THIS WEEK’S EVENTS
In light of the current COVID-19 pandemic, many of this week’s events beginning January 11th, 2021, can be done from the comfort of your own home (because #socialdistancing) unless otherwise noted. Check them out below, and email us at “info at westsiderag dot com” to tell us about any upcoming events or those we might have missed. Be smart and stay safe, Upper West Siders!
Ongoing
The Kidville Playground A Virtual community of curated videos, resources, projects, and live streaming. See the full schedule here.
Dan Gutman’s Live Read Aloud Join Upper West Sider and children’s book author Dan Gutman who will be streaming a live reading weekdays at 2 p.m. via Facebook “for all the kids who are stuck in the house suddenly.”
Film at Lincoln Center‘s theaters may be temporarily closed, but you can still head to their Media Center to find videos, podcasts, and photo galleries. There’s also plenty to discover on Film Comment, a website for podcasts, reviews, long-form essays, filmmaker interviews, and more.
Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center is regularly releasing online playlists of concerts and events from its archive.
New York Philharmonic is offering many audio recordings of concerts on their website, including a recent performance of Brahms’s “A German Requiem” conducted by Jaap van Zweden.
New York Live Arts has posted full-length performances from its back catalog online.
Outlet.fyi A multicultural media and marketing company rooted in the arts is sharing their schedule of virtual events.
Lincoln Center Weekly Concert Lincoln Center is holding weekly concerts to remember those lost to Covid-19. You can check out the concerts on Facebook, Youtube, In
The Frick Collection: Cocktails with a Curator The Frick is concocting the perfect mix of cocktails and art. Every Friday at 5:00 p.m., join us for happy hour as a Frick curator (remotely) offers insights on a work of art with a complementary cocktail. Bring your own beverage to this virtual event.
The Frick Collection: Travels with a Curator Join a Frick curator on an exciting virtual journey to cultural and historic sites relevant to the museum.
Nightly Met Opera Streams During this extraordinary and difficult time, the Met hopes to brighten the lives of our audience members even while our stage is dark. Each day, a different encore presentation from the company’s Live in HD series is being made available for free streaming on the Met website, with each performance available for a period of 23 hours, from 7:30 p.m. EDT until 6:30 p.m. the following day. The schedule will include outstanding complete performances from the past 14 years of cinema transmissions, starring all of opera’s greatest singers.
Monday, January 11th
7:30 am until 8:30 am; 5:45 pm until 6:45 pm JCC Daily Facilitated Meditation Join via Zoom
2 p.m. until 3 p.m. Ethical NYC: Managing in the Time of COVID-19 w/ Dr. Carol Portlock COVID-19 has created challenges for all of us. Retired oncologist Carol Portlock and clinical psychologist Frank Corigliano will address your concerns about managing day-to-day during this trying time. You’re invited to share your stories, strengths, and struggles.
7:30 p.m. Carmen de Lavallade with Deborah Jowitt: Interviews from the TOFT Archive Dancer, choreographer, and actress Carmen de Lavallade discusses her life and career with writer Deborah Jowitt.
Tuesday, January 12th
3:30 p.m. Little New-Yorkers @ Home Join us via Zoom for storytime and crafts! Each class includes a special Little New-Yorkers hello song, silly dances and songs, a storybook reading, and a craft to do at home. This week, celebrate Martin Luther King Junior’s birthday and talk about love, compassion, and community as we read We March, written and illustrated by Shane W. Evans. Afterward, create a dove paper airplane with a special message to share the words of love and hope from MLK at home. ages 3-6.
4 p.m. Barnes and Noble Live Virtual Event: Agatha Christie and The Mystery of Mrs. Christie Discussion Join bestselling authors Marie Benedict and Kate Quinn on our National Facebook (@barnesandnoble) to discuss all things Agatha Christie and to celebrate the publication of Marie Benedict’s new book, The Mystery of Mrs. Christie.
5 p.m. until 6 p.m. Meditation Half-Hour (Online) A midweek meditation for relaxing body and mind. Larry Hurst moderates.
6 p.m. Manhattan Adult ADD Support Group Virtual Meetings To participate in our forum, and to get links to our ongoing Zoom Meetings, please subscribe here.
