Everything I’ve Heard About: ARTS & CULTURE

These are difficult times, and we’re doing our best to keep Manhattan informed – which is why we’ve been putting out our weekly COVID-19 newsletter (sign up here! ^[1]).

As we all self-isolate, New Yorkers are leaning more than ever on books, movies, music and other great works of art – but just as we find support in the arts, times like these remind us how essential it is that we support our artists. This post is a roundup of newsletter items centering on how many of New York’s great cultural institutions are coping with and working through this crisis. From Lincoln Center to American Idol, learn more about how we can still support and enjoy Manhattan’s artistry from the comfort of our own homes.

Thursday, 1/14/21

• Applications close Tuesday (1/19) for West Harlem artists interested in The Children’s Art Carnival ^[2] and Centro Civico Cultural Dominicano’s ^[3] upcoming exhibition. Apply here ^[4].
• Painters, sculptors, and printmakers with 20+ years of experience can apply for up to $25,000 in funding from the Gottlieb Foundation ^[5]. Applications close Friday, 2/26. Learn more and apply here ^[6].
• Tomorrow (1/15) and Saturday (1/16) are the final days of the Black Comic Book Festival ^[7], hosted by the Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture ^[8]. See the free virtual events and register here ^[9].
• Saturdays at 11 am through February, virtual sessions of Performing Arts Saturdays’ “Black Lives Matter: Music and Dance to Inspire Change ^[10]” enable young artists to delve into topics of social justice, civil rights, civic engagement, protest, community, and change, sponsored by Goddard Riverside’s Community Arts ^[11] program. Click the title to register.
• Saturday (1/16) at 2 pm, Theater for the New City ^[12] presents the 10th installment of “Open ’Tho Shut ^[13],” its afternoon of “walk-by theater” staged in its set shop and visible from East 10th St. between 1st and 2nd Aves.
• Sunday (1/17) at 1 pm, Sugar Hill Children’s Museum of Art & Storytelling ^[14] presents a virtual “Tribute to Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. ^[15],” featuring a musical choreopoem celebrating his life. Click the title to register.
• Tuesday (1/19) at 11 am, preview the forthcoming Art21 ^[16] short film featuring Abigail DeVille’s “Light of Freedom ^[17]” sculpture, on view in Madison Square Park through the month. The film will be followed by a discussion on documenting public art, hosted by the Madison Square Park Conservancy ^[18]. Register here ^[19].
• Tuesday (1/19) at 7 pm, poet Roberto Carlos Garcia speaks about his latest collection, “[Elegies]” in a virtual parlor chat ^[20] with Morris-Jumel Mansion ^[21]. Register here ^[22].

Thursday, 1/7/21

• The Museum of the City of New York’s ^[23] new exhibit, “New York Responds: The First Six Months ^[24],” crowdsourced objects and artwork documenting the city’s response to the dual crises of the pandemic and structural racism from March-September 2020. Timed-entry tickets are available here ^[25].

Thursday, 12/31/20

• Arts organizations, take the UMass Amherst “COVID-19 Response Policies and NYC Arts: Access and Impacts ^[26]” survey by Thursday, 1/14/21. The results will be used to identify which federal relief efforts were helpful, which fell short, and how the government can support arts and culture organizations going forward.
• Lower East Side residents can apply to community arts group FABnyc’s ^[27] two fellowships, the Lower East Side Community Culture Council (apply ^[28] by THIS Tuesday 1/5/21) and the LES Young Artist of Color Fellowship (apply ^[29] by NEXT Saturday 1/9/21). Both fellowships offer stipends and give priority to NYCHA residents.
• Applications close Friday, 1/15/21 for the virtual ILI Year 3 ^[30] program, a yearlong arts and culture fellowship sponsored by the Intercultural Leadership Institute. Apply here ^[31].
• Apply by Wednesday, 1/27/21 to the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s paid internships ^[32] for undergraduate and graduate students. The internships all begin in the summer but vary in length.
• Watch the global concert “As One ^[33],” produced by New Heritage Theatre Group ^[34] and Inamori Art Project Group ^[35], through Monday, 1/18/21.

Thursday, 12/17/20

• Arts organizations can now apply for an ArtTable fellow ^[36] for summer 2021. ArtTable ^[37] provides $4,000 stipends for women arts students or emerging professionals to spend up to eight weeks with an arts organization. Host organizations can apply here ^[38] by Sunday, 1/31.
• New radio show “The Harlem Connection ^[39]” features artists from different eras who helped turn Harlem into a cultural Mecca. New episodes air Fridays 10 pm – midnight on 99.5 FM and online ^[40]. Past episodes are available here ^[41].
• Third Street Music School Settlement ^[42] students recorded a virtual rendition of “Greensleeves” ^[43] for the holidays.
• Acrobatic light installation “Tumbling Brights ^[44]” is now on display on the 10 Broadway medians between Columbus Circle and 70th St., sponsored by the Lincoln Square Business Improvement District ^[45]. The lights will be up through February.
• Lincoln Center’s ^[46] nightly winter light installation ^[47] is on view through New Year’s Eve.
• Tomorrow Friday (12/18) at 7 pm, Bloomingdale School of Music holds a virtual holiday concert. Register here ^[48].)
• Tonight (12/17) at 6 pm, “The Coast of Utopia ^[49]” playwright Tom Stoppard and director Jack O’Brien reunite with actors Billy Crudup, Jennifer Ehle, Ethan Hawke, and Martha Plimpton for a very special roundtable discussion to talk about their experiences working on LCT ^[50]’s groundbreaking, landmark production of Stoppard’s trilogy. Visit this link ^[51] to register.
• Tonight (12/17) at 7 pm, “The Power of Women’s Stories ^[52]” features virtual readings celebrating women who have been written into history in the WomensActivism.NYC ^[53] archives, hosted by the NYC Dept. of Records and Information Services and Municipal Archives. Click the title to register.
• Tomorrow Friday (12/18) at 5 pm, the Frick Collection ^[54] celebrates its 85th anniversary ^[55] with a special edition of “Cocktails with a Curator ^[54],” covering the “Bust of Henry Clay Frick” accompanied by an old fashioned. Watch on YouTube ^[56].
• Tomorrow Friday (12/18) at 7 pm, the Harlem Chamber Players ^[57] premiere the musical documentary “In Song and Spirit ^[58].” Watch on YouTube ^[59] or Facebook ^[60].
• Saturday (12/19) at 9 pm, “Farm to Table in Guangdong ^[61]” explores the Chinese region’s sustainable agriculture, part of the “A Taste of China” series hosted by the China Institute ^[62] and WildChina ^[63]. Register for the Zoom here ^[64].
• Wednesday (12/23) at 7:30 pm, Ballet Hispánico ^[65] hosts a virtual watch party ^[66] of signature performance “Club Havana.” Watch on YouTube ^[67] or Facebook ^[68].

Thursday, 12/10/20

• More than a century has passed since American suffragists girded for their final push to win the ballot for women in every corner of the United States. Using my “Pioneers of Women’s Rights in Manhattan Walking Tour ^[69],” visit the sites around where you can see reminders of the struggles and achievements of New York women who spoke, marched and even fought for the vote and the full panoply of rights. Make a day of it, and visit all the sites to learn more about these extraordinary women who paved the way for generations. (The late Betsy Wade– a pioneer in NYC journalism ^[70] who recently died– and her husband compiled and wrote this wonderful guide.)
• Dominican Historic Neighborhoods ^[71] is an interactive website from the CUNY Dominican Studies Institute ^[72], and the first of its kind dedicated to the documentation of residential neighborhoods across the US with a Dominican presence that dates back over half a century.
• Last night (12/9) was The Lehrer Prize For Community Well-Being’s inaugural gala ^[73]. The prize, named after WNYC’s Brian Lehrer, recognizes a standout idea, individual or organization that has contributed meaningfully to improving the quality of life in NYC. The honorees are Allison James-Frison of Girls; Live, Love, Laugh, Inc. ^[74]; Pedro Rodriguez of La Jornada ^[75]; and Heather Butts of H.E.A.L.T.H. for Youths ^[76]. Watch the gala here ^[73].
• Tomorrow Friday (12/11) at 12:30 pm, virtual lecture “Holiday Season 1830 ^[77]” discusses the history and traditions of the holidays in New York almost two centuries ago, hosted by the Mount Vernon Hotel Museum and Garden ^[78]. Click the title to access the Zoom.
• Saturday (12/12) at 4:30 pm is the “Annual RING Holiday Party and Tree/Menorah Lighting ^[79]” at Riverside-Inwood Neighborhood Garden (btwn Seaman Ave., Riverside Dr. and Dyckman St.).

Thursday, 12/3/20

• Artists are invited to apply for the Experimental Projects Residency Program ^[80] from Alfred University’s Institute for Electronic Arts. ^[81] Apply here ^[82].
• Music group MasterVoices ^[83] has recorded a choral “Tribute of Gratitude to New York.” Watch here ^[84].
• “East Village Public Art and Monuments ^[85]” is Village Preservation’s ^[86] newest virtual bike tour.
• Tonight (12/3) at 6 pm and Saturday (12/5) at noon and 6 pm, the NYC Mental Health Film Festival ^[87] screens films about people living with mental health concerns. Reserve free tickets here ^[88].
• Tonight (12/3) at 7 pm, take a “Virtual Holiday Candlelight Tour ^[89]” of the Mount Vernon Hotel Museum & Garden ^[78]. Click the title to register.
• Now through Monday (12/7), submit an edible entry to the “Preservation Bake-off ^[90],” hosted by Landmark West! ^[91] and other preservation groups. A panel of celebrity architects and bakers will determine the winning baked-good building.
• Saturday (12/5) at 10 am or Sunday (12/11) at 4 pm, take a virtual walking tour of Hamilton Heights and Sugar Hill ^[92], hosted by Broadway Mall Association ^[93]. Register by emailing info@broadwaymall.org ^[94].
• Saturday (12/5) at 10 am and 2 pm, teens can take a free virtual fashion design workshop through the Met ^[95], “Fashion of the Future ^[96].” Click the title to register.
• Monday (12/7) at 12:30 pm, “Writing for NYC Children’s Media ^[97]” is a virtual panel about opportunities to write for NYC-based children’s productions, sponsored by the Sesame Workshop ^[98] and the Mayor’s Office of Media and Entertainment. Click the title to register.
• Next Thursday (12/10) at 5 pm, “Celebrating Women’s Activism ^[99]” is an online table talk focusing on the work of archival project WomensActivism.NYC’s ^[100] goal to collect 20,000 stories about exceptional women by the end of 2020, hosted by WomensActivism.NYC and Women Creating Change ^[101]. Register here ^[102].

Thursday, 11/19/20

• Dancers can apply by Thursday, 12/3 to perform in the “Virtual Salon Performance Series ^[103]” hosted by local dance nonprofit Mark DeGarmo Dance ^[104].
• Schedule a free book fair for your organization’s clients, hosted by the Fresh Air Fund ^[105] Young Women’s Giving Circle, which has 20,000 English and Spanish children’s books to distribute. For more information, contact Kristin Short at kshort@freshair.org ^[106] or 212-897-8919.
• Tonight (11/19) at 8 pm, “A Concert for the New Moon ^[107]” features local musicians playing works by J.S. Bach, Leonard Bernstein and Giacomo Puccini, hosted by Metropolitan Playhouse ^[108]. Watch here ^[109].
• From 8 am Saturday (11/21) to 11:59 pm Sunday (11/22), shop at the Goddard Riverside virtual book fair ^[110]. All books are at least 50% off, and all proceeds benefit Goddard Riverside. Sign up ^[110] to get a reminder when the fair link goes live.
• Saturday (11/21), Art on the Ave ^[111] launches its exhibition of local artists’ work in vacant storefronts along Columbus Avenue (btwn 68th and 77th Sts.). As you explore the art, scan the QR code next to each piece with your phone to listen to a recording by the artist. The art will be on display through Sunday, 1/31/2021.

Thursday, 11/12/20

• A new book, written by longtime friend of the office Betsy Bober Polivy, profiles businesses from 1st – 155th Sts. (Manhattan’s original street grid),“Walking Manhattan Sideways – Side Street Businesses That Have Stood the Test of Time ^[112].”
• “Immigrants Mean Business: An Enduring History of Entrepreneurship ^[113]” is the Tenement Museum’s new virtual exhibit, in partnership with the NYC Dept. of Small Business Services.
• Religious facilities can share their space with dancers looking for rehearsal space, a project of Partners for Sacred Places. NYC Dance in Sacred Places ^[114] can be a mutually beneficial opportunity for artists struggling to find affordable studios and sacred places seeking to share space with the community.
• Lighthouse Guild’s virtual book club ^[115] for individuals with vision loss is accepting new members. The next meeting is Wednesday, 12/2. Register here ^[116].
• Sunday (11/15) at 7:30 pm, watch “Underscored ^[117]” by Ephrat Asherie Dance, a new dance work celebrating club life as part of the Guggenheim’s Works and Process ^[118] series. Watch on Facebook ^[119], Instagram ^[120] and YouTube ^[121].
• Monday (11/16) at 5 pm, I’m hosting a virtual VIP lounge ^[122] to kick-off Harlem Holiday Lights 2020 ^[123]— bring your cocktails and jingle bells. Throughout the week, join virtual activities for the whole family ^[124], including karaoke and the Caravan of Lights. The Harlem Holiday Lights will be up through New Year’s Eve, thanks to the 125th St. Business Improvement District and Community Boards 9 and 10.
• Next Thursday (11/19) at 5 pm, the National Association of Women Artists ^[125] hosts a virtual opening reception ^[126] for its new members exhibition ^[127].

Thursday, 11/5/20

• The Winter Village at Bryant Park ^[128] is now open through Sunday, 3/7/2021. New this year, ice skating reservations ^[129] must be made online, and the Holiday Shops ^[130] are more spaced out.
• As the New York Public Library moves into phase 2 of its reopening this Monday (11/9), researchers can make in-person appointments at research libraries ^[131] and borrow materials from research collections ^[132].
• The Shed’s ^[133] film “November ^[134],” which is about white male privilege and Black joy and was shot in the weeks leading up to the election, is free to stream through Saturday (11/7). I enjoyed this great film.
• For families with children and adults with disabilities, Lincoln Center’s Passports to the Arts ^[135] offers accessible performing arts programs via Zoom. Register for the free fall season here ^[136].
• Next Thursday (11/12) at 2 pm, the National Museum of the American Indian ^[137] hosts a Zoom conversation about the identity and the “warrior” stereotype of Native Americans in the military. Register here ^[138].

Thursday, 10/29/20

• Apply by this Saturday (10/31) ^[139] to be featured in the virtual Gramercy Art Show ^[140], which will run November 15 through February 15, 2021.
• Cultural philanthropy organization Creative Capital ^[141] published a list of artist grants and residencies ^[142] with November and December deadlines.
• Several New York theater companies have produced a virtual, multi-language reading of “It Can’t Happen Here ^[143],” based on the Sinclair Lewis novel about the rise of fascism in America. Watch it here ^[144] through Sunday (11/1).
• The Morris-Jumel Mansion’s new installation, “CoVIDA – Homage to Victims of the Pandemic ^[145],” is on view Monday, 11/2 through Thursday, 12/31. Submit a name to be included in the memorial here ^[146].
• Lincoln Center’s new visual poetry tribute to civil rights legends John Lewis and C.T. Vivian, “Baptism (of The Sharecropper’s Son & The Boy From Boonville),” can be viewed for free here ^[147].
• Sunday (11/1) at 1 pm, the Sugar Hill Children’s Museum ^[14] and Broadway Housing Communities ^[148] host “Therese Tells…String Stories! ^[149],” featuring Cherokee and Ghanaian stories on Zoom. Click the title to register.

Thursday, 10/22/20

• Tomorrow (10/23) at 7 pm, Bloomingdale School of Music continues its faculty concert series with “Music with a Voice ^[150].” Click the title to register.
• Tomorrow (10/23) through next Thursday (10/29), Baruch Performing Arts Center and Opera Omaha debut the opera “dwb (driving while black) ^[151].” Register for free (or donate-what-you-can) tickets here ^[152].
• Saturday (10/24) at 10 am, WomensActivism.nyc ^[153], hosts a “Story-a-thon ^[154].” Share stories of women who worked (or are working) to create a better world, and those stories will be permanently preserved by the City’s Municipal Archives ^[155], to inspire the next generation of female leaders.
• Tuesday (10/27) through next Thursday (10/29) at 7 pm, Mark DeGarmo Dance hosts “Virtual International Arts Festival for Social Change ^[156].” Click the title to register.
• Wednesday (10/28) at 11:30 am, the COVID-NYC Documentary Project hosts a panel, “Documenting the Pandemic Experience in New York City.” Watch on Zoom ^[157].

Monday, 10/19/20

• Tonight (10/19) at 7 pm, Dance Theatre of Harlem hosts its “2020 Vision Gala.” Watch on Facebook ^[158] or YouTube ^[159].

Thursday, 10/15/20

• Today’s (10/15) episode of the Inwood Art Works “On Air” ^[160] podcast features Calliope Brass, an all-female brass band. Listen on Apple Podcasts ^[161], Spotify ^[162], Stitcher ^[163] and Blubrry ^[164].
• Tonight (10/15) at 7:30 pm, the Northern Manhattan Arts Alliance continues its Thursdays with NoMAA ^[165] series with jazz legend Marjorie Eliot. Watch on Zoom ^[166] or Facebook ^[167].
• Lighthouse Guild’s new podcast series, “On Tech & Vision ^[168],” holds interviews about how technology can improve life for people with vision loss.
• PBS has made available for free the documentary “Driving While Black: Race, Space and Mobility in America ^[169]” through Tuesday, 11/10.
• Tomorrow (10/16) at 3 pm, the South Street Seaport Museum hosts “Inside Schermerhorn Row: A Virtual Tour of the Seaport Museum’s Landmark Buildings ^[170].” Register here ^[171].
• Open House New York Weekend ^[172] has gone virtual this year. Saturday (10/17) and Sunday (10/18), OHNY hosts virtual and self-guided experiences ^[173] to connect people to historically and culturally significant New York buildings.
• Saturday (10/17) and Sunday (10/18), the Museum of Chinese in America opens its “Windows for Chinatown ^[174]” exhibition (3 Howard St.). Reserve free timed-entry tickets here ^[175].
• Saturday (10/17) at 8 pm, Metropolitan Playhouse hosts a reading of “Representing T.A. Buck,” ^[176] a short story by Edna Ferber, and a talkback. Watch on YouTube ^[177].
• Monday (10/19) at 7:30 pm, the Northern Manhattan Arts Alliance hosts “Sound Waves and Brain Waves– Our Musical Memories ^[178],” a series about jazz and science. Watch on Zoom ^[179].
• Wednesday (10/21) at 7 pm, the Morris-Jumel Mansion hosts “Historic House Museums and the Paranormal ^[180].” Register here ^[181].

Thursday, 10/8/20

• Listen to Ruth Bader Ginsburg’s 1973 talk ^[182] at the 92nd St. Y on women and the law.
• Listen to the Time 100 Talk ^[183] with Lin-Manuel Miranda and his father, Luis.
• Visit new murals depicting the story of the Latinx diaspora in New York City ^[184] at the Plaza de las Americas, outside of the United Palace on W. 175th St. The murals are up for the next two weeks.
• Reserve free tickets now for Atlantic Theater Company’s fall Reunion Reading Series ^[185], featuring plays “Skeleton Crew” and “Guards at the Taj.”
• Register now for Concerts in Motion’s 10/28 fall virtual salon ^[186], featuring a performance by the Emeril String Quartet.
• Tonight (10/8) at 6 pm, the NYC Ballet hosts a free virtual movement workshop for teens and adults with disabilities ^[187]. Register here ^[188].
• Saturday (10/10) at noon, NYC Ballet hosts a version of the workshop for children with disabilities ^[189]. Register here ^[190]
• Tonight (10/8) at 7:30 pm, the Northern Manhattan Arts Alliance continues its Thursdays with NoMAA ^[191] series with visual artist Rachel Sydlowski. Watch on Zoom ^[166] or Facebook ^[167].
• Tomorrow (10/9) at 12:30 pm, the Mount Vernon Hotel Museum & Garden hosts a virtual lecture, “Literature in the 19th Century ^[192].” Watch on Zoom ^[193].
• Tomorrow (10/9) at 7 pm, Bloomingdale School of Music’s free faculty concert series kicks off with “South American Sounds ^[194].” Click the title to register.
• Saturday (10/10) at 2 pm, take a family tour in English or Spanish of the Morris-Jumel Mansion and grounds (65 Jumel Terr.). Register here ^[195].
• Saturday (10/10) at 5 pm, Apexart interviews anthropologist and nuclear abolitionist Martin Pfeiffer. Register here ^[196].
• Sunday (10/11) at 2 pm, Uptown Grand Central hosts “Cash Mob: a Socially Distanced Progressive Meal” to support East Harlem restaurants. Click the title to register.
• Sunday (10/11) at 4 pm, the Harlem Chamber Players present “Portraits and Dialogues: A Virtual Concert and TalkBack with the Musicians and Founder Liz Player.” Watch on Facebook.
• Monday (10/12) and Wednesday (10/14) at 6 pm, the Skyscraper Museum continues its “Rewriting Skyscraper History” series with paired talks “Business Buildings: Thinking About Corporate vs. Commercial Skyscrapers ^[197].” Click the title to register.
• Tuesday (10/13) at 5 pm, City Parks Foundation’s Summerstage Anywhere series hosts a virtual concert featuring Rodrigo y Gabriela and The Mavericks ^[198].

Thursday, 10/1/20

• The Shed reopens 10/16 with artist Howardena Pindell’s video exhibition “Rope/Fire/Water ^[199].” Reserve free timed-entry tickets here ^[199].
• Congratulations to the national Black, Latinx, Asian and Indigenous arts organizations that received $1+ million grants from the “America’s Cultural Treasures ^[200]” initiative, funded by 16 major donors and foundations. The NYC grantees are: Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, the Apollo Theater, Ballet Hispánico, Dance Theatre of Harlem, El Museo del Barrio, Jazz at Lincoln Center, Museum of Chinese in America, Studio Museum in Harlem and Urban Bush Women. Another round of regional grantees will be announced in 2021.
• Tonight (10/1) at 7:30 pm, the Northern Manhattan Arts Alliance continues its Thursdays with NoMAA ^[201] series with Dance Theatre of Harlem. Watch on Zoom ^[166] or Facebook ^[167].
• Tomorrow (10/2) at 8 pm, Columbia University School of the Arts hosts a podcast release and listening party ^[202] for “Rarámuri Dreams,” written by Mexican playwright Camila Villegas. Register here ^[203].
• Sunday (10/4) at 2 pm, South Street Seaport Museum’s monthly sea-music singalong series, “Sea Chanteys and Maritime Music ^[204],” continues virtually. Register here ^[205].
• Sunday (10/4) at 4 pm, Collectives for Art Music & Dance hosts “Merengue: Evolution of its rhythms and dances ^[206],” a virtual discussion accompanied by demonstrations. Click the title to register.
• Tuesday (10/6) at 1 pm, the American Folk Art Museum’s Reflections Music Series hosts a Zoom concert for adults living with memory loss ^[207], playing Spanish songs. To register, contact egronke@folkartmuseum.org ^[208] or 212-265-0605.
• Tuesday (10/6) at 6 pm, the New Amsterdam History Center hosts “New York is a Dutch City ^[209],” moderated by Manhattan Borough Historian Rob Snyder. Click the title to register.
• Tuesday (10/6) at 7 pm, the Tenement Museum hosts a virtual book talk ^[210] with Julia Rose Kraut, author of “Threat of Dissent: A History of Ideological Exclusion and Deportation in the United States.” Watch on YouTube ^[211].
  Next Thursday (10/8) at 7 pm, the Tenement Museum hosts “Contraceptives and Controversies ^[212],” a discussion about birth control from the 1870s – 1930s. Watch on YouTube ^[213].
• Wednesday (10/7) at 7 pm, the Andrew Goodman Foundation hosts a panel about the film “Let the People Decide,” which documents the struggle for voting rights since the 1960s. Register here ^[214] for the free link in order to watch the film on your own before the 10/7 Zoom panel.
• Next Thursday (10/8) through 10/18, Workers Unite Film Festival ^[215] screens films virtually.

