Explore the night sky with local astronomer Novaughn Miller at Stargazing in the Park on Cloisters Lawn.
Look up and discover the wonders of the night sky at Stargazing in the Park! Join local astronomer Novaughn Miller for an evening of exploring the stars, planets, and celestial sights above Fort Tryon Park. Learn more about the night sky and enjoy an opportunity to stargaze with an expert in one of New York City’s most scenic parks.
The Crackalackin’ Concert of Classical Music
Bringing It Back Home, Uptown
One of the United Palace of Cultural Arts’ (UPCA) programming goals is to find innovative ways to make classical music accessible to new and old audiences, particularly by combining the genre with other art forms. “The Crackalackin’ Concert of Classical Music” serves as a dynamic platform designed to break down barriers and make the beauty of classical music accessible to everyone, including underrepresented communities, ensuring it resonates with a diverse and inclusive audience. (NOTE: “Crackalackin’” is old-time (as far back as the 1990s!) urban slang for what’s new, relevant, and happening. We think it is a great description of how people should feel about classical music.)
This year’s theme is Bringing It Back Home, Uptown and features performances and mash-ups by:
-Crackalackin’ Symphony Orchestra (Musicians of all ages are welcome to sign up here)
-DJ Boo
-Leadlights Ensemble
-Washington Heights Community Choir (WHCC)
-Washington Heights Community Conservatory of Fine Arts (WHCCFA) and Association of Dominican Classical Artists (ADCA)
“So many people are turned off by classical music because they see it as a corny, elitist art form,” said Fitelson, who 12 years ago co-created The Hip Hop Nutcracker, now an annual touring show produced by New Jersey Performing Arts Center. “We believe classical music is timeless and seek new, crackalackin’ ways to help audiences discover it.”
Act I kicks off with a performance by the Crackalackin’ Symphony Orchestra, freshly created for the event by community musicians of all skills, performing new arrangements of Celia Cruz songs and William Grant Still’s “Poem for Orchestra.”
The event features the world-premiere of a collage of videos taken of the community by Northern Manhattan residents while students from several local community programs, overseen by ADCA, perform “Bacchanale Dance” from Camille Saint-Saëns’ grand opera “Samson and Delilah.”
Leadlights performs “The Seasons of Inwood,” created by violinst Evelyn Petcher based upon the wide range of stories, musical ideas, and reflections on Inwood.
The Washington Heights Community Choir sings tunes with local ties, inviting the audience to join in a sing-along.
As always, throughout the day DJ Boo will perform his turntable magic, mixing the classical genre with the beats and sounds of today.
Act II features the debut of 4 songs of a work-in-progress celebrating the United Palace’s 100th anniversary in 2030. The show, “Wonder Theatre Revival,” is a musical history of the United Palace and its audiences, written by Mike Fitelson and brought to life by 6 singers and a dozen local musicians.
Doors: 4:30pm, Show: 5:00pm
Two Authors, Poet Constantine Contogenis and Spoken Word Artist Tracy Jones will share an evening of their work and of each other’s work. Contongenis will read from his recently published translations of the great Greek poet, Constantine Cavafy. Jones will perform work that made his name in Spoken Work circles. And IT’S FREE!
Join us at The Bonnefont to honor Carol Weinstein and the historic Friends Committee for their dedication to Fort Tryon Park.
An evening celebrating the community members whose dedication has helped shape and care for Fort Tryon Park. The annual Dr. Ruth Community Awards will honor Carol Weinstein, founder of the Friends of Fort Tryon Park in the 1980s, and recognize the Historic Friends Committee for their longstanding stewardship of the park.
Your ticket includes one complimentary drink and hors d’oeuvres, with some special surprises planned throughout the evening. Come celebrate the people and history that have helped make Fort Tryon Park a treasured community resource.
A special series during the Mansion’s restoration that takes you inside the house to investigate the presence of the paranormal! Fridays and Saturdays 10/2 – 11/7 except for 10/24
Investigate paranormal activity behind the scaffolding! In this special series of investigations, we are bringing you into the Mansion after the construction crews leave for a different kind of investigation. Over many years, changes to the physical interior and exterior have caused reported shifts in the paranormal activity experienced in the Mansion. With extended access during this current period of change, we invite you to join us to get to the bottom of the question – “If there are ghosts in the Morris-Jumel Mansion, what do they think of the restoration?”.
Looking for an unforgettable ghost adventure for you and your friends? This Spooky Season, book an exclusive paranormal investigation at Manhattan’s oldest surviving house, where you will learn the background of paranormal investigations, including the legendary paranormal activity at Morris-Jumel Mansion, while learning the history of the Mansion, its former residents, and interesting facts about the museum collection. During the program, you will have after-dark access to ghost hunt in the period rooms of the Mansion, normally closed off to the public. Believers and skeptics alike will enjoy the evening, and will have the opportunity to possibly communicate with Morris-Jumel Mansion’s former residents using paranormal investigative equipment.
This event is strictly for those 18 and over. Please wear comfortable shoes and clothing. This event is capped at 16 participants.
Guests will not be permitted entry to the park/mansion before 6:45pm; the tour will begin promptly at 7pm; the gates will be closed and locked at 7:05pm and no entry will be permitted after that time. There are NO EXCEPTIONS to this. Please plan your arrival accordingly. If you find that you are running late, please call the museum before 7pm at 212-923-8008.
We reserve the right to deny entry, and/or to remove from the premises anyone who appears intoxicated, or who is not abiding by these guidelines, which have been established to ensure your safety as well as the safety of our staff and other visitors.
Please be aware that this event includes extended periods of time where participants must stand. The Mansion does not have an elevator, and this event takes place on multiple floors that are only accessible via stairways.
Because of the high demand for this event, guests will be limited to one paranormal investigation per season until further notice. Any duplicate orders will be refunded in order to ensure we can allow as many members of our community to experience this unique event as possible. We apologize for any inconvenience and appreciate your understanding. Reach out the Mansion at 212-923-8008 if you would like to book a private Paranormal Tour
