free things to do in New York City
Free events for Wednesday, 12/12/12
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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 December 12, 2012?

46 free events take place on Wednesday, December 12 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 December 12 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 December . 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!

46 free things to do in New York City (NYC) on Wednesday, December 12, 2012

All events are free unless otherwise noted.
        

Workshop | Getting Started with iPad Hands-on Workshop


Come to this hands-on workshop to discover the new iPad. See the beautiful Retina display and the new 5-megapixel iSight camera for yourself. Try using the dictation feature to write an email, send a text, create a note, or search the web. Get an overview of iOS 5, the foundation of iPad that includes all-new features like Notification Center, Reminders, and Newsstand. Discover the benefits of iCloud, and see how easy it is to sync content from iTunes. You’ll browse the App Store, learn to download books from the iBookstore, make FaceTime calls, and so much more.
   New York City, NY; NYC
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8:30 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. Tour times: 11am & 1pm.
   New York City, NY; NYC
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11:00 am
$6

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., 12:45 p.m., 1:30 p.m., 2:15 p.m., and 3:00 p.m.
   New York City, NY; NYC
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11:15 am
Free

Workshop | Learn Juggling in the Park


Test your coordination and dexterity with free juggling lessons in the park. All skill levels are welcome to join in the fun. Equipment is provided.
   New York City, NY; NYC
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12:00 pm
Free

Tour | Grand Central Terminal Tour


Tour of this magnificent Beaux-Arts landmark.
   New York City, NY; NYC
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12:30 pm
$10 suggested donation

Performance | New York Classical Theatre: A {15-Minute!} Christmas Carol


New York Classical Theatre returns with A {15-min!} Christmas Carol, a rollicking holiday chestnut that will brighten the lunch break. This fifteen-minute holiday tale of love and redemption will serve up Scrooge, Marley, Cratchit, Fezziwig, Tiny Tim, and all of Dickens's best-loved characters, performed in record time with just two actors. Two performances: 12:30 & 1:15pm
   New York City, NY; NYC
12:30 pm
Free

Park Walk | The Art of the Park Tour


Walk and learn about the intricate design of the Park's web of pastoral landscapes and formal romantic vistas.
   New York City, NY; NYC
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12:30 pm
Free

Concert | Juilliard Conductors and Orchestra


Juilliard students share their talent with the community in these free hour-long lunchtime concerts on Wednesday afternoons throughout the season
   New York City, NY; NYC
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1:00 pm
Free

Jazz | Midtown Jazz


A jazz concert for the midtown community. These popular midday concerts feature well-regarded artists. The programming is overseen by jazz pianist Ronny Whyte.
   New York City, NY; NYC
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1:00 pm
$10 suggested donation

Concert | Pipes at One Concert


The mechanical-action pipe organ of the church was built in 1964 by the Schlicker Organ Company of Buffalo, New York, and re-built by the Andover Organ Company of Methuen, Massachusetts in 1981. It boasts the oldest pipe organ case in New York City, made of mahogany and dating from 1802, and contains 1,632 pipes. Following the September 11, 2001 terrorist attack on the World Trade Center situated directly across the street from St. Paul’s, the organ was silenced, but has since been partially cleaned and made payable by Mann & Trupiano organ-builders from Brooklyn. The organ is featured weekly in live broadcasts on WWFM of “Bach at One” liturgical presentations by the Trinity Choir and Trinity Baroque Orchestra. Today: Avi Stein, Principal Keyboardist, Trinity Baroque Orchestra; Faculty, Yale University, Longy School of Music
   New York City, NY; NYC
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1:00 pm
Free

Concert | Bill Wirtzel, Jazz Guitarist


Enjoy free live music performed by jazz guitarist Bill Wurtzel and guest musicians.
   New York City, NY; NYC
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2:00 pm
Free

Workshop | Old Books, Rare Books: Learning About the Value of Your Books


The Library has many resources to help you develop an appreciation for antiquarian books and to assist you in determining if your books are rare. Learn what you need to know before buying or selling an old book.
   New York City, NY; NYC
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3:00 pm
Free

Film | George Seaton's Oscar Winner Miracle on 34th Street (1947): Santa or Not?


