free things to do in New York City
Free events for Friday, 10/18/24
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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 18, 2024?

49 free events take place on Friday, October 18 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 18 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!

49 free things to do in New York City (NYC) on Friday, October 18, 2024

All events are free unless otherwise noted.

Editor's Picks

free events nyc Tour - Federal Hall National Memorial: Inaguaration Site of George Washington (10am, 11am, 1pm, 2pm)
free events nyc Prelude 2024: Experimental Theater Festival
free events nyc Jazz with Brazilian and Spanish Flair and Art Exhibitions at a Museum
free events nyc Works by Ravel, Brahms, and More for Piano and Cello
free events nyc Dazzling Lights! Immersive Experience by the Waterfront
free events nyc Mozart's Don Giovanni: Opera in Concert
More Editor's Picks for 10/18/24
        

Workshop | Tai Chi


Improve balance, strength and focus through gentle exercises. The sights and sounds of the river provide a serene background for the ancient flowing postures.
   New York City, NY; NYC
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8:30 am
Free

Park Walk | Forest Bathing


Reconnect with nature by participating in a guided Forest Bathing experience. Allow yourself to connect with the park in a way you never have before. The program includes a short, no more than a half-mile walk at a slow pace. Wear comfortable clothing and bring water, snacks, and a towel or cushion for sitting on the ground.
   New York City, NY; NYC
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9:00 am
Free

Tour | NYC Walking Tours: A Variety of Neighborhoods - Choose One Tour Or Many


These tours take place at various times. You can make reservations for as many tours as your schedule allows. See link for details: scroll down to find the daily scheduled tours at $4 (more costly tours are listed on top). Daily tours may include: Brooklyn Bridge SoHo, Little Italy and Chinatown Lower Manhattan Harlem Downtown Greenwich Village Central Park Lower Manhattan Midtown Manhattan Graffiti and Street Art Tours
   New York City, NY; NYC
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9:00 am
$4

Tour | The Last of Its Kind American Fabric Company in Garment District (every 30 min)


Founded in 1916, Morris and Sam Schmalberg fabric company is the last of its kind in the US, continuing to operate as a domestic factory in a landscape largely dominated by imported products. Currently, the business is centered on manufacturing fabric flowers for couture fashion designers. Witness each stage of the vintage flower-making technique, from fabric cutting to flower crafting. Tours: every 30 minutes.
   New York City, NY; NYC
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9:00 am
Free

Museums | Classical and Renaissance Architectural Plaster Cast Pieces: Collection and Gallery Talks


Examine a selection of historical plaster casts of Classical and Renaissance periods architectural and sculptural works, previously owned by the Metropolitan Museum of Art, as well as parts of artifact woodwork from notable houses in the UK. You can also try your hand at sketching and art-making. Gallery talks are at 11:30am, 1:30pm, and 3:30pm.
   New York City, NY; NYC
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10:00 am
Free

Museums | Modern Museum in a Unique Location Accessible Through an Alleyway


This museum is located in a repurposed elevator shaft. Various artifacts convey stories from around the globe.
   New York City, NY; NYC
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10:00 am
Free

Museums | Oyster Project: Increasing Water Quality, Engineered Ecosystems


Learn about the Billion Oyster Project which is working on restoring oyster populations to NY Harbor in order to better water quality and cultivate new marine life. Examine an oyster display of Harbor-grown oysters and learn about ecosystems and the engineers envolved in the project.
   New York City, NY; NYC
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10:00 am
Free

Museums | Tour - Federal Hall National Memorial: Inaguaration Site of George Washington (10am, 11am, 1pm, 2pm)


Take a tour and learn about this historical building as the inauguration site of George Washington, First Congress, Custom House, Federal Reserve Bank of New York and more. Tours: 10am, 11am, 1 pm, and 2pm
   New York City, NY; NYC
10:00 am
Free

Workshop | Adult Zumba


Featuring easy-to-follow Latin dance choreography. Work on your balance, coordination and range of motion.
   New York City, NY; NYC
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10:30 am
Free

Museums | Asian Art and Culture Museum


The museum features a diverse collection of artworks, including traditional and contemporary pieces from various Asian cultures. 2 pm: guided tour.
   New York City, NY; NYC
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11:00 am
Free

