New York Adventure Club

Tickets: $18.88 ( incl. $3.88 fees ) (includes access to the full replay for one week)

Click the link below to officially register for this experience:

https://www.nyadventureclub.com/event/1977807729159

This is a re-aired recording of this program’s most recent live webinar. Once the viewing period ends, this recording will not be offered again for at least one year.

From novelty to necessity, electricity — and the movement and distribution of it — has become the bedrock of our modern world, and improved the lives of every single person on the planet. But without one mad genius, we might still be largely living in the dark. This is the story of Nikola Tesla, the man who ushered in the modern technological era.

Join New York Adventure Club as we explore the life and under-recognized legacy of Nikola Tesla, one of the greatest inventors, engineers, and physicists of the 21st century.

Led by NYC Tour Guide Deborah Zelcer, our look at this eccentric and colorful resident, who left a charged impression on New York and the world, will include:

• How a sudden hallucination while strolling in a park inspired Tesla to design one of the most important inventions in human history
• The incredible story behind The Current Wars, which pitted Thomas Edison's generators running Direct Current (DC) versus Westinghouse's Alternating Current (AC)
• A discussion around some of Tesla's never-realized patents, including a towering structure designed to transmit wireless power, graphic images, sounds, data, and even focused charged particle beams, through the atmosphere
• A look at NYC-area locations associated with Tesla, from his research facility on Long Island to the New Yorker Hotel, where he lived the last 10 years of his life

See you there, virtually!

*Immediately upon registering, you will receive a separate, automated email containing the link to join this webinar
**For the best possible viewing experience, please ensure you're using the latest version of your internet browser
***A full replay of the experience will be available to all registered guests for up to a week
****If the event has already passed, but it's been less than a week, you can still register for it on our website's active replay section!

About Deborah
ProwlerNYC Walking Tours are immensely entertaining while being information packed. Led by design professional and urban enthusiast Deborah Zelcer, the details of the political, social, economic and aesthetic influences that have shaped New York are revealed in story telling fashion. Join in to discover secrets of the city that amaze newcomers and seasoned veterans of the metropolis.

Testimonials
"This is the best webinar from the NY Adventure club that I have attended" -Stephen
"Deborah was amazing - knowledge was incredible." -Michael
"Deb was a lively and well-spoken presenter. She made every slide very interesting and held my attention." -Jessica
"I liked absolutely everything. it's so nice to see New York remotely - in the air conditioned comfort of home. I've been interested in learning more about Tesla and this gave me the perfect amount of information. Deborah's enthusiasm was wonderful!" -Diane
"Everything was great! I really liked learning about his early life." -Krissy
"Very captivating. She kept it interesting and moving." -Jo Anna
"Fascinating subject and excellent presentation providing historical details, science, NYC locations/context" -Leslie
"I enjoyed seeing the actual sites--as if I really was on a tour in NY." -Penelope
"Well presented. this is the best event I have subscribed to." -Faith
"Incredible amount of information! Really appreciated understanding the details of his life, both personal and professional." -Adrienne
"Interesting, fun tone- nice research, playful good storytelling on the more questionable or kooky aspects of Tesla. JP Morgan library and other spots cool. Having a Q&A was nice:)" -Daniel
"It was full of great information. I learned so many new things about Tesla." -April
"I love the historical details, photos and passion about him." -Maggie
"Love the knowledge, enthusiasm and engagement of the speaker. Just fabulous. The best webinar I've attended yet and some were quite good." -Lee
"Deborah is a smart tour guide and great storyteller. I've read a lot about Tesla and think she did an excellent job of choosing what to include and what to leave out given the time constraints. I liked the mix of historic photos and current view of the streetscape and buildings." -Kennedy
"Best speaker i have seen so far in your series" -Jerry
"I knew a lot about Tesla before, but I still learned many new items" -Donald
"Interesting, well researched, wonderful! Well presented" -Ronald
"Informative. Allowed me to take a tour without leaving my home." -Tiffanie
"The speaker really knew her material and was very enthusiastic" -Richard
"The presenter. She was excellent. The whole presentation was engaging, interesting with humor." -Lottie
"Altogether wonderful presentation: clear, great subject matter, lively manner." -Wayne
"It was informative. The pictures and street views were cool. It was well done." -Madelyn
"Presenter engaging, interesting material, loved the pictures of NYC replicating the walking tour" -Caroline
"I liked lots of things. But the history and photos of the city and other areas was really great. Subject is fascinating." -Walter
"Super interesting topic - I learned alot. And I loved the style of the presenter (sorry I don't remember her name). She was great." -Lourdes
"Well organized and full of information." -Kyle
"Great information about a fascinating inventor provided by a knowledgeable and entertaining expert." -Wayne
"I really appreciated that he emphasis on Tesla in New York." -Margo
"The subject is fascinating. I knew something about Tesla but not enough. I learned a great deal and enjoyed it." -Jim
"The presenter knew the subject thoroughly. She shared the information in a way that was easy to follow and entertaining." -Kathy
"I liked the presentation and the pics and the pace of the event." -Ted
"I loved how I formed Deb was about all aspects of Tesla’s life and was able to deliver a presentation with clarity." -Zoe
"Everything! The topic, photos and information. Deborah makes everything so interesting!! She’s a great presenter and the virtual tour of the streets is a terrific part of her presentations, especially now, when many of us can’t travel into NYC." -Karen
"Wonderful info and photos. Lots of good stuff. Well presented." -Katharine
"Better than average information on personal aspects of Tesla's life" -Alta
"I've always been fascinated with Tesla. I even stay at the New Yorker when I visit my NY-based daughter from Michigan. I loved the combination of the story with the locations in the city. Just wonderful!" -Cynthia
"Info was fascinating" -Vicki
"Most of the content was very good and the use of slides of the streets, parks, and buildings inside and out was very good" -Jerry
"Fascinating history that I knew absolutely nothing about even though I grew up in Buffalo and spent many a day visiting NiagaraFalls. I knew nothing of this man’s life or any connection to major sites in Manhattan. The presenter was so knowledgeable so animated gave us so many photos and background stories, had such a command of her subject. Great presentation!" -Sharon
"I would highly recommend this event. The presenter was knowledgeable and made the presentation enjoyable." -Cathy

