free things to do in New York City

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44 free events take place on Wednesday, April 30 in New York City.

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Don't miss the opportunities that only New York provides!

44 free things to do in New York City (NYC) on Wednesday, April 30, 2014

All events are free unless otherwise noted.

Editor's Picks

Author Talk: Richard Ravitch

Alexandra Horowitz discusses her book On Looking: New York Through Fresh Eyes

Swoosie Kurtz, Emmy- and Tony-winning actress, signs copies of her book Part Swan, Part Goose

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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 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

New York City, NY; NYC

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10:00 am
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. Congressman Ron Paul considers the Federal Reserve "both corrupt and unconstitutional" Tour times: 10:00 a.m., 1:00 p.m., 2:00 p.m.

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.

New York City, NY; NYC

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10:00 am
Free...

Symposium | Alexander von Humboldt and the Order of Nature: Aspects of Culture and Landscape in the Americas

The curators of the exhibition Unity of Nature: Alexander von Humboldt and the Americas at the Americas Society will be joined by scholars and curators from Europe, Latin America, and the United States to discuss Humboldt's historical, social, and artistic influence.

New York City, NY; NYC

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11:00 am
free, no reservation required

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...

Talk | Author Talk: Richard Ravitch

Richard Ravitch has been the lieutenant governor of New York State and co-chair, with Paul Volcker, of the task force of the state budget crisis. He has also been the chairman of numerous companies/organizations including the New York State Urban Development Corporation, Metropolitan Transportation Authority, and Bowery Savings. So Much To Do: A Life of Business, Politics and Confronting Fiscal Crisis is Ravitch’s first published work.

New York City, NY; NYC

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12:00 pm
free, no reservation required

Park Walk | Garden Tour

Learn about the thousands of trees, flowers, shrubs, and perennials that decorate the Garden from horticulturalists who take care of this special place within the Park. Route involves a few stairs. 75 minutes.

New York City, NY; NYC

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12:00 pm
free, no reservation required

Workshop | Learn Juggling in the Park

Test your coordination and dexterity with free juggling lessons in the park. All skill levels are welcome 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!

New York City, NY; NYC

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12:00 pm
free, no reservation required

Talk | Preservation Week 2014: Caring for Your Personal Media

Unsure of how to care for your home movies, audio recordings, or other film, video or audio materials? Worried about the long-term preservation of your personal digital materials, including documents, photos, and websites? In this presentation, preservation staff will share strategies for protecting and archiving your personal audiovisual media and digital files. The focus will be on approaches that you can use at home to help ensure the survival of your materials. Please note that digitization of analog media will not be covered.

New York City, NY; NYC

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12:00 pm
free, no reservation required

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.

New York City, NY; NYC

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12:20 pm
free, no reservation required

Talk | Frank Vanderlip and the Founding of the Fed

Author Vicki A. Mack's new book, Frank A. Vanderlip: The Banker Who Changed America, is the first biography written about this prominent banker who played an important role in the founding of the Federal Reserve System. In her talk, Mack will give a brief outline of Vanderlip's life, and then closely examine his thought process as the creation of the Fed evolved. Mack's work is based on Vanderlip's own books and writings, contemporary newspaper accounts and information supplied by one of his closest associates.

New York City, NY; NYC

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12:30 pm
$5

**Gallery Talk | Infinity of Nations Guided Tour**

A Museum Ambassador gives a 45-minute free guided tour through the permanent exhibition.

New York City, NY; NYC

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1:00 pm
free, no reservation required

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...

Concert | Juilliard Music for Brass

Juilliard performers share their talent with the community in this free, hour-long lunchtime concert.

New York City, NY; NYC

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1:00 pm
free, no reservation required

Jazz | Midtown Jazz

A jazz concert for the midtown community. These popular midday concerts feature well-regarded artists. The programming is overseen by jazz pianist Ronny Whyte.

New York City, NY; NYC

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1:00 pm
$10 suggested donation

Tour | SoHo, Little Italy & 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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2:00 pm
Free...

Concert | College Recitals

4:00 PM - 6:00 PM The 21st Century Pianist Showcase 5:00 PM - 6:30 PM Xinyi Dong, Piano 6:00 PM - 7:00 PM Opera Preview 7:00 PM - 8:30 PM Daniel Pratt, Jazz Saxophone 7:30 PM - 9:00 PM Shuai Shi, violin 7:30 PM - 9:00 PM Yoon Cho, violin 7:30 PM - 9:00 PM Youngsun Kim, violin 8:00 PM - 9:30 PM Alexandra Beliakovich, Piano

New York City, NY; NYC

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4:00 pm
free, no reservation required

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.

New York City, NY; NYC

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4:00 pm
Free...

**Staged Reading | Play Reading: Rechnitz (The Exterminating Angel) by Elfriede Jelinek**

Rechnitz examines the silence about a massacre at the Austrian-Hungarian border on March 25, 1945. During a party by Countess Margit von Batthyány, Nazis killed about 200 Jews as part of their entertainment. Until today, the remains of the victims were not found, neither was the whole affair properly investigated.

New York City, NY; NYC

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5:00 pm
free, no reservation required

Opening Reception | Senior Thesis Exhibition

With Caleigh Birrell, Gene Kim, Jaclyn Levy, Wally Ludel, Karina Muranaga, Alexander Russi and Wenhao Felix Song.

New York City, NY; NYC

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5:00 pm
free, no reservation required

Performance | Yoga Class

Yoga is back on Wednesday evenings for open-level classes. Please wear comfortable clothes and bring a yoga mat or beach towel. All new participants will be required to sign a waiver.

New York City, NY; NYC

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5:45 pm
free, no reservation required

Poetry Reading | 4 Poets: Maudelle Driskell / Benjamin Miller / Cathy Linh Che / Brett Fletcher Lauer

Maudelle Driskell is the author of Talismans (Hobblebush Press). Without Compass (Four Way Books) is Benjamin Miller's first book. Cathy Linh Che's first collection of poetry is titled Split (Alice James Books). Brett Fletcher Lauer is the author of A Hotel in Belgium (Four Way Books).

New York City, NY; NYC

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