free things to do in New York City
Free events for Saturday, 05/17/14
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56 free things to do in New York City (NYC) on Saturday, May 17, 2014

All events are free unless otherwise noted.

Editor's Picks

free events nyc The 8th Annual Dance Parade and Festival
free events nyc The New York Piano Society performs works by Ravel, Tchiakovsky, Bartok, and Schumann
free events nyc The Drilling Company presents an outdoor production of Shakespeare's Hamlet
free events nyc Violin Works by Tchaikovsky and Others
More Editor's Picks for 05/17/14
        

Concert | College Recitals


9:00 AM - 9:50 AM Maria Radicheva Chamber Music Recital 9:00 AM - 9:50 AM Renee Rosen Chamber Music more Recital 9:30 AM - 10:00 AM Concert Orchestra 10:00 AM - 10:50 AM Maria Radicheva Chamber Music Recital 10:30 AM - 11:00 AM Senior Select Chorus 11:00 AM - 1:00 PM Musical Theatre 12:00 PM - 12:50 PM Lindsay Cheng Senior Cello Recital 2:00 PM - 4:00 PM Opera Workshop 2:00 PM - 2:45 PM Symphony Orchestra 5:00 PM - 5:50 PM Maria Radicheva Student Recital - Henry Brown 7:00 PM - 7:50 PM Repertory Orchestra 8:00 PM - 9:30 PM Philharmonic Orchestra less
   New York City, NY; NYC
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9:00 am
Free

Workshop | Health and Race Walking


Enjoy views of the Park's landscapes as you get fit. Coach Lon Wilson of the New York Walkers Club leads more walks at a moderate to brisk pace over mostly flat surfaces. Wear comfortable sneakers! Ages 18+. less
   New York City, NY; NYC
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9:30 am
Free

Tour | Alternative New York Tour


Time to learn about the other New York City; the city that nurtured political, cultural and intellectual more revolutions. The city that gave birth to punk rock, the beat poets and graffiti. The city that has survived two centuries of mass riots, crime and corruption, murder and mayhem. The city that has flourished in spite of economic and social hardship. less
   New York City, NY; NYC
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10:00 am
Free

Workshop | Drawing in the Park


Sketch and paint the Hudson River and neighboring parks with an artist/educator. Materials provided.
   New York City, NY; NYC
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10:00 am
Free

Park Walk | Financial District, Little Italy, Chinatown and SoHo Tour


A multi-neighborhood tour of the Lower Manhattan area. The tour begins on Wall Street, where you will more see the New York Stock Exchange and Trinity Church before moving on the the World Trade Center and City Hall. We then move on by subway to visit the largest Chinatown in the United States. Following Chinatown, the tour will continue on through Little Italy and on to SoHo. less
   New York City, NY; NYC
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10:00 am
Free

Workshop | Fly Fishing in the Park


Learn the basics of fly fishing for free. Join expert instructors from Orvis for lessons on fly casting more and outfit rigging. less
   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, more 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. less
   New York City, NY; NYC
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10:00 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, more 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. less
   New York City, NY; NYC
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10:00 am
Free

Fair | Street Fair


Free fun for the whole family, including arts, crafts, antiques, plants, entertainment, games, and more.
   New York City, NY; NYC
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10:00 am
Free

Tour | Williamsburg, Brooklyn Tour


It’s once abandoned waterfront is now is now filled with newly constructed condo towers and magnificent more parks and stunning views of Manhattan. Known today as the hipster capital of the United States, Williamsburg is so much more than that, containing enclaves of Puerto Ricans, Polish, Italians, Dominicans and Hasidic Jews. less
   New York City, NY; NYC
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10:00 am
Free

Tour | Cathedral Tour


Explore the Cathedral's newly cleaned and restored Nave. Learn about the art, architecture and history more of this great sacred space from 1892 to the present. less
   New York City, NY; NYC
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11:00 am
$6...

Gallery Talk | Gallery Tour: Tribal Art Week Uptown


The exhibit will include worldwide tribal works from the Frank Wayde Hall estate collection. Hall purchased more the 19th Century townhouse in 2012 to set up a private gallery and includes masks from Angola to West Africa to the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Scheduled tours 11 AM, 1 PM & 3 PM ending at 4 PM. less
   New York City, NY; NYC
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11:00 am
$5...

