In Hamilton Heights and Sugar Hill, Davida Siwisa James leads readers through four centuries of the storied New York neighborhood where George Washington headquartered in 1776, Alexander Hamilton built his country home, George Gershwin wrote his first hit, young Norman Rockwell learned to draw, and Ralph Ellison wrote Invisible Man. Her history focuses on the […]
Celebrate the inimitable Audre Lorde (1934 – 1992), a self-described “Black, lesbian, mother, warrior, poet,” on February 18, her birthday. Poets JP Howard, I.S. Jones, Zora Satchell, and Brad Walrond will read favorite poems or passages by Lorde alongside their own work, celebrating her visionary influence on their lives and work. Hosted and curated by […]
Directed by Church Street School of Music, the Downtown Beats adult chorus is open to all who love to sing! Learn contemporary and classic songs and perform at community events throughout the year.
Challenge your artistic skills by drawing the human figure. Each week a model will strike short and long poses for participants to draw. Artists/ educators will offer constructive suggestions and critique. Materials provided, and artists are encouraged to bring their own favorite media. Free program, space is limited, registration required, please email: [email protected].
Borough of Manhattan Community College presents free performances from their music, speech, communication, and theater arts departments.
Book reading. Eric Puchner presents Dream State, in conversation with Dinaw Mengestu. Written with humor, precision, and enormous heart, both a love letter and an elegy to the American West, Dream State is a thrillingly ambitious ode to the power of friendship, the weird weather of marriage, and the beauty of impermanence.
Evening dedicated to the historic cocktails that define the Big Apple. Sip on familiar and unfamiliar classic drinks while mingling with fellow cocktail enthusiasts. Our expert mixologists will be on hand to share the history behind each drink. Lower Manhattan has been America’s town square since its founding as Fort Amsterdam in 1624. Key global […]
Join the Seaport Museum and Downtown Alliance for a post-Valentine’s Day singles mixer and workshop at the 19th century-style letterpress print shop Bowne & Co. and explore the tradition of acquaintance cards—or flirtation cards—a playful variation on the Victorian calling card.
Book reading. Susan Morrison presents Lorne: The Man Who Invented Saturday Night Live. The definitive biography of Lorne Michaels, the man behind America’s most beloved comedy show.
Long before their country joined the war, American aid workers were active in rescue efforts across Europe. In this presentation, renowned Holocaust scholar Debórah Dwork will focus on such Americans, many of whom were women. Some, followed by Nazi agents, learned secrecy as they spirited people across borders. Others negotiated with government representatives. The new […]
In celebration of Black History Month, enjoy this evening of stand-up comedy with NY Laughs. This unique non-profit seeks to enrich lives, build community, and inspire audiences through the power of laughter.