free things to do in New York City
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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!
74 free talks, lectures, discussions in New York City (NYC) Sat, 06/14/2025 - 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!
Symposium | Explore the History of American Photography from Experts
This event features dynamic conversations, presentations, and readings by leading scholars artists, and photographers to engage with the history of American phtography. Explore a bold new history of American photography from the medium's birth in 1839 to the first decade of the 20th century. Presented in conjunction with the exhibition The New Art: American Photography, 1839-1910. Note: Space is limited; first come, first served. Priority will be given to those who register.
New York City, NY; NYC
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Sat, Jun 14
11:00 am
registration recommended, free...
11:00 am
registration recommended, free...
Discussion | How To Succeed in the Music Industry with Barbara Tucker & Others + Live Music
This event is a keynote presentation on succeeding in the music industry from house music icon Barbara Tucker, followed by a panel conversation with some of her most distinguished collaborators including Glenn Sweety "G" Toby, Georgie Porgie, Jay Williams, and Karen Anderson. Come early and stay late for DJ sets by Herb Martin and Glenn Sweety "G" Toby! Barbara Tucker is a sensational entertainer that truly captures the essence why we go to performances. From her groundbreaking (Liza Minelli-esque) performances to her amazing classic recording Barbara has truly become a living breathing fiery fierce legend that you must experience. Barbara has been a major part of the house community for over 20 years. Some call her the Queen or Mother of house. Barbara has performed in Siberia, Tokyo, Budapest,Sydney, Russia, Sweden, Berlin, Toronto, Ibiza, Italy, Chicago, San Francisco, London, Germany, Hong Kong, Croatia, France, Egypt, and of course New York. Starting at 12:30 PM: 1st DJ Set Featuring Herb Martin Starting at 1:30 PM: Music Industry 101 Keynote Presentation by Barbara Tucker Starting at 2 PM: Music Industry 101 Panel with Barbara Tucker, Georgie Porgie, Glenn Sweety "G" Toby, Jay Williams, and Karen Anderson Starting at 3 PM: 2nd DJ Set Featuring Glenn Sweety "G" Toby
New York City, NY; NYC
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Sat, Jun 14
1:30 pm
Free
1:30 pm
Free
Discussion | Death Cafe Discussion Group
An informal, group-directed discussion of death with no agenda, objectives or themes. The purpose of Death Cafe is "to increase awareness of death with a view to helping people make the most of their (finite) lives." This is a discussion group rather than a grief support or counseling session.
New York City, NY; NYC
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Sat, Jun 14
3:30 pm
Free
3:30 pm
Free
Gallery Talk | Artist Talk & Walkthrough: JD Raenbeau’s Colorful Garden-Inspired Paintings
Attend a walkthrough and discussion with artist JD Raenbeau and the gallery owner. Raenbeau’s latest exhibition features vivid paintings inspired by blooming gardens, combining detailed brushwork with themes of queer euphoric fantasy.
New York City, NY; NYC
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Sat, Jun 14
4:00 pm
Free
4:00 pm
Free
Book Club | Analyze and Discuss Poetry
Explorations of poetry facilitated by NYPL staff. Learn about different types of poetry!
New York City, NY; NYC
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Sun, Jun 15
3:30 pm
Free
3:30 pm
Free
Discussion | Lights, Camera, Action: Cinema Talks
Talks on movies, the culture of cinema, and filmmaking. Hosted by Scott Adlerberg, author and film connoisseur.
New York City, NY; NYC
Join the Club!
Mon, Jun 16
12:30 pm
Free
12:30 pm
Free
Mon, Jun 16
7:00 pm
Regular: $23
Member: $0
7:00 pm
Regular: $23
Member: $0
Join the Club!
Mon, Jun 16
7:30 pm
Regular: $28
Member: $0
7:30 pm
Regular: $28
Member: $0
Join the Club!
Gallery Talk | Learn about at New Scultpural Exhibition
Hear new insights and untold stories and take a closer look at the works of art. You’ll also have the opportunity to ask questions. Presented in conjunction with the exhibition The Roof Garden Commission: Jennie C. Jones, Ensemble. Only her second outdoor sculptural installation, the project explores the sonic potential of stringed instruments as well as their formal possibilities. In the artist's unique response to modernism, these acoustic sculptures propose the line of the string as a proxy for art history, unbroken and continuous.
New York City, NY; NYC
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Tue, Jun 17
3:00 pm
registration recommended, free...
3:00 pm
registration recommended, free...
Book Club | Discuss The Heaven and Earth Grocery Store by James McBride
Book synopsis: In 1972, when workers in Pottstown, Pennsylvania, were digging the foundations for a new development, the last thing they expected to find was a skeleton at the bottom of a well. Who the skeleton was and how it got there were two of the long-held secrets kept by the residents of Chicken Hill, the dilapidated neighborhood where immigrant Jews and African Americans lived side by side and shared ambitions and sorrows. Chicken Hill was where Moshe and Chona Ludlow lived when Moshe integrated his theater and where Chona ran the Heaven & Earth Grocery Store. When the state came looking for a deaf boy to institutionalize him, it was Chona and Nate Timblin, the Black janitor at Moshe's theater and the unofficial leader of the Black community on Chicken Hill, who worked together to keep the boy safe. As these characters' stories overlap and deepen, it becomes clear how much the people who live on the margins of white, Christian America struggle and what they must do to survive. When the truth is finally revealed about what happened on Chicken Hill and the part the town's white establishment played in it, McBride shows us that even in dark times, it is love and community--heaven and earth--that sustain us.