Park Walk | Garden Tour


Learn about the thousands of trees, flowers, shrubs, and perennials that decorate the Garden from horticulturalists more who take care of this special place within the Park. Route involves a few stairs. 75 minutes. less
   New York City, NY; NYC
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11:00 am
Free

Workshop | Shape Up Zumba


Shape Up NYC (an NYC Parks program run in partnership with Equinox, NYC Service, and Empire Blue Cross more Blue Shield) offers free fitness classes to help New Yorkers get and stay fit. less
   New York City, NY; NYC
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11:00 am
Free

Fair | Street Fair


Manhattan’s favorite artisan market is back for a fifth season of amazing vintage finds, artisan creations more and delicious local food. less
   New York City, NY; NYC
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11:00 am
Free

Festival | The 22nd Annual Ethnic Festival


There will be an outdoor stage with a large variety of multi-cultural entertainment, vendors on the street, more and other activities going on throughout the day for all age groups. The featured artist for the Festival will be legendary Joe Battan, a Filipino-African-American Latin Soul musician from East Harlem. Bataan helped coin the phrase “Salsoul,” which combined the musical culture of urban Latinos who were inspired by African-American popular music and infused their own new musical culture. The main attraction at this year's Festival is a Maker Fair, where visitors of all ages can try their hand at more than a dozen popular arts and crafts, such as knitting, embroidery, paper making, origami, sneaker print design, artistic finger painting, card making and scrapbooking, creating beadwork jewelry, cupcake decorating, and many more. Also, two special activities popular among the little ones: a wild animal zoo and pony rides in the community garden. In addition, there will be face painting, a clown, popcorn, cotton candy, a basketball tournament, a karate exhibition and fashion shows for the young adults. less
   New York City, NY; NYC
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11:00 am
Free

Fair | Korean Street Festival


The Democracy Prep Korean Street Festival will be a day of celebrating student performances and introducing more Korean culture and cuisine to the Harlem community. less
   New York City, NY; NYC
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12:00 pm
Free

Workshop | Learn Juggling in the Park


Test your coordination and dexterity with free juggling lessons in the park. All skill levels are welcome more to join in the fun. Equipment is provided. Lessons are weather permitting. You'll be surprised that Alex and Jordan can often be found outside tossing pins in the snow! less
   New York City, NY; NYC
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12:00 pm
Free

Park Walk | Mid-Park Welcome Tour


Explore the Park’s central features including the Lake and Ramble woodland, then marvel at the views more from Belvedere Castle. Route involves many hills, stairs, and uneven paths. 45 minutes. less
   New York City, NY; NYC
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12:00 pm
Free

Festival | On A Wing Festival


Celebrate the birds, bees, and other winged beings of the Park and beyond. Take a guided walk to spot more your favorite feathered Park resident and get a closer look at live bats, meet the “big birds” of prey, and more. Co-presented with the Urban Park Rangers, NYC Audubon Society, Organization for Bat Conservation, and Long Island Aquarium. All ages. less
   New York City, NY; NYC
12:00 pm
Free

Talk | The Marxes of Yorkville


This event will deal with Marx Brothers’ childhood in Yorkville, with Marx-associated actors reading more relevant excerpts from the Brothers' memoirs, a presentation of historical photos of the neighborhood and the Marx family, and a short talk by Susan Hefti about her efforts to have the former Marx home (on East 93rd Street) declared an official landmark. less
   New York City, NY; NYC
12:00 pm
Free

Tour | Cathedral Tour


Explore the Cathedral's newly cleaned and restored Nave. Learn about the art, architecture and history more of this great sacred space from 1892 to the present. less
   New York City, NY; NYC
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1:00 pm
$6...

