free things to do in New York City
Free events for Friday, 01/30/26
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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 30, 2026?

38 free events take place on Friday, January 30 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 30 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!

38 free things to do in New York City (NYC) on Friday, January 30, 2026

All events are free unless otherwise noted.

Editor's Picks

free events nyc Friday at Pop Culture/Art Museum
free events nyc Choral Works Performed in a Legendary Venue
free events nyc Violin Works by Mozart, Richard Strauss, & Saint-Saens (In Person AND Online!)
free events nyc Samuel Backett's Company + Live Music by Phillip Glass
free events nyc Blend of Musical Theater with Cinematic Pop and Americana
free events nyc Indie Rock with Wild Pink
More Editor's Picks for 01/30/26
        

Workshop | Morning Tai Chi


Improve balance, strength and focus through gentle exercises. The sights and sounds of the river provide a serene background for the ancient flowing postures.
   New York City, NY; NYC
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8:30 am
Free

Workshop | Zumba: Latin-Inspired Dance Fitness


Get your heart pumping with Zumba, a dynamic workout set to Latin, international, and popular music. This fun, easy-to-follow class combines fast and slow rhythms for aerobic interval training that challenges both heart and muscles. Perfect for all fitness levels.
   New York City, NY; NYC
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9:00 am
Free

Symposium | Dance Research with Scholars & Artists, Focusing on Bill T. Jones (In Person AND Online!)


This symposium is the culmination of work undertaken during a six-month fellowship where dance scholars and artists are invited to research a specific area of dance. This year, Dance Research Fellows have researched Bill T. Jones and his work in the archive, which is preserved by the Dance Division. Robert Coe, McClain Groff, Raja Feather Kelly, Alicia "Jubilee" Moore, Carlo Antonio Villanueva, and uwazi zamani present their research on Jones and his archive. Schedule: 10:00 AM - McClain Groff 11:00 AM - Alicia "Jubilee" Moore 12:00 PM - Carlo Antonio Villanueva break 2:00 PM - uwazi zamani 3:00 PM - Robert Coe 4:00 PM - Raja Feather Kelly
   New York City, NY; NYC
10:00 am
Free

Museums | Friday at Pop Culture/Art Museum


Through temporary exhibitions, a growing permanent collection, and educational events, this museum examines the significant influence of posters on society and culture, and how they are adapted for modern use. As the first poster museum in the United States, it offers a space for inquiry for anyone interested in design, advertising, and public interventions, with the goal of enhancing design literacy among the general public. Works explore: mass communication and persuasion the intersection of art and commerce control of the public domain
   New York City, NY; NYC
10:00 am
Free

Workshop | Adult Zumba


Featuring easy-to-follow Latin dance choreography. Work on your balance, coordination and range of motion.
   New York City, NY; NYC
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10:30 am
Free

Workshop | Sculpture-Making (Part 2)


Attend the second of a two-part sculpture workshop designed for adults interested in exploring sculpting with air dry clay. Join us for part two of this sculpture workshop where we will decorate our sculptures with paint. Come roll up your sleeves and let your imagination run wild as you glaze (paint) your creations from the firstsession to bring them to life! No prior experience necessary, just bring your imagination! Do not register if you did not attend the first session.
   New York City, NY; NYC
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12:00 pm
Free

Talk | Visual Artist Discusses Autiobiographical Lens of His Work


Attend a seminar with visual artist Michael Rakowitz that focuses on the projection of magical meaning onto personal and archival objects in a collective autobiography of Arab-Jewishness. Michael Rakowitz is an Iraqi-American artist working at the intersection of problem-solving and troublemaking. His work has appeared in venues worldwide including documenta (13), MoMA P.S.1, MoMA, MassMoCA, Castello di Rivoli Museo d’Arte Contemporanea, Palais de Tokyo, the 16th Biennale of Sydney, the 10th and 14th Istanbul Biennials, and more. He has had solo projects and exhibitions with Creative Time, Tate Modern, The Wellin Museum of Art, MCA Chicago, Lombard Freid Gallery and Jane Lombard Gallery in New York, among others.  He is the recipient of the Nasher Prize; a Tiffany Foundation Award; a New York Foundation for the Arts Fellowship Grant in Architecture and Environmental Structures; and the  Design 21 Grand Prix from UNESCO. He was awarded the 2018-2020 Fourth Plinth commission in London’s Trafalgar Square.
   New York City, NY; NYC
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12:00 pm
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