New York City, NY; NYC
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Tue, Jun 17
4:00 pm
Free
4:00 pm
Free
Discussion | Acclaimed Artists in Conversation: Gregg Bordowitz & Pamela Sneed
Don't miss a powerful conversation between acclaimed artists and writers Gregg Bordowitz and Pamela Sneed. Known for their boundary-pushing work across media--video, poetry, performance, and print--both artists explore language, identity, and activism through transdisciplinary practices. This event offers a rare opportunity to hear from two vital voices at the intersection of art and social engagement.
New York City, NY; NYC
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Tue, Jun 17
6:00 pm
Free
6:00 pm
Free
Book Club | Discuss The Three Lives of Cate Kay 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. In Kate Fagan's debut novel, The Three Lives of Cate Kay, readers follow Anne Callahan, who reinvents herself first as Cass Ford and ultimately as the enigmatic bestselling author Cate Kay. After a tragic event disrupts her youthful aspirations, Anne assumes new identities, leading to literary fame under a pseudonym. Now, she decides to unveil her true story, confronting past secrets and exploring themes of identity, ambition, and self-discovery. Space is available on a first-come-first-serve basis while space is available.
New York City, NY; NYC
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Tue, Jun 17
6:00 pm
Free
6:00 pm
Free
Tue, Jun 17
6:30 pm
Regular: $45
Member: $0
6:30 pm
Regular: $45
Member: $0
Join the Club!
Book Discussion | Tony Davidow on Investing in Private Markets (Online!)
Join award-winning author Tony Davidow for a virtual conversation on his latest book, Private Markets: Building Better Portfolios with Private Equity, Private Credit, and Private Real Estate. This accessible talk explores the opportunities and challenges of private market investing. Learn about asset class merits, product evolution, structural tradeoffs, and strategies for integrating these tools into client portfolios.
New York City, NY; NYC
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Wed, Jun 18
12:00 pm
Free
12:00 pm
Free
Book Discussion | Inside Scoop of Bestselling Books
Admired and bestselling authors offer advice and discuss their latest books. Hosted by Ilana Levine, actress and podcaster, Little Known Facts with Ilana Levine.
New York City, NY; NYC
Join the Club!
Wed, Jun 18
12:30 pm
Free
12:30 pm
Free
Book Discussion | Quiet Reading Meet Up
Bring a book or check one out of the li9brary to read to yourself for one hour. After that, spend an hour socializing with those around you!
New York City, NY; NYC
Join the Club!
Wed, Jun 18
6:00 pm
Free
6:00 pm
Free
Wed, Jun 18
6:30 pm
Regular: $20
Member: $0
6:30 pm
Regular: $20
Member: $0
Join the Club!
Discussion | Laughter & Insight with Richard Kind
Attend and evening with noted neighborhood song-and-dance man, Richard Kind, and his sportswriter friend Michael Bamberger for a fun and wide-ranging evening of sports chat, including:
The New York Mets in the 1960s
The tennis boom of the 1970s
Pete Rose, Bart Giamatti, and the baseball scandal that will not die
The truth about Donald Trump's golf game
And Michael's new book, inspired by the life and times of George Plimpton: The Playing Lesson: A Duffer's Year Among the Pros
Expect insight, humor, and stories from the intersection of sports, culture, and character -shared by two sharp observers with a deep love of the game.
New York City, NY; NYC
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Thu, Jun 19
7:30 pm
pay-what-you-wish by selecting...
7:30 pm
pay-what-you-wish by selecting...
Thu, Jun 19
7:30 pm
Regular: $28
Member: $0
7:30 pm
Regular: $28
Member: $0
Join the Club!
Conference | Black Theatre Design Expo: Panels, Talks, Demos, Portfolio Reviews, & More
This event features Broadway designers from every field of design! This is the inaugural Black Theatre United Design Expo 2025. The event includes panels, talks, demonstrations on the most up-to-date innovations in design, one-on-one portfolio reviews, and so much more. The Black Theatre United Design Expo 2025 is focused toward up-and-coming and early career designers gaining access to industry professionals, and learning about the many ancillary skilled jobs that are a part of the design world. The expo is open to all. Check-in for this expo will begin at 10:30 AM, with activities starting at 11:00 AM.
New York City, NY; NYC
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Fri, Jun 20
11:00 am
Free
11:00 am
Free
Lecture | Gender and Sexuality in Medieval Art: A Closer Look
Discover how medieval art challenges modern ideas of gender roles, gender expression, and sexuality. Join curators, conservators, scientists, and scholars for an in-gallery exploration of select works that reveal surprising and thought-provoking insights. This insider-led program offers fresh perspectives, untold stories, and the chance to ask questions in an intimate, discussion-based setting.
New York City, NY; NYC
Join the Club!
Fri, Jun 20
3:00 pm
Free
3:00 pm
Free
Talk | Generation Women: Storytelling for Connection and Community
Hosted by Georgia Clark, Generation Women creates space for intergenerational connection and community as storytellers share original, true stories about the moments when they bet on themselves--and everything changed. With a mission to amplify underheard voices and create space for intergenerational connection and community, this show celebrates bold choices at every stage of life.
