free things to do in New York City
Free events for Thursday, 08/16/12
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Free Events, Free Things to Do in New York City!  Read More

Are you looking for free things to do in New York City (NYC) on August 16, 2012?

53 free events take place on Thursday, August 16 in New York City. Don't miss the opportunities that only New York provides! Exciting, high quality, unique and off the beaten path free events and free things to do take place in New York today, tonight, tomorrow and each day of the year, any time of the day: whether it's a weekday or a weekend, day or night, morning or evening or afternoon, December or July, April or November! These events will take your breath away!

New York City (NYC) never ceases to amaze you with quantity and quality of its free culture and free entertainment. Check out August 16 and see for yourself. Summer or Winter, Spring or Fall! Just click on any day of the calendar above and you'll find most inspiring and entertaining free events to go to and free things to do on each day of August . Don't miss the opportunities that only New York provides!

Some events take place all year long: same day of the week, same time there are there for you to take advantage of. One of the oldest free weekly events in Manhattan is Dixieland Jazz with the Gotham Jazzmen, which happen at noon every Tuesday. Another example of an event that you can attend all year round on weekdays is Federal Reserve Bank Tour, which takes place every week day at 1 pm (but advanced reservations are required). You can take at least 13 free tours every day of the year, except the New Year Day, July 4th, and the Christmas Day. If you are classical music afficionado, you can spend whole day in New York going from one free classical concert to another. If you love theater, then New York gives you an option to attend plays and musicals free of charge, or at deep discount. You just need to have information about it. And we are here to make that information available to you.
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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!

53 free things to do in New York City (NYC) on Thursday, August 16, 2012

All events are free unless otherwise noted.
        

Concert | Lionel Richie, Singer-Songwriter


Richie was a pop/R&B superstar in the 80s and now he's made a comeback with the country-tinged album Tuskegee.
   New York City, NY; NYC
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7:00 am
Free

Workshop | Park Tai Chi


Tai Chi and Eternal Spring are instructed by members of the Tai Chi Chuan Center for all ages and experience levels. Classes are rain or shine.
   New York City, NY; NYC
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7:30 am
Free

Tour | National Historic Landmark Tour of Governors Island


Join a National Park Ranger and an array of persons from the past as you explore the island's historic landmark district, which features structures dating back to 1794. In seeing the island historical landmarks, you may get a chance to meet the people who lived and worked in them in their heyday! The tour is approximately 1.5 miles walking with little time for breaks. There is no food, water, or restroom access during these tours, so please plan accordingly. Start times: 10am and 2:15pm.
   New York City, NY; NYC
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10:00 am
Free

Screening | Daily Screenings: Arctic Summer, Part I


For their Celebrating American Nations! series, they present three works from Arctic Canada, two animations and a short documentary on the World Eskimo-Indian Olympics. Start times: 10:30am and 11:45am.
   New York City, NY; NYC
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10:30 am
Free

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.
   New York City, NY; NYC
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11:00 am
$6

Film | Frank Lloyd's Mutiny on the Bounty (1935): Best Picture of the Year


Starring Charles Laughton, Clark Gable & Franchot Tone. A vivid account of THE BOUNTY which set sail for the South Seas in 1787. The voyage is beset by insurrection brought on by Captain Bligh. 132 min.
   New York City, NY; NYC
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11:00 am
Free

Performance | Write Out Front: A Playwright Happening


Watch emerging and emerged playwrights, book writers and lyricists create new work right in front of your eyes. During two hour time slots, a writer or writer's team will write a new play in the storefront window with a screen shot of their computer projected behind them, visible to the street. See writers create new worlds, find inspiration and try to avoid Facebook (or not). Come see playwrights from shows coming up or currently playing at venues around town including the NY International Fringe Festival.
   New York City, NY; NYC
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11:00 am
Free

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" Tour times: 11:15 a.m., 12:00 p.m., 1:15 p.m., 2:30 p.m., 3:15 p.m., and 4:00 p.m.
   New York City, NY; NYC
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11:15 am
Free

Dance Performance | Downtown Dance Festival 2012


The 31st Annual Downtown Dance Festival is New York City’s longest-running public dance festival and is Battery Dance Company’s gift to its home community. International highlights this year include Sri Warisan, a 15-member troupe from Singapore that is known for its authentic presentation of Malay ethnic dance, music and theater; Vanaver Caravan, the dance and music ensemble from New Paltz performing a tribute to Woody Guthrie on the legendary American folk musician’s centenary year; Philadelphia-based Kun-Yang Lin/Dancers, and ten New York companies showcasing various genres ranging from modern ballet to fusion.
   New York City, NY; NYC
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12:00 pm
Free

