THIS WEEK’S EVENTS

Events for the week beginning January 20th, 2020 Check out our list of events in the neighborhood this week. Email us at “info at westsiderag dot com” to tell us about any upcoming events or events we’ve missed. Events will be updated every Sunday night with the following week’s schedule. Please double-check times and prices with the event producer. Many venues offer special pricing for students, seniors and members.

Monday, January 20th

7:30 a.m. until 8:30 a.m. Meditation Gifted meditation instructors lead a session and Q&A. JCC in Manhattan, 334 Amsterdam Avenue. FREE for all; $5 suggested donation.

10 a.m. Central Park Tour: Iconic Views of Central Park Take our signature tour, and let Central Park Conservancy guides give you an insider’s look at some of the most iconic features of the world’s greatest urban park. Learn how rocky, swampy land was built into the living work of art that is Central Park today. Highlights of this tour include the Dairy, Sheep Meadow, Cherry Hill, The Lake, Bow Bridge, Bethesda Terrace, The Mall, and Literary Walk. Terrain: A few inclines and some stairs. Meet: Dairy Visitor Center & Gift Shop (mid-Park between 64th and 65th Streets). Enter the Park at 60th Street and Fifth Avenue, and follow the path adjacent to the drive (road) north; the Dairy will be on your left. $15 (Members $10).

11 a.m. until 12 p.m. Stay Well Exercise for Seniors Stay Well volunteers are certified by the NYC’s Department for the aging will lead participants in a well-balanced series of exercises for seniors of all ability levels. Exercise equipment will be provided. All participants must sign a wavier before you join, please wear loose and comfortable clothing. St. Agnes Library, Community Program Room. FREE.

11 a.m. until 12:30 p.m. Discovery Walks for Families: Turtle Pond Bring your family and discover Turtle Pond — home to five species of turtles who live here year-round. Learn why they love basking in the sun on flat logs or rocks, which makes the base of Vista Rock the perfect spot for their sunbathing activities. Explore the Pond’s history and design, and hear about what it takes to maintain a healthy and beautiful water body through hands-on exploration and guided activities in your complementary Discovery Journal. Terrain: A few inclines, some stairs, and wood-chipped trails; may not be suitable for strollers. Families with children ages 5+ only; no groups, please. Please arrive 15 minutes before the start of the Discovery Walk to allow time for check-in. Meet: Belvedere Castle (mid-Park at 79th Street). FREE. Space is limited, registration required.

12 p.m. until 1:30 p.m. Central Park Tour: Seneca Village Seneca Village was an important community of predominantly African-American property owners, living in an area that now makes up part of Central Park. Join Central Park Conservancy guides on this tour to learn about the lives of Seneca Village’s residents in the 1800s and the community’s place in pre-Central Park. Highlights of this tour include Summit Rock, Tanner’s Spring, Winterdale Arch, and sites where important residences and churches existed before the development of the Park. The tour route involves moderate inclines and a few stairs. The tour starts and ends inside the park at 85th Street and Central Park West. $15 per person. Central Park Conservancy members: $10 per person.

12 p.m. until 1:30 p.m. Central Park Tour: Heart of the Park Walk straight through the heart of Central Park on this east-to-west tour led by Central Park Conservancy Guides. Enjoy a great variety of the scenic, sculptural, and architectural elements the Park has to offer. Highlights of this tour include Conservatory Water, Loeb Boathouse, Bethesda Terrace, Bow Bridge, Cherry Hill, the Lake, and Strawberry Fields. Terrain: A few inclines and some stairs. Meet: Samuel F. B. Morse statue (inside the Park at 72nd Street and Fifth Avenue). Tour ends at 72nd Street and Central Park West. FREE.

Tuesday, January 21st

12 p.m. until 1 p.m. Senior Men’s Discussion Group Join us to discuss events, situations, concerns and other factors that affect our lives today. Also, we revisit our past as it affects our lives today. All discussions are confidential and meetings are casual. Council House on West 72nd Street between Broadway and West End Avenue. No charge to attend to see if you want to continue. If you continue with us Council requests an annual fee of $72.