Film | Priscilla (2023): American Biographical Drama Film about Priscilla Presley


When teenage Priscilla Beaulieu meets Elvis Presley at a party, the man who is already a meteoric rock 'n' roll superstar becomes someone entirely unexpected in private moments: a thrilling crush, an ally in loneliness and a vulnerable best friend. Director: Sofia Coppola Cast: Cailee Spaeny, Jacob Elordi, Dagmara Dominczyk
   New York City, NY; NYC
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1:00 pm
Free

Film | Robert Altman's Come Back to the 5 & Dime, Jimmy Dean, Jimmy Dean (1982): Comedy-Drama with Cher


A fan club of die-hard James Dean fans meet on the 20th anniversary of his death and reconnect, opening old wounds and facing new ones. Director: Robert Altman Cast: Sandy Dennis, Cher, Karen Black, Sudie Bond, Mark Patton, Kathy Bates Robert Altman was an American film director, screenwriter, and producer. He is considered an enduring figure from the New Hollywood era, known for directing subversive and satirical films with overlapping dialogue and ensemble casts. Over his career, he received several awards, including an Academy Honorary Award, two British Academy Film Awards, a Primetime Emmy Award, and a Golden Globe Award, as well as nominations for seven competitive Academy Awards. Cher is an American singer, actress, and television personality. Often referred to by the media as the "Goddess of Pop," she has been described as embodying female autonomy in a male-dominated industry. Cher is known for her distinctive contralto singing voice and for having worked in numerous areas of entertainment, as well as adopting a variety of styles and appearances throughout her six-decade-long career. Short film discussion to follow.
   New York City, NY; NYC
1:00 pm
Free

Concert | Timpani Recital


Hear a Timpani recital. Metropolitan Opera Orchestra timpanist Duncan Patton, coordinator
   New York City, NY; NYC
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1:00 pm
Free

Workshop | Crafting Community: Work on Personal Projects & Make New Friends


Freeform crafting and conversation! Bring your own project or choose something from the collection to work on. The organizers have materials for sewing, knitting, crochet, coloring, and paper crafts. All programs are subject to change or cancellation.
   New York City, NY; NYC
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1:30 pm
Free

Classical Music | Choral Works Performed in a Legendary Venue


Gaither Concert Chorus & Advanced Women's Chorus perform. Program: Nda Wana Kinley Lange (1950-) Esto Les Digo Ya Ba Bom (There Shall Be Peace) Michael John Trotta (1978-) Dies Irae Frank Ticheli (1958-) Earth Song Moses Hogan (1957-2003) Elijah Rock Jeffery L. Ames (1969-) Tshotsholoza
   New York City, NY; NYC
1:45 pm
Free

Jazz | Afternoon Jam Sesh (Play Music or Just Listen)


This jam session is open to all musicians. Come and play or just listen to some jazzy tunes.
   New York City, NY; NYC
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2:00 pm
Free

Film | Guillermo del Toro's Pan's Labyrinth (2006): Spanish Dark Fantasy Film


A family in Spain moves into an ancient house during the era of Fascism. The 12 year old daughter forms a friendship with a mysterious being who dwells in the labyrinth behind the house. Director: Guillermo del Toro Cast: Sergi Lopez, Maribel Verdu, Ivana Baquero, Doug Jones, Ariadna Gil, Alex Angulo Guillermo del Toro is a Mexican filmmaker, author, and artist. His work has been characterized by a strong connection to fairy tales, gothicism, and horror, often blending the genres, with an effort to infuse visual or poetic beauty in the grotesque. He has had a lifelong fascination with monsters, which he considers symbols of great power. He is known for pioneering dark fantasy in the film industry and for his use of insectile and religious imagery, his themes of Catholicism, celebrating imperfection, underworld motifs, practical special effects, and dominant amber lighting.
   New York City, NY; NYC
2:00 pm
Free