Tour | National Monument Tour


Get an in-depth look at the two historic forts that compose the Governors Island National Monument. These tours will take you through all the historic nooks and crannies of Fort Jay and Castle Williams. As part of this tour, visitors will be escorted into the interior and to the roof of Castle Williams, which has never before been open to the public. The tour is approximately 2/3 of a mile walking, and there is no food, water, or restroom access available. Please plan accordingly.
   New York City, NY; NYC
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12:15 pm
Free

Concert | Broadway in the Park: Sister Act / Nice Work If You Can Get It / Avenue Q / Bring It On / Rock of Ages / A Christmas Story


The most popular musicals on and off Broadway perform their biggest hits.
   New York City, NY; NYC
12:30 pm
Free

Jazz | Jazz on the Plaza


Each Thursday over the course of the summer months, the church hosts a series of jazz concerts for the midtown community. Many people bring a lunch. Audiences enjoy a variety of well-regarded artists. Care is made to present a diversity of ensembles and styles ranging from small trios to large big bands.
   New York City, NY; NYC
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12:30 pm
Free

Jazz | Jazz on the Plaza


Each Thursday over the course of the summer months, the church hosts a series of jazz concerts for the midtown community. Many people bring a lunch. Audiences enjoy a variety of well-regarded artists. Care is made to present a diversity of ensembles and styles ranging from small trios to large big bands.
   New York City, NY; NYC
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12:30 pm
Free

Jazz | Victor Lin, Jazz Pianist


Victor Lin is a former student of jazz legend Kenny Barron. He is currently a jazz music instructor at Columbia University, Teachers College, and The Calhoun School.
   New York City, NY; NYC
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12:30 pm
Free

Park Walk | “Views from the Past” Tour


As you promenade through the heart of the Park, imagine yourself living in 19th Century New York City. Learn about the Park's history and how its designers, Frederick Law Olmsted and Calvert Vaux, struggled to create the magnificent "Greensward" for the enjoyment of all. Tour lasts approximately one hour.
   New York City, NY; NYC
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12:30 pm
Free

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.
   New York City, NY; NYC
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1:00 pm
$6

Screening | Daily Screenings: IndiVisible


In conjunction with the exhibition “IndiVisible: African-Native American Lives in the Americas,” they present two documentaries that explore the history, culture and contemporary reality of people who share African American and Native American ancestry. Start times at 1pm, 3pm and 5:30pm.
   New York City, NY; NYC
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1:00 pm
Free

Other | Scrabble Mania


All levels of play welcome. Please bring with you...your Scrabble set (be sure it has all 100 tiles!), a Scrabble dictionary and, of course, a love of the game!
   New York City, NY; NYC
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1:00 pm
Free

Gallery Talk | Tour of Jubilation|Rumination: Life, Real and Imagined


Free tour with the museum’s gallery guides.
   New York City, NY; NYC
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1:00 pm
Free

Dance Lesson | Ballroom Dancing Then and Now


Learn steps from today’s most popular ballroom dances. Find out where they came from and how they have changed through the years. Explore social dancing of the past and the present with Mark Mindek of the New York Historical Dance Company and Judy Ayres of Just Dance. Wear comfortable shoes. No partner necessary.
   New York City, NY; NYC
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2:00 pm
Free

Workshop | Digital Photos S.O.S.


Hands on using wireless laptops. Learn how to Save, Organize, and Share (S.O.S.) your digital photos. Students are required to have mouse and keyboard skills as well as being proficient in both Windows and Internet Explorer.
   New York City, NY; NYC
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2:30 pm
Free

Workshop | Stay Well Exercise


Join us for a free Stay Well exercise session. Stay Well volunteers certified by the NYC's Department for the aging will lead participants in a well-balanced series of exercises for seniors of all ability levels. Please wear loose comfortable clothing. Exercise equipment will be provided. All participants are required to sign a personal medical waiver at the beginning of the class.
   New York City, NY; NYC
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2:30 pm
Free

Tour | U.S. Customs House Building Tour


Museum Ambassadors provide a 45-minute in-depth look at the unique architecture and design of the Alexander Hamilton U.S. Customs House.
   New York City, NY; NYC
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3:00 pm
Free

