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Free events for Saturday, 10/17/09
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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 October 17, 2009?

57 free events take place on Saturday, October 17 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 October 17 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 October . 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!

57 free things to do in New York City (NYC) on Saturday, October 17, 2009

All events are free unless otherwise noted.
        

Park Walk | Bridges & Waterways Of New York's Central Park Walk


This is a moderately paced adventure under, over, around and through many of the amazing architectural wonders throughout Central Park. Begin at the southwest tip of Central Park South and zigzag our way up the eastern half of Central Park to The Harlem Meer at 110th St. Then we circle back along the western half of the park and finish at Sheep's Meadow. Please bring water and lunch or snack for this fascinating 5-hour journey of approx. 8 miles. Rain or Shine.
   New York City, NY; NYC
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9:00 am
$3

Conference | Caste and Contemporary India


A conference in honor of alumnus Dr. B .R. Ambedkar. Featuring President Lee C. Bollinger in a conversation on "Affirmative Action, Law and Inequality in India and the U.S., with Pratap Mehta and Marc Galanter, moderated by Nicholas B. Dirks. Participants will include: * Gnana Alyosius (Independent Scholar, New Delhi) * Lee C. Bollinger (Law School; President, Columbia University) * Nicholas B. Dirks (Anthropology and History; Vice-President and Dean, Arts & Science, Columbia) * Masood Alam Falahi (Islamic Studies, Maulana Azad National Urdu University) * Marc Galanter (Law and South Asia Studies, University of Wisconsin) * Gopal Guru (Centre for Political Studies, Jawaharlal Nehru University) * Rajkumar Hans (History, University of Baroda) * Christophe Jaffrelot (Sciences-Po, CERI) * Pratap Mehta (Centre for Policy Research, Delhi) * Smita Narula (Law, New York University) * Balmurli Natrajan (Anthropology, William Patterson University) * Gyanendra Pandey (History, Emory University) * Sudha Rani (History, Dean of Social Sciences, Ambedkar Open University) * Anupama Rao (History, Barnard) * Nathaniel Roberts (Anthropology, University of Pennsylvania) * Sivakami Palanimuthu (activist and writer) * Jebaroja Singh (Women and Gender Studies, Saint Fisher College) * Anand Teltumbde (activist and writer) * Gauri Viswanathan (English & Comparative Literature, Columbia)
   New York City, NY; NYC
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9:00 am
Free

City Walk | Great Manhattan Bridge Walk


Start at GW Bridge, end at Brooklyn Bridge. Walk for about 12 hours and cross over all of the bridges that we can walk over from Manhattan Island. The entire route will be 27+ miles of walking, plus two or three bus/subway rides. Bring plenty of water, sandwiches, snacks, and Metro Card. Moderately paced, plus there may be a “fast group” for those who want to walk faster and farther. Heavy rain or blizzard cancels.
   New York City, NY; NYC
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9:30 am
$3 plus Metrocard

Other | Health Walking and Race Walking


For ages 18 and up. Get in shape and enjoy the park's beautiful scenery while walking at a moderate to brisk pace over mostly flat surfaces. Clinics are led by walking coach Lon Wilson of the NY Walkers Club. Each class includes a warm-up, cool-down and stretch. All fitness levels are welcome. No advance registration.
   New York City, NY; NYC
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9:30 am
Free

Park Walk | Three Lakes, Three Parks in Queens Walk


Moderate pace, 6 miles. Forest Hills to Flushing-three lakes-thru Flushing Meadows Corona Park, Qns Botanical Garden, Kissena Corridor and Kissena Park. Optional dim sum meal for $10 at end. Bring snack, water. Take E or F(or R,G,V) to Continental/71st Ave.
   New York City, NY; NYC
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9:45 am
$3

Other | 38th Annual Art Show


Ninety-eight professional artists exhibit and sell gallery quality art, ranging from watercolors and oil paintings to sculpture and photography.
   New York City, NY; NYC
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10:00 am
Free

Fair | Craft Fair


Features over 60 of the best local NYC artisans selling their crafts: jewelry, pottery, glass, wood, clothing, and fine art.
   New York City, NY; NYC
10:00 am
Free

Other | Volunteer Gardening


Help beautify the Park and get great outdoor exercise.
   New York City, NY; NYC
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10:00 am
Free

Other | The Ederle Swim


Watch the kickoff to the 17.5-mile swim from Battery Park City to Sandy Hook, New Jersey. The event is named for Manhattan-native Gertrude Ederle, who in 1925, at the age of 18, swam the same course in seven hours and eleven minutes (7:11), a record that stood until 2006 (5:53:12), and was broken again in 2007 (5:39:33), due, in part, to today’s knowledge of the tides. With especially fast tides in 2009, the record may drop yet again.
   New York City, NY; NYC
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10:15 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