7 p.m. until 8 p.m. Books Are Magic Live: Nadia Owusu’s Aftershocks w/ Catherine E. McKinley In the tradition of The Glass Castle, a deeply felt memoir from Whiting Award–winner Nadia Owusu about the push and pull of belonging, the seismic emotional toll of family secrets, and the heart it takes to pull through.
8 p.m. Live from NYPL: Raised Voices: Classic Speeches from Feminist Pioneers On the eve of a historic inauguration, contemporary activists read speeches from past generations of BIPOC activists that demonstrate the enduring power of citizenship, the ongoing struggle for equality, and the value of a vote.
Wednesday, January 13th
1 p.m. until 2:15 p.m. David Vaughan’s The Dance Historian is In with Wendy Perron David Vaughan was the archivist of the Merce Cunningham Dance Company and author of Merce Cunningham/65 Years and Frederick Ashton and His Ballets. From 2012- 2017, Mr. Vaughan held monthly screenings of his favorite dance films and videos from our collection. David passed away in October 2017, and the Jerome Robbins Dance Division will continue screenings in his honor with guest hosts. Featured guest host: Wendy Perron. Perron is a former dancer/choreographer and current writer and educator.
2 p.m. until 3 p.m. Greenbelt @ Home | Meet Our Animal Ambassadors Facebook Live Join us, from the comfort of your own home or school, and meet some of the unique animal ambassadors at our Greenbelt Education facilities. During this virtual program, you will get up close and personal with snakes, turtles, frogs, and much more! Our educators will address your questions and help the group learn about the natural history of these amazing animals. This program will be via Facebook Live through our Greenbelt Conservancy or Greenbelt Environmental Education Facebook pages.
3 p.m. Living History @ Home: Cooking for the Civil Rights Movement Celebrate Martin Luther King Jr. Day and discover the overlooked work of Black women in the civil rights movement. Sexism often forced them to serve in behind-the-scenes roles, but women are creative! Learn about the story of Georgia Gilmore and how she used her kitchen skills to raise money in secret for the Montgomery, Alabama, bus boycott. Cook along with us as we bake Gilmore’s sweet potato pie! All ages. Register here.
5 p.m. until 7 p.m. Rat Academy: Keeping the Garden Rat-Free Learn Integrated Pest Management (IPM) strategies for keeping rats from wrecking your garden. In this workshop with the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, participants will learn proper rat prevention measures, how to look for signs of rats, and how to correct the conditions that attract rats.
6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. The W Connection Widows Helping Widows Rebuild Their Lives – UWS Chapter Meeting Join us on Zoom to discuss topics and issues to help widows rebuild their lives after the loss of a spouse. These groups are for widows and run by widows. Please RSVP to dawn@wconnection.org if you are interested in attending. Membership in The W Connection is $40 annually which gives you access to our programs and services, but everyone is welcome to a free trial meeting.
7 p.m. until 8 p.m. Books Are Magic Live: Torrey Peters’ Detransition, Baby w/ Curtis Sittenfeld A whipsmart debut about three women—transgender and cisgender—whose lives collide after an unexpected pregnancy forces them to confront their deepest desires around gender, motherhood, and sex.
Thursday, January 14th
8 a.m. until 3 p.m. Tucker Greenmarket Local farmers sell a wide range of items including: seasonal vegetables, berries, stone fruit, over 80 varieties of apples, farmstead cheeses, fresh seafood, grass fed beef, duck, eggs, baked goods and New York’s only sorghum and maple syrup. West 66th Street and Columbus Avenue.
8 a.m. until 4 p.m. Columbia Greenmarket Shoppers will find milk and yogurt, fruit and cider, baked goods, preserved fruits and vegetables, eggs, cheese, smoked meats, pickled vegetables, maple syrup, honey, fish, and focaccia topped with locally sourced fruit vegetables, herbs and cheeses, a lunch time favorite. Located in front of the gates of Columbia University; Broadway between 114th and 116th Streets.
10 a.m. Virtual Cinematters: NY Social Justice Film Festival The Cinematters: NY Social Justice Film Festival presents impactful films that engage the community toward a more democratic, inclusive, and just society. The festival explores themes of inequality, injustice, and social responsibility. Screenings of these award-winning films will be accompanied by interactive conversations with guests. $13.
