Washington Square Park
A new season has arrived, along with a colorful variety of fall activities in the Village. Leaf through the top festivals, art shows, concerts, street fairs, outdoor entertainment, and more, here.
By Heather Silveira
Literature Reading at NYU’s Lillian Vernon Creative Writer’s House
Date: Thursday, Sept. 20, 2012
Time: 7 p.m.
Place: 58 W. 10th St.
For the release of the latest issue of literature journal Granta 120: Medicine, American author Chris Adrian will host a free literature reading of fiction, poetry and short stories surrounding the topic of healing.
Opera: “Good Vibrations” by the New York Theremin Society
Date: Thursday, Sept. 20, 2012
Time: 9:30 p.m.
Place: 425 Lafayette St.
For one night only, the Theremin instrument’s ethereal sound will echo off the walls of the intimate Joe’s Pub theater in the East Village. Gather for a night of classical music and opera at a show featuring a range of artists and ghostly tones. Tickets are $15.
Greenwich Village Walking Tours
Date: Sept. 22 and Sept. 26, 2012
Time: 11 a.m.
Place: In front of Duplex at 61 Christopher St.
Stroll through some of the most picturesque neighborhoods of New York City, located throughout the East Village and West Village. Tour past quaint shops and 19th century brownstone homes nestled in tree-lined blocks. Learn about the history that makes the Village what it is today, with its old-world charm and reputation for being an artists’ haven. The schedule and additional details can be found on the Big Onion Walking Tours website. Tours are $18 per person.
Music Festival: “Word* Rock* & Sword Festival-Big Show”
Date: Sept. 22, 2012
Time: 6 p.m.
Place: 158 Bleeker St.
Located at an art bar in the West Village, Le Poisson Rouge, the concert series will feature a wide range of pop, hip-hop, blues, roots and country, jazz, gospel, world, soul, alternative, dance, R&B, and singer-songwriter tunes. Among many noted New York music artists, the event’s lineup includes Toshi Reagon, Joan As Police Woman, Meshell Ndegeocello, Morley, Imani Uzuri, Slanty Eyed Mama, Marcelle Davies Lashley and many others. The festival is designed to unite New York artists and lift up “creativity, support and activism,” the event page reads. General admission is $20, and tickets can be purchased online.
Photo Exhibit: “Beyond Zuccotti Park”
Date: Open until Sept. 22, 2012
Time: Monday – Friday 9 a.m. – 8 p.m., Saturday 11 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Place: 536 LaGuardia Pl.
The West Village exhibition at AIA New York examines how public space shapes political action. For architectural aficionados, architect Andrew Berman was chosen through a design competition to transform the space into bright, museum-quality galleries with an indoor temperature regulated by a rare energy-efficient geothermal system.
Crocodile Lounge Trivial Pursuit
Date: Wednesday, Sept. 26, 2012
Time: 8:30 p.m.
Place: 325 E. 14th St.
Join in on the free pizza and trivia competition at this East Village hangout spot, which awards its winners a $50, $30 or $20 bar tab for first, second and third place. Occurs every Wednesday night.
Art Exhibit: Aris Moore
Dates: Open until Sept. 29, 2012
Time: Tuesday – Saturday, 11 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Place: Jack Hanley Gallery at 136 Watts St.
The free West Village exhibition displays the work of New Hampshire-based artist Aris Moore. Aris Moore’s art features a collection of eerie pencil-on-paper portraits, which highlight certain features, especially mouths, on otherwise vacant human faces.
Free Kayaking in the Village
Dates: Sept. 20 – Oct. 4, 2012
Time: Thursday 5 p.m. – 7 p.m., Saturday and Sunday 9 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Place: 353 West St.
Grab a paddle at the The New York City Downtown Boathouse for free walk-up kayaking on the Hudson River at Pier 40. A waver and life jacket are all it takes to enjoy being out on the water. Kayakers may even partake in occasional tours down the river to view the city from afar and Statue of Liberty up close. Changing room, shower and lockers are also available on site.
West Village Street Fairs
West Village neighbors and visitors alike can head to upcoming street fairs to savor a variety of cuisines, from Indian to Greek to pizza, smoothies and crepes, cooked right in front of them. Festival-attenders can also browse among jewelry, clothing, accessories, antiques, art and other goods at bargain prices.
Greenwich Avenue Street Festival
Date: Saturday, Oct. 13, 2012
Time: 11 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Place: Greenwich Avenue between 6th and 7th avenues
Christopher Street Festival
Date: Saturday, Oct. 20, 2012
Time: 11 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Place: 7th Avenue between Christopher Street and Greenwich Avenue
Children’s Harvest Festival
Date: Saturday, Oct. 20, 2012
Time: 11 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Place: Jefferson Market Garden, New York Public Library at 425 6th Ave.
The free annual Children’s Harvest Festival provides child-sized pumpkins and on-site decorations, seasonal autumn crafts, goodies, leaf and straw activities, and entertainment sponsored by the New York Public Library. Volunteers will also host a puppet show and painting project.
Award-Winning Performance: “Audience”
Date: Tuesday, Oct. 30, 2012
Time: 8 p.m.
Place: NYU’s Skirball Center for the Performing Arts at 566 LaGuardia Pl.
Critically acclaimed “Audience,” by Belgium theater company Ontroerend Goed, returns to New York with a world-renown performance, which has sparked heated debate. “In this marathon of theatrical surprises, four actors turn a camera onto the audience and examine what it means to be a viewer,” the NYU Skirball Center for the Performing Arts website reads. “The company pushes theatrical boundaries by prying open the cracks between performer and audience, offering unique experiences for courageous audiences.” Tickets are $35 and can be purchased online.
Village Chess Shop
Dates: Daily
Time: 24 hours
Place: 230 Thompson St.
To escape from chillier weather, checkmate-minded individuals can put their chess skills to the test at the Chess Shop. Players can go up against friendly competition, which often includes staff members, at a rate of $3 per hour. The hobby store also serves $1 coffee, hot chocolate, tea or soda and features an array of other games, which include backgammon, Go, cards and cribbage.
