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Free events for Saturday, 05/16/09
 

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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 May 16, 2009?

53 free events take place on Saturday, May 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 May 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 May . 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 Saturday, May 16, 2009

All events are free unless otherwise noted.
        

Tour | “Amble Through the Ramble”


Over streams, under arches, through the woods along a maze of pathways in a 38-acre woodland respite. Tour will be approximately one hour.
   New York City, NY; NYC
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9:30 am
Free

Workshop | Fishing in New York Bay


Join master anglers and cast a line for some of the 30-plus species of fish in New York Bay (the Hudson River’s estuary) that are known to bite. Barbless hooks minimize injuries to both fish and participants. Fish are placed in saltwater tanks for observation and identification before being released back into the Hudson. Live demonstrations and displays teach fish anatomy and heighten awareness of the ecology, flourishing marine life and current state of good health of the Hudson River and its estuary. Drop in on ongoing fish-related art projects. Rods, reels and bait are provided for those who don’t bring their own.
   New York City, NY; NYC
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10:00 am
Free

Hike | Fort Tilden to Rockaway Point


Highlights include high sand dunes, hidden infrastructure, and a “private” village.
   New York City, NY; NYC
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10:00 am
Free

Workshop | Fundamentals of Bicycle Maintenance


Learn the fundamentals of bicycle maintenance, tips on safe cycling and how to make basic repairs from Martin Nichols. Whether you are a recreational, commuter or racing biker, now is the time to tune up, clean up and lubricate your bike to keep it in good working order. Tools and cleaning supplies will be provided.
   New York City, NY; NYC
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10:00 am
Free

Festival | It's My Park Day at Highbridge Park


SIX PROJECTS AND EVENTS! THREE LOCATIONS! TIMES VARY! Highbridge Recreation Center 10am-12pm Volunteers needed for general clean-up and planting native plants near the Tower Terrace. Project coordinated by the Friends of Highbridge Park and New York Cares 8am – 3pm Volunteers needed for cleaning and maintaining two ball fields near recreation center. Coordinated by Centro Deportive Francisco Alfonso, Inc. 11am – 1pm Join Harlem River Community Rowing and the Highbridge Recreation Center, who will lead a river rowing training. No age restrictions. Volunteer projects and rowing training are followed by games, arts & crafts and other fun activities provided by Manhattan Recreation. Location: Enter park at the entrance to the Recreation Center at Amsterdam Avenue and 173rd Street. By Subway: A train to 175th Street. Walk east 5 blocks to Amsterdam Avenue and two blocks south. Highbridge Park, Sunken Playground, 10am – 2pm Volunteers needed for general clean up and spreading mulch along the Old Croton Aqueduct Trail. Project coordinated by the Highbridge Coalition, Highbridge Canine Club and City Life is Moving Bodies (CLIMB). Location: Edgecombe Avenue and 165th Street. By Subway: C train to 163rd Street. Walk two blocks north to 165th Street and one blocks east to Edgecombe Avenue. Highbridge Park, Edgecombe Avenue, 10am – 2:30pm Volunteers needed for general clean up, spreading mulch in treepits, painting tree guards and planting annuals and perennials. Project coordinated by the Friends of Sherman Creek. Location: Meet at Edgecombe Avenue and 170th Street. By Subway: 1 or A train to 168th Street. Walk north to 170th Street, then east to Edgecombe Avenue.
   New York City, NY; NYC
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10:00 am
Free

Festival | It's My Park Day on Lower East Side


Volunteers needed for planting flowers, weeding and mulching from 10am to 2pm. Activities include a wildflower and butterfly garden tour and information on composting. From 10am to 5pm, Manhattan Recreation is providing the “playmobile” equipped with arts & crafts, sports & fitness activities, games and much more. WBLS 107.5 – Today’s R&B and Classic Soul – will have the WBLS Hummer on site to play music and distribute giveaway items.
   New York City, NY; NYC
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10:00 am
Free

Festival | It's My Park Day on Upper East Side


Volunteers needed for clean up and fence painting. Activities include coxswain training, information on community made rowboats and a “Go Fish” environmental education program.
   New York City, NY; NYC
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10:00 am
Free

Festival | It's My Park! Day accross the river


Participants will join volunteers working to enhance and beautify the Park. Projects will include weeding and planting. All ages welcome; children must be accompanied by an adult.
   New York City, NY; NYC
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10:00 am
Free

Festival | It’s My Park! Day below 23rd St.