11 a.m. until 12 p.m. A Fine Patch of Wild | Virtual Walk and Talk Join the Greenbelt Environmental Educators for a FaceBook LIVE stroll through High Rock Park, as they continue this virtual series to read through the book “High Rock and the Greenbelt.” This second walk and talk will take place at High Rock Park along the Lavender, Blue, and Yellow trails. The Educators will read some excerpts from the second chapter of the acclaimed 1976 book that chronicles the fight to save and preserve this ” Fine Patch of Wild.”
3:30 p.m. Little New-Yorkers @ Home Join us via Zoom for storytime and crafts! Each class includes a special Little New-Yorkers hello song, silly dances and songs, a storybook reading, and a craft to do at home. This week, celebrate Martin Luther King Junior’s birthday and talk about love, compassion, and community as we read We March, written and illustrated by Shane W. Evans. Afterward, create a dove paper airplane with a special message to share the words of love and hope from MLK at home. ages 3-6.
3:30 p.m. until 4:30 p.m. Virtual STEAM Workshop: Design a Lab for the Future Join us for a unique virtual workshop in partnership with ArchForKids, a leading design education program provider. Lewis Latimer was a renowned Black inventor who lived from 1848 to 1928. His home in Flushing Queens is an NYC Landmark and a museum! In this workshop, participants will take a virtual visit to Latimer’s house to learn how he and his family lived in the early decades of the 20th century and reimagine what his life might be like if he lived today. Using minimal materials and our imaginations, participants will design an amazing house and laboratory.
Friday, January 15th
8 a.m. until 2 p.m. 97th Street Greenmarket This year-round market features produce from southern New Jersey, Orange County, NY, and the Hudson Valley, as well as eggs, grass-fed meat, fish, cheese, and more. 97th St between Columbus & Amsterdam. FREE.
9 a.m. Virtual Screening and Q+A: Some Kind of Heaven Some Kind of Heaven (Dir. Lance Oppenheim | 2020 | 83 min | US) explores life inside the palm-tree-lined streets of The Villages, America’s largest retirement community in Florida. Referred to as the “Disneyland for Retirees,” this planned community is home to over 130,000 seniors. While most residents have bought into its packaged positivity, we meet four residents living on the margins, striving to find happiness. With strikingly composed cinematography, this candy-colored documentary offers a tender and surreal look at the never-ending quest for finding meaning and love in life’s final act. $12.
10 a.m. Virtual Cinematters: NY Social Justice Film Festival The Cinematters: NY Social Justice Film Festival presents impactful films that engage the community toward a more democratic, inclusive, and just society. The festival explores themes of inequality, injustice, and social responsibility. Screenings of these award-winning films will be accompanied by interactive conversations with guests. $13.
2 p.m. until 3 p.m. Proactive Meditation and Deep Listening (Online) In this guided experiential session, we first take time to relax body and mind in order to sense how we really are in each moment. We allow ourselves to focus on listening deeply and empathically for what may be calling for our attention. We stay present with that. This proactive approach to meditating can open up fresh ideas and connections. Moderator Larry Hurst is a certified trainer and workshop leader with the International Focusing Institute.
3:30 p.m. Little New-Yorkers @ Home Join us via Zoom for storytime and crafts! Each class includes a special Little New-Yorkers hello song, silly dances and songs, a storybook reading, and a craft to do at home. This week, celebrate Martin Luther King Junior’s birthday and talk about love, compassion, and community as we read We March, written and illustrated by Shane W. Evans. Afterward, create a dove paper airplane with a special message to share the words of love and hope from MLK at home. ages 3-6.
7 p.m. until 8 p.m. Books Are Magic Live: Anna North’s Outlawed w/ R.O. Kwon The Crucible meets True Grit in this riveting adventure story of a fugitive girl, a mysterious gang of robbers, and their dangerous mission to transform the Wild West.
Saturday, January 16th
8 a.m. until 4 p.m. Tucker Greenmarket Local farmers sell a wide range of items including: seasonal vegetables, berries, stone fruit, over 80 varieties of apples, farmstead cheeses, fresh seafood, grass fed beef, duck, eggs, baked goods and New York’s only sorghum and maple syrup. West 66th Street and Columbus Avenue.
9 a.m. until 3 p.m. Morningside Park’s Down to Earth Farmer’s Market Local farmers sell a wide range of items including: seasonal vegetables, fruits, plants and flowers, baked goods, fresh fish and seafood, beef, poultry, eggs, cheese, yogurt, honey, pickles and pantry staples such as cornmeal polenta, wheat flour, roasted nuts and dried pasta. Corner of 110th St. & Manhattan Ave.