Stars Edmund Gwenn, Maureen O'Hara and John Payne. When a nice old man who claims to be Santa Claus is institutionalized as insane, a young lawyer decides to defend him by arguing in court that he is the real thing. 96 min.
   New York City, NY; NYC
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4:00 pm
Free

Video | Oscar Muñoz’s 2003 Video Re/trato Projected on the Side of a Building


Colombian artist Oscar Muñoz’s 2003 video Re/trato will be projected on a building to the east visible from the park’s Seating Steps, as well as the sidewalk. One of Colombia’s most influential artists, Oscar Muñoz has created an impressive body of work that investigates memory and history, and the ways both intertwine with our contemporary society. Here, Muñoz presents a video in which you see the artist painting a self-portrait on a concrete sidewalk by using a brush and water. The hand continuously paints as the portrait evaporates, creating an endless drawing. Reflecting on the ephemeral nature of identity, the work highlights the liminal space between remembering and forgetting, between an image and its obliteration.
   New York City, NY; NYC
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5:00 pm
Free

Book Discussion | Book Club: The Gift of Rain by Tan Twan Eng


Tan Twan Eng's debut novel casts a powerful spell and has garnered comparisons to celebrated wartime storytellers Somerset Maugham and Graham Greene. Set during the tumult of World War II, on the lush Malayan island of Penang, The Gift of Rain tells a riveting and poignant tale about a young man caught in the tangle of wartime loyalties and deceits.
   New York City, NY; NYC
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5:30 pm
Free

Opening Reception | 2 Art Shows: Birdlands / Modern Times


Birdlands is the new series of paintings and watercolors by Ken Buhler. While reading through copies of Audubon Magazine that his son had collected, Buhler found himself transfixed and inspired by the peculiar and poetic bird names he encountered. Roseate Spoonbill. Antennae Satinbill. Superb Lyrebird. Rainbow Lorikeet. Responding to these, Buhler was able to tap into a rich world of color and form. The ten artists in Modern Times, organized by Shari Mendelson, use the vessel as a vehicle for social and political commentary and/or as an exploration of form – indebted to history, yet engaged in a contemporary dialogue. Like their historical predecessors, the vessels offer visual pleasure while addressing issues that are both contemporary and timeless.
   New York City, NY; NYC
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6:00 pm
Free

Talk | Artist Nancy Grossman discusses her book Tough Life Diary


In this enlightening event, acclaimed artist Nancy Grossman discusses her powerful new book. She is joined by the Tang Museum’s Associate Director Ian Berry for an in-depth conversation and audience Q&A.
   New York City, NY; NYC
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6:00 pm
Free

Gallery Talk | Curator's Tour of Ooh, Shiny!


Speaker: Stacy C. Hollander, chief curator and director of exhibitions.
   New York City, NY; NYC
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6:00 pm
Free

Lecture | Dickens, Scrooge and Autobiography


Gerhard Joseph, Lehman College and the Graduate Center, CUNY, discusses "A Christmas Carol" as a cautionary tale, revealing the kind of person that Dickens—haunted by childhood misery—might have become.
   New York City, NY; NYC
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6:00 pm
Free

Talk | Interviewing with Confidence


David Lees reviews the job interviewing process and focuses on ways to effectively stand out from other candidates.
   New York City, NY; NYC
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6:00 pm
Free

Opening Reception | Nao Nakamura's The Mind's Eye, Leather Artwork


The Mind's Eye is a solo exhibition of Nao Nakamura's original "Kawa-kewai-shi" style artwork. The name in English means roughly, “quite like putting make-up on leather." Using untreated, thick saddle leather and applying a unique process utilizing tools heated to 700 degrees Celsius, Nako aims to preserve and harmonize the confluence of growing up with a variety of spiritual themes. On view December 13 - 20, 2012.
   New York City, NY; NYC
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6:00 pm
Free

Discussion | Pier Paolo Pasolini: Words Verses and Images


Roundtable with: Antonio Monda, NYU; Ara H. Merjian, NYU; Roberto Chiesi, Centro Studi-Archivio Pier Paolo Pasolini. This event will be in ENGLISH
   New York City, NY; NYC
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6:00 pm
Free