New York City, NY; NYC
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Fri, Jun 20
5:00 pm
Free
5:00 pm
Free
Gallery Talk | Discover a Museum Exhibition through an Artist's Eyes
See a museum collection through artists' eyes. Join artist and musician Joy Guidry as she discusses her creative practice, the deep love of storytelling that is embodied in her new works, and what inspires her in the exhibition Lorna Simpson: Source Notes. This exhibition of work by New York-based artist Lorna Simpson is the first exhibition to consider the entirety of her painting practice to date. Simpson came to prominence in the early 1990s with her pioneering approach to conceptual photography. Since then, she has produced works in multiple media that continue to probe the nature of images and how they construct meaning. Lorna Simpson: Source Notes focuses on a significant new development in her work of the last 10 years: paintings that advance her incisive explorations of gender, race, identity, representation, and history. Through more than 30 works, this focused exhibition presents a selection of Simpson's major paintings, including examples from her acclaimed Venice Biennale debut in 2015 and her celebrated series Special Characters, along with a recent sculpture and related collages. These works dynamically collide figuration and abstraction with bodies that emerge and disappear, peering from inky surfaces or dissolving into landscapes of melting ice. They use found images--the artist's "source notes"--to generate visual power, exemplifying Simpson's skillful blurring of genres.
New York City, NY; NYC
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Fri, Jun 20
7:00 pm
registration recommended, free...
7:00 pm
registration recommended, free...
Discussion | Lights, Camera, Action: Cinema Talks
Talks on movies, the culture of cinema, and filmmaking. Hosted by Scott Adlerberg, author and film connoisseur.
New York City, NY; NYC
Join the Club!
Mon, Jun 23
12:30 pm
Free
12:30 pm
Free
Discussion | Authors of New Book Explore Stories of Marriage Equality
Frankie Frankeny is joined by John Casey, Jim Obergefell, and Evan Wolfson to discuss their new book honoring 100 stories of the brave LGBTQ+ couples, activists, and allies who fought for and ultimately gained the right to marry, Love: The Heroic Stories of Marriage Equality. Seating is limited and will be first come, first served. Doors open at 5:30 pm.
New York City, NY; NYC
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Mon, Jun 23
6:00 pm
Free
6:00 pm
Free
Book Club | Talking Books in the Park
Romance, graphic novels, and classics—a little something for everyone. Sign up in advance to receive a free copy of the book.
New York City, NY; NYC
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Tue, Jun 24
12:30 pm
Free
12:30 pm
Free
Book Club | Discuss Poetry Collection on Identity, Plantains and Our Becoming
This event is a book discussion of Plantains and Our Becoming: Poems by Melania Luisa Marte. What does it mean to be an Afro-Latina? In this imaginative, blistering poetry collection, poet and musician Melania Luisa Marte looks at the identities and histories of the Dominican Republic and Haiti to celebrate and center the Black diasporic experience. Through the exploration of themes like self-love, nationalism, displacement, generational trauma, and ancestral knowledge, this collection uproots stereotypes while creating a new joyous vision for Black identity and personhood.
New York City, NY; NYC
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Tue, Jun 24
4:30 pm
Free
4:30 pm
Free
Book Club | Mystery Story Discussion: Case Histories by Kate Atkinson
. Book synopsis: Jackson Brodie PI follows three 30-years cold, unconnected Cambridge family cases: 1. A little girl disappears in the night. 2. A beautiful young office worker falls to a maniac's attack. 3. A new mother is overwhelmed by demands from her baby and husband - until a fit of rage creates a grisly, bloody escape. Result : Startling connections and discoveries emerge.. 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
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Tue, Jun 24
6:00 pm
Free
6:00 pm
Free
Lecture | Queer Histories of the Lower East Side (Online!)
Celebrate Pride with a deep dive into the rich and often hidden LGBTQIA+ history of the Lower East Side. Drawing on a century of oral histories, personal memoirs, and archival research, this engaging program uncovers the lives, struggles, and triumphs of Queer residents who helped shape the neighborhood.
New York City, NY; NYC
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Tue, Jun 24
6:30 pm
Free
6:30 pm
Free
Lecture | Ideas, Images, Inspiration – Summer 2025 Photography Lecture Series
Dive into the world of contemporary photography with the i3: Ideas, Images, Inspiration Lecture Series, presented by the MPS Digital Photography Department and curated by editor and consultant Julie Grahame. This engaging series features talks by innovative photographers and visual storytellers working across genres and media.
New York City, NY; NYC
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Tue, Jun 24
7:00 pm
Free
7:00 pm
Free
Book Discussion | Inside Scoop of Bestselling Books
Admired and bestselling authors offer advice and discuss their latest books. Hosted by Ilana Levine, actress and podcaster, Little Known Facts with Ilana Levine.
New York City, NY; NYC
Join the Club!
Wed, Jun 25
12:30 pm
Free
12:30 pm
Free
Talk | Exploring the Modern Flamenco Scene (In Person AND Online!)
At this event, an accomplished documentary filmmaker joins an expert on the modern flamenco scene to show a sneak preview of an exciting, soon-to-be-released flamenco documentary, and present an overview of contemporary flamenco dance.
New York City, NY; NYC
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Wed, Jun 25
1:00 pm
Free
1:00 pm
Free
Discussion | The Legacy of the 1937 “Degenerate Art” Exhibition (Online!)
In 1937, the Nazi regime launched the infamous “Degenerate Art” Exhibition in Munich, aiming to ridicule modern art deemed unacceptable by the Third Reich. Ironically, the show featured artists who would later achieve international acclaim. Join a panel of scholars—Dr. Lucy Wasensteiner, Dr. Uwe Fleckner, and Dr. Bernhard Fulda—in conversation with Dr. Paul Jaskot, as they explore the exhibition’s history, ideological goals, and its enduring impact on the art world and cultural memory.
