free things to do in New York City

Free Events, Free Things to Do in New York City! Read More

45 free events take place on Tuesday, August 10 in New York City.

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The quality and quantity of
free events,
free things to do
that happen in New York City
every day of the year
is truly amazing.

So don't miss the opportunities
that only New York provides:
stop wondering what to do;
start taking advantage of
free events to go to,
free things to do in NYC
today!

45 free things to do in New York City (NYC) on Tuesday, August 10, 2010

All events are free unless otherwise noted.

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Workshop | Tai Chi in the Park

Tai Chi and Eternal Spring are instructed by members of the Tai Chi Chuan Center. Classes are for all ages and experience levels. Classes are rain or shine.

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7:30 am
free, no reservation required

Tour | Federal Reserve Bank Tour

Learn about central banking functions that Federal Reserve System performs and see Bank's vault of international monetary gold on bedrock of Manhattan Island, five stories below street level. Learn why Federal Reserve has "Federal" in its name, while it's a private bank, not Federal at all. Congressman Ron Paul considers the Federal Reserve "both corrupt and unconstitutional" Five tours daily on the hour.

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9:30 am
Free...

City Walk | Midtown Manhattan Walking Tour

New York City's best and funniest walking tour…..and it’s Free! Arguably the world's most valuable, busiest and most crowded pieces of real estate, Midtown Manhattan is what most visitors think of when they think of New York City. Home to some of the city's most iconic architecture, from Gothic to Post-Modern and from Beaux-Arts to Art Deco (lots of Art Deco). it's not difficult to understand why. But just behind the massive facades, lie fascinating histories is just waiting to be peeled away.

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10:00 am
free, no reservation required

Workshop | Yoga in the Park

lululemon athletica provides free yoga classes for all ages and levels. Awaken the body’s potential with revitalizing movement, stretching, breathing, and poses. Some of yoga’s benefits include weight loss, deeper sleep, release from pain and arthritis, and a more youthful appearance. Wear comfortable clothing that allows easy movement. Mats are provided. In case of rain, please call.

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10:00 am
free, no reservation required

Tour | Cathedral Tour

Explore the Cathedral's newly cleaned and restored Nave. Learn about the art, architecture and history of this great sacred space from 1892 to the present.

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11:00 am
$6

Dance Lesson | Native American Dance with Cetiliztli Nauhcampa

An interactive dance program with Native American artist Cetiliztli Nauhcampa.

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11:00 am
free, no reservation required

Other | Play Petanque in the Park

Learn to play petanque, the popular European game anchored in precision, patience, and camaraderie, from members of La Boule New Yorkaise, NYC's championship club.

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11:00 am
free, no reservation required

Other | Play Ping Pong

Hone your ping pong skills at one of two state-of-the-art tables. Paddles and balls are provided free of charge. Sign up with an attendant in the park to reserve a time slot.

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11:00 am
free, no reservation required

Other | Meet the Birds

Get an up-close visit with exotic birds from the Arcadia Bird Sanctuary and Education Center. Terri Jones, her granddaughter Caitlyn, Leslie Wallace, and their sociable, people-friendly birds can be found, weather permitting. Stop by to watch, ask questions, interact with the birds, or just take pictures.

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11:30 am
free, no reservation required

Dance Performance | Choreographer Paul–André Fortier's Solo 30x30

A 30-minute dance performance presented in the same location, at the same time for 30 consecutive days. Created by choreographer and performer Paul-André Fortier, one of the leading figures in Canadian contemporary dance, this minimalist work is stripped of the stage’s artifice and grounded in the urban décor to form a bond between performer, audience and place.

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12:00 pm
free, no reservation required

Park Walk | Exploring Hallett and the Pond Tour

Take a break to enjoy the Park! Take this half-hour walk through the Park's smallest woodland area and learn its history, enjoy its peacefulness, and discover the mystery behind the waterfall. Due to limited space in the Hallett Nature Sanctuary, the first 20 people to sign in at the beginning of the tour will be able to participate! Call for directions.