Poetry Reading | The Group Tickling Experiment: New Poetry - Plus Short Films


A conversation with Wayne Koestenbaum, poet, critic, novelist, artist, performer, and Distinguished Professor of English, French, and Comparative Literature at CUNY Grad Center. He will read a selection of short films and poetry from his forthcoming collection, The Group Tickling Experiment.
   New York City, NY; NYC
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12:00 pm
Free

Screening | Hispanic Heritage Celebration: TV Show and Concert Recordings with Celia Cruz, Tito Puente, Grammy Awards, and More


Immerse yourself in a curated selection of TV shows and musical programs celebrating some of the most influential and groundbreaking contributions by legendary Hispanic and Latino/a performers. Screenings will include the Latin Grammy Awards, Saturday Night Live with Desi Arnaz, performances by Celia Cruz and Tito Puente as well as children's shows such as Dora the Explorer, Go, Diego, Go, The Brothers Garcia, etc.
   New York City, NY; NYC
12:00 pm
Free

Workshop | Learn Juggling in the Park


Get in a quick lesson, stay for the whole time, or just enjoy watching them put their skills to the test. They're a friendly group and open to drop-ins, even if you catch them outside of the regular juggling lessons. All skill levels welcome. Equipment is provided.
   New York City, NY; NYC
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12:00 pm
Free

Museums | World Trade Center and Other Skyscrapers Architecture and History Exhibitions


Explore the history of NYC skyline through its architucture, design, real estate investments and the brilliant minds behind these projects. The museum opens its doors to all. 3 pm: tour, first come-first serve (limited capacity).
   New York City, NY; NYC
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12:00 pm
Free

Classical Music | Bach at Noon (In Person and Online)


Take a momentary respite from a busy day to enjoy a selection of organ works by Johann Sebastian Bach in an intimate venue.
   New York City, NY; NYC
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12:20 pm
Free

Film | Madame Web (2024) with Dakota Johnson


New York City paramedic Cassandra Webb starts to show signs of clairvoyance. When she discovers new details about her past, she fights to protect three young women from a mysterious villain trying to kill them.  Director: S. J. Clarkson Cast: Dakota Johnson, Sydney Sweeney, Isabela Merced, Celeste O'Connor, Tahar Rahim, Mike Epps, Emma Roberts, Adam Scott Dakota Johnson is an American actress. The daughter of actors Don Johnson and Melanie Griffith, she made her film debut at age ten with a minor role in Crazy in Alabama (1999), directed by her then-stepfather Antonio Banderas, and also starring her mother. Johnson had her breakthrough playing the lead role of Anastasia Steele in the erotic Fifty Shades film series (2015-2018). In 2016, she received a BAFTA Rising Star Award nomination and was featured in a Forbes 30 Under 30 list. Ages 18+
   New York City, NY; NYC
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1:00 pm
Free

Book Discussion | The Crisis of Democratic Capitalism: Reversing a Terrifying Dynamic (online)


From Martin Wolf, chief economics commentator for The Financial Times, a magnificent reckoning with how and why the marriage between democracy and capitalism is coming undone, and what can be done to reverse this terrifying dynamic.
   New York City, NY; NYC
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1:00 pm
Free

City Walk | Architectural Tour of Midtown


A walking tour in the 34th Street district, focusing on the rich history of iconic buildings in the area. Learn more about the buildings that surround our city life!
   New York City, NY; NYC
1:00 pm
Free

Museums | Folk Art: Ornamentation, Vibrant Drawings and Over 100 Handmade Gameboards - Tour


Join the tour to explore the art of the Shakers from the mid-19th century: colorful intricate ornamentation representing celestial imagery, vibrant drawings and much more. Another exhibition contains about 100 handmade gameboards, including chess, Parcheesi, checkers, Monopoly, Chutes and Ladders crafted between the mid-19 and early-20 centuries. The Shakers are a religious community founded in the 18th century in England. They are known for their unique beliefs, which include celibacy, communal living, and a strong emphasis on craftsmanship and simplicity. They are also recognized for their distinctive style of furniture and architecture, as well as their vibrant music and dance traditions. In the early 20th century, there were about 12 Shaker communities in the US and as of 2019, there is only one active Shaker village remaining, located in Maine.
   New York City, NY; NYC
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1:00 pm
Free

