free things to do in New York City
Free events for Thursday, 01/22/26
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Free Events, Free Things to Do in New York City!  Read More

Are you looking for free things to do in New York City (NYC) on January 22, 2026?

36 free events take place on Thursday, January 22 in New York City. Don't miss the opportunities that only New York provides! Exciting, high quality, unique and off the beaten path free events and free things to do take place in New York today, tonight, tomorrow and each day of the year, any time of the day: whether it's a weekday or a weekend, day or night, morning or evening or afternoon, December or July, April or November! These events will take your breath away!

New York City (NYC) never ceases to amaze you with quantity and quality of its free culture and free entertainment. Check out January 22 and see for yourself. Summer or Winter, Spring or Fall! Just click on any day of the calendar above and you'll find most inspiring and entertaining free events to go to and free things to do on each day of January . Don't miss the opportunities that only New York provides!

Some events take place all year long: same day of the week, same time there are there for you to take advantage of. One of the oldest free weekly events in Manhattan is Dixieland Jazz with the Gotham Jazzmen, which happen at noon every Tuesday. Another example of an event that you can attend all year round on weekdays is Federal Reserve Bank Tour, which takes place every week day at 1 pm (but advanced reservations are required). You can take at least 13 free tours every day of the year, except the New Year Day, July 4th, and the Christmas Day. If you are classical music afficionado, you can spend whole day in New York going from one free classical concert to another. If you love theater, then New York gives you an option to attend plays and musicals free of charge, or at deep discount. You just need to have information about it. And we are here to make that information available to you.
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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!

36 free things to do in New York City (NYC) on Thursday, January 22, 2026

All events are free unless otherwise noted.

Editor's Picks

free events nyc New York City Hall Guided Tour
free events nyc The Inn of the Sixth Happiness (1958): War Drama with Ingrid Bergman
free events nyc Conversations with Curators: Modern Art
free events nyc Protect Yourself from Misinformation & Today's Top Scams - with Coinbase Chief Security Officer (in-person and online)
free events nyc Art Songs, Arias, & Showtunes by Schubert, Puccini, Brahms, Sondheim, & More (In Person AND Online!)
More Editor's Picks for 01/22/26
        

Workshop | Central Park Running Session (All Levels Welcome)


If you prefer not to run alone or are looking to improve your running performance, you can run with a club! Open to runners of all levels. Weekly changed routes through the park. Coaches, training, running company and inspiration!
   New York City, NY; NYC
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6:30 am
Free

Workshop | Fullbody Circuit Training


This circuit training class combines both resistance and bodyweight exercises to provide you with a dynamic full body workout. Whether you are a beginner or know your way around the gym- this class for you! Come engage in exercises that target all muscle groups as well as get your heart pumping!
   New York City, NY; NYC
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6:30 am
Free

Workshop | Learn How To Play Mah-Jongg


Mah-Jongg is a four-person tile game of skill, strategy, and luck! Learn the rules and mechanics of American Mah-Jongg. Attend a two hour group lesson with instructor Susan Richards. Sets and a few cards provided, but you are encouraged to bring your own cards.
   New York City, NY; NYC
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10:00 am
Free

Tour | New York City Hall Guided Tour


One of the oldest continuously used city halls in the nation that still houses its original governmental functions, New York's City Hall is considered one of the finest architectural achievements of its period. Constructed from 1803 to 1812, the building was an early expression of the City's cosmopolitanism. City Hall is a designated New York City landmark, and its rotunda is also a designated interior landmark. Note: When registering, choose the "Individual Tour" option.
   New York City, NY; NYC
10:00 am
Free

Film | The Last Picture Show (1971): Coming-of-Age Drama Film with Jeff Bridges


In 1951, a group of high schoolers come of age in a bleak, isolated, atrophied North Texas town that is slowly dying, both culturally and economically. Director: Peter Bogdanovich Cast: Timothy Bottoms, Jeff Bridges, Ellen Burstyn, Ben Johnson, Cloris Leachman, Cybill Shepherd Jeff Bridges is an American actor. He is known for his leading man roles in film and television. In a career spanning over seven decades he has received various accolades, including an Academy Award, a Golden Globe, and a Screen Actors Guild Award in addition to nominations for three BAFTA Awards.
   New York City, NY; NYC
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11:00 am
Free

Birdwatching | Winter Birding in Central Park


This event will take place outdoors in Central Park, meeting at the library. It will be led by expert birder Alan Drogin and learn what birds stick it out through the winter months. Whether you're a seasoned birder or a curious beginner, this program will introduce you to the basics of bird identification, including how to recognize birds by shape, behavior, and sound. Learn about winter birds in Central Park and explore the natural wonders hidden in the heart of the city!
   New York City, NY; NYC
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11:00 am
Free