6 p.m. until 7:30 p.m. Making History: The Art and Politics of Clay Michelle Erickson will discuss her practice as a studio potter in the fields of contemporary art, historical archaeology, and studio ceramics. Her oeuvre is renowned for its historical depth, technological virtuosity, and incisive commentary. She will explain how her work gives dynamic relevance to the legacy of ceramics as a form of social expression, referencing how makers and users have deployed ceramics to advocate for political change and social justice as well as to document epic events in human experience. Bard Graduate Center, 38 West 86th St (between CPW & Columbus), Lecture Hall. FREE.

8:30 p.m. Bar Quiz Hosted by Geeks Who Drink Join us for a bar quiz hosted by Geeks Who Drink and Quizmaster Ant-Man. Bar Thalia, 95th St & Broadway. No cover, no minimum.

Wednesday, January 22nd

10 am; 2 pm Central Park Tour: Iconic Views of Central Park Take our signature tour, and let Central Park Conservancy guides give you an insider’s look at some of the most iconic features of the world’s greatest urban park. Learn how rocky, swampy land was built into the living work of art that is Central Park today. Highlights of this tour include the Dairy, Sheep Meadow, Cherry Hill, The Lake, Bow Bridge, Bethesda Terrace, The Mall, and Literary Walk. Terrain: A few inclines and some stairs. Meet: Dairy Visitor Center & Gift Shop (mid-Park between 64th and 65th Streets). Enter the Park at 60th Street and Fifth Avenue, and follow the path adjacent to the drive (road) north; the Dairy will be on your left. $15 (Members $10).

2 p.m. until 3 p.m. Jazz+Wednesdays Join us as jazz guitarist Bill Wurtzel and guests play standards from the American Songbook. Limited seating. American Folk Art Museum, 2 Lincoln Square (at Columbus Ave). FREE.

3:30 p.m. Early Literacy: Sing Play and Learn in Spanish/Canta, Juega, y aprende español! Led by native Spanish speakers, this series of 4 programs offers fun and engaging Spanish immersion activities for young children and their caregivers. Activities include music and movement, award-winning illustrated songbooks and games, counting, reading, creating simple rhythmic patterns, and coloring sheets to reinforce the Spanish vocabulary. This program welcomes Spanish and non-Spanish speakers. Recommended for children ages 2-5 years old with parent/caregiver. No registration required. St. Agnes Library. FREE.

5:45 p.m. until 6:45 p.m. Meditation Gifted meditation instructors lead a session and Q&A. JCC in Manhattan, 334 Amsterdam Avenue. FREE for all; $5 suggested donation.

6 p.m. until 7:30 p.m. The W Connection Widows Helping Widows Rebuild Their Lives UWS Chapter Meeting Join us 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 a complimentary trial meeting on UWS. If you would like to join after your trial meeting, membership in The W Connection is $40 annually which gives you access to all our chapter and programs.

6 p.m. Sonatenabend A useful roundup of free music, theater, jazz, classical, and other events to catch at Lincoln Center in March. Paul Recital Hall, 155 West 65th Street. FREE.

Thursday, January 23rd

8 a.m. until 5 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 5 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.

1 p.m. until 2 p.m. Closer-Look Tour A tour of Memory Palaces: Inside the Collection of Audrey B. Heckler, led by museum gallery guides. American Folk Art Museum, 2 Lincoln Square (at Columbus Ave). FREE.

3:30 p.m. Tech Lab: Gaming We are breaking out some exciting tech for our tweens! Explore circuits, robotics, computer programming and gaming at St. Agnes Library. We’ll use Littlebits to create inventions large and small, make our own game-pads with makey-makey kits, or test our skills with Minecraft, Mario Kart and Super Smash Bros for the Wii U and Nintendo Switch. For children ages 9-12. St. Agnes Library. FREE.