Workshop | Volleyball Clinic


Sharpen your skills with knowledgeable instructors who will cover the fundamentals of beach volleyball in this series of free, public clinics. More advanced techniques including serving, setting, spiking, passing and ball control, and diving and rolling drills will also be reviewed. 3:00 - 4:30 is for children under the age of 16. 4:30 - 6:00 is for adults.
   New York City, NY; NYC
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3:00 pm
Free

Concert | Jeffrey Ellenberger, Violinist Who Has Worked with Sinatra and Bennett


Violinist Jeffrey Ellenberger has performed as a classical soloist and orchestral musician in the USA, Europe and Asia. In the field of popular music he has worked with Frank Sinatra, Tony Bennett and Diana Ross. He plays regularly on Broadway, in shows such as Les Miserables and Beauty and the Beast. Mr. Ellenberger also plays the viola. An evening of delightful music.
   New York City, NY; NYC
5:30 pm
Free

Workshop | Kayaking and Community Rowing


Get out on the water for kayaking and community rowing. Children under 18 must have an adult guardian present. Last sign-up is an hour before closing time.
   New York City, NY; NYC
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5:30 pm
Free

Workshop | Shape Up NYC


SHAPE UP NYC, a free citywide fitness program created through partnerships with Equinox, NYC Service, and Empire Blue Cross Blue Shield brings you Intensati: a workout that fuses high energy aerobics, martial arts, dance, yoga and strength conditioning. Attendance is limited to 75 people on a first come, first served basis.
   New York City, NY; NYC
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5:30 pm
Free

Opening Reception | Salmagundi Club Non-Members: Painting and Sculpture


A group show.
   New York City, NY; NYC
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6:00 pm
Free

Performance | Comedy: pitch


Welcome to pitch, the musical-improv mixer! Join hosts Lorraine Cink, Oscar Montoya and Ryan Dunkin of 10 Pound Ally as they help first-time musical improvisers rock out with members of the musical house teams. STOMP into scenes, TICK TICK BOOM with a trio or GREASE into a dazzling group number! pitch is the perfect place to give musical improv a try or to sharpen your show-stopping skills. Sign-up starts at 5:30PM and warm-up for participants is at 5:50PM.
   New York City, NY; NYC
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6:00 pm
Free

Other | Get Some: Spiked Ice


Cool Off Every Thursday in August with Icy Adult Treats. What better way to beat the August heat than a month-long celebration of all things icy? Every Thursday in August, explore a wealth of ways to blend ice, wine and spirits to create refreshing, grown-up treats. The tasting is for everyone, but singles are especially encouraged to come and get some!
   New York City, NY; NYC
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6:00 pm
Free

Film | Lawrence Kasdan's Oscar Nominee The Big Chill (1983): Aging Hippies Come to Terms


Starring Tom Berenger, Glenn Close and Kevin Kline. A group of seven former college friends gather for a weekend reunion at a posh South Carolina winter house after the funeral of one of their friends. 105 min. Music at 6:00pm, movie at sunset.
   New York City, NY; NYC
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6:00 pm
Free

Workshop | Park Yoga


Expert instructors, provided by lululemon athletica, lead all levels of yogis. Mats are provided.
   New York City, NY; NYC
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6:00 pm
Free

Screening | Documentatry: Curtis Choy's The Fall of the I-Hotel (1983)


Urban renewal and wholesale evictions in the name of economic development are not new phenomena in New York City and elsewhere throughout the United States, as The Fall of the I-Hotel illustrates. This documentary focuses on the struggle of elderly Filipino residents of the International Hotel in San Francisco in the 1970s, whose owner wanted to raze the building and replace it with a parking garage. 58 min. There will be a short panel discussion after the screening.
   New York City, NY; NYC
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6:30 pm
Free

Theater | Outdoor Presentation of Shakespeare's Richard III


After a long civil war between the royal family of York and the royal family of Lancaster, England enjoys a period of peace under King Edward IV and the victorious Yorks. But Edward’s younger brother, Richard, resents Edward’s power and the happiness of those around him. Malicious, power-hungry, and bitter about his physical deformity, Richard begins to aspire secretly to the throne—and decides to kill anyone he has to in order to become king. No tickets required; Just show up and choose a seat on the steps and benches.
   New York City, NY; NYC
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6:30 pm
Free

Workshop | Park Circuit Fitness Class


Get fit this summer with innovative exercises designed by top trainers to utilize the Park's best natural features: rocks, trails, stairs, hills, and gorgeous open lawns. A variety of classes will help you maximize your strength and agility, as well as increase flexibility and muscle tone. All fitness levels welcome. Space is limited to 40 participants per class on a first come, first served basis. Ages 18+.
   New York City, NY; NYC
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6:30 pm
Free