Concert | Zorn for Strings


PROGRAM: John Zorn: The Alchemist —a true and faithful chronicling of the esoteric spiritual conferences and concomitant hermetic actions conducted by Her Majesty's Alchemist Dr. John Dee and one Edward Kelley invoking the Nine Hierarchies of Angelic Orders to visible appearance, circa 1587 (2011) Zorn: Apophthegms (2012) - world premiere With: Jennifer Choi, David Fulmer & Stefan Jackiw, violins; Jesse Mills, viola; & Fred Sherry, cello John Zorn’s music is back, this time in an all-star chamber music program pairing his quartet The Alchemist with the world premiere of a new violin duo for David Fulmer and Stefan Jackiw. In a unique twist, the performers will play the quartet twice—once at the beginning of the program, and once following the premiere—allowing audiences a repeat hearing of the same work in the unique intimate setting. Complimentary beer provided by Harlem Brewing Company.
   New York City, NY; NYC
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6:00 pm
Free

Gallery Talk | Curators' Tour of Resonance and Repetition


Artists: Héctor Arce-Espasas, Ion Arregui, Bestué-Vives, Sara Deraedt, Aleksandra Domanović, Steffani Jemison, Katja Mater, Pedro Neves Marques, Julia Spínola. A group exhibition featuring work by 10 artists organized by curatorial office Rivet. Resonance and Repetition carries forward the office's ongoing research into object-oriented philosophy and its potential connections with contemporary art practice. This is the second iteration of a research and exhibition project related to the notion of resonance.
   New York City, NY; NYC
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6:30 pm
Free

Discussion | Deadly, Dark, and Deep -- Villains


With Sharon Linnéa, moderator, and panelists, Charles Atkins, MD., Katia Lief and Kenneth Wishnia Mystery Writers of America -- New York Chapter. Story structure guru Christopher Vogler said that the villain is the hero of his own story. In mysteries, the bad guy (girl) is often as fascinating, if not more so than the hero(ine). Find out how writers get inside the minds of their villains and if they're ever tempted to let their villains get away with murder.
   New York City, NY; NYC
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6:30 pm
Free

Forum | Fiction Forum: Aleksander Hemon and Terese Svoboda


Aleksander Hemon has written four acclaimed books: Love and Obstacles: Stories, The Lazarus Project: A Novel, which was a finalist for the National Book Award and the National Book Critics Circle Awards, and was named as a New York Times Notable Book and New York magazine's No. 1 Book of the Year; Nowhere Man, also a finalist for the National Book Critics Circle Award; and The Question of Bruno: Stories. He frequently publishes in The New Yorker, and has also written for Esquire, The Paris Review, the Op-Ed page of the New York Times, and the Sarajevo magazine BH Dani. Terese Svoboda is the author of numerous books, including Bohemian Girl, Weapons Grade, Tin God, and All Aberation. Her writing has been featured in The New Yorker, Times Literary Supplement, The New York Times, The Atlantic Monthly, Slate.com, Bomb, Lit, Columbia, Yale Review and The Paris Review. Her honors include an O. Henry for the short story, a nonfiction Pushcart Prize, a translation NEH fellowship, a PEN/Columbia Fellowship, two New York Foundation for the Arts Fellowships in poetry and fiction, a New York State Council on the Arts grant, a Jerome Foundation grant in video, the John Golden Award in playwriting, the Bobst Prize in fiction and the Iowa Prize in poetry. Svoboda has taught at many institutions, including Sarah Lawrence, Fordham, the University of Hawaii, The New School, and Davidson College.
   New York City, NY; NYC
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6:30 pm
$5

Poetry Reading | Poet-Linc featuring Curtis High School


A vibrant battle of words celebrating talented young artists from the five boroughs performing their original poetry to the theme “I have a voice.” With readings by professional guest poets and three rounds of competitions that will be judged by appointed members of the audience and three official judges. All of this will lead to an exhilarating Grand Slam performance at the Target Free Thursday on December 13 to determine the first ever Lincoln Center Poet-Linc Grand Slam Champion.
   New York City, NY; NYC
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6:30 pm
Free