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

Other | Community Planting Day


Help green Lower Manhattan. You bring family and friends, we'll bring the plants and gardening tools. Complimentary refreshments will be served and there will be a free pumpkin giveaway (quantities are limited).
   New York City, NY; NYC
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11:00 am
Free

Tour | Garden Tour


This tour highlights the history, design and unique plantings of the 70-year-old Garden. Led by Garden Staff.
   New York City, NY; NYC
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11:00 am
Free

Other | Opening Day Open House


The museum reopens with a bang. The all-day open house festivities celebrating its 40th anniversary year will be packed with fun events taking place throughout its whole beautifully renovated building, Latin music shows by children and adults in the brand-new courtyard and the theater, children book readings and art-making workshops, a preview of Soledad O'Brian's upcoming documentary Latinos in America, and walking tours around el Barrio will be only part of the fun.
   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

Fair | Street Fair


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

Tour | “Manhattan Adirondacks”


Olmsted and Vaux designed the North Woods to replicate the forests of the Adirondack Mountains with its crystal streams, calming cascades, and rustic bridges. This scenic and meditative walk is right in New York City's backyard. Tour will be approximately one hour.
   New York City, NY; NYC
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11:00 am
Free

Film | Gil Kenan's Oscar-Nominated Monster House (2006)


With the voices of Steve Buscemi, Catherine O'Hara and Fred Willard.
   New York City, NY; NYC
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12:00 pm
Free

Author Reading | Joyce Mendelsohn reads from her book The Lower East Side Remembered and Revisited: History and Guide to a Legendary New York Neighborhood


Explore New York's legendary Lower East Side, a unique place in the hearts of millions of American families because it was here that their immigrant ancestors made their first homes in this country and took their first steps on the road to freedom and success. Mendelsohn is an educator, historian, published author and tour guide. Mendelsohn developed the tour leader training program for the Lower East Side Jewish Conservancy and served as the first Director of Education at the Lower East Side Tenement Museum.
   New York City, NY; NYC
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12:00 pm
$6 minimum donation...

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

Tour | Yonkers Hike


4-5 miles, easy/moderate pace, some ups & downs. Visit the Untermyer Estate with its lovely garden and fountain, the Lenoir Preserve, and take the Old Croton Aqueduct to downtown Yonkers. Bring lunch/ water. Return via Metro North or bus. Rain CANCELS!
   New York City, NY; NYC
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12:00 pm
$3

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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12:00 pm
Free

Screening | Ballets Russes Movie Marathon


Screenings with introduction by Lynn Garafola.
   New York City, NY; NYC
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 | Documentary: Steve Lawrence and Phil Lucas' Vis à Vis: Native Tongues (2003)


Indigenous performing artists James Luna (Luiseño) and Ningali Lawford (Walmajarri) compare perspectives on life and society, using dialogue via satellite, scenes of their performances, and video diaries to inform the conversation.
   New York City, NY; NYC
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1:00 pm
Free

Opening Reception | Open Studios 09 -- artists invite you into their studios!


Experience the work and studios of several contemporary artists in a single setting: an annual event, Open Studios invites the public to explore the artwork and studios of professional artists. Witness the process and production of artworks at the site of their origin: members of the Studios Program are professional artists with an established studio practice and recognized art career. They create work in wide range of media and artistic sensibilities, generating a vibrant and diverse community of peers for the studio program. Experience the work and studios of several contemporary artists in a single setting.
   New York City, NY; NYC
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1:00 pm
Free

Other | Robert Blackburn Printmaking Workshop: Open House


A display of Blackburn's work, tours of the printshop and printing demonstrations
   New York City, NY; NYC
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1:00 pm
Free

Lecture | Free Verse: How Free Should it Be?


A lecture by Esther Leiper. Plus: a piano solo, Haydn's Sonata in E, Allegro moderato, Andante, Finale, performed by Mark Fiedler; readings from Rose Marie Buccheri, James De Martini, Jack De Luca Gross and Wilda Gallagher; and an open reading.
   New York City, NY; NYC
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2:00 pm
$4 contribution suggested

Film | Horror Double Feature: Zombies of Mora Tau (1957) and The Werewolf (1956)


In Zombies of Mora Tau (pictured), a group of foolhardy scavengers embark on a sunken ship whose cargo of diamonds is guarded by its zombified crew. Greedy for riches, no one is scared of "The Swimming Dead." Directed by Edward L. Cahn. In The Werewolf, an auto accident survivor is used by scientists as a subject for their experiments to create a vaccine for nuclear fallout. Directed by Fred F. Sears. Total running time: 148 mins.
   New York City, NY; NYC
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2:00 pm
Free

