By Julie Shapiro
DNAinfo Reporter/Producer
LOWER MANHATTAN — It still feels more like winter outside, but 11 downtown arts groups are hoping to heat things up by launching a spring programming series this week.
Spring Downtown, a brainchild of the two-year-old Lower Manhattan Arts League, will feature an array of dance, theater and music performances, along with films, gallery shows and events for children, all below Houston Street, between now and the beginning of May.
Highlights include the experimental Music With A View Festival at Flea Theater March 22 to April 3; "Born Bad," a family drama by Debbie Tucker Green at Soho Rep March 31 to April 24 and the Battery Dance Company's 35th anniversary season April 29 to May 4.
This is the second year the lower Manhattan arts groups have gotten together for Spring Downtown, which helps the small organizations spread the word about their programs.
"We're joining forces and learning from each other," said Jonathan Hollander, artistic and executive director at Battery Dance Company.
Hollander said many of the organizations are still struggling to recover from the recession, which dried up donations and foundation funding. The joint marketing campaign, funded through grants, allows them to work together rather than competing for an audience, Hollander said.
"It's a great way of having our work made more accessible and public," Hollander said.
The arts groups will offer brief previews of their upcoming programs at a free Spring Fling March 21 from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. at DCTV, 87 Lafayette St. A complete listing of Spring Downtown events is available online.
