Exciting Events Around New York: December 2023
EXCITING EVENTS AROUND NEW YORK: DECEMBER 2023
By Great Performances
Explore Great Music, Art and More at Our Partner Venues This Month!
DOUBLE DUTCH HOLIDAY CLASSIC
Sunday, December 3rd at 1:00pm
Location: Apollo’s Historic Theater
Tickets: start at $30.50
The National Double Dutch League returns to the legendary Apollo stage for the annual Double Dutch Holiday Classic. Don’t miss this family-friendly event which features world-class championship Double Dutch teams of all ages, from the United States and the world, as they compete for team positions at the national and international events.
ABOUT THE NATIONAL DOUBLE DUTCH LEAGUE (NDDL):
In 1973, David A. Walker, then a New York City Police Community Affairs Detective, developed the street game of Double Dutch into the World Class Sport that it is today. Since that initial tournament, competitive Double Dutch has expanded with citywide and national championships.
The NDDL 32nd Annual, David A. Walker Memorial, Double Dutch Holiday Classic makes possible speed and music fusion events for the best Double Dutch teams in the world. Each year, since 1991, the Double Dutch Holiday Classic has sold out to parent-supported, standing room only audiences.
Double Dutch Holiday Classic is part of The Apollo’s Fall/Winter 2023 season.
KWANZAA:
A REGENERATION CELEBRATION
Saturday, December 30th at 2:00pm and 7:30pm
Location: Apollo’s Historic Theater
Tickets: start at $25
FEATURING ABDEL R. SALAAM’S FORCES OF NATURE DANCE THEATRE AND FRIENDS
An Apollo tradition, our annual Kwanzaa Celebration returns for an uplifting performance featuring Forces of Nature Dance Theatre under the leadership of critically acclaimed choreographer Abdel Salaam.
Join us for a joyous celebration of Kwanzaa through dance from across the African Diaspora, music and spoken word, honoring the principles of Kwanzaa, family, community and culture.
TELLING THE STORIES OF TIBETANS IN EXILE: FAR FROM THE ROOFTOP OF THE WORLD
Monday, December 4th from 6:30pm to 7:30pm
Tickets: $15 Nonmembers; $8 Members
Join us for a conversation with journalist Amy Yee, author of Far From the Rooftop of the World, as she shares her experience documenting the stories of Tibetans in exile. Her storytelling journey began with a hug and request from the Dalai Lama in March 2008 when she was a Financial Times reporter in India. At the time, China was cracking down on Tibetan protesters after demonstrations in Tibet turned violent. That encounter with the Dalai Lama was the start of 14 years of work across four continents spotlighting those exiled from their homeland.
While there are many books written about the Dalai Lama and Tibet, few focus on how ordinary Tibetans abroad are living and handling the extraordinary challenges of sustaining their identity and preserving culture even in exile and amid forced migration.
Amy Yee will be joined in conversation with Tsewang Rigzin, former deputy director of The Tibet Fund in Dharamsala, India and author of Exile Tibetan Community: Problems and Prospects.
Far From the Rooftop of the World will be available for purchase for this event.
NO RULE IS OUR RULE: SCREENING AND DISCUSSION WITH EIKO OTAKE AND WEN HUI
Saturday, December 9th from 3:00pm to 5:00pm
Tickets: $8 Members, $15 Non-Members. Students/Seniors: Contact Box Office for Discount!
Join us for a screening and discussion of No Rule is Our Rule, a documentary film about the friendship between two fiercely independent, interdisciplinary female dance artists Eiko Otake and Wen Hui. Eiko grew up in postwar Japan and has lived in New York since the 1970s. 8 years younger, Beijing-based Wen Hui grew up during the Cultural Revolution in China and shows her work internationally. They spent a month together in China in January 2020, when the surge of COVID-19 became first known to the general public. Postponing their physical collaboration, Eiko and Wen Hui continued to converse candidly over Zoom and co-edited the footage they filmed in China. The process has deepened their mutual understanding of their past works created and presented in different historical and social contexts.
This event is co-sponsored by the Asian Film & Media Initiative at the Martin Scorsese Department of Cinema Studies, NYU. It marks Wen Hui’s first return to New York since 2018, when she presented her work Red at Asia Society. The 76-minute film screening will be followed by a discussion with the artists themselves. Yiru Chen, who joined Eiko and Wen Hui in editing, will also participate in the conversation, which is moderated by Zhen Zhang, Professor in the Department of Cinema Studies at NYU Tisch and founding Director of the Asian Film and Media Initiative.
