free things to do in New York City
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Free Events, Free Things to Do in New York City! Read More
Where else but in New York City can you listen to a world-class musician, discuss a book with a famous author, take a part in poetry reading, have a glass of wine at an art exhibition opening, and all that on the same day, and all that free of charge, and all of that on any day of the year, whether it's December or July, April or November!
The trick is to know about those free events, free things to do BEFORE they happen, not after the fact. That's where Club Free Time comes in handy! Become a Club Free Time member and start using these unique New York City (NYC) opportunities today, February 23, 2026!
Join the Club!
Club Free Time is your perfect guide to Free Entertainment and Free Culture in the City That Never Sleeps.
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In addition to providing information about free events, free things to do in New York City (NYC), Club Free Time offers its members complimentary tickets to classical music concerts, dance performances and theater: when a producer wants that special buzz of the 'full house' - Club Free Time members are welcomed for their enthusiasm and sophistication!
Join the Club!
Get a taste of free culture and free entertainment in New York City (NYC)!
Join the Club!
Experience an entirely new perspective on New York. 'Open up a whole new cultural world... in one of the most vibrant capital cities in the world, sampling cultural delights beyond anyone's wildest dream.' Rupert Parker, journalist, photographer, cameraman, and TV producer
February 23, 2026. Free shows, free concerts, free movies, free tours, free readings, worshops, lectures, etc. are New York's best kept secret! Learn all about it and do not miss the unique opportunities that only New York provides: NYC never ceases to amaze you with quantity and quality of its free culture and free entertainment whether it's day or night, weekday or weekend, summer or winter, spring or fall, January or June, May or September. If you are looking for inexpensive things to do and where to go in Manhattan today, tonight, tomorrow, or any other time, or any other day of any week - you came to the right place: just click on any day on the calendar dispayed on the every page of our site and you will see how many events you can attend in Manhattan free of charge on that very day.
New York's cultural scene is at its busiest in October and March (and the same goes for free events, free things to do), but other months of the year still offer incredible amount of high quality, off the beaten path, unique free events, free things to do which will take your breath away! So if you looking for something to do in April or November, December or February, you will find tons of free things to do, free events to go to. (In June, July and August lots of those free events take place outdoors, of course).
So start using these unique New York City opportunities today, February 23, 2026!
Where else but in New York City can you listen to a world-class musician, discuss a book with a famous author, take a part in poetry reading, have a glass of wine at an art exhibition opening, and all that on the same day, and all that free of charge, and all of that on any day of the year, whether it's December or July, April or November!
The trick is to know about those free events, free things to do BEFORE they happen, not after the fact. That's where Club Free Time comes in handy! Become a Club Free Time member and start using these unique New York City (NYC) opportunities today, February 23, 2026!
Join the Club!
Club Free Time is your perfect guide to Free Entertainment and Free Culture in the City That Never Sleeps.
Join the Club!
Free things to do, free events that take place in New York City every day of the year are truly amazing. So if you're looking for something interesting to do today (February 23, 2026) or on any other day of the year don't miss those free-of-charge opportunities that only New York provides! You can find lots of high quality, off the beaten path, unique free events, free things to do which will take your breath away!
In addition to providing information about free events, free things to do in New York City (NYC), Club Free Time offers its members complimentary tickets to classical music concerts, dance performances and theater: when a producer wants that special buzz of the 'full house' - Club Free Time members are welcomed for their enthusiasm and sophistication!
Join the Club!
Get a taste of free culture and free entertainment in New York City (NYC)!
Join the Club!
Experience an entirely new perspective on New York. 'Open up a whole new cultural world... in one of the most vibrant capital cities in the world, sampling cultural delights beyond anyone's wildest dream.' Rupert Parker, journalist, photographer, cameraman, and TV producer
Join the Club!
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!
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!
Let New York City surprise, stimulate, entertain and excite you! Read More
Don't miss the unique opportunities that only New York provides:
- free concerts in NYC
- free movies in NYC
- free jazz in NYC
- free poetry readings in NYC
- free tours/hikes in NYC
- free city walks in NYC
- free Yoga /Tai Chi in NYC
- fairs and parades in NYC
- free theater in NYC
- free tickets to concerts, theater and dance performances in NYC
'New York is abuzz with so much culture that they're giving it away.' (The New York Times article about Club Free Time).
Editor's Picks
33 free things to do in New York City (NYC) today:
Monday, February 23, 2026
All events are free unless otherwise noted.Workshop | Start the Day with Morning Meditation
Start your day by balancing your mind, body, and spirit during instructor guided meditation. This renowned practice lowers blood pressure, reduces stress, and strengthens the immune system.
New York City, NY; NYC
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9:45 am
Free
Free
Museums | Exploring Art, History, and Global Cultures in a Landmark Museum
Spend time exploring a world-renowned collection spanning centuries of art, design, and cultural history. From ancient artifacts to iconic masterpieces, these galleries invite slow looking, discovery, and reflection across works that connect global traditions, artistic innovation, and human stories.
New York City, NY; NYC
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10:00 am
pay-what-you-wish for NY...
pay-what-you-wish for NY...
Tour | All About the Garment District: Fashion, History, Immigrants
Join born and raised New Yorker, Mike, in exploring the Garment District of New York. Learn about the apparel industry developed in New York and how it came to be located in its current district. Expect to hear about iconic designers Ralph, Oscar, and Calvin, as well as the Gangsters and Labor Unions that shaped New York and this District. Tour Guide Mike has spent the greater portion of his life working in the Garment industry himself -- expect first-hand anecdotes and wisdom
New York City, NY; NYC
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10:30 am
Free
Free
Screening | Always (2025): Chinese Coming-of-Age Documentary (+ Filmmaker Q&A)
Enjoy a screening and Q&A with filmmaker and producer Hansen Lin to discuss his and Deming Chen's award-winning film, Always. Set in the countryside of Hunan, Always traces the inner world of Gong Youbin, born into poverty and separated from his mother since infancy. Through a poetry class at school, Gong discovers writing as a means of imagination and emotional exploration. As childhood dreams coexist with the harsh realities of family life, the film becomes an allegory for innocence lost and the quiet inevitability of growing up. Director: Deming Chen Moderated by Amir Husak, Director of The New School's Graduate Certificate in Documentary Media Studies. Co-produced with Documentary Program Associates Arushi Kalia (Media Studies) and Guili Minkovicius (Media Studies).
New York City, NY; NYC
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1:00 pm
Free
Free
Workshop | Fiber/Textile Arts Meetup
Are you a knitter? Do you like to crochet? Maybe you like a different type of fiber art? Whichever it is, bring your supplies and lose yourself in the meditative world of creating art with fiber. Invite your friends, or make new connections there. This is a meet-up, not a class.
New York City, NY; NYC
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1:00 pm
Free
Free
Master Class | Learn the Ins & Outs of Great Collaborative Piano Performance
Pianist Kyung-A Yoo--foculty member with the Townsend School of Music--imparts skills and techniques for collaborative piano mastery.
New York City, NY; NYC
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1:00 pm
Free
Free
Film | American Fiction (2023): Comedy-Drama with Jeffrey Wright, Tracee Ellis Ross, Issa Rae, and Sterling K. Brown
Novelist Monk is frustrated at the book industry, which profits from Black entertainment that used tired and offensive tropes. To prove his point, he writes an outlandish Black book of his own, using a fake name. The book soon launches him towards the hypocrisy and madness he says he hates. Director: Cord Jefferson Cast: Jeffrey Wright, Tracee Ellis Ross, John Ortiz, Erika Alexander, Leslie Uggams, Adam Brody, Issa Rae, Sterling K. Brown Jeffrey Wright is an actor whose accolades include a Primetime Emmy Award, a Tony Award, and a Golden Globe Award, in addition to a nomination for an Academy Award. Tracee Ellis Ross is an American actress known for her lead roles in the television series Girlfriends (2000–2008) and Black-ish (2014–2022), receiving nominations for five Primetime Emmy Awards for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series and a Golden Globe Award for Best Actress – Television Series Musical or Comedy for the latter. Ross is the daughter of actress and Motown recording artist Diana Ross Issa Rae is an American actress, writer, and producer who achieved wide recognition as the co-creator, co-writer, and star of the HBO television series Insecure (2016–2021), for which she was nominated for multiple Golden Globe Awards and Primetime Emmy Awards. Sterling K. Brown is an American actor known for his leading roles on stage and screen. He has received numerous accolades, including three Primetime Emmy Awards and a Golden Globe Award as well as a nomination for an Academy Award. He was included in Time magazine's list of the 100 most influential people in the world in 2018.
New York City, NY; NYC
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2:00 pm
Free
Free
Workshop | Explore Lenses To Elevate Your Photography
Deciding which lens to use can be overwhelming given the many options available. Award-winning photographer Tony Gale will explain the practical differences between zoom and prime lenses, the impact of various focal lengths, and what it means for a lens to be "fast." He will also discuss when a professional-grade lens is necessary. This session focuses on the Sony lens lineup and provides clear answers to help you choose the best lenses for your photography.
New York City, NY; NYC
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2:00 pm
Free
Free
Workshop | Walk and Creative Writing Session
This walk and writing session is led by Author and Poet Jon Curley. Participants will be encouraged to use observations as a way to enhance their writing styles in any preferred mode.
New York City, NY; NYC
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2:00 pm
Free
Free
Classical Music | Cello Works by Beethoven, Poulenc, & Rossini (In Person AND Online!)
Wujin Kim, cello. Program: Ludwig Van Beethoven (1770-1827) 7 Variations on 'Bei Männern, welche Liebe fühlen' Ludwig Van Beethoven (1770-1827) Sonata No. 4 in C Major for Cello and Piano Francis Poulenc (1899-1963) Les chemins de l'amour, FP 106 Gioachino Rossini (1792–1868) Une larme
New York City, NY; NYC
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3:00 pm
Free
Free
Talk | Experts Speak on Fashion & Italian Cultural Heritage
This event features speakers on the subject of fashion museums, material culture, and cultural heritage as drivers of value in Italy. OPENING REMARKS Barbara Faedda (Executive Director, Italian Academy) SPEAKERS
Eugenia Paulicelli (Professor of Italian Studies, Comparative Literature, and Women's Studies at Queens College and The CUNY Graduate Center); Fashion, cultural heritage, and "Made in Italy"
Samuele Briatore (Assistant Professor at Sapienza University of Rome); The plural value of Italian fashion museums: from inventory to cultural mapping
Romana Ando (Associate Professor at Sapienza University of Rome, Head of the Master Programme in Fashion Theory and Practices); From cultural policy to integrated heritage-industry strategy
Francesca Granata (Associate Professor in the School of Art and Design History and Theory at Parsons School of Design); Fashion criticism: a delay in legitimization
New York City, NY; NYC
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5:00 pm
Free
Free
Museums | Historical and Modern Design Spanning Centuries
The museum is dedicated to showcasing the history, influence, and importance of design in everyday life. Housed in a historic mansion, the museum features a diverse collection of design objects, including decorative arts, architecture, graphic design, textiles, and industrial design.
New York City, NY; NYC
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5:00 pm
pay-what-you-wish from 5pm...
pay-what-you-wish from 5pm...
Jazz | New Ensemble Standards by Women
Ensemble explores new standards by women composers, directed by Allison Miller and Carmen Staaf.
New York City, NY; NYC
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5:00 pm
Free
Free
Discussion | Researchers Discuss the Landscape of African Theatre
What is African theatre today? Bob Vorlicky and Judy Miller have some answers to that question through their work as editors and translators of contemporary African plays. Vorlicky brings to light the otherwise neglected work of eight African women playwrights from seven different countries and linguistic spheres. He explores the politics of translating indigenous languages into English. Miller surveys exemplary works of Francophone African authors from the immediate post-colonial period to the present. She also addresses the difficulties of translating these works for the American stage.
New York City, NY; NYC
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5:00 pm
Free
Free
Film | On the Beach (1959): Classic Apocalyptic Sci-Fi Drama with All-Star Old Hollywood Cast
After a global nuclear war, the residents of Australia must come to terms with the fact that all life will be destroyed in a matter of months. Director: Stanley Kramer Cast: Gregory Peck, Ava Gardner, Fred Astaire, Anthony Perkins, Donna Anderson
New York City, NY; NYC
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5:30 pm
Free
Free
Talk | Art Historian Discusses Ancient Egypt & 19th Century Ideas of Unconscious Thought
Associate Professor of Nineteenth-Century European Art, Emmelyn Butterfield-Rosen, discusses Ancient Egypt and ideas of the unconscious at the end of the 19th century. From the collection of ancient Egyptian artifacts that sat atop Freud's desk as he wrote The Interpretation of Dreams to the "hieratic" figures that proliferated in modern painting and sculpture circa 1900, Egyptian bodies played a pivotal role in turn-of-the-century European culture's efforts to visualize the idea of the unconscious. This talk will explore how and why that was so, offering several hypotheses for why Egyptian figural art became central to the imagining of this complex psychological concept. The talk--paying special attention to Rodin's self-described "Egyptian colossus," his 1898 monument to Honore de Balzac--will also probe Rodin's highly distinctive approach to this widespread association between Egyptian art and the formal expression of the human potential for unconscious thought.
New York City, NY; NYC
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5:30 pm
Free
Free
Museums | Explore Memorial Museum and Reconnect with History
Reconnect with the feeling of community and cohesion that blanketed our city and nation in the wake of 9/11. This is a monument to human dignity, courage, and sacrifice, this museum honors the nearly 3,000 people killed in the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001 and February 26, 1993, recognizes the courage of those who survived, and salutes those who risked their lives to help others.
New York City, NY; NYC
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5:30 pm
Free
Free
Classical Music | Piano Works by J.S. Bach & Schubert (In Person AND Online!)
Yunqing Huang, piano. Program: J.S. Bach (1685-1750) Fantasia and Fugue in A Minor, BWV 904 Franz Schubert (1797-1828) Piano Sonata in A Major, D. 959
New York City, NY; NYC
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5:30 pm
Free
Free
Book Discussion | Angela Flournoy Shares Her New Book, The Wilderness (In Person AND Online!)
WNYC's Alison Stewart and Angela Flournoy have live conversation about her newest book, The Wilderness. Angela Flournoy's The Wilderness is an era-defining novel about five Black women over the course of their twenty-year friendship, as they move through the dizzying and sometimes precarious period between young adulthood and midlife.
New York City, NY; NYC
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6:00 pm
Free
Free
Discussion | Creatives Reflect on Robert Rauschenberg's Impact on the Stage & Dance History
This conversation revolves around artists' creative intersections, reflecting on Robert Rauschenberg's impact on the stage, and the vital role of archives in preserving and reimagining dance history. As part of Robert Rauschenberg's centennial celebrations, hear a conversation exploring the artist's creative relationships with Trisha Brown and Merce Cunningham and the lasting impact of their collaborations on both dance and visual art. Robert Rauschenberg (1925-2008) was a highly influential American artist known for breaking boundaries between painting and sculpture, famously creating "Combines" that integrated everyday objects like newspapers, photographs, and stuffed animals into artworks, bridging art and life and challenging Abstract Expressionism to pave the way for Pop Art and Postmodernism. He worked across numerous mediums, including painting, printmaking, photography, and performance, becoming a key figure in post-war American art. Moderated by Merce Cunningham Trust Scholar-in-Residence Nancy Dalva, this talk brings together leaders who now steward and shape those legacies:
Carolyn Lucas, Associate Artistic Director, Trisha Brown Dance Company
Andrea Weber, Director of Licensing and Operations Manager, Merce Cunningham Trust
Francine Snyder, Director of Archives, Robert Rauschenberg Foundation
New York City, NY; NYC
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6:00 pm
Free
Free
Book Discussion | Experts Discuss New Book, Food Justice Undone
At this event, you will hear a conversation about the book Food Justice Undone between author Dr. Hanna Garth and Dr. Gail Myers, cultural anthropologist, creator of the film project, “Rhythms of the Land,” Co-founder of Farms to Grow, Inc, and Part-Time Faculty in the Food Studies Program at The New School. The conversation will be followed by audience questions/discussion and Q&A. In Food Justice Undone: Lessons for Building a Better Movement, Dr. Hanna Garth shows how the food justice movement has been affected by misconceptions and assumptions about residents, as well as by unclear definitions of justice and what it means to be healthy. Focusing on broad structures and microlevel processes, Garth reveals how power dynamics shape social justice movements in particular ways.
New York City, NY; NYC
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6:00 pm
Free
Free
Workshop | Learn & Practice Chess with an Expert
Learn to play chess or develop your strategies with chess expert Tamar Chanadiri from the Marshall Chess Club. Participants are encouraged to attend all sessions, as each one builds on the previous. Bring a friend or join on your own--all levels and ages are welcome! Chess sets are provided but you're welcome to bring your own. From 6-7 PM Tamar will provide instruction for beginner-level players. From 7-8 PM there will be open play for all levels.
New York City, NY; NYC
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6:00 pm
Free
Free
Classical Music | Viola Works by Telemann & More (In Person AND Online!)
Violist Cameren Williams presents a recital of solo and duo works. The program includes selections by Jean-Marie LeClair, Jessie Montgomery, Krzysztof Penderecki, George Rochberg, and G.P. Telemann.
New York City, NY; NYC
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6:00 pm
Free
Free
Screening | Counted Out (2024): Documentary about 21st-Century Algorithms (+ Panel Discussion)
Experience a screening and panel discussion for the film Counted Out, which explores the role of mathematics in our lives. The film's byline states: In the 21st century, fueled by technology, data, and algorithms, math determines who has the power to shape our world. Through individual stories and explorations of mathematical topics, the film demonstrates how math affects the news we see, the power of our votes, the education we receive, and the jobs that await us. Director: Vicki Abeles The panel discussion will explore these ideas as well as the crucial role numeric literacy plays for us individually and as a society.
New York City, NY; NYC
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6:30 pm
Free
Free
Concert | Improvised Music Exploring Memory, Sound, & Identity in Rwandan Culture
This event is a site-specific, improvisational performance exploring the intersections of memory, sound, and identity. Building on a partnership established in 2017, Rwandan artist 1Key and German collective Sounding Situations bridge Rwandan heritage with contemporary experimental forms to challenge colonial legacies and reclaim the power of self-definition. Rejecting traditional performance hierarchies, the project transforms space into an immersive acoustic environment. 1Key’s multilingual poetry and guitar looping merge with Milena Kipfmüller’s experimental compositions. There is no script; the performance relies on instant discourse, creating a narrative where archival recordings dating back to 1907 and live composition coexist.
New York City, NY; NYC
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6:30 pm
Free
Free
Discussion | The Intersection of Mathematics and Theater (Online!)
Participate in an online discussion of Tom Stoppard's Arcadia, exploring the connections between math and theater. Actors Caitlyn Duffy and Jackson Prince help bring the play to life, highlighting how mathematical ideas can shape human stories. Familiarity with the play is recommended.
New York City, NY; NYC
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6:30 pm
Free
Free
Film | Oscar‑Nominated Documentary Mr. Nobody Against Putin Screening & Conversation
A free showing of the Oscar‑nominated film that follows Russian teacher Pavel “Pasha” Talankin as he covertly records the brutal realities of Putin’s regime, while risking his own life to escape. After the screening, New York Times opinion columnist M. Gessen will interview directors David Borenstein and Pavel Talankin about their daring collaboration and the dangers of state propaganda.
New York City, NY; NYC
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7:00 pm
Free
Free
Workshop | Retro Music Dance Fitness
Come dance to classic pop tunes: Top 40, Disco, Electronic and more! This class is 45 minutes of peppy beats to enhance your cardio conditioning. A low-impact and fun workout; it is open to any fitness level. Let's dance away blue Monday! Instructor: Patricia Collins
New York City, NY; NYC
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7:00 pm
Free
Free
Master Class | Broadway Performer Isaiah Johnson Shares Insights & Techniques for Great Performance
Experience an inspiring master class with acclaimed Broadway performer Isaiah Johnson! This session offers a unique opportunity to learn from Isaiah's expertise, gain insights into his creative process, and explore techniques that elevate performance.
New York City, NY; NYC
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7:30 pm
Free
Free
Classical Music | CANCELLED: Double Bass Works by Haydn, Bottesini, Piazzolla, & More (In Person AND Online!)
Manhattan School of Music faculty member Blake Hinson, double bass, performs a series of pieces my composers of various musical periods. Program: Astor Piazzolla (1921-1992) Le grande Tango Behzad Ranjbaran (1955-) Elegy Florence Price (1887-1953) Deserted garden/Elfentanz Giovanni Bottesini (1821-1889) Capriccio Alla Chopin Edgar Meyer (1960-) Amalgamations Joseph Haydn (1732-1809) Divertimento
New York City, NY; NYC
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7:30 pm
Free
Free
Classical Music | Romantic, Modern, & Contemporary Orchestral Works at Iconic Venue
Mannes Orchestra performs an evening of dynamic and innovative music, performing works by Marion Bauer, Conrad Tao, and John Adams. This performance features The Westerlies, the acclaimed brass quartet and Ensemble-in-Residence at the School of Jazz and Contemporary Music at The New School in the NY Premiere of Conrad Tao's Concerto for Westerlies. Program: Marion Bauer (1882-1955) Sun Splendor Conrad Tao (1994-) Concerto for Westerlies *NY PREMIERE John Adams (1947-) Harmonielehre
New York City, NY; NYC
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7:30 pm
Free
Free
Classical Music | String Miniatures by Beach, Ysaye, & More (In Person AND Online!)
String miniatures performed by Manhattan School of Music string musicians. Program: Amy Beach (1867-1944) Romance for violin and piano Op. 23 Amy Beach (1867-1944) Romance Op. 23 Ernest Bloch (1880-1959) Nigun Andrea Casarrubios (1988-) SEVEN Leonar Fu (1997-) “Albumblatt” Romanze für Violine und Klavier Aleksey Igudesman (1973-) Funk the String Fritz Kreisler (1875-1962) Recitativo and Scherzo-Caprice Op. 6 Fritz Kreisler (1875-1962) Slavonic Fantasy William Kroll (1901-1980) Banjo and fiddle Alphonse Hasselmans (1845-1912) La Source Étude Op. 44 Lu Pei Jasmine Juri Seo (1981-) Two Rhapsodies of Spring William Grant Still (1895-1978) African Dancer Isang Yun (1917-1995) Das Vögelchen Eugène Ysaÿe (1858-1931) Sonata for Solo Violin No. 3
New York City, NY; NYC
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7:30 pm
Free
Free
Classical Music | Piano Works by Debussy, Chopin, & More (In Person AND Online!)
Lucas Amory, piano. Program: Claude Debussy (1862-1918) Douze Etudes pour piano Frederic Chopin (1810-1849) Barcarolle, Op. 60
New York City, NY; NYC
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8:00 pm
Free
Free
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Classical Music | Orchestral Masterpieces by Haydn and more
Regular Price: $50.00CFT Member Price: $0.00
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