Workshop | Lunchtime Meditation (in-person and online)


The sessions are non-denominational and will focus on the basics: meditation to quiet the mind, to focus the quiet mind, using the focused mind for analysis, and using the focused mind to create and uphold a positive vision of and outlook on the world. Other more specific uses of meditation may be discussed however the class is meant for all, beginners and those with a regular practice.
   New York City, NY; NYC
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12:15 pm
$7

Classical Music | Afternoon Bach


Take a momentary respite from a busy day to enjoy a selection of organ works by Johann Sebastian Bach in an intimate venue.
   New York City, NY; NYC
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12:20 pm
Free

Film | The Inn of the Sixth Happiness (1958): War Drama with Ingrid Bergman


An account of British evangelical Christian Gladys Aylward's missionary work in pre-WWII China. Director: Mark Robson Cast: Ingrid Bergman, Curt Jurgens, Robert Donat Ingrid Bergman was a Swedish actress who starred in a variety of European and American films, television movies, and plays. With a career spanning five decades, she is often regarded as one of the most influential screen figures in cinematic history. In 1999, the American Film Institute recognised Bergman as the fourth greatest female screen legend of Classic Hollywood Cinema. She won numerous accolades, including three Academy Awards, two Primetime Emmy Awards, a Tony Award, and four Golden Globe Awards.
   New York City, NY; NYC
1:00 pm
Free

Classical Music | Works by Hildegard von Bingen for Voice & Harmonium (+ Visual Art) (In Person AND Online!)


The Pandora Consort (Kendra Comstock, Angie Tyler, and Gina Marie Falk, voices and harmonium) explores the mystical visions of Hildegard von Bingen through her illuminations and music. Taking inspiration from her life, the ensemble weaves them together in a concert program focused on four of her most famous visions that influenced her spiritual philosophy. Working with visual artist Cate Duckwall to bring these visions to life, this concert features music from Hildegard's vast oeuvre accompanied by artistic animations of key illuminations, creating a multimedia experience.
   New York City, NY; NYC
1:15 pm
Free

Film | Weapons (2025): Mystery Horror Film


When all but one child from the same classroom mysteriously vanish on the same night at exactly the same time, a community is left questioning who or what is behind their disappearance. Director: Zach Cregger Cast: Josh Brolin, Julia Garner, Alden Ehrenreich, Austin Abrams, Cary Christopher, Toby Huss
   New York City, NY; NYC
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2:00 pm
Free

Museums | Conversations with Curators: Modern Art


Join museum curator Stephen Pinson for an insider look at select modern artworks, with insights and untold stories. Note: Space is limited; first-come, first-served.
   New York City, NY; NYC
3:00 pm
Free

Workshop | Get Photography Feedback from National Geographic Photographer and Sony Artisan


Photographer Ira Block will provide an overview of everything he has shared in previous photography workshops, and tips to incorporate these learnings into your daily photography practice. Email the organizers one of your favorite images for Ira to look at and provide feedback.
   New York City, NY; NYC
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3:00 pm
Free

Museums | Thursday Evenings at a Living Memorial Museum


Explore a museum dedicated to Holocaust remembrance, Jewish life, and education. View expansive galleries, survivor testimonies, and tens of thousands of artifacts. The museum also offers a theater, a genealogy center, an outdoor memorial, and a café. 
   New York City, NY; NYC
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4:00 pm
Free

Opening Reception | Next Up: Twisted Vines: Multi-Artist Show on Peace 


Next Up: Twisted Vines presents 25 artists working across drawing, installation, painting, printmaking, and sculpture, ranging from exuberant pop culture paintings to carefully etched prints, sharply rendered pencil drawings, and mother-of-pearl inlays. Although these approximately 80 artworks cover vast ground conceptually and visually, they primarily focus on establishing peace with oneself, nature, and society. Through lived experiences and cultural traditions, these multinational artists draw on their communities' histories as a rich source of inspiration, and their own perspectives of the ongoing lineages.
   New York City, NY; NYC
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5:00 pm
Free

Book Discussion | Art Photographer Shares His New Book, All a Blur: Photographs from the Infinity Series (+ Signing)


Hear a conversation with fine art photographer Bill Armstrong to celebrate his new book, All a Blur: Photographs from the Infinity Series, a stunning meditation on the granular elements of personal history, spirituality, philosophy, and the medium of photography itself. He will be in conversation, followed by a signing.
   New York City, NY; NYC
5:30 pm
Free