Other | Social Hour: Meet the Musicians


Join celebrated vocalists from Jazzmobile's Vocal Competition in a spirited and personal conversation about what inspires them to sing. For ages 18+.
   New York City, NY; NYC
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6:30 pm
Free

Slide Lecture | Writer Leah Price discusses her work


This visual presentation delves behind the scenes to the research that led to the author's new books. Unpacking My Library uses interviews and photographs to explore the bookshelves of 13 favorite novelists and the stories behind their lifetimes of reading and writing. How to Do Things with Books in Victorian Britain traces the longer history of readers’ ambivalent relationships with the books that they read and own, buy or borrow, and hide or hoard, from the history of the coffee table book to the future of digital media.
   New York City, NY; NYC
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6:30 pm
Free

Concert | Bachata: 24 Horas / K Rose


24 Horas is a bachata trio hailing from Washington Heights and comprised of Mickey Then, Joell Jaquez and Jiory Garcia, who made their full-length album debut with 2010’s Los Inolvidables. The album spawned a pair of singles, the chart-topping tropical smash “24 Horas” and the Top 30 hit, “Mami Dame un Beso.” A nominee for the prestigious Billboard Latin Music award for Tropical artist of the year in 2011, the band continues to popularize the urban bachata sound.
   New York City, NY; NYC
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7:00 pm
Free

Performance | Comedy: Hot Diner and THEM


Come and see Broadway magic happen right before your very eyes! Based only on a suggestion from the audience, our PIT musical house teams will create a memorable improvised musical that will titillate the senses! Never again spend hours in rush lottery lines for religious based/ superhero centered shows on and near 42nd street. Every week, each team presents a brand new musical that’ll make you bust out laughing, tear up crying and/or cheer like soccer hooligan.
   New York City, NY; NYC
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7:00 pm
$5

Workshop | Lawn School: Strange Makings / So Valuable It's Free / BODYroll


Lawn School is a series of free classes, lectures, discussions and workshops that occur on the lawns of public parks throughout New York City. They are open to any and all to teach and attend. The goal is to facilitate an open and welcoming learning environment in a public space, provide an opportunity for those who wish to teach a course or share a skill with interested peers to do so, and engage a diverse audience who is interested in learning but otherwise may not attend public lectures or peer to peer skill share. Strange Makings taught by Ed Woodham - Art is art because it shakes us out of our complacency, reminding us that we are alive and that things don’t have to be the way they are. It reminds us that anything is possible, despite the fact that we routinely convince ourselves that things are just as they are—the way we’ve inherited them. Participants will be introduced to the concept of ‘defamiliarization’ and experience public performative actions (by surprise guests) making the familiar strange. So Valuable It's Free taught by Amy Whitaker - It's a cliche of Animal House theme songs and Visa ads: the best things in life are free. Or priceless. But what does this really mean, and how does that kind of free exist in a market economy? In case studies from drinking water to student debt to the emergence of new ideas to the basic existential questions of how to live, look at value and how economics does or does not measure it well. Ultimately, it's a story about what is important to you, and how to use economics to design space for it. BODYroll: Club moves for the flygurl is all of us! taught by Viva - Do you wanna feel flyer than Mariah circa ’95 and make every single Spice Girl jealous? Join Viva for her class BODYroll as she tones, strengthens, and trains your body to look hella fresh. With slammin’ moves and bangin’ groves, you can shoop it straight from the class to the club to the boudoir. No experience necessary; Viva will be incorporating aspects of dance-aerobix, hip-hop, bounce & voguing into simple phrases necessary for DIVA DANCE FLOOR DOMINATION.
   New York City, NY; NYC
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7:00 pm
Free

Author Reading | Maria Semple reads from her book Where'd You Go, Bernadette


Maria Semple reads from and signs her new novel.
   New York City, NY; NYC
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7:00 pm
Free

Author Reading | Matthew Battles reads from his book The Sovereignties of Invention


The creaky, creepy shapes of the Baroque era collide with the sleekly insidious forms of the 21st century techno-landscape in The Sovereignties of Invention, rare book librarian and cultural critic Matthew Battles’ collection of short stories. He will be interviewed by Joanne McNeil, editor of Rhizome, an organization dedicated to the creation, presentation, preservation, and critique of emerging artistic practices that engage technology.
   New York City, NY; NYC
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7:00 pm
Free