Concert | The Simón Bolívar Symphony Orchestra of Venezuela


The Simón Bolívar Symphony Orchestra of Venezuela comprises 200 musicians, ages 16–30, who hail from El Sistema, Venezuala’s hugely successful social-action education program that brings music performance instruction to the country’s largely poor, underserved children. This energetic group of young Venezuelans was a hit when it made its New York premiere at Carnegie Hall with acclaimed conductor Gustavo Dudamel in 2007. Experience this electric verve as members of this amazing orchestra perform as a chamber ensemble.
   New York City, NY; NYC
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6:30 pm
Free

Book Discussion | Book Club: The Ambassadors by Henry James


Join us for a lively discussion.
   New York City, NY; NYC
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7:00 pm
Free

Performance | Comedy: Ca$h Only! & USA


CA$H ONLY! is Paul Gutkowski, Daniel Hartley, Beth White, Joanna Flamm, Darcy Burke, Ben Jaeger-Thomas, David Rysdahl, and Sarah Peele. USA is Garrett Willingham, Toby Knops, Liana Smith-Murphy, Donna Lobello, Bradley Anderson, Nick Carillo, Hal McFall, and Mitch Lucas.
   New York City, NY; NYC
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7:00 pm
Free

Performance | Comedy: On a Mission


Whether it is searching for the perfect date, finding a job or simply making the world a better place, Brittany, Adam and Rob are ON A MISSION and each month you can be part of it. The bi-monthly show features great sketch comedy, wonderful & eclectic guests, audience interaction pieces and of course The Mission.
   New York City, NY; NYC
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7:00 pm
$5

Jazz | Jazz Voices


Directed by Joan Stiles. At 7pm and 9pm.
   New York City, NY; NYC
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7:00 pm
Free

Reading | Story Time for Grown-Ups


Love a good story? Sit back and relax as they read you a story or two. The Night Before Christmas by Clement Clarke Moore Marley’s Ghost from A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens
   New York City, NY; NYC
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7:00 pm
Free

Screening | Documentary: Nancy Buirski's The Loving Story (2011)


This Oscar-shortlisted film is the definitive account of the landmark 1967 Supreme Court decision that legalized interracial marriage: Loving v. Virginia. Married in Washington, D.C. on June 2, 1958, Richard Loving and Mildred Jeter returned home to Virginia where their marriage was declared illegal-he was white, and she was black and Native American. Hope Ryden's luminous, newly discovered home movie footage of the Lovings and their feisty young lawyers and rare photography by Grey Villet are stitched together in the debut feature by Full Frame Documentary Film Festival founder Nancy Buirski in a film that takes viewers behind the scenes of a pair of unlikely civil rights pioneers and their real-life love story. 77 min.
   New York City, NY; NYC
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7:30 pm
$10 suggested donation

Performance | Comedy: Family Haircut & Birds


FAMILY HAIRCUT is Gary DeNoia, Zoe Farmingdale, Erick Hellwig, Lucas Hazlett, Margaret Lyons, Reilly Owens, Mandy Schmieder and Rob Stern. BIRDS is Cathleen Carr, Gaby Dunn, Rich Hollman, Lucas Kavner, Oscar Montoya, Will Nunziata, Chris Roberti, Julie Sharbutt and Nate Williams.
   New York City, NY; NYC
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8:00 pm
Free

Master Class | Jazz Master Class


Kenny Werner, Pianist/Composer. The Jazz Masterclass Series continues to foster a dialogue between the music world's most significant and inspired artists and students from the Jazz Studies Program.
   New York City, NY; NYC
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8:00 pm
Free

Dance Performance | New Dances: Edition 2012


The premieres four newly-choreographed works by choreographers Camille A. Brown (1st-Year Class), Emery LeCrone (2nd-Year Class), Susan Shields (3rd-Year Class), and Jarek Cemerek (4th-Year Class) in this year’s New Dances: Edition 2012, under the direction of Artistic Director Lawrence Rhodes. All Dance Division students perform on the program, and they have been working closely with these four innovative choreographers as they create new works on each of the Dance Division’s classes.
   New York City, NY; NYC
8:00 pm
Free

Concert | Popular Music Combos


D.D. Jackson, director
   New York City, NY; NYC
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8:00 pm
Free

