free things to do in New York City
Free events for Saturday, 05/20/17
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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 20, 2017?

49 free events take place on Saturday, May 20 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 20 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!

49 free things to do in New York City (NYC) on Saturday, May 20, 2017

All events are free unless otherwise noted.
        

City Walk | Brooklyn Bridge, Brooklyn Heights and Dumbo Tour


This is a 3-hour tour that begins with a walk over the Brooklyn Bridge, an icon of New York City for over 125 years, with spectacular views of Manhattan and Brooklyn. The tour then moves on to a stroll of Brooklyn Heights, America’s and New York City’s first suburb. The tour then explores the neighborhood DUMBO before ending at the Fulton Ferry landing.
   New York City, NY; NYC
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9:30 am
Free

Tour | Downtown Manhattan 3-Hour Tour


The 3-hour walking and subway tour covers the Financial District including Wall Street and the World Trade Center, SoHo, Little Italy and Chinatown. These are neighborhoods that simply can’t be fully appreciated from a bus. There will be one or two opportunities to sample tasty treats.
   New York City, NY; NYC
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9:30 am
Free

Workshop | Health and Race Walking


Moderate-to-brisk walks led by the NY Walkers Club for people 18 years and older of all abilities. This low-impact fitness program is perfect for those who want to get in shape, build muscle tone, strength and increase cardiovascular health while enjoying the Park's beautiful landscapes. This event takes place every Saturday.
   New York City, NY; NYC
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9:30 am
Free

Tour | Greenwich Village Neighborhood Tour


Greenwich Village is among Manhattan's most desirable and expensive residential neighborhoods. It's history, however, betrays it's monied status. The Village, with it's quiet, shaded streets, lined with lovely brick and brownstone townhouses, was once the incubating ground of artistic, social and political movements that have helped shape US history. From the Beats to the Folk Movement, from workers rights to gay rights, the Village has often been the center of it all.
   New York City, NY; NYC
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9:45 am
Free

Tour | Harlem Tour


Although world famous, Harlem may be New York's best kept secret with some of the city's best architecture, food, music and people. Harlem's history is also one of the city's most dramatic, having gone through many ethnic, cultural and socioeconomic changes over the past roughly 400 years, which have resulted in a diverse array of places of worship, theaters, homes and eating establishments.
   New York City, NY; NYC
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9:45 am
Free

Tour | Manhattan Street Art Tour


Join a Manhattan Street Art Tour and experience the Lower East Side - SoHo, NoHo, Nolita and Little Italy. The Lower East Side of Manhattan is a playground for street artists, Soho is known to be one of NYC first permit Joint Live-Work Quarters for artists and the area received landmark designation in 1973. Noho and Nolita’s street art is either hidden in courtyards or on the more prominent street art facades. Learn about the history of the art of many famous and unknown artist.
   New York City, NY; NYC
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9:45 am
Free

Workshop | Drawing in the Park


Paint in watercolor, or use pastels, chalk, and charcoal to capture the magical vistas of the Hudson River and the unique landscape. An artist/educator will help participants of all levels with instruction and critique. Art materials provided. Please note that this program is for adult participants (age 18 and up).
   New York City, NY; NYC
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10:00 am
Free

Workshop | Butt and Gut Workshop


Veteran Donald Calliste leads a class to tone and define your core, lower back, and glutes combined with cardio exercises that will maximize your fat-burning potential. This event repeats every Saturday until September 30, 2017.
   New York City, NY; NYC
10:30 am
Free

Workshop | Featured Database: Ancestry Library Edition


Access billions of names inside the more than 7,000 available databases of Ancestry Library Edition, including Census and Vital Records, birth, marriage and death notices, the Social Security Death Index, Passenger lists and naturalizations, Military and Holocaust Records, City Directories, New York Emigrant Savings Bank Records, and African American and Native American Records.
   New York City, NY; NYC
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10:30 am
Free

City Walk | Tour34: Empire to Penn


A guided walking tour of the historic and revitalized 34th Street District. Tour-goers will explore the neighborhood's rich history of commerce, transit, and architecture. This 90-minute tour is held Friday, Saturday, and Sunday through May 28, 2017.
   New York City, NY; NYC
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10:30 am
Free