Theater | Puppet Theater: Bruncvik and His Lion - A Story of Bravery and Love


The Minor Theater in Prague is devoted to keeping the unique tradition of century old puppetry theater and its masters alive. Mythical Czech prince Bruncvík decides after the death of his father to travel the world and win the lion for his crest like a true brave knight. He returns home with a magic sword, which beheads on command. This heroic middle-age story, which was known in the 14th century, was made famous by Alois Jirásek in his book Old Czech Legends. Puppet experimental production has been created in the framework of the international theater project “Cultural Alchemy."
   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

Park Walk | “Cross Park Promenade”


You'll be amazed at what you'll see.... a hidden bench that tells time, miniature boats powered by the wind, a magnificent sculpture celebrating fresh water, and a glorious drinking fountain for the city's equine population. These are just some of the the sites along the way on this east to west walk through the park. Tour is approximately one hour long.
   New York City, NY; NYC
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2:00 pm
Free

City Walk | “The New Times Square District- Crossroads of the World” Tour


See the reinvented Times Square District. Its new pedestrian walkways, the Glass Staircase TKTS Booth, Theaters and Showbusiness personalities. Highlights: The Statues of Father Duffy and George M.Cohan, The former I. Miller shoe store, St. Malachys Church, the Hudson Theater, the Paramount Building and more.
   New York City, NY; NYC
2:00 pm
$15, but only...

Reading | “Where We Are Now, Issue #2”: Journal Launch Celebration


Celebrating the release of the second issue of Where We Are Now, an online journal edited by Joseph Grima, Marisa Jahn and Carin Kuoni. Speakers include contributor Melanie Crean, whose ongoing web project The Shape of Change investigates the way people perceive, measure, and represent change over time.
   New York City, NY; NYC
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2:00 pm
Free

Discussion | Flying Books: An Artist Dialogue


An artist dialogue with Viviane Rombaldi-Seppey and Kim Beck. Kim Beck, well-known artist and associate professor at Carnegie Mellon University will join emerging multimedia artist Viviane Rombaldi Seppey to converse about art and place as well as discussing her current installation.
   New York City, NY; NYC
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2:30 pm
Free

Screening | Documentary: Steve Lawrence and Phil Lucas' Vis à Vis: Native Tongues (2003)


Indigenous performing artists James Luna (Luiseño) and Ningali Lawford (Walmajarri) compare perspectives on life and society, using dialogue via satellite, scenes of their performances, and video diaries to inform the conversation.
   New York City, NY; NYC
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3:00 pm
Free

Screening | Italian Documentary: Pane Amaro (Bitter Bread)


To mark Italian Heritage Month, the Museum presents a screening of Pane Amaro, which documents the Italian-American immigrant experience from 1880 through World War II using historical photographs and film footage and interviews with scholars and members of the Italian-American community. Producers Gianfranco Norelli and Suma Kurien will introduce the film and later take questions from the audience.
   New York City, NY; NYC
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3:00 pm
Pay-what-you-wish admission policy

Concert | Voices À La Carte perform Richard Foreman & Stanley Silverman's Hotel for Criminals


   New York City, NY; NYC
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3:00 pm
$5

Screening | Documentary: Peter Joseph's Zeitgeist: Addendum (2008)


Zeitgeist: Addendum attempts to locate the root causes of the economic collapse by investigating the corruption inherent in the monetary system. 123 min.
   New York City, NY; NYC
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4:00 pm
Free

Concert | 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 & Boody Organ Builders.
   New York City, NY; NYC
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4:00 pm
Free

Staged Reading | Work-in-Progress: Adam Kraar's Empire of the Trees


Part of the theater's "Octoberfest" event.
   New York City, NY; NYC
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4:00 pm
$10 suggested donation...

Workshop | Accidental Movement with Mariangela Lopez


A workshop open to everyone. No prior movement experience is necessary. The workshop space will become a platform to share individual experiences to create the identity of a group. The participants will explore their own creative and movement potential through releasing their personal memories and perceptions of their own environment by utilizing the power of the group to then build a collective experience. Lopez's work has emerged from the participation of different members of the community where she lives and develops her work. Through this workshop she hopes to build a core of participants for the development and presentation of a new work. This is an opportunity to be part of a creative process. The participants may choose to come only once or continue the exploration in a weekly basis. You don't need to start from the very first week, but remember that your consistency will determine your participation in the further development of the work. You don't need to want to perform to come to the sessions.
   New York City, NY; NYC
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5:00 pm
Free

Concert | Listen to “The Auerglass,” a two-person pump organ


The Auerglass is a two-person wooden pump organ designed by the artist Tauba Auerbach with her friend Cameron Mesirow of the band Glasser. The instrument cannot be played alone. It requires two people to play. One player has to pump in order for the other to play and vice versa. There is a four-octave scale that is divided so that each of the two players plays every other note. Auerbach and Mesirow will play a composition written specifically for the instrument. It combines music that Auerbach wrote as a child, songs from Glasser and new material. Ida Falck Øien, who creates the costumes for Glasser, has created special costumes with shifting states for the Auerglass players to wear.
   New York City, NY; NYC
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5:00 pm
Free