Film | Richard LaGravenese's Freedom Writers (2007): Inspriring Teacher


With Hilary Swank, Imelda Staunton and Patrick Dempsey. A young teacher inspires her class of at-risk students to learn tolerance, apply themselves, and pursue education beyond high school. 123 min.
   New York City, NY; NYC
7:00 pm
Free

Workshop | Sunset Pilates


Join Lou Cornacchia, founder of Cobble Hill's Body in Balance Studio, for an Intermediate Pilates Mat Class.
   New York City, NY; NYC
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7:00 pm
Free

Screening | Documentary: Macarena Aguiló's The Chilean Building (2010)


It's a story never before documented: While their parents battled the Pinochet dictatorship in Chile, a group of children were raised in Europe, safely and communally. The 20 adults who supervised "Project Home" saw over sixty children through to adulthood, children whose mothers and fathers-militant MIR members-fought in their homeland to fight for freedom, many never to be seen again. In The Chilean Building, patriotic duty took another form-childcare rather than warfare-as these adoptive, communal parents assumed responsibility for their charges for years to come. 99 min.
   New York City, NY; NYC
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7:30 pm
$10 suggested donation

Concert | Soul Classics: Gladys Knight / The Commodores


Gladys Knight, along with the Pips, turned out some of the toughest soul and R&B in Motown's history. The Commodores exploded with hits like "Brick House." The public is encouraged to bring their own chairs. A limited number of $5 rental chairs in a specially designated area are available on a first-come first-served basis.
   New York City, NY; NYC
7:30 pm
Free

Performance | Comedy: East Side Orphan Riot and Harvey


Come and see Broadway magic happen right before your very eyes! Based only on a suggestion from the audience, our PIT musical house teams will create a memorable improvised musical that will titillate the senses! Never again spend hours in rush lottery lines for religious based/ superhero centered shows on and near 42nd street. Every week at the PIT, each team presents a brand new musical that’ll make you bust out laughing, tear up crying and/or cheer like a soccer hooligan.
   New York City, NY; NYC
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8:00 pm
$5

Theater | Shakespeare in the Park(ing) Lot presents Coriolanus


The play is presented in a working parking lot, so you can drive there but you should expect to pay the Muni-meter. The show is offered while the lot is in use. The action sometimes happens around a parked car which drives away during a performance. At such times, the players stop and the audience moves its chairs, pausing the performance the same way a show would stop for rain uptown in Central Park. It's all part of the fun. Seats are available on a first come first serve basis, with audience members often arriving as early as 7:00 PM to secure a place. You are encouraged and welcome to bring your own chair. Once seats are gone, blankets are spread out.
   New York City, NY; NYC
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8:00 pm
Free

Workshop | Journey to the Stars with the Amateur Astronomers Association


Join astronomers as they guide your eyes across the sky and the wonders of astronomy are revealed. Look for the Syfy telescopes.
   New York City, NY; NYC
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8:30 pm
Free

Film | Tobe Hooper's Oscar Nominee Poltergeist (1982): Ghost in the Machine


With JoBeth Williams, Heather O'Rourke and Craig T. Nelson. A family's home is haunted by a host of ghosts. 114 min.
   New York City, NY; NYC
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8:30 pm
Free

Performance | Comedy: The Scene


The Scene is a weekly showcase of improvised one act plays. Each week the show features New York’s top improvisers from Saturday Night Live, The Colbert Report, The Daily Show, Baby Wants Candy, Second City and more. The Scene is produced and hosted by Dan Hodapp and Micah Sherman.
   New York City, NY; NYC
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9:30 pm
$5

Performance | Fifty Shades of Improv: The Show You Will Come To


First there was the fan fiction. Then the worldwide secret-subway-reading phenomenon… and the movie deal… AND NOW, they proudly present, Fifty Shades of Improv: The Show You Will Come To.
   New York City, NY; NYC
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11:00 pm
$5

Performance | New Team Lunacy Comedy Show


All you need to do is show up. Don’t have an improv group? They’ll put you in one! Have a team then bring them down! Five teams get to play for ten minutes each, and everyone has fun. Work on your skills and meet some great new people. New Team Lunacy, hosted by Erick Hellwig.
   New York City, NY; NYC
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11:00 pm
Free
Complimentary Tickets

to shows, concerts ... (CFT Deals!)

Broadway | Broadway Show!

Regular Price: $101
CFT Member Price: $0.00

Classical Music | Piano Works by Chopin and More

Regular Price: $30
CFT Member Price: $0.00
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