What you need to know – NBC New York

The Chelsea Music Festival begins its 15th season on Friday, making it the longest-running festival celebrating music, art and food in New York City.

Co-founders and co-artistic directors Ken-David Masur and Melinda Lee Masur, both professional musicians, spoke to NBC New York about the milestone.

“It’s been fun for us to explore locations south of Lincoln Center and bring people to concerts they wouldn’t normally go to,” Masur told NBC New York.

Each year, the Chelsea Music Festival brings together fields in the arts, bringing together leaders from the performing, visual and culinary worlds. By doing this, it creates a cross-cultural platform for both collaboration and playful experimentation.

This festival features several often overlooked genres of music, from chamber music to jazz and everything in between, in non-traditional spaces in the vibrant Chelsea neighborhood. This edition brings art to life at the High Line, the Czech Center, and St. Paul’s German Lutheran Church, to name a few.

Because each season is built around a theme, this year’s ‘Connecting the Dots’ focuses on the role of art in healing, strengthening brain health and connecting people with each other. Exploring this topic will spotlight invited neuroscientists giving pre-concert lectures, hosting family events and more.

The thoughtful week-long programming lives up to its motto ‘Hear Taste See’ and is a true pleasure for the senses. It includes exhibitions, talks, family-friendly events, free performances open to all, receptions and even a specially curated dinner.

Some highlights include the Opening Night with Aizuri Quartet and WindSync and the release concert of the Lee Trio album ‘Midsummer Night Magic’.

“The 15th season is something we never thought possible,” says Masur. “It was great to see and grow together with the neighborhood into a place where people enjoy the music, the art and, above all, each other.”

The Chelsea Music Festival runs until Saturday.