New York City, NY; NYC
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Wed, Jun 25
1:00 pm
Free
1:00 pm
Free
Discussion | Pride Month Talk Exploring NYC's LGBTQ+ History
A special Pride Month conversation featuring prominent author Marc Zinaman. Marc Zinaman (Featured Writer) Marc Zinaman is a New York City-based writer and historian. Since 2021, he has been running the social media account @Queer_Happened_Here, which maps the forgotten LGBTQ+ history of the city. He has also been a contributing writer for the NYC LGBT Historic Sites Project and Making Queer History website. He was the contributing editor of the book Getting In: NYC Club Flyers from the Gay 1990s, and currently serves on the planning committee for the forthcoming American LGBTQ+ Museum. Marc will speak with Teddy Pecora and Michele Saunders, two community leaders.
New York City, NY; NYC
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Wed, Jun 25
5:00 pm
Free
5:00 pm
Free
Talk | In Conversation: Vermeer’s Woman Writing a Letter (Online!)
Join an engaging, live discussion centered on Vermeer’s Woman Writing a Letter, with Her Maid, on loan from the National Gallery of Ireland. Led by art educators, this participatory Zoom session invites art lovers to explore the painting through close-ups and dialogue.
New York City, NY; NYC
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Wed, Jun 25
6:00 pm
Free
6:00 pm
Free
Book Discussion | Quiet Reading Meet Up
Bring a book or check one out of the li9brary to read to yourself for one hour. After that, spend an hour socializing with those around you!
New York City, NY; NYC
Join the Club!
Wed, Jun 25
6:00 pm
Free
6:00 pm
Free
Discussion | Learn about Political Posters w/ Significant Poster Artist (Online!)
Peter Kennard is one of the most prolific and important political poster artists of his generation, and his work continues to ignite and inspire socially conscious individuals and activists around the world. He created some of his best-known posters in the 1980s in response to the growing nuclear threat, combining bracing satire with skewering political dissent. On of the museum's exhibits features 18 of Kennard’s posters from this period, making him the most represented living artist in the exhibition. At this event, you can hear directly from Peter Kennnard about the creative process behind these remarkable works and his evolution as a political poster designer as he partakes in Zoom for a conversation with curator Tim Medland.
New York City, NY; NYC
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Thu, Jun 26
4:00 pm
Free
4:00 pm
Free
Discussion | Reimagining Theater in a Global Context
Following a reading of Best Foreign, this panel invites audiences into a timely conversation about what it means to create a truly international stage. Moderated by curator James Clements and playwright Francisco Mendoza, the discussion will explore cross-cultural storytelling, representation, and the future of global performance.
New York City, NY; NYC
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Thu, Jun 26
4:30 pm
Free
4:30 pm
Free
Symposium | Abstractions: Women & Art in the Post-War Americas (In Person AND Online!)
This is the first day of a two-day symposium exploring the contributions of women to postwar abstraction across the Americas. The program will feature speakers presenting a range of perspectives including a keynote presentation by Monica Amor. All sessions will be live streamed. Full schedule to be announced soon. This symposium is organized in conjunction with the exhibition Fanny Sanin: Geometric Equations curated by Edward J. Sullivan. Sanin's sustained and powerful engagement with geometric abstraction since her move to New York from Colombia in 1971 stands as a testament to how artists like her persevered in their formal investigations, despite facing exclusion from the art world and navigating its ever-evolving trends. This symposium is meant to foster a dialogue and comparison of the practices of postwar women-identifying artists from diverse geographies and contexts, all who dealt in the realm of abstraction.
New York City, NY; NYC
Join the Club!
Thu, Jun 26
5:00 pm
Free
5:00 pm
Free
Book Club | Luddite Book Club Discussion on Digital Minimalism by Cal Newport
"How digital minimalists are rethinking their relationship to social media, rediscovering the pleasures of the offline world, and reconnecting with their inner selves through regular periods of solitude." Stop scrolling and put down your phone… this offline book club is a monthly hour of conversation about the role technology plays in our world. Inspired by the students of Brooklyn’s Luddite Club, each month will highlight a different book on the topic of technology’s impact on our individual lives as well as society as a whole, followed by an open discussion to share recent experiences and observations. The book being discussed is Digital Minimalism: Choosing a Focused Life in a Noisy World by Cal Newport. Synopsis: Minimalism is the art of knowing how much is just enough. Digital minimalism applies this idea to our personal technology. It's the key to living a focused life in an increasingly noisy world. In this timely and enlightening book, the bestselling author of Deep Work introduces a philosophy for technology use that has already improved countless lives.
New York City, NY; NYC
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Thu, Jun 26
6:30 pm
Free
6:30 pm
Free
Book Club | Read & Discuss a New, Exciting Play: Hir by Taylor Mac
Whether you are familiar with the art of reading plays, or looking to expand your appreciation for dramatic literature, this book club is an opportunity to read plays you have been meaning to explore or have never considered reading before. Learn about new works, discover new playwrights, and make friends! This group will read one playscript every month, and then come together to discuss the work. Attendees will read one scene from the play together and discuss the text in a book club discussion format. This meeting's book is Hir by Taylor Mac. Hir tells the story of Isaac, recently returned home from the wars after being discharged from the Marines under suspicious circumstances, only to find the life he remembers upended. Isaac's father, who once ruled the family with an iron fist, has had a debilitating stroke; his younger sister, Maxine, is now his brother, Max; and their mother, Paige, is committed to revolution at any cost. Determined to be free of any responsibility toward her formerly abusive husband—or the home he created—Paige fervently believes she can lead the way to a ”new world order.”
