One of the many highlights from this weekends Roots of American Music show at Lincoln Center Out of Doors: Taylor Mac performed excerpts from his upcoming 24 hour concert of popular music, focussing on "conservative" social songs in a effort to be allowed to play INSIDE Lincoln Center.

The Roots of American Music Festival at Lincoln Center Out of Doors concluded Sunday Evening with a far-flung tribute to Soul in all its eras: legendary singer Swamp Dogg, new-soul singer Aloe Blacc, and an all-star tribute to poet/singer Gil Scott-Heron (with performances by Last Poet Abiodun Oyewole, Sandra St. Vincent, Martha Redbone, and GSH cohort Brian Jackson). What a way to end this year's festival!

The Roots of American Music Festival Day 2: the afternoon session featured topical songs in all their forms, with performances by Pura Fe, Daniel Kahn, Tom Paxton, Taylor Mac, and Erin McKeown.

Day One of The Roots of American Music, the final weekend of Lincoln Center Out of Doors: the Willie Mae Rock Camp All-Stars, the Soulful Songwriters (Dan Penn, William Bell, and Teenie Hodges), soul legend Otis Clay, and an all-star tribute to Laura Nyro (Felix Cavalieri, Desmond Child & Rouge, Kate Ferber, Nona Hendryx & Sarah Dash, Melissa Manchester, Melba Moore, and more).

Valerie Simpson's heartfelt and celebratory tribute to husband Nick Ashford featured may of the regulars from the Sugar Bar (A&S home). Opening the night were several pieces by the Denver-based Cleo Parker Robinson Dance Company.

!!! kept the crowd dancing last night, after a thrilling set by soul legend Lenny Williams (who joined !!! for a song as well).

World music with world beats was the sound-du-jour at Lincoln Center, with the NY debut of the Alaev Family (Israel) and the all-star Global Fusion project of Dr. L. Subramaniam.

A triple attack at Lincoln Center, from world bands with a beat: UKanDanz (Ethiopia, via France), Oumar Konate (amazing guitar shredder from Mali), and Yemen Blues (a large ensemble built on Middle Eastern/North African grooves).

OURLAND - a celebration of the Irish arts - settled in at Lincoln Center for a full day of music, dance, and prose. Led by artistic director Joe Hurley, the festival featured the best of Ireland and Irish-America. These images are from the early evening and evening performances.

A trio of artists brought the world to NYC: the all-star Colombian aggregation Ondatropica, Ozomatli's Wil-Dog accompanied by Banda Viento de Oro, and a special surprise opening solo set by Os Mutante founder Sergio Dias.

Opening night of Lincoln Center Out of Doors meant an open dance floor for the classic funk & disco of Nile Rodgers and Chic, joined by DJ KS*360 and the Behind the Groove dancers.