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Free events for Wednesday, 10/21/15
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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 21, 2015?

42 free events take place on Wednesday, October 21 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 21 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!

42 free things to do in New York City (NYC) on Wednesday, October 21, 2015

All events are free unless otherwise noted.
        

Tour | Broadway Theater District Tour


Come discover the history of Great White Way. Explore Times Square, the Broadway Theater District, and 42nd Street, an area synonymous with American entertainment from stage to screen. These are the stories of dreams fulfilled and hopes dashed; a neighborhood that has seen Broadway Theater District Toureverything from huge celebrations to desolation and neglect. Where everyone from Mary Pickford and Helen Hayes to Bradley Cooper and Denzel Washington have plied their craft on the boards; you will hear stories of the men and women who have made made this the center of the world of theater. With a veteran New York actor as your tour guide, you will the beautiful old theaters where famous shows such as Oklahoma, Cabaret, A Chorus Line, and My Fair Lady premiered and stars such as Marlon Brando, Al Pacino, and Shirley McClain got their start. You will uncover the secrets, stories, and strange superstitions of the institutions in the area and discover little-known parts of the Theater District often overlooked in the tour books. This tour takes place Wednesdays at 10am.
   New York City, NY; NYC
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10:00 am
Free

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. This tour takes place every day at 10am.
   New York City, NY; NYC
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10:00 am
Free

Tour | Federal Hall National Memorial Guided Tour


Ranger-guided tours are available to the public during operating hours. Times: 10:00AM, 11:00AM, 1:00PM, 2:00PM, 3:00PM. This tour is available Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays from September through December 30.
   New York City, NY; NYC
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10:00 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. This tour takes place Wednesdays and Saturdays at 10am and Mondays and Fridays at 2pm.
   New York City, NY; NYC
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10:00 am
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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10:00 am
Free

Reading | A Reading of the Sanskrit Masterpiece, Kālidāsa's Sakuntalā and the Ring of Recollection


Part of the Great Works Reading Series. This event occurs on October 19-22, 2015.
   New York City, NY; NYC
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10:45 am
Free

Workshop | Elements of Nature Drawing


Get inspired by the beautiful expanse of the Hudson River and New York Harbor and by the verdant park, with its very special Hot and Cool gardens; each flower-filled and colorful throughout the season. All art materials are provided. Participants can practice already known techniques or try new ones using water colors, pastels, colored pencils, and other media. An artist/educator will offer ideas,instruction and critiques regarding technique. This workshop takes place Wednesdays Sep. 30, Oct. 7, Oct. 14, Oct. 21 and Oct. 28.
   New York City, NY; NYC
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11:00 am
Free

Park Walk | Heart of the Park Tour


On this east-west walk you will see some of the Park's most well-known landmarks, including Conservatory Water, Bethesda Terrace, the Lake, and Strawberry Fields. Route involves a few stairs. 90 minutes.
   New York City, NY; NYC
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11:00 am
Free

Concert | Piano Works by Chopin, Mozart, Ravel


Program: Mozart Sonata in F k.332 Ravel Sonatine Chopin Sonata in b op. 58 Talented pianist and engineering student Harvey Wu will be performing. Program TBA.
   New York City, NY; NYC
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12:00 pm
Free

Poetry Reading | Yusef Komunyakaa, Pulitzer Prize-winning poet, reads from his book The Emperor of Water Clocks


Yusef Komunyakaa’s books of poetry include Neon Vernacular (for which he received the Pulitzer Prize), Talking Dirty to the Gods, Taboo, Warhorses, The Chameleon Couch, and Testimony: A Tribute to Charlie Parker. His plays, performance art, and libretti have been performed internationally and include Wakonda’s Dream, Saturnalia, Testimony, and Gilgamesh (a verse play). He teaches at New York University.
   New York City, NY; NYC
12:00 pm
Free

Concert | Bach at Noon


The keyboard works of Bach offered in 30-minute meditations by Patrick Allen, organist and master of choristers, and Phillip Lamb, organ scholar. Bach at Noon concerts takes place Tuesdays through Fridays, from September 15, 2015 to May 26, 2016.
   New York City, NY; NYC
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12:20 pm
Free