New York City, NY; NYC
Join the Club!
Thu, Jun 26
6:30 pm
Free
6:30 pm
Free
Symposium | Abstractions: Women & Art in the Post-War Americas (In Person AND Online!)
This is the second day of a two-day symposium exploring the contributions of women to postwar abstraction across the Americas. The program will feature speakers presenting a range of perspectives including a keynote presentation by Mónica Amor. All sessions will be live streamed. Full schedule to be announced soon. This symposium is organized in conjunction with the exhibition Fanny Sanín: Geometric Equations curated by Edward J. Sullivan. Sanín's sustained and powerful engagement with geometric abstraction since her move to New York from Colombia in 1971 stands as a testament to how artists like her persevered in their formal investigations, despite facing exclusion from the art world and navigating its ever-evolving trends. This symposium is meant to foster a dialogue and comparison of the practices of postwar women-identifying artists from diverse geographies and contexts, all who dealt in the realm of abstraction.
New York City, NY; NYC
Join the Club!
Fri, Jun 27
2:00 pm
Free
2:00 pm
Free
Lecture | Gender and Sexuality in Medieval Art: A Closer Look
Discover how medieval art challenges modern ideas of gender roles, gender expression, and sexuality. Join curators, conservators, scientists, and scholars for an in-gallery exploration of select works that reveal surprising and thought-provoking insights. This insider-led program offers fresh perspectives, untold stories, and the chance to ask questions in an intimate, discussion-based setting.
New York City, NY; NYC
Join the Club!
Fri, Jun 27
3:00 pm
Free
3:00 pm
Free
Discussion | Lights, Camera, Action: Cinema Talks
Talks on movies, the culture of cinema, and filmmaking. Hosted by Scott Adlerberg, author and film connoisseur.
New York City, NY; NYC
Join the Club!
Mon, Jun 30
12:30 pm
Free
12:30 pm
Free
Lecture | Untold Stories: Voices Behind Ancient Art & Archaeology
Part of the Charles K. Wilkinson Lecture Series, this afternoon of talks brings long-overdue recognition to the overlooked individuals whose work shaped the fields of Egyptian, Islamic, and Ancient West Asian art and archaeology. Hear from scholars as they uncover the hidden histories of local laborers, craftsmen, and communities whose contributions have too often gone unacknowledged.
New York City, NY; NYC
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Mon, Jun 30
2:00 pm
Free
2:00 pm
Free
Book Discussion | Maritime Book Club: Literature, History & Preservation
Participate in this recurring maritime-themed book club. Each session features spirited discussions led by Museum staff and special guests, exploring literature through the lens of maritime history and preservation. Whether you’ve read the full selection or are just curious to listen in. New titles are announced monthly, and advance registration is encouraged.
New York City, NY; NYC
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Mon, Jun 30
6:00 pm
Free
6:00 pm
Free
Discussion | Authors & Experts on Climate Change and Fixing the Food System (In Person AND Online!)
Michael Grunwald, author of the new book We Are Eating the Earth: The Race to Fix Our Food System and Save Our Climate, sits down with David Wallace-Wells of the New York Times to discuss his groundbreaking piece of reportage from the trenches of the next climate war: the fight to fix our food system. We Are Eating the Earth synopsis: Humanity has cleared a land mass the size of Asia plus Europe to grow food, and our food system generates a third of our carbon emissions. By 2050, we're going to need a lot more calories to fill nearly 10 billion bellies, but we can't feed the world without frying it if we keep tearing down an acre of rainforest every six seconds. We are eating the earth, an ingenious phrase coined by Michael Grunwald, and the greatest challenge facing our species will be to slow our relentless expansion of farmland into nature. Even if we quit fossil fuels, we'll keep hurtling towards climate chaos if we don't solve our food and land problems. In this rollicking, shocking narrative, Grunwald shows how the world, after decades of ignoring the climate problem at the center of our plates, has pivoted to making it worse, embracing solutions that sound sustainable but could make it even harder to grow more food with less land. But he also tells the stories of the dynamic scientists and entrepreneurs pursuing real solutions.
New York City, NY; NYC
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Mon, Jun 30
7:00 pm
Free
7:00 pm
Free
Discussion | Lights, Camera, Action: Cinema Talks
Talks on movies, the culture of cinema, and filmmaking. Hosted by Scott Adlerberg, film connoisseur. This event's talk features Shawn Levy, author of CLINT: The Man and the Movies.
New York City, NY; NYC
Join the Club!
Mon, Jul 7
12:30 pm
Free
12:30 pm
Free
Book Club | Romance Novel Discussion in the Park: The Heart of the Deal
It's enemies to lovers - and everything in-between - as it's time to revel in romance in July. The Heart of the Deal symopsis: "Rae is in a romantic recession. The Wall Street banker is single in New York City and overwhelmed by the pressure to scramble up the corporate and romantic ladders. Feeling her biological clock ticking, she analyzes her love life like a business deal and vows to lock in a husband before her 30th birthday. Moving and timely, The Heart of the Deal is the story of one woman's reckoning with what success really is in a city, an industry, and a relationship whose low lows continually challenge the enchantment of the high highs." Sign up for this book club in advance and pick up a free copy of the book, then return to discuss with like-minded fans and hosts.