No Rule is Our Rule was recently selected for the Munich New Wave Film Festival and won Best Feature Documentary at the Japan International Film Festival this year.
ADAKU, PART 1: THE ROAD OPENS
Tuesday, November 28th through Saturday, December 2nd
Location: BAM Fisher, Fishman Space
Tickets: start at $35
Part of Next Wave 2023
With her resonant voice and formidable intensity, Okwui Okpokwasili creates dance theater that stirs the senses and vibrates the soul, rooted as much in the power and precision of speech as in movement. In collaboration with her longtime partner, the director Peter Born, Okpokwasili has bucked convention by embracing the impromptu, running fearlessly towards the unknown and establishing herself as “an expectation-confounding blend of authority and vulnerability” (The New York Times).
adaku, part 1: the road opens finds Okpokwasili and Born stepping into a new stage of their shared practice, crafting a thrumming, richly textured sonic and visual landscape. In this inaugural chapter of a larger speculative mythology, a precolonial African village stands at the cusp of a major upheaval as its community wrestles with a conflict that could alter the futures of all of its members. Okpokwasili and the ensemble enact a collective reckoning that explores the role of ritual and the fraught relationship between ancestors and future generations, facilitating an intimate exchange between the performers and the audience.
HOW TO LIVE (AFTER YOU DIE)
Thursday, December 7th through Saturday, December 9th
Location: Peter Jay Sharp Building, BAM Howard Gilman Opera House
Tickets: start at $35
Part of Next Wave 2023
Lynette Wallworth spent her early adulthood like any average person—acting as a Bible-interpreting prophetess in a radical Pentecostal community in Sydney. In her BAM debut, the Emmy Award-winning Australian artist deftly shifts her work from film to stage to share an incisive and deeply engrossing morality tale for our times—one in which she just happens to be the protagonist. Using her medium-traversing works as touchstones, Wallworth sheds light on the seduction of cultish extremism by recounting her own descent into an exclusionary, mind-warping belief system and her eventual escape through art. Giving voice to experiences she never intended to share, Wallworth confronts and responds with bold, bracing candor to the troubling rise of implausible conspiracy theories and the toxic alliance that sometimes emerges between the extreme edges of organized religion and fascist forces. HOW TO LIVE (after you die) finds a master storyteller at the peak of her powers, pointing to the ways in which fanaticism can hold the imagination captive, unless we find the courage to reclaim the creation of our own life and story.
SHARE THE TOY: FOURTH ANNUAL TOY GIVEAWAY
Sunday, December 17th from 12:00pm to 3:00pm
Location: Martha A. and Robert S. Rubin Pavilion, 1st Floor
Tickets: free and open to the public
’Tis the season! To help spread holiday cheer, we’re hosting our fourth annual toy drive. From November 14 through December 14, stop by the Admissions Desk to drop off new, unwrapped toys for children ages 0–14 in the designated bins. On December 17, 12–3 pm, pick up gifts for your little loved ones while supplies last. After the giveaway, any remaining toys will be donated to local family shelters.
This program is free and open to the public in partnership with the Office of the Brooklyn Borough President and Grandma’s Hands.
Support local businesses! After donating a toy, receive a code for a discount at the Museum Shop. Plus, shop at Little Things Toy Store in Park Slope or online with discount code BKLYN MUSEUM to receive 10% off.
BROOKLYN POETRY SLAM
Wednesday, December 20th from 7:00pm to 9:00pm
Location: Martha A. and Robert S. Rubin Pavilion, 1st Floor
Tickets: Register in advance and pay as you wish (suggested admission: $10).
Celebrate Brooklyn Poetry Slam’s tenth year! Amplify the voices of Brooklyn at a series of pay-what-you-can slams, presented by poets and cofounders Mahogany L. Browne and DJ Jive Poetic. Come to listen to poets, or arrive early to sign up if you’d like to join the slam (limited availability).