Disclaimer
By attending a New York Adventure Club experience, you accept our terms of service.
Categories: Virtual, Moments in History

Tickets: $39.98 ( incl. $4.98 fees ) (advance registration required)

Click the link below to register for this event:

https://www.nyadventureclub.com/event/1852719426679

When the nearly 50-year-old Brooklyn Academy Music building burned down in 1903, plans were quickly drawn up to have its replacement be bigger and bolder than anything Brooklyn had ever seen. Only a couple years later, the vision came true with a magnificent center for the arts featuring an ornate ballroom, 5,000-square-foot grand foyer, and grand Opera House boasting 2,200 seats. How has the academy grown and adapted to support the arts in the 20th and 21st centuries, and what historic structures still remain? It's time to get up close and personal with one of Brooklyn's ultimate hidden gems in a way that few others have before.

Join New York Adventure Club for a special behind-the-scenes visit to the Brooklyn Academy of Music (BAM), America’s oldest performing arts institution (1861) and thriving urban arts complex presenting performing arts, media, and film.

Led by the BAM Archives Manager, our private exploration of several historic buildings and will include:

• An in-depth overview of BAM and the facility’s rich history and story
• A peek at historic photos and newspaper clippings throughout the centuries
• An exploration of the Peter Jay Sharp Building (1907), which features a 5,000 square foot grand foyer, 2,200 seat grand opera house, concert hall, BAM Rose Cinemas, and former ballroom
• A visit to the Harvey Theater (1904) — originally known as The Majestic, this theater sat abandoned for nearly two decades before an award-winning 1987 renovation revived the space while preserving original architectural elements as well as its pre-restored look

Click here to see pictures from one of our last visits to the Brooklyn Academy of Music!
See you there!

*Due to the venue's COVID-19 protocols, guests must be fully vaccinated against the SARS-CoV-2 virus (proof of vaccination required at door) and be wearing a mask to enter the building's premises
**Tour route is subject to change

Testimonials
"I liked the vast knowledge and engagement of our tour guide." -Matthew

Disclaimer
By attending a New York Adventure Club experience, you accept our terms of service.
Categories: In-Person, Theatre Tours

Tickets: $18.88 ( incl. $3.88 fees ) (includes access to the full replay for one week)

Click the link below to officially register for this experience:

https://www.nyadventureclub.com/event/1977281369804

This is a re-aired recording of this program’s most recent live webinar. Once the viewing period ends, this recording will not be offered again for at least one year.

Art history has often focused on the celebrity genius — exceptional men who mark an era — while too often, extraordinary women artists have been overlooked despite their inventiveness, popularity, and resounding triumphs in their era. Often, they faced difficult choices, sacrificing in their personal lives or career options. The battle of cultural and professional restrictions often squashed their artistic legacies; even the most admired and accomplished fell into obscurity upon their death, no matter the successes they achieved while living. Now, historical women artists are enjoying a renaissance. In light of two major museum exhibitions this fall celebrating these European women at the MFA in Boston and the Baltimore Museum of Art, it's time to resuscitate and celebrate the art careers of superstar historical women artists.