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12:00 pm
free, no reservation required

Tour | Downtown: Where New York Began Tour

A tour of Downtown — its history, architecture, and art, and its fascinating denizens. Tour includes Federal Hall, the U.S. Stock Exchange, Trinity Church, Fraunces Tavern, U.S. Custom House, and Bowling Green. Led by a professional tour leader. Adults, please bring photo ID.

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12:30 pm
$10 suggested donation

Jazz | Jazz Piano: Junior Mance

Junior Mance is an international jazz musician who has performed with jazz greats such as Dizzy Gillespie, Dinah Washington, and Lester Young. He was inducted into the International Jazz Hall of Fame in 1997. When not traveling, Junior can be found every Sunday performing at Cafe' Loup in NYC.

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12:30 pm
free, no reservation required

Concert | Juilliard guitarist Peter Ernst performs romantic music from Spain

Program: Fernando Sor Variations on Malborough s'en va t'en guerre, Op. 28 José Broca Una Flor José Ferrer Estudio Julián Arcas Polacca Fantástica Francisco Tárrega Marieta (Mazurka), Recuerdos de la Alhambra & Rosita (Polka) Miguel Llobet Romanza Emilio Pujol Guajira Andrés Segovia Estudio sin luz Manuel María Ponce Vals & Tres canciones populares mexicanas

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12:30 pm
free, no reservation required

Author Reading | Megadeth frontman Dave Mustaine discusses his book Mustaine: A Heavy Metal Memoir

In 2009 Mustaine was ranked No. 1 in Joel McIver's book The 100 Greatest Metal Guitarists. Mustaine was also ranked eighty-ninth by Hit Parader on their list of the 100 Greatest Metal Vocalists of All Time.

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12:30 pm
free, no reservation required

Performance | Performance Art: LoVid's Trichrome Navigation

Interdisciplinary artist duo LoVid lead a team of performers and audience members through an obstacle course, carrying electronic components from one side to another, building an electronic musical instrument that produces live sound. Beginning with minimal sound and movement, the performance progresses to a crescendo of increasing density and sound.

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12:30 pm
free, no reservation required

**Book Discussion | Rudyard Kipling's Just So Stories for Little Children: An Appreciation for Adults**

Led by Alexandra Horowitz, author of Inside of a Dog. A discussion of the bedtime stories we loved as children, but only now as adults can fully understand.

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12:30 pm
free, no reservation required

Concert | Sophisticated Ladies

On your lunch hour, cool music for a warm summer day.

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12:30 pm
free, no reservation required

Tour | Cathedral Tour

Explore the Cathedral's newly cleaned and restored Nave. Learn about the art, architecture and history of this great sacred space from 1892 to the present.

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1:00 pm
$6

Dance Lesson | Native American Dance with Cetiliztli Nauhcampa

An interactive dance program with Native American artist Cetiliztli Nauhcampa.

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1:00 pm
free, no reservation required

Workshop | Featured Database: Facts on File

Hands on using wireless laptops. Explore this comprehensive and authoritative reference resource with coverage of African-American, American Indian, American Women’s, and Modern World, Ancient, and Medieval History Online. Learn to access maps, timelines, tables and charts, primary sources, biographies and images which provide a glimpse into the past.

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1:15 pm
Free...

Workshop | Knitting Circle

Gotta Knit provides free instruction to beginners. Yarn and needles are provided.

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1:30 pm
Free

Workshop | Internet 3: Advanced Search Strategies

Hands on using wireless laptops. Learn advanced search strategies to narrow results and find the best information online.

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2:30 pm
Free...

