

 

​Historic Landmark​

 

The name ‘Westbeth’ comes from Westbeth Station on The Highline (corner of West and Beth-une streets) and has historic landmark status.​

 

​The Tradition of Music in Greenwich Village​​

 

Our aim is to grow a self-sustaining center for the performing arts that builds community with concerts, classes, workshops; brings joy, inspiration and furthers knowledge of Greenwich Village’s artistic legacy, features the highest level of musical artistry and provides opportunities for emerging artists of all ages and genres. ​

 

​With the Whitney Museum only a block away, the creative energy, excitement and flow of visitors to the Westbeth neighborhood will only increase. Yet, there is no major state-of-the-art concert venue for music in the Village, despite Greenwich Village’s long history as a haven for musicians.  Where better to nurture this creative surge than where the Highline meets The Hudson: Westbeth Center for The Creative Arts?

 

Don't miss this historic opportunity! You are invited to join our team of Cultural Community Builders!  Find out more by clicking on: ​JOIN US​​​​​​