City Walk | Black Power 50 Multimedia Harlem Walking Tour


Showcasing Harlem sites associated with the Black Power and Civil Rights movements beginning in the 1960s through present day, this tour is an educational and entertaining field experience to complement our Black Power! exhibition, which explores the Black Power movement.
   New York City, NY; NYC
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11:00 am
Free

Workshop | Origami Meetup Group


OMG NYC (Origami Meetup Group! New York City) is a group for people to come together and share in the beautiful art of Origami - the ancient art of folding various mediums, most commonly paper. The word comes from the combination of the Japanese verb oru (to fold) and the noun kami (paper). Other materials often folded are fabric, wire mesh, sheet metal, tissue, thin plastic, cardboard, and straws.
   New York City, NY; NYC
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11:00 am
Free

Workshop | Shape Up NYC Zumba


Join Shape Up NYC for Zumba in the park. Dance in the sun and get fit with friends. Colorful outfits are encouraged! This event repeats every Saturday until Sept. 30, 2017.
   New York City, NY; NYC
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11:00 am
Free

Tour | Southern Park Welcome Tour


Travel from Grand Army Plaza, past the Pond and Gapstow Bridge, and stop at the Dairy on this trip through the southern Park highlights. Route involves moderate inclines and some stairs. 45 minutes.
   New York City, NY; NYC
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11:00 am
Free

Fair | Annual Birthday Block Party


Ther big block party brings the best of Essex Street Market combined with Lower East Side favorites like Ice & Vice, The Bao Shoppe, and Petee's Pies for a feast you won't forget. They're rolling out the pushcarts and popping open the umbrellas, and truly tapping into our Market's iconic history -- May is Lower East Side History Month, after all! Get a taste of this authentic food destination, including everything from fresh cut coconuts, to homemade tamales, to Japanese street fare.There will also be getting crazy with face-painting, temporary tattoos, and balloon-making -- perfect for families and kids-at-heart, too.
   New York City, NY; NYC
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12:00 pm
Free

Dance Lesson | Dance Master Class


To get the dance community excited about the upcoming premiere of its competition show World of Dance, NBC is hosting a free master class in NYC. The master class will be taught by Candace Renee Brown with Broadway Dance Center. Participating dancers will learn a routine inspired by the local culture or studio. Brown will also teach the official World of Dance move and open up the room for freestyle dance at the end. The event will feature a sneak-peek of the show’s premiere and custom swag for participants to wear during the master class. Must be at least 13 years old to participate. All participants under the age of 18 will need a guardian in attendance to sign a waiver. Please wear comfortable clothes that allow you to move and a towel and water to stay hydrated. Please note that street shoes are prohibited in the dance studio.
   New York City, NY; NYC
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12:30 pm
Free

City Walk | Tour34: Empire to Penn


A guided walking tour of the historic and revitalized 34th Street District. Tour-goers will explore the neighborhood's rich history of commerce, transit, and architecture. This 90-minute tour is held Friday, Saturday, and Sunday through May 28, 2017.
   New York City, NY; NYC
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12:30 pm
Free

Parade | 11th Annual Dance and Parade Festival


We all know that walls create barriers, and immigration raids cause fear and chaos, traits we at Dance Parade seek to cast aside in just over three weeks with our annual Parade and Festival. That’s when thousands of dancers, from all strata of global culture, merge, mingle and move as one dance loving, peace loving family for a free, six hour celebration of dance in all its many forms. Grand Marshals Mestre João Grande, Maurice Hines, Frankie Bones and City Councilwoman Rosie Mendez will kick off the parade with a ribbon cutting ceremony launching this year's theme "Dance for Peace"
   New York City, NY; NYC
12:45 pm
Free

Tour | Alexander Hamilton U.S. Custom House Tour


An in-depth look at the unique architecture and exquisite beauty of the Alexander Hamilton U.S. Custom House. Designed by famed architect Cass Gilbert and completed in 1907, the Custom House is a National Historic Landmark. The building’s interior splendor includes an elliptical rotunda with a 140-ton dome skylight designed by Valencia-born engineer Raphael Gustavino and murals by New York painter Reginald Marsh, as well as monumental marble arches and columns. Tours include a visit to the Collectors Office, not normally accessible to the public. Takes place daily.
   New York City, NY; NYC
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1:00 pm
Free