Tour | Federal Reserve Bank Tour


Learn about central banking functions that Federal Reserve System performs and see Bank's vault of international monetary gold on bedrock of Manhattan Island, five stories below street level. Learn why Federal Reserve has "Federal" in its name, while it's a private bank, not Federal at all. Tour times: 1:00pm, 2:00pm. This tour takes place Mondays through Fridays, except bank holidays.
   New York City, NY; NYC
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1:00 pm
Free

Reading | Story Time for Grown-Ups


Love a good story? Sit back and relax as they read you a story or two. This event recurs on October 5, 7, 19, and 21, 2015.
   New York City, NY; NYC
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1:00 pm
Free

Concert | Student Jazz Ensembles and Popular Music Combos


Ryan Keberle and D.D. Jackson, directors
   New York City, NY; NYC
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1:00 pm
Free

Concert | The Juilliard Percussion Ensemble


Juilliard artists share their talent with the community in a free, hour-long lunchtime concert.
   New York City, NY; NYC
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1:00 pm
Free

Jazz | Jazz Wednesdays with the Bill Wurtzel Trio


Jazz+Wednesdays features exhibition-themed music performed by jazz guitarist Bill Wurtzel and guests Mike Gari and Sharon Fisher. Look and learn about Jean Dubuffet’s art brut collection and soak in the ambience of the 1950s American music scene with the sounds of playful jazz improvisation and whimsical counterpoint performed by the Bill Wurtzel trio. This event recurs every Wednesday.
   New York City, NY; NYC
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. This tour takes place every day at 10am and every Wednesday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday, and Monday at 2pm.
   New York City, NY; NYC
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2:00 pm
Free

Workshop | Figure al Fresco


Many people are challenged when trying to draw the human figure. This workshop offers everyone a chance to improve their skills through a wonderful outdoor figure drawing class. Each week a different model will strike both short and long poses for participants to draw. An artist/educator will be on hand to offer suggestions and give critiques throughout the class. All drawing materials are supplied.
   New York City, NY; NYC
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2:30 pm
Free

Reading | A Reading of the Sanskrit Masterpiece, Kālidāsa's Sakuntalā and the Ring of Recollection


Part of the Great Works Reading Series. This event occurs on October 19-22, 2015.
   New York City, NY; NYC
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3:00 pm
Free

Workshop | Drawing Lessons for Adults


A teaching artist provides expert instruction in drawing, taking inspiration from the architecture, monuments, and people in in the park. Learn basic drawing techniques including line, composition, shading, and depth. Pencils, eraser, paper, and drawing board provided.
   New York City, NY; NYC
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3:00 pm
Free

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


Learn what you need to know before buying or selling an old book. In this class, you will examine an old book, look to see who else owns a copy, and review the sale records and current booksellers’ catalogs to learn about its value. Along the way attendees will learn about the tools and resources that the antiquarian community uses to value a book.
   New York City, NY; NYC
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3:00 pm
Free

Park Walk | Central Park Tour - Lower Section


Once described as the lungs of the city, Central Park brings a breath of fresh air to New York's crowded urban terrain. What started out as the rocky and desolate northern fringes of a rapidly expanding city is today among the world's most famous and beloved public parks. With over 843 acres of meadows, hills, ball fields and bodies of water, it's impossible not to find something to enjoy in Central Park. This tour takes places Sundays and Mondays at 10am and Wednesdays at 4pm.
   New York City, NY; NYC
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4:00 pm
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. This tour takes place Sundays, Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays at 2pm, Wednesdays at 4pm, and Saturdays at 10am.
   New York City, NY; NYC
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4:00 pm
Free

Master Class | Master Class: Pablo Heras-Casado, Conductor


Praised by The New York Times as “the thinking person's idea of a hotshot young conductor" who “shapes everything he touches with delicacy and respect” (San Francisco Chronicle), Pablo Heras-Casado leads a master class with artists from Historical Performance.
   New York City, NY; NYC
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4:00 pm
Free

Screening | Music on Film: Matt Alber


Extraordinary folk and soul singer-songwriter Matt Alber performs heartfelt original songs and covers celebrating the diversity of love.
   New York City, NY; NYC
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4:30 pm
Free