ALLISON RUSSELL
A Benefit Concert
Saturday, December 2nd at 8:00pm
Tickets: Start at $125
Overview
Prepare to be captivated by the raw emotion and artistry of Montreal-native Allison Russell as she shares her remarkable journey through music. Her songs — from her thrice Grammy-nominated album Outside Child, recently named the #2 Best Album of the Year by The New York Times, and her newest album The Returner (released September 2023) — will touch your soul, leaving a lasting impact long after the last note fades away. Since this special benefit concert will help support Caramoor’s programming throughout the year, your presence will also make an impact.
HOLIDAY ROSEN HOUSE TOURS
December 9, 15, 16, 17, 19, 20, 21
Pricing:
General Public: $20 per person
Holiday Tea Attendees: Enjoy a special rate of $15
Members and Children 18 and Under: Admission is free!
Overview
You are invited to step into a holiday wonderland! Join us for a special tour of the art-filled Rosen House, decked out with enchanting decorations inspired by the cherished Rosen family archive. This limited-time holiday tour offers a glimpse of the family life that inspired celebrations in this historic house.
Our knowledgeable guides will take you on a captivating journey that’s perfect for friends and families alike. Create lasting holiday memories and immerse yourself in the rich history of the Rosen House with an unforgettable holiday tour!
Duration: Approximately 45 minutes of festive delight.
ULYSSES OWENS, JR. BIG BAND
Wednesday, December 6th through Sunday, December 10th
Tickets: start at $25
ABOUT THE SHOW
Award-winning drummer and band leader Ulysses Owens, Jr. brings his high-octane big band back to Dizzy’s Club for a five-night engagement. A musical thrill ride, his dynamic sets are known to feature original compositions and fresh arrangements of tunes from such colossal artists as Terence Blanchard, John Coltrane, and Mulgrew Miller. Owens’ repertoire creates foundational vessels for improvised solos, lush arrangements, and energetic performances in the spirit of great big band drummers who have inspired him to continue their legacy of joy, skilled passion, and high-level musicianship.
CHRISTIAN SANDS QUARTET:
CHRISTMAS STORIES
Thursday, December 21st through Sunday, December 24th
Tickets: start at $25
ABOUT THE SHOW
Pianist, composer, and NAACP Image Award nominee Christian Sands draws in listeners with his dynamic sensitivity, imagination, and an invitational element in every note. A multi-Grammy nominee, the Steinway Artist leads one of the most captivating small ensembles on the global scene, loved for their conversational and receptive approach to the evolving language of jazz. For this four-night event, his quartet perform compelling new material and enduring holiday favorites from his acclaimed Mack Avenue release Christmas Stories (Selections). Don’t miss this seasonal favorite at Dizzy’s Club!
DIZZY’S NEW YEARS EVE, WITH CARLOS HENRIQUEZ NONET
Sunday, December 31st at 7:30pm
Tickets: start at $425
ABOUT THE SHOW
Ring in the New Year at Dizzy’s Club! We’re thrilled to announce the return of Grammy-nominated bassist and bandleader Carlos Henriquez leading his star-studded nonet. Treat yourself to a delicious holiday menu, unbeatable views of Columbus Circle, and a spirited set featuring tracks from Carlos’ 2023 release A Nuyorican Tale. Experience an unforgettable night of new music and New Year magic!
BIG BAND HOLIDAYS
Wednesday, December 13th through Sunday, December 17th
Location: Rose Theater
Tickets: start at $50.50
ABOUT THE CONCERT
Jazz at Lincoln Center’s annual Big Band Holidays performance has become a true fan favorite. This December, Ashley Pezzotti’s expressive and commanding presence rings in the most wonderful time of the year.
Together with the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra with Wynton Marsalis, she interprets classic holiday favorites like “Winter Wonderland,” “The Christmas Song,” “Deck the Halls,” and “Dreidel, Dreidel, Dreidel.” Don’t miss this year’s hardest-swinging holiday event, music-directed by Marcus Printup and featuring vibrant new arrangements from members of the JLCO.
FIRST FRIDAY
Friday, December 1st from 10:00am to 9:00pm
Tickets: Free all Day!
Join Poster House on the First Friday of every month for free admission and extended hours! Explore the museum’s latest exhibitions and get in on the fun by attending a tour, workshop, performance, or activity throughout the day. Every First Friday is different, offering unique opportunities to engage with rotating exhibitions and the permanent collection.