Thurday, 9/24/20

• Poets House, the national literary center in Battery Park City, and the Battery Park City Authority are launching a “Poetry Path” starting outside their front door at 10 River Terrace in BPC, featuring over 40 poetry fragments reproduced on bench slats, banners, pavers, pathways and signs.
  Tomorrow (9/25), the virtual opening ^[216] celebrates Poets House’s 10th anniversary and features the launch of in-depth Poetry Path web resources ^[217] and a series of virtual events. Free and open to the public, the Poetry Path will run through 2021.
• Artists can apply by Wednesday (9/30) to design artwork for vacant storefronts’ windows along Columbus Ave. ^[218], through Art on the Avenue.
• The Hispanic Society Museum & Library’s free “Treasures on the Terrace ^[219]” outdoor exhibition is now open through 12/6.
• Stream the NYC Ballet’s free repertory performances ^[220], beginning Tuesday (9/29). New performances will be posted weekly. Watch on Facebook ^[221], Youtube ^[222] or nycballet.com ^[223].
• Stream weekly episodes of “Inwood Art Works On Air ^[160],” a hyper-local podcast featuring Inwood artists. Today’s (9/24) episode spotlights actor David Anzuelo. Listen on Spotify ^[162], Apple Podcasts ^[161], Stitcher ^[163] and Blubrry ^[164].
• Every Manhattan senator and Congress member supports the federal Save Our Stages Act ^[224], but there are stages, performers and arts workers across America who need help coping with the economic fallout of the pandemic. Urge your friends in other locations to use this link ^[224] to contact their elected officials in Washington to support this important legislation.
• Tomorrow (9/25) at 3 pm, Inwood Art Works screens the short film “Ebb Tide ^[225],” from the Inwood Film Festival. Monday (9/25) at 10 am, IAW hosts Musical Storytime with “You are my Sunshine.” Stream both on Facebook ^[226], Twitter ^[227] and YouTube ^[228].
• Saturday (9/26) at 6:30 pm, Manhattan’s only drive-in (cars-only!) movie theater, Sol Cinema Cafe, hosts a screening of “Sonic the Hedgehog” ^[229] at East River Plaza, 517 E. 117th St. Arrive at 5:30 pm to get a parking spot. Register at the above link.
• Saturdays at 7 pm through mid-October, the Open Street at E. 101st St. and Lexington Ave. ^[230] screens film shorts from the International Puerto Rican Heritage Film Festival.
• Saturday (9/26) at 8 pm, Metropolitan Playhouse screens a reading of “A Woman’s Honor,” ^[231] by Susan Glaspell, followed by a talkback. Watch on YouTube ^[232].
• Tuesday (9/29) at 3:30 pm, kids can learn how to make seasoned corn flatbread ^[233] during Dyckman Farmhouse Museum Alliance’s virtual Traveling Kitchen for Kids.

Monday, 9/21/20

• Tomorrow (9/22) at 5:45 pm, the Andrew Goodman Foundation hosts a screening and subsequent discussion of the film “Rigged,” about voter suppression. Register here ^[234].
• Thursday (9/24) at 8 pm, screen the documentary “Capturing the Flag” and attend a virtual town hall about it and the 2020 election. Register here.

Thursday, 9/17/20

• NYC & Company launched “All In NYC ^[235],” with over 100 ways for local New Yorkers to save when they visit local cultural institutions, restaurants, hotels, museums, and tours across the city. Included in the initiative is an offer from MasterCard that offers $10 back on every $20 spent on the experiences– or $25 back on every $100 spent on hotels– for up to $100 in statement credits per cardholder (while supplies last); visit www.nycgo.com/neighborhood-getaways ^[236].
• Manhattan Borough Historian Dr. Robert Snyder joined the Washington Heights episode of the podcast “Rediscovering New York with Jeff Goodman ^[237].” Click the title to listen.
• Visual, literary and performing artists ages 15-18 can apply by 10/16 ^[238] to win financial awards and creative development opportunities through the YoungArts National Arts Competition ^[239].
• The “City Without People ^[240]” photo exhibition by Giles Ashford is now online at the Municipal Art Society of New York. He captured unusually empty New York spots during the height of COVID.
• The Jewish New Year, Rosh Hashanah, begins tomorrow (9/18) at sundown. Below is a list of free holiday events across Manhattan:
  • UJA Federation of New York has compiled a list of schedules and links to Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur services and programs. It includes information for a wide variety of denominations and Shofar in the Streets, on Manhattan’s Upper West and Upper East Sides. Find the schedule and format here ^[241].
  • The Jewish Learning Center is offering virtual pre-High Holiday events. Find streaming information here ^[242].
  • My Jewish Learning ^[243] has compiled a list of shofar blowings ^[244].
  • Chabad Centers across Manhattan are hosting socially distanced worship and programming. Click here ^[245] for locations, schedule and registration information.
  • The Shul of New York High Holidays will host virtual events, services and programs with sign language interpreters. Click here ^[246] for the schedule.
  • Tomorrow (9/18) at 5 pm, the Marlene Meyerson JCC Manhattan hosts a “Virtual Rosh Hashanah Seder for Families with School-Age Children ^[247].”
  • Tomorrow (9/18) at 7 pm, the JCC will host a virtual “Awake & Renew: Rosh Hashanah Shabbat ^[248]” for twenty- and thirty-somethings.
• Register here ^[249] for tonight’s (9/17) 6:30 pm program by China Institute and Poster House, “The Evolution of Chinese Fashion ^[250].” Tomorrow (9/18) at noon, practice Mandarin ^[251] and read Chinese poetry during China Institute’s monthly Lunch and Learn. Register here ^[252].
• Saturday (9/19) at 10 am, Harlem School of the Arts hosts a virtual open house ^[253] to showcase upcoming studio and performing arts classes. Click the link to register.
• Saturday (9/19) from 2 – 9 pm, the Caribbean Cultural Center African Diaspora Institute’s virtual AfriBembé Festival ^[254] celebrates the African Diaspora through music and dance. Stream at cccadi.org ^[255].
• Tuesday (9/22) at 3:30 pm, kids can learn how to make East African chapati ^[233] during Dyckman Farmhouse Museum Alliance’s virtual Traveling Kitchen for Kids.
• Wednesday (9/23) at 6 pm, the CUNY Dominican Studies Institute and artist Doris Rodriguez host “Monocorde ^[256],” a virtual exhibition of drawings inspired by COVID first responders in the Dominican Republic.
• Next Thursday (9/24) at 11 am, Hudson River Park’s SUBMERGE Marine Science Festival ^[257] celebrates NYC’s coastal waters by bringing marine science to life. Stream on Facebook ^[258].

Monday, 9/14/20

• Thursday (9/17) at 4 pm, join a creative movement and dance improvisation class ^[259] with the National Dance Institute. Stream on Facebook ^[260], Instagram ^[261] and YouTube ^[262].
• Thursday (9/17) at 7:30 pm the Northern Manhattan Arts Alliance ^[263] continues its Thursdays with NoMAA ^[264] series with musician Emi Antonio. Watch on Zoom ^[265] or Facebook ^[167].
• Friday (9/18) at 8 pm, La MaMa kicks off its 59th season ^[266] with a series of online arts performances, “Downtown Variety.” After Friday’s performances, there will be a virtual launch party. Register here ^[267].

Thursday, 9/10/20

• Tomorrow (9/11) at 7:55 am, stream the annual “Table of Silence Project 9/11 ^[268]” performance ritual for peace, sponsored by Buglisi Dance Theatre and Lincoln Center. Click the title to watch, or stream on Facebook ^[269].
• Tomorrow (9/11) at 12:30 pm, the Mount Vernon Hotel Museum and Garden continues its Lunchtime Lecture series with “Birth of Modern Campaigning ^[270].” Watch on Zoom ^[271].
• Saturday (9/12) all day, Waterfront Alliance hosts City of Water Day ^[272] to raise awareness about the risks of rising sea levels and climate change. Check out water-themed events ^[273] throughout the city and art installations ^[274].
• Saturday (9/12) at 2 pm and Sunday (9/13) at 2 pm, watch Theater for the New City’s final performances of “LIBERTY Or JUST US, A City Parks Story ^[275],” an oratorio that honors NYC parks for being sites of activism. Stream on the Theater’s website ^[276] or Facebook ^[277] page.
• Tuesday (9/15) at 4 pm, take a 19th-century historic walking tour ^[278] of the neighborhood around the Mount Vernon Hotel Museum. Register here ^[279].
• Next Thursday (9/17) at 8 pm, watch the City Parks Foundation annual SummerStage Jubilee ^[280], with stories and songs by guests like Billie Jean King, Leslie Odom Jr. and Norah Jones. Stream on Instagram ^[281], YouTube ^[282] or Facebook ^[283].

Thursday, 9/3/20

• MIT’s biology department is offering a new online class called “COVID-19, SARS-CoV-2 and the Pandemic.” The class begins Tuesday (9/8) and will be livestreamed and open to the public each Tuesday thereafter from 11:30 am – 12:30 pm, but only enrolled MIT students will be able to ask questions. (The livestreams will be posted a few days later with closed captions). Here’s the course description ^[284], syllabus ^[285](PDF) and livestream link ^[286].
• The New York Public Library is adding Grab & Go service to 50 locations ^[287] (10 in Manhattan). Reserve items online ^[288] or by phone (917-275-6975), and you’ll receive an email when your items are ready for contactless pick-up at your designated branch, open Mon, Tue, Thu 11 am – 6pm; Wed 12 – 7 pm; Fri, Sat 11 am – 5 pm. The new Manhattan branches are:
  • 125th Street Library ^[289], 224 E. 125th St.
  • 96th Street Library ^[290], 112 E. 96th St.
  • Chatham Square Library ^[291], 33 E. Broadway
  • Columbus Library ^[292], 742 10th Ave.
  • Harlem Library ^[293], 9 W. 124th St.
  • Kips Bay Library ^[294], 446 3rd Ave.
  • Morningside Heights Library ^[295], 2900 Broadway
  • Muhlenberg Library ^[296], 209 W. 23rd St.
  • Mulberry Street Library ^[297], 10 Jersey St.
  • Webster Library ^[298], 1465 York Ave.
• Paint a mural or design a Black Lives Matter art installation for the Roosevelt Island Fall for Arts Festival ^[299]. Submit sketches by 9/11 to jessica.cerone@rioc.ny.gov ^[300].
• Submit voting-themed artwork ^[301] by 9/25 to be featured on LinkNYC’s 1,700 kiosks this election season.
• Enroll in free online ESL classes with Women for Afghan Women ^[302], open to all NYC immigrant women. Classes are 9/8 – 12/18, 10:30 am – 1:30 pm. Choose from beginner (Mon, Tue, Wed), high beginner (Thu, Fri) or intermediate (Mon, Tue, Wed) classes. Register at 646-494-4054 or beatrice@womenforafghanwomen.org ^[303].
• Manhattanville Houses, Grant Houses and Northern Manhattan residents can audit Columbia University classes ^[304] for free. Apply here ^[305].
• Volunteer at the Metropolitan Museum of Art ^[306], no prior art history background required. Email volunteers@metmuseum.org ^[307] to learn more.
• Watch the Guggenheim Museum’s Works & Process Artists ^[118]’ new virtual commissions every Sunday and Monday at 7:30 pm on Facebook ^[308], Instagram ^[309] and YouTube ^[310].
• Be An #ArtsHero ^[311] will host an Arts Workers Unite Day of Action ^[312] Monday (9/7) to call on the Senate to pass an arts and culture relief package. The largest demonstration will take place in Times Square as arts workers and Broadway luminaries sing “Will I” from Rent.
• Add your art to the fence at Grand and Lafayette Sts. ^[313], a project Soho artist Wendy Friedman is spearheading.
• Tonight (9/3) at 8 pm, Arts for Art ^[314] will host its weekly FreeJazz Works in a Time of Crisis On_Line Salon Series ^[315]. Register here ^[316].
• Saturday (9/5) at 2 pm, watch Theater for the New City’s “LIBERTY Or JUST US, A City Parks Story ^[275],” an oratorio that honors NYC parks for being sites of activism. Livestream on the Theater’s website ^[276]or Facebook ^[277] page.
• Sunday (9/6) at 8 pm, join the National Alliance for Domestic Workers ^[317] for “The Tribute to Essential Workers ^[318],” featuring personal stories of essential workers.
• Monday (9/7), Arts for Art ^[314] will host “Artists for a Free World ^[319]” at La Plaza at the Clemente (107 Suffolk St.). Events will be at 2:30 pm, 3:45 pm and 4:30 pm.

Monday, 8/31/20

• Wednesday (9/2) at 6:30 pm, Ballet Hispánico ^[65] continues its Diálogos ^[320] series with “The Stereotypes of Machismo in Dance ^[321],” a discussion about gender stereotypes.
• Thursday (9/3) through 9/28, the Whitney Museum ^[322] will offer pay-what-you-wish admission. Visit whitney.org/ticketing-info ^[323] for timed-entry tickets.
• Thursday (9/3) at 7:30 pm, the the Northern Manhattan Arts Alliance ^[324] continues its Thursdays with NoMAA ^[325] series with musician Stefan Paolini. Watch on Zoom ^[166] or Facebook ^[326].

Thursday, 8/27/20

• Saturdays and newly Sundays noon – 9 pm through Oct. 31, Amsterdam Ave. between 97 – 110 St. will be closed to cars and turned into Manhattan’s longest Open Street; see the list of which restaurants will be participating as Open Restaurants here ^[327].
• Enjoy the parks from your apartment with Parks@Home ^[328], virtual NYC Dept. of Parks programming, including park tours, meditation, fitness, art classes and kids activities.
• Lincoln Center and ballet dancer Misty Copeland remind you to fill out the 2020 Census ^[329] in this PSA ^[330].
• Contribute to the New York Public Library’s archives by submitting audio recordings about life during the COVID era to The Pandemic Diaries ^[331], a new NYPL initiative. Submit recordings ^[332] by Nov. 18.
• Tonight (8/27) at 7 pm, Theater for the New City presents “On The Air ^[333],” poetry celebrating 100 years of women’s suffrage. Livestream on their website ^[12] or Facebook ^[334].
• Tonight (8/27) at 7:30 pm, the Northern Manhattan Arts Alliance ^[324] continues its Thursdays with NoMAA ^[335] series with muralist Danny Bonilla. Watch on Zoom ^[336] or Facebook ^[326].
• Tuesday (9/1) at 1 pm, Archivists Round Table of Metropolitan NY ^[337] will host an interactive discussion on mentorship during COVID ^[338]. Register here ^[339].
• Tuesday (9/1) at 4 pm, Lower Manhattan Cultural Council ^[340] will hold an information session for Creative Learning and Creative Engagement Manhattan Arts Grants ^[341] applicants. Register here ^[342].
• Tuesday (9/1) at 6 pm, Hunter College’s Hunter@Home ^[343] will host “The Presidents vs. the Press: From the Founding Fathers to Fake News ^[344].”
• Tuesday (9/1) at 7:30 pm, join The Africa Center ^[345] and Storyspaces ^[346] for an outdoor screening of “John Lewis: Good Trouble.” ^[347] Register here ^[348].

Thursday, 8/20/20

• Seven years ago, a group of women banded together to create Central Park’s first statue of real women. The group, which became Monumental Women ^[349], and I faced obstacles at every turn, from being told that women want gardens, not statues, to having to prove that Sojourner Truth, Elizabeth Cady Stanton and Susan B. Anthony each set foot in Central Park. We had to rely almost entirely on individual contributions– the only public money came from myself and Council Member Helen Rosenthal. But we pushed through each “no” until the City approved the statue.
  Next Wednesday (8/26) at 7:45 am (to accommodate both the Today Show and Good Morning America), we will unveil the Women’s Rights Pioneers Monument at long last. That part of the event is invitation only; but you can watch the livestream at monumentalwomen.org ^[350] or facebook.com/monumentalwomennyc ^[351]. The TV crew will leave by late morning, and I and Monumental Women board members will stay on site when the monument opens to the public at noon; please come– bring your children or grandchildren– to Central Park’s Literary Walk ^[352] to take a picture and listen to the talking statue’s monologues (voiced by Jane Alexander, Viola Davis, America Ferrera, Rita Moreno, Zoe Saldana and Meryl Streep).
  Learn more at “For Three Suffragists, a Monument Well Past Due ^[353],” a NY Times profile of the monument’s sculptor, Meredith Bergmann ^[354].
• Museums are now cleared to reopen starting as early as this Monday (8/24), at a maximum of 25% capacity and with timed admissions. My staff and interns compiled information about museums’ plans and posted them here ^[355]. At press time, these museums have not announced reopening: Asia Society and Museum, Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum, National Museum of the American Indian NY, Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum, South Street Seaport Museum, The Frick Collection and The Morgan Library & Museum. We’ll post those plans at the same link once we have them.
• LiveOn NY has compiled an extensive list of virtual and phone events ^[356] for seniors.
• Lighthouse Guild’s ^[357] “Community Connections” program offers virtual presentations about vision loss. Contact millerl@lighthouseguild.org ^[358] or 917-386-9197 to register. Lighthouse Guild also hosts a monthly book club. Register here ^[359] or call 212-769-7833.
• Now through 8/31, intermediate and advanced dancers can take free company classes with Nai-Ni Chen Virtual Dance Institute ^[360]. Register here ^[361].
• Tuesday (8/25) at 5:30 pm, Harlem School of the Arts ^[362] will host “How I Did It: Make It Fashion ^[363],” a discussion with alumna and Chanel stylist Z’hara Green.
• Wednesday (8/26) at 1 pm, WomensActivism.nyc ^[364], a project spearheaded by the Dept. of Records and Information Services/Municipal Archives, will host a Women’s Equality Day Write-In ^[365]. Share stories of women who worked (or are working) to create a better world, and those stories will be permanently preserved by the Municipal Archives ^[366], to inspire the next generation of female leaders.
• Wednesday (8/26) at 1 pm, join Womankind ^[367] for “Art and Storytelling with Warren King ^[368]” as he shares his journey of discovering his Chinese roots.

Monday, 8/17/20

• Huge news: After weeks of delays, Gov. Cuomo has announced that museums and cultural institutions can open their indoor spaces at 25% capacity– with timed admissions– starting next Monday (8/24). I will pass on information about the policies of each museum as I get them, but until then check your favorite museum’s website for their specific visitor guidelines.
• Now through Friday (8/21), intermediate and advanced dancers can take free company classes with Nai-Ni Chen Virtual Dance Institute ^[369]. Register here ^[370].
• Next Thursday (8/27) at 6:30 pm, Lower Manhattan Cultural Council ^[371] continues its artists’ professional development series ^[372] with “Work Samples Do’s and Don’t’s ^[373].”

Thursday, 8/13/20

• I’ve always been a strong supporter of Harlem Week, which will kick off its festivities virtually this Sunday, Aug. 16 with the theme of “Movement of the People” sharing the culture, history, resilience and strength of Harlem. It’s one of the biggest cultural celebrations in town with over 110 events, featuring conferences, seminars, music, food and dance.
  I particularly look forward to this year’s special tributes to the Harlem Renaissance and the legendary (and former Borough President!) Percy Sutton. Please join us! For more info: harlemweek.com/calendar ^[374]
  • Great Day in Harlem (Sun 8/16, 3-7pm)
  • Youth/education career conference/Hackathon (Mon 8/17, 1-4pm)
  • Greater Harlem Business Conference/Econ Day (Tues 8/18, 12-2pm)
  • COVID-19 Summit: Disproportionate Impact on Communities of Color (Tues 8/18- 2-4pm)
  • Percy Sutton Harlem Entrepreneurial Boot Camp (Weds 8/19, 2-4pm)
  • Broadway behind the scenes jobs & careers (Weds 8/19, 12-2pm)
  • Rangel Systemic Racism & Economic Justice Summit (Thurs 8/20, 2-5pm)
  • Senior Day has two webinars, senior health & demystifying tech (Fri 8/21, 1-3pm)
  • Harlem Day Festival w/ virtual performances (Sun 8/23, 1-7pm)
  • Percy Sutton virtual 5k (all week long)
• Lincoln Center’s Mostly Mozart Festival ^[375] is a WQXR radio event this year. Now through Sunday (8/16), tune in for special on-air features and concerts ^[376].
• Tomorrow (8/14) through Aug. 22 at 7 pm, the 39th Annual Battery Park Dance Festival ^[377] hosts free nightly online performances. ^[378]
• Saturday (8/15) – Tuesday (8/18), add an origami boat to Lower Manhattan Cultural Council’s “Blessing of the Boats: River to River ^[379]” in Belvedere Plaza.
• Tuesday (8/18) at 12:30 pm, join New York Women in Film & Television ^[380] for a conversation with VP of Publicity and Promotion of IFC Films Laura Sok ^[381] about the impact of COVID-19 on the entertainment industry.
• Tuesday (8/18) at 7 pm, stream “Finish the Fight ^[382],” a virtual play celebrating the unsung heroes of suffrage, produced by The New York Times.
• Wednesday (8/19) at 7 pm, Ballet Hispánico ^[65] hosts a B Unidos watch party of “Batacuda Fantástica” ^[383] followed by a live Q&A. Watch on Ballet Hispánico’s website ^[384], Facebook ^[385] or Youtube ^[386].
• Riverside Park’s Summer on the Hudson ^[387] continues its lineup of free classes. Register ^[388] for classes like yoga, a STEM workshop and a Shakespeare workout.

Thursday, 8/6/20

• The NY Public Library has opened two new Grab & Go branches: Riverside Library (127 Amsterdam Ave.) and Harry Belafonte 115th Street Library (203 W. 115th St.). Find more locations and learn about Grab & Go ^[389].
  