10 a.m. Virtual Cinematters: NY Social Justice Film Festival The Cinematters: NY Social Justice Film Festival presents impactful films that engage the community toward a more democratic, inclusive, and just society. The festival explores themes of inequality, injustice, and social responsibility. Screenings of these award-winning films will be accompanied by interactive conversations with guests. $13.
2:30 p.m. until 3:30 p.m. The Art of Guyanese Pine Tart: a Panache of Flavors One of the pastries Guyanese / Guyanese-American people love to snack on is pine tart. It is a shortcrust pastry filled with fresh pineapple filling. The food of Guyana is a beautiful mix of the six races that are a part of the country: Amerindian (Native American), East Indian, African, Portuguese, European, and Chinese.
Sunday, January 17th
8 a.m. until 4 p.m. Columbia Greenmarket Shoppers will find milk and yogurt, fruit and cider, baked goods, preserved fruits and vegetables, eggs, cheese, smoked meats, pickled vegetables, maple syrup, honey, fish, and focaccia topped with locally sourced fruit vegetables, herbs and cheeses, a lunch time favorite. Located in front of the gates of Columbia University; Broadway between 114th and 116th Streets.
9 a.m. until 4 p.m. 77th/79th Street Greenmarket Located on beautiful, tree-lined Columbus Avenue, this year-round market stretches from 77th St. each Sunday. Just behind the American Museum of Natural History, shoppers will find grass-fed beef, goat cheese, fresh flowers, eggs, honey, baked goods, apple cider, and a large variety of fruit and vegetables. Columbus Avenue at 77th St (NE corner).
10 a.m. Virtual Cinematters: NY Social Justice Film Festival The Cinematters: NY Social Justice Film Festival presents impactful films that engage the community toward a more democratic, inclusive, and just society. The festival explores themes of inequality, injustice, and social responsibility. Screenings of these award-winning films will be accompanied by interactive conversations with guests. $13.
11 a.m. until 12 p.m. Nature Craft: Impressions in Clay Learn how to make an all-natural homage to the different textures you can find on a walk in the woods. With an accompanying video, Environmental Educator Angel Ehlers will bring you through the process of how to make textural impressions in clay, a craft that you will be able to save and admire long after the clay dries. You will also learn about where clay comes from, and how Native Americans in this region and many others harvested, stored, and utilized clay in their everyday lives. Materials will be prepared for you to pick up prior to the program, and Angel will create a virtual component so that you can craft right along with her from the comfort of your own home.
11 a.m. until 12:30 p.m. Sunday Platform – Anne Klaeysen: An Old White Woman Talks About Racism (Online)
1 p.m. Books of Wonder: Alan Katz’s Society of Substitutes Launch Event Celebrate the release of author Alan Katz’s newest books and answer questions from the audience during the live feed! Ages 6 and up via Crowdcast.
1 p.m. until 2 p.m. Nature Exploration: Central Park Hiking is the ultimate way to enjoy the outdoors and a fun way to reduce stress. Regardless of the intensity level, it is a great way to burn calories and stay fit. Our Urban Park Ranger hiking guides will introduce you to the hidden gems of New York City parks. On our nature hikes, you can take an hour to unplug from the world and immerse yourself in the wonders of nature. West 100 Street and Central Park West in Central Park.
2 p.m. until 3 p.m. Reading into History @ Home: March Honor the legacy of American statesman and civil rights leader John Lewis by reading book one of the March trilogy, Lewis’s groundbreaking graphic memoir with co-author Andrew Aydin. Follow the story of Lewis’s youth in rural Alabama, his first meeting with Martin Luther King Jr., and the birth of the Nashville Student Movement all told from Lewis’s perspective. Sign up today to join us for a discussion of Lewis’s lifelong struggle for civil and human rights and the impact of his career on our country today. Ages 9-12.
4 p.m. until 5:30 p.m. How Plants Survive in Winter Join author and naturalist, Leslie Day, as she leads a Zoom workshop on how the plants of Fort Tryon Park survive the colder months. Learn about the park’s abundant flora, from stately trees to perennials and annuals, and how the park offers year-round beauty and habitat to its visitors. RSVP to info@FortTryonParkTrust.org to reserve a workshop spot and to be sent Zoom details.
