LES the Lower East Side Festival of the Arts

LES, THE LOWER EAST SIDE FESTIVAL OF THE ARTS is an annual celebration of the rich artistic culture and ethnic diversity of this area. For three days over Memorial Day Weekend, TNC produces a cabaret-style festival featuring over 100 performing groups from the Lower East Side. All cultures and disciplines are represented. Saturday afternoon, a Street Fair is held on East 10th Street, which includes food and goods sold by local merchants, and performances by local poets, musicians and performance artists. Inside, there is a children's program performed for and by students from local schools and a Film Festival running all afternoon and evening. Sunday evening, a Poetry reading is held. This highly anticipated and popular event has grown tenfold since its inception in 1996, and is attended by over 3000 people annually. The purpose of this festival is to unify the community, create a positive image for the Lower East Side, and discover new writing talent. The Film Program is a 12-hour long film festival of art-house, experimental and independent films. The theme of 2019 is: "Films that go against the Norm."