Parade | The 8th Annual Dance Parade and Festival


Over 10,000 dancers will participate in the Eighth Annual Dance Parade and Festival in New York City. more This year's parade will feature dancers from countries around the globe, including Ukraine, Bolivia, India, Brazil, Korea, Algeria, Tahiti, Mexico, Japan, Estonia, Jamaica, China, Armenia, Spain and Indonesia. Tony Award winner, tap dancer marvel and choreographer Savion Glover and Bessie-winning founder and artistic director Jawole Willa Jo Zollar of Urban Bush Women will serve as Grand Marshals. less
   New York City, NY; NYC
1:00 pm
Free

City Walk | A Musical Meeting with the Ancestors: A Unique Cemetery Walk


What a Neighborhood! and Harlem Chamber Players present music by neighborhood composer Ishmael Wallace more in a cemetery at its most beautiful time of year. Walk through the western half of the cemetery with live musical accompaniment featuring Vita Wallace, violin, Lisa Arkis, flute, and Amy Fraser, bassoon. less
   New York City, NY; NYC
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2:00 pm
Free

Film | Anthony Mann's The Naked Spur (1953): Honor Among Bounty Hunters


Starring James Stewart, Robert Ryan, Millard Mitchell. A bounty hunter tries to bring a murderer to more justice, and is forced to accept the help of two strangers who are less than trustworthy. 91 min. less
   New York City, NY; NYC
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2:00 pm
Free

Tour | Brooklyn Heights Tour


Known as America's first suburb, Brooklyn Heights is truly a gem. Travel and Leisure named it one of more America's top 10 most beautiful neighborhoods, and its beauty is rivaled only by its place in American history. These quaint, tree-lined streets have been the sites of Revolutionary War battles, abolitionist activism and have inspired numerous novelists. Visit a stop on the Underground Railroad, or the home of Truman Capote, where he penned Breakfast at Tiffany's and where Jackie Robinson signed with the Dodgers. less
   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 more 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. less
   New York City, NY; NYC
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2:00 pm
Free

Park Walk | Central Park Tour


Stroll through the park and tell the epic story of New York's green oasis. Once described as the lungs more 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 amongst the world's most famous and beloved public parks. Originally intended to bring people of all walks of life together -- a people's park -- Central Park lives up to it's original designs. With over 843 acres of meadows, hills, ball fields and bodies of water, it's impossible not to find less
   New York City, NY; NYC
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2:00 pm
Free

Jazz | College Jazz Voice Recital


Student Yuima Enya will be performing her senior recital.
   New York City, NY; NYC
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2:00 pm
Free

Tour | Lower Manhattan Tour


It is here, as much as anywhere, where American history started. It's where the first US Congress assembled more and produced the Bill of Rights and where President George Washington took his first oath of office. It's here where the world's most important stock exchange and one of the most famous bridges stand. And it is here where an unspeakable tragedy took place and where a rebirth is underway. less
   New York City, NY; NYC
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2:00 pm
Free

Tour | SoHo, Little Italy & Chinatown Tour


You've seen the iconic skyscrapers, attended a Broadway show, visited Lady Liberty and relaxed in Central more 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. less
   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 more 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! less
   New York City, NY; NYC
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2:00 pm
Free

Opera | An Afternoon of Opera and Song


Presented by the Manhattan Opera Association.
   New York City, NY; NYC
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2:30 pm
Free

Film | Brad Bird's Oscar-Winning The Iron Giant (1999): Boy Meets Robot


Stars: Eli Marienthal, Harry Connick Jr., Jennifer Aniston. A giant alien robot from outer space crashes more near the coast of Rockwell, Maine where it becomes entangled and trapped in power cables. Hogarth Hughes, a nine-year-old boy, follows the trail of destruction through the forest, frees the robot and becomes his friend. Animated. 86 mins. less
   New York City, NY; NYC
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3:00 pm
Free

Concert | Concert on Water


The concert is at the coolest classical music concerts location in New York City. Program and musicians more TBA. less
   New York City, NY; NYC
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3:00 pm
Free

Discussion | DANSE to Diaries: French Feminisms


This conversation traces the legacies of French feminism-the fierce re-imagination of writing through more sensuous intellect, an écriture for dancing as it touches on desire, on language, on power. Moderated by Jenn Joy with DD Dorvillier, Noémie Solomon, Emmanuelle Huynh, Trisha Low, Judy Hussie-Taylor, and others to be announced. less
   New York City, NY; NYC
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3:00 pm
$10 suggested donation...