Concert | 2nd Annual Hudson Square Music & Wine Festival

A free neighborhood celebration of music, food, and wine. Musical guest is Bajah & The Dry Eye Crew. After packing the national stadium for performances in their home country of Sierra Leone and contributing music to the Academy Award–nominated film Blood Diamond, African superstars Bajah & the Dry Eye Crew are poised to conquer the global airwaves with their international debut album (due out in fall 2009) and their unique sound, which blends the swagger and funk of hip-hop, the passion and energy of dancehall, and the socially conscious vibe of reggae.

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5:00 pm
free, no reservation required

Workshop | Shape Up NYC - Intensati

This revolutionary workout fuses high energy aerobics, martial arts, dance, yoga, and strength conditioning. Combining spoken affirmations with simple choreography, Intensati provides a heart pumping, exhilarating workout that builds physical, mental and spiritual muscle.

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5:00 pm
free, no reservation required

Dance Lesson | Belly Dancing Class

With Lisa Rickenbacker.

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6:00 pm
free, no reservation required

Other | Park Green Team

Help care for the park. All ages; children must be accompanied by an adult.

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6:00 pm
free, no reservation required

Park Walk | Tuesday Night Park Tour

Walk the pathways of newly opened pier 1 with park designers and planners and learn the history of the site, the process that led to its creation, the features of its landscape and the innovative sustainable elements that make this truly a green park.

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6:00 pm
free, no reservation required

Park Walk | Walk NYC

A walking program that encourages New Yorkers of all ages to get fit while enjoying the outdoors. With funding provided by Empire Blue Cross Blue Shield, Parks hired trained walking instructors who will keep participants active, exercising and having fun.

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6:00 pm
free, no reservation required

Concert | Classical Brass Trio

Jazz from the New School for Jazz and Contemporary Music.

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6:30 pm
free, no reservation required

**Screening | German/Israeli Documentary: Yael Hersonski's A Film Unfinished (2009)**

At the end of WWII, 60 minutes of raw film was discovered in an East German archive. Filmed by the Nazis in Warsaw in May 1942 and labeled simply “Ghetto,” this footage quickly became a resource for historians seeking an authentic record of the Warsaw Ghetto. However, the later discovery of a reel that included staged scenes complicated earlier readings of the footage. This documentary presents the raw footage in its entirety, with expert commentary that carefully notes fictionalized scenes falsely showing “the good life” enjoyed by Jewish inhabitants of the ghetto, and illuminates the making of a now-infamous Nazi propaganda film. 88 min. In German, Hebrew, Polish and Yiddish with English subtitles. Post-screening discussion with Yael Hersonski moderated by Bonnie Gurewitsch.

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6:30 pm
Free with suggested...

Workshop | MS PowerPoint

Hands on using wireless laptops. Learn how to create a slideshow presentation using Microsoft PowerPoint 2003. Topics include creating and editing slides, inserting images and clipart, and running your slideshow.

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6:30 pm
Free...

Staged Reading | Paranormal Mysteries: Out-of-This-World Detectives

With moderator Meredith Anthony and panelists Lee Barwood and E. F. Watkins of Mystery Writers of America - New York Chapter. Vampires. Werewolves. Zombies. Extra-terrestrials. Ghosts. Mysterious creatures like Bigfoot and the Loch Ness monster. Paranormal mysteries are among the most popular genres of fiction—why? Join this lively discussion and hear expert opinions on why paranormal stories have thrived for hundreds of years.

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6:30 pm
free, no reservation required

Workshop | Pilates: Mat Class

This total body workout is a great way to develop superior core muscle power and tone, all with a beautiful view of the Hudson. Please wear loose, comfortable clothing and bring your own mat.

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6:30 pm
free, no reservation required

Workshop | Riverside Run Class

Fall in love with running or prepare for your first or next race. With this class, Riverside Run, turn yourself into a well-balanced running machine. Led by instructor Evan Armbrister, this vigorous running class will help you tune up your technique and get an intense workout at the same time – all against the beautiful backdrop of the Hudson River. Weather permitting.

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6:30 pm
free, no reservation required