Opening Reception | Black History Month Celebration of Ebony Society Exhibition (+ Poetry)


The Ebony Society of NYC Parks invites you to celebrate Black History Month with a showcasing of the group’s 40-year legacy. This exhibition features a selection of photographs from the society’s archive as well as poetry created by its members. Visitors will also have the chance to experience the exhibition during an after-hours event featuring spoken word performances as well as wine from Black- owned businesses. NYC Parks’ Ebony Society was founded with the purpose of unifying Parks' African American community, increasing African American visibility, and recognizing those who make outstanding contributions not only to NYC Parks, but also their communities.
   New York City, NY; NYC
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6:00 pm
Free

Discussion | Conversation on Curating & Collecting Aboriginal Art


To celebrate the soft opening of the Grey Art Museum’s current exhibition Irriṯitja Kuwarri Tjungu: Contemporary Aboriginal Painting from the Australian Desert, attend a moderated conversation on curating and collecting Australian Aboriginal art. Discussion will set the current show within a history of New York exhibitions featuring contemporary Aboriginal art, as well as touch upon larger issues such as cultural protocols, permissions, and practices when working with Indigenous collections and communities. Speakers: Nici Cumpston (Barkandji), Director, Kluge-Ruhe Aboriginal Art Collection of the University of Virginia, Charlottesville Dr. Maia Nuku (Māori/ Ngāi Tai), Evelyn A. J. Hall and John A. Friede Curator for Oceanic Art, The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York Shanysa McConville (Eastern Arrernte), Associate Curator, Museums and Collections, the University of Melbourne, Australia Moderated by Dr. Faye Ginsburg, David B. Kriser Professor of Anthropology, New York University
   New York City, NY; NYC
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6:00 pm
Free

Talk | MLK Legacy Talk with Scholar, Leader, & Author (In Person AND Online!)


Celebrate the legacy of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. with words from Juilliard Trustee Dr. Mary Schmidt Campbell, will discuss how we collectively envision and realize our own beloved communities through the power of art and artists. Dr. Campbell is a thought leader, scholar, and author in the realms of academics, government, and the arts. She is president emerita of Spelman College and previously served as dean of NYU's Tisch School of the Arts, vice chair of President Obama’s Committee on the Arts and Humanities, New York City cultural affairs commissioner, and executive director of the Studio Museum in Harlem, where she led a transformation of the country’s first accredited Black fine art museum.
   New York City, NY; NYC
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6:00 pm
Free

Opening Reception | Multi-Artist Black & White Exhibition


Experience this historic annual black and white exhibition. This show is multi-artist exhibition of black and white or monochromatic sepia drawings, graphics, photographs, paintings, and sculpture. Peering through a lens of black and white, these artists present finely-tuned styles and techniques in a variety of media.
   New York City, NY; NYC
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6:00 pm
Free

Opening Reception | The Geometry of Looking: When Form Becomes Flight


Dylan Solomon Kraus’s work balances figuration and abstraction, reducing living subjects into simplified shapes and tonal transitions while retaining a sense of presence and movement. Through subtle shifts in color and surface, the paintings explore vision as an interpretive process, inviting viewers to consider how biological and perceptual systems shape what we see.
   New York City, NY; NYC
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6:00 pm
Free

Opening Reception | And That's True Too: Exhibition on Novelist Lore Segal with Actor Toni Kalem  (In Person AND Online!)


Attend the opening of the exhibition And That's True Too: The Life and Work of Lore Segal. Aside from the unveiling of the exhibition, the opening event will feature renowned actor Toni Kalem (The Sopranos) reading from Lore Segal’s autobiographical novel, Other People’s Houses. And That’s True Too: The Life and Work of Lore Segal presents a richly documented exploration of the life and literary legacy of Lore Segal (1928–2024). Born in Vienna, Segal survived Nazi persecution as a child when she escaped on one of the earliest Kindertransports to England. Her subsequent life—marked by displacement, reinvention, and a lifelong engagement with language—shaped a body of work distinguished by moral clarity, wit, and intellectual rigor. The exhibition features photographs, manuscripts, rare books, and archival materials that trace Segal’s journey from prewar Vienna to New York and examine how exile informed her novels, short stories, translations, and children’s books, as well as her influential career as a teacher.
   New York City, NY; NYC
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6:30 pm
Free

Film | Soundtrack to a Coup d'Etat (2024): Documentary about the Cold War & Jazz Activism