Concert | Student Bassoon Recital


Hyeungwon Oh, Bassoon
   New York City, NY; NYC
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8:00 pm
Free

Concert | The Moscow Chamber Orchestra


In recognition of the extreme hardship that so many New York residents are experiencing after Hurricane Sandy, talented classical musicians from Russia, Turkmenistan, Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan and Ukraine and members of the MOSCOW CHAMBER ORCHESTRA perform a FREE CONCERT as A GIFT TO THE CITY OF NEW YORK.
   New York City, NY; NYC
8:00 pm
Free

Other | Bar Trivia Hosted by TriviaTryst


TriviaTryst was founded in NYC in 2009 by Bryce Galen after realizing that pub quizzes were fun, but there was potential for a new type of trivia night with music, energy and popular appeal! With a talented team of dedicated hosts and weekly events in five states, TriviaTryst is taking the East Coast by storm! Bring your friends and come play! It's FREE, and teams of up to 6 people can win prizes of up to $50 in gift certificates!
   New York City, NY; NYC
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8:30 pm
No cover

Performance | Comedy: Super Nice & Someday the Cake


SUPER NICE is Will Bozarth, Elizabeth Findlay, Ariel Karlin, David Kimball-Stanley, Pete LePage, Adam Luke, Sean Reidy and Natasha Rothwell. SOMEDAY THE CAKE is Alexis Saarela, Dan Hodapp, Jeff Scherer, Julia Morales, Mark Sam Rosenthal, Steve Siddell, Steve Soroka and Keisha Zollar.
   New York City, NY; NYC
9:00 pm
Free

Performance | Gandhi, Is That You? Comedy Show


Stand-up comedy show (that has been featured on MTV, and that fills to standing-room only each week). The show is produced by Brendan Fitzgibbons (The Onion, McSweeney's) and Lance Weiss (Carolines on Broadway) with comedians from David Letterman, Vh1, MTV, The Onion, and Comedy Central. Free pizza!
   New York City, NY; NYC
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9:00 pm
Free

Performance | Comedy: BODY HEAT & The Faculty


BODY HEAT is Danielia Donohue, Lee Eddy, Aaron Eisenberg, Devin Horne, Emily Morrow, Ray Munoz, Chris O’Brien and Jared Mark Smith. THE FACULTY is Ali Farahnakian and friends.
   New York City, NY; NYC
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10:00 pm
Free

Party | Macaulay Culkin’s iPod: Christmas Beach Party


This year they’re eggnog-urating a new holiday tradition in New York: the Christmas Beach Party. And just like the real Christmas it’s based entirely on lies. At Macaulay Culkin’s iPod presents Christmas Beach Party there is no beach, there is no sand, there is no swimming, and there is no santa. There will be a fake Santa — who may or may not have a criminal record — letting you know who’s been naughty or nice, and delivering dirty toys from his big red sack. So, get out your swimming suit (yeah, wear your swimming suit, dummy….wear it under your coat, there will be a coat check). There will be good tunes, beach balls, a group beach photo, and who knows, maybe a beach limbo contest, beach elves, beach complaining about your family, beach presents, beach Christmas lights, and a chance to rub sunscreen on Santa’s big pale, hairy belly. It’s a beach party! Suggested dress: Spring Break Santa, Jo the Elf with Low Self-Esteem, Bikini Elves, Rudolph the Sun-Burnt Alcoholic, Kinky Claus, Jellyfish Stung St. Nick, Frosty the Blonde-Tipped Snowman, Speedo Santa, Frisbee-ing Father Christmas, Comet the Beach Predator, Buddy the Over-Tanned Elf, and Marvin the Disgruntled Macy’s Temp….um…who’s at the beach today.
   New York City, NY; NYC
10:00 pm
Free

Jazz | 5/5/5 After Hours Set


A great way to hear some of the most talented young lions of jazz while enjoying spectacular views of Manhattan.
   New York City, NY; NYC
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11:00 pm
$5 cover, $5...
Complimentary Tickets

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

Theater | Family Theater Showcase

Regular Price: $49.50
CFT Member Price: $0.00

Classical Music | Works by Faure, Dvorak, and More

Regular Price: $29
CFT Member Price: $0.00
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