This volunteer event is perfect for families so bring the kids and spend the day raking, planting and weeding. No equipment or experience is necessary, but please dress comfortably. To register, RSVP no later than Wednesday, May 15th so there is enough equipment for all our volunteers.
   New York City, NY; NYC
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10:00 am
Free

Workshop | Kayaking on the Hudson


Join 20-minute instructional paddles, and explore the Hudson River first hand. Please wear a bathing suit or shorts and a t-shirt, and know how to swim.
   New York City, NY; NYC
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10:00 am
Free

City Walk | Red Hook Waterfront Prowl


The world has changed since the last edition of this popular walk. Big developers have brushed away historic infrastructure in their never-ending quest for instant wealth. However, “the hook” is bigger than their broom and still retains references to its history and a sense of place. Visit to a place that is too close to Manhattan to stay a place apart.
   New York City, NY; NYC
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10:00 am
Free

Lesson | Drawing in the Park


Sketch and paint the Hudson River and neighboring parks with a professional artist/educator. Materials provided or bring your own.
   New York City, NY; NYC
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10:30 am
Free

Symposium | Site-Specific Performance Symposium 2009


This symposium explores site-specific performance featuring leading artists, funders, and critics. "Site-specific" is a term used to describe artwork that has a relationship with its surroundings, architecture and/or landscape. Its many permutations intersect with land art, performance art, conceptual art, installation art, community-based art, public art, and experimental dance and theatre.
   New York City, NY; NYC
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10:30 am
Free

Concert | Birdwatching


Join a birder/naturalist to learn about the birds that nest and rest in the parks. Binoculars and field guides available. Novices and experienced birders welcome.
   New York City, NY; NYC
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11:00 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
$5

Festival | Children of The World Festival


   New York City, NY; NYC
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11:00 am
Free

Festival | Gallery Walk


Showcasing the breadth and depth of the collections represented by the world-renowned gallery community, New Yorkers and visitors can get a close-up experience of fine art. Highlights of the festivities planned will be free guided gallery tours for families and art lovers conducted by art teachers from New York City's public schools and a silent auction of notable works of art donated by the participating galleries.
   New York City, NY; NYC
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11:00 am
Free

Fair | May Fair Street Fair


A full city block of fun. Plenty of kids' stuff like face-painting and a clown...tempting home-baked treats...sizzling food from our grill...vendors galore...even a special Pets' Table. Enjoy it all to the music of The French Cookin' Blues Band.
   New York City, NY; NYC
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11:00 am
Free

Opening Reception | Second Annual Madison Avenue Gallery Walk


   New York City, NY; NYC
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11:00 am
Free

Fair | Street Fair


   New York City, NY; NYC
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11:00 am
Free