New York City, NY; NYC
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Tue, Jul 8
12:30 pm
Free
12:30 pm
Free
Book Discussion | Inside Scoop of Bestselling Books
Admired and bestselling authors offer advice and discuss their latest books.
New York City, NY; NYC
Join the Club!
Wed, Jul 9
12:30 pm
Free
12:30 pm
Free
Discussion | Death Cafe Discussion Group
An informal, group-directed discussion of death with no agenda, objectives or themes. The purpose of Death Cafe is "to increase awareness of death with a view to helping people make the most of their (finite) lives." This is a discussion group rather than a grief support or counseling session.
New York City, NY; NYC
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Sat, Jul 12
3:30 pm
Free
3:30 pm
Free
Discussion | Lights, Camera, Action: Cinema Talks
Talks on movies, the culture of cinema, and filmmaking. Hosted by Scott Adlerberg, film connoisseur. This event's talk features Chris Alexander, author of Art! Trash! Terror!: Adventures in Strange Cinema.
New York City, NY; NYC
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Mon, Jul 14
12:30 pm
Free
12:30 pm
Free
Book Club | Analyze and Discuss Poetry
Explorations of poetry facilitated by NYPL staff. Learn about different types of poetry!
New York City, NY; NYC
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Tue, Jul 15
3:30 pm
Free
3:30 pm
Free
Book Discussion | The Teacher of Auschwitz: The Story of Fredy Hirsch (Online!)
The Teacher of Auschwitz tells the moving true story of Fredy Hirsch, a courageous 27-year-old gay, Jewish athlete who created a haven for children within the horrors of Auschwitz. Inside a brightly painted wooden hut near the camp’s smokestacks, Hirsch fought to preserve dignity and childhood—staging plays, sharing food, and shielding the youngest prisoners from the daily terror. This powerful account honors Hirsch’s bravery and compassion as he risked everything to teach not just lessons of hope, but survival itself.
New York City, NY; NYC
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Tue, Jul 15
7:00 pm
Free
7:00 pm
Free
Book Discussion | Inside Scoop of Bestselling Books
Admired and bestselling authors offer advice and discuss their latest books.
New York City, NY; NYC
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Wed, Jul 16
12:30 pm
Free
12:30 pm
Free
Book Discussion | Emmy-Winning Producer & Author Discuss New Book on Creativity: Qreative Evolution
Louis Henry Mitchell—the creative director of character design for Sesame Workshop—holds a conversation about his book Qreative Evolution: How to Question Everything to Find Your Creative Fulfillment with Emmy Award–winning producer, creator, and author Trevor Crafts. When he was six years old, Louis Henry Mitchell first saw Muppet creator Jim Henson and Kermit the Frog on the Ed Sullivan Show, and a spark was lit that would ultimately lead him to his position at Sesame Workshop. From his early days in comic book illustration, to entertainment design, and finally his dream job, Louis's journey has inspired him to encourage others to follow their heart and create their life with purpose. His belief that everyone is an artist is the core principle behind Qreative Evolution. Louis shares a completely new way of looking at talent, creativity, and living our fullest potential, and gives readers the tools and support needed before the creative process even begins. Through enchanting stories and wisdom gained over his successful and fulfilling career, Louis demonstrates what we can achieve when we are loyal to our creative calling, and how we continue to evolve as works of art throughout our lifetimes. Louis Henry Mitchell is the creative director of character design at Sesame Workshop, the nonprofit organization behind Sesame Street, where he directs and oversees all aspects of character art. Trevor Crafts is an Emmy Award–winning producer, creator, and author whose passion for bold storytelling, striking visuals, and unforgettable characters have made him a distinctive voice in the entertainment industry. Most recently, Trevor produced the Emmy Award–winning and Critics Choice–nominated documentary Street Gang: How We Got to Sesame Street. In addition to his accomplishments in film production, he is the author of The Unseen Photos of Street Gang: How We Got to Sesame Street, published by Abrams offering a behind-the-scenes look at the making of the documentary and the show, while highlighting the groundbreaking efforts of its creators through rare and previously unpublished photographs.
New York City, NY; NYC
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Wed, Jul 16
6:30 pm
Free
6:30 pm
Free
Book Discussion | Author Talks about Her New Book on Art Activism: The War of Art
What do artists' protests reveal about the possibilities for protest in our democracy? Lauren O'Neill-Butler's The War of Art invites us to learn, imagine, and mobilize, which attendees do together at this talk joined by O'Neill-Butler and fellow writers E.C. Feiss and Ciaran Finlayson. Artists in America have long battled against injustices, believing that art can in fact "do more." The War of Art tells this history of artist-led activism and the global political and aesthetic debates of the 1960s to the present. In contrast to the financialized art market and celebrity artists, the book explores the power of collective effort -- from protesting to philanthropy, and from wheat pasting to planting a field of wheat. Lauren O'Neill-Butler charts the post-war development of artists' protest and connects these struggles to a long tradition of feminism and civil rights activism. The book offers portraits of the key individuals and groups of artists who have campaigned for solidarity, housing, LGBTQ+, HIV/AIDS awareness, and against Indigenous injustice and the exclusion of women in the art world. Based upon in-depth oral histories with the key figures in these movements, and illustrated throughout, The War of Art is an essential corrective to the idea that art history excludes politics. Lauren O'Neill-Butler is a New York-based writer and editor. Her books include The War of Art: A History of Artists' Protest in America and Let's Have a Talk: Conversations with Women on Art and Culture. A former cofounder of the nonprofit magazine November and Senior Editor of Artforum, she has written for Aperture, Art Journal, Bookforum, and The New York Times, among many others.