United Nations, 1960: the Global South ignites a political earthquake, jazz musicians Abbey Lincoln and Max Roach crash the Security Council, Nikita Khrushchev bangs his shoe, and the U.S. State Department swings into action, sending jazz ambassador Louis Armstrong to Congo to deflect attention from the CIA-backed coup. Director Johan Grimonprez captures the moment when African politics and American jazz collided in this magnificent essay film, a riveting historical rollercoaster that illuminates the political machinations behind the 1961 assassination of Congo's leader Patrice Lumumba. Richly illustrated by eyewitness accounts, official government memos, testimonies from mercenaries and CIA operatives, speeches from Lumumba himself, and a veritable canon of jazz icons, Soundtrack to a Coup d'Etat interrogates colonial history to tell an urgent and timely story of precedent that resonates more than ever in today's geopolitical climate. Director: Johan Grimonprez
   New York City, NY; NYC
6:30 pm
Free

Book Discussion | Journalist Discusses Her New Book, Looted: Rescuing Italy’s Stolen Treasures


Italian American journalist Frances Vieta is in conversation with Roundtable member Linda Selman as she offers a rare glimpse into the complexities of the art world’s dark underbelly. Vieta will discuss her new book, Looted: Rescuing Italy’s Stolen Treasures.  You will learn of the shadowy network of tomb robbers and the corrupt smugglers and dealers exploiting Italy’s ancient archaeological sites and New York City’s prestigious art galleries and museums. In 1973, the $1 million purchase of the Euphronios Krater by New York’s Metropolitan Museum of Art persuaded Vieta, a young journalist fresh from college, to join forces with Rodolfo Siviero, Italy’s renowned art recovery expert, and the Carabinieri Art Squad. Their decades-long mission to identify and rescue priceless artifacts involved history, drama, danger, and legal battles. Vieta will sign copies of the book after the presentation.
   New York City, NY; NYC
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6:30 pm
Free

Lecture | Political Scientist & Harvard professor Dr. Claudine Gay Discusses Current Political Climate


Experience a lecture featuring the distinguished political scientist and academic leader, Dr. Claudine Gay. She is the Wilbur A. Cowett Professor of Government and Professor of African and African American Studies at Harvard University. Gay served as the University's 30th president. As a leading scholar specializing in race, identity, and political behavior, Dr. Gay embodies the highest levels of academic excellence and institutional leadership. Her scholarship and high-profile role place her at the center of national dialogues concerning race, academic freedom, DEI, and the future of Black leadership, making this a vital conversation in the current climate. Dr. Gay will present a brief lecture, followed by a conversation with Joy Bivins, Director of the Schomburg Center.
   New York City, NY; NYC
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6:30 pm
Free

Discussion | Protect Yourself from Misinformation & Today's Top Scams - with Coinbase Chief Security Officer (in-person and online)


Technology is moving fast. Scammers are moving faster. Staying safe starts with being informed. Online scams are evolving -- both in scale and sophistication. Last year, Americans aged 60+ lost nearly $2.8 billion to crypto scams alone, not because they were careless, but because scammers exploit a perfect storm of digital unfamiliarity and high-value targets. According to the Pew Research Center, 73% of US adults have experienced an online scam or attack, and most Americans receive spam calls, texts, or emails every week. Scams cut across age, background, and experience. Join Coinbase Chief Security Officer Philip Martin, who is responsible for protection of billions of dollars in digital currency, and special guests for a timely, accessible conversation about how to protect yourself from scams of all kinds. From inside one of the world's largest platforms, Martin brings a front-row perspective on the tactics scammers use, and the tools consumers need to stay ahead of them. Together, you will explore: - How scams thrive, and the simple red flags that can stop them - Why safety requires long-term vigilance, not one-off warnings - Why even educated, tech-literate adults are being targeted with highly engineered scams - What a genuinely safe online experience looks like in 2026, from online dating to crypto - What new data on illicit crypto activity really means for consumers Seats are limited and will be first come, first served.
   New York City, NY; NYC
6:30 pm
Free

Gallery Talk | Reframing Documentary Photography Through Loss and Repair


Artists and curators Mathilde Walker-Billaud and Ohan Breiding discuss a lens-based exhibition bringing together Farm Security Administration archival images and newly produced works. The conversation examines the “killed negative” as both a technical and a metaphorical device, opening a space for reflection on documentary photography and ecological care. The talk is preceded by a screening of Breiding’s 16mm short film Hide.
   New York City, NY; NYC
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6:30 pm
Free