Tour | United Nations Headquarters (pick your time slot)


Explore this marvel of modern architecture and design. Learn history behind the "Workshop for Peace" by 11 renowned architects from around the globe. 1-hour guided tours are at 1pm, 1:15pm, 1:30pm, 2:15pm. ID required; security screening (read all requirements at the link).
   New York City, NY; NYC
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1:00 pm
Free

Workshop | Enjoy an afternoon of crafting and conversation


Bring your own project or choose something from a provided collection to work on during this freeform crafting workshop. The workshop will include materials for sewing, knitting, crochet, coloring, paper crafts, and puzzles.
   New York City, NY; NYC
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1:30 pm
Free

Film | Don't Look Now (1973) with Julie Christie and Donald Sutherland


Josh and Laura Baxter are grieving over the accidental death of their daughter, Christine. John has been commissioned to restore a church in Venice, Italy. There, Laura meets two sisters who claim to be in touch with her daughter’s spirit. While Laura takes them seriously, John does not, until one day, he catches a glimpse of someone who looks like Christine running through the Venice streets. Director: Nicolas Roeg Cast: Julie Christie, Donald Sutherland Donald Sutherland was a Canadian actor whose career spanned six decades. He received numerous accolades, including a Primetime Emmy Award and two Golden Globe Awards as well as a BAFTA Award nomination. Julie Christie is a British actress whose accolades include an Academy Award, a BAFTA Award, a Golden Globe, and a Screen Actors Guild Award. 
   New York City, NY; NYC
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2:00 pm
Free

Museums | Arts and Cultural Heritage of Spain and Portugal: Goya, El Greco and Others - Guided Tour


Explore the best items this museum has on display with this guided tour. Paintings, sculptures, ceramics, antiquities, and more by world-famous artists.
   New York City, NY; NYC
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2:00 pm
Free

Festival | Hallowscream Fright Walk and Fall Festival


A spooky celebration with an interactive haunted house, games, inflatables, and more! Wear your best costume and get ready for the scariest party in town!
   New York City, NY; NYC
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3:00 pm
Free

Discussion | States, Citizenship, and Welfare in India and China


In China, reforms have broadened social security, healthcare, and rural-urban inequities. India has launched various programs to alleviate poverty. This panel examines the policies and politics in China and India, and their roles in anchoring new forms of authoritarian or illiberal governance.
   New York City, NY; NYC
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4:00 pm
Free

Performance | Prelude 2024: Experimental Theater Festival


This is day three of the annual, four-day event which features works-in-process, critical conversations, and new theater and performance scholarship. See link for full details.
   New York City, NY; NYC
4:30 pm
Free

Poetry Reading | 2 Poets Read from Their Work


Douglas Kearney and Ariana Reines read from their poetry.
   New York City, NY; NYC
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5:00 pm
Free

Museums | American History, Artifact Collections and Some Laughs in Between


Enjoy a stroll through galleries of an extensive collection of American art, learn about the history of New York and the USA. You can also catch a stand up comedy show from 6 pm to 7 pm. Last admission is at 7 pm.
   New York City, NY; NYC
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5:00 pm
Pay-what-you-wish, reservation required

Jazz | Jazz with Brazilian and Spanish Flair and Art Exhibitions at a Museum


The instrumental ensemble BeBimBop performs jazz infused with Brazilian and Spanish flair. Visitors also have access to the museum's fine art galleries with rare and noteworthy collections and a wide variety of exhibitions.
   New York City, NY; NYC
5:00 pm
Free

Museums | Modern Art: From The 19th Century to the Present Day


Experience the exhibits in the museum galleries which include paintings, sculptures, drawings, prints, photographs, films, videos, and much more.
   New York City, NY; NYC
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5:00 pm
Free

Discussion | Petrarch: Literature, Visual Arts, Music


To honor Francesco Petrarch on the 650th anniversary of his death, this roundtable brings together a literary scholar, a visual artist, an art historian, and a music historian for an exploration of the artistic, musical, and cultural reception of Petrarch's Trionfi, the allegorical poem touching on love and death.
   New York City, NY; NYC
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5:30 pm
Free