Gallery Talk | Expert Insights: Marriage in Medieval Art


Examine how medieval art depicted marriage, from everyday devotion to mystical visions of divine love. Experts lead small groups through select objects, offering fresh insights, untold stories, and close-up perspectives on the symbolism and context of the works.
   New York City, NY; NYC
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3:00 pm
Free

Workshop | Play Chess


Sharpen your mind, meet new people, and enjoy this timeless game. Chess sets and timers are provided. Adults only.
   New York City, NY; NYC
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3:00 pm
Free

Classical Music | Violin Works by Mozart, Richard Strauss, & Saint-Saens (In Person AND Online!)


Violinist Blaire Nayoun Kim performs three pieces by composers from the Classical through the Modern periods. Program: Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (1756-1791) Violin Sonata No. 18 in G Major, K. 301 Richard Strauss (1864-1949) Violin Sonata in E-flat Major, Op. 18 Camille Saint-Saens (1835-1921) Introduction and Rondo Capriccioso, Op. 28
   New York City, NY; NYC
3:00 pm
Free

Museums | A Night of Live Music, Drinks & 5,000 Years of Art


Enjoy a stylish evening of art, live music, and engaging talks every Friday and Saturday night. From 5-9 PM, sip on drink specials, sample light fare, and take in the museum's vast collection spanning millennia. Grab a friend, a partner, or come solo--this after-hours experience offers something for everyone.
   New York City, NY; NYC
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5:00 pm
Free

Museums | American History and Artifact Collections


Enjoy a stroll through galleries of an extensive collection of American art, learn about the history of New York and the USA. Last admission is at 7 pm.
   New York City, NY; NYC
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5:00 pm
Pay-what-you-wish, reservation required

Museums | Friday Evening at the Art/History Museum


This museum is an assemblage of illuminated, literary, and historical manuscripts, early printed books, and old master drawings and prints inside a historic building. Registration opens 7 days in advance & does sell out.
   New York City, NY; NYC
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5:00 pm
Free

Museums | Friday Night Function at an Iconic Art Museum


Enjoy art, drinks, special programming, music, city views, and more! Throughout the night, there will be a few "15-minute tours," highlighting different parts of the collection.
   New York City, NY; NYC
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5:00 pm
Free

Opening Reception | From Hand to Machine: The Origins of Digital Art


This exhibition examines the origins of computer art through rarely seen works spanning five decades. Featuring hand drawings, collages, and early computer-generated images, it shows how rule-based systems, chance, and emerging technology transformed artistic practice long before digital tools became common. Rooted in geometric abstraction and influenced by Cubism and Concrete Art, the works demonstrate an early interest in algorithms and automation. By setting rules, allowing variation, and responding to unexpected results, the artist created a collaborative process between human intuition and machine logic, laying important groundwork for contemporary digital art.
   New York City, NY; NYC
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5:00 pm
Free

Classical Music | Diverse Trumpet Works(In Person AND Online!)


Trumpeteer Bailey Kathryn Cates performs a series of pieces by composers from various musical periods. Program: Johann Abraham Peter Schulz (1747-1800) (arr. Wolf Kerschek) Der Mond ist Aufgegangen Henri Tomasi (1901-1971) Semaine Sainte a Cuzco Eric Ewazen (1954-) Sonata for Trumpet and Piano David Sampson (1951-) Solo Michael Kamen (1948-2003) Quintet
   New York City, NY; NYC
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5:30 pm
Free

