Little Island, the artificial park in New York's Hudson River, has unveiled its fifth summer season under producing artistic director Zack Winokur, who spoke to Billboard about how he curates programming for the unusual outdoor venue. Unlike conventional theatres or even open-air spaces such as Central Park, Little Island allows artists to shape the audio-visual experience of an entire self-contained space, giving Winokur scope to blend established musical innovators with performers exploring the city's cultural history.

This year's line-up includes Justin Vivian Bond opening the season with "Summer's Eve" (29-31 July), Anthony Roth Costanzo surveying minimalist music (5-9 August), and Laurie Anderson featuring in Thomas Bartlett's "Allen Ginsberg at 100" (2-6 September). Other highlights include Louis Cato revisiting Savoy and Harlem Renaissance music (19-23 August), Cécile McLorin Salvant exploring Tin Pan Alley (12-16 August), Qween Jean's Summer Legacy Ball (1 August), and Julio Torres and Martine Gutierrez's Whitney Biennial-commissioned piece "Marina" (27-30 August). Throughout the season, the Papi Juice collective will host free dance parties at the island's "Play Ground", timed alongside shows at the venue's 700-plus-seat amphitheatre.