Movie in a Park | Monster-in-Law (2005): Meddling Relative Comedy, with Jane Fonda


Charlotte's love life is reduced to an endless string of disastrous blind dates--until she meets the perfect man, Kevin. Unfortunately, his merciless mother will do anything to destroy their relationship. Director: Robert Luketic Stars: Jennifer Lopez, Michael Vartan, Jane Fonda 101 min.
   New York City, NY; NYC
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6:00 pm
Free

Screening | Secret Sixteen Screening: 16mm Films


16mm films from the Cinema Studies Department Archive. With lo-fi gems, oddball curiosities, and pre-internet obscurities. There's a surprise here for everyone!
   New York City, NY; NYC
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6:00 pm
Free

Play | Golem: A Play About the World of Yiddish-Speaking Eastern Europeans


Dylan Gottlieb's full-length play offers a glimpse of a vibrant world split between competing political regimes, developing over centuries of change.
   New York City, NY; NYC
6:30 pm
Free

Lecture | Architecture and Micropolitics (in-person and online)


This talk seeks to dispel two widely held misconceptions: first, that architects are no longer central to the making of buildings and, second, that design is a linear process which begins with a fully formed architectural vision. Architect Farshid Moussavi argues that the temporality of architecture provides day-to-day practice with the potential to generate change. She proposes that we abandon determinism and embrace chance events and the subjective factors that influence practice in order to ground buildings in the micropolitics of everyday life. Speaker Farshid Moussavi is an internationally acclaimed architect, writer and educator.
   New York City, NY; NYC
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6:30 pm
Free

Screening | Champs-Elysees Film Festival: Short Films from France


Voices of Francophone Cinema presents a special Champs-Élysées Film Festival short films selection.
   New York City, NY; NYC
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6:30 pm
Free

Workshop | Family Friday: Math-Based Fun Activities for All Ages


Family Fridays aims to unite family members of all ages to participate in a variety of engaging mathematical activities, fostering interest and excitement for both kids and adults.
   New York City, NY; NYC
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6:30 pm
Free

Book Discussion | The New Television: Video After Television 


This new book pairs a facsimilie edition of the publication The New Television, a compendium of papers presented at the convening Open Circuits: An International Conference on the Future of Television held at MoMA in 1974, with newly commissioned papers by over a dozen authors, roundtables moderated by Ina Blom and Michelle Kuo, and previously unpublished archival materials from the original conference. The publication illuminates institutional histories of video art, considers global televisual contexts and alternative critical approaches, and examines contemporary video art and its continued relevance from new perspectives. Remarks by the book's editors.
   New York City, NY; NYC
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7:00 pm
Free

Book Discussion | The New Television: Video After Television, Centered on the 1974 International Conference at MoMA - Book Launch


This issue pairs an edition of The New Television: A Public/Private Art, a collection of papers presented at and responding to Open Circuits: An International Conference on the Future of Television, held at MoMA in 1974, including newly commissioned essays by over a dozen authors, discussions, and never published before archival materials from the original conference.
   New York City, NY; NYC
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7:00 pm
Free

Classical Music | Works by Dvorak and More for Violin, Viola, and Cello


Momenta Quartet (Emilie-Anne Gendron, Alex Shiozaki, violins; Stephanie Griffin, viola; Michael Haas, cello). Program Henry Cowell (1897-1965), String Quartet No. 4 "United" Timo Andres (b. 1985), Thrive on Routine Charles Ives (1874-1954), String Quartet No. 1 Dvorak (1841-1904), String Quintet in e-flat major Op. 97
   New York City, NY; NYC
7:00 pm
Free

Classical Music | Works by Ravel, Brahms, and More for Piano and Cello


Olga Gurevich, piano; Jisoo Ok, cello. Program Ravel (1875-1937), Piano Trio in A Minor, M.67 Enrique Fernandez Arbos (1863-1939), Piezas Originales en Estilo Espanol, Op.1 Brahms (1833-1897), Hungarian Dance No.6 in D Major Myroslav Skoryk (1938-2020), Melodiya Florence Price (1887-1953), Adoration Paul Schoenfeld (b. 1947), Cafe Music
   New York City, NY; NYC
7:00 pm
Free