Museums | Friday Evening at the Famous Art Museum


This special, all-ages evening celebrates the art and the city. Explore in the galleries, get creative with drop-in drawing sessions, and see a film in the theaters. Museum stores and cafe will be open, too, so you can grab a bite, get drinks, or shop for unique design objects. Free for New York State residents but must be reserved in advance (up to two adults), and are subject to availability and proof of residency. Tickets are released one week in advance.
   New York City, NY; NYC
5:30 pm
Free

Poetry Reading | Poetry Open Mic: Share Your Work or Listen to Emerging Writers


Participants can share their original work for up to five minutes. Space is limited to 15 readers; show up on time to get a slot!
   New York City, NY; NYC
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5:30 pm
Free

Screening | Two Documentaries Exploring Asian Identity (+ Filmmaker Discussion)


Experience a screening of A Road of Prayer and Return to Sender, followed by a round table with the filmmakers. Return to Sender: Women of Color in Colonial Postcards & the Politics of Representation is a short, experimental film directed and produced by Mara Ahmed. It pushes the documentary medium in unexpected ways by opening with three contemporary South Asian American women who recreate British colonial postcards from the early 20th century. This symbolic ‘returning’ of the Orientalist gaze is layered with discussions about Eurocentric beauty standards, representations of South Asian women in media and culture, stereotypes, othering, identity, and belonging. Director: Mara Amed A Road of Prayer (2016) is a documentary filmed between 2015 and 2016, marking the director's return to her hometown of Lhasa, Tibet, after a long absence. Through the camera, she attempts to touch a homeland and a community that feel at once intimate and unfamiliar. The film weaves together three narrative threads shaped by place, time, and the transformations of urban life.  Directed by Tenzin Sedon.
   New York City, NY; NYC
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5:30 pm
Free

Play | Reap What You Sow, Don't Lose Heart! - A Family's Debate on War and Morality


Can War Ever Be Just? This play explores a mother-daughter conversation about war, justice, and personal conviction. Through the lens of family experiences in the military, the story examines differing perspectives on duty, protest, and moral responsibility. Providing a thought-provoking exploration of history, ethics, and generational dialogue. By Jack Gilroy and zool Zulkowitz.
   New York City, NY; NYC
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6:00 pm
Pay-what-you-can, reservation required

Performance | Samuel Backett's Company + Live Music by Phillip Glass


Attend a performative reading of Samuel Beckett's Company, with live music by Phillip Glass. Samuel Beckett was a major influence on Phillip Glass, who composed his Second String Quartet for a staged production of Beckett's existential novella, Company. Juilliard drama alum Jake Horowitz will perform excerpts, with Juilliard student ensemble, the Candide Quartet. Enjoy for an evening that probes solitude, memory, and voice, and celebrates pathways across artistic mediums.
   New York City, NY; NYC
6:00 pm
Free

Author Reading | Emerging Writers Read Original Material


This event highlights emerging writers from the MFA and MA programs at the City College of New York.
   New York City, NY; NYC
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6:30 pm
Free

Book Discussion | A History of Segregation in the U.S. Army (In Person AND Online!) 


Historian Pauline Peretz discusses her book A Black Army: Segregation and the U.S. Army, a case study of Fort Huachuca during World War II. Drawing on archival research, the talk examines racial segregation within the U.S. Army and its broader social and political implications. Note: If planning to attend in-person, business casual dress is required
   New York City, NY; NYC
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7:00 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

Concert | Blend of Musical Theater with Cinematic Pop and Americana


Musician and writer Simon Gomez Villegas blends musical theater with cinematic pop and Americana, Simon makes art that "transforms the mundane into magic." Simon is a BMI lyricist and a member of the Untitled Musical Writers Group. They've worn different hats in different places such as Mercury Store, Ars Nova, Musical Theater Factory, Lincoln Center, Carnegie Hall, and the American Repertory Theatre.
   New York City, NY; NYC
7:00 pm
Free

Discussion | Evening of Readings and Conversation with Poets and Authors


Experience a lively evening with poets Susan Michele Coronel, Mary Newell, and host Eleni Traganas. Listen to live readings, hear the authors discuss their creative process, and engage with their work through Q&A. Books will be available for purchase and signing. Celebrate the vibrant voices of local writers during this literary gathering.
   New York City, NY; NYC
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7:00 pm
Free