• Apply by Sept. 29 for Manhattan Arts Grants ^[390] from Lower Manhattan Cultural Council.
• Saturdays and Sundays at 2 pm, livestream Theater for the New City’s “LIBERTY Or JUST US, A City Parks Story ^[391],” an oratorio that honors NYC parks for being sites of activism. This weekend’s performances will pay tribute to Manhattan’s Abe Lebewohl Park and the Central Park Bandshell. Watch on the Theater’s website ^[12] or Facebook ^[392] page.
• Sunday (8/9) at 4 pm, learn about Harlem’s architectural history during “Harlem Renaissance 100 Virtual Salon: – Architecture as Identity: Harlem’s Colonial Inspired Style ^[393],” presented by Morris-Jumel Mansion ^[21], Harlem One Stop ^[394] and the Harlem Cultural Collaborative ^[395]. Click the webinar title to RSVP.

Monday, 8/3/20

• Sign up now ^[396] for Fresh Air Summer Spaces ^[397], supervised outdoor programming for kids launching this Wednesday (8/5). Manhattan sites are in Harlem and Chelsea.
• Downtown’s Brookfield Place ^[398] has a packed events calendar ^[399].
• Check out Moving for Life’s daily virtual classes ^[400] for people challenged by cancer and aging.

Thursday, 7/30/20

• Save the date for Open House New York ^[172]— October 17 and 18– which will be reimagined as a hybrid of virtual and outdoor self-guided experiences.
• Tomorrow (7/31) at 2 pm, my office is co-sponsoring the Wagner March for Peace and resource fair. Meet at 451 E. 120th St. For more information, email majohnson@nycourts.gov.
• Tomorrow (7/31) at 2 pm, join the Mount Vernon Hotel Museum and Garden’s ^[78] Hearst Fellows for a virtual symposium about NYC in the 19th Century ^[401].
• Saturday (8/1) at 10 am, join the YMCA’s March for Equality and Justice ^[402]. Meet at the Harlem Y (180 W. 135th St.) and march to the West Side Y (5 W. 63rd St.).
• Starting Monday (8/3) until 9/4, the whole family can join Harlem Commonwealth Council’s free virtual Summer Scholars Program ^[403] to sharpen reading and writing skills.
• Sunday (8/2) at 5 pm, watch the Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center ^[404], which is streaming archived performances as part of its Summer Evenings series.
• NYC Parks’ Summer on the Hudson ^[387] is offering online fitness, arts and family programming in lieu of its annual Riverside Park festival.
• Develop new digital skills with the New York Public Library’s daily TechConnect classes ^[405], featuring topics like Photoshop, HTML and Excel.
• Enjoy daily free concerts at home with Concerts in Motion’s Virtual Visiting Series ^[406].
• Take a Jane Jacobs-esque bike tour ^[407] of public art and monuments in Greenwich Village with Village Preservation ^[408]’s bike tour series.

Monday, 7/27/20

• Thursday (7/30) at 2 pm, join the Manhattan Chamber of Commerce and the TD Bank Charitable Foundation for “Running a Profitable Company ^[409],” a webinar on how to make the right choices in business, particularly in times of crisis. Register here ^[409].
• Friday (7/31) at 2 pm, my office is co-sponsoring the Wagner March for Peace and resource fair. Meet at 451 E. 120th St.

Week of 7/23

• The Architect’s Newspaper published “It Takes a City: Foley Square’s Black Lives Matter mural is a designer-led transformation of public space ^[410]” a terrific piece about our street-painting project. And last Friday the New York Times ran “The ‘Black Lives Matter’ Street Art That Contain Multitudes: The works in Harlem and Lower Manhattan are much more than a challenge to President Trump; they are opportunities for Black artists and community togetherness. ^[411]” about all the murals.  I’m thrilled these artists are getting the recognition they deserve.
• The Public Art Fund has commissioned 50 artistic reflections on the current moment, displayed at hundreds of locations citywide. Visit All In NYC: Public Art Edition ^[412] to explore new public art throughout the city.
• Nominate an individual or organization ^[413] doing outstanding urban public health work for the Joan H. Tisch Community Health Prize ^[414]. Nominations will be accepted until December 31.
• The 30th anniversary celebration of the Americans with Disabilities Act continues this week with these events ^[415] from the Mayor’s Office for People with Disabilities.
• Run the Randall’s Island Virtual 5K & 10K ^[416] by this Sunday (7/26). You can run either virtually or physically on Randall’s Island’s nine miles of flat paths. Register here ^[417].
• RING Garden at Lt. William Tighe Triangle in Inwood has reopened. Information about visiting here. ^[418]
• Applications open today for artist space in the Lower Manhattan Cultural Council’s Arts Center ^[419], part of the Governors Island Residency Initiative ^[420], which will provide temporary free space to artists.
• Tonight (7/23) at 7:30 pm, Northern Manhattan Arts Alliance’s #StayHomeOpenStudios ^[421] will tour Laurence Elle Groux’s studio. Watch here ^[336].
• Zoos and aquariums  ^[422]will once again welcome humans as they reopen tomorrow (7/24).
• Tomorrow (7/24) at 3 pm, National Association of Women Artists will host its weekly “Art in Conversation” with CUNY and School of Visual Arts Professor Farrin Chwalkowski. Stream on Youtube ^[423].
• Tomorrow (7/24) at 5 pm, Jacob’s Pillow will celebrate 50 Years of Ballet Hispánico ^[424] with a virtual PillowTalk discussion. Register here ^[425].
• Saturday (7/25) at 12 pm, Harlem Renaissance 2.0  ^[426]will launch with a banner presentation celebrating SGLBTQ sheroes and heroes who pioneered the Harlem Renaissance. Register here ^[427].
• The documentary “Mart 125 ^[428]” about the historic Harlem vendors’ market has been released online, and on Sunday (7/26) at 8 pm, Community Board 10 will host a Central Harlem community discussion on Mart 125 ^[429] for those who’ve watched it.
• On Monday (7/27) at 3 pm, Harlem Educational Activities Fund will host a virtual conversation and Q&A with author Jacqueline Woodson about her award-winning memoir, Brown Girl Dreaming ^[430]. Register here ^[431].
• On Monday (7/27) at 5 pm, Older Adults Technology Services’ Senior Planet will host a virtual craft circle, Creative Creations ^[432]. Join by Zoom ^[433] or find call-in information here ^[432].
• On Monday (7/27) at 8:30 pm, ReelAbilities will host a virtual Q&A with the filmmakers of “Crip Camp,” ^[434] a documentary about a summer camp for teens with disabilities. This conversation will have live captioning. Register here ^[434].
• On Tuesday (7/28) at 2 pm, the Guggenheim and artist Ad Minoliti will discuss Minoliti’s Mompainted #1, #2, and #3 ^[435] (2018) as part of the Guggenheim’s Artwork Anthology online talk series. Watch here ^[435] or livestream on the Guggenheim’s Youtube page ^[436].

Week of 7/13

• This piece on the “Black Lives Matter” mural I helped spark in Foley Square just published online at the New York Times: “The ‘Black Lives Matter’ Murals That Contain Multitudes ^[411]” I’m so proud of having a role in the exposure of these young artists and of the project as a whole!

• NYCHA Family Days are going to look different this year; there will obviously not be any large gatherings due to the pandemic.

  A task force made up of Resident Leaders (appointed by the Citywide Council of Presidents, NYCHA staff and the NYPD) explored different options, reviewed input and developed a menu of options for Resident Leaders who are opting to host a virtual Family Day this summer.

  Options include virtual activities for youth, seniors and the general population such as BBQ meal distribution, gift bag and school supply giveaways, mobile DJs and virtual bake-off/cook offs.

  I’ll keep you posted when we know this year’s dates for virtual “family day” celebrations.

• The Animal Care Centers of NYC ^[437] have opened a new pet adoption search portal at nycacc.app ^[438].

• As of Monday (7/13), the New York Public Library began grab-and-go service at three Manhattan branch locations:

  • The Epiphany Library ^[439] (228 E 23rd St.),

  • George Bruce Library ^[440] (518 W 125th St.),
    These two branches are now open Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday from 11 am – 6 pm; Wednesday from 12 – 7 pm; and Friday and Saturday: 11 am – 5 pm.

  • Stavros Niarchos Foundation Libraries ^[441] (455 Fifth Ave. at 40th St.) This branch, the old Mid-Manhattan Library, is open M-F 10 am – 6 pm, Sat. 11 am – 6 pm.

  Patrons can also place holds in the online catalog ^[442] to pick up those titles when ready. Brooklyn and Queens libraries are offering similar grab-and-go services. Learn about grab-and-go branches in The Bronx and Staten Island at the NYPL’s Coronavirus page ^[443]. (The Queens ^[444] and Brooklyn ^[445] libraries are also starting grab-and-go services at limited branches on July 13.)

• Lincoln Center ^[446] has reopened its outdoor spaces (only Damrosch Park remained open since March); hours are now 9:00 am – 9:00 pm for Josie Robertson Plaza and Hearst Plaza, and 7:00 am – 9:00 pm for Damrosch Park.
• Tonight (7/16) from 7:30 pm – 8:30 pm, join the Northern Manhattan Arts Alliance for their weekly #StayHomeOpenStudios ^[447] series featuring Cornerstone Studios, an organization working to create affordable studio space for emerging artists. Watch on Facebook Live ^[448].
• Tomorrow (7/17) from 5 – 6 pm, Harlem School of the Arts and Juilliard are hosting a “Audition Preparation and Process: What to Know Before, During, and After ^[449]” webinar. Click the title to register.
• On Monday (7/20) at 6 pm, The Joyce Theater is hosting “Dancing Dialogues ^[450],” a panel conversation with well-known dancers, choreographers, and artistic directors addressing important topics in the dance community today. RSVP here ^[450].
• On Wednesday (7/22) at 7 pm, Michael Kaback, CB 5 member and NYC tour guide, is once again holding a “Virtual Garment District Educational History Walking Tour ^[451],” co-sponsored by me and the Garment District BID. Register here ^[451].
• Applications are open until July 22 for Bike New York’s Street Action Now! ^[452] street safety leadership program.
• The Morgan Library and Museum has released a video ^[453] celebrating 800+ students who were part of this year’s Morgan Book Project.

Thursday, 7/9/20

• This morning, on the anniversary of the ratification of the Fourteenth Amendment, I helped unveil a street co-naming put in motion by Council Member Margaret Chin and I, which co-named a stretch of Centre Street “Black Lives Matter Boulevard”– the sign is now at the intersection of Centre and Chambers, in front of the David N. Dinkins Municipal Building.

  Then I joined Tijani Mohammed, Sophia Dawson, and Patrice Payne, the three young Black artists who created designs within the lettering of “Black Lives Matter” on the asphalt of Centre Street along the length of Foley Square, for a tour of their designs. You should see it for yourself– come visit Centre Street, which is closed to traffic until July 17th.

• Tomorrow’s (7/10) book distribution in partnership with the New York Public Library’s Summer Reading Program, scheduled to go to NYCHA’s Vladeck and Riis Houses, has been postponed due to a forecast of rain. See the full schedule here ^[454].
• For those missing Shakespeare in the Park this summer, the planned production of Richard II will live on as a four-part radio drama on consecutive nights next week. Listen to “Shakespeare on the Radio ^[455],” at 8 pm each night, Monday to Thursday (7/13 – 7/16), on wnyc.org ^[456].
• The Guggenheim Museum’s Works and Process Virtual Commissions series has released “Solanum Dulcamara ^[457],” a dance piece by choreographer Donald Byrd that expresses what he calls the “Black Exhaustion” experienced by many as the movement for racial justice progresses.

Wednesday, 7/8/20

• Tomorrow (7/9) is the 152nd anniversary of the ratification of the Fourteenth Amendment establishing equal protection under the law– and at 9:30 am, I’ll be unveiling the official co-naming of Centre St as “Black Lives Matter Boulevard” downstairs from my office at 1 Centre Street.

  Invited to speak are Hawk Newsome of Black Lives Matter of Greater New York, Commissioner Gonzalo Casals of the Dept. of Cultural Affairs, and Commissioner Polly Trottenberg of the Dept. of Transportation. (Council Member Margaret Chin, whose district this is, was the co-sponsor of the co-naming.)

  You’ll also recall that last week ^[458], three young Black artists implemented custom designs within the lettering of “Black Lives Matter” painted on the asphalt of Centre Street in Foley Square (realized with the help of TATS CRU ^[459] and Thrive Collective ^[460]).

  Tijay Mohammed (“BLACK”), Sophia Dawson (“LIVES”), and Patrice Payne (“MATTER”) will provide tours of their designs after the 9:30 am naming ceremony, just to the north of the new street sign (at Chambers and Centre).

  So please come down for the co-naming ceremony and stay for a tour of the lettering (take a selfie, even!)– and grab some takeout lunch from a downtown ^[461] or Chinatown ^[462] restaurant. But don’t forget your mask!

• Governors Island is reopening! Starting today (7/8), early access ferry tickets are available for reservation ^[463]. Seniors, young people (under 12), NYCHA residents and IDNYC cardholders ride free, instead of paying $3. Socially-distanced ferries will start running again next Wednesday (7/15) at 10 am, and Manhattan ferries will run daily from the Battery Maritime Building at 10 South Street.
• Tomorrow (7/9) is the opening of “River to River 2020: Four Voices,” an “echo exhibit” by Asiya Wadud installed throughout the Seaport District, with a gradually revealed series of poems based on conversations with New Yorkers of all stripes– even I spoke with Asiya the week before last!
• Tomorrow (7/9) from noon – 1 pm, Columbia University’s 23rd Annual David N. Dinkins Leadership and Public Policy Forum ^[464] presents a conversation with Van Jones and Michael Nutter. Register here on Zoom ^[465], or watch on Facebook ^[466] or YouTube ^[467].
• Tomorrow (7/9) at 1 pm, the New York Public Library and Community Board 5 are hosting “Power to the Youth: Creating Change through Activism ^[468],” a panel discussion featuring Deputy Borough President Matthew Washington, Council Member Carlina Rivera, First Deputy Public Advocate Nick Smith, and youth leaders. Register here ^[468].
• Testing services now have been extended an additional week at the COVID-19 testing center I helped establish at Riverside Church (91 Claremont Ave), through to July 18. The center is open 9 am – 5 pm on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Saturdays.

Tuesday, 7/7/20

• You’ll recall that last week ^[458], young Black artists Tijay Mohammed (“BLACK”), Sophia Dawson (“LIVES”), and Patrice Payne (“MATTER”), in what may be their first public art commissions, implemented custom designs within the lettering of “Black Lives Matter” painted on the asphalt of Centre Street in Foley Square (realized with the help of TATS CRU ^[459] and Thrive Collective ^[460]).

  This Thursday (7/9) at 9:30 am– which is the 152nd anniversary of the ratification of the Fourteenth Amendment establishing equal protection under the law– I’ll be unveiling the official co-naming of Centre St as “Black Lives Matter Boulevard” downstairs from my office at 1 Centre Street.

  Invited to speak are Hawk Newsome of Black Lives Matter of Greater New York, Commissioner Gonzalo Casals of the Dept. of Cultural Affairs, and Commissioner Polly Trottenberg of the Dept. of Transportation. (Council Member Margaret Chin, whose district this is, was the co-sponsor of the co-naming.)

  The artists will provide tours of their designs after the 9:30 am naming ceremony, just to the north of the new street sign (at Chambers and Centre).

  Please come down for the ceremony and stay for a tour of the lettering (take a selfie, even!)– and grab some takeout lunch from a downtown ^[461] or Chinatown ^[462] restaurant. But don’t forget your mask!

• Tomorrow is the start of my office’s partnership with the New York Public Library’s Summer Reading Program to offer free books for young people of all ages, from toddlers to high schoolers. Books will come in a free tote bag and include a summer reading guide, stickers, and a reading tracker.

  Wednesday, July 8, 2020:

  • Taft Houses, 10:30 am – 11:30 am. 1730 Madison Ave @ 114th St.

  • Washington Houses, 12 noon – 1 pm. 1955 Second Ave. (betw. 100th – 101st Sts.), TA Room

  Thursday, July 9, 2020:

  • Polo Towers/Rangel Houses,  10:30 am – 11:30 am. 159-15 Harlem River Drive

  • Harlem River Houses, 12 noon – 1 pm. 291 West 151 Street (between McCombs and 8th Ave), TA Room

  Friday, July 10, 2020:

  • Vladeck Houses,  10:30 am – 11:30 am. 356 Madison St.

  • Jacob Riis Cornerstone, 12 noon – 1 pm. 80 Avenue D

  Monday, July 13, 2020:

  • Grant Houses, 10:30 am – 11:30 am. 1295 Amsterdam Avenue  (@ 123rd Street), TA Room

  • St. Nicholas Houses, 12 noon – 1 pm. 225 W. 129 St. (between Adam Clayton Powell and Frederick Douglass Blvds)

  Tuesday, July 14, 2020:

  • Dyckman Houses, 10:30 am – 11:30 am. 3782 10th Ave. (Children’s Arts and Science Cornerstone)

  • Frederick Samuel Community Center, 12 noon – 1 pm. 669 Lenox Ave.

• Tomorrow and Thursday (7/8 – 7/9) at 7 pm, the Climate Museum is hosting Climate Speaks 2020 ^[469], two evenings of performances of student writing to inspire action on the climate crisis. RSVP here ^[469].
• Starting this week, the Whitney Museum is hosting Summer Studio ^[470], a series of free weekly online art classes for kids, teens and families. Learn more and sign up ^[470].

Monday, 7/6/20

• The Black Lives Matter mural on Centre Street in Foley Square is finished, the street is closed for at least a week, and it’s ready for visitors!  Please, come down and see the lettering (take a selfie, even!), and grab some takeout from a downtown ^[461] or Chinatown ^[462] restaurant.

• Programming is ramping back up in Bryant Park, with a new Activity Station ^[471] where visitors can borrow equipment for chess, ping pong, and assorted board games to use within park boundaries. Learn more ^[471].

  Also “Piano in Bryant Park ^[472]” jazz performances are back this summer, with pianists performing for free in the park from 12:30 – 2:30 pm on Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays.

Thursday, 7/2/20

• Manhattan Borough Historian Rob Snyder recorded a reflection ^[473] on what it means to celebrate the Fourth of July this year. It’s a beautiful commentary on the teachable moments and parallels we can find between the American Revolution and our current fight against systemic racism.
• Tonight (7/2) at 6 pm, the Harlem Business Alliance presents “Green Revolution– Leveling the Playing Field,” a panel discussion on how best to ensure cannabis legislation in New York State with racial justice in mind. Register on Zoom ^[474], or stream on YouTube ^[475] or Facebook ^[476].
• Tomorrow morning (7/3) at 10 am, I’ll be joining community groups and other elected officials in Harlem for the kickoff painting of a Black Lives Matter mural ^[477] at the 125th Street and Adam Clayton Powell, Jr. Boulevard. Come join us (from a safe distance)! The painting is planned to continue until Sunday (7/5).
• On Saturday (7/4) from 10 am – 3 pm, join the New-York Historical Society’s Dimenna Children’s History Museum for a series of online events in celebration of the Fourth of July. See the full schedule here ^[478].
• This Sunday’s edition of Lincoln Center’s “Memorial for Us All ^[479]” webcast (7/5, 6 pm) features singer and actress Vanessa Williams ^[480] and names of many we’ve lost. If you’d like a name included in July 12th’s broadcast, please submit the name ^[481] by this Monday (7/6) at 6 pm.
• Inwood Art Works have launched “Inwood Art Works On Air,” a podcast featuring local artists from Northern Manhattan. Listen on Apple Music ^[161], Spotify ^[482], or the Inwood Art Works website ^[160].

Wednesday, 7/1/20

• Dance/NYC has announced a new “Disability. Dance. Artistry. Dance and Social Justice Fellowship Program ^[483],” which will award grants of $1000 to 25 dance workers with disabilities with work relating to the COVID-19 pandemic and the movement for racial justice. The deadline to apply is June 12.

Tuesday, 6/30/20

• Tomorrow (7/1) from 6 – 8 pm, Reel Works presents a free virtual screening of nine short films ^[484] from the 2019 class of their Documentary Lab, followed by a live Q&A with the filmmakers. Register here ^[484].
• For those of us missing the Fourth of July parade this year, the Lower Manhattan Historical Association has created a highlight reel of the last four years of parades ^[485] in Lower Manhattan.
• The Dorill Initiative has opened applications ^[486] for their Summer Arts Intensive for kids aged 10-18, with classes in dance, drama, vocal performance and story-telling, as well as self-esteem workshops and high school and college prep. Learn more ^[486].

Monday, 6/29/20

• The New York Public Library has announced they will begin grab-and-go service at the three Manhattan branch locations listed below starting Monday, July 13. To start, the first two branches will be open Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday from 11 am – 6 pm; Wednesday from 12 – 7 pm; and Friday and Saturday: 11 am – 5 pm.

  • The Epiphany Library ^[439] (228 E 23rd St.),

  • George Bruce Library ^[440] (518 W 125th St.), and

  • Stavros Niarchos Foundation Libraries ^[441] (the old Mid-Manhattan Library, 455 Fifth Ave. at 40th St., M-F 10 am – 6 pm, Sat. 11 am – 6 pm).

  Patrons may start placing holds via the online catalog ^[442] starting Monday, July 6 in advance of the reopening, or via phone starting July 13; upon arrival, they will be able to access a small area of each branch to pick up and return reserved materials while wearing masks and observing proper social distancing. (Research libraries, including the Fifth Avenue flagship, will remain closed; but researchers will soon be able to request scans of materials.)

  Learn about grab-and-go branches in The Bronx and Staten Island at the NYPL’s Coronavirus page ^[443]. (The Queens ^[444] and Brooklyn ^[445] libraries are also starting grab-and-go services at limited branches on July 13.)

• Mark your calendars. On Friday, August 28, The National Action Network is planning a “Commitment: Get Your Knee Off Our Necks ^[487]” march at the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, D.C., led by Rev. Al Sharpton and Martin Luther King, III. Learn more and register to march ^[487].
• Tomorrow (6/30) from noon – 1:15 pm, NY State Sen. Liz Krueger is hosting her third virtual town hall on reopening NYC, and will be joined by founding director of the Vaccine Confidence Project Dr. Heidi Larson. Stream it live on Facebook ^[488].
• Tomorrow (6/30) at 4 pm, the National Dance Institute hosts a free online class in their DREAM Project@Home series ^[259], guiding children with and without disabilities on adapting dances and movement for different levels of ability. See their full list of online classes here ^[259].
• Tomorrow (6/30) from 7:30 pm, join Ballet Hispánico for “Noche Unidos: A Night of Dance and Unity ^[489],” a virtual gala featuring performances from Ballet Hispánico dancers and appearances from the likes of Lin-Manuel Miranda and Gloria Estefan. Stream on Facebook, YouTube or Instagram ^[489].
• Tomorrow (6/30) at 8 pm, the NYC Multicultural Festival is hosting an online live watch party for a performance by the Japanese Folk Dance Institute of New York. Stream it on the NYC Multicultural Festival Facebook page ^[490].
• The Manhattan Borough Arts Festival has gone virtual, with a multi-school performance of “Bridge Over Troubled Water ^[491]” in tribute to the resilience of New Yorkers these last few months.

Friday, 6/26/20

• Tonight (6/26) from 7 – 8 pm, SummerStage Anywhere ^[492] presents a livestream performance by Grammy Award-winning Afropop singer Angelique Kidjo. Stream on YouTube ^[493].
• On Monday (6/29) at 11 am, Landmarks West is hosting “They Were Here: The rich history of the immigrants who lived and worked on Columbus Avenue ^[494],” a virtual tour guided by historian and blogger Tom Miller. I’ll also be swinging by to say a few words! Register here ^[494].

Thursday, 6/25/20

• Tomorrow (6/26) from 4 – 5:30 pm, the Museum of Chinese in America presents a Pride edition of their online MOCA COOKS series: “Thunder Tea Rice with Chef Simpson Wong ^[495],” discussing his career as a queer and Malaysian-Chinese American chef, and teaching how to cook his Pride-inspired take on a Thunder Tea Rice bowl. Register here ^[495].

Wednesday, 6/24/20

• Tonight (6/24) from 6 – 8 pm, the March for Science is hosting the second in a three-part online fireside chat series on racism in STEM, titled “Understanding the Complexity of the Issue ^[496].” Click the title to register.
• Tonight (6/24) from 6:30 – 7:30 pm, the West 13th Street Alliance is hosting “Birdwatching 101: A Primer on Enjoying Birds in New York City,” a Zoom workshop hosted by birder John Delaney on bird identification, sounds and behavior, as well as how to get the most out of birdwatching during the pandemic. To register, email Wayne Kawadler at Wayne@TheProjectNYC.org ^[497].
• Tomorrow (6/25) from 6 – 8 pm, the next class in our leadership development training series ^[498] for Community Board members and the general public will be held online: “NYC Landmarks & the Role of the Community Board ^[499].” Click the title link to register on Zoom, and see a list of all announced trainings here ^[498].
• Tomorrow (6/25) from 9 – 10 am, the Second Stage Theater (2ST) is hosting a conversation with 2ST Production Manager Peter Dean on his work on past productions, participation in #OpenYourLobby, and potential re-opening strategies. To RSVP, email events@2st.com ^[500].
• Tomorrow (6/25) from 10 am – noon, The Business Council of New York State presents a webinar titled “An Open Conversation: Racial Inclusion, Diversity and Equality in Business ^[501],” featuring representatives from the NAACP, the National Black MBA Association, FedEx, and the MTA. Learn more ^[502] and register here ^[501].
• Tomorrow (6/25) from noon – 2 pm, the New York Public Library and Workforce1 Centers present a virtual career fair ^[503], with openings in all five boroughs. Learn more ^[503], and reserve a spot here ^[504].
• Tomorrow (6/25) from 2 – 3 pm, the Academy of Political Science and Columbia’s School of International and Public Affairs (SIPA) present “Downfall: The Demise of a President and His Party ^[505],” a talk with political scientist Andrew Hacker on his new book of the same name, moderated by SIPA Professor Ester Fuchs. Register here ^[505].
• Tomorrow (6/25) from 2 – 3 pm, the Marlene Meyerson JCC Manhattan is hosting a free program in their Justice in Action ^[506] series on police reform, featuring my friend and former Borough President Ruth Messinger in conversation with representatives from Jews for Racial and Economic Justice. Register here to receive a link ^[506] for the Zoom meeting.
• Tomorrow (6/25) from 2 – 3:30 pm, the Alzheimer’s and dementia care nonprofit CaringKind is hosting a webinar on “Home Care in the Time of COVID-19 ^[507].” Click on the title to RSVP.
• Tomorrow (6/25) from 6 – 8 pm, I’ll be co-sponsoring a town hall on the fire at 70 Mulberry Street ^[508] where we’ll learn more about the impact of the fire on the building ^[509] (with a new report from an independent engineer) and what can be done to help it rise again. Join me on Zoom ^[508], or call in at (646) 518-9805 with Meeting ID: 983 7416 0079.
• Tomorrow (6/25) from 6 – 7 pm, all NYPD Precincts will be hosting community roundtables at different locations with limited participation due to COVID-19. Please call your local precinct for more information.
• Tomorrow (6/25) from 7 – 7:45 pm, I’m co-sponsoring a virtual “Garment District Educational History Walking Tour ^[510],” guided by Community Board 5’s Michael Kaback. Click the title to join the meeting on Zoom.

Tuesday, 6/23/20

• Macy’s fireworks is adapting to our new era. Starting this Monday (6/29), each borough will get its own brief Macy’s July 4 Fireworks Show ^[511] at an unannounced location so as to avert overcrowding. There will be a finale shown on NBC from 8 – 10 pm the evening of Saturday, July 4th.
• My staff has prepared @ProudlyProtesting ^[512], an Instagram page dedicated to both celebrating Pride Month and supporting the protests against systemic racism and police brutality. Submit protest and Pride Month pictures to mmarlow@manhattanbp.nyc.gov ^[513].
• Tonight (6/23) at 6 pm is the kickoff Zoom event for Friends of the Upper East Side’s First Avenue Estate Week ^[514], a series of conversations with preservationist Lisa Ackerman and guests in celebration of the success saving the City and Suburban First Avenue Estate from demolition. Learn more and register here ^[514].
• Tomorrow (6/24) from noon – 1 pm, tune into PBS Thirteen for an episode of Let’s Learn NYC! ^[515] with a special segment on the importance of the census. Children under the age of five are one of the most undercounted populations! Watch past episodes online here ^[515].
• Tomorrow (6/24) from 6 – 8 pm, the March for Science is hosting the second in a three-part online fireside chat series on racism in STEM, titled “Understanding the Complexity of the Issue ^[496].” Click the title to register.
• Tomorrow (6/24) from 6:30 – 7:30 pm, the West 13th Street Alliance is hosting “Birdwatching 101: A Primer on Enjoying Birds in New York City,” a Zoom workshop hosted by birder John Delaney on bird identification, sounds and behavior, as well as how to get the most out of birdwatching during the pandemic. To register, email Wayne Kawadler at Wayne@TheProjectNYC.org ^[497].
• On Thursday (6/25) from 6 – 8 pm, I’ll be co-sponsoring with City agencies and other elected officials a town hall on the fire at 70 Mulberry Street ^[508] where we’ll learn more about the impact of the fire on the building ^[509] (with a new report from an independent engineer) and what can be done to help it rise again. Join me on Zoom ^[508], or call in at (646) 518-9805 with Meeting ID: 983 7416 0079.

• On Thursday (6/25) from 7 – 7:45 pm, I’m co-sponsoring a virtual “Garment District Educational History Walking Tour ^[510],” guided by Community Board 5’s Michael Kaback. Click the title to join the meeting on Zoom.

Monday, 6/22/20

• Today (6/22) I testified before the City Council’s Cultural Affairs Committee meeting ^[516] on the impact of the pandemic on cultural organizations. Read my testimony here (PDF) ^[517].
• Today at 6 pm is the deadline to submit names for this Sunday’s (6/28) edition of “Memorial for Us All ^[479],” Lincoln Center’s musical webcast featuring the names of those lost to COVID-19. This week’s guest is the Mostly Mozart Festival Orchestra ^[518]. Please submit names here ^[481].
• Tonight (6/22) from 6:30 – 7:15 pm, the Dance Theatre of Harlem (DTH) presents a free online ballet barre class ^[519] taught by former DTH Principal Ballerina Lenore Pavlakos Morales. See a schedule of all their upcoming open classes ^[520].
• Tonight (6/22) from 7 – 8 pm, join the Interfaith Center of New York for their first-ever online gala ^[521], honoring Marian Wright Edelman and Anna Deavere Smith. Register here ^[521].
• Tomorrow (6/23) from 1:30 – 2:30 pm, the suicide prevention nonprofit Samaritans is hosting a webinar titled “How the Fight Against Mental Health Stigma Informs Us in Combating Racial Bias ^[522].”

Friday, 6/19/20

• Today is Juneteenth ^[523], the 155th anniversary of the end of slavery in Texas. This year’s celebration takes on added significance as the protests against systemic racism and police brutality continue. The murders of many Black men and women by the police have demonstrated in horrific fashion the racism upon which our country was built.
  I applaud Mayor de Blasio for designating Juneteenth as an official city and school holiday, as well as Gov. Cuomo at the state level.
  This is a key moment to heed the calls of activists and do everything in our power, at all levels of government, to combat ingrained racism in every aspect of our society. An annual holiday will remind us of that need.

• Last Tuesday (6/16) Manhattan Borough Historian Rob Snyder and my office hosted “Pandemic History from the Bottom Up: A Webinar with Oral Historians and Archivists.” ^[524] If you couldn’t join us, click on the title to watch the YouTube recording.

  For those interested in learning more about existing projects or starting their own, visit here to see a resource guide ^[525] prepared from the webinar.

• Official business: If you missed the Manhattan Borough Board meeting, a video of the meeting is available on YouTube ^[526]… The ULURP suspension has been extended again for another week… On Monday (6/22), I’ll be testifying to the City Council’s Cultural Affairs Committee meeting ^[516] on the impact of the pandemic on cultural organizations… Governor Cuomo confirmed today ^[527] (6/19) that NYC will enter Phase Two of reopening ^[528] on Monday (6/22).

  The first of my office’s annual professional development classes for Community Board members– and the public– begin next week. Please click the hyperlinks below to register:
  Land use and zoning 101 ^[529]: Tuesday, June 23, 6 – 8 pm.
  Landmarks & the role of the Community Board ^[499]: Thursday, June 25,  6 – 8 pm.
  Advanced land use and zoning ^[530]: Monday, June 29, 6 – 8 pm.

• Tonight (6/19) from 7 – 8 pm, BRIC (which stands for ‘Brooklyn Information and Culture’) presents a YouTube Live town hall “Juneteenth: Then And Now ^[531].” Register here ^[531], submit questions here ^[532], or watch live on YouTube ^[533].
• On both Saturday (6/21) and Sunday (6/22) from 2 – 6 pm, families are invited to join the online 15th Annual NYC KidsFest ^[534], a live festival featuring Grammy Award-winning children’s performers, storytellers, and interactive workshops. Learn more ^[534], and register here ^[535].
• This Sunday (6/21) at 6 pm, Lincoln Center presents the eighth “Memorial for Us All ^[479],” a musical webcast featuring singer-songwriter Gaby Moreno ^[536]. If you’d like a name included in NEXT Sunday’s broadcast, June 28th, with the Mostly Mozart Festival Orchestra ^[518], please submit the name ^[481] by this Monday (6/22) at 6 pm.
• This Sunday (6/21) is this year’s Make Music New York Festival ^[537]. At 6:55 pm sharp, open your window and join a group sing-along to John Lennon’s “Imagine” before the 7 pm #ClapBecauseWeCare. Learn more here (PDF) ^[538], and tag @makemusicny on social media with #IMakeMusicNewYorkBecause. Some online MMNY events are already underway– you can find a list of virtual and in-person events happening now through Sunday here ^[539].
• On Monday (6/22) from 4 – 5:30 pm, the nonprofit Sophie Gerson Healthy Youth is hosting “The NYC Young People’s Town Hall ^[540],” an interactive panel for students in grades 4 – 9 to ask questions and voice concerns on education, COVID-19, and the recent protests. Register here ^[540].

Thursday, 6/18/20

• Today the Supreme Court ruled ^[541] that the Trump administration acted in an arbitrary and capricious way ^[542] when they attempted to shut down the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program, which shielded from deportation 800,000 young people who were brought to this country illegally as children.

  Needless to say, I’m thrilled. I have said it over and over– immigrants are welcome here!

  However, the fight is far from over. Chief Justice Roberts’ opinion in the 5-4 decision specifically noted the issue was not the shutdown itself, but the lack of a proper justification. So nothing is stopping the President from trying again with a different rationalization. We must stand with Dreamers and all immigrant New Yorkers against these xenophobic and racist attacks from the White House.

• Tomorrow is Juneteenth ^[523], the 155th anniversary of the end of slavery in Texas. This year’s celebration takes on added significance as the protests against systemic racism and police brutality continue. Here are some events being held tomorrow (6/19):

  • At 10 am, I’ll be at The Africa Center (1280 Fifth Ave.) for a ribbon-cutting ceremony unveiling a new decal design on their façade in honor of Juneteenth and in support of Black Lives Matter.
  • At 11 am John Jay College’s Institute for Innovation in Prosecution presents “Juneteenth Discussion: Racial Justice & Prosecution ^[543],” a panel on the history of racial justice in America. Register here ^[543].

  • At 11:30 am Hell’s Kitchen Democrats, Community Board 10, and the NAACP are hosting “A Juneteenth Call to Action Against Police Brutality ^[544],” a Zoom panel discussion on police brutality and racial discrimination in New York City. Register here ^[544].

  • From 1:30 – 3 pm members of the PS 163 PTA have organized a socially-distanced “PS 163 Family Rally and March” in support of Black Lives Matter. Families will meet for sign making at the school (W. 97th St. & Amsterdam). Participants are encouraged to wear a mask, and bring water, sign-making materials, and musical instruments.

  • From 1 – 6 pm a group of sororities and fraternities are celebrating in St. Nicholas Park (enter at 133rd St. and St. Nicholas Ave.), featuring performances, games, and voter registration for attendees. I’ll be swinging by to say a few words around 3:30 pm.

  • From 5 – 6 pm, Upper West Side community groups are hosting a memorial gathering at 96th Street and Broadway for Black Americans murdered by the police.

  • From 7 – 8 pm, BRIC presents “Juneteenth: Then And Now ^[531],” a YouTube Live town hall on police brutality and racism in Black communities. Register here ^[531], submit questions here ^[532], or watch live on YouTube ^[533].

• For indoor religious and funeral services ^[545], during Phase One reopening, congregant/attendee capacity was limited to 10 people. During Phases Two (starting Monday) and Three, occupancy is up but cannot exceed 25% of the maximum occupancy as set by certificates of occupancy and fire safety regulations, according to Gov. Cuomo.
• On Monday (6/22) from 6 – 8 pm, I’ll be co-hosting a Reopening Town Hall ^[546] with Community Boards 9, 10, 11 and 12. City agencies and organizations will discuss health care disparities in communities of color, reopening businesses and public spaces, preventing an eviction surge, and social distancing enforcement, as well as questions and feedback from the audience. Register and submit questions in advance here ^[546]. The town hall will also stream live on my Facebook page ^[547].

Wednesday, 6/17/20

• This year’s U.S. Open tennis championship will be held in Queens as scheduled, from August 31 – September 13, but without fans.
• Tonight (6/17) from 6 – 8 pm, the March for Science is hosting the first in a three-part online fireside chat series on racism in STEM, titled “A Space for BIPOC ^[548].” This first session is open solely to Brown, Black and Indigenous people of color. Register here ^[548].

• Midnight “tonight” (6/18) is the deadline to register as a host for this Sunday’s Make Music New York Festival ^[549] (6/21), which will be conducted over Zoom, YouTube and Facebook– as well as some socially-distanced in-person gatherings citywide. Musicians can host online concerts themselves, and hosts/organizers can have events listed. Register here ^[549].

  As part of this Sunday’s festivities, join a group sing-along to John Lennon’s “Imagine” at 6:55 pm sharp. Learn more here (PDF) ^[538], and share on social media tagging @makemusicny on Twitter, Facebook or Instagram with the hashtag #IMakeMusicNewYorkBecause.

• Tomorrow (6/18) from 2:30 – 3:30 pm, the Chinese-American Family Alliance for Mental Health and the City’s Dept. of Health and Mental Hygiene are hosting a workshop in Mandarin titled “問問醫生: 新冠病毒(COVID-19)相關須知 (Ask the Doctor: What We Should Know About COVID-19) ^[550].”  Join on Zoom here ^[550], or call in at (929) 205-6099 with Meeting ID 833 7575 1621.
• Tomorrow (6/18) from 6 – 7:30 pm, the New York Urban League is hosting “Keeping Up the Momentum on Police Reform: A conversation with policymakers and leaders on moving forward ^[551],” featuring Public Advocate Jumaane Williams, Council Member Donovan Richards, NY State Senator Brian Benjamin, Congressman Adriano Espaillat, and NY State Assembly Majority Leader Crystal Peoples-Stokes. Register here ^[551].
• Tomorrow (6/18) at 6 pm, Avenues for Justice is hosting “COVID-19 Pandemic: An Opportunity to Reimagine Rehabilitation for Juvenile Offenders ^[552],” a panel discussion with criminal justice experts. Register here ^[552].
• Tomorrow (6/18) at 7:30 pm, the Riders Alliance is hosting “Riders Talk the Transit Crisis ^[553],” with U.S. Senator Chuck Schumer on the hurdles when it comes to reopening public transit, a more sustainable vision for the MTA, and the federal funding needed. Register here ^[553].
• Tomorrow (6/18) from 7:30 pm – 8:30 pm, join the Northern Manhattan Arts Alliance for their weekly #StayHomeOpenStudios ^[554] series featuring arts educator Michelle Asarch. Watch on Facebook Live ^[448].

Tuesday, 6/16/20

• Tonight (6/16) from 6:30 – 7:30 pm, watch “ZAP!: A Virtual Tour of Post-Stonewall Gay Activists Alliance Actions ^[555],” guided by the NYC LGBT Historic Sites Project co-director Jay Shockley.
• Tomorrow (6/17) at 11 am, NY State Attorney General Letitia James is hosting a public video meeting to examine interactions between police and the public during recent protests. Submit testimony here ^[556], and the hearing will be viewable here ^[557].
• Tomorrow (6/17) at 4 pm, Hunter@Home presents “Remembering Larry Kramer ^[558],” a conversation with WNBC’s Bill Goldstein and Charles Kaiser, Director of Hunter College’s LGBTQ Policy Center at Roosevelt House. Register here ^[558].
• Tomorrow (6/17) from 6 – 8 pm, the March for Science is hosting the first in a three-part online fireside chat series on racism in STEM, titled “A Space for BIPOC ^[548].” This first session is open solely to Brown, Black and Indigenous people of color. Register here ^[548].

• Tomorrow (6/17) from 7 – 8 pm, NY State Sen. Liz Krueger is hosting her second online town hall on reopening NYC, and will be joined by Dr. Demetre Daskalakis, Deputy Commissioner of the City’s Dept. of Health and Mental Hygiene, and Dr. Ted Long, Executive Director of the City’s new Test and Trace Corps. Watch live on Facebook ^[488].

  Krueger will also be hosting a criminal justice reform town hall on Thursday (6/18) from 5 – 6:30 pm, with State Senators Jamaal Bailey and Zellnor Myrie, as well as the Vera Institute of Justice’s Insha Rahman. It will also stream live on Facebook ^[488].

• Tomorrow (6/17) at 7 pm, Council Member Helen Rosenthal and Speaker Johnson are hosting an online community conversation. Register and submit questions in advance here ^[559].
• The nonprofit group Citizens Committee for New York City has shared an “NYC Summer Well Being” survey ^[560] to determine their next steps around youth engagement and police-community relations.

Monday, 6/15/20

• Today at 6 pm is the deadline to submit names for this Sunday’s (6/21) edition of “Memorial for Us All ^[479],” a musical webcast sponsored by Lincoln Center featuring the names of those lost to COVID-19. This week’s guest is singer-songwriter Gaby Moreno ^[536]. Please submit names here ^[481].
• On Thursday (6/18), I am hosting the regular monthly meeting of the Manhattan Borough Board online, a formal body composed of all Council Members and Community Board chairs in the borough. Register to attend at this link ^[561] and you’ll receive an email with instructions on how to be in the online audience.
• Tomorrow (6/16) from 5 – 6 pm, Federal Hall is hosting “Democracy in a Time of Crisis ^[562],” an interactive Q&A discussion on constitutional issues around the racial injustice and infringements on First Amendment freedoms experienced during this pandemic. CNN’s John Avlon moderates this panel with The Great Influenza author John M. Barry; Eddie S. Glaude, Jr., chair of the Department of African American Studies at Princeton University; Brennan Center for Justice President Michael Waldman; and Sam Roberts of the New York Times and CUNY-TV. Register here ^[562].
• Tomorrow (6/16) from 5 – 6 pm, Council Member Levine is hosting “From Policing to Investing: Confronting Discriminatory Policing by Expanding Youth Development ^[563],” a conversation with Brotherhood/Sister Sol co-founder Khary Lazarre-White. Register here ^[563].
• On Thursday (6/18) at 2 pm, the City’s Dept. for the Aging (DFTA) is hosting “An Overview of NYC’s Services for Older Adults: What You Need to Know ^[564],” a webinar with DFTA Commissioner Lorraine Cortés-Vásquez on the resources and programs every New Yorker over 50 should be aware of. Register here ^[564].

Friday, 6/12/20

• On Tuesday (6/16) at 2 pm, I’ll be hosting “Pandemic History from the Bottom Up: A Webinar with Oral Historians and Archivists ^[565],” with Manhattan Borough Historian Rob Snyder, which will guide participants on how to conduct their own oral history interviews and archival projects that record the history of this pandemic. We’ll hear from:

  • Oral historian Will Buie

  • Archivist Deidre Dinnigan

  • Mike Frisch and Christine Ridarsky, collaborators on a digital social media project to collect and share stories of life during the pandemic throughout New York State, and

  • Savona Bailey-McClain and Nadia DeLane, who are working on a pandemic oral history project with Harlem young people.

  Register for the oral history Zoom here ^[565].

• This Sunday (6/14) at 6 pm, the seventh “Memorial for Us All ^[479],” sponsored by Lincoln Center, a musical webcast featuring the names of those lost to COVID-19. This Sunday’s guest is Broadway star Brian Stokes Mitchell ^[566]. If you’d like a name included in the eighth broadcast next Sunday (6/21), which will feature singer-songwriter Gaby Moreno ^[536], please submit names ^[481] by this Monday (6/15) at 6 pm.
• Tomorrow (6/13) at 8 pm, the Metropolitan Playhouse presents a free reading of “Compromise” by Willis Richardson, the first African-American playwright to have a drama produced on Broadway. Watch via Zoom ^[567] or on Youtube ^[568].
• On Monday (6/15) at 6 pm, Village Preservation presents “Remembering the General Slocum Tragedy in the East Village ^[569],” a webinar with historian Edward T. O’Donnell on the disastrous burning of a steamboat in the East River– the greatest loss of life in New York before 9/11. Register here ^[569].
• The Opportunity Music Project is taking their Summer Intensive camp online, and will be offering sliding scale scholarships, including 50 full tuition ones for low income NYC students ages 6-18. The project instructs students in violin, viola, cello, and double bass and runs from July 6 to August 3. Deadline to register ^[570] is June 15th.

Thursday, 6/11/20

• On Tuesday (6/16) at 2 pm, I’ll be hosting “Pandemic History from the Bottom Up: A Webinar with Oral Historians and Archivists ^[565],” with Manhattan Borough Historian Rob Snyder, which will guide participants on how to conduct their own oral history interviews and archival projects that record the history of this pandemic.

  We’ll hear from oral historian Will Buie, archivist Deidre Dinnigan, and Mike Frisch and Christine Ridarsky, collaborators on a digital social media project to collect and share stories of life during the pandemic throughout New York State. We’ll also be joined by Savona Bailey-McClain and Nadia DeLane, who are working on a pandemic oral history project with young people in Harlem. Register here ^[565].

• Tonight (6/11) at 7 pm, NYC Census 2020 is hosting a virtual town hall titled “NYC Census 2020 and the Jewish Community ^[571]” featuring NYC Census 2020 Director Julie Menin and Congressman Jerrold Nadler, with moderator Rabbi Joseph Potasnik. Register here ^[571].

• Tomorrow (6/12) at 7 pm, SummerStage and VOICES present “The People Speak,” the first performance in this summer’s SummerStage Anywhere ^[492] series, featuring writings by Malcolm X, Angela Davis, Maya Angelou, Nina Simone, and James Baldwin. Stream on YouTube ^[572].

  The second performance will be on Saturday (6/13) from 3 – 4 pm, featuring LGBTQ+ Latinx artists in collaboration with the Latin Alternative Music Conference and a live DJ-ed afterparty. Stream on LAMC’s Twitch channel ^[573].

• There are three days left to vote in Inwood Arts Works’ New York City Quarantine Film Festival; here’s a YouTube playlist of all the entrants ^[574]. The films with the most “likes” by midnight on June 13 receive awards for: Best in Borough, Best Kids’ Film, Best Comedy, Best Drama and Best Horror.
• The Harlem School of the Arts has opened registration for their Harlem Summer Arts Experience ^[575] virtual summer camp for kids ages 5-18. The camp’s varied programming will have kids sing, dance, act, and design as they learn about the Harlem Renaissance. Learn more ^[575].

Wednesday, 6/10/20

• Tomorrow (6/11) at 10:30 am, Hunter@Home presents “Pissarro on Pissarro: The World of Camille Pissarro and Paul Cézanne ^[576],” a talk with art historian Joachim Pissarro on his great-grandfather’s working relationship with the legendary post-impressionist painter. Register here ^[576].
• Tomorrow (6/11) at 6 pm, the Orchestra of St. Luke’s (OSL) presents “Virtual Streicker: Orchestra of St. Luke’s on Bach ^[577],” an in-depth discussion about and performances of Bach with OSL members to kick off their Bach at Home ^[578] festival, which will share performances every Tuesday from June 23 to July 14.
• Tomorrow (6/11) at 7 pm, The New York Times presents Offstage: Opening Night ^[579], featuring conversations and performances from the stars of this abbreviated Broadway season. RSVP here ^[579].
• It’s the 95th anniversary of the Schomburg Center for Black Studies at the NY Public Library and as part of their celebration, they’ve compiled this Black Liberation Reading List ^[580] of 95 worthwhile books that include not only anti-racist titles, but also “those that describe Black Liberation in terms of history, poetry, and even joy,” as Kevin Young, Schomburg’s Director put it. Readers can use the hashtag #Schomburg95 to discuss the books on social media.

Tuesday, 6/9/20

• Over the weekend I suggested, with the support of Council Member Chin, that we rename a street near City Hall and do what Washington, DC did: paint the street full width with the words “Black Lives Matter.” Today the Mayor agreed with us and put things in motion to achieve it.

  This is a modest step– in itself it won’t change systemic racism– but it will, literally, lay down a marker for our goals and hopes and dreams of a more just society.

• Tonight (6/9) at 8 pm, the NYC Multicultural Festival is hosting an online live watch party for a performance by the New York Chinese Cultural Center. Stream it on the NYC Multicultural Festival Facebook page ^[490].
• The West 13th Street Alliance has launched their “A Rainbow is Stronger than COVID-19” Pride Virtual Art Contest, which asks New Yorkers to draw or paint a piece related to the impact of coronavirus on the LGBTQ+ community. Email a picture of your piece with a 2-3 sentence statement about it by June 19 to w13alliance@gmail.com ^[581]. The winning artist, to be announced on June 26, will win a $300 cash prize.
• The third and final round of applications for the Documentary Freelancer Relief Fund opens tomorrow (6/10), which will bring their total relief funding to $325,000. Previous applications will also roll into this last round, so that filmmakers don’t have to apply multiple times. Learn more here ^[582].

Monday, 6/8/20

• The 125th St. Business Improvement District has launched “Harlem Canvas For Change,” a neighborhood arts initiative using boarded-up storefronts as canvases for the community to paint art and commentary– with art supplies distributed by the BID and donated by Blick Art Materials (with the process completely under police awareness and supervision). Last Thursday (6/4) 150 participants painted three sides of 300 W. 125th St.– and they’re looking for more stores to participate! Email bid125st@gmail.com ^[583].

• Tomorrow (6/9) from 9 am to 9 pm, eight iconic New York City museums present the Virtual Museum Mile Festival, a day of live and prerecorded programs, virtual exhibition tours, live musical performances, and family activities. Visit their sites below to learn what each institution has in store:

  • The Metropolitan Museum of Art ^[584]

  • Neue Galerie New York ^[585]

  • Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum ^[586]

  • Cooper Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum ^[587]

  • The Jewish Museum ^[588]

  • Museum of the City of New York ^[589]

  • El Museo del Barrio ^[590]

  • The Africa Center ^[591]

• Tomorrow (6/9) at 5:30 pm, Hunter@Home presents “Time to Talk: What You Need to Know About Your Child’s Speech and Language Development ^[576],” a conversation and live Q&A with experts on how young children acquire language. Register here ^[576].
• If you or someone you know is attending any of the protests citywide against police brutality, a group of volunteers have prepared nycprotests.info ^[592], a site with updates and information with available resources for protestors.

Friday, 6/5/20

• Tomorrow, Saturday (6/6) at 10 am, Sesame Workshop and CNN are hosting “Coming Together: Standing Up to Racism ^[593],” a town hall for children and families hosted by Van Jones and Erica Hill, alongside Big Bird, Elmo, and other Sesame Street favorites. The event will stream live, without a log-in, on CNN’s homepage ^[594].
• Tomorrow (6/6) from 10:30 am – noon, the disability advocacy group YAI is taking their yearly Central Park Challenge ^[595] online for an interactive livestream celebration of the intellectual and developmental disabilities community. The event will feature performances from Broadway greats like Kelli O’Hara, Ali Stroker, Miguel Cervantez, and more. Stream it live at centralparkchallenge.org ^[595].
• Tomorrow (6/6) at 6 pm, I’ll be joining the Bloomingdale School of Music for their 20th Annual Performathon ^[596], an online student-driven performance event benefiting the School’s scholarship fund. Register here ^[596].
• June 5 is National Gun Violence Awareness Day. We #WearOrange today to help raise awareness of violence and advocate for serious measures to combat it.

Thursday, 6/4/20

• Tonight (6/4) in just a few minutes at 5:30 pm, I’ll be hosting the fourth Uptown Arts Call ^[597], with topics including proposed FY21 city funding for arts institutions. Co-sponsored by the Coalition of Theatres of Color, the Arts and Culture Committee of the Greater Harlem Chamber of Commerce, the Harlem Arts Alliance, and the Northern Manhattan Arts Alliance. Register here ^[597].
• Tonight (6/4) from 6 – 7 pm, I’ll be joining WEACT for one of their Uptown Chats ^[598] online events, where I’ll be talking about some of the issues that matter most to Northern Manhattanites and taking questions. Register here ^[598].
• Tonight (6/4) from 6 – 8 pm, I’ll be co-sponsoring a Pandemic Tenants’ Rights Virtual Town Hall ^[599] with Council Member Ben Kallos and other local, state, and federal elected officials from Manhattan. Attorneys will be available to provide additional information and  answer questions. RSVP online ^[599] or call (212) 860-1950.
• Tonight (6/4) the New York Urban League is hosting their fifth virtual town hall titled “Beyond the Classroom: Resources and Support for Virtual Learning ^[600].” Tomorrow (6/5) they will host a conversation as part of their yearly The State of Young Black New York Conference, on “The New Way Forward ^[601]” for health care, housing, police relations, and the Census.
• Tonight (6/4) from 7 – 10 pm, the Apollo Theater is hosting a “Let’s Stay (In) Together ^[602]” online concert and benefit featuring performances from Kool & the Gang, Gary Clark Jr., Michael McDonald, Ray Chew, DJ Reborn and others, with special appearances by Dionne Warwick, Teddy Riley, Doug E. Fresh, Roy Wood Jr. and more. The concert will stream free on apollotheater.org ^[603], but you can also RSVP in advance ^[602].
• Tomorrow (6/5) at 4 pm, Children’s Aid NYC will be hosting a town hall for teenagers to share their perspectives on the protests and police-community relations. Join the call here ^[604], or with Meeting ID: 848 7839 5434 and Password: 4cKrXS.
• Tomorrow (6/5) at 4 pm, the Congressional Black Caucus ^[605] is hosting a virtual town hall with national civil rights leaders titled, “Living While Being Black in America ^[606].” Click on the title to register.
• Tomorrow (6/5) at 12:15 pm, I’ll be joining DOROT for “Fifty Years Ago on Broadway: A celebration of the year 1970 ^[607],” featuring a lecture of the same name from author and actor Ron Fassler. Don’t worry, no performances from me; I’ll be on the call to share details on how to vote in the primaries on June 23. Register here ^[607].

Wednesday, 6/3/20

• I’d like to point you to a few links that my staff are reading in our current circumstance:

   “Ways to be in the Struggle Beyond the Streets ^[608].”

  “The Trauma & Burden of Racism ^[609].”  ^[609]

  “We Are Done Dying ^[610],” a statement from the national president of the NAACP.

  “Why Black Lives Matter ^[611]” a statement by Sheena Wright, CEO of the United Way of NYC.

  A statement from former Mayor David N. Dinkins ^[612].

  And yesterday the Harlem Mothers Stop Another End to Violence (SAVE) offered “Prayers for George Floyd and peace in our city and nation. ^[613]”

• Tomorrow (6/4), at 1 pm, Rev. Al Sharpton is slated to deliver the eulogy at George Floyd’s memorial service ^[614].
• Friday (6/5) the Congressional Black Caucus ^[605] is hosting a virtual town hall with national civil rights leaders titled, “Living While Being Black in America ^[606].” Click on the title to register.
• The Children’s Museum of Manhattan (CMOM) invites children, parents and caregivers to use CMOM at Home ^[615], featuring daily themes that explore world culture, science, movement, storytelling and more.

Tuesday, 6/2/20

• The Fortune Society has released “Good Ship Fortune ^[616],” an online page compiling arts, wellness and learning resources for social isolating, and includes a separate list for kid- and teen-friendly resources ^[617] (Google Doc).
• This summer, Metropolitan Opera is hosting “Met Opera Global Summer Camp ^[618],” a free eight-week opera appreciation program featuring Met Opera writers, artists, and musicians for students from grades 3-12. Learn more and register here ^[618].
• Tonight (6/2) at 6 pm, join Village Preservation for an online version of the popular Birth of Punk Tour ^[619] from Walk on the Wild Side Tours NYC. See the Velvet Underground’s rehearsal space, learn the first use of the word “punk” as a genre name, and discover punk’s roots in the city’s LGBTQ+ community. Register here ^[619].
• Tomorrow, Thursday and Friday nights (6/3, 6/4, and 6/5) the New York Urban League is hosting online discussions as part of their yearly The State of Young Black New York Conference. Panels will discuss rebounding financially after COVID-19, resources for virtual teaching, and the way forward for organizers on everything from policing to the Census. Register here for Wednesday (6/3) ^[620], Thursday (6/4) ^[600], and Friday (6/5) ^[601].
• Tomorrow (6/2) at 3 pm, Hunter@Home presents “Making Anxiety Our Ally During the Pandemic ^[576],” a conversation with Hunter Psychology professors Tracy Dennis-Tiwary and Evelyn Behar. RSVP here ^[576].
• On Thursday (6/4) at 5:30 pm, my office will be hosting the fourth edition of our monthly Uptown Arts Call ^[597], co-sponsored by the Coalition of Theatres of Color, the Arts and Culture Committee of the Greater Harlem Chamber of Commerce, the Harlem Arts Alliance, and the Northern Manhattan Arts Alliance. The meeting will address the proposed FY21 city funding for arts institutions, with an emphasis on the 42-member theatre coalition. Register here ^[597].
• On Thursday (6/4) from 7 – 10 pm, the Apollo Theater is hosting a “Let’s Stay (In) Together ^[602]” online concert and benefit featuring performances from Kool & the Gang, Gary Clark Jr., Michael McDonald, Ray Chew, DJ Reborn and others, with special appearances by Dionne Warwick, Teddy Riley, Doug E. Fresh, Roy Wood Jr. and more. The concert will stream free on apollotheater.org ^[603], but you can also RSVP in advance ^[602].

Friday, 5/29/20

• On May 30, 2002, the last steel column was removed from Ground Zero, marking the end of recovery operations at the World Trade Center following the 9/11 attacks. Tomorrow (5/30) at 11 am, join the National September 11 Memorial and Museum on YouTube ^[621] or at www.911memorial.org/May30 ^[622] a special online ceremony marking this anniversary.
• This Sunday (5/31) at 6 pm, join Lincoln Center for “Memorial for Us All ^[623],” a musical webcast featuring the names of those lost to COVID-19. This Sunday’s broadcast, the fifth in the program, will feature opera star Ailyn Pérez. For the sixth broadcast next Sunday (6/07), please submit names ^[481] by this Monday (6/1) at 6 pm.
• Tomorrow (5/30) from noon – 6 pm, the New York African Chorus Ensemble presents the first part of a special Quarantine Edition of the NYC Multicultural Festival ^[624], which will stream multicultural performances and virtual arts classes. (The second part of the festival will stream on Facebook Live ^[624] next Saturday (6/6) from 11 am – 7 pm.)
• On Saturday (5/30) at 1 pm, join the National Action Network for a socially-distanced March for Justice protesting the murder of George Floyd in Minneapolis. Marchers will meet at the site of Eric Garner’s death: 202 Bay Street (at Victory Boulevard), Staten Island, NY 10301.
• On Sunday (5/31) at 6 pm, join The Shed for “Poems and images of protest ^[625],” an edition of their Up Close ^[626] series featuring teaching artists from The Shed’s “DIS OBEY” program for young writers and activists. Watch on Instagram Live ^[625].
• On Monday (6/1) from 4 – 8 pm, watch “Day of Musical Action ^[627],” a live musical webcast in support of the Music Lives Forever Kaufman Relief Fund. The 6 – 8 pm portion of the event will feature husband-and-wife Frozen songwriters Kristen Anderson-Lopez and Robert Lopez, among others. Watch on Facebook Live ^[627] and YouTube ^[628].
• The Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater presents “Ailey All Access ^[629],” with new videos shared every Thursday. Robert Battle’s “The Hunt” will be available until next Thursday (6/4).

Thursday, 5/28/20

• Tonight (5/28) marks the beginning of the Jewish holiday of Shavuot ^[630] and its tradition of learning into the early hours. Check out Stay The Night: Tikkun Leil Shavuot ^[631] with the Marlene Meyerson JCC Manhattan and Tikkun: Into the Night ^[632], organized by the 14 St. Y and Downtown Jewish Life for spiritual, social justice, arts, and culinary programming. (BYOC – Bring Your Own Cheesecake!)
• Tonight (5/28) from 6 – 8 pm, the City’s Commission on Human Rights is hosting an NYC African Diaspora Virtual Town Hall ^[633] with representatives from the Mayor’s Office of Immigrant Affairs, the NYC Commission on Human Rights, and other City departments. Register here ^[633]. French translation will be available.
• Tomorrow (5/29) from 2 – 2:45 pm, join the Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History and the Jackie Robinson Museum for “Inside the Vault: The Man Behind the Mythology: Jackie Robinson as Ballplayer, Activist, and Political Asset ^[634],” which will present documents on the life and legacy of Jackie Robinson. RSVP here ^[634].
• Tomorrow (5/29) at 5 pm, join the Harlem School of the Arts in collaboration with Pratt Institute for “Preparing a Portfolio ^[635];” participants will learn what art school admissions counselors look for in portfolio reviews, meet two working artists, and learn how to set up a home studio practice! ⁣RSVP here ^[635].
• Tomorrow (5/29) at 5 pm, New York Live Arts is streaming “Live at 5 ^[636],” hosted by Artistic Director Bill T. Jones and featuring writer, curator and community organizer Eva Yaa Asantewaa. Watch it on Instagram Live ^[636].
• Friday (5/29) from 6 – 6:30 pm, join the Studio Museum in Harlem for “Serving Lewks: Teen Leadership Council Music Video Fashion Show ^[637],” a virtual event as part of the yearly Teens Take the Met program. Register here ^[637].

Wednesday, 5/27/20

• Manhattan mourns the loss of Larry Kramer, LGBTQ and HIV/AIDS activist, author and playwright. In the summer of 1981, a meeting of about 80 people in his apartment led to the formation of Gay Men’s Health Crisis, the first service organization for H.I.V.-positive people. His urgent, righteous, angry work sparked a movement. I remember that he lived at 2 Fifth Avenue with other famed New Yorkers– Edie Windsor, Bella Abzug, and Ed Koch. May he rest in power.
• The Mayor’s Office to Prevent Gun Violence has announced the Safe in the City grant program ^[638], which will provide grants ranging from $500 – $1000 to NYC residents and nonprofit groups to fund community-centered actions and activities to make neighborhoods safer from gun violence. The program’s first deadline is June 30; learn more  ^[638]and apply here ^[639].
• Tomorrow (5/28) at 2 pm, the New Museum is hosting “Deep Future: Building Lateral Institutions ^[640],” a conversation with Dutch visual artist Jonas Staal and Laura Raicovich, Director of the Leslie-Lohman Museum of Art, discussing artists’ role in creating new models for radical democracy. Register here ^[640].
• Tomorrow (5/28) from 10:30 – 11:15 am, join Summer on the Hudson Moosiki Kids for “Musical Storytime Online ^[388],” a story and sing-along show for kids aged 5 and under. Register here ^[388].
• Tomorrow (5/28) from 6 – 8 pm, the City’s Commission on Human Rights is hosting an NYC African Diaspora Virtual Town Hall ^[633] with representatives from the Mayor’s Office of Immigrant Affairs, the NYC Commission on Human Rights, and other City departments. Register here ^[633]. French translation will be available.
• Tomorrow (5/28) from 6 – 7:30 pm, the New York Urban League is hosting their fourth virtual town hall: “Risky Business: Support and Resources and Small Businesses in Wake of COVID-19 ^[641],” an open forum for business owners to hear strategies to weather this crisis, and for individuals to support them. Register here ^[641].

Tuesday, 5/26/20

• On Memorial Day, I went to the Soldiers’ and Sailors’ Monument in Riverside Park and listened to a few words from friends about the fallen. It was a moving experience, even though the handful of us there were all socially distanced and wearing masks.
• Tomorrow (5/27) at 9:30 am, the movement arts group Parcon Resilience is hosting Breath Again! ^[642], a free virtual movement class for people of color and allies in recovery from COVID-19 followed by a race-conscious community chat, hosted by physical therapist Andrew Suseno. Register here ^[642].
• Tomorrow (5/27) at 1 pm, join NYC & Company for a “Talks session on the State of the Industry ^[643],” which will touch on the early work of their Coalition for NYC Hospitality and Tourism Recovery, and provide an update on the latest news and forecasts for the hospitality industry. RSVP and submit questions here ^[643].
• Tomorrow (5/27) at 3 pm, join New American Leaders for “COVID19 Stories from New York: Asian Americans Fighting for Equity ^[644],” a panel discussion featuring Moumita Ahmed, Dr. Ashwin Vasan, and Assemblymember Yuh-Line Niou. RSVP here ^[644].
• Tomorrow (5/27) at 6 pm, join Bryant Park for a virtual edition of their summer yoga classes; tomorrow’s will be guided on Instagram Live ^[645] by Lauren Taus. The park is offering guided classes on their Instagram ^[645] every Tuesday from 10 – 11 am, and every Wednesday from 6 – 7 pm.
• Tomorrow (5/27) at 6:30 pm, The West 13th Street Alliance is hosting “Imagine Landscapes,” a virtual community art class that will teach the basics of designing and then drawing or painting a landscape. To RSVP, email Wayne Kawadler at wayne@theprojectnyc.org ^[646] and you will be sent a private link.
• Tomorrow (5/27) at 6:30 pm, Goddard Riverside Community Center will host a pair of online events– one for children and one for adults. How to Raise a Reader ^[647] will be a lively conversation with Maria Russo on how to encourage children to love books. The companion event for kids, Story Exploring ^[648], will look at what makes a story a story– and help kids create their own! Sign up for both events here ^[649].
• Tomorrow (5/27) at 7 pm, join Hunter@Home for “From Schoolteacher to ‘The Queen of Cake ^[576],’” featuring Sylvia Weinstock in conversation with CNN correspondent Cristina Alesci. RSVP here ^[576].
• Tomorrow (5/27) at 7 pm, Inwood Art Works presents the first episode of “Lost Inwood: Video Vault,” a series of short films analyzing a historic panoramic photo of Northern Manhattan in detail. Watch on their Twitter feed ^[650], Facebook page ^[651], and YouTube channel ^[652].
• The ULURP timetable continues to be suspended, through to this Friday (5/29).
• Last Friday my office hosted our third Uptown Arts Call with arts organizations in Northern Manhattan; in case you weren’t able to join us, our full conversation is available on YouTube. ^[653]

Thursday, 5/21/20

• Governor Cuomo has named a new Interfaith Advisory Council ^[654] to advise on safely bringing back faith services. A list of members (and of all the appointed reopening task forces) is available on my website ^[655].

  The Governor also announced that as of today (5/21) religious services will be allowed to resume statewide provided they include no more than ten people, strict social distancing measures are enforced, and all participants wear masks. We’re seeking clarification about ten people per room, or per building.

• Tomorrow, Friday (5/22) at 6 pm, I’ll be hosting my monthly Uptown Arts call in partnership with the Arts and Culture Committee of The Greater Harlem Chamber of Commerce, the Harlem Arts Alliance, and Northern Manhattan Arts Alliance. Our topic will be “Innovation in the Arts: Reshaping Our Creative Futures Together ^[656].” Register here ^[657].
• My Memorial Day plans are simple: I will attend an under-10-person, properly socially-distanced gathering at the Soliders and Sailors ^[658] Monument ^[658] in Riverside Park (at 89th St.) at 12 noon (not 10 am as mentioned in yesterday’s newsletter).
• Tonight (5/21) at 6 pm, NY Attorney General ^[659] Letitia James ^[659] will host a bilingual Tele-Town Hall to address issues facing the Chinese/Asian American community during the COVID-19 pandemic, alongside Asian American elected officials from all levels of New York City government. To call in English, call (877) 466-0026, with access code: 6379835. To call in Mandarin, call (866) 394-2346, with access code: 2660226992.
• This weekend, join the Theater for the New City for the (online!) 25th Annual Lower East Side Festival of the Arts for “Renaissance: Arts Alive 25 ^[660],” starting tomorrow, Friday (5/22) at 6 pm through to Sunday (5/24) at 11:59 pm. Don’t let the pandemic stop the Lower East Side’s artistic traditions. Watch online ^[660].
• On Saturday (5/23) at noon, join the Caribbean Cultural Center African Diaspora Institute (CCCADI) for “SouSou! Saturdays ^[661],” a monthly online series for kids aged 4 -11. Join Chef Baba Neil Clarke to learn about Pinkster Fest, a 380-year spring festival rooted in NYC and the Hudson River Valley. Stream on CCCADI’s YouTube ^[662] and Facebook ^[663] pages.
• On Saturday (5/23) from 8 – 8:30 pm, join the New York Chinese Cultural Center for “Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Celebration 2020: Culture Connects Us! ^[664]” The event will feature live performances of Chinese dance and music, as well as a Q&A with the performers. Register here ^[664].
• On Tuesday (5/26) from 4 – 5:30 pm, SCAN-Harbor, Union Settlement and the MNN El Barrio Firehouse Community Media Center ^[665] will air a youth town hall on COVID-19, the 2020 Census, and youth resources. Watch live on MNN (Fios Ch. 33, RCN Ch. 82 & Spectrum Ch. 1993).
• Voting is open for the five video finalists in the State Dept. of Health’s “Wear a Mask” PSA Contest ^[666],” which asked New Yorkers to create short videos communicating the importance of wearing a mask to stop the spread of coronavirus. Vote here ^[667].

Wednesday, 5/20/20

• Memorial Day is this Monday, the day set aside to honor those Americans who have died in battle (I’ll be observing a socially distanced holiday at the Sailors and Soldiers Memorial in Riverside Park at 89th Street at 10 am on Monday).

  But a beautiful opinion piece in the Washington Post last Friday, “Almost 90,000 dead and no hint of national mourning. Are these deaths not ‘ours’? ^[668]” highlights the need for mourning the deaths of those who have died from COVID-19 in just these past few months– over 90,000, exceeding the number of deaths of U.S. Armed Forces in Vietnam and Korea in almost 20 years of war– even as the pandemic continues.

  “Naming the Lost ^[669],” is a 24-hour vigil on Facebook and Twitter, (sponsored, it seems, by an ad-hoc international group of volunteers) that began at 2 pm today, naming the names of those lost– as many as possible in 24 hours– to COVID-19. View the webcast here ^[669], until 2 pm tomorrow, and add names here ^[670]. Follow @namingthelost on Twitter ^[671] and Facebook ^[672].

  As they put it, every #COVID19 death has a name. Every person that died deserves to be named.

• On Friday (5/22) at 6 pm, I’ll be hosting my monthly Uptown Arts call in partnership with the Arts and Culture Committee of The Greater Harlem Chamber of Commerce, the Harlem Arts Alliance, and Northern Manhattan Arts Alliance. The theme of this call will be “Innovation in the Arts: Reshaping Our Creative Futures Together ^[656].” Register here ^[657].
• On Friday (5/22) at 6 pm, I’ll be hosting my monthly Uptown Arts call in partnership with the Arts and Culture Committee of The Greater Harlem Chamber of Commerce, the Harlem Arts Alliance, and Northern Manhattan Arts Alliance. The theme of this call will be “Innovation in the Arts: Reshaping Our Creative Futures Together ^[656].” Register here ^[657].
• NYC Parks has launched a “Thank You” campaign for park workers in the city, the country, and around the world. To participate, wear green tomorrow (Thursday 5/21) and post a picture on social media with the hashtag #GoingGreenForParkies. While they are not commonly thought of as frontline workers, their work has been essential to making sure that park-goers have greenspaces to visit while we all do our part to stop the spread of this pandemic. The Empire State Building, Washington Square Park Arch, and other locations will be lit in green to celebrate park workers tomorrow night.
• Tomorrow, Thursday (5/21) at 2 pm, Live with Carnegie Hall presents “A Tribute to Lynn Harrell ^[673],” a free online concert dedicated to the late classical cellist.
• Tomorrow (5/21) from 3 – 4:30 pm, join the NYC Commission on Human Rights for a town hall in Korean on “Incidents and Hate Crime Reporting ^[674].” Register online ^[674], or dial in at (646) 992-2010, with Meeting ID: 710-625-149.
• Tomorrow (5/21) at 5:30 pm, join the gender-based violence survivors’ organization Womankind ^[675] for a virtual event in honor of Asian Pacific American Heritage Month, with discussions on resiliency and managing anti-Asian bias during the pandemic, and a performance from Broadway actor and singer Devin Ilaw. Register here ^[676], tickets are free but limited.
• Tomorrow (5/21) at 6 pm, New York Attorney General ^[659] Letitia James will host a bilingual Tele-Town Hall to address issues facing the Chinese/Asian American community during the COVID-19 pandemic, alongside Asian American elected officials from all levels of New York City government. To call in English, call (877) 466-0026, with access code: 6379835. To call in Mandarin, call (866) 394-2346, with access code: 2660226992.
• Tomorrow (5/21) at 6:30 pm, join the Riders Alliance for a “Rescuing Subway and Bus Riders Virtual Town Hall ^[677],” featuring State Senator Leroy Comrie, Executive Director of the Association for Neighborhood & Housing Development Barika Williams, and Congressman Adriano Espaillat. Register here ^[677].
• Tomorrow (5/21) from 7:30 pm – 8:30 pm, join the Northern Manhattan Arts Alliance for an edition of their weekly #StayHomeOpenStudios ^[678] series. This week’s webcast will feature Uniqua Simmons, a self-taught visual and jewelry artist. Watch on Facebook Live ^[448].
• Applications are open ^[679] until Sunday, May 31 for The Shed’s annual Open Call: the grants will support early-career artists and collectives of all stripes to make new work, and will grant them a featured space in The Shed next year. From performers to plastics, writers to DJ’s, all types of artists and groups are welcome, provided they have not yet received major institutional support. Learn more ^[679].

Tuesday, 5/19/20

• Tonight (4/19) at 5:30 pm, Friends of the Upper East Side Historic Districts presents “The Row House Reborn,” a lecture by architectural historian Andrew Dolkart on the history and expansion of the city’s iconic row houses. Register here ^[680].
• Tonight (5/19) at 8 pm, the NYC Multicultural Festival is hosting an online live watch party for a performance by George Brandon’s Unity Sextet. Stream it on the NYC Multicultural Festival Facebook page ^[490].
• Tomorrow (5/20) at 7 pm, the Whitney Museum is hosting a discussion in their Whitney Wednesdays series ^[681], which will feature the Museum’s chief curator Scott Rothkopf speaking with the conceptual artist Glenn Ligon. Stream the conversation live on the Whitney’s Instagram ^[682].
• Tomorrow (5/20) at 7 pm, the National Jazz Museum in Harlem presents their CRIB Collective Concert, a great mid-week break featuring modern greats Christian McBride, Catherine Russell, Jon Batiste, Melvis Santa, Bill Saxton, Endea Owens, Sean Mason, David Durrah, and Joel Ross. Watch it live on YouTube ^[683] or the Museum’s Facebook page ^[684].

• The Artist Relief grant program, which distributes $5000 grants to artists facing dire financial emergencies due to COVID-19 and provides resources and guidance to grantees, still has applications open ^[685] for their second cycle, which closes on Thursday (5/21) at 11:59 pm.

• Tomorrow is the deadline for submissions to the Arts Writers Grants Program ^[686], which supports both emerging and established writers whose work discusses contemporary visual art with grants ranging from $15,000 to $50,000 awarded in three categories: articles, books, and short-form writing.

Monday, 5/18/20

• Congratulations to Manhattan’s own Just Sam, who won American Idol ^[687] last night! She’s come a long way from Douglass Houses and singing in the subway, and we couldn’t be prouder. Sadly, quarantine has kept Sam in Los Angeles, but we can’t wait to celebrate her victory once she can come back to Manhattan.
• On Friday (5/22) at 6 pm, I’ll be hosting my monthly Uptown Arts call in partnership with the Arts and Culture Committee of The Greater Harlem Chamber of Commerce, the Harlem Arts Alliance, and Northern Manhattan Arts Alliance. The theme of this call will be “Innovation in the Arts: Reshaping Our Creative Futures Together.” Register here ^[657].
• Tonight (5/18) at 6:15, the NYC LGBT Historic Sites Project is hosting “Dames at Home,” a virtual celebration of Caffe Cino, “the birthplace of gay theater,” and the 1966 production of “Dames at Sea.” Register here ^[688].
• Tomorrow (4/19) at 5:30 pm, Friends of the Upper East Side Historic Districts presents “The Row House Reborn,” a lecture by architectural historian Andrew Dolkart on the history and expansion of the city’s iconic row houses. Register here ^[680].
• Submissions are now open ^[689] for the Inwood Arts Works NYC Quarantine Film Festival, which will encourage New Yorkers to express their creativity, celebrate the city, and have fun while staying in quarantine. Learn more and submit here ^[689].
• The Word Up Bookstore, the iconic Upper Manhattan nonprofit bookstore, has established a GoFundMe ^[690] to help maintain their space, salaries, and other obligations until they can safely reopen after the pandemic. Donations are 100% tax-deductible.
• The ULURP timetable continues to be suspended, through to this Friday (5/22). However, the City Council and many Community Boards are taking up projects that underwent prior phases of review before the suspension.

Friday, 5/15/20

• TheCity.nyc is preparing a public memorial project ^[691] for those lost to COVID-19. If someone you know who lived in New York City passed from the virus– be it a friend, relative, coworker, or neighbor– please share information about them on this online form ^[692]. Under 5% of the New Yorkers who have passed from the virus have been remembered in an obituary or death notice– this project is trying to change that.

  And as far as public memorials go, don’t forget Lincoln Center’s “Memorial for Us All ^[693].” They accept and post names publicly as part of their webcast. This Sunday (5/17) at 6 pm is its third broadcast ^[693], featuring Tony nominee Norm Lewis. For the fourth broadcast next Sunday (5/24)– featuring Kelli O’Hara– please submit names ^[481] by Monday (5/18) at 6 pm.

• An American Idol update: “Just Sam” is in the Top 7 heading into this Sunday’s (5/17) finale! We can all do our part to help her win it all; watch the show Sunday at 8 pm on ABC– and while it’s airing, vote for Sam online here ^[694], on the American Idol app ^[695], or by texting the onscreen contestant code to 21523. You can vote 10 times on each platform!
• Tonight (5/15) from 7:30 – 8:30 pm, the InterSchool Orchestras of New York, in support of the Food Bank for New York City, present “Playing for Hope ^[696],” the world premiere of an orchestral arrangement by Earl McIntyre. RSVP here ^[697].
• Tomorrow (5/16) beginning at 10 am, watch Indoors for Autism ^[698] online, an all-day virtual Zoom event sponsored by IncludeNYC ^[699]. Check the schedule here ^[699] and notice that they’re bringing Broadway home with a 4 pm concert featuring Hamilton’s Christopher Jackson and actress Veronica Jackson (parents of a son on the autism spectrum). Other family-friendly activities throughout the day include baking, yoga, magic, and a dance party. When you register here ^[698], you can join for all or just a few activities from 10 am – 7:25 pm.
• Tomorrow (5/16) from 1 – 3 pm, the 14th annual Dance Parade and Festival ^[700] is going online! To join, all you need is an internet-connected device and a Zoom account. Register here ^[700], or just watch the show live on Facebook ^[701], Instagram ^[702], Twitch ^[703] or YouTube ^[704].
• On Sunday (5/17) at noon, join the Buglisi Dance Theatre for the premiere of the “Table of Silence Project ^[705],” a virtual worldwide meditation exercise, call for action, and ritual for peace and connectedness.
• Next Thursday (5/21), I am hosting the online public session of the monthly meeting of the Manhattan Borough Board, a formal body composed of all Council Members and Community Board chairs in the borough. Register to attend at this link ^[706] and you’ll receive an email with instructions on how to be in the online audience. We’ll be discussing the necessary measures for any potential reopening of Manhattan.
• The Museum of the City of New York is starting their “NYC Champions and Change Makers ^[707]” campaign, a crowdsourcing effort to identify individuals and organizations who are leading the way through this crisis. Nominate a community leader here ^[707].

Thursday, 5/14/20

• Tonight (5/14) at 7 pm, the Theater for the New City presents a live reading of Alberto Ferreras’s “Hamlet in Harlem.” Stream live on the Theater’s YouTube ^[708] and their website ^[12].
• Tonight (5/14) at 7 pm, Cabrini Immigrant Services of NYC and Los Herederos are hosting a virtual dance party to raise funds for immigrant families affected by COVID-19. Learn more and register here. ^[709]
• Tomorrow (5/15) at 4 pm, join the Manhattan Neighborhood Network for the first edition of The Writer’s Room ^[710], a screenwriting basics class from Reggie Lochard. Register here ^[710]. Their schedule of summer classes has now been released and registration is open ^[711].
• Tomorrow (5/15) at 4 pm, the Museum of Chinese in America presents a webinar on “Researching the History of Your NYC Home ^[712]” with the New York Public Library’s librarian for United States History, Local History, and Genealogy, Philip Sutton. Register here ^[712].
• Tomorrow (5/15) at 5:45 pm, four of Manhattan’s performing arts schools are working together to present “Turning the Lights Back On ^[713],” a celebration of student performances created during the pandemic, “dedicated to the healthcare workers who illuminate our City.” Stream the performance here ^[713].
• Tomorrow (5/15) from 7:30 – 8:30 pm, the InterSchool Orchestras of New York, in support of the Food Bank for New York City, present “Playing for Hope ^[696],” the world premiere of an orchestral arrangement by Earl McIntyre. RSVP here ^[697].
• New York Road Runners have released “NYRR Striders at Home ^[714],” a site filled with general physical education content for adults meant to change attitudes towards exercise and encouraging fitness activities from home. Learn more ^[714].

Wednesday, 5/13/20

• Tomorrow (5/14) at 2 pm, join the Marlene Meyerson JCC for a conversation from their Justice in Action series discussing the effects of the pandemic on education led by former Borough President and my good friend Ruth Messinger, featuring Council Member Brad Lander, Brotherhood/Sister Sol co-founder Khary Lazarre-White, and EduColor co-founder Jose Luis Vilson. RSVP here ^[715].

• Tomorrow (5/14) at 7 pm, the Theater for the New City presents a live reading of Alberto Ferreras’s “Hamlet in Harlem.” Stream live on the Theater’s YouTube ^[708] and their website ^[12].

• Tomorrow (5/14) at 7 pm, Cabrini Immigrant Services of NYC and Los Herederos are hosting a virtual dance party to raise funds for immigrant families affected by COVID-19. Learn more and register here. ^[709]

• Yesterday’s (5/12) contact tracing panel with Columbia University and Congressman Nadler was a great success; thanks to all who joined us. If you missed it, the video of our full conversation is available here ^[716].
• May is Lower East Side History Month; FABnyc ^[27] has launched peoplesles.org ^[717], a central platform for celebrating the area’s history and submitting research and anecdotal information relating to public health and community resilience.

Tuesday, 5/12/20

• Tonight (5/12) at 6 pm, join the New York Public Library for the first night of a free star-studded reading of Neil Gaiman’s novel Coraline, featuring LaVar Burton, Rosario Dawson, Dakota Fanning, and the author himself. The readings will take place every night this week, ending next Tuesday (5/18). Register here ^[718].
• Tonight (5/12) from 7 – 8 pm, the American Ballet Theater (ABT) hosts “Together Tonight ^[719]”, ABT’s first-ever online celebration in honor of the 80th anniversary of America’s national ballet company. Stream it live on YouTube ^[720].
• Tonight (5/12) at 7 pm, The Town Hall presents “The Town Hall to The Met ^[721]” from their Century of Story and Song series. This conversation and interactive Q&A on black classical musicians will be led by Archivist, Melay Araya, with guest and author, Anthony Philpott.
• Tomorrow (5/13) at 4 pm, Open House New York (OHNY) is hosting another conversation in their series, Conversations on the City, this time with guest Sarah Henry, chief curator of the Museum of the City of New York, interviewed by OHNY’s Director Gregory Wessner. Register here ^[722].
• This Saturday (5/16) beginning at 10 am, watch Indoors for Autism online, an all-day virtual Zoom event sponsored by IncludeNYC ^[699]. Check the schedule here and notice that they’re bringing Broadway home with a 4 pm concert featuring Hamilton’s Christopher Jackson and actress Veronica Jackson (parents of a son on the autism spectrum). Other family-friendly activities throughout the day include baking, yoga, magic, and a dance party. When you register here ^[698], you can join for all or just a few activities from 10 am – 7:25 pm.
• The Supreme Court is currently hearing oral arguments virtually, and allowing people to listen live– a new experience for them, and us. Perhaps that’s why their website doesn’t have a “listen live” link. But C-Span.org has a live feed ^[723] (and broadcasts it on cable when Congress is not in session) as well as a link to a Scotusblog.org ^[724] liveblog. (Today, the Court heard arguments in President Trump’s effort to block subpoenas for his financial records.) Tomorrow (5/13) starting at 10 am, the cases to be heard center on whether members of the Electoral College can be fined or otherwise penalized for voting for any candidate other than that chosen by their state.
• The 9/11 Memorial & Museum has released online resources for schools, including lesson plans ^[725] and their “Dear Hero” ^[726] campaign to thank those on the front lines of the COVID-19 crisis.
• Last night (5/11) the National Action Network hosted another conversation in their Youth Huddle series, which featured my Northern Manhattan Office Director, Athena Moore, as one of the guests. Watch their conversation here ^[727].
• The New York Times reports ^[728] that the Broadway League has officially cancelled performances through Labor Day, and it is unsure when they might reopen.

Monday, 5/11/20

• Tomorrow (5/12) at 6:30 pm, I’ll be moderating another virtual town hall meeting in partnership with Columbia University. “Contact Tracing and Technology: Balancing Public Health and Privacy ^[729],” with Congressmember Jerrold Nadler, will focus on the next phase of the COVID-19 recovery and the role of technology and data, privacy considerations, and contact tracing. Visit here ^[729] to learn more and submit questions in advance.
• Tonight (5/11) at 7 pm, join 34th Street Partnership partner Talia Castro-Pozo for a free beginner virtual salsa class, live on Facebook ^[730] and Instagram ^[731]. Tonight’s class will cover “Cha Cha Basics and Shines.”
• Tomorrow (5/12) at 4 pm, All Arts, a subsidiary of public TV station WLIW, will be hosting “Arts in Recovery ^[732],” a virtual conversation discussing the needed steps for New York’s arts sector to recover from the pandemic. Watch the conversation live on their Facebook page ^[733] or website ^[734].
• Tomorrow, (5/12) at 7 pm, The Town Hall presents “The Town Hall to The Met ^[721]” from their Century of Story and Song series. This conversation and interactive Q&A on black classical musicians will be led by Archivist, Melay Araya, with guest and author, Anthony Philpott.
• The ULURP timetable continues to be suspended, through to this Friday (5/15). However, the City Council and many Community Boards are taking up projects that underwent prior phases of review before the suspension.
• In case you missed it, last Thursday (5/8) Spike Lee released “NEW YORK NEW YORK ^[735],” a 3-minute tribute to New York, its people, and the first responders working to keep us all safe. Watch here ^[735].
• An American Idol update: “Just Sam,” also known as Samantha Diaz, Manhattan’s pride and a resident of a Douglass Houses, officially made the Top 7 last night leading up to this coming Sunday’s (5/17) finale! We’ll be cheering her on!

Friday, 5/8/20

• The Interfaith Center of New York and Lincoln Center have joined to present “Memorial for Us All,” ^[736] an online memorial concert to honor New Yorkers who have died in the pandemic. The first concert last Sunday featured Wynton Marsalis ^[737] and included 100 names of the dead. This Sunday’s (5/10) concert artist is Yo Yo Ma ^[738]; and May 17’s is Brian Stokes Mitchell. The brief concerts are available on Lincoln Center’s YouTube channel ^[739] or Facebook page ^[740], or on the interfaithcenter.org ^[741] website and social media channels. Community members are invited to submit the names of a neighbor, friend, or loved one to honor during the May 17 concert by completing this form ^[481] by 6 pm this Monday (5/10).
• Tomorrow, Saturday (5/9) from 11 – 12:30 pm, join the City’s Department of Records and Information Services for a “Mother’s Day Eve Digital Storytelling Workshop,” which will guide participants in paying tribute to their mothers by writing them into the WomensActivism.NYC ^[100] story archive. RSVP for the Mother’s Day Eve event here ^[742].
• Tomorrow (5/9) from 11  – 11:30 am, the Cathedral of St. John the Divine’s 22nd Annual Blessing of the Bicycles ^[743] is going online, and will pay tribute to bicycle messengers and delivery people for their outsize role in helping New Yorkers through this crisis. To be included in the online blessing, email info@stjohndivine.org ^[744] with a message and a picture of you or your loved ones with your bikes.
• The Office of the City Clerk has released Project Cupid ^[745], a tool for getting your marriage license online in a few simple steps.
• The NoHo Business Improvement District has released a guide on “How to Have a Socially-Distant Mother’s Day,” ^[746] featuring tips on how to celebrate the holiday from afar while supporting local small businesses.
• The application deadline for Columbia University’s Community Scholars Program, designed to grant independent scholars from Northern Manhattan free access to University services and resources to assist in their projects and skill development, has been extended to May 15, 2020. Visit here ^[747] to learn more about the program and apply.

Thursday, 5/7/20

• The Interfaith Center of New York and Lincoln Center have joined to present “Memorial for Us All” ^[736] an online memorial concert to honor New Yorkers who have died in the pandemic. The first concert last Sunday featured Wynton Marsalis ^[737] and included 100 names of the dead. This Sunday’s (5/10) concert artist is Yo Yo Ma ^[738]; and May 17’s is Brian Stokes Mitchell.Community members are invited to submit the names of a neighbor, friend, or loved one to honor during the May 17 concert by 6 pm this Monday (5/10) by completing this form ^[481].The brief concerts are available on Lincoln Center’s YouTube channel ^[739] or Facebook page ^[740], or on the interfaithcenter.org ^[741] website and social media channels.
• Tonight (5/7)  from 7 – 8 pm, join State Senator Liz Krueger and Lisa Furst, LMSW, for a virtual town hall on “Our Mental Health: The Impact of COVID-19 On Our Emotional Wellbeing.” Stream the event live on Senator Krueger’s Facebook page ^[488].
• Last week I participated in a virtual panel hosted by Columbia’s Interdisciplinary Center for Innovative Theory and Empirics (INCITE) titled “Reflections on the Centennial of Women’s Suffrage.” If you were unable to join us, the full video is now up on the INCITE website ^[748].

• Randall’s Island remains open, but for those of us who can’t visit, the Randall’s Island Park Alliance is offering a range of online programming, including a virtual park experience ^[749], educational resources ^[750], and free live yoga classes ^[751] every Tuesday and Thursday at 6:30 pm.

• TIME Magazine for Kids– which was made free to access in late March– has launched in Spanish! Click here ^[752] to access the English version of the page, and here for Spanish ^[753].

Wednesday, 5/6/20

• Tonight (5/6) at 7 pm, the New York State Council of Churches is hosting a town hall titled: “Provide Ongoing and Universal Income Assistance Paired With True Financial Relief.” Register here ^[754].
• Tomorrow (5/7)  from 7 – 8 pm, join State Senator Liz Krueger and Lisa Furst, LMSW, for a virtual town hall on “Our Mental Health: The Impact of COVID-19 On Our Emotional Wellbeing.” Stream the event live on Senator Krueger’s Facebook page ^[488].
• Yesterday (5/5) I co-sponsored a “Save Our Compost” Town Hall with Think Zero, ALIGN NY and other advocacy groups, where we discussed efforts to preserve free and public composting in New York City. If you couldn’t join us, the video of our full conversation is available on ALIGN NY’s Facebook page ^[755].
• My old friend Ronnie Eldridge hosted me on her CUNY TV show Eldridge & Co. recently; we covered the state of education, my work to get Community Boards connected online, and the possible aftermath of Gov. Cuomo’s evictions moratorium. Watch the interview on YouTube ^[756].
• The Frick Collection is now “open” for online visits for schools, colleges, and universities. Sessions are tailored to lesson plans, and led by Frick educators who will guide discussions of selected works of art from the Frick’s collection. Teachers: to learn more and make a reservation, please email schoolvisits@frick.org ^[757] with your preferred date and time, the grade level of your students, and the subject of your course.

Tuesday, 5/5/20

• Today (5/5) is the first day of a pandemic hackathon hosted by the Taiwanese and U.S. governments, running until next Tuesday (5/12). The hackathon looks to boost innovative solutions against COVID-19-related challenges, including tracing techniques, rapid tests, crisis communication, protection of high-risk groups, and telehealth. Learn more here ^[758].
• Tonight (5/5) at 7 pm, the New York State Council of Churches is hosting a town hall forum titled “Protecting Democracy and Ensure Corporate and State Accountability”. Register here ^[759].
• Tonight (5/5) at 7 pm, The Town Hall presents “Setting The Stage: Black Classical Debuts at Town Hall ^[760]” from their Century of Story and Song series. This conversation and interactive Q&A features Anthony Philpott, author of the forthcoming book, A Hall for All: Black Classical Musicians at the Town Hall.
• Tonight (5/5) at 8 pm, the New York African Chorus Ensemble presents a watch party for a performance by Albert Alabedra and Naomi Perez Flamenco Fusion. Tune in on Facebook ^[490].
• Tomorrow (5/6) at 2 pm, Open House New York is hosting another conversation in their series, Conversations on the City, this time with guest Brian Bannon, chief librarian at the New York Public Library, interviewed by OHNY’s Greg Wessner. Register here ^[761].
• In honor of the 75th anniversary of the liberation of The Netherlands in World War II, the singers of The Netherlands’ Haarlem Choir School were arranging a “Thank You Tour” to offer appreciation to the United States for our country’s role in freeing theirs. While the pandemic made their tour impossible, the choir has remotely recorded a performance of Shenandoah, now available on YouTube ^[762].

Monday, 5/4/20

• Monumental Women has released an online version of their art and suffrage history project “Put Her on a Pedestal,” which helps prepare and share commemorations of the diverse figures of the suffragist movement. Aimed primarily at middle schoolers, it is a perfect and engaging online project for parents and kids. Learn more here ^[763].
• The ULURP timetable continues to be suspended. However, the City Council and many Community Boards are taking up projects that have been in the pipeline. Last week the Council moved to have the disposition of 266 W. 96th St. (a city-owned property being transferred to private ownership to facilitate a 23-story building with 171 market rate and affordable units) heard; that Council hearing will take place this Thursday, May 7th at 1 pm. All City Council Meetings can be viewed on live on the City Council website at https://council.nyc.gov/livestream/ ^[764]. Those who wish to testify must pre-register in advance on the website at https://council.nyc.gov/testify/ ^[764].
   
  In general, please pay attention to the agendas posted on the websites of the Council and Community Boards if there are projects you’re interested in or concerned about.
• Tonight (5/4) at 7 pm, the New York State Council of Churches is hosting a town hall forum on “Addressing the Public Health Crises of Incarceration and Homelessness.” Register here ^[765].
• Tomorrow (5/5) is the first day of a pandemic hackathon hosted by the Taiwanese and U.S. governments, running until May 12. The hackathon looks to boost the development of innovative solutions against COVID-19-related challenges, including tracing techniques and technology, development of rapid tests, crisis communication, protection of high-risk groups, and telehealth to overcome coronavirus-related challenges. Learn more here ^[758].
• Tomorrow (5/5) at 3 pm, Hunter@Home presents “The Dolphin in the Mirror: Reflections on Dolphin Intelligence & Communication,” a talk and Q&A with Diana Reiss, Director of Hunter’s Animal Behavior and Conservation Program. Professor Reiss will discuss how she approaches learning about dolphin communication through “partnering”. Register here ^[766].
• Tomorrow, (5/5) at 7 pm, The Town Hall presents “Setting The Stage: Black Classical Debuts at Town Hall ^[760]” from their Century of Story and Song series. This conversation and interactive Q&A features Anthony Philpott, author of the forthcoming book, A Hall for All: Black Classical Musicians at the Town Hall.
• The Documentary Freelancer Relief Fund is adding a third and final round of applications opening June 10, bringing their total relief funding to $325,000. (Their second round, which appears to be over-subscribed, opens May 6). Previous applications will roll into the next round, so that filmmakers don’t have to apply multiple times. So once you’ve sent in your application, it will continue to be considered throughout. For those who have not yet applied for the relief fund but would still like to do so, further information can be found here ^[582].

Friday, 5/1/20

• Tonight (5/1) at 8 pm, the Young People’s Chorus of New York City will kick off a 24-hour global livestream event, “The Call to Unite”, that will celebrate front-line healthcare workers and our common humanity with over 200 world leaders, artists, and musicians, including Oprah Winfrey, Quincy Jones, Yo-Yo Ma, Julia Roberts, and President George W. Bush. Stream on Facebook ^[767], YouTube ^[768], Twitter ^[769], unite.us ^[770], and the @thecalltounite Instagram page.
• On Sunday (5/3) at 3 pm, join the American Lyric Theater for a free libretto reading of the children’s opera THE SELFISH GIANT, based on the classic Oscar Wilde story, featuring a conversation with authors Clarice Assad and Lila Palmer. Stream the event live on Facebook ^[771].
• On Sunday (5/3) at 7:30 pm, the Guggenheim Museum will air the next work in their Works & Process Virtual Commissions series, with a short performance art piece by Michael R. Jackson, followed up on Monday (5/4) at 7:30 pm by a piece featuring Nora Brown and Caleb Teicher. Follow the performances and watch prior commissions on YouTube ^[772], Facebook ^[308], and Instagram (@worksandprocess).

Thursday, 4/30/20

• Thanks to all who joined our “Bridging the Digital Divide” town hall panel last night. Thousands of people viewed some portion of it, but if you couldn’t make it, watch the recorded conversation here ^[773].
• Manhattan Borough Historian Rob Snyder was on CBS2 last night, discussing his work collecting oral history from those “on the suffering edge of this pandemic,” and the importance of having our historical record include the experiences of essential workers on the front line. Watch the segment here ^[774].
• Tonight (4/30) at 7 pm, tune in to any SiriusXM station and sing along to the classic Bill Withers song “Lean on Me”; this nationwide sing-along is part of the “Worldwide Day of Gratitude” for COVID-19 first responders, sponsored by SiriusXM, the Grammy Museum, The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, and TeachRock.org, who have also provided a lesson plan ^[775] on the song’s added meaning during this pandemic.
• Tomorrow (5/1) at 2 pm, the Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History will present another online edition of their Inside the Vault series, featuring a print by Phillip Dawe and a 1770 engraving by Paul Revere depicting the Boston Massacre. RSVP here ^[776].
• Tomorrow (5/1) at 2 pm, join Village Preservation for a “tour” of Far West Village as written by urban activist Jane Jacobs, a #JanesWalkNYC event. Register here ^[777]. Village Preservation has also expanded the digital offerings from their children’s education program History and Historic Preservation. Learn more ^[778].

Wednesday, 4/29/20

• Today is Denim Day! Every April, I help plan and attend the “Denim Day” rally in support of survivors of sexual violence. This year, of course, it will be held virtually; but we cannot let this pandemic make us any less mindful of the danger many of our friends and neighbors could be in.

  I’m proud to support this initiative along with the Mayor’s Office to End Gender-Based Violence and 40 organizations. We’ll join together online as a community of survivors, advocates, and allies in order to work toward a future free of sexual violence and sexual assault. Show your solidarity with the movement by wearing denim tomorrow, April 29th. Stand with us at denimday.nyc ^[779].

• New York Road Runners has adjusted their Rising New York Road Runners youth fitness program for families sheltering in place: “Active at Home” features free games and activities curated for smaller spaces, including workouts led by Olympic Bronze Medalist Jenny Simpson. Learn more here ^[780].

Tuesday, 4/28/20

• Tomorrow (4/29) at noon, join Civic Hall for “#OpenCongress: How Congress Can Work Remotely During Emergencies,” ^[781] a conversation with Daniel Schuman of DemandProgress and Marci Harris of PopVox, hosted by Civic Hall’s Micah L. Sifry. RSVP required ^[782].
• Tomorrow (4/29) at 4 pm, Open House New York is hosting “On Density,” a conversation with renowned architect, founder of Practice for Architecture and Urbanism ^[783], and author Vishaan Chakrabarti, as part of their ongoing series Conversations on the City. Register here ^[784].
• Tomorrow (4/29) from 5 – 6 pm, El Museo del Barrio will be hosting a free virtual tour ^[785] of their most recent exhibit “Zilia Sánchez: Soy Isla (I Am an Island)” with El Museo’s Curator Susanna Temkin. Register here ^[786], and instructions to log on will be sent an hour before the event.
• Sign up for the Northern Manhattan Arts Alliance’s biweekly newsletter, which will provide updates in English and Spanish on arts activities in Washington Heights, Inwood and West Harlem. Sign up here ^[787].

Monday, 4/27/20

• On Wednesday (4/29) at 2 pm, I will join a panel on “Reflections on the Centennial of Women’s Suffrage” presented by the American Assembly and the Academy of Political Science, with fellow panelists Liz Abzug, Coline Jenkins, Julie Suk, and moderator Kathryn B. Yatrakis. Register here ^[788].
• Today (4/27) is the first day of Jane’s Walk NYC (From Home) ^[789], an online adaptation of the Municipal Art Society’s yearly festival of volunteer-led “walking conversations” inspired by urban activist Jane Jacobs. For today’s kick-off, in partnership with Subway Therapy ^[790] and Art Plus People ^[791], they are asking New Yorkers to share their favorite spots in NYC, either through @subwaytherapy Instagram stories, sharing on social media with #JanesWalkNYC, or by sending an email to janeswalknyc@mas.org ^[792].
• Tomorrow (4/28) at 5 pm, Hunter@Home returns with “The Beatles’ Legacy: How Abbey Road Blazed the Trail for Progressive Rock,” ^[766] a talk and virtual live Q&A by distinguished music professor and rock historian Mark Spicer.
• The Salvadori Center ^[793] has developed a series of free project-based ^[794] STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Math) lessons for students from grades K-12.

Friday, 4/24/20

• This Sunday’s (4/26) American Idol will broadcast the 20 performers singing from their homes, and in response to votes from the audience, ten contestants will be eliminated. Manhattan’s own “Just Sam,” Samantha Diaz, a Douglass Houses resident has made the final 20– but now we can all do our part to make sure she sticks around into the top 10!

  Watch the show Sunday at 8 pm on ABC – while it’s airing, vote for Sam online here ^[694], on the American Idol app ^[695], or by texting the onscreen contestant code to 21523. You can vote 10 times on each platform!

• Thanks to all who joined our second Uptown Arts Call, in partnership with the Arts and Culture Committee of The Greater Harlem Chamber of Commerce, the Harlem Arts Alliance, and the Northern Manhattan Arts Alliance. If you couldn’t make it, watch the recorded conversation here ^[795].
• Today (4/24), the Grammy Award-winning Orpheus Chamber Orchestra started their #VCORPHEUSFESTIVAL, a two-day online festival hosted on The Violin Channel’s Facebook page ^[796]. The festival will feature Orpheus musicians in living room concerts, fun videos from their homes, informative Q&As, and full broadcasts of Orpheus concerts.
• Tonight (4/24) at 7 pm, watch Whitney Screens, an online screening of Clarissa Tossin’s video art piece Ch’u Mayaa ^[797] from the Whitney Museum. They’re also hosting an Artmaking from Home ^[798] event tomorrow (4/25) at 3 pm, with a class on “The Power of Pattern”: drawing from the works of Rosie Lee Tompkins and Miriam Schapiro.
• Tomorrow (4/25) from 1 – 4 pm, the Metropolitan Opera streams an “At Home Gala” ^[799] on their website with virtual performances by over 40 artists. The program will then be available to stream on metopera.org ^[800] until Sunday at 6:30 pm.
• Tomorrow (4/25) at 8:00 pm, the Metropolitan Playhouse presents a virtual reading of Bronson Howard’s 1878 comedy OLD LOVE LETTERS. Watch here ^[801].
• Tomorrow (4/25) at 9 pm, The Flea Theater is launching SERIALS: ONLINE!, a virtual version of their long-running weekly episodic show. View all-new plays, streamed live on their Instagram ^[802] and Youtube ^[803] pages.
• On Sunday (4/26) at 4 pm, the Africa Center is hosting a discussion ^[804] with Orange is the New Black actress Uzo Aduba on her portrayal of Shirley Chisholm in the new FX show Mrs. America. Watch online ^[804] or stream on Instagram @TheAfricaCenter.
• On Sunday (4/26) at 4 pm, join Jazz Power Initiative for Latin JazzPowerON ^[805], an online live-streaming concert event featuring StringBeans with bandleader Annette Aguilar; bandleader Steven Oquendo with his Latin Jazz All Stars; and Rumbamena Dance Company dancer/choreographer, Ximena Salgado.
• On Monday (4/27) at 2 pm, celebrate National Tell A Story Day with a digital storytelling workshop ^[806] from WomensActivism.nyc, a project of the NYC Dept. of Records.
• NYC & Company has compiled Virtual NYC, an ongoing and comprehensive list of virtual cultural offerings ^[807] by local organizations, sorted by interest (i.e. Family Friendly, Performing Arts, Attractions, etc.). They also have a form to submit ^[808] upcoming events and experiences and add to their expanding list.

Thursday, 4/23/20

• Tonight (4/23) from 6 – 7 pm Gabrielle Revlock teaches her weekly class at dance studio Movement Research ^[809] (available for free on Zoom): “Contact Improvisation: The Basics.” ^[810]
• Tomorrow (4/24) at 8 am, Bike New York is hosting a “Virtual Friday Morning Happy Hour: Conversation on the impacts of COVID-19 for you and cycling.” ^[811] Email outreach@bike.nyc ^[812] with any questions.
• Tomorrow (4/24) from 7 – 8 pm, the Mount Vernon Hotel Museum & Garden is hosting a virtual opening reception for a piece by Sandra Fernandez titled Movement, Migration and Home ^[813]; the piece is a beautiful work that depicts Manhattan as a literal cultural patchwork, with colorful segments stitched together by the paths people from all over the world take to reach our city. Access the reception on Zoom here ^[814], with Meeting ID: 731-2357-4447.
• The dance company for older adults Dances for a Variable Population ^[815] have shifted to remote programming, with free access videos ^[816] and Zoom-based classes ^[817] (14 classes a week, 7 days a week), as well as remote telephone conference programs ^[818].

Wednesday, 4/22/20

• Tomorrow (4/23) I’m sponsoring a second Uptown Arts Teleconference at 6:30 pm, in partnership with the Arts and Culture Committee of The Greater Harlem Chamber of Commerce, the Harlem Arts Alliance, and the Northern Manhattan Arts Alliance. We will broaden the initial discussion (needs, strategies, and resources) to include a discussion on funding, philanthropy, and technical assistance opportunities. Panelists will include Voza Rivers (Greater Harlem Chamber of Commerce), Joyous Pierce (Harlem Arts Alliance) and Niria Leyva-Gutierrez, Ph.D. (Northern Manhattan Arts Alliance). The Harlem Arts Alliance asks that you complete their Uptown Arts & Culture Resource Assessment Survey, which can be found here ^[819].

  Register here ^[820] to be sent a link to log into the Zoom meeting.

• Tonight (4/22) at 7 pm, HERE Art Center will host HERE@HOME, the next in a series of Wednesday evening screenings of a full-length HERE production. Tonight’s feature will be Laura Peterson’s WOODEN, live on HERE’s Facebook page ^[821].
• Tomorrow (4/23) at 12 pm, The Africa Center is hosting a live conversation with Academy Award nominee Chiwetel Ejiofor and William Kamkwamba on their new Netflix film The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind. Register here ^[822] to watch and submit questions, or stream on Facebook Live ^[823].
• Tomorrow (4/23) at 1 pm, join Women Creating Change (WCC) for a virtual iteration of their Table Talk series. WCC member (Grace) Angela Henry will interview the Executive Director of the Mayor’s Commission on Gender Equity, Jacqueline M. Ebanks, on the long-term implications of COVID-19. RSVP here ^[824].
• Tomorrow (4/23) at 3 pm, Hunter College’s Hunter@Home series presents “Inside Vincent’s Creative Process: Van Gogh and Popular Culture,” ^[825] a lecture from prize-winning art historian Michael Lobel on the influences popular prints of the time had on Van Gogh’s iconic work.
• Tomorrow (4/23) at 6 pm, the New York Urban League (NYUL) is hosting their second COVID-19 Virtual Town Hall, with a focus on “Health Care and Mental Health in the Black Community”. The town hall promises “an open forum for guests to receive up to date information on the COVID-19 crisis and ask questions about ways to ensure mental and spiritual health during challenging times,” and features opening remarks from Lt. Governor Kathy Hochul. The panel, moderated by NYUL President & CEO Arva Rice, includes The Root’s Danielle Belton, Harlem Hospital’s Ebone McIntosh Carrington, The Hope Center Harlem’s Rev. Kyndra Frazier, and the NYU McSilver Institute’s Dr. Michael Lindsay. Register here ^[826].

Tuesday, 4/21/20

• And on Thursday (4/23) I’m sponsoring a second Uptown Arts Teleconference at 6:30 pm, in partnership with the Arts and Culture Committee of The Greater Harlem Chamber of Commerce, the Harlem Arts Alliance, and the Northern Manhattan Arts Alliance. We will broaden the initial discussion (needs, strategies, and resources) to include a discussion on funding, philanthropy, and technical assistance opportunities. Panelists will include Voza Rivers (Greater Harlem Chamber of Commerce), Joyous Pierce (Harlem Arts Alliance) and Niria Leyva-Gutierrez, Ph.D. (Northern Manhattan Arts Alliance). The Harlem Arts Alliance asks that you complete their Uptown Arts & Culture Resource Assessment Survey, which can be found here ^[819]. Visit this link ^[820] to register to obtain a login for the Thursday (4/23), 6:30 pm Zoom meeting.
• Tonight (4/21) at 7:00 pm, The Town Hall presents “Return Home: Nina Simone’s Debut ^[827]” from their new Century of Story and Song series. This conversation and interactive Q&A with archivist Melay Araya and director Jeff L. Lieberman celebrates Nina Simone’s 1959 debut and live recording at Town Hall.
• Tonight (4/21) at 7:30 pm, Columbia University will launch their Columbia at Home series with “The Story Behind Self Made,” a conversation with A’Lelia Bundles, biographer and great-great-granddaughter of C.J. Walker, the focus of Netflix’s new miniseries Self Made. Register here ^[828].
• Tonight (4/21) at 7:30 pm, Hunter College’s Hunter@Home series is back with a reading by Téa Obreht ^[829] from her prize-winning novel Inland, listed by President Obama as one of his favorite books of 2019.
• Tonight (4/21) at 8:00 pm, New York City Ballet (NYCB) launches their digital spring season, to coincide with the dates of the season they had already planned for the stage. Every Tuesday and Friday at 8:00 pm for the next six weeks, they will release new performances, each available free of charge for 72 hours. Stream them on YouTube ^[830], Facebook ^[831], or the NYCB site ^[832].
• Tomorrow (4/22), the American Museum of Natural History’s yearly EarthFest Celebration ^[833] will begin at 10:00 am with a whole day of interactive online activities, featuring everything from workshops on plant biodiversity for kids, to trivia happy hour in the evening, to live satellite visualizations of spots around the world.
• Tomorrow (4/22) at 7:00 pm, HERE Art Center will host HERE@HOME, the next in a series of Wednesday evening screenings of a full-length HERE production. Tomorrow’s presentation will be Laura Peterson’s WOODEN, live on HERE’s Facebook page ^[821].
• The Tenement Museum has expanded their online offerings ^[834], featuring a new digital exhibit ^[835] on the importance of the Census to preserving immigrant stories, a #ZoomIntothePast series of Zoom backgrounds for download ^[836], and several virtual live events ^[837].
• DCTV, the media arts center located in Chinatown, has put all its public programs online. You can take filmmaking classes, get tech advice in their Online Filmmaking Workshops and Office Hours– and they’re also streaming new documentary films via their Virtual Cinema. Their Youth Media students are creating personal video diaries of their lives under quarantine. If you know a NYC student 14-21 years of age who might be interested in participating, please check out DCTV’s Youth Media programs. Visit dctvny.org ^[838] to learn more and take part!

Monday, 4/20/20

• Yom HaShoah, Holocaust Remembrance Day, begins tonight (4/20) at 7:30 pm:

  • The Annual Upper West Side Reading of the Names ^[839] will start at 8:00 pm on Facebook Live.

  • The Downtown Jewish Life community will gather ^[840] at 7:00 pm on Facebook Live.

  • Selfhelp Community Services, UJA-Federation of New York, and Yeshivah of Flatbush Joel Braverman High School are streaming a Yom HaShoah presentation ^[841] based on Witness Theater, live at 7:00 pm.

  • New York’s Annual Gathering of Remembrance took place yesterday (4/19); video is available here ^[842].

  • I highly recommend “We Share the Same Sky,” ^[843] a podcast by educator Rachael Cerrotti, produced for the USC Shoah Foundation. My office is hosting Rachael in New York this fall (rescheduled from March) for a Holocaust education program including visits with high school students, a professional training session for teachers, and a community program.

• And on Thursday (4/23) I’m sponsoring a second Uptown Arts Teleconference at 6:30 pm, in partnership with the Arts and Culture Committee of The Greater Harlem Chamber of Commerce, the Harlem Arts Alliance, and the Northern Manhattan Arts Alliance. We will broaden the initial discussion (needs, strategies, and resources) to include a discussion on funding, philanthropy, and technical assistance opportunities. Panelists will include Voza Rivers (Greater Harlem Chamber of Commerce), Joyous Pierce (Harlem Arts Alliance) and Niria Leyva-Gutierrez, Ph.D. (Northern Manhattan Arts Alliance). The Harlem Arts Alliance asks that you complete their Uptown Arts & Culture Resource Assessment Survey at https://www.harlemaa.org ^[819]. Visit this link to register to obtain a log-in for the Thursday (4/23), 6:30 pm Zoom meeting: https://zoom.us/meeting/register/tJwqdOygrjsqHNICKjwSTn5ljAMPd7a1TK6K ^[820]
• Tomorrow (4/21) at 3 pm, as part of “Tune-in Tuesday” a dial-in musical concert and conversation will be held with NYC Public Artist-in-Residence Laura Nova. “Finally Friday” at 12 noon (a dial-in offering of conversation, interactive activities, and company). Click here to join either Zoom meeting online ^[844] or call (929) 205-6099, using meeting ID 893 452 0253#.
• Tomorrow (4/21) starting at 9:30 am, the Landmarks Preservation Commission is having a Virtual Public Hearing. See the agenda here ^[845], view applicant presentations here ^[846], apply to speak here ^[847], and stream the meeting on their YouTube channel ^[848].
• Tomorrow (4/21) at 5:00 pm, the Vineyard Theatre launches The VT Show, with Fear the Walking Dead actor and playwright Colman Domingo, who will be sharing the experience of creating his award-winning solo show, A Boy And His Soul. Watch live on YouTube ^[849] and Facebook ^[850].
• Tomorrow, (4/21) at 7:00 pm, The Town Hall presents “Return Home: Nina Simone’s Debut ^[827]” from their new Century of Story and Song series. This conversation and interactive Q&A with archivist Melay Araya and director Jeff L. Lieberman celebrates Nina Simone’s 1959 debut and live recording at Town Hall.
• Tomorrow (4/21) at 7:30 pm, Columbia University will launch their Columbia at Home series with “The Story Behind Self Made”, a conversation with A’Lelia Bundles, biographer and great-great-granddaughter of C.J. Walker, the focus of Netflix’s new miniseries Self Made. Register here ^[828].
• Tomorrow (4/21) at 7:30 pm, Hunter College’s Hunter@Home series is back with a reading by Téa Obreht ^[829] from her prize-winning novel Inland, listed by President Obama as one of his favorite books of 2019.
• The Mayor announced today ^[851] that the Celebrate Israel, Puerto Rican Day, and LGBTQ Pride parades are officially cancelled. This is of course sad news, but I know Manhattanites and New Yorkers will come together to celebrate when the time is right.
• “TIME for Kids” and “TIME Edge” platforms are now available for free ^[752] for the rest of the 2020 school year, ensuring age-appropriate, trusted content is easily accessible for Grades K – 8. They’ve also launched Draw with Drew (And Rosie!) ^[852] to provide art education to kids at home.

Friday, 4/17/20

• Tomorrow (4/18) at 4:00 pm, the environmental education organization Cafeteria Culture is offering a free virtual screening of the documentary Microplastic Madness, the story of 56 fifth graders from P.S. 15 in Red Hook, Brooklyn whose actions on plastic pollution morph into extraordinary leadership and scalable victories. Register here ^[853] to join the screening, which will be followed by a Q&A with the film’s directors.
• On Sunday (4/19) at 2:00 pm, join the Museum of Jewish Heritage (MJH) for a Virtual Presentation: New York’s Annual Gathering of Remembrance, a commemoration for Yom HaShoah / Holocaust Remembrance. Watch on Facebook ^[842], YouTube ^[854], or the MJH website ^[855].
• The West Harlem Art Fund is launching “COVID Diaries POC,” an audio series documenting the impact of the coronavirus with a racial justice equity lens through interview and memoir. Students from Exalt Youth will generate interview questions for family members, neighbors and others to respond to using their phones. Those interviews will be archived and woven into an outdoor botanical installation and soundscape performance piece designed by artists Nadia DeLane and Austin Arrington on Governor’s Island. Please email westharlemartfund12@gmail.com ^[856] if you’d like to be interviewed.
• Happy 55th to the Landmarks Preservation Commission (LPC). In honor of that anniversary, LPC has created a new interactive story map ^[857] to honor their vital work with highlights from decades of helping to make our city’s history tangible for every generation.

Thursday, 4/16/20

• Also tomorrow (4/17) at 2:00 pm, the Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History will present another edition of their “Inside the Vault” series ^[858], where they’ll be showing rare historical documents, including letters by George Washington and Robert E. Lee.

Wednesday, 4/15/20

• Tonight (4/15) at 7:00 pm, join the Theater for the New City for a virtual live reading of a new play ^[334], Frank J. Avella’s ORVILLE STATION, the first from their new TNC “On the Air” series.
• Tonight (4/15) at 7:30 pm, Jazz at Lincoln Center is taking their annual Spring Gala performance online with the Worldwide Concert for Our Culture ^[859], a 2-hour musical celebration of jazz styles from all around the world! Stream it on jazz.org ^[860], Facebook ^[861], or YouTube ^[862].
• Tonight (4/15) at 8:00 pm, the NAACP and BET launch “Unmasked: A COVID-19 Virtual Town Hall Series” with an hour-long teleconference focused on the health, economic, and social impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the African American community. Register here ^[863].
• Join the Dance Theatre of Harlem (DTH) for their free YouTube Live open classes ^[519], airing Wednesday – Friday every week from 6:30 – 7:15 pm. Tonight (4/15), DTH Instructor Rita Castro de Silva-Bearden hosts a “Ballet for Everyone” class.
• Tomorrow (4/16) the Hotel School of Cornell’s SC Johnson College of Business is hosting two webinars from their Navigating the COVID-19 Crisis series: “What’s Next for NYC Restaurants” ^[864] at 10:00 am, and “The Travel Industry’s Road to Recovery” ^[865] at 2:00 pm.
• Tomorrow (4/16) at 7:00 pm, The New Pride Agenda is hosting a Zoom webinar titled “Queer, Trans, and Young: COVID-19’s Impact on LGBTQ+ Youth and Young Adults”, with opening remarks by Council Speaker Johnson and moderated by Councilmember Ritchie Torres. Panelists represent the Ackerman Institute for the Family, the Ali Forney Center, GLSEN and The Trevor Project. Register here ^[866].
• Tomorrow (4/16) at 8:00 pm, the Apollo Theater Digital Stage ^[867] presents a conversation between the Apollo’s Master Artist-in-Residence Ta-Nehisi Coates and former Demos president and author Heather McGee on “their work, this moment in our society, and how we might start to think about the world we’ll make on the other side of it.” RSVP here ^[868].
• The Studio Museum in Harlem has released a series of Do it Yourself guided art projects ^[869] for those looking to express their creativity and try out a new hobby from home.

Tuesday, 4/14/20

• Tonight (4/14) at 8:00 pm, the New York African Chorus will perform on the first night of the NYC Multicultural Festival Watch Party Series ^[624], live on Facebook.

Monday, 4/13/20

• Also tomorrow (4/14) at 3 pm, Carnegie Hall is launching a new online series, “Live with Carnegie Hall” — not “from”— featuring original material as well as selections from their archives. The first program will feature a live performance and conversation with Tituss Burgess; on Thursday (4/16) at 2 pm the guest will be Yannick Nézet-Séguin with a special episode focused on Beethoven. Episodes will stream on Carnegie Hall’s Facebook and Instagram channels and will be archived for on-demand viewing later on carnegiehall.org/live ^[870].
• Tomorrow, April 14, 2020, at 4:00 pm, the artists’ advisory nonprofit Creative Capital is offering creatives an online workshop titled “Coping with COVID: Time Management for Artists During Challenging Times” ^[871].
• And tomorrow (4/14) at 8:00 pm, the New York African Chorus will perform on the first night of the NYC Multicultural Festival Watch Party Series ^[624], live on Facebook.
• The Actors’ Fund has released a round-up of resources available to artists ^[872], bartenders, and freelance creatives and shared similar lists made by the New York Foundation for the Arts ^[873] and the Freelance Artist Resource Producing Collective ^[874].

Friday, 4/10/20

• Today, April 10, 2020, at 5:30 pm, Ballet Hispánico will be streaming live from their Facebook page ^[875] as part of their B́Unidos campaign and the #LincolnCenteratHome initiative. Enjoy an evening of dance from the comfort of your own home and watch Club Havana by Pedro Ruiz and CARMEN.maquia by Gustavo Ramírez Sansano with friends and family in real time together.

Thursday, 4/09/20

• On the culture front…

  • the National Museum of the American Indian is featuring several online offerings, including a “Native Knowledge 360” lesson on what we can learn from Inka water systems ^[876] (also available in Spanish ^[877]) and a piece on the Native food sovereignty movement ^[878].
  • Join the great Michael Kimmelman for another fantastic virtual walking tour in today’s New York Times ^[879]— this time along the East River waterfront.
  • The American Ballet Theatre is sharing virtual events as part of their ABT: Alone But Together series ^[880], with online ballet classes from ABT dancers on their Instagram ^[881], conversations on their prepared works, and more.
  • Arts For Art is releasing their new series “Screening Vision ^[882],” digging deep into their 25 years of avant-garde performance and sharing it on their YouTube channel ^[883].

Wednesday. 4/08/20

• New-York Historical Society this week features Silicon City: Computer History Made in New York ^[884], a deep dive on unsung STEM pioneer and Brooklyn Bridge engineer Emily Warren Roebling ^[885], and a conversation with Aspen Institute president and biographer to Jobs and Da Vinci, Walter Isaacson ^[886].
• The New York Public Library and WNYC are partnering to host a virtual book club, and they’re starting with James McBride’s new book, Deacon King Kong. For more, visit wnyc.org/getlit ^[887] or nypl.org/virtualbookclub ^[888].

• Lincoln Center at Home ^[46] has new offerings this week:

  • #ConcertforKids, reimagining the Pierre Boulez “rug concerts” for a new generation, premiered a new performance today: Zeshan B, an artist infusing blues styles with South Asian culture. ^[889]

  • Friday at 5:30 pm, Ballet Hispánico promises to “whisk us away to contemporary dance’s hottest spot” ^[890] showcasing the best of Latin dance.

  • Lincoln Center Pop-Up Classroom goes live on Facebook at @LincolnCenterNYC at 2:00 pm ^[740] with a new topic each weekday.

Tuesday, 4/07/20

• This year’s Passover dinners are being done virtually; here is a roundup of the ones I’ve heard of:

  • The Marlene Meyerson JCC of Manhattan ^[891] will be hosting three Seders:
    –For families with school-age children on Wednesday, 4/8 from 4:30 – 5:30 pm
    –The Annual Queer Seder on Thursday 4/9 from 7 – 9 pm
    — An Israeli-style seder WHAT DAY from 8:30 10 pm

  • “Sayder Live”, Lab/Shul’s (Virtual) 2nd Seder ^[892] is taking place on Thursday 4/9 from 7 – 9 pm.

  • Congregation Beit Simchat Torah on 4/8 at 6:30 pm; more details here ^[893].

  • Temple Emanuel is livestreaming their free Congregational Seder ^[894], at 5 pm on Thursday 4/9 on both their website linked above and on their Facebook page.

  • Jewish Women’s International is hosting a virtual seder ^[895] on Thursday, 4/9 from 8 – 11 pm.

  • The 92Y hosts a free digital Community Seder on  ^[896]Thursday 4/9 starting at 7:30 pm.

  • The Actors Temple, Congregation Ezrath Israel, is streaming their Community Seder on April 9 at 6 pm via Zoom. See their website for more details ^[897].

  • Romemu is hosting two nights of free virtual seders, learn more here ^[898].

• Last Friday, I and members of my office joined the Arts and Culture Committee of the Greater Harlem Chamber of Commerce, the Harlem Arts Alliance, and the Northern Manhattan Arts Alliance to discuss managing the impact of COVID-19. For those of you unable to join us, the recorded video session is now available on YouTube: https://youtu.be/rnDJf_CihxM ^[899]

Thursday, 4/02/20

• Don’t forget tomorrow, Friday, April 3 at 3 pm, my office will join with the Arts and Culture Committee of The Greater Harlem Chamber of Commerce, the Harlem Arts Alliance, and the Northern Manhattan Arts Alliance to convene a special Zoom conference for locally-based arts and culture organizations, independent artists, galleries, and venues to discuss managing the impact of COVID-19.  Here is more detail on the call and call-in directions ^[900].
• Virtual Seders are the thing this year (next year in person!).-The Marlene Meyerson JCC of Manhattan ^[891] will be hosting three free virtual seders: a program for families with school-age children on April 8 from 4:30-5:30 pm ; and on April 9, the 2nd Annual Queer Seder (7-9pm) along with an Israeli-style seder (8:30-10 pm). For more details and resources visit the link above.
  –“Sayder Live”, Lab/Shul’s (Virtual) 2nd Seder ^[892] is taking place on April 9 from 7-9 pm.
  -Congregation Beit Simchat Torah is hosting a free (Zoom) Seder on April 8 starting at 6:30 pm; more details here ^[893].
  -Temple Emanuel is livestreaming their free Congregational Seder ^[894], starting at 5 pm on April 9 on their website linked above and on their Facebook page.
  –Jewish Women’s International is hosting a virtual seder ^[895] on April 9 from 8 – 11 pm.
  -The 92Y is hosting a free digital Community Seder on April 9 ^[896], starting at 7:30 pm.
  -The Actors Temple, Congregation Ezrath Israel, is streaming their Community Seder on April 9 at 6pm via Zoom. See their website for more details ^[897].
  -Romemu is hosting two nights of free virtual seders, learn more here ^[898].
  -And City Winery’s Downtown Seder ^[901] will go live two days before Passover, on Monday, April 6 at 6 pm.Jazz at Lincoln Center is offering all-new programming at its JAZZ.ORG ^[902] portal.
• The Metropolitan Museum of Art has created a social media campaign called #CongressSaveCulture to help all nonprofit cultural institutions get more aid from the federal government. For example, Congress could change the tax code so that whole donations could be tax deductible, which could improve cash flow by billions of dollars for institutions nationwide.

Wednesday, 4/01/20

• This Friday, April 3, 2020, at 3 pm, my office will join with the Arts and Culture Committee of The Greater Harlem Chamber of Commerce, the Harlem Arts Alliance, and the Northern Manhattan Arts Alliance to convene a special teleconference for locally-based arts and culture organizations, independent artists, galleries, and venues to discuss managing the impact of Covid-19. The Friday teleconference will be held via ZOOM on Friday, April 3, 2020 at 3 pm. Here is more detail on the call and call-in directions ^[900]. (corrected link).  If you’d like to help promote our call on your social networks, please use this shortlink:  bit.ly/HarlemArtsFriday ^[903]
• Tomorrow at 12:15 pm, Rob Snyder, our official Manhattan Historian (and professor at Rutgers), is convening a Zoom meeting for a wide-ranging conversation about how historians can study, document and analyze the pandemic. “Our discussion will be grounded in New York City, but of course we will explore how the city fits into our state, region, nation and world,” Snyder tells me.  The Zoom meeting will be at
  https://columbiauniversity.zoom.us/j/281509628 ^[904] and the meeting ID is: 281 509 628 (use that for the participant ID as well).  Or you can dial in for audio only at (646) 876 9923 using those same IDs.
• (Rob also sent me this link to a NY Academy of Medicine piece ^[905] on the “Germ City” exhibit that was at the Museum of the City of NY: nyamcenterforhistory.org/2018/09/14/germ-city-microbes-and-the-metropolis-opens/ ^[906])

Tuesday, 3/31/20

• This Friday, April 3, 2020, at 3 pm, my office will join with the Arts and Culture Committee of The Greater Harlem Chamber of Commerce, the Harlem Arts Alliance, and the Northern Manhattan Arts Alliance to convene a special teleconference for locally-based arts and culture organizations, independent artists, galleries, and venues to discuss managing the impact of Covid-19. The Friday teleconference will be held via ZOOM on Friday, April 3, 2020 at 3pm. Here is more detail on the call and call-in directions ^[907]. (Please call in a little early!)
• The Landmarks Preservation Commission is canceling its April 7, 2020 public hearing as they explore options for virtual hearings. They continue to accept and review applications via e-filing; learn how here ^[908] (PDF).

Monday, 3/30/20

• “Just” Sam (she’s the resident of NYCHA’s Amsterdam Houses with an amazing voice that I’ve been keeping you aware of) has made it to the top 20 of American Idol!  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VfavP8QgGNY  ^[909]
• The Museum of the City of New York is working to expand their digital offerings and announced that their Saturday Academy, an American History elective and SAT prep program with priority seating for students from East Harlem, is moving fully online for the Spring 2020 semester. Our existing online materials ^[910], including extensive resources for teachers ^[911], continue to be available to educators across New York City as they work to adapt to the new virtual learning environment.
• The Children’s Museum of Manhattan has launched “CMOM At Home” ^[912]  a series of fun, educational and engaging activities for kids and families to do together at home, with a diferent focus each day: Magical Monday, Move & Groove Tuesday, Our World Wednesday, Artsy Thursday, Feel Good Friday, Storytime Saturday, and Surprise Sunday.
• Due to increased demand, the Paul Taylor Dance school has increased their virtual class offerings on their Instagram account, including advanced / professional classes at 10 am on Instagram LIVE at @paultaylordance ^[913] and, for Levels 1-4 and Advanced Taylor Teen, at 4:30 pm on Instagram at @thetaylorschool ^[914]. 
• In 2002, a timeworn leather trunk discarded on a sidewalk in Lower Manhattan was found filled with the cherished keepsakes of a 19th century woman, Sylvia DeWolf Ostrander. For the first time Sylvia’s trunk and its treasured contents will be exhibited at the Merchant House Museum in an online exhibit ^[915].
• The New York Foundation for the Arts has compiled a list of organizations offering emergency grants to artists ^[873] impacted by COVID-19.

Friday, 3/27/20

• Like every other museum, the American Museum of Natural History has closed its doors, but has ramped up their online virtual offerings. Visit amnh.org/explore ^[916] to learn of AMNH’s learn-at-home resources on their own website and these resources on social media:
  • Facebook ^[917]: The Museum is featuring an Exhibit of the Day as well as previously recorded tours with tour guides on Facebook Live on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 2 pm
  • Instagram ^[918]: The Museum is featuring an Exhibit of the Day daily and hosting the video series Shelf Life, about stories from the Museum’s scientific collections, on IG TV.
  • Twitter  ^[919]: The Museum is featuring an Exhibit of the Day and an #AMNHDailyLesson highlighting an educator resource
  • YouTube ^[920]: the Museum is planning YouTube Premieres to stream previously produced videos featuring live chats with scientists.

Wednesday, 3/25/20

• As of this morning, LincolnCenter.org ^[446] has transformed into a new gateway to the performing arts: Lincoln Center at Home. The components are:
  • Lincoln Center Pop-up Classroom: a daily dose of creativity designed and led by some of world’s best artists and educators. Each daily digital live class will utilize simple materials found at home to help families with children explore a variety of art forms. (Tune in weekdays at 10AM / watch anytime at Facebook.com/LincolnCenterNYC ^[921])
  • #ConcertsForKids: a new performance series reimagining the Pierre Boulez “rug concerts” for a new generation. Events will be listed at LincolnCenter.org/AtHome ^[922].
  • From the archives of Lincoln Center’s resident organizations, comes a trove of video, including rarely seen footage from decades of Live From Lincoln Center, more recent performances from across campus, and live streams from wherever performances are still happening – empty halls, living rooms, and more.
• Also on the arts front…  Dance for Variable Population (a multi-generational dance company and nonprofit promoting movement with a special focus on older adults, is releasing a series of videos set in public parks, “Parks for All”, and here is their latest: https://vimeo.com/400635077 ^[923]  This episode is called “Hands”;  teaching artists Rebecca Rebecca Hite and Theo Gilbert demonstrate ways strengthen and articulate fingers and arms.
• While the 9/11 Memorial & Museum is temporarily closed, it is hosting several online resources. Visit 911Memorial.org/Explore ^[924].

Tuesday, 3/24/20

• American Jewish Committee (AJC) has started a campaign to share and honor acts of kindness and decency on the part of individuals, groups, organizations, companies, and countries around the world and even inspire more of them. The initiative is called #BeAMensch based off of the Yiddish word meaning “a person of integrity and honor”—or, put simply, a good person. Learn more at AJC.org/BeAMensch ^[925].
• Tonight at 8 pm on WLIW ^[926] (PBS) is a wonderful documentary on public housing in America– produced by Ken Burns– using East Lake Meadows in the Atlanta area as the basis for its narrative. I was delighted to host 50 NYCHA leaders at a screening at CUNY in February, and everyone heartily recommends it!

Monday, 3/23/20

• This week is all-Wagner week on the nightly Met Opera streams, including the full Ring cycle. Access the streams at http://metopera.org ^[927] or through the Met Opera on Demand apps .
• The NYPL has expanded its online offerings to those with library cards (which can also be obtained online). Parents of pre-K to 3rd graders who miss story time at their local branch will be interested in Bookflix, which offers read-alouds to learn about science, music, history, and more (and is also available in Spanish) Adults might be interested in online access to Ancestry.com, JSTOR’s academic research database, and the New York Times archives. Learn more from their latest online newsletter ^[928].

Friday, 3/20/20

• Some religious facilities are holding virtual services this weekend; contact your house of worship for information. Passover is coming up, but it is imperative that families NOT plan to gather for a seder, given the guidelines in place now (and the likely rise in infected people by then).
• Musicians and performers are especially at risk with the cancellation/postponement of public performances. I have musicians on our staff, and one of them researched these links for anyone who falls into that category and needs help– or if you want to donate. The National Endowment for the Arts has posted this page ^[929] for both artists and organizations. Here are more specific links:  https://equalsound.org/project/corona-relief-fund/ http://www.musiciansfoundation.org/apply/ https://www.grammy.com/musicares/get-help/musicares-coronavirus-relief-fund
• If you have kids trapped at home, you might be interested in the online “History at Home” online classes that the N.Y. Historical Society ^[930] is offering.

Thursday, 3/19/20

• You can apply for an NYPL library card online and check out e-books to read on your device ^[931].  Now’s the time to dive in to “War and Peace”!!

Wednesday, 3/18/20

• The Indie Theater Fund is offering unrestricted rapid relief grants to independent theater companies and individual artists in need due to the financial strain of  COVID-19. They will be offering grants of up to $500 on an ongoing basis until funds run out. They are prioritizing companies and artists with budgets less than $250,000 and will be reviewing applications on a first come first serve basis. Visit the Indie Theater Fund info page here. ^[932]