Opening Reception | New Paintings by Sara MacCulloch


The first one-person exhibition in the United States of Nove Scotia artist Sara MacCulloch. It consists of sixteen landscape paintings completed over the past year from places near where the artist lives on the East Coast and Ontario, as well as the fields and trees of the Cotswolds in England where she visited this past Spring. MacCulloch lives and works in Halifax, Nova Scotia. She exhibits extensively throughout Canada in Halifax, Toronto and Edmonton. Her work is in the collections of the Nova Scotia and Canada Council Art Banks, the Gotsland Kunstmuseum in Gotsland, Sweden, and various public and private collections.
   New York City, NY; NYC
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6:00 pm
Free

Opening Reception | Photography: Kevin Vast's Palestine


New works by the photographer.
   New York City, NY; NYC
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6:00 pm
Free

Workshop | Nia Jam


Learn to love your body with this beautiful blend of dance, martial arts and yoga with Jayne Mielo & friends.
   New York City, NY; NYC
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6:15 pm
Free

Author Reading | Douglas A. Martin's Once You Go Back


Please welcome Martin reading from his new semi-autobiographical novel which relates the tension of a working-class household transplanted to the American South, and explores the curious nature of adolescent sexuality in the midst of family violence. Martin's previous novels include Outline of My Lover and Branwell.
   New York City, NY; NYC
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7:00 pm
Free

Dance Performance | Traditional Dance Social with the Thunderbird Indian Dancers and Singers


Join the Thunderbird Indian Dancers and Singers, directed by Louis Mofsie (Hopi/Winnebago), in an evening of traditional social dancing. Heyna Second Sons are the featured drum group. Bring your family and enjoy the festivities.
   New York City, NY; NYC
7:00 pm
Free

Staged Reading | Work-in-Progress: George F. Walker's The Master of Discipline


Part of the theater's "Octoberfest" event.
   New York City, NY; NYC
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7:00 pm
$10 suggested donation...

Dance Lesson | Beginner Ballet


Open to all levels. Beginner Ballet for the Absolute Beginner with Susan Rosenbaum.
   New York City, NY; NYC
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7:15 pm
Free

Concert | Chris Park's new opera Phaedra and Hippolytus


This event will feature internationally acclaimed students performing a new opera by faculty member Chris Park.
   New York City, NY; NYC
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8:00 pm
Free

Opening Reception | Exhibition: The LABALMA Body Project


The LABALMA Body Project is an artistic exploration of the body in relation to Jewish text and contemporary culture. The exhibition features new work in various mediums including photography, video, painting, and drawing, created by artists living in New York and Tel Aviv. It asks to capture how the body can be interpreted on an axis that combines contemporary and ancient perspectives, everyday experience and the spiritual/ritual realm. It seeks to trace the role place plays in the expression (or equation) of the body.
   New York City, NY; NYC
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8:00 pm
Free

Concert | Voices À La Carte perform Richard Foreman & Stanley Silverman's Hotel for Criminals


   New York City, NY; NYC
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8:00 pm
$5

Staged Reading | Work-in-Progress: Anthony McKay's Endless Lawns


Part of the theater's "Octoberfest" event.
   New York City, NY; NYC
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8:00 pm
$10 suggested donation...

Other | The Inwood Astronomy Project: Look at the Stars through a Telescope


THIS WILL OCCUR ONLY ON CLEAR NIGHTS, SO PLEASE CALL AHEAD TO CONFIRM. Come look through a telescope at the stars. The Inwood Astronomy Project is the largest public outreach program in New York City, hoping to get 5000 New Yorkers to come look through a telescope for the first time. They will be giving away posters, postcards, and other doodads. There is always a telescope to look through, and a knowledgeable astronomer to answer questions. Bring a flashlight for the climb to the hilltop. Call for details.
   New York City, NY; NYC
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8:30 pm
Free

Staged Reading | Work-in-Progress: Amy Staats' Move


Part of the theater's "Octoberfest" event.
   New York City, NY; NYC
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8:30 pm
$10 suggested donation...

Concert | Travis Sullivan’s Bjorkestra: An Homage to Björk


Paying homage to experimental pop icon Björk, bandleader and alto saxophonist Travis Sullivan and his Bjorkestra transcend genres with an engaging blend of jazz improv, fresh arrangements, and dance-hall beats. Far more than just a tribute band, the Bjorkestra offers brilliant reimaginings of the Icelandic siren’s songs and style, augmenting the big band setup is augmented by laptop drum grooves and moving vocals.
   New York City, NY; NYC
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9:00 pm
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