Book Discussion | Fashion Journalist & Author Shares His New Book, Mirrorball: Reflections of Dance & Fashion 


Attend an event with J. Joseph Pastrana, author of Mirrorball: Reflections of Dance & Fashion, for a spin through the ages with the iconic designers, dancers, choreographers, music stars, and DJs who shaped history on stage, film, television, and clubs. From Nureyev to Graham, Saint Laurent to Halston, the Ballets Russes to Les Ballets Trocadero de Monte Carlo, from A Chorus Line to Saturday Night Fever, Studio 54 to Roxy, from Strauss to Madonna, Pastrana will take us behind the scenes of Broadway triumphs, Hollywood bombs, and haute couture’s finest moments. Hear the revealing stories of people who lived and suffered for their art in New York lofts, Manchester warehouses, South Beach hotels, Australian suburbs, German forests, and the avenidas of Argentina. J. Joseph Pastrana is a New York-based author, fashion journalist, and public relations consultant. In his role as fashion director of a trade publication he covered seasonal Fashion Weeks in New York, Paris, and Milan, profiling designers including Calvin Klein, Oscar de la Renta, Carolina Herrera, and Louis Vuitton. Books will be available for purchase. Dance Style is highly encouraged!
   New York City, NY; NYC
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7:00 pm
Free

Classical Music | Works by Copland and More for Violin & Piano: Evolution of Fiddle Music


Bloomingdale faculty artists Veronica Carpenter, violin, and Olga Gurevich, piano, perform an engaging exploration of fiddle music. This concert traces the tradition’s roots and stylistic evolution, blending classical artistry with the rhythmic vitality and storytelling spirit that define fiddle repertoire across cultures. Program: J. Halvorsen (1864-1935) Norwegian Dances J. Bock (1928-2010) Arr. by J. Williams Fiddler on the Roof Aaron Copland (1900-1990) Ukulele Serenade Harry Burleigh (1866-1949) Southland Sketches Jay Ungar (1946-) Ashokan Farewell from "The Civil War" An Oilithreach Blarnach / Port Uí Mhuirgheasa / The Kesh Londonderry Air or "Aisling an Óigfhir" Arr. by F. Kreisler Bean An Mullóga Sióg / Na Gairdíní Saileacha / Spootiskerry
   New York City, NY; NYC
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7:00 pm
Free

Concert | Indie Rock with Wild Pink


Over the past nine years, the New York-based band Wild Pink has established itself as one of the most consistently versatile and engaging groups in indie rock. Wild Pink's recent 2024 LP Dulling the Horns has attracted critical acclaim for frontman and lead songwriter John Ross's introspective lyrics, which draw from deeply personal experience and a sea of pop culture curiosities from J.R.R. Tolkien to Michael Jordan. The album's bold and unexpected storytelling is supported by what Stereogum defines as a "heavy sonic palette with huge, reverberating distorted chords" and what Pitchfork calls "simultaneously weirder and more fun than anything else in Wild Pink's discography." Ross's storytelling process, exploring how he reflects his truth through music. 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
7:30 pm
Free

Classical Music | Piano Works by Beethoven, Liszt, & More (In Person AND Online!)


Pianist Shiqin Wang performs a series of pieces by composers from various musical periods. Program: Ludwig Van Beethoven (1770-1827) Piano Sonata No. 32 in C Minor, Op. 111 Franz Liszt (1811-1886) Sonata in B Minor, S.178 Shiqin Wang Selections from preludes, interludes and postludes
   New York City, NY; NYC
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8:00 pm
Free
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Classical Music | Choral Works by Mendelssohn and More at a Landmark Venue

Regular Price: $50
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Other | Uplifting Interactive Experience

Regular Price: $84
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Musical | Broadway Actors in a Musical

Regular Price: $45
CFT Member Price: $0.00
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