By Brooke Johnpier — Advisory Editor
The sky was gray. The air was chilly. A brisk dampness permeated the air. Pedestrians walking through Central Park were bundled up in their coats, just wanting to get to their destination. However, as they got to the middle of the park, they stopped in awe at the sight before them.
Naumburg Bandshell — a stage in the middle of Central Park that has hosted prominent figures such as B.B. King and Martin Luther King Jr. — had been taken over by student artists. The dreary landscape around them forgotten, the viewers watched as a new culture began to unfold.
The performance was the first in a series of bimonthly exhibits: New York Rock’N’Roll Showcases, hosted by New York Rock’N’Roll — a movement that bridges together student artists with the legends of the ‘80s, in an attempt to tell the youth to “keep creating — no matter what — because your art can change this world.”
And that is exactly what happened on Sept. 28, 2026.
Amidst the various aspiring performers were the Ukrainian Dumka Chorus of New York, SKORTS — a New York City-based indie and post-punk four-piece band — Luli Bono, a Spanish singer, dancers from the Joffrey School of Ballet, and Rodger Stevens, both a sculptor and professor at the New School, who hosted the evening.
At the New School, Stevens is a mentor to the creator of the New York Rock’N’Roll movement: Nora Polinnia. Polinnia is a Ukrainian musician who moved to New York City during the war.
Polinnia and her movement have just one simple belief: that a young artist doesn’t need everything to keep going; they just need one person who sees them. And for Polinnia, that person was Gail Ann Dorsey — legendary performer and former bassist for David Bowie.
“Gail and I met at Carole King’s songwriting retreat in Joshua Tree,” said Polinnia. “Months later, we met at another retreat in Memphis [Tennessee].”
Dorsey and Polinnia made a connection, and they kept in touch via text.
“I was intrigued by her,” said Polinnia. “I [kept] sending her my music, and updating her on my life.”
So when Polinnia started working on the New York Rock’N’Roll movement, she knew the first legend she would ask to help mentor the younger generation was Dorsey.
“I was very nervous but I called her and asked if we could shoot an interview with her for our music documentary,” said Polinnia. “She said yes, [and] the rest is history.”
Dorsey was in full support of the movement, and was super excited to take part in the performance.
“I am honored and excited to be a part of this performance,” said Dorsey. “This kick-ass movement was created by some very talented, inspired, and empowered young artists from The New School in New York City! They are the energy and creative fire behind a multi-media project they call ‘New York Rock’N’Roll’, attempting to reignite, reimagine, and redefine art and music in these times, in their generation, inspired by the artists and musicians who came before…”
The new generation of creatives is on its way, with the next performance scheduled for Nov. 21 at The Tank Theater.
“The thing I love most about New York Rock’N’Roll is that it can last more than a lifetime,” said Polinnia. “There’s no specific end goal that would indicate that the work is done! However, if one thing were to fulfill the mission of the project, it would be the community located at its core.”
The community is open to anyone who has a creative soul.
“The New York Rock’N’Roll community exists both physically and digitally, and operates on a monthly basis,” said Polinnia. “It is the place where emerging artists will actually get connected to the industry’s professionals. Digitally, members will be able to weekly attend live streams with the guest artist of that week, and ask them actual questions. Then, once a month we will host an evening of live music, performance, and just a good time. It will be a private gathering where generations of New York’s artists actually get the chance to meet one another, and where students get to jam with legends. Every month, one emerging artist will get selected to receive personal feedback from a legend who also works in the discipline of the emerging artist.”
The only catch: you have to be a member of the New York Rock’N’Roll movement.
Join the community –> here
Join the documentary –> here
“There is room for any artist in any genre,” said Polinnia. “New York Rock’N’Roll is not just for musicians.”
May rock be your destiny.Have questions/comments? Email Brooke at johnpibl23@bonaventure.edu!
Leave a Reply