By Tracy Zwick
October 3rd through 5th
Meet the Curators of “The New York Sari” at NY Historical: Friday, October 3rd from 12 to 1 p.m.; 170 Central Park West at West 77th Street. Free with museum admission
Talk with the curators about this temporary exhibition, which showcases the influence South Asians have had on the culture of NYC, from the Gilded Age to the present. Learn about some of the people who make and wear saris, and explore the ways they’ve upheld tradition while embracing progress and experimentation. “Meet the Curator” is a monthly program that invites visitors to engage with members of The New York Historical’s curatorial team.
If you stay late at the museum, you can catch a free screening of the classic 1946 film “The Postman Always Rings Twice” from 6 to 8 p.m. It’s part of the museum’s programming related to “Blacklisted” – an exhibition we noted last week in this space. (Admission to the museum is pay-as-you-wish from 5 to 8 p.m. on Fridays.)
Nicholas Roerich Museum: Open Tuesday to Friday from 12 to 4 p.m.; Saturday and Sunday from 12 to 5 p.m.; 319 W. 107th Street (between West End and Riverside Dr.); Free
This Russian-born artist had admirers during his lifetime (1874 to 1947) including Albert Einstein and Gandhi. His work sells for millions, and has been a favorite of Russian oligarchs. Yet many UWSers walk right by this museum dedicated to Roerich – a painter, poet, designer, philosopher and peace-activist who was a mentor to Marc Chagall. The museum hosts occasional events, including a free piano recital next week on Friday, October 10th, which you can register for beginning today. Dmitry Yudin will perform works by Beethoven, Scriabin and Bartók in a roughly 90-minute recital (including intermission).
Feast of St. Francis and Blessing of the Animals: Sunday, October 5th starting at 10:30 a.m.; Cathedral of St. John the Divine at 1047 Amsterdam Avenue at West 112th Street. Free
My 13-year-old poodle, Goldie, is Jewish, but she’s been blessed here on the Feast Day of St. Francis of Assisi, alongside cats, camels, turtles, birds, snakes, rats, and other creatures great and small. It’s “like seeing Noah’s Ark on a Sunday Morning,” according to the New York Times. The former dean of the cathedral, the Rt. Rev. Clifton Daniel, explained a few years ago that all living things, including animals, “carry some aspect of God’s image,” and pets especially “have made sacrifices and given us great joys. I can’t imagine their sacrifice goes unnoticed by God,” he said. All animals and people are welcome at the 41st annual gathering this Sunday. It’s followed by an outdoor fair on the Cathedral’s grounds.
With The New York Film Festival in full swing and new fall releases in multiplexes and indie cinemas, we’re in peak movie season. I’ve recently seen three. “One Battle After Another,” Paul Thomas Anderson’s political satire/dramedy starring Leonardo DiCaprio and Sean Penn, is propulsive and au courant awards-bait. “Anemone,” which marks Daniel Day Lewis’s return to the screen in a flick directed by his son Ronan, is quiet and painterly. And “Jay Kelly,” Noah Baumbach’s latest, is a funny, tender story about a mature Hollywood movie star (George Clooney) looking back on his life choices, with his agent (Adam Sandler) at his side. On my list of movies to see: “If I Had Legs I’d Kick You,” starring Rose Byrne, and Luca Guadagnino’s “After the Hunt,” with Julia Roberts, Andrew Garfield and Ayo Edebiri. Drop your recommendations in the comments!
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I heard there was an art show featuring locals on Saturday, from 6 to 9 p.m. up on West 86th Street at the Church.
All those films you recommended are on my list. And Postman is indeed a noir classic that should be seen. But your story left me wondering. Did Goldie fast on Yom Kippur? Did she atone for any sins during the prior calendar year? We’re anxious to know.
Highest 2 Lowest is a great NYC movies in the tradition of French Connection & Taking of Pelham 123 (original). The subway to Yankee Stadium scene is a classic.
‘Join your local community on Sundays at 3pm to practice meditation out of doors in Central Park near the West 100th Street entrance. We practice mostly in the Buddhist tradition with both experienced practitioners and those new to meditation welcome. Freely offered to the community. RSVP to Kalyana.Mitta4747@gmail.com
Speaking of things to do on the UWS, what’s with all these join the 80th Street block association posters? I thought Billy Amato who comments on this site is the President of the West 80th Street block association? Who put these posters up? Who is behind these posters? If there’s already a West 80th Street block association, why is there a new 80th Street association also popping up?