Screening | African Film Festival: Spotlight on Sudan


Abuna, Mudzamil, 2013, 11 min., Sudan - A touching tribute to Ami Abdalseed, the caretaker and cook for more the Red Sea High-school for boys. Coming Soon, Mustafa Jawhar and Hind Elsheik, 2013, 16 min., Sudan - A town pays tribute to an abandoned cinema. The Crying Sea, Aladin Reyhan and Hashim Fath Alrahman, 2013, 12 min, Sudan - Celebrates the gift of the Red Sea to the city of Port Sudan and makes an urgent plea to its citizens to wake up to the consequences of sea pollution. Nile Drums, Mohamed Abdalaziem (aka Fox), 2013, 14 min., Sudan - This film follows a Southern Sudanese musician as he bids a prolonged and bittersweet farewell to Khartoum, the city in which he grew up, before his repatriation to South Sudan. Only a Child, Eltahir Daoud , 2013, 10 min, Sudan - This film tells the story of a young boy who has given up his schooling so his brothers can continue with their education. Tayba, Maha Abdalmoniem, 2013, 11 min, Sudan - An intimate portrait of the filmmaker's aunt as she, from the repose of old age, recollects how she overcame the stigma of divorce and forged an independent life as a woman alone. Train of Longing, Najwa Yaasin, 2013, 13 min, 2013, Sudan - Atbara was once known as the city of iron and steel and it was the railway that made it one of the most cosmopolitan and prosperous corners of Sudan. This film tells the tale of a city and its population and how the coming of the railway changed them both. Post-Screening Q&A with Tagreed Elsanhouri and filmmakers & reception. less
   New York City, NY; NYC
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4:00 pm
$10 suggested donation

Jazz | College Jazz Saxophone Recital


Student Ashley Chambers will be performing her senior recital.
   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 more and the 5 stop chamber organ built by Taylor & Boody Organ Builders. less
   New York City, NY; NYC
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4:00 pm
Free

Dance Performance | Dance Performances in the Garden


4:30 p.m. – Elke Rindfleisch, dance performance 5:30 p.m. – Ariane Anthony and Jeffrey Bauer, dance more performance less
   New York City, NY; NYC
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4:30 pm
Free

Performance | Jim Findlay’s Dream of the Red Chamber, a Performance for a Sleeping Audience


Conceived as a literal dream play — the work is performed for an audience that is encouraged to experience more the piece while they fall in and out of sleep. This durational performance installation invites the audience to take an immersive journey through Cao Xueqin’s 18th century Chinese novel “Dream of the Red Chamber” — an epic love story between a stone and a flower, framed by a dizzying series of metaphysical dreams. Audiences may arrive at any time, depart at any time, and return at any time. This perform begins at 5pm and runs until 6am the following morning. less
   New York City, NY; NYC
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5:00 pm
Free

Opening Reception | Sculpture: Pierre Matter's Hybrids


Artist Pierre Matter, one of the most visionary sculptors in the world today, presents his latest exhibition.
   New York City, NY; NYC
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6:00 pm
Free

Concert | The New York Piano Society performs works by Ravel, Tchiakovsky, Bartok, and Schumann


A celebration of great composers and performers with non-musical careers. Featuring Guest Artists: Igor more Pikayzen, violin; Sonna Kim, cello. Program to include works by Ravel, Balakirev, Tchaikovsky, Bartok, Schumann and more performed by our outstanding members who are professionals in fields other than music. Meet the artists at the reception after the concert. less
   New York City, NY; NYC
6:00 pm
$20 suggested donation...

Dancing | Bluegrass Family Dance


Enjoy energetic, joyful community dances for all ages to live music along the Hudson River. Family dances more are held on select Fridays and Saturdays, May through August, each celebrating a different culture’s traditional dances and folk music. No partners or experience necessary. MAY 17: Bluegrass Family Dance. Featuring the Ebony Hillbillies. Dance caller Eric Hollman leads the square-dancing. less
   New York City, NY; NYC
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6:30 pm
Free

Dance Performance | Dance for Sculptures


Muna Tseng Dance Projects’ newly commissioned choreography engages with Chuck Ginnever’s monumental more steel sculptures, Medusa and High Rise, overlooking the Hudson River, its metal ice breakers, and the George Washington Bridge. less
   New York City, NY; NYC
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7:00 pm
Free