Play | A Legal Drama on Journalism, Belief, and the Cost of Truth


When the value of truth is called into question, who pays the price? Inspired by true events, Retraction is a fast-moving legal drama that follows a journalist whose explosive expose ignites national attention and doubt. As inconsistencies surface, the play examines belief, responsibility, and the irreversible consequences of getting it wrong. The cast includes Renata Friedman (The Patient), Rachel Resheff (Fish in the Dark), Charlie Webb (Parade), Nathaniel Stampley (The Color Purple), Shannon Dorsey (Fairview at Woolly Mammoth), Carson McCalley (The Inheritance), Eliana Rowe (Twelfth Night at STNJ), and Bella Serrano (When Elvis...).
   New York City, NY; NYC
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7:00 pm
pay-what-you-wish, reservation required

Party | Music Bingo Night


Rally your friends to put your luck-- and music knowledge--to the test! Music Bingo is free to join, with opportunities to take home a prize while listening to your favorite tunes. 
   New York City, NY; NYC
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7:00 pm
Free

Author Reading | Nonfiction Literary Salon with Molly Crabapple (+ Author Signing)


A reading by Molly Crabapple (contributing editor for VICE, Drawing Blood, Discordia), followed by a conversation/Q&A with Hari Kunzru. The event will conclude with a reception/signing with books for sale.
   New York City, NY; NYC
7:00 pm
Free

Concert | Art Songs, Arias, & Showtunes by Schubert, Puccini, Brahms, Sondheim, & More (In Person AND Online!)


Enjoy a recital performed by the Manhattan School of Music's vocal arts faculty, featuring: Mary Dunleavy, soprano, Amy Justman, soprano, Christopheren Nomura, baritone, Dimitri Pittas, tenor, Sidney Outlaw, baritone, and Tim McDevitt, baritone. The performers will sing works by Schubert, Puccini, Verdi, Gounod, Viardot, Brahms, Duparc, Strouse, Sondheim, Loesser, and Kuo.
   New York City, NY; NYC
7:30 pm
Free

Concert | Contemporary Folk Music with No-No Boy


Dr. Julian Saporiti, aka No-No Boy, constructs his songs' empathic lyrics from interviews drawn from his academic research, including with his own Vietnamese American family. Echoing the storytelling traditions of legendary artists Woody Guthrie and Pete Seeger, Saporiti's music carves out space within the contemporary folk genre to engage the experiences of Asian Americans from across the historic landscape. Dr. Saporiti will play songs from his varied catalogue, including tracks from his latest 2023 album, Empire Electric. There are two ways to access this free event: 1. General Admission, first-come first-served. Just show up! 2. Fast Track opening the Tuesday before the event at noon.
   New York City, NY; NYC
7:30 pm
Free

Poetry Reading | Evening of Local Poetry


Enjoy an evening of poetry with local poet and playwright Galinsky, with "Five Minute Features" from a dozen poets of all styles.
   New York City, NY; NYC
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8:00 pm
Free

Open Mic | Poetry, Music, and Comedy Showcase (Online!)


Join a weekly online showcase featuring poems, songs, and comedy. Performers can sign up for a 4-minute spot by reserving one of 20 Artist-RSVP tickets, available starting Wednesdays at 8:00 PM ET. If all spots are filled, performers may join the “good-luck round” at the end of the session. Audience members are welcome to watch live via Zoom.
   New York City, NY; NYC
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8:00 pm
Free

Comedy Club | Standup Show


Catch some of the best comedians at this free weekly stand-up show, featuring a lineup of rising stars and seasoned favorites. Past performers include Sheng Wang, Mark Normand, Dan Soder, Annie Lederman, and more. Lineup: Kevin McCaffrey - Tru TV Sam Froum - Zanies Gadiel Del Orbe - International Superstar Esther Chen - HBO, FX, Comedy Central
   New York City, NY; NYC
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8:00 pm
Free

Cabaret | Rejoice, Laugh, Cry and Heal with Award-Winning Creator and Cast: Witness a Musical in the Making


Enjoy an intimate evening of radical joy, storytelling, celebration, and song with award winning composer/lyricist Elizabeth Addison and cast members from the upcoming production of her musical, Chasing Grace. Through story and a selection of songs from the show, you will get a glimpse into the making of this new musical as well as a look into the colorful lives of the characters Addison has created, including two characters inspired by Addison's own healing journey, "The Writer" and "Grace." Featuring special guests: Molly Gervis (The Imbible) Rose Kanj Tiana Mudzimurema Shamiea Thompson No food & beverage minimum purchase required.
   New York City, NY; NYC
9:30 pm
Pay-What-You-Wish, reservation required
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Classical Music | Choral Works by Mendelssohn and More at a Landmark Venue

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Other | Uplifting Interactive Experience

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Musical | Broadway Actors in a Musical

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