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The Best Things to Do at the New York Public Library This Spring

From its thousands of books in circulation to its renowned research collections, the New York Public Library is an amazing resource. In addition to its collections, the NYPL’s schedule of hundreds of free events gives New Yorkers and visitors alike the chance to watch performances, learn from experts, and much more. With topics spanning Southern cooking to Mozart, library visitors are sure to find an event to look forward among these picks for the best things to do at the New York Public Library for spring 2016.

NYPL Best Spring 2016 Talks

John Lithgow and James Shapiro

At the NYPL’s flagship Stephen A. Schwartzman building, upcoming events include spotlights on life both past and present. On May 2, actor John Lithgow and Shakespearean scholar James Shapiro will discuss Shapiro’s book The Year of Lear: Shakespeare in 1606, which looks at the tumultuous events that took place in England in 1606 and its influence on William Shakespeare and the three classic tragedies—Macbeth, King Lear, and Antony and Cleopatra—that he wrote that year.

For a discussion of history on this side of the pond, the library will host a conversation with writers Claudia Roth Pierpont and Jonathan Galassi on May 17 centered on Pierpont’s upcoming book American Rhapsody. The book and conversation will focus on “American problems and American genius,” discussing the artists and innovators who have shaped America in the modern age and delving into such topics as the inspiration behind the Chrysler building’s famed Art Deco crown. 

Public Library Best Architecture Talks

one world trade center sunset

For a look at another icon of the New York City skyline, join architects, structural engineers, and others on May 25 for a special look at One World Trade Center. The event will give a behind-the-scenes glimpse into the creation of this iconic building by those who were involved with its creation, discussing how the skyscraper was planned, designed, built, and funded.

Of course, every building in New York City has a special history of its own, and visitors can find out the history of the ones they call home through a special seminar, Researching the History of Your New York City Home, on April 6. Using the resources of the Milstein Division, one of the largest free national and local history and genealogy collections in the country, this seminar will show New Yorkers how to use archival materials to construct narrative histories of their own home.

Best Upcoming Talks at the Mid-Manhattan Library

Across the street from the Schwartzman building, the Mid-Manhattan Library will also host a series of fascinating events this spring. On March 1, former NYC Traffic Commissioner and author of Street Smart: The Rise of Cities and the Fall of Cars Samuel I. Schwartz (aka “Gridlock Sam”) will discuss the ever-expanding urban landscape in the millennial age and the rise of the pedestrian, cyclist, and public transport commuter. For a different look at modern society, the library will host a discussion on March 15 with Justin Peters about his book The Idealist: Aaron Swartz and the Rise of Free Culture on the Internet. The discussion will focus on the larger effects the creative commons have had on society, along with the life and tragic suicide of founding Reddit developer Aaron Swartz. And to discover free culture of a different kind, Molly Guptill Manning’s illustrated lecture on When Books Went to War (March 14) will tell the story of the government program during World War II that distributed 120 million free paperback books to deployed troops.

Nicole A. Taylor Up South Cookbook

On March 10, midtown will get a small taste of the South when cookbook author and Georgia native Nicole A. Taylor comes to the library for Up South Cookbook, a discussion of her favorite classic Southern recipes, which have been updated with influences from new ingredients and cultures. On March 3, a whole group of women writers—Elizabeth Benedict, Siri Hustvedt, Suleika Jaouad, and Honor Moore—will be on hand to discuss their book Me, My Hair, and I, a collection of stories showing just how tightly our identities and hairstyles are intertwined.

Events Focused on Women at the Library

Women are also the focus at several upcoming events at the Schomburg Center for Black Culture. On Monday evenings from March 7-28, the Center will host the 2016 Women’s Jazz Festival, featuring four evenings of performances showcasing female bands and musicians. The Schomburg Center will also host a conversation centered around Women in the Black Panther Party on March 3 as part of its Conversations in Black Freedom Studies Series, with other conversations in the series centered on The Church and the Struggle (April 7) and Educational Injustice and Organizing (May 5).

Dance Theater of Harlem

Dance Theater of Harlem: Facebook

Also taking place March 3 will be a special performance by the Dance Theatre of Harlem, who will bring social change and historical events to life through dance, music, and words. 

History & Performance at the Library of Performing Arts

The intersection of history and performance is also at the heart of the upcoming events at the Library of Performing Arts. In conjunction with its exhibition Shakespeare’s Star Turn in America, the library will be hosting a score of events focused on the Bard, including film screenings, a performance of Romeo & Juliet by the Public Theater’s Mobile Shakespeare Unit (March 23), and an interactive group reading of As You Like It (April 19). In collaboration with Lincoln Center’s Mostly Mozart Festival, the library will also host two events centered on both Mozart and Shakespeare. On April 11, famed director Julie Taymor, whose past work includes Mozart’s The Magic Flute and the recent film adaptation of Shakespeare’s The Tempest, among other Shakespearean credits, will spend an evening at the library discussing her work. But the real crossover event will take place on April 1 with Shakespeare vs. Mozart: A Library Debate, an intense battle between Shakespearean experts and Mozart devotees where only one iconic artistic genius can come out on top.

The Library of Performing Arts’ events won’t just be limited to these legendary icons. The library will host a special trans-Atlantic conversation between Oskar Eustis, Artistic Director of the Public Theater, and National Theatre of Scotland Executive Producer Neil Murray on April 4, which will span such topics as theatre, culture, and community-focused arts presentation. On March 24, the focus turns to dance with an evening focused on George Balanchine’s first original ballet in America, “Serenade,” featuring rare films, photographs, and commentary from dance scholars and journalists. 

Those who’d prefer to watch performances instead of just learning about them are also in luck. The library will present a special performance of The Disc Jockey Was a Lady on April 14, a play with music that tells the story of female disc jockeys in World War II. And for those seeking something a bit more magical, members of the Society of American Magicians will be appearing at the library on March 31 to amaze audiences while celebrating the history of magic in New York City. 

All of these events at the New York Public Library are free, but some may require advance registration. For more information, visit nypl.org.

About the Author

Alison Durkee is a New York-based arts journalist and critic with a background in theatre and dance. She currently serves as the Features Editor of London theatre website Everything Theatre and also covers news and politics for Mic.com.

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