Film | Bill Condon's Mr. Holmes (2015): Elderly Sherlock


Stars: Ian McKellen, Laura Linney, Hiroyuki Sanada. An aged, retired Sherlock Holmes deals with early dementia as he tries to remember both his final case and a mysterious woman whose memory haunts him. He also befriends a fan, the young son of his housekeeper, who wants him to work again. 104 min.
   New York City, NY; NYC
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1:00 pm
Free

City Walk | East River Waterfront Walk


An experiential waterfront walk with artist Clarinda Mac Low where participants will explore the history, present-day, and future of the East River waterfront, envisioning what will and can change over time.
   New York City, NY; NYC
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1:00 pm
Free

Discussion | Gotham Pulp Collectors Club


If you collect, read, or are just interested in classic pulp magazines and you live in or near NYC, you want to know about the Gotham Pulp Collectors Club. They are pulp readers and collectors who meet once a month to talk about their favorite subject: popular fiction magazines from the first half of the 20th century. They discuss what they've been reading along with new developments in the fields of reprints, movies, TV, auctions, conventions, "New Pulp" fiction, and more.
   New York City, NY; NYC
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1:00 pm
Free

Staged Reading | Play Reading: As You Like It


The Instant Shakespeare Company presents this reading.
   New York City, NY; NYC
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1:00 pm
Free

Tour | Red Hook, Brooklyn Walk


About 4 miles, level, moderately paced. A quick walk down from Brooklyn Heights through it charming Willowtown area, then a bit of Brooklyn Bridge Park, after which they begin a leisurely walk to and through the distinctive cityscape of Red Hook, enjoying its watery vistas, industrial relics, art spaces, and other attractions. Steady rain cancels. Bring water and snacks. Call to confirm during week of walk.
   New York City, NY; NYC
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1:00 pm
$3

Festival | T.O.A.S.T: Tribeca Open Studios Art Walk


Join the ART walk, as artists around TriBeCa open their studio doors to the public. Experience a behind-the-scenes look at artists and their workspaces. Since 1995, some of Manhattan’s finest artists have opened their work spaces to the public to take a free, self-guided tour. TriBeCa Open Artist Studio Tour attendees are able to visit the artists, view their work and buy art directly from the source. This is a rare insight into the inner working of the artist studio. TOAST is a celebration of the creative community of TriBeCa.
   New York City, NY; NYC
1:00 pm
Free

Workshop | Break Free from Limiting Beliefs


Speaker, trainer, and certified professional coach, Barbara Phillips, will help participants get greater clarity about what is holding them back from what they want in their lives – and learn simple strategies to move beyond perceived limitations into a life they love living.
   New York City, NY; NYC
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2:00 pm
Free

Tour | Bushwick Graffiti and Street Art Tour


New York City is a mecca for graffiti and street art, making it a very attractive playground for artists from around the world. Bushwick, in a working class district on the north side of Brooklyn adjacent to Williamsburg, has been attracting artists for some time now. The neighborhood has a fair collection of art studios and galleries, but it’s Bushwick’s industrial landscape that’s attracting the street artist. If you came looking for 1960′s Greenwich Village, you’ll find something brewing in Bushwick. Tour takes place Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays.
   New York City, NY; NYC
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2:00 pm
Free

Film | Documentary: Ed Moy's Aviatrix: The Katherine Sui Fun Cheung Story (2016)


Documentary about pioneering Asian Aviatrix Katherine Sui Fun Cheung, a Chinese immigrant who defied racial and gender bias to become a daredevil stunt pilot during the Golden Age of Aviation in the 1930s. 40 min.
   New York City, NY; NYC
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2:00 pm
Free

Tour | Midtown Manhattan Tour


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 facinating histories just waiting to be unveiled.
   New York City, NY; NYC
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2:00 pm
Free

Author Reading | Outlaw Kitchen: Cooking with Cannabis


Robyn Griggs Lawrence, author of The Cannabis Kitchen Cookbook, presents instructions for harnessing the herb’s unique flavor profile and medicinal benefit through mouth-watering recipes.
   New York City, NY; NYC
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2:00 pm
Free