Reading | Embattled, a Performance of Poetry and Prose


What is our relationship to war? How does war push the human body and mind to their limits? How do we come to terms with separation and death? These are all questions that the poetry and prose in the Bellevue Literary Review’s new issue — "Embattled: The Ramifications of War" — grapple with. This is a special performance as the powerful writing published in this issue comes to life through readings by actors from stage and screen.
   New York City, NY; NYC
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6:00 pm
Free

Talk | Artist Talk: Shazia Sikander


Public art visionary and Brooklyn Museum director Anne Pasternak joins internationally acclaimed artist Shazia Sikander to discuss the creative process and its application, the nature of storytelling and how historical narratives can be reshaped, redefined and re-appropriated. The conversation is moderated by Arezoo Moseni.
   New York City, NY; NYC
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6:00 pm
Free

Book Discussion | Book Launch: The Little Magazine in Contemporary America


A program to celebrate the publication of The Little Magazine in Contemporary America, an anthology of original essays by prominent little magazine editors. The program will feature a panel including book editors Joanne Diaz and Ian Morris, along with several contributors (TBA).
   New York City, NY; NYC
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6:00 pm
Free

Concert | Himalayan Happy Hour: Spiral Music


A free concert with artists specializing in music from the Himalayas and South Asia. Featuring Ehren Hanson (tabla) + Abhik Mukherjee (sitar). Spiral Music occurs every Wednesday in October.
   New York City, NY; NYC
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6:00 pm
Free

Lecture | Putting Courage at the Center: Reflections on Gandhi


Distinguished Professor of Political Science Uday Singh Mehta (Graduate Center, CUNY) will be delivering a talk. What might it mean to place courage and related notions such as a willingness to die at the center of one’s conception of an ethical life, both for individuals and collectivities? In many ways this pursuit was the informing creed of Gandhi’s life and the link between his ethical and political philosophy. For Gandhi, courage had a centrality that trumped even his opposition to war and the British Empire. It also gave a distinctive hue to the specific connection that Gandhi identified between courage and democracy – a connection that gave no special precedence to familiar political conceptions of democracy. The talk will be followed by a reception.
   New York City, NY; NYC
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6:00 pm
Free

Concert | Rapsodia Italiana: Music by Contemporary Italian Female Composers


Program: LUCIA CONTINI ANSELMI (1876-1913) Deliciae MATILDE CAPUIS (b.1913) Sonata per Pianoforte in Mi Minore TERESA PROCACCINI (b.1934) Preludi ADA GENTILE (b.1947) Studio da Concerto CARLOTTA FERRARI (b.1975) Campane: "l'Attesa" Also in the program are excerpts from compositions by Claudia Bombardella and Biancamaria Furgeri Pianist Alessandra Garosi returns to perform and present music for solo piano written by various female composers active in Italy during the 20th century. The styles of these composers range from post-Romanticism to poly-tonality, from twelve-tone technique to minimalism. The performance will be accompanied by brief introductions on the life and historical background of the composers.
   New York City, NY; NYC
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6:00 pm
Free

Discussion | Discussing Secularism with a Professor of Philosophy and a Professor of Religion


A discussion on secularism with Cornel West, Professor of Philosophy and Christian Practice at Union Theological Seminary and Professor Emeritus at Princeton University, and Jeff Stout, Professor of Religion at Princeton University. The conversation will be chaired by Akeel Bilgrami, Sidney Morgenbesser Professor of Philosophy.
   New York City, NY; NYC
6:15 pm
Free

Talk | Author Talk: Calvin Baker


Calvin Baker is the author of the critically acclaimed novels Naming the New World, Once Two Heroes and Dominion, which was a finalist for the Hurston-Wright Award, a New York Magazine Critics’ Pick and New York Daily News Best Book of the Year. His long-awaited fourth novel, Grace, will be published in July 2015.
   New York City, NY; NYC
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6:30 pm
Free

Concert | Echoes of the Twentieth Century: A Musical Dialogue Between Europe and America After John Cage


Join us for a rare concert curated by the critically acclaimed Italian composer Andrea Cavallari, who charts for us the vibrant exchange of ideas between European and American composers since the ground-breaking woks of the US composer John Cage. Joining Cavallari is the Florence Art Music Ensemble (FLAME), a young Italian ensemble known for its focus on contemporary classical music and close collaborations with some of the most influential living composers. Don’t miss this exciting chance to hear some of the very recent developments in classical music as we showcase works by John Cage, Alban Berg, Salvatore Sciarrino, Beat Furrer and Andrea Cavallari.
   New York City, NY; NYC
6:30 pm
Free