New York City, NY; NYC
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Thu, Jul 17
6:00 pm
Free
6:00 pm
Free
Book Club | Luddite Book Discussion on Unwired: Gaining Control over Addictive Technologies (2023)
Inspired by the students of Brooklyn’s Luddite Club, this book club highlights material on the topic of technology’s impact on our individual lives as well as society as a whole, followed by an open discussion to share recent experiences and observations. Unwired: Gaining Control over Addictive Technologies by Gaia Bernstein (2023) Drawing lessons from the tobacco and food industries, the book demonstrates why government regulation is necessary to curb technology addiction.
New York City, NY; NYC
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Thu, Jul 17
6:30 pm
Free
6:30 pm
Free
Discussion | Dancing Experts Breakdown National Identity in Dance
Conceived in collaboration with Janete Da Silva, founder of the Silva Dance Company, this panel discussion highlights how Brazilian artists are reshaping ballet’s future, exploring the role of identity in shaping a dancer’s career. Moderated by the Executive Director of The New York Public Library for the Performing Arts, Roberta Pereira, the confirmed panelists for this talk will include Brazilian-born Nayara Lopes, currently a principal dancer with the Philadelphia Ballet; Ingrid Silva, founder of the arts equity organization EmpowHer NY and originally from Rio de Janeiro; and Dylan Santos, an eleven-year veteran with Dance Theatre of Harlem and on Broadway in the smash-hit The Lion King. The conversation closes with an open audience question and answer session. Seating is first-come first-served. Just show up!
New York City, NY; NYC
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Sat, Jul 19
5:00 pm
Free
5:00 pm
Free
Discussion | Lights, Camera, Action: Cinema Talks
Talks on movies, the culture of cinema, and filmmaking. Hosted by Scott Adlerberg, film connoisseur.
New York City, NY; NYC
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Mon, Jul 21
12:30 pm
Free
12:30 pm
Free
Talk | Experts Explore the Economic Power of Libraries (In Person AND Online!)
Explore how libraries are driving progress toward equitable economic opportunities and contributing to the global effort for decent work and inclusive growth. By centering on workforce development, skills training, and economic inclusion, this session will showcase how libraries unlock growth in communities by providing access to critical resources, digital literacy programs, and job readiness initiatives. Through this, they serve as a gateway to opportunity, ensuring that everyone--regardless of background or socioeconomic status--has the tools to succeed in today's economy. Featured speakers will include (clockwise from top left above) Lisa R. Varga, Associate Executive Director, Public Policy and Advocacy, American Library Association; Diana Price, Central Library Manager, Alexandria Library; Dr. Brandy McNeil, PLA President & Deputy Director for the NY Public Library; Melissa Jacobs, Director of Library Services, NYC Department of Education; Robin Kear, Liaison Librarian and University Senate President, University of Pittsburgh; with moderator Loida Garcia-Febo, Chair ALA IRC UN SDGs Subcommittee and International Library Consultant.
New York City, NY; NYC
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Mon, Jul 21
6:00 pm
Free
6:00 pm
Free
Book Club | Romance Novel Discussion in the Park: Love, Camera, Action
It's enemies to lovers - and everything in-between - as it's time to revel in romance in July. Love, Camera, Action synopsis: "Up-and-coming TV director Cali Daniels knows sex. Well, okay, she knows how to shoot sex scenes, and she’s been hired to direct a highly anticipated steamy episode of the popular series The Demon. This job is her chance at a big-time career in the film and television industry—if only the director of photography—effortlessly sexy Jory Blair—would stop shutting her ideas down at every turn. Now this creative newbie, who she can’t get out of his mind, wants to change the look of his show. Even worse, the friction between them is sparking into blistering chemistry. As collaborating takes on a whole new meaning, and the show’s producer not-so-subtly suggests that Jory sabotage Cali in order to achieve his own goals, they’ll have to decide if chasing their dream jobs is worth losing the dream of a future together." Sign up in advance and pick up your free book, then return to discuss with like-minded fans and hosts.
New York City, NY; NYC
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Tue, Jul 22
12:30 pm
Free
12:30 pm
Free
Book Club | Discuss Remarkably Bright Creatures by Shelby Van Pelt
Book Synopsis: After Tova Sullivan's husband died, she began working the night shift at the Sowell Bay Aquarium, mopping floors and tidying up. Keeping busy has always helped her cope, which she's been doing since her eighteen-year-old son, Erik, mysteriously vanished on a boat in Puget Sound over thirty years ago. Tova becomes acquainted with curmudgeonly Marcellus, a giant Pacific octopus living at the aquarium. Marcellus knows more than anyone can imagine but wouldn't dream of lifting one of his eight arms for his human captors--until he forms a remarkable friendship with Tova. Ever the detective, Marcellus deduces what happened the night Tova's son disappeared. And now Marcellus must use every trick his old invertebrate body can muster to unearth the truth for her before it's too late. Shelby Van Pelt's debut novel is a gentle reminder that sometimes taking a hard look at the past can help uncover a future that once felt impossible.
New York City, NY; NYC
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Tue, Jul 22
4:00 pm
Free
4:00 pm
Free
Talk | Continue the Conversation: Vermeer’s Woman Writing a Letter (Online!)
Join an engaging, live discussion centered on Vermeer’s Woman Writing a Letter, with Her Maid, on loan from the National Gallery of Ireland. Led by art educators, this participatory Zoom session invites art lovers to explore the painting through close-ups and dialogue.