Tour | SoHo, Little Italy and Chinatown Tour


You've seen the iconic skyscrapers, attended a Broadway show, visited Lady Liberty and relaxed in Central Park. Looking for a little more of the Big Apple? Maybe it's time to visit some of Manhattan's oldest and most enchanting historic districts. Take a relaxing stroll through SoHo, Little Italy and Chinatown.
   New York City, NY; NYC
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2:00 pm
Free

Tour | Union Square-Crossroads of New York Tour


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! This tour takes place every Saturday.
   New York City, NY; NYC
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2:00 pm
Free

Concert | Music for World Peace: Copland, Bernstein, Ellington, Piazolla


“Creativity is the hardest work there is” — John F. Kennedy Millennium Chamber Symphony celebrates the President John F. Kennedy centennial and pays tribute to the artistic leadership of the Kennedy White House, which encouraged Americans to explore and enjoy music in its many forms on a scale larger than any presidency had done before. In doing so, they hoped to focus national attention on the role of the arts in America and encourage the development of Washington as a cultural center. Yamaha Piano artist Alex Wu and the Millennium Chamber Symphony perform music by Aaron Copland, Leonard Bernstein, Duke Ellington, Astor Piazolla, and more.
   New York City, NY; NYC
2:30 pm
Free

Dance Performance | Dance Works-in-Progress


Curated by Ishmael Houston-Jones this performance offers choreographers an opportunity to show their work in various stages of development. Performances are followed by discussion and a reception during which artists and audiences share perspectives about the works-in-progress. Tonight: Sam Kim Kirsten Schnittker (pictured)
   New York City, NY; NYC
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3:00 pm
Free

Festival | The Sweet Spot Festival


Summer on the Hudson and Kindred Arts create a family-friendly gathering of community, cultures, and music lovers of all ages. Vibe to sounds spun by a collection of North America’s renowned sound architects.
   New York City, NY; NYC
3:00 pm
Free

Classical Music | Washington Heights Chamber Orchestra performs works by Mendelssohn and more


Program: Chris Whittaker (1986- ) *World Premiere* TBA Concerto TBA - Featuring the winner of the WHCO Young Artists Competition in partnership with Florian Leonhard Fine Violins Felix Mendelssohn (1809-1847) Symphony No. 4 in A major, Op. 90 “Italian” Chris Whittaker, Conductor
   New York City, NY; NYC
3:00 pm
Free

Classical Music | Concert on Water: Classical Music


The concert is at the coolest classical music concerts location in New York City. Program and musicians TBA.
   New York City, NY; NYC
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4:00 pm
Free

Author Reading | Outlaw Kitchen: Cooking with Cannabis


Robyn Griggs Lawrence, author of The Cannabis Kitchen Cookbook, presents instructions for harnessing the herb’s unique flavor profile and medicinal benefit through mouth-watering recipes.
   New York City, NY; NYC
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4:00 pm
Free

Classical Music | Saturday Afternoon Organ Meditation


The program features the great repertoire of the organ on the 101-rank Pipe Organ built by Herman Schlicker and the 5 stop chamber organ built by Taylor and Boody Organ Builders. The Organ Meditation takes place every Saturday from Sept. 10, 2016 to May 27, 2017.
   New York City, NY; NYC
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4:00 pm
Free

Lecture | Masters, Slaves, and Machines


Louis Chude-Sokei presents a brief history of the intersections between race and technology as manifest in the historic parallels of automata, robotics, and chattel slavery. His recent work troubles the assumption that race and technology exist in distinct and unrelated spheres, so they can be discussed or recalled without recourse to each other. In truth, their histories have long depended on each other for support, opposition, and material legitimacy, and have often come together over the course of the last two centuries. Louis Chude-Sokei is a writer and scholar currently teaching at the University of Washington, Seattle.
   New York City, NY; NYC
5:00 pm
Free