Performance | Wall to Wall Broadway: A Century of Musicals


Come early and stay late for over twelve glorious hours of the greatest music of the Great White Way. Hear more of your favorites than you ever thought possible performed by hundreds of well-known and emerging artists, including performances from The Lion King, Mary Poppins, The Little Mermaid, Wicked, Shrek, South Pacific, Hair, Chicago, Guys and Dolls, In the Heights, and West Side Story. Participants throughout the day will include: * Harold Prince, director and producer, winner of 21 Tony Awards, including a Lifetime Achievement Award. * Sheldon Harnick, Pulitzer Prize- and Tony Award-winning lyricist of Fiorello!, plus a Tony Award for Fiddler on the Roof and nominations for She Loves Me, The Apple Tree, The Rothschilds, and Cyrano–The Musical. * Frank Rich, Op-Ed columnist and former chief theatre critic for The New York Times. * Donna Murphy, Tony Award winner for Passion and The King and I, plus two other Tony Award nominations, and Drama Desk Award winner for Passion, Wonderful Town, and Lovemusik. * Robert MacNeil, novelist and former television news anchor and journalist * Raúl Esparza, three-time Tony Award nominee and Drama Desk Award winner for Taboo, Company, and The Homecoming. * Brian Stokes Mitchell, Tony and Drama Desk Award winner for Kiss Me, Kate and Tony Award nominee for Ragtime, King Hedley II, and Man of La Mancha. * Gregg Edelman, four-time Tony Award nominee and Drama Desk Award winner for 1776. * Lin-Manuel Miranda, Pulitzer Prize nominated- and Tony Award-winning author of In the Heights. * Michael Cerveris, Tony Award winner for Assassins and nominee for The Who's Tommy, Sweeney Todd, and Lovemusik. * William Finn, Tony Award winning writer and composer of Falsettos, and Tony Award nominee for The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee. * Jeanine Tesori, Tony Award nominated composer of Caroline, or Change, Thoroughly Modern Millie, and Twelfth Night. * Theodore Chapin, President and Executive Director of The Rodgers and Hammerstein Organization, Tony Award-winning producer of Carousel and The King and I. * Rebecca Luker, three-time Tony Award nominee for Show Boat, The Music Man, and Mary Poppins. James Naughton, two-time Tony Award winner for Chicago and City of Angels. * B.D. Wong, Tony, Drama Desk, and Theatre World Award winner for M. Butterfly. * Randy Graff, Tony Award winner for City of Angels and nominee for A Class Act. * Charlotte d'Amboise, two-time Tony Award nominee for A Chorus Line and Jerome Robbins' Broadway. * George S. Irving, Tony Award winner for Irene and Drama Desk Award winner for An Evening With Richard Nixon. And many others.
   New York City, NY; NYC
11:00 am
Free

Tour | Greenwich Village Tour


Discover the Village with a free walking tour that weaves together the highlights of history with delicious inside stories. The free walking tours of St. Marks Place & 8th Street are led by Arthur Marks.
   New York City, NY; NYC
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11:30 am
Free

Workshop | Building a “Giant Root Structure”


Using scotch tape and thousands of colored drinking straws; participants create a giant collaborative art installation that mimics the underground root structure of trees. Kids become "underground" animals, weaving strands of straws all around them as they work.
   New York City, NY; NYC
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12:00 pm
Free

Dance Lesson | Capoeira in the Park


Capoeira is a lively martial art that originated in Brazil over 450 years ago. Self-defense techniques are concealed by graceful dance moves and spectacular acrobatics set to music. Taught by Professor Abará, classes are designed for all experience levels. Participants should wear comfortable clothing.
   New York City, NY; NYC
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12:00 pm
Free

Concert | Danielle Cohen, voice


A senior recital.
   New York City, NY; NYC
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12:00 pm
Free

Performance | Momus and Aki Sasamoto's “Love is the End of Art”


A performance by Momus in collaboration with performance artist Aki Sasamoto. Momus will take the dual roles of art critic and unrequited lover, framing and critiquing Sasamoto's performance (which involves lectures, potatoes, stretched utensils, and bungee elastic) with a narrative that slips awkwardly between the abstract and the specific, the public and the private. Dressed as a kuroko, a kabuki stagehand, Momus will hover over Sasamoto's performance like a ghost, occasionally breaking off to sing along with a track from Martin Rev's strange 1996 album "See me Ridin." Sasamoto will completely ignore Momus, as a kabuki actor ignores the stagehands bustling around. She originally created her piece within the insular environment of her psyche, where the only type of love she was concerned with was platonic love for her mother. She did not consider how others might frame her. Love is the End of Art exists between Sasamoto's personal intention and Momus's interpretation.
   New York City, NY; NYC
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12:00 pm
Free