New York City, NY; NYC
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Tue, Jul 22
6:00 pm
Free
6:00 pm
Free
Book Discussion | Designing the American Century: Thomas J. Campanella on Clarke & Rapuano (In Person AND Online!)
Discover the untold story of Gilmore D. Clarke and Michael Rapuano, two transformative figures in American urban design, through Thomas J. Campanella’s new book Designing the American Century. In this talk, Campanella reveals how the duo extended the legacy of Olmsted and Vaux into the motor age, reshaping New York and beyond with parks, parkways, expressways, and public works. Backed by Robert Moses, their fifty-year partnership helped create iconic sites such as the Central Park Zoo, Riverside Park, Jones Beach, the Brooklyn Heights Promenade, and more. They also participated in controversial urban renewal projects. Their influence reached national landmarks like Yellowstone and the Pentagon.
New York City, NY; NYC
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Tue, Jul 22
6:00 pm
Free
6:00 pm
Free
Book Discussion | Inside Scoop of Bestselling Books
Admired and bestselling authors offer advice and discuss their latest books.
New York City, NY; NYC
Join the Club!
Wed, Jul 23
12:30 pm
Free
12:30 pm
Free
Book Club | Read & Socialize in a Performing Arts Space
In the middle of the most iconic performing arts campus in the world, indulge in a unique reading party, fuelled by literature and connection. Bring your favorite book, play, musical score—or borrow one from the library. Read for an hour, and then socialize! Plus, enjoy a one-night only pop-up exhibition of some performing arts treasures, while enjoying some curated tunes from our archive. This is a one-of-a-kind reading party you won't want to miss.
New York City, NY; NYC
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Thu, Jul 24
5:30 pm
Free
5:30 pm
Free
Discussion | Astronomy Night – Trailblazing Women of Polaris Dawn (In Person AND Online!)
Celebrate a new era of space exploration with a discussion featuring Polaris Dawn astronauts Sarah Gillis and Anna Menon. These pioneering engineers and mission specialists will share behind-the-scenes stories from the first commercial spacewalk, record-setting Earth orbit, and breakthrough communications aboard SpaceX’s Polaris Program.
New York City, NY; NYC
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Fri, Jul 25
6:00 pm
Free
6:00 pm
Free
Discussion | Experts Talk about the Intersection of Arts & Healing
How can the arts be leveraged to influence policy, health systems, and social movements? Leading artists, researchers, and lived experience experts join a conversation exploring the intersection of arts and healing. This conversation will be curated and moderated by Dr. Nisha Sajnani, Assoc. Professor and Director of the NYU Steinhardt Graduate Program in Drama Therapy, Chair of the NYU Creative Arts Therapies Consortium, Co-Director of the Jameel Arts & Health Lab, and co-founder of Healing Arts NYC, a city-wide arts and health network. Dr. Sajnani is an advocate for the arts as a global health resource and leads an international network of researchers dedicated to measurably improving lives through the arts and arts therapies. Panelists:
Yazmany Arboleda
Meena Bhasin
Sulu LeoNimm
Joe Salvatore
Seating is first-come first-served. Just show up!
New York City, NY; NYC
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Fri, Jul 25
6:00 pm
Free
6:00 pm
Free
Discussion | Lights, Camera, Action: Cinema Talks
Talks on movies, the culture of cinema, and filmmaking. Hosted by Scott Adlerberg, film connoisseur. This event features Alissa Wilkinson, author of We Tell Ourselves Stories: Joan Didion and the American Dream Machine.
New York City, NY; NYC
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Mon, Jul 28
12:30 pm
Free
12:30 pm
Free
Discussion | Artistic Leaders of NYC's Dance Companies Discuss the Craft
This panel discussion features the artistic leaders of all five companies: Ballet Hispánico, Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, American Ballet Theatre, New York City Ballet, and Dance Theatre of Harlem. Get an off-stage perspective of the extraordinary on-stage collaboration between the five iconic NYC dance companies that come together annually for the BAAND Together Dance Festival—now in its fifth year! 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.
New York City, NY; NYC
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Tue, Jul 29
5:00 pm
Free
5:00 pm
Free
Book Discussion | Inside Scoop of Bestselling Books
Admired and bestselling authors offer advice and discuss their latest books.
New York City, NY; NYC
Join the Club!
Wed, Jul 30
12:30 pm
Free
12:30 pm
Free
Book Club | Discuss The Warrior: Rafael Nadal and His Kingdom of Clay 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 Warrior: Rafael Nadal and His Kingdom of Clay by Christopher Clareyis a compelling portrait of one of tennis's greatest champions, focusing on his dominance on clay courts. The book delves into Nadal’s relentless work ethic, mental toughness, and emotional intensity, revealing how he forged an unmatched legacy at Roland Garros. It's a deep exploration of the man behind the legend and the surface that defined him. Space is available on a first-come-first-serve basis while space is available.
New York City, NY; NYC
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Tue, Aug 19
6:00 pm
Free
6:00 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
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Tue, Oct 21
6:00 pm
Free
6:00 pm
Free
Complimentary Tickets
to shows, concerts ... (CFT Deals!)
Play | Broadway Actors in a Powerful Drama at a Major NYC Theater
Regular Price: $64CFT Member Price: $0.00
Classical Music | One of the Greatest Classical Works of All Time at a Landmark Venue
Regular Price: $45CFT Member Price: $0.00
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