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Do not attempt to leave the dancefloor…because Beyoncé’s almost here! Yes, after getting all of Europe heated since May 2023, The Renaissance World Tour—one of the most-anticipated summer concerts and festivals of the year—is finally making its way to the New York area this summer with a pair of shows at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford on Saturday, July 29 and Sunday, July 30. 

Whether you already scored Beyoncé tickets or are still desperately refreshing those third-party ticket sites, we have all the intel to get you prepped for the big show. So grab your bedazzled cowgirl hat, slap on some fringe and let the “Summer Renaissance” begin! 

What time will Beyoncé come on stage?

Studio gates open at 5:30pm for the MetLife shows on July 29 and 30, but the actual time that Queen Bey takes the stage in all of her diva glory has fluctuated throughout the Renaissance tour, with some of the North American dates starting as early as 8:30pm and others as late as 9:10pm. (For reference, this writer attended the Toronto show at Rogers Centre earlier this month, which saw Beyoncé begin performing at 8:55pm.) Our advice? Play it safe and have your butt in your seat by 8:15pm. 

What’s the full setlist?

Not every gig has been identical to the one before it, but here’s a rough framework of the songs that Mrs. Carter plays during the career-spanning set. The tracks are clustered together, with several breaks and video interludes throughout the show to give Bey enough time for her glorious costume changes. 

OVERTURE
“Dangerously in Love 2”
“Flaws and All”
“1+1” / “I’m Going Down”
“I Care”

RENAISSANCE
“I’m That Girl” 
“Cozy” 
“Alien Superstar” 
“Lift Off”

MOTHERBOARD
“Cuff It”
“Energy”
“Break My Soul”

OPULENCE
“Formation”
“Diva”
“Run the World (Girls)”
“My Power”
“Black Parade”
“Savage Remix”
“Partition”

ANOINTED
“Church Girl”
“Get Me Bodied”
“Before I Let Go”
“Rather Die Young”
“Love on Top” 
“Crazy in Love”
“Plastic Off the Sofa”
“Virgo’s Groove”
“Naughty Girl”
“Move”
“Heated”

MIND CONTROL
“America Has a Problem”
“Pure/Honey”
“Summer Renaissance”

Who is supporting Beyoncé at New York’s MetLife Stadium?

Girl, it’s Beyoncé. She is the opening act, the main act, the encore, all of the above. 

Are there any tickets left?

Yes, tickets are still available for both nights on verified ticket sellers like Ticketmaster, ranging from $300-plus for seats at the 300s level to $3,750-5,000 for the VIP section close to the stage. 

What’s MetLife Stadium’s bag policy?

There is a clear bag policy at MetLife: guests are required to carry their belongings in clear plastic, vinyl or PVC bags that are 12″ x 6″ x 12″ or less in size. Smaller purses and clutch-style handbags that are 4.5″ x 6.5″ or less in size are also permitted. “All bags and other permissible items will be subject to multiple screenings prior to entering MetLife,” per the stadium. 

What time does the Beyonce concert end?

Again, just like the start time, the end time has varied throughout the tour but on average, Beyoncé performs for a hearty two-and-a-half hours each concert, which puts the end time at around 11pm.

* This article was originally published here

Is it really summer in NYC without Shakespeare in the Park? We’re about to find out. 

The Delacorte Theater—the Central Park sister to the Public Theater in the East Village—has been putting on free productions of the Bard’s plays every summer for the past six decades, with a musical adaptation of The Public’s The Tempest closing out the 2023 season next month, running in the 1,800-seat open-air theater for one week only from Sunday, August 27 through Sunday, Sept. 3, 2023.

RECOMMENDED: How to get free Shakespeare in the Park tickets

It won’t just be the final production of 2023 for the historic performance space; it will be the Delacorte’s final production for the next two years. That’s because the Public Theater, in partnership with Central Park Conservancy and the New York City Department of Parks & Recreation, is embarking on a revitalization project of the 61-year-old theater, beginning in the fall of 2023 and reportedly culminating in time for the 2025 summer season. 

The project—which is estimated to cost $77 million, with $41 million contributed by the offices of the mayor, City Council and Manhattan borough president, another $1 million from the state budget and the remainder privately funded—was first announced back in December 2021 but the renovation faced pandemic-related delays. Proposed plans would benefit both the performers and the patrons: increased access for people living with disabilities, new audience seating, improved lighting, modernized back-of-house operations, among others. 

“Now, it is time for us to ensure that our beloved Delacorte will continue to be a home for artists and audiences for generations to come. This 18-month renovation will create a Delacorte that is more accessible, more sustainable, more able to create extraordinary theater, and more a palace for the people of this city than ever before,” said artistic director Oskar Eustis and executive director Patrick Willingham in a statement. 

“When we gather together in summer 2025, it will be at the magnificent, refreshed Delacorte Theater built by and for the people of New York, to be treasured as our shared home for Free Shakespeare in the Park for generations to come. We look forward to sharing it with you all.”

Check out renderings for the proposed new Delacorte Theater space below:

* This article was originally published here

Bow down, because the queen is here—well, Queen Bey, that is.

New Yorkers are gearing up for Beyoncé at MetLife Stadium, with the “CUFF IT” crooner bringing her Renaissance Tour to the East Rutherford venue on Saturday, July 29 and Sunday, July 30 (here’s how to get Beyoncé tickets, if you don’t have the already), but Bey fans can get an even earlier peek at the iconic performer at Madame Tussauds New York.

On Thursday, July 27, the wax museum debuted a brand-new iteration of Beyoncé’s wax figure (one that thankfully doesn’t make the list of the worst-looking wax sculptures at Madame Tussauds in NYC). The new statue is a recreation of the Queen Nefertiti-inspired look that the superstar wore during her historic Coachella performance from 2018 (Bey was the first Black woman to ever headline the music festival), including replicas of her Balmain bodysuit and coordinating cape, ornate headpiece, statement necklace, diamante earrings and metallic booties. The Beychella effect is complete with a commanding pose, accessorized with a cane. 

To successfully achieve Beyoncé’s likeness, the museum enlisted the efforts of 20 Madame Tussauds studio artists, sculptors and designers in London, who researched hundreds of images, videos and magazine spreads of the singer before completing the statue in six months. 

The wax figure is available for view at The Edge, the 100-story-high, glass-floored observation deck at Hudson Yards, the highest outdoor sky deck in the Western Hemisphere. It’s a fitting spot for someone whose success is as towering as Beyoncé’s. (The artist has sold over 200 million records worldwide and holds 32 Grammy Awards, the highest of any musician.) 

“As one of the most significant, influential performers of the 21st century, we wanted to capture one of Beyoncé’s most impactful moments in her inspiring career,” said Tiago Mogadouro, Head of Marketing at Madame Tussauds New York. “She’s a visionary in music, art and fashion and we felt her look at Coachella 2018 was an embodiment of her spirit as the ultimate entertainer. What better way to celebrate Beyoncé than to immortalize that moment in wax for fans to enjoy for years to come?”

* This article was originally published here