Play | After the Revolution by Tony-Nominated Playwright


A bright, promising young activist must confront a shocking secret in her lauded family's past. "...smart, engrossing" - NY Times, "...laced with welcome wit" - Backstage. Written by Amy Herzog, a finalist for the Pulitzer Prize for Drama (4000 Miles)
   New York City, NY; NYC
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7:30 pm
Donation

Movie in a Park | Colombiana (2011): Girl Becomes Assassin


A young girl in Bogotá witnesses her parents' murder and grows up to be a stone-cold assassin. Director: Olivier Megaton Stars: Zoe Saldana, Michael Vartan, Callum Blue 108 min.
   New York City, NY; NYC
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7:30 pm
Free

City Walk | Dazzling Lights! Immersive Experience by the Waterfront


Spanning across six acres, this Illuminating display features an array of 18,750 lowlight, fiber-optic stemmed spheres that illuminate with a slow subtle change of hue. Guests are immersed in the installation as they walk a winding path through the ethereal painted landscape framed by the city's iconic skyline and the waterfront.
   New York City, NY; NYC
7:30 pm
Free

Classical Music | Mozart's Don Giovanni: Opera in Concert


Don Giovanni is an opera in two acts, with music by Mozart to an Italian libretto by Lorenzo Da Ponte. Its subject is a centuries-old Spanish legend about a libertine as told by playwright Tirso de Molina in his 1630 play El burlador de Sevilla y convidado de piedra. It blends comedy, melodrama and supernatural elements and was premiered by the Prague Italian opera at the National Theater (of Bohemia), now called the Estates Theatre, in 1787. Don Giovanni is regarded as one of the greatest operas of all time. This Don Giovanni opera in concert is presented with piano, string trio, and trombone.
   New York City, NY; NYC
7:30 pm
Free

Classical Music | Orchestral Works by Ravel and More


MSM Symphony Orchestra; George Manahan, Conductor; Po-Wei Ger, piano. Program Carlos Chavez (1899-1978), Symphony No. 2 (Sinfonia india) Ravel (1875-1937), Piano Concerto for the Left Hand in D Major Robert Sirota (b. 1949), Symphony No. 1
   New York City, NY; NYC
7:30 pm
Free

Concert | Renowned Bachata Duo


The sensational bachata duo Liza + Willie have known each other since high school and have quickly racked up fans, with over 5 million streams on Spotify and over 600k views on YouTube. As the first Bachateros to perform at the Smithsonian Museum for the Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute committee in Washington, Liza + Willie is a pair not to be missed.
   New York City, NY; NYC
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7:30 pm
Free

Dance Performance | Works by Student Choreographers


Featuring choreography by Talia Archer, Virginia Batten, Louise Coleman, Brooke Judge, Jacqueline Lee / Tessa Tordesillas, Kyle Marshal, Ngozi Mokwunye, and Annie Rigney.
   New York City, NY; NYC
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7:30 pm
Free

Symposium | Regardless of Frontiers: The First Amendment and the Exchange of Ideas Across Borders (in-person and online)


A symposium exploring the international border as a venue, justification, or pretext for censorship or surveillance will convene scholars, practitioners, policymakers, and activists for a symposium about surveillance and censorship and the changing role of the international border. Today, the U.S. government uses its authority over the border to justify the surveillance of social media, the interrogation of travelers about their political and religious views, the warrantless search of travelers’ laptops and cellphones, the imposition of limits on Americans’ right to engage with foreign speakers and to access foreign communications platforms, and the suspension of the constitutional rules that would ordinarily apply to the surveillance of Americans’ emails and telephone calls. Panelists will consider these practices and their implications from a range of perspectives, including theoretical, doctrinal, historical, and empirical.
   New York City, NY; NYC
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9:15 pm
Free
Complimentary Tickets

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

Theater | Family Theater Showcase

Regular Price: $49.50
CFT Member Price: $0.00

Dance Performance | High-Energy Dance by Acclaimed Choreographer

Regular Price: $49
CFT Member Price: $0.00
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