Slide Lecture | Julie Wosk discusses her book My Fair Ladies: Female Robots, Androids, and Other Artificial Eves


Taking us on a fascinating tour across a wide variety of media, including sci-fi films, television shows, and advertising, Julie Wosk's illustrated lecture on her most recent book, My Fair Ladies introduces us to a bevy of lifelike, manmade women. Through her study of everything from automatons to lifelike artificial intelligence machines, Julie Wosk considers how this figure of the “perfect woman” has come to embody not only fantasies, but also fears about gender and technology.
   New York City, NY; NYC
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6:30 pm
Free

Reading | Pedro Pietri: A Puerto Rican Obituary


Join an evening in celebration of Pedro Pietri’s life. Poet and NYU Assistant Professor Urayoan Noel will be in conversation with editor and literary critic Pedro López Adorno, with writer and activist Nancy Mercado to discuss Pedro Pietri’s life and most recent published book, Pedro Pietri Selected Poetry. Also enjoy spoken word performances by artists Nancy Mercado, Papoleto Melendez, Mariposa, and more. Pedro Pietri (1944-2004) was born in Ponce Puerto Rico and raised in Manhattan. He was a poet, playwright and co-founder of the Nuyorican Poets Café, a space for artists who at the time were not accepted in mainstream, academic or publishing industries.
   New York City, NY; NYC
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6:30 pm
Free

Lecture | Puerto Rico’s Debt Crisis: Economic Collapse in America’s Biggest Colony and What Can Be Done About It


With: Juan González, Fall 2015 Andrés Bello Chair in Latin American Cultures and Civilizations, Columnist for The Daily News, co-host of Democracy Now! Reception to follow.
   New York City, NY; NYC
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6:30 pm
Free

Discussion | A Celebration of Primo Levi


Primo Levi's legacy as a recorder of the atrocities of the Holocaust is well known in the United States, but his work beyond Survival in Auschwitz has not received the attention it deserves. Finally all fourteen of his books have been collected into The Complete Works of Primo Levi to spotlight the breadth of his accomplishments. To celebrate the publication, welcome famed writer and critic Joan Acocella who wrote about Levi in her essay collection Twenty-eight Artists and Two Saints in discussion with writer and psychoanalyst Paola Mieli. Mieli's A Silver Martian looks at Levi's short story "Sleeping Beauty in the Fridge" and Levi's investigation into the ramifications of the holocaust.
   New York City, NY; NYC
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7:00 pm
Free

Author Reading | Margo Jefferson discusses her book Negroland: A Memoir


Born to prominent parents into the upper crust of black Chicago, author Margo Jefferson tackles the complex intersections of race and class in her celebratory and elegiac memoir. Jefferson positions her own story within the multifaceted ongoing context of the civil rights movement, the dawn of feminism and the fallacy of postracial America.
   New York City, NY; NYC
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7:00 pm
Free

Gallery Talk | Artists discuss the exhibition New New York: Abstract Painting in the 21st Century


Panel Discussion with Marco Antonini, Jonathan Allmaier, Liam Davis, Debra Drexler, and Lucas Moran.
   New York City, NY; NYC
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7:30 pm
Free

Film | Belgian Documentary: Ibbe Daniels and Koen Vidal's Rêve Kakudji (2013)


He traveled to Europe to achieve his dream of becoming a top opera singer. Although Serge's artistic ambitions are pure and uncomplicated, the reactions among his environment and audiences are often ambiguous and divided. While some people respect and acknowledge his artistic vocation, others see him as an exotic oddity, or complain that that his African timbre jars with classical opera. Serge refuses to be discouraged by any of this. On the contrary, he wants to hold up a mirror to Western culture and confront it with its underlying beliefs. He also wants to use his story and experiences in the west to bring opera to Congo. Together with his countrymen and women, he wants to found a Congolese opera tradition based on African stories that will inspire people to follow their dreams. 62 min.
   New York City, NY; NYC
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7:30 pm
$10 suggested donation

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
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