Join New York Adventure Club for a four-part series that explores how European women artists between 1550-1850 had to navigate societal expectations with their drive to be recognized as professionals. In Part Three, we focus on Elisabeth Vigee Lebrun and Adelaide Labille-Guiard, two women artists working around and during the crisis of the French Revolution. Pitted against each other by the reactionary press, these two women moved through the late 1700s with very different strategies — and survived to tell the tale.

Led by Art Historian Rena Tobey, our artistic deep dive will include:

• A close look at how art changed before, during, and after the French Revolution
• A consideration of the role of women artists in The Academie Royale
• An understanding of how Vigée Le Brun became a success at court and the repercussions with the Revolution
• A revealing of the marketing strategies that built Labille-Guiard's reputation and the resulting effects during the Revolution
• An appreciation of how career success was defined and used by each of these artists for her lasting legacy

See you there, virtually!

*Immediately upon registering, you will receive a separate, automated email containing the link to join this webinar
**For the best possible viewing experience, please ensure you're using the latest version of your internet browser
***A full replay of the experience will be available to all registered guests for up to a week after the series finale
****If the event has already passed, but it's been less than a week since the series finale, you can still register for it on our website's active replay section!

Subversive Beauty of European Women Artists Series
Part 1: Anguissola (Friday, January 2 @ 5:30pm ET)
Part 2: Gentileschi (Friday, January 9 @ 5:30pm ET)
Part 3: French Phenoms (Friday, January 16 @ 5:30pm ET)
Part 4: Bonheur (Friday, January 23 @ 5:30pm ET)

About Rena
Rena Tobey is an American art historian whose passion centers on making art accessible, insightful, and fun. She has taught at NYU's School for Professional Studies and Southern Connecticut State University. Rena conducts lively, interactive tours of New York City's museum collections, now online. Her research and writing centers on American women artists working before 1945, with particular interest in the challenges they faced in bucking societal norms.

Testimonials
"Absolutely fascinating interweaving of the lifes and times of these two fantastic artists. Great to hear about the very recent donation of works by them both. Another absolutely great presentation by Rena - so much information, so well put together. Looking forward to the next session - hope that she will be able to do many more in future." -Linde
"Good quality overview of these two artists lives and work" -Leon
"1st off, speakers knowledge is studied, through & presented very well!" -Janice
"As ever, Rena is a brilliant presenter with breadth and depth of knowledge about the content. Her enthusiasm is rich and contagious. At the close of the presentation, I find myself always wanting to learn more. The material is so well-organized - and Rena presents a remarkable knowledge base with such ease and skill that it's quite intellectually stunning. I've so totally enjoyed every presentation. I watched last week's presentation on replay, as I was away for the afternoon, and just found it so evocative and intellectually exciting. Wonderful, wonderful presentations. Only that I tell friends about these presentations all the time - they are so wonderful - introducing me to the experience and work of women artists that I've known so little-to-nothing about. It's a unique, memorable and wonderful learning experience. Thank you - and I thank Rena heartily." -Maureen
"Loved the presentation and her enthusiasm - I have been in webinars (not NYAC!!) where listening for 10 minutes was like taking 2 valium, but these webinars jump start my heart, and keep my attention riveted- hope there will be more from this presenter. Lots of content and i learned a lot." -Susan
"As a life long learner I assess lectures by how much I have learned. This lecture and lecturer not only taught me but inspired me to seek out more information" -Angella
"I love Rena Tobey’s dramatic presentations. I will take any art class she offers." -Carmen
"Rena is extremely knowledgeable and she relates well to her audience." -Diane

Disclaimer
By attending a New York Adventure Club experience, you accept our terms of service.
Categories: Virtual, Art & Entertainment

Tickets: $45.25 ( incl. $5.25 fees ) (advance registration required)

Click the link below to officially register for this experience:

https://www.nyadventureclub.com/event/1979232088456

In the early 20th century, the Woolworth Building in downtown Manhattan not only dominated the NYC skyline, but also held the title of "tallest building in the world" for over 17 years. What secrets lie behind its towering limestone and terracotta façade? Now’s your chance to step inside one of New York’s most breathtaking interiors — a hidden architectural marvel that's been off-limits to the public since 2020 (until now).

Join New York Adventure Club for an exclusive behind-the-scenes tour of the Woolworth Building — commissioned by retail magnate Frank Woolworth in 1910 to house his company’s corporate headquarters, this neo-Gothic style skyscraper designed by architect Cass Gilbert laid claim to the world’s tallest building from its opening in 1913 until 1930.

Led by licensed NYC tour guides and Woolworth Building experts Bob Gelber or Ed Welter, this official experience — and the only way inside this private building — will include:

• The story behind the “Cathedral of Commerce,” from its creation by retail magnate F.W. Woolworth to its groundbreaking design by Cass Gilbert
• A look at the exterior’s intricate terracotta façade, rich with neo-Gothic ornamentation and symbