free things to do in New York City
| < | September 2025 |
> | ||||
| Su | Mo | Tu | We | Th | Fr | Sa |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | |
| 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 |
| 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 |
| 21 | 22 | 23 | 24 | 25 | 26 | 27 |
| 28 | 29 | 30 | ||||
Free Events, Free Things to Do in New York City! Read More
New York attracts world's best minds to its shores: they come here to interact with each other at conferences and seminars, and while they are here they are often invited to give a talk, a lecture, to be a part of a public discussion. We at Club Free Time give you an opportunity to be a part of it: to watch how those best minds in the world work! Don't miss the opportunities that only New York City (NYC) provides!
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!
95 free talks, lectures, discussions in New York City (NYC) Fri, 09/19/2025 - and on...
In New York City, you can talk with and listen to the best minds in the world without spending a dime! Just take a look at free talks, lectures, discussion, seminars, conferences listed on this page below!
Gallery Talk | Infinite Forms: Exploring Fabric, Fiber & Pattern
Join a conversation on the work featured in Infinite Forms: Facets, Fabric, and Fiber, focusing on fabric, fiber, and pattern. Learn about the inspirations and techniques behind the exhibition, from quilting and digital embroidery to woodblock and jacquard weaving, and discover the psychological depth and botanical influences shaping these intricate fiber-based artworks.
New York City, NY; NYC
Join the Club!
Fri, Sep 19
4:15 pm
Free
4:15 pm
Free
Gallery Talk | Artist and Journalist Exchange: Transversing Media Bounds
Artist Sophia Narrett has a reputation for transversing the bounds of her medium. Her pieces tend to have a voluptuous aesthetic and a signature stitched-layering technique as a through line. She produces her work with the aim to make every piece personal and literal, whilest being intentional with every added component of her painting. Her work, especially her collages instill a distinct mood and require a slow look with attention to microscopic detail. Learn more about Narett's creative processes in dicsussion with seasoned editor and journalist Jacoba Urist who has contributed to the Financial Tmes, Smithosonian Magazine, and W Magazine amongst others.
New York City, NY; NYC
Join the Club!
Fri, Sep 19
6:00 pm
Free
6:00 pm
Free
Talk | Panel Discussion: Celebrating Broadway Producer Tom Kirdahy (Gypsy, Just In Time, etc)
In this panel, attendees celebrate and reflect on the career of theater and film producer Tom Kirdahy, who produced the 2024 Broadway revival of Gypsy, the new Broadway musical Just in Time, and the film adaptation of the musical Kiss of the Spider Woman, among other productions. Kirdahy is joined by colleagues and friends to discuss how his work through the years has impacted the industry he holds dear and the emerging creators of tomorrow.
New York City, NY; NYC
Join the Club!
Fri, Sep 19
6:00 pm
Free
6:00 pm
Free
Gallery Talk | Art in Focus: Slow Observance and Conversation
Take a moment to slow down and connect with a single work of art through guided observation and group discussion. No background in art is needed--just curiosity and openness. This relaxed, welcoming program invites all adult learners to engage deeply with one piece at a time. Note: Space is limited; first-come, first-served. Stickers are distributed 15 minutes before the program starts.
New York City, NY; NYC
Join the Club!
Fri, Sep 19
6:30 pm
Free
6:30 pm
Free
Talk | Panel DIscussion + Q&A on NYC Drag History
Historian Elyssa Maxx Goodman is joined by iconic New York City drag artists for a theatrical performance inspired by her National Bestseller book, Glitter and Concrete: A Cultural History of Drag in New York City. Following this never-before-seen interpretation of figures from the book's ode to drag throughout the ages, both Goodman and the drag artists participate in a panel discussion and audience Q&A. There are two ways to access this event: 1. General Admission, first-come first-served. Just show up! 2. Fast Track opening the Monday before the event at noon. Ages 14+
New York City, NY; NYC
Join the Club!
Fri, Sep 19
7:30 pm
Free
7:30 pm
Free
Symposium | Data Consciousness & Cultural Production Conference
This symposium gathers multidisciplinary scholars and artists in the exhibition to bridge past, present, and future thinking on the complex interplay of race, identity, data, and technology. Using the artworks and themes in the exhibition, Data Consciousness: Reframing Blackness in Contemporary Print, as a jumping off point, the symposium considers how Du Boisian legacies of art, design, literature, and sociology inflect contemporary cultural production, and explores the urgency of cultivating data consciousness in our present moment. Program Schedule:
2PM: Welcome Remarks
2:15PM: Du Boisian Legacies
3:30PM: Break
3:45PM: Data Consciousness Artist Roundtable
Real Time Captioning (CART) will be available throughout the program.
New York City, NY; NYC
Join the Club!
Sat, Sep 20
2:00 pm
Free
2:00 pm
Free
Symposium | Understanding Connections between Health and Art
The WHO reminds us that true health integrates physical, mental, and social well-being—a vision that cannot be fully realized without the arts. At a moment when empathy, scientific integrity, and human dignity feel increasingly fragile, the arts can provide essential nourishment—challenging assumptions, fostering resilience, and cultivating compassionate, connected communities. This year's symposium will explore if and how participating in the arts can be understood as a health behavior, similar to sleep, nutrition, exercise, and time spent in nature. Learn from researchers, practitioners, artists, and innovators in illuminating the transformative and intricate ways in which the arts and arts therapies enhance our minds, bodies, and communities.
New York City, NY; NYC
Join the Club!
Mon, Sep 22
9:00 am
Free
9:00 am
Free
Talk | Panel Discussion: Black Musical Theater
This panel, moderated by scenic designer Riccardo Hernandez, features Broadway designers’ perspectives on the historical and current Black musical theater. Enjoy a lively discussion of both classic and contemporary Black musical theater works through the lens of scenic design, lighting design, costume design, sound design, and more. Tracing the evolution of Black musical theater from its early roots to contemporary works, the exhibition highlights the contributions of groundbreaking artists such as Eubie Blake, Vinnette Carroll, Micki Grant, George C. Wolfe, and Langston Hughes, along with iconic productions including Shuffle Along, Don’t Bother Me, I Can’t Cope, The Wiz, and A Strange Loop.
New York City, NY; NYC
Join the Club!
Mon, Sep 22
6:00 pm
Free
6:00 pm
Free
Lecture | Learn about New York City's Origins in 1625
If you've ever taken a look at the official Seal of the City of New York, you've seen the year "1625" written across the bottom. But why was that year picked as the genesis of New York? Marking the 400th Anniversary of this event, James Nevius -- whose family arrived in Manhattan when it was still New Amsterdam -- will explore the foundations of the city, from Henry Hudson's ill-fated voyage up the river that now bears its name through the eventual Dutch surrender to English forces in 1664. Along the way, he'll talk about the importance of 1625 in the city's mythos and explore what it was like to live on the Dutch frontier in the 17th-century.
New York City, NY; NYC
Join the Club!
Tue, Sep 23
6:00 pm
Free
6:00 pm
Free
Discussion | Sit Down with The Laundromat Project Arts organization
Enjoy a rare and powerful in sitú gathering: Echoes of the Seed hosted by The Laundromat Project (The LP). Moderated by trailblazing artist, curator, and scholar Dr. Deborah Willis, this intimate conversation brings together the architects of The Laundromat Project: founder Risë Wilson, founding executive director Kemi Ilesanmi, and first programs director Petrushka Bazin Larsen, alongside current executive director Ayesha Williams. Rooted within one of the nation’s most revered Black cultural institutions, this gathering deepens the dialogue on legacy, self-determination, and creative power. Together, these leaders will reflect on the early seeds planted to build The LP, share stories of collective vision and radical imagination, and explore the ongoing power of art to transform lives and communities. This is a rare chance to hear directly from the leaders who shaped one of NYC’s most beloved and impactful cultural institutions. The evening will include time for audience questions, inviting reflection, curiosity, and wisdom from our vibrant community. Don’t miss this celebration of legacy, place, and the enduring impact of creative change. The Laundromat Project (The LP) is an arts organization that advances artists and neighbors as change agents in their own communities.Through art and culture, The LP has sparked transformation in Bed-Stuy and beyond, supporting artists and neighbors in re-imagining what’s possible.
New York City, NY; NYC
Join the Club!
Tue, Sep 23
6:00 pm
Free
6:00 pm
Free
Talk | Fine Art Photographer Discusses His Craft
Enjoy a talk with New York-based fine art photographer and Hasselblad Master Ali Rajabi. With a career spanning over two decades, Rajabi’s work has been exhibited in the U.S., Europe, and the Middle East and featured in international publications. His collaborations include distinguished brands such as IKEA, Hasselblad, Profoto, and Ogilvy & Mather. He has served as a juror for the prestigious Hasselblad Masters award and the contemporary photography organization Der Greif, and is recognized as a world-class photographer by the Fotografiska Museum in their Photopedia program.
New York City, NY; NYC
Join the Club!
Tue, Sep 23
7:00 pm
Free
7:00 pm
Free
Talk | Fine Art Photography Techniques and Insights
New York-based fine art photographer and Hasselblad Master Ali Rajabi, with over twenty years of international experience and collaborations with brands like IKEA and Hasselblad, shares insights from his career, creative process, and time as a juror for prestigious photography awards.
New York City, NY; NYC
Join the Club!
Tue, Sep 23
7:00 pm
Free
7:00 pm
Free
Gallery Talk | A Home for Art
Join a museum educator for a brief talk exploring how a historic mansion was transformed into a public art museum.
New York City, NY; NYC
Join the Club!
Wed, Sep 24
3:30 pm
Free
3:30 pm
Free
Gallery Talk | Fragonard's The Progress of Love
Take a brief, focused look at Fragonard's romantic series with insights from a museum educator.
New York City, NY; NYC
Join the Club!
Wed, Sep 24
3:30 pm
Free
3:30 pm
Free
Gallery Talk | A Home for Art
Join a museum educator for a brief talk exploring how a historic mansion was transformed into a public art museum.
New York City, NY; NYC
Join the Club!
Wed, Sep 24
4:30 pm
Free
4:30 pm
Free
Gallery Talk | Fragonard's The Progress of Love
Take a brief, focused look at Fragonard's romantic series with insights from a museum educator.
New York City, NY; NYC
Join the Club!
Wed, Sep 24
4:30 pm
Free
4:30 pm
Free
Wed, Sep 24
7:30 pm
Regular: $55
Member: $0
7:30 pm
Regular: $55
Member: $0
Join the Club!
Symposium | Reinvigorating 8th Ave in Midtown: Solutions-Focused Forum (In Person AND Online!)
The stretch of Eighth Avenue in the 30s and 40s is a gateway for hundreds of thousands of tourists, theatergoers, suburban visitors, and office workers who arrive in New York through Penn Station or the Port Authority Bus Terminal. But for decades, it has been one of Manhattan’s most uninviting commercial corridors, grappling with a unique set of challenges that many believe have intensified since the pandemic. This solutions-focused forum will discuss what is needed to reinvigorate this important but long-overlooked district. It will explore whether public realm innovations and investments being made in other districts across the city could be replicated on Eighth Avenue, and consider strategies for creating a safer, more vibrant, and more welcoming corridor. And it will examine how city leaders can address persistent quality of life concerns while ensuring that the many people in the district facing serious challenges—whether seeking help or not yet connected to services—receive the support they need.
New York City, NY; NYC
Join the Club!
Thu, Sep 25
8:00 am
Free
8:00 am
Free
Conference | Clean Energy as Federal Policy Shifts
This conference will focus on the changing landscape of the energy sector in the wake of recent federal deregulatory actions, Inflation Reduction Act changes, and other policy shifts. Panels will explore the evolving economics of low-carbon energy as the industry responds to policy developments, the legal outlook for key energy rules and related executive actions facing litigation, and broader shifts that could be on the horizon for clean energy. Agenda
10:00 a.m.–10:30 a.m. Registration (light breakfast provided)
10:30 a.m.–10:40 a.m. Introductory Remarks
10:40 a.m.–12:00 p.m. The Evolving Economics of Low-Carbon Energy
12:00 p.m.–12:40 p.m. Lunch (provided)
12:40 p.m.–2:00 p.m. The Legal Outlook for Climate and Energy Rules
2:00 p.m.–2:10 p.m. Coffee and Networking Break
2:10 p.m.–3:10 p.m. Changes in the Energy Landscape (fireside chat)
3:10 p.m.–3:15 p.m. Closing Remarks
New York City, NY; NYC
Join the Club!
Thu, Sep 25
10:00 am
Free
10:00 am
Free
Talk | Discussion on the Future of EU-US Relations
Listen to a moderated discussion about Transatlantic Relations between Europe and the United States under a second Trump administration.among Sophia Besch (Carnegie Endowment for International Peace), Hans Kundnani (UC Berkeley / London School of Economics), and Tara Varma (Brookings). The election of Donald Trump to a second term in office has thrown the transatlantic relationship between the United States and the European Union (EU) into disarray. What are the implications for European security, given that Russia is still waging an aggressive war on Europe’s doorstep? How is the EU responding to the prospect of losing America’s security umbrella? Can it create strategic autonomy, and delink its military from that of the United States? And how are rifts within Europe hindering or helping the EU as it charts a new path through an ever-changing security landscape?
New York City, NY; NYC
Join the Club!
Thu, Sep 25
12:00 pm
Free
12:00 pm
Free
Book Discussion | Money, Religion & Greed (Online!)
Journalist Paul Vigna joins Bob Pisani for a virtual conversation on The Almightier: How Money Became God, Greed Became Virtue, and Debt Became Sin. Tracing the ties between wealth and religion from ancient city-states to the modern world, Vigna reveals how money gained its grip on society, and how rethinking its role could open paths toward a more balanced future.
New York City, NY; NYC
Join the Club!
Thu, Sep 25
12:00 pm
Free
12:00 pm
Free
Book Club | Discuss Virginia Woolf's Orlando
Enjoy a group analysis and talk about the classic novel Orlando by Virginia Woolf.
New York City, NY; NYC
Join the Club!
Thu, Sep 25
4:30 pm
Free
4:30 pm
Free
Talk | Experts Explore the Concept of Public Pharma
Public pharma is an alternative to our current profit-driven pharmaceutical system. Public pharma uses the public sector to research, develop, manufacture, and distribute drugs. "Fixing a Broken System: The Path to Public Pharma in New York" is a critical discussion that will illuminate the transformative potential of publicly owned, manufactured, and distributed pharmaceuticals as we confront an industry that has prioritized profits over patients for too long, leaving patients without access to the medications they need to survive. This future builds on a long history of public pharma in the United States and around the world. Community organizers with type 1 diabetes, legal advocates for patients, and legislative and policy leaders will examine how public control over pharmaceutical development, manufacturing, pricing, and distribution could redirect an industry that has prioritized revenue over patients for decades. Our discussion will focus on proposed legislation that would empower New York State to make and distribute low-cost insulin.
New York City, NY; NYC
Join the Club!
Thu, Sep 25
5:30 pm
Free
5:30 pm
Free
Talk | Artists Discuss Exhibition Inspired by Dante's Divine Comedy
Artists Tammy Nguyen and William Villalongo will be in conversation about A Comedy for Mortals, an exhibition of Nguyen's artist books inspired by Dante Alighieri's Divine Comedy series that is currently on view at The Cooper Union Library. The works, which combine sculptural elements with screen-prints, handset type, and hand-made and hand-marbled papers, examine the history of the Cold War and relations between the United States and other countries, particularly those in the Global South and those engaged in the Non-Aligned Movement. Through their multimedia practices that combine painting and printmaking among other media both Nguyen and Villalongo explore the politics of historical erasures.
New York City, NY; NYC
Join the Club!
Thu, Sep 25
6:00 pm
Free
6:00 pm
Free
Lecture | Expert Discusses Peoples' Political Relationship with Land
Philippe Descola, Professor Emeritus at the College de France, explores the cosmopolitics of the Anthropocene. In many parts of the world, the use of land depends on a host of non-human entities endowed with an autonomous agency with whom humans must negotiate - deities, spirits, genies, ancestors, mountains, animals, meteors. The political relationship to the land differs from what we are familiar with in the Western world, either because non-humans are social agents within an encompassing collective, or because they are seen as subjects acting within their own collectives. These examples are worth considering for a less destructive and less anthropocentric approach to the Earth. One of the world's leading anthropologists, Philippe Descola has developed a comparative anthropology of relations between humans and nonhumans that has revolutionized the human sciences and challenged our ways of thinking about the urgent ecological issues of our time. For Descola, modernity is characterized by the perception of a constitutive division between nature and society.
New York City, NY; NYC
Join the Club!
Thu, Sep 25
6:30 pm
Free
6:30 pm
Free
Book Discussion | A Thrilling Blend of Romance, Suspense & High-Stakes Sleuthing
An amateur online detective teams up with a world-weary PI in this fast-paced romantic suspense story. When Fiona Addai, better known online as @Princess_PI, tries to reclaim her late brother’s stolen invention, one mistake makes her the prime suspect in a shocking murder.
Enter Maurice Bennett, a private investigator haunted by his past. Drawn to Fiona’s case and her determination, he reluctantly agrees to help her clear her name. What follows is a tense partnership of late-night stakeouts, exposing corporate corruption, and navigating their undeniable chemistry.
Author Nikki Payne and Adriana Herrera will discuss Payne’s work.
New York City, NY; NYC
Join the Club!
Thu, Sep 25
7:30 pm
Free
7:30 pm
Free
Gallery Talk | Artist Discusses Concept of Queer Lineages in Exhibited Work
Listen as interdisciplinaryartist Kang Seung Lee and art historian/curator Rattanamol Singh Johal host an in-gallery conversation that explores the concept of queer lineages in relation to the artist's practice and his works, The Heart of A Hand and Garden, included in the exhibition. Presented in conjunction with the exhibition Homage: Queer Lineages on view at the gallery through October 19.
New York City, NY; NYC
Join the Club!
Sat, Sep 27
12:30 pm
Free
12:30 pm
Free
Gallery Talk | The Omitted, Discarded, and Forgotten
Join New York-based artist Lisa Oppenheim in conversation with photographer James Welling in discussion on the occasion of Oppenheim's newest exhibition. Oppenheim has spent the last two decades creating a portfolio rooted in photography while investigating overlooked histories and margins. Recurring ideas in her work include ideas of preservation and omission, more specifically, "killed negatives", discarded and forgotten material. Also notably, Oppenheim has looked to inspiration from Edward Steichen, a well-known and enigmatic artist with an 80-year-long career.
New York City, NY; NYC
Join the Club!
Sat, Sep 27
4:00 pm
Free
4:00 pm
Free
Discussion | Exploring the Universe: Astro Live (Online!)
Journey beyond our world in this monthly space science series. Meet astronauts, scientists, engineers, and space enthusiasts as they share insights into the mysteries of the cosmos. This interactive livestream brings together leading voices in astronomy and exploration for an afternoon of discovery and Q&A.
New York City, NY; NYC
Join the Club!
Sun, Sep 28
3:00 pm
Free
3:00 pm
Free
Lecture | The Frenzied Dance of Art and Violence (Online!)
Why does creativity often emerge from aggression, and how can art calm violent impulses? David E. Gussak examines the intricate, multifaceted relationship between art and violence. Drawing on historical examples, notorious offenders, and his work with incarcerated artists, Gussak shares insights and practical art directives for understanding and channeling aggressive energy.
New York City, NY; NYC
Join the Club!
Mon, Sep 29
6:30 pm
Free
6:30 pm
Free
Book Discussion | From Auschwitz Survivor to Wall Street Legend (Online!)
Author Joshua M. Greene is in conversation with scholar Michael Berenbaum as they discuss Unstoppable: Siggi B. Wilzig's Astonishing Journey. This riveting biography traces Wilzig's path from surviving Auschwitz and serving the U.S. Army in postwar Europe to arriving in America penniless and rising to become CEO of a major oil company and bank. A story of resilience, justice, and determination, Unstoppable is both an immigrant epic and a testament to human strength.
New York City, NY; NYC
Join the Club!
Mon, Sep 29
7:00 pm
Free
7:00 pm
Free
Lecture | Explore the World of Kremlin Propaganda
Drawing on his experience as both a Kremlin propagandist and a journalist covering Russia for The Atlantic and Air Mail, Andrew Ryvkin will show how propaganda is packaged and spread, and what can we do to counter it. How does a government sell war, repression, or the curbing of freedoms to millions of people in the age of attention economy? In today's Russia, the boundaries between entertainment and propaganda have all but disappeared. The Kremlin's disinformation machine is no longer built only on bureaucracy and censorship--it operates like a modern media conglomerate, blending state messaging with digital marketing, social media influencers, and Netflix (yes, the Kremlin has its own streaming platform). Modern propaganda is memes, influencers, and sophisticated campaigns to market government initiatives in ways that resemble consumer brands.
New York City, NY; NYC
Join the Club!
Tue, Sep 30
5:10 pm
Free
5:10 pm
Free
Lecture | Expert Explores the City of Venice and the Annunciation Myth
This lecture, given by Columbia Art History Professor Sophia D’Addio, will explore how representations of the Annunciation contribute to an understanding of Venice as the recipient of divine providence, thereby bolstering the auspicious implications of its foundation myth. According to legend, Venice was founded in the year 421, on March 25th – the feast day of the Annunciation, in which the Archangel Gabriel delivers the message to the Virgin Mary that she will be the mother of Christ. This mythical alignment of the lagoon city with the divine favor enjoyed by the Virgin extends that providence to Venice as well, as if chosen by God to serve a divinely ordained mission – the establishment of a Christian Republic from its moment of foundation, rather than one built upon the ruins of the pagan past. Even without such direct references to Venetian topography, though, numerous other representations of the Annunciation produced in Venice would also have held special significance for their audience, given this intimate association.
New York City, NY; NYC
Join the Club!
Tue, Sep 30
6:00 pm
Free
6:00 pm
Free
Talk | Experts Discuss Development vs Preservation in NYC
New York City is at an inflection point, with long-held beliefs and practices on a whole range of issues being questioned and challenged. One is the perpetual struggle between development and preservation, and where and how each fits into the city’s future as we tackle issues like affordability, quality of life, economic growth and stability, and sense of place. Enjoy a conversation with Village Preservation Executive Director Andrew Berman, in which you’ll hear why preservation matters and should be a cornerstone of planning for our city’s future, and why plans for unbridled development almost never bring the promised results. Andrew will be interviewed and joined in the conversation by Dena Tasse-Winter, an architectural and landscape historian and lifelong New Yorker who’s worked in both the public and private sector on these issues for more than 10 years, and Juan Rivero, an urban planner and researcher who’s been immersed in planning and preservation issues in NYC for 20 years, in government, academia, and non-profits. They’ll examine issues ranging from how landmarking works and why it benefits everyone from owners and tenants to the general public, to small business retention and housing affordability, and how they interact with preservation.
New York City, NY; NYC
Join the Club!
Tue, Sep 30
6:00 pm
Free
6:00 pm
Free
Talk | Experts Explore Socionarratology: Sociology in Narratives/Literature
“What is Socionarratology?” with Philipp Felsch (Humboldt University), Florian Fuchs (Princeton University), Marc Ortmann (Humboldt University), and Sarah Rivett (Princeton University)is an event where the speakers will present talks on their shared research in the sociology of the literary and the literariness of social sciences: Florian Fuchs and Marc Ortmann will provide an introductory talk, “Towards a Socionarratology,” Sarah Rivett will present “Story as Survival,” and Philipp Felsch “A Brief History of Narrative Reason.” Opening remarks will be provided by Julia Helmes.
New York City, NY; NYC
Join the Club!
Tue, Sep 30
6:00 pm
Free
6:00 pm
Free
Book Club | Mystery Discussion: Bonded in Death by J. D. Robb
Synopsis: His passport read Giovanni Rossi. But decades ago, during the Urban Wars, he was part of a small, secret organization called The Twelve. Responding to an urgent summons from an old compatriot, he landed in New York and eased into the waiting car. And died within minutes… Attendees are also invited to join an a la carte dinner (which is paid separately) after the discussion. No reservation for dinner required! Continue the conversation of all things mystery over good food and company.
New York City, NY; NYC
Join the Club!
Tue, Sep 30
6:00 pm
Free
6:00 pm
Free
Discussion | Preservation vs. Development & the Future of NYC
At a time when New York City faces pressing questions about affordability, quality of life, and growth, a panel of preservation and planning experts explores why protecting the city’s character matters. Director Andrew Berman joins architectural historian Dena Tasse-Winter and urban planner Juan Rivero for a conversation on landmarking, housing, small business retention, and the consequences of unchecked development. The discussion highlights how preservation can serve as a cornerstone for a more equitable and sustainable city, followed by a Q&A.
New York City, NY; NYC
Join the Club!
Tue, Sep 30
6:00 pm
Free
6:00 pm
Free
Talk | Vocal Expression in Sub-Saharan Africa: Identity in Sung & Spoken Voice
This talk delves into the profound significance of vocal expression across the linguistically, musically, and culturally rich tapestry of the African continent. Focusing on Sub-Saharan Africa, the presentation will illuminate how the voice, in both its sung and spoken forms, serves as an indispensable medium for articulating cultural identities, safeguarding historical narratives, and communicating complex social realities. For centuries, the sung voice, in particular, has transcended mere aesthetic function to become a vital instrument for collective memory, fostering social cohesion, enabling resistance, and facilitating the dynamic construction of individual and collective identities.
New York City, NY; NYC
Join the Club!
Tue, Sep 30
6:00 pm
Free
6:00 pm
Free
Talk | The Meaning & Importance of Black History
Dr. Brian Jones offers a powerful exploration of Black history's meaning and importance for all people. Jones, author of Black History Is for Everyone, examines more than three centuries of history, from Bacon’s Rebellion to the Haitian Revolution, challenging readers to rethink conventional ideas of race, revolution, and the American story. Dr. Jones will be in conversation with acclaimed scholar and educator Dr. Bettina Love and Jesse Hagopian, Director of the Zinn Education Project’s Teaching for Black Lives campaign.
New York City, NY; NYC
Join the Club!
Tue, Sep 30
6:30 pm
Free
6:30 pm
Free
Talk | Germany, Denmark, Theresienstadt: A Family’s Holocaust Survival Story
Marion Novack shares her family’s extraordinary story of survival, from their capture and internment at Theresienstadt to liberation and rebuilding life in Denmark. Drawing on research, travel, and personal connections, Novack offers a moving account of resilience, the humanity of the Danes, and the lasting impact of the Holocaust on her family’s journey.
New York City, NY; NYC
Join the Club!
Tue, Sep 30
7:00 pm
Free
7:00 pm
Free
Colloquium | An Architect's POV: From Berlin to Jerusalem
Franco-German painter, writer, and academic Jacqueline Hénrad is set to guide this educational discussion on architect Ossip Klarwein's works, From Berlin to Jerusalem. Klarwein, born in Warsaw, emigrated with his family to Germany in 1905. There, he continued his studies and later became associated with the Northern German Brick Expressionism period. Then, in 1933, he emigrated to Haifa, Israel, where he established his own architecture practice and contributed to public commissions and urban planning.
New York City, NY; NYC
Join the Club!
Wed, Oct 1
12:00 pm
Free
12:00 pm
Free
Talk | Ukraine's Euromaidan Movement & Collective Action
What happens when mass protests don’t just demand change, but actually reshape the way power works on the ground? This talk dives into that question through the story of Ukraine’s Euromaidan movement and the sweeping decentralization reform that followed. In the wake of Euromaidan, Ukraine undertook one of its most ambitious transformations: transferring authority, budgets, and decision-making from the central government to local communities. But here is the twist: different places embraced this reform at very different speeds. Why? And what did protest have to do with it? Drawing on rich local-level data, this study uncovers a fascinating paradox: communities touched by protest often moved more slowly to adopt decentralization. However, once they did, they used it more effectively. Whether you are interested in Ukrainian politics, the afterlife of protest movements, or the mechanics of grassroots democracy, this talk (given by Postdoctoral Research Scholar in Ukrainian Studies Dr. Anastasiia Vlasenko) offers fresh insight into how collective action can rewrite the rules of governance from the bottom up.
New York City, NY; NYC
Join the Club!
Fri, Oct 3
12:00 pm
Free
12:00 pm
Free
Lecture | Learn about Peacemaking & Sant’Egidio Movement in Italy
Professor of Contemporary History at the University of Roma, Marco Impagliazzo, leads an original international organization, the Community of Sant’Egidio, that has been active in peacemaking for decades. He will argue that peace work must be framed as a daring enterprise, as a bold response to the established dynamics. It is necessary to dare peace in a moment in which war making seems to be the prevalent trend. Started in Rome in 1968, Sant’Egidio is a movement of lay people, based on prayer, the poor, and peace. It is present in more than 70 countries worldwide. Its local communities are involved in activities and programs for the most vulnerable, aimed at rebuilding the human fabric of our often divided societies. Sant’Egidio has been involved in numerous mediations of peace, most notably the agreement of peace in Mozambique on October 4, 1992 and most recently in South Sudan.
New York City, NY; NYC
Join the Club!
Fri, Oct 3
6:30 pm
Free
6:30 pm
Free
Talk | Bestselling Author Discusses His New Book, The Other Side of the Ocean
Celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month with author J.D. Netto, who will speak about his latest release, The Other Side of the Ocean. J.D. Netto is a Brazilian-American bestselling author, best known for Henderbell, The Echoes of Fallen Stars, and The Broken Miracle. He' s been featured on USA Today, Ok! Magazine, and ABC News. Book Synopsis: For most 16 year olds, life is all about friends, fun, and family. But for Matt Franco, it's different. Because Matt and his family are undocumented immigrants--like many other Brazilian emigres in his town. And that means he can't get a job, he can't get a driver's license, and as for college? Get real. But Matt is also carrying a burden much closer to his own heart. Matt is gay. And right now, he's the only one who knows it. But that changes when handsome, kind-eyed, and charming transfer student James Alberte walks into class. Because James isn't just some queer teen crush. He's everything Matt could ask for--and it's James' love, strength, and support that helps Matt finally come out to the world. Unfortunately, love doesn't necessarily make Matt's situation any easier. He's still stranded by his immigrant status, with a future that seems headed for a dead end. And if he's ever going to be happy, Matt will have to decide what he wants, where he's headed--and who he is at heart
New York City, NY; NYC
Join the Club!
Sat, Oct 4
4:00 pm
Free
4:00 pm
Free
Lecture | Making Gay History: LGBTQ Lives During the Holocaust (In Person AND Online!)
Eric Marcus, founder and host of the award-winning Making Gay History podcast, introduces the series’ groundbreaking season on LGBTQ experiences under the Nazi regime, during World War II, and the Holocaust. Drawing on rare archival interviews, Marcus shares powerful firsthand voices that illuminate a too-often hidden chapter of history.
New York City, NY; NYC
Join the Club!
Sun, Oct 5
3:00 pm
Free
3:00 pm
Free
Talk | Learn about the Theatrical Costume Designs of Patricia Zipprodt
Iconic Broadway costume designer Patricia Zipprodt tells her own colorful story from a tumultuous childhood in Depression-era Chicago to Bohemian New York in the 1950s, becoming one of the 20th century's most celebrated designers. Told with Zipprodt's acerbic humor and delicious wit, If the Song Doesn't Work, Change the Dress charts her journey to 1950s Greenwich Village, America's literary and artistic Bohemia. Tracking her career as it plunges into the developing Off-Broadway movement, and charting her personal and professional failures and successes collaborating with the biggest artists of the day - Jerome Robbins, Hal Prince, and Bob Fosse - making her one of the most recognizable, and award-winning, designers of 20th-century theatre.
New York City, NY; NYC
Join the Club!
Mon, Oct 6
6:00 pm
Free
6:00 pm
Free
Book Discussion | Fledging: A Novel on Motherhood, Dreams & Choice
In her debut novel Fledging, Rose Diell tells the story of Lia, a woman whose unexpected egg forces her to confront the question of motherhood at a time when her friends are all starting families, and she’s still chasing her songwriting dreams. The book explores what it means to live a meaningful life, whether that means raising children or embracing a child-free path. Diell will be joined in conversation by journalist Ilana Kaplan (Elle, New York Times, Rolling Stone), who will discuss the book’s themes of autonomy, creativity, and the pressures women face.
New York City, NY; NYC
Join the Club!
Mon, Oct 6
8:00 pm
Free
8:00 pm
Free
Book Discussion | Fashion and Identity in Puerto Rico
Join José Blanco F. and Raúl J. Vázquez-López in conversation with Tanya Meléndez-Escalante as they present their new book Dress, Fashion, and National Identity in Puerto Rico. The discussion explores Puerto Rican visual culture, nationhood, and identity. A book signing follows.
New York City, NY; NYC
Join the Club!
Tue, Oct 7
5:30 pm
Free
5:30 pm
Free
Gallery Talk | Historian Explores History of Greenwich Village
Architectural and social historian Tom Miller will speak about the history of several Greenwich Village locations, discussing the lives of the villagers who lived there. The remoteness of the area that we consider Greenwich Village today resulted in a contrast in the lives of its residents in the 18th century. Tradesmen and farmers lived in relative proximity with grand summer estates of wealthy British officers and, later, equally wealthy newly minted Americans. And in the midst was the state’s prison that offered new employment opportunities to locals.
New York City, NY; NYC
Join the Club!
Tue, Oct 7
6:00 pm
Free
6:00 pm
Free
Gallery Talk | Renowned Photographer Exhibits 3 Seiries + Explores His Work
Enjoy an exciting presentation and exhibition by Hungarian photo artist Tamás Schild exploring the intriguing world of the unseen! During this special artist talk and exhibition, Schild will showcase selections from three of his most compelling series. His earliest body of work, To Be Beautiful Gypsy – Wonder what it can be like, spans a remarkable 17 years of following a Roma family. Through this deeply personal narrative, Schild creates a subjective visual chronicle that underscores the universality of human vulnerability, fragility, abandonment, and transience—inviting viewers into a space of profound self-reflection.His most recent project, Backstage Ballerina, turns its lens on the world of ballet. Far from romanticized portrayals, the series reveals both the rigor and hidden struggles behind the art form, capturing the relentless discipline and sacrifice required to perfect every movement. The third series, Slaughterhouse Elegy, presents a bold and provocative exploration of photography itself: is meaning found more in the subject matter or in the artist’s interpretation? Disclaimer: Slaughterhouse Elegy engages with sensitive subject matter and contains images that some viewers may find disturbing.
New York City, NY; NYC
Join the Club!
Tue, Oct 7
6:30 pm
Free
6:30 pm
Free
Lecture | The Joy of Figuring It Out: Discovering Rules Through Play
Dive into playful problem-solving in this interactive presentation featuring “mini mathematical universes” with hidden rules waiting to be discovered. Puzzle designer and game inventor Gordon Hamilton, founder of MathPickle and creator of Santorini, leads an evening of curiosity, persistence, and fun, showing how great puzzles turn confusion into clarity and spark the problem-solving instinct in everyone.
New York City, NY; NYC
Join the Club!
Wed, Oct 8
4:00 pm
Free
4:00 pm
Free
Book Club | Discuss Charles Baudelaire's Les Épaves / The Wreckage
In August of 1857, weeks after Charles Baudelaire published his famous volume of poetry, Les Fleurs du Mal, a French court banned six poems from its contents on grounds that they would “necessarily lead to the excitement of the senses by a crude realism offensive to public decency.” They include “Lesbos,” “Femmes damnés” / Damned Women, “Le Léthé” / Lethe, “À celle qui est trop gaie” / To One Who is Too Gay, “Les Bijoux” / The Jewels, “Les Métamorphoses du Vampire” /The Vampire’s Metamorphosis. Discuss these six poems with other readers! Please bring your printed copy to the discussion; the group will be doing close readings and analysis of the poems.
New York City, NY; NYC
Join the Club!
Wed, Oct 8
4:30 pm
Free
4:30 pm
Free
Lecture | Expert Discusses Martin Luther & the German Language
Germans like to think of Martin Luther as the creator of the German language, supplying every possible excuse for his vitriol, including his inflammatory rhetorical attacks on marginalized groups. This talk undertakes a speculative wager: what if Germans identify with Luther and his language, up to the present day, not in spite of but because of Luther’s legendary verbal aggressivity? What can Luther teach us about the community-founding power of hate? The talk will close by turning to the only, highly ambiguous mention of Luther in Arendt’s Origins of Totalitarianism, which strikes a sharp contrast with Luther’s infelicitous preterition, sending us on a vertigo-inducing philological chase. Barbara Nagel is Associate Professor of German at Princeton; she is the author of Der Skandal des Literalen and Ambiguous Aggression in German Realism and Beyond and recipient of a Humboldt Fellowship and the Berlin Prize.
New York City, NY; NYC
Join the Club!
Wed, Oct 8
6:00 pm
Free
6:00 pm
Free
Talk | French Scholar Explains Intellectual History from Ancient Greece to Leninist Russia
Professor of French at Stanford University and author Dan Edelstein, in conversation with Professor of French at Columbia and author Joanna Stalnaker and Assistant Professor of Political Science at Columbia Daniel Luban. Political thinkers from Plato to John Adams saw revolutions as a grave threat to society and advocated for a constitution that prevented them by balancing social interests and forms of government. The Revolution to Come traces how evolving conceptions of history ushered in a faith in the power of revolution to create more just and reasonable societies. A panoramic work of intellectual history, The Revolution to Come challenges us to reflect on the aims and consequences of revolution and to balance the value of stability over the hope for change in our own moment of fear and upheaval. Taking readers from Greek antiquity to Leninist Russia, Dan Edelstein describes how classical philosophers viewed history as chaotic and directionless, and sought to keep historical change--especially revolutions--at bay. This conception prevailed until the eighteenth century, when Enlightenment thinkers conceived of history as a form of progress and of revolution as its catalyst. These ideas were put to the test during the French Revolution and came to define revolutions well into the twentieth century. Edelstein demonstrates how the coming of the revolution leaves societies divided over its goals, giving rise to new forms of violence in which rivals are targeted as counterrevolutionaries.
New York City, NY; NYC
Join the Club!
Wed, Oct 8
6:00 pm
Free
6:00 pm
Free
Lecture | The Joy of Figuring It Out: Discovering Rules Through Play
Dive into playful problem-solving in this interactive presentation featuring “mini mathematical universes” with hidden rules waiting to be discovered. Puzzle designer and game inventor Gordon Hamilton, founder of MathPickle and creator of Santorini, leads an evening of curiosity, persistence, and fun, showing how great puzzles turn confusion into clarity and spark the problem-solving instinct in everyone.
New York City, NY; NYC
Join the Club!
Wed, Oct 8
7:00 pm
Free
7:00 pm
Free
Book Discussion | Rethinking Banks & Monetary Policy (Online!)
Economists Matt Sekerke and Steve H. Hanke discuss their new book, Making Money Work, an incisive guide to how money and banking really function. From the central role of commercial banks in fiat systems to the limits of monetary policy, they reveal why regulation, fiscal policy, and global banking practices shape economies as much as central banks.
New York City, NY; NYC
Join the Club!
Thu, Oct 9
12:00 pm
Free
12:00 pm
Free
Discussion | Artists & Art Historian Conversation on Art of German Reunification
This event features a conversation among the art historian Sarah Alberti and the artists Barbara Bloom, Krzysztof Wodiczko, and Gesche Würfel, and graphic designer Kay Bachmann, which will be moderated by Jörg Schumacher, Director of Goethe-Institut New York. This panel discussion and presentation reflects on two art projects, separated by almost 35 years, that critically examined the opening of the Berlin Wall on November 9, 1989, and the resulting reunification of East and West Germany on October 3, 1990.
New York City, NY; NYC
Join the Club!
Thu, Oct 9
6:00 pm
Free
6:00 pm
Free
Gallery Talk | Expert Talks about Famous Japanese Art by Katsushika Hokusai
Educator Eleanor K. Sypher will teach attendees about a selection from Katsushika Hokusai's “Views of Mount Fuji” among other works; then show his influence on French Impressionist artists. Knowledge of Hokusai’s prints in the West was among the first to reach Europe in the mid 1800s. His recognition now is mostly confined to “The Great Wave” from his “Thirty-six Views of Mount Fuji.” Over his almost 90 years, he created images of Kabuki actors, courtesans, the peopled landscapes of Japan: plains, seashores, waterfalls, and mountains.
New York City, NY; NYC
Join the Club!
Thu, Oct 9
6:00 pm
$5, RSVP required
6:00 pm
$5, RSVP required
Discussion | Learn about the Kinetic Awareness Movement Practice
Elaine Summers created the original ball work which she called Kinetic Awareness. It is a complete system of five stages taking the student from awareness of inner sensation to incorporating awareness of those around her and the wider world. The panel will discuss the roots of this somatic practice and its efficacy from injury recovery and prevention, and its creative application in her choreography.
New York City, NY; NYC
Join the Club!
Thu, Oct 9
6:00 pm
Free
6:00 pm
Free
Talk | World Renowned Photographer Shares Insight about New Work
Internationally acclaimed photographer Fabrizio Ferri shares his latest projects. Attend for a Q&A featuring insights into his most recent work: Fin qui (So far) – a compelling and candid memoir – and Breathtaking, a traveling installation highlighting ocean plastic pollution. And much more.
New York City, NY; NYC
Join the Club!
Thu, Oct 9
6:30 pm
Free
6:30 pm
Free
Symposium | Explore Revolutionary Yugoslavia through Art, Film, & Archives (Day 1)
This symposium explores the cultural and political legacies of the revolutionary Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia through the lenses of art, archives, and film. On the occasion of the 80th anniversary of the end of WWII and the defeat of fascism in 1945, the symposium examines how creative practices that fused art and activism, both official and grassroots, shaped partisan antifascist struggle, socialist revolution and reconstruction, as well as their contested afterlives. One of the key questions the symposium addresses is how these Yugoslav partisan archives stage sites of alternative imaginaries in opposition to the dominant global regimes of late capitalist precarity and violence. By bringing visual art, architecture, archives, and film into dialogue, the symposium underscores the complexity of socialist Yugoslavia’s cultural production and its continuing resonance today. Day 1: Friday, October 10 5:30pm | Evening Film Screening
New York City, NY; NYC
Join the Club!
Fri, Oct 10
5:30 pm
Free
5:30 pm
Free
Symposium | Explore Revolutionary Yugoslavia through Art, Film, & Archives (Day 2)
This symposium explores the cultural and political legacies of the revolutionary Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia through the lenses of art, archives, and film. On the occasion of the 80th anniversary of the end of WWII and the defeat of fascism in 1945, the symposium examines how creative practices that fused art and activism, both official and grassroots, shaped partisan antifascist struggle, socialist revolution and reconstruction, as well as their contested afterlives. One of the key questions the symposium addresses is how these Yugoslav partisan archives stage sites of alternative imaginaries in opposition to the dominant global regimes of late capitalist precarity and violence. By bringing visual art, architecture, archives, and film into dialogue, the symposium underscores the complexity of socialist Yugoslavia’s cultural production and its continuing resonance today. Day 2: Saturday, October 11
11:00am – 1:00pm | Panel I: Yugoslav Partisan Art
2:30 – 4:30pm | Panel II: Yugoslav Partisan Film
5:00pm | Keynote Address
New York City, NY; NYC
Join the Club!
Sat, Oct 11
11:00 am
Free
11:00 am
Free
Book Club | Reading Rhythms Party: Socialize with Other Bookworms
Unplug and unwind at Reading Rhythms, a unique outdoor reading party designed to build community through books. With live music, structured reading time, and guided discussions, this mindful gathering blends solo reflection with social connection. Bring your own book and a mat or blanket for added comfort.
New York City, NY; NYC
Join the Club!
Sun, Oct 12
1:00 pm
Free
1:00 pm
Free
Discussion | Confronting Antisemitism: Lessons from Pittsburgh (In Person AND Online!)
Yair Rosenberg of The Atlantic, in conversation with Amy Spitalnick, CEO of the Jewish Council for Public Affairs, moderated by Carole Zawatsky, CEO of The Tree of Life, as they examine the rise of antisemitism and its consequences. Using the aftermath of the deadliest antisemitic attack in U.S. history as a lens, this discussion explores the dangers of hate and paths toward a safer, more inclusive future.
New York City, NY; NYC
Join the Club!
Sun, Oct 12
5:00 pm
Free
5:00 pm
Free
Lecture | Learn about the Legend of David of Sassoun & Its Meaning in Soviet Armenia
In the late nineteenth century, the orally transmitted Armenian legend about the folk hero David of Sassoun seemed doomed to oblivion when Ottoman Armenian clergyman Karekin Srvandzdiants published a tiny booklet containing the story that he had learned by chance. Decades later, the story would be celebrated by tens of millions of citizens of the Soviet Union. David of Sassoun and other heroes of the epic cycle came to symbolize the newly forged Soviet Armenian national character in a vast totalitarian empire whose guiding ideology was inimical to various aspects of Armenian traditions. This lecture will examine the underlying messages of the epic, discuss how Soviet policies helped the epic captivate a large audience in a short period, and analyze the political calculations and ideological justifications behind the promotion of the epic.
New York City, NY; NYC
Join the Club!
Tue, Oct 14
12:15 pm
Free
12:15 pm
Free
Discussion | he Hart-Celler Act at 60: Immigration Then and Now (In Person AND Online!)
Marking 60 years since the passage of the Immigration and Nationality Act of 1965, sociologist Nancy Foner, historian Mae Ngai, and NYC demographer Joe Salvo discuss how the law transformed immigration in New York City and across the U.S., and its ongoing relevance today.
New York City, NY; NYC
Join the Club!
Tue, Oct 14
6:00 pm
Free
6:00 pm
Free
Lecture | Artist & Mercer Labs Co-Founder Speaks on the Future of Museums
In this talk, artist Roy Nachum explores how Mercer Labs’ 36,000-square-foot space serves as a cultural laboratory where creativity and innovation blend. Nachum is one of the founders of Mercer Labs: Museum of Art and Technology, and he reimagines the museum as a living, experimental space where art brings humanity to technology. His multidisciplinary work spans painting, sculpture, architecture, and immersive installations. Through this fusion of mediums and ideas, Nachum envisions a future where museums are not static repositories but dynamic, participatory environments that inspire deeper human connection.
New York City, NY; NYC
Join the Club!
Tue, Oct 14
7:00 pm
Free
7:00 pm
Free
Lecture | Learn about Russia's Foreign Policy & Strategy
This talk from CIA Russia-watcher Peter Clement revolves around two questions: Were there clear turning points in the hardening of Putin’s policy toward the US and the West more broadly since he became Russia’s president in 2000? And what factors led Putin to eschew largely successful foreign policy pragmatism in favor of his fateful decision to reinvade Ukraine?
New York City, NY; NYC
Join the Club!
Wed, Oct 15
6:30 pm
Free
6:30 pm
Free
Discussion | Exploring the Term "Intermedia" & Performance
Elaine Summers was the first artist to incorporate media in performance, calling her work "Intermedia." The panel will discuss the exact meaning of this term, how Ms. Summers used film in her performances and pioneered unusual venues stretching the boundaries of her art in many ways.
New York City, NY; NYC
Join the Club!
Thu, Oct 16
6:00 pm
Free
6:00 pm
Free
Book Discussion | The Rise and Fall of Public Housing in America (In Person AND Online!)
Explore the history of public housing in the U.S. with Howard A. Husock, author of The Projects. Husock examines how early 20th-century initiatives aimed at addressing urban blight led to the creation and decline of public housing, transforming communities and shaping modern debates over affordable housing. Following the talk, Husock will discuss these issues with urban policy scholar Nicholas Dagen Bloom. Note: limited in-person seating.
New York City, NY; NYC
Join the Club!
Thu, Oct 16
6:00 pm
Free
6:00 pm
Free
Discussion | Writer/Director Seline Song (Materialists, Past Lives) in Conversation
Celine Song, the celebrated writer and director of films such as Materialists and Past Lives, participates in a conversation about her creative practice with her former teacher, Professor Anne Bogart. Celine Song is an Academy Award-nominated screenwriter and filmmaker whose signature blend of emotional depth, intelligence, and humor has established her as an essential voice in today's entertainment landscape. As a playwright, Song is best known for Endlings, which premiered in 2019 at American Repertory Theater and had its New York debut in 2020 at New York Theatre Workshop. She has been a finalist for the Susan Smith Blackburn Prize and a semifinalist for the American Playwriting Foundation's Relentless Award. Song also wrote on the first season of Amazon series The Wheel of Time.
New York City, NY; NYC
Join the Club!
Thu, Oct 16
6:30 pm
Free
6:30 pm
Free
Talk | Learn about LGBTQ+ Wearable Buttons History & Significance
The Lesbian Herstory Archives' 2286-piece cataloged collection of buttons and pins spans the years 1973 to the present. In honor of National Coming Out Day and LGBTQ+ History Month, learn about the organizations' collection, NYPL's digital collections, as well as some insight into the history of buttons as protest and self-expression in queer spaces. You might also be able to walk out having made a button of your very own!
New York City, NY; NYC
Join the Club!
Fri, Oct 17
1:30 pm
Free
1:30 pm
Free
Gallery Talk | Art in Focus: Slow Observance and Conversation
Take a moment to slow down and connect with a single work of art through guided observation and group discussion. No background in art is needed--just curiosity and openness. This relaxed, welcoming program invites all adult learners to engage deeply with one piece at a time. Note: Space is limited; first-come, first-served. Stickers are distributed 15 minutes before the program starts.
New York City, NY; NYC
Join the Club!
Fri, Oct 17
6:30 pm
Free
6:30 pm
Free
Conference | Learn about Accessibility Technologies: Connect, Innovate, Act (In Person AND Online!)
Attend the Accessible Technology Conference—a free and inclusive conference focused on the impact, affordances, and evolution of accessible technologies used by Blind, low-vision, and print-disabled people. This year’s conference centers around the theme, “Connect, Innovate, Act.” The sessions will focus on community building and peer support, creativity in tech, new and emerging technologies, and systems of resistance. The conference is open to all community members. The conference team commits to a fully accessible conference, including providing accessible conference materials, an accessible venue, ASL, CART, and other access needs. Register to join in person or online, and request needed accommodations; space is limited.
New York City, NY; NYC
Join the Club!
Sat, Oct 18
9:00 am
Free
9:00 am
Free
Conference | Learn about Accessibility Technologies: Connect, Innovate, Act (In Person AND Online!)
Attend the Accessible Technology Conference—a free and inclusive conference focused on the impact, affordances, and evolution of accessible technologies used by Blind, low-vision, and print-disabled people. This year’s conference centers around the theme, “Connect, Innovate, Act.” The sessions will focus on community building and peer support, creativity in tech, new and emerging technologies, and systems of resistance. The conference is open to all community members. The conference team commits to a fully accessible conference, including providing accessible conference materials, an accessible venue, ASL, CART, and other access needs. Register to join in person or online, and request needed accommodations; space is limited.
New York City, NY; NYC
Join the Club!
Sun, Oct 19
9:00 am
Free
9:00 am
Free
Discussion | Exploring the Universe: Astro Live (Online!)
Journey beyond our world in this monthly space science series. Meet astronauts, scientists, engineers, and space enthusiasts as they share insights into the mysteries of the cosmos. This interactive livestream brings together leading voices in astronomy and exploration for an afternoon of discovery and Q&A.
New York City, NY; NYC
Join the Club!
Sun, Oct 19
3:00 pm
Free
3:00 pm
Free
Lecture | Asrophysicist Explains Newfound Discoveries of the Milky Way
Over the last decade, the European Space Agency’s Gaia satellite has revealed the Milky Way in new and sometimes startling detail; Columbia University's Kathryn Johnston takes attendees on a tour of just a few things about our home galaxy that Gaia has discovered. Kathryn Johnston is an Astrophysicist, interested in understanding how galaxies form, are structured and evolve - with a particular emphasis on dynamics and interactions. She pursues this goal using a combination of close collaborations with observational colleagues and computer simulations of galactic collisions. She arrived in this field following an undergraduate degree in mathematics from Cambridge University, a PhD in Astronomy and Astrophysics from UC Santa Cruz and a postdoctoral position at the Institute for Advanced Study in Princeton. She joined the Columbia Astronomy Faculty in Fall 2006, after spending 7 years as an assistant professor at Wesleyan University.
New York City, NY; NYC
Join the Club!
Mon, Oct 20
6:30 pm
Free
6:30 pm
Free
Talk | Cancel Culture & Russia-Ukraine War (In Person AND Online!)
A lecture by Principal Research Fellow at the Institute of Political and Ethnic Studies in Kyiv, Mykola Riabchuk. Moderated by Mark Andryczyk. The 2022 unprovoked Russian aggression against Ukraine evoked nearly universal international condemnation but got much less unanimous response in more practical terms of political, economic and other sanctions. Many countries, especially in the so called “Global South” refused to introduce any measures against the aggressor state for various reasons and under different pretexts. Culture appeared to be the most controversial field, where even the Western democracies, rather unanimous in their response to the Russian assault, failed to achieve any consensus on suitable measures and policies vis-à-vis the rogue state. While virtually nobody questions the need of sanctions against the specific persons and institutions that support the war, the wholesale rejection of Russian culture and cancelling of its iconic figures is often vehemently denied. The talk delves into the essence of these debates, trying to represent different rationales and opposite arguments but also to answer a more fundamental question: to what degree and in which way a seemingly innocent, apolitical cultural ‘soft power’ contributes to the militant ‘hard power’ of the aggressor state during the war.
New York City, NY; NYC
Join the Club!
Tue, Oct 21
12:15 pm
Free
12:15 pm
Free
Book Club | Nobel Prize-Winning Author Han Kang's The Vegetarian Conversation
Discuss Han Kang's bestselling novel, The Vegetarian, with other readers! Before the nightmares began, Yeong-hye and her husband lived an ordinary, controlled life. But the dreams--invasive images of blood and brutality--torture her, driving Yeong-hye to purge her mind and renounce eating meat altogether. It's a small act of independence, but it interrupts her marriage and sets into motion an increasingly grotesque chain of events at home. As her husband, her brother-in-law and sister each fight to reassert their control, Yeong-hye obsessively defends the choice that's become sacred to her. Soon their attempts turn desperate, subjecting first her mind, and then her body, to ever more intrusive and perverse violations, sending Yeong-hye spiraling into a dangerous, bizarre estrangement, not only from those closest to her, but also from herself. Celebrated by critics around the world, The Vegetarian is a darkly allegorical, Kafka-esque tale of power, obsession, and one woman's struggle to break free from the violence both without and within her.
New York City, NY; NYC
Join the Club!
Tue, Oct 21
4:00 pm
Free
4:00 pm
Free
Book Club | Discuss The Housemaid with Fellow Readers
Read at your own pace, then attend a lively, moderator-led discussion with fellow readers. Whether you're a dedicated bibliophile or just looking to connect with others, this is a great way to share your love of reading. The Housemaid by Freida McFadden is a gripping psychological thriller about Millie, a woman with a troubled past who takes a live-in housekeeping job for a wealthy family. What seems like a dream opportunity quickly turns sinister as she uncovers disturbing secrets hidden behind the mansion’s polished exterior. With chilling twists and mounting suspense, Millie must fight to survive as the truth unravels. Space is available on a first-come-first-serve basis while space is available.
New York City, NY; NYC
Join the Club!
Tue, Oct 21
6:00 pm
Free
6:00 pm
Free
Talk | Learn More about NYC's Bowery History (with Live Ragtime Music)
Author David Mulkins (with music by ragtime pianist Ramona Baker) offers a lively Illustrated talk about nearly 400 years on this storied “cradle of American popular culture.” The Bowery was a Native American footpath, Dutch farm road, site of the first free Black homesteads, and site of Lincoln’s epochal anti-slavery speech. The city’s first entertainment district, it has seminal links to tap dance, vaudeville, Yiddish theater, Stephen Foster, Irving Berlin, baseball, Houdini, and modern tattooing. The stomping ground for sailors, shopgirls, sporting men, gangs, grifters, and the immigrant Irish, Italians, Chinese, Jews, and Germans, it later became America’s iconic skid row, but rebounded in the late 20th century, impacting Abstract Expressionism, Beat literature, free jazz, and punk rock.
New York City, NY; NYC
Join the Club!
Wed, Oct 22
6:00 pm
Free
6:00 pm
Free
Discussion | Cheryl McKissack Daniel (of McKissack & McKissack) Speaks with Charlamagne Tha God about Her Family's 200-Year History
Cheryl McKissack Daniel—fifth-generation leader of the nation’s oldest Black-owned design and construction services firm, McKissack & McKissack—sits down with multimedia mogul Lenard “Charlamagne Tha God” McKelvey to discuss her family's extraordinary 200-year history, as captured in her new book The Black Family Who Built America: The McKissacks, Two Centuries of Daring Pioneers.
New York City, NY; NYC
Join the Club!
Wed, Oct 22
6:30 pm
Free
6:30 pm
Free
Talk | Hear from a Legendary Chroreographer about Her Work
Dancer, writer, performance-maker, and Yale professor Emily Coates spent two years mapping far-flung artifacts related to George Balanchine found in archives. This research became part of her Works & Process commission, Tell Me Where It Comes From, scheduled to premiere in New York this November. A former dancer with New York City Ballet, Coates searched in holdings at the Wadsworth Atheneum Museum of Art, Harvard's Houghton Library, Yale's Beinecke Rare Book and Manuscript Library, the Archives at Jacob's Pillow, among others. In this artist talk, Coates shares the idiosyncratic trail of ephemera and people she encountered along her journey to move closer to the source of his work, from a great remove, through archival shards. Special guests joining her include Adam Lenz, Public Engagement and Programs Manager at the Wadsworth Atheneum Museum of Art. Enjoy this unique opportunity to see what goes into creating a new work about the afterlife of a legendary choreographer.
New York City, NY; NYC
Join the Club!
Thu, Oct 23
6:00 pm
Free
6:00 pm
Free
Book Club | Luddite Dook Discussion: Superbloom
Stop scrolling and put down your phone… this offline book club is a space for in-person conversation about the role technology plays in our world. Each month highlights a different book on the topic of technology’s impact individual lives as well as society as a whole, followed by an open discussion to share recent experiences and observations. Superbloom: How Technologies of Connection Tear Us Apart by Nicholas Carr (2025) "Challenges some of our most cherished beliefs about self-expression, free speech, and media democratization in modern communication."
New York City, NY; NYC
Join the Club!
Thu, Oct 23
6:30 pm
Free
6:30 pm
Free
Talk | Ukrainian Writers Discuss Occupation & Cultural Survival
Since 2014, parts of Ukraine--including Crimea and Donetsk--have lived under Russian occupation, with the 2022 full-scale invasion expanding that violence to cities like Nova Kakhovka. In this urgent and deeply personal conversation, three Ukrainian voices explore what it means to live with, remember, and resist occupation. Chef and author Olia Hercules, born in now-occupied Nova Kakhovka, shares how food becomes a language of memory and identity in Strong Roots, her first memoir. Novelist Volodymyr Rafeyenko, originally from Donetsk, reflects on exile, absurdity, and survival in Length of Days and Signals of Being. Scholar and translator Natalia Shpylova-Saeed introduces a powerful new anthology of Crimean poetry and prose, preserving voices from a region silenced since 2014. Together, they trace how storytelling--across genres--becomes an act of cultural defiance. The conversation will be moderated by professor and writer Sophie Pinkham.
New York City, NY; NYC
Join the Club!
Fri, Oct 24
6:00 pm
Free
6:00 pm
Free
Discussion | Theatre Experts Talk about Iconic Theatre Critic Linda Armstrong
For 40 years, Linda Armstrong has been a theater critic with the New York Amsterdam News covering Broadway, Off-Broadway, Off-Off Broadway, and a great deal of Black Theater. Throughout her four decades she has always focused on spotlighting the talents of Black artists, playwrights, director, producers Now, members of the theater community come together to share what Linda Armstrong has meant to Black theater and to them. The panel includes Woodie King, Jr., founder of New Federal Theatre, Jackie Jeffries, president of AUDELCO, which celebrates Black theater Excellence, playwright David Lamb, playwright Keenan Scott II, Rome Neal, actor Brian Stokes Mitchell, and theater critic for the New York Times, Brittani Samuel.
New York City, NY; NYC
Join the Club!
Mon, Oct 27
6:00 pm
Free
6:00 pm
Free
Talk | Dura Europos and the Birth of Jewish Art (Online!)
Explore the origins of Jewish visual culture with artist and writer Richard McBee, tracing the significance of the 245 CE Dura Europos synagogue mural and the mysteries it holds. McBee, a leading figure in contemporary Jewish art, shares insights on biblical and historical themes that shaped Jewish artistic expression, offering a fresh perspective on the birth and evolution of Jewish visual storytelling.
New York City, NY; NYC
Join the Club!
Mon, Oct 27
7:00 pm
Free
7:00 pm
Free
Talk | Reckoning with Russia's Status on the World Stage
Attend a talk by law professor Paul Stephan. Moderated by Elise Giuliano. Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022 provoked fury and broad condemnation. Yet Russia has not been repulsed, even if it has not achieved its objectives, and the economic sanctions imposed by the West produced mostly short-term pain. The ambiguity of the Trump administration’s position on the war certainly has not helped. Russia has done terrible, perhaps irreversible harm to its position as a regional power. It will face a geopolitical and geoeconomic reckoning, although it may take five to ten years for the real costs to be manifest. This talk will give an account of this reckoning as well as reflecting more generally on the efficacy of international law and the liberal international order as a means of disciplining powerful states.
New York City, NY; NYC
Join the Club!
Tue, Oct 28
12:10 pm
Free
12:10 pm
Free
Talk | The Darkness of Grimm Fairytales & How To Share Them with Children
The old German fairy tales are weird, and scary, and bloody. They feature murder and threats of incest and child abuse. So should we share them with kids today? Or are they a relic of a time that is (thankfully) long gone? And if we share them with kids today, how should we do that? Is there something useful in these weird, bloody, grim old tales? Adam Gidwitz, the author of A Tale Dark & Grimm and its companions, producer of the animated Netflix adaptation, and creator of the award-winning podcast Grimm, Grimmer, Grimmest, discusses the best—and the grimmest!—elements of the old German fairy tales, especially those by the Brothers Grimm and Franz Xaver von Schönwerth, and he’ll discuss the ethics, and his method, of adapting these tales for kids. *Followed by a light reception
New York City, NY; NYC
Join the Club!
Wed, Oct 29
6:00 pm
Free
6:00 pm
Free
Discussion | Experts Talk about AI Accountability & Public Interest
Data & Society Executive Director Janet Haven hosts a critical discussion about AI accountability and the public interest, featuring professor Charlton McIlwain, journalist Julia Angwin, and civic technologist Catherine Bracy.
New York City, NY; NYC
Join the Club!
Wed, Oct 29
6:30 pm
Free
6:30 pm
Free
Talk | Explore WWII through Soviet Journalist's Accounts
Attend an event with Russian translator Robert Chandler. Moderated by Mark Lipovetsky. Vasily Grossman covered all the major battles of the Eastern Front for the Red Star, the official newspaper of The Red Army, during the Second World War. His brutally vivid reports were read by millions of soldiers and civilians alike. And, as the war draws to a close, he was one of the first to expose the horrors of the Treblinka death camp. In recent years, versions of his articles that had not been distorted by censors have been unearthed. Robert Chandler, who has translated Grossman’s epic novels of the war and its aftermath, will demonstrate what an extraordinary amount Grossman witnessed during only a few years.
New York City, NY; NYC
Join the Club!
Thu, Oct 30
12:00 pm
Free
12:00 pm
Free
Book Discussion | Fashion, Fascism, and Italy’s Global Influence
Eugenia Paulicelli presents her book Fashion under Fascism: Beyond the Black Shirt in conversation with Valerie Steele. Explore how 1930s Italian dress shaped politics and continues to influence fashion worldwide. A book signing follows.
New York City, NY; NYC
Join the Club!
Thu, Nov 6
5:30 pm
Free
5:30 pm
Free
Gallery Talk | Art in Focus: Slow Observance and Conversation
Take a moment to slow down and connect with a single work of art through guided observation and group discussion. No background in art is needed--just curiosity and openness. This relaxed, welcoming program invites all adult learners to engage deeply with one piece at a time. Note: Space is limited; first-come, first-served. Stickers are distributed 15 minutes before the program starts.
New York City, NY; NYC
Join the Club!
Fri, Nov 14
6:30 pm
Free
6:30 pm
Free
Discussion | Exploring Psychoanalysis in Music and Fashion
Moderator Jasmine Edwards leads a conversation with art therapist Ayde Rayas and violinist Njioma Chinyere Grevious, whose performance draws inspiration from Dress, Dreams, and Desire: Fashion and Psychoanalysis. This interdisciplinary event looks at psychoanalysis’s influence on contemporary music and culture.
New York City, NY; NYC
Join the Club!
Tue, Nov 18
5:30 pm
Free
5:30 pm
Free
Gallery Talk | Art in Focus: Slow Observance and Conversation
Take a moment to slow down and connect with a single work of art through guided observation and group discussion. No background in art is needed--just curiosity and openness. This relaxed, welcoming program invites all adult learners to engage deeply with one piece at a time. Note: Space is limited; first-come, first-served. Stickers are distributed 15 minutes before the program starts.
New York City, NY; NYC
Join the Club!
Fri, Dec 12
6:30 pm
Free
6:30 pm
Free
Complimentary Tickets
to shows, concerts ... (CFT Deals!)
Musical | Beloved Children's Story With Timeless Score
Regular Price: $69.50CFT Member Price: $0.00
Play | Broadway Actor in a Play About a Towering Figure in Media
Regular Price: $59CFT Member Price: $0.00
Join the Club!
Today's Events
All 1012 Events
Events This Week
Events This Weekend
Contact FAQ Reviews About Terms of Use Privacy Policy
All events are free unless otherwise stated. All programs subject to change. Please confirm before going.Contact FAQ Reviews About Terms of Use Privacy Policy
© Copyright Club Free Time. All rights reserved.