4pm We Tried to Warn You Curatorial Tour
5pm Alt Text as Poetry Workshop
6:30pm Non-traditional Collage Workshop $15
FUSED PLASTIC COLLAGE WORKSHOP
Saturday, December 9th from 1:30pm to 3:00pm
Tickets: $15 General / $10 Members
Have you ever wondered what you can create with discarded plastics? Presented in conjunction with the exhibition We Tried to Warn You! Environmental Crisis Posters, 1920-2020, this hands-on workshop will introduce participants to the technique of fusing or layering plastics using an iron. Participants will explore the material affordances of various types of biodegradable, recyclable, and single-use plastics in order to create fused plastic collages inspired by posters on environmental activism. Join us in this imaginative intervention into the life cycle of plastics!
We encourage attendees to bring a piece of plastic to this workshop (flexible ones such as bags, mailers, or food packaging work best; they can be biodegradable, recyclable, or single-use). All materials and tools provided; no previous experience necessary.
JAZZ, MIXOLOGY & MISTLETOE
Friday, December 15th from 5:00pm to 8:30pm
Location: Wave Hill House, Armor Hall
Tickets: $55, including admission to the grounds. Wave Hill Members save 10%.
Cocktails, flowers and festive vibes! Elevate your spirits with a night out with friends! Join us for live music and enjoy a specialty cocktail flight to inspire your own festivities. Make memories with a photo op and craft your own floral arrangement with seasonal stems to take the holiday magic home with you. End the night on a sweet note with a delicious treat! Winter Haven event.
This Friday evening, enjoy an evening stroll along lighted pathways with self-guided activities. The Café, Conservatory and Shop are open until 8:30PM. The grounds close at 9:00PM.
HOLIDAY TEA AT WAVE HILL
Tuesday, December 26th through Friday, December 29th
Seating Times: 11AM or 2PM
Location: Wave Hill House
Tickets: $58 Adults, $35 children, including admission to the grounds. Wave Hill Members save 10%.
Wave Hill exclusive caterer Great Performances is delighted to present the Holiday Edition of its Afternoon Tea at Wave Hill. A custom menu designed specifically for Wave Hill, our Holiday Tea uses local and seasonal ingredients and inspiration from Great Performances’ own organic farm, Katchkie Farm.
Combine the flavors of the winter season with the beauty of the historic Wave Hill House. Join us for our holiday edition of Tea and Cocoa, served in the stylish Mark Twain Room which has been festively decorated for the holidays. Perfect for an intimate afternoon or for the entire family.
You’ll enjoy the comforting decadence of a traditional tea service, including:
- Tea Sandwiches: Smoked Salmon & Dill; Fig, Goat Cheese, & Honey; Sliced Green Apples & Cheddar; Filet Mignon & Horseradish Cream
- Scones and Shortbreads: Clotted Cream, Raspberry Jam
- Desserts: Raspberry Tartlets; Chocolate Truffles; Assorted Macarons
- A selection of Teas by Palais des Thés and Housemade Hot Cocoa
ICE SEASON RETURNS!
now through March, 15th, 2024
Wollman Rink NYC in iconic Central Park will open for ice skating daily from Saturday, October 28th, 2023 to March 15, 2024.
Don’t miss your chance to skate at Wollman Rink NYC, the perfect place to enjoy an iconic New York experience!
Tickets on sale now!
RINK SIDE IGLOOS
now through March 15th, 2024
Elevate your skating experience at Wollman Rink inside our cozy, private, heated Rink Side igloos, under the Midtown Manhattan skyline in Central Park. Both of our transparent igloos feature an electric fireplace, soft lighting, and comfy seating for eight, as well as delicious food and beverage options.
NORDSTROM PRESENTS
HOME FOR THE HOLIDAYS
November through December
A stylish, heated rink side retreat, outfitted by Nordstrom, is part of the Wollman Rink Premier Pass experience. The Premier Pass, available as an upgrade to rink admission purchases online or in-person, includes expedited rink entry, skate rental concierge service, 2 hours of tent access, cozy “fireside” seating, complimentary coffee, hot chocolate, tea and refreshments, as well as a dedicated tent attendant and locker. Premier Passes are released one week in advance of public skating dates. Admission and skate rentals are separate, available on select dates during the ticket purchase process. Sessions start at the top of every hour, 2 hours before close. See Premier Pass page for available dates and times.
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