Tour | Wall Street and Downtown Tour


Weaves together history, events, architecture, and people of birthplace of NY, financial capital of the world, and hottest new neighborhood in the city. Stops include U.S. Custom House, Trinity Church, Wall Street, NY Stock Exchange, other architectural and cultural sites. Rain or shine.
   New York City, NY; NYC
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12:00 pm
Free

Park Walk | West Side Stories Tour


Walk through a scenic area on the western edge of the Park, much of which is off the beaten track for most visitors. See rolling meadows, lake views, bridges of different styles, and a garden with flowers and plants mentioned by Shakespeare.
   New York City, NY; NYC
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12:00 pm
Free

Concert | Dan Milner & Friends, sea songs


Dan Milner & Friends will sing “Irish Pirate Ballads and Other Songs of the Sea.”
   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
$5

Parade | Dance Parade


5072 Dancers, 113 Organizations, 60 Unique Dance Styles!
   New York City, NY; NYC
1:00 pm
Free

Talk | The Hidden Muscular System


Master resistance trainer Chris Chilelli leads this educational presentation.
   New York City, NY; NYC
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1:00 pm
Free

Film | Dorothy Arzner's Dance, Girl, Dance (1940)


With Maureen O’Hara, Lucille Ball and Ralph Bellamy. Two women members of a nightclub dance troupe eventually vie for the same man’s attention. A Walt Disney cartoon will precede the feature. 90 min.
   New York City, NY; NYC
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2:00 pm
Free

Dance Performance | Juilliard students' choreography


"Choreographic Honors" features a selection of outstanding works created by Dance Division students during the Spring 2009 semester.
   New York City, NY; NYC
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2:00 pm
Free

Jazz | Michaela Neller, voice


A senior recital.
   New York City, NY; NYC
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2:00 pm
Free

Concert | Pre-College Choruses


   New York City, NY; NYC
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2:00 pm
Free

Film | Rodrigo García's Passengers (2008)


With Anne Hathaway, Andre Braugher and Patrick Wilson. After a plane crash, a young therapist is assigned to counsel the flight's five survivors. As they share their recollections of the incident, the survivors begin to mysteriously disappear. 93 mins.
   New York City, NY; NYC
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2:00 pm
Free

Tour | Union Square: Crossroads of New York


The tour explores the social and political history of the Union Square neighborhood through discussions of the people, history, architecture, and forces that have shaped this community. You’ll hear how Union Square got its name, see where the legendary Tiffany & Co. once stood, and learn how to read the clock (yes, it’s a clock!) on “The Metronome” sculpture and so much more!
   New York City, NY; NYC
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2:00 pm
Free

Theater | William Shakespeare's Love's Labour's Lost


The Bard's classic directed by Gus Kaikkonen and featuring Juilliard's third-year actors.
   New York City, NY; NYC
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2:00 pm
Free

Tour | “The Castle and its Kingdom”


Take a walk around the lands dominated by Belvedere Castle, situated high on Vista Rock. Visit the tiny 55-acre realm on an eclectic tour of history and nature. Tour is approximately one hour.
   New York City, NY; NYC
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2:00 pm
Free

Talk | Targeting Your Job Search


"The Best Ways to Find Jobs: Target People and Companies" with Charles Moldenhauer, job search coach. Learn how to use door openers, find new ways to reach out, and identify the best career sites, aggregators and groups for you. Find out where to get the best information, how to use it and how gain support so you are not going it alone. Create your story with a "hook" that is accurate and powerful. Time will be available for all questions and answers.
   New York City, NY; NYC
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2:30 pm
Free

Talk | Jacob Lawrence's Migration Series


Explore selections from Jacob Lawrence's 1941 series, sixty works depicting the struggles and achievements of African-Americans in their massive migration from the Southern states to the North during the first half of the 20th Century. Presented by MoMA lecturer Larissa Bailiff, a specialist in 19th century French art and social history.
   New York City, NY; NYC
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3:00 pm
Free

Concert | Mohamed Shams, pianist, performs works by Ravel, Schumann and others


The Egyptian pianist will offer his take on works by Bach-Busoni, Ravel, Robert Schumann, and Rageh Dawoud.
   New York City, NY; NYC
3:00 pm
Free

Talk | Kagaku Murakami (1888-1939) - one of the greatest of the 20th century Japanese painters


Kagaku Murakami (1888-1939) is considered one of the greatest of the 20th century Japanese painters, whose work is included in all major Japanese museum collections. The last of the great Bunjin (literati) painters, he earned this title by excelling as a poet, scholar, calligrapher and painter. Inspired by the 18th and 19th century artists of the Kyoto School, Kagaku drew on elements of their innovative styles to create an individual and contemporary style of his own. He is revered for his groundbreaking use of dynamic brushwork and light to animate landscapes and portraits, and his naturalistic, calligraphic lines and modern use of the picture plane can now be seen as early precursors of abstract impressionism. Naoto Nakagawa, Kagaku’s grandson, and an internationally acclaimed painter himself, will give the presentation, illustrated with his personal slide collection, showing the derivation and meaning of Kagaku’s singularly delicate, spiritual and consummately modern work.
   New York City, NY; NYC
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4:00 pm
Free

Jazz | Maya Hatch, voice


A senior recital.
   New York City, NY; NYC
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4:00 pm
Free

Concert | Saturday Afternoon Organ Meditation


   New York City, NY; NYC
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4:00 pm
Free

Opening Reception | Crown Of The Lost


The show's main focus is the foreboding aspects of nature and the inevitable decay of beauty through the exploration of behavioral aspects of biological and technological ecosystems and environments, their development, peaks, and ultimately their breakdowns.
   New York City, NY; NYC
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7:00 pm
Free

Opening Reception | Edge of Vision: The Rise of Abstraction in Photography


From the beginning, abstraction has been intrinsic to photography, and its persistent popularity reveals much about the medium. The Edge of Vision, exhibition curated by Lyle Rexer, showcases the work of nineteen international contemporary photographers who base their practice in some form of abstraction from highly conceptual to more documentary approaches. This abstract use of photography often combines other mediums such as painting, sculpture, drawing or video. Opening Reception with Live DJ.
   New York City, NY; NYC
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7:00 pm
Free

Opening Reception | Soft Is The New Cool: Emerging Hungarian Design


This season, Hungarian designers put their accent on New York Design Week. Experience the sensual approach of 17 emerging Hungarian designers and collectives as they showcase their newest products in animation, jewelry, fashion, textile, interior, and product design. All the objects in the exhibition are inspired by softness—of touch, shape, or concept. Select items will be for sale.
   New York City, NY; NYC
7:00 pm
Free

Concert | Robin Zeh, violin, performs works by Verdi and others


Program: Verdi: Overture to “Giovanna d'Arco” Nielsen: Violin Concerto Kalinnikov: Symphony No. 1
   New York City, NY; NYC
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8:00 pm
Free

Theater | William Shakespeare's Othello


The Bard's classic directed by Rebecca Guy and featuring Juilliard's third-year actors.
   New York City, NY; NYC
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8:00 pm
Free

Performance | After Dark


The first half will be a swinging variety show featuring the best mix of club and alternative stand-ups, and sketch characters . Then - a storytelling jam session featuring all of the nights performers telling real life funny tales of triumphs and failure (let's be honest mostly failures) based on audience suggestions.
   New York City, NY; NYC
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9:00 pm
no cover charge

Concert | Buddy Miles Tribute


Damon Mendes is one of New York City’s most accomplished drummers, backing artists such as James Brown, James Mtume, and Nona Hendryx. In a tribute to the legendary Buddy Miles—the illustrious drummer from Jimi Hendrix’ Band of Gypsys—Mendes and a special guest ensemble perform a set of Miles’ greatest hits in an evening of rock and funk favorites.
   New York City, NY; NYC
9:00 pm
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