7:30 p.m. Los Cumpleaños Los Cumpleaños play tropical rhythms from Colombia infused with psychedelic soundscapes. They seamlessly transform heavy grooves and experimental sounds into an energetic, danceable, one-of-a-kind musical experience. Los Cumpleaños features virtuoso percussionist/vocalist Nestor Gomez from Barranquilla, Colombia; Lautaro Burgos from Chaco, Argentina on drum set; Eric Lane on keyboard; and Alex Asher on trombone from the U.S. Members of Los Cumpleaños have played with a variety of notable artists, including Aníbal Velásquez, Lisandro Meza, Porfi Baloa y sus Adolescentes, Juan Piña, Alfredo Gutiérrez, M.A.K.U. Soundsystem, Orquesta Dee Jay, Beyoncé, Joan as Police Woman, People’s Champs, and The Superpowers. David Rubenstein Atrium. FREE.

Friday, January 24th

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.

10:30 am; 11:30 am Yeti, Set, Snow! – Autism Friendly Show This show will have reduced sound and the lights will be dimly kept on. An original story and production from the Swedish Cottage Marionette Theatre, Yet, Set, Snow! is the story of a young girl named Widget, and her friend, Twig, who encounter a yeti named Pascetti on the first snow day of the winter season. Pascetti, who lives on a mountain top nearby, dislikes the snow. Through songs and snow day activities, Pascetti discovers not only that snow can be fun but also the value of friendship. Swedish Cottage Marionette Theatre in Central Park, $8-$12.

11:15 a.m. until 12:15 p.m. Stay Well Exercise for Seniors Stay Well volunteers are certified by the NYC’s Department for the aging will lead participants in a well-balanced series of exercises for seniors of all ability levels. Exercise equipment will be provided. All participants must sign a wavier before you join, please wear loose and comfortable clothing. St. Agnes Library, Community Program Room. FREE.

12 p.m. until 1:30 p.m. Central Park Tour: The Belvedere: Beautiful View Enjoy the sweeping vistas of the Great Lawn from the newly restored Belvedere Castle while learning about its history and preservation. Plus, explore the surrounding landscapes and landmarks, including Turtle Pond, King Jagiello, and the 3,500-year-old “Cleopatra’s Needle.”Terrain: Moderate inclines and a few stairs. Meet: Belvedere Castle (mid-Park at 79th Street). $15 (Members $10).

6:30 p.m. until 7:30 p.m. Performance | Hapi Phace Paints a Scarf The groundbreaking performance artist, New York nightlife legend, and Vera lover gives an after-hours gallery performance and tour of Vera Paints a Scarf: The Art and Design of Vera Neumann. The Museum of Arts and Design, 2 Columbus Circle (at 58th St). $15 general / $10 members and students.

7:30 p.m. Focus 2020 | Trailblazers: Pioneering Women Composers of the 20th Century The Focus festival, now in its 36th year, celebrates groundbreaking women composers who paved the way for generations to come. Peter Jay Sharp Theater. FREE.

7:30 p.m. MSM Icons: Terence Blanchard with the MSM Studio Orchestra The MSM Studio Orchestra performs A Tale of God’s Will (A Requiem for Katrina). MSM celebrates Grammy-winning and Oscar-nominated jazz trumpeter, opera and film composer, arranger, educator, and MSM Trustee Terence Blanchard (HonDMA ’17), in a special performance with the MSM Studio Orchestra. Neidorff-Karpati Hall, Manhattan School of Music, 130 Claremont Ave (at 123rd St). FREE.

8:30 p.m. until 10:30 p.m. Friends of NAAP Bar Thalia, 95th St & Broadway. FREE.

Saturday, January 25th

9 a.m. until 5 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.

11 a.m. Storytime and Activities Featuring Nobody Hugs a Cactus Hank is the prickliest cactus in the entire world and everyone stays away from him. But he is beginning to discover that being alone can be, well, lonely. Join us for Storytime and activities to follow. Barnes & Noble, 82nd St & Broadway. FREE.

2 p.m. Saturday Afternoon Movie: Rocketman (2019, R, 121 min.) This biopic focuses on Elton John’s early years and his meteoric rise to fame in the 1970s. It dwells on his relationships with his parents, his enduring partnership with lyricist Bernie Taupin, and his romantic relationships. Starring: Taron Egerton, Jamie Bell, Richard Madden, Bryce Dallas Howard, Gemma Jones. Dir. Dexter Fletcher. St. Agnes Library. FREE.

9 p.m. Miki Yokoyama Jazz Miki Yokoyama is a New York City-based vocalist. Born in Japan, Miki began her musical journey at the age of 3. Since moving to NYC in 2016, Miki has studied with today’s leaders of jazz music like Jay Clayton, Nancy Marano, and Alexis Cole. Bar Thalia, 95th St. & Broadway. FREE.

Sunday, January 26th

8 a.m. until 5 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.

8 a.m. until 5 p.m. 77th 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. until 5:30 p.m. Grand Bazaar Indoors & outdoors, local artist, designers, and antique/vintage dealers sell one-of-a-kind and limited edition art, antique watches, vintage collectibles and fashion, handmade jewelry and furniture. Delicious artisianal edibles will unsure that you will never leave hungry. 100 West 77th St. (at Columbus Avenue). FREE admission.

11 a.m. until 12:30 p.m. Discovery Walks for Families: Harlem Meer Now at the northeast corner of Central Park, the rocky landscape surrounding the Harlem Meer has a storied history. Join our guides to learn more about how the area has changed over time, the plants and animals that live there today, and how the Conservancy cares for this complex ecosystem. Explore the Meer’s history and design, and hear about what it takes to maintain a healthy and beautiful water body through hands-on exploration and guided activities in your complementary Discovery Journal. Terrain: A few inclines, some stairs, and wood-chipped trails; may not be suitable for strollers. Space is limited, registration required. Families with children age 5+ only; no groups, please. Please arrive 15 minutes before the start of the Discovery Walk to allow time for check-in. Meet: Charles A. Dana Discovery Center (inside the Park at 110th Street between Fifth and Lenox Avenues). FREE.

11 a.m. until 12:30 p.m. Sunday Platform – Jason Haber – Futurecity: A Look at the Past, Present, and Future of NYC and Cities Around the World In FutureCity, Jason takes the audience through the history of cities, and explores contemporary issues that are key to their survival and success. For New York, this requires a further embrace of Jane Jacobs, while moving on from the cen-centric policies of Robert Moses. New York Society for Ethical Culture, 2 W 64th St (at CPW). FREE.

1 p.m. until 2:30 p.m. Birding: Winter Waterfowl New York City is home to an amazing abundance of wildlife. Our Urban Park Rangers will guide you to the best wildlife viewing spots in the urban jungle. We offer birding programs throughout the year and offer unique wildlife viewing opportunities during particular seasons. To enhance your experience we encourage you to bring field guides and binoculars or ask a Ranger to borrow a pair. Birding programs are appropriate for all skill levels and beginners are welcome. West 90th Street and Central Park West. FREE.

2 p.m. until 3:30 p.m. Central Park Tour: Statues and Monuments Take a tour with Conservancy staff and learn about the history of the Park’s statues and monuments and how the Conservancy cares for them.Terrain: A few inclines. Meet: In front of the Samuel F. B. Morse statue (inside the Park at 72nd Street and Fifth Avenue). $15 (Members $10).

7 p.m. until 9 p.m. Tunes at Thalia Join in and sing at Tunes at Thalia, part of the long-running open mics presented at Bar Thalia at Symphony Space, New York City. A full evening of Broadway showtunes, American Songbook favorites, jazz standards, and more awaits you! Bring the song you love to sing or try out that new piece you’ve been working on. Bar Thalia, 95th St & Broadway. FREE (suggested donation for the band).

8 p.m. Shorts by Women These five compelling shorts directed by women offer bold, incisive, and darkly funny looks at contemporary Jewish femininity. Directors Danielle Durchslag and Pearl Gluck in person. Walter Reade Theater. $15 General Public; $12 Affiliate/ Senior (62+)/ Student (valid ID)/ Persons with Disabilities.

THIS WEEK’S EVENTS

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