Opening Reception | Madeleine Cake: A 2-Artist Exhibition


Whitney Hubbs and Alika Cooper exhibit a body of work that links the present moment with another place in time. Whitney Hubbs creates pictures reflexive of the ownership of her body and lived experience. Contending with fragmentation and unbalance, Hubbs presents three self portraits taken over the span of the past twenty years, alongside a still-life with a mannequin. However, all of the works are dated the year they were printed, leaving a level of ambiguity for the viewer to digest. Alika Cooper is primarily known for her sunset colored paintings of abstracted swimsuit-clad bodies utilizing dyed and painted fabrics. Wet Suits, a unique series of swimsuits cast in bronze, is her first exploration of turning the fabric she so often uses, into sculpture. SITUATIONS is an artist-run space located at 127 Henry Street in the Chinatown neighborhood in Manhattan. The space is run by Mariah Robertson and Jackie Klempay. Open Friday, Saturday, and Sunday 12-6pm. For more information write to info@situations.us or visit our website: WWW.SITUATIONS.US SITUATIONS 127 HENRY STREET NEW YORK, NY 1000
   New York City, NY; NYC
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6:00 pm
Free

Opening Reception | Luba Drozd's Soon enough roads will be rivers: Mixed Media Works


Luba Drozd illuminates the materiality of projected light. Shimmering ultra-thin planes of transparent acetate, vellum and white paper measure the imperceptible thickness of a room as well as framing the inaudible spatial acoustics within it. A piano string reverberates in a corner while pictorial planes are bounced, refracted and interrupted by our own bodies. Trapezoidal shards of light shift as both figure and ground, inside and outside, articulating flatness and perspectival depth. This slippery perceptual condition is one that reveals itself slowly over time, yet one that resists gestalt cohesion.
   New York City, NY; NYC
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6:00 pm
Free

Dance Performance | Flamenco Family Dance


Experience the emotion, drama, and passion of Flamenco. Sonia Olla and Ismael Fernandez perform Tablao Sevilla, exhibiting the dance form’s lightning-fast footwork. An artist-led workshop will follow the performance.
   New York City, NY; NYC
6:30 pm
Free

Play | Shakespeare Outdoors: The Merry Wives of Windsor


Shakespeare's first sitcom, featuring the classic misadventures of Falstaff and two neighborhood wives, set in an Upper West Side Co-op. Produced by the irreverent, surprising and critically acclaimed The Drilling Company.
   New York City, NY; NYC
7:00 pm
Free

Tour | Ghosts of Greenwich Village Tour


New York Ghost tours capture the spiritual side of the Big Apple through stories. famed explorers, native tribes, lost opportunities and political intrigue. With almost every step one takes through the West Village, one encounters the ghosts and spirits of New York City’s past. Every corner has its stories, every building has its haunted spirits.
   New York City, NY; NYC
7:30 pm
Free

Comedy Club | ComedyBnB Show


Come see NYC’s top comedy talent perform and work out material. They regularly feature performers who been seen on TV (MTV, Late Night, Comedy Central, etc.) and have been passed at NYC’s top comedy clubs. Not only is the show free, but at the end of the night, all remaining attendees get a free slice of pizza.
   New York City, NY; NYC
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8:00 pm
No cover, no...

Tour | Midtown Manhattan Night Tour


New York is a skyscraper city and there is no better time to view Manhattan’s icons than after the sun sets and the lights go on. Fueled by competition and a dash of audacity, New York City is still producing one of mankind’s most remarkable skyline. NOTE** THIS TOUR SPENDS MUCH TIME INDOORS OR IN SUBWAYS AND GREAT FOR ALL WEATHER CONDITIONS. Please note they do utilize the subway on this tour so you will need $5 for subway. Takes place Thursdays and Saturdays.
   New York City, NY; NYC
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8:00 pm
Free

Classical Music | Orchestral Works by Stravinsky, Rossini


Program: Igor Stravinsky: "Le baiser de la fée" Divertimento Gioachino Rossini: Introduction, Theme, and Variations Amy Beach: “Gaelic” Symphony With: The New York Repetory Orchestra Moran Katz, clarinet
   New York City, NY; NYC
8:00 pm
Free

Concert | Brotherhood: New York City-Based, Eclectic Mix of Music and Instruments


Brotherhood can churn out Bob Marley, Bob Dylan, R.E.M., The Beatles, Hank Williams, Sublime, Bonnie Raitt, old r+b, blues and much more. The 2 guitars, 3 voices, accordion, bass, trumpet and mandolin bring out some vibrant sounds with a great, fun vibe. Add a dash of cool originals, Brotherhood can liven any party/event, and is always happy to accommodate song requests.
   New York City, NY; NYC
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9:00 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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