Discussion | Recuperative Tactics: An Artists' Discussion


What is the invisible labor of making? Can we reshape authorship to effect social change? How can we more intervene in the seemingly immovable structures reifying the economic inequality supporting – and caused by – our artistic practices? Explore these questions with a roundtable discussion facilitated by Ava Ansari, Molly Kleiman, and Lisi Raskin. It is hoped that the conversation will be instantiated by the invaluable contributions of the community of participants. The evening will begin with the roundtable discussion followed by informal dialogue over snacks and drinks. less
   New York City, NY; NYC
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7:00 pm
Free

Theater | The Drilling Company presents an outdoor production of Shakespeare's Hamlet


In an unusual interpretation, the production is intended to illuminate the modern dysfunctional family more unit. Gertrude is an alcoholic mother; Ophelia is manic depressive; Claudius is overworked, power-obsessed and success-oriented. Everyone but Hamlet and Horatio are suffering from one of the maladies that we identify in modern culture as a problem for human development. less
   New York City, NY; NYC
7:00 pm
Free

Concert | The Young People's Chorus of New York City's Transamerica Concert


The Young People's Chorus of New York City and Artistic Director/Founder Francisco J. Núñez continue more their Transmusica series of concerts of cross-cultural music designed to build bridges to other world cultures. In a program that circles the world with a rich array of musical flavors, YPC, conducted by Elizabeth Núñez and Sheldon Ogbourne, will be joined by three award-winning choruses-the Octopipers, F2B, and Cantabile-from the Kingswood Oxford School from West Hartford, Connecticut, conducted by Marcos Carreras. less
   New York City, NY; NYC
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7:00 pm
$10 suggested donation

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


Serge Kakudji is a twenty-year-old Congolese countertenor who fell in love with opera as a young boy, more listening to cassette tapes of opera recordings in his room in Lumubashi. This film follows Serge to Europe as he works to make it to the top of the classical opera world. 73 min. less
   New York City, NY; NYC
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7:30 pm
$10 suggested donation

Tour | Ghosts of Greenwich Village Tour


New York Ghost tours capture the spiritual side of the Big Apple through stories. famed explorers, native more 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. less
   New York City, NY; NYC
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7:30 pm
Free

Dance Performance | Choreographic Honors Performance


A sampling of works curated from workshops and performances by Dance Division students.
   New York City, NY; NYC
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8:00 pm
Free

Concert | Composers Concordance's 4th Annual 'Generations' Concert


Composers Concordance, in conjunction with Community Arts at Goddard Riverside, presents its 4th annual more 'Generations' concert, featuring the music of John Clark, Valerie Coleman, Dan Cooper, Eleanor Cory, Peter Jarvis, Christopher Li, Milica Paranosic, Gene Pritsker, and Jeff Scott, as well as two competition winners: one composer age 25 or younger, and another composer age 65 or older. Featuring Comp Cord Wind Quintet: Valerie Coleman - flute, Keve Wilson - oboe, Michiyo Suzuki - clarinet, John Clark - horn, and Damian Primis - bassoon. less
   New York City, NY; NYC
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8:00 pm
Free

Tour | Manhattan Night Tour


New York is a skyscraper city and there is no better time to view Manhattan’s icons than after the more 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. less
   New York City, NY; NYC
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8:00 pm
Free
8:00 pm
$10 suggested donation

Concert | College Voice Recital


Joshua Simka, Tenor
   New York City, NY; NYC
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8:30 pm
Free

Reading | A Brooklyn Tribute to Amiri Baraka


A panoply of Brooklyn poets, writers, musicians, and thinkers pay homage to the late Amiri Baraka, the more pioneering writer and activist whose work was a call to arms for black liberation and the creation of African-American art. Baraka’s life will be celebrated with readings and performances by Ras Baraka, Sonia Sanchez, jessica Care moore, Danny Simmons, Kevin Powell, Tony Medina, Black Ice, asha bandele, and Burnt Sugar the Arkestra Chamber. less
   New York City, NY; NYC
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9:00 pm
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Musical | Hit Show Musical Parody

Regular Price: $58.50
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Theater | Storytelling at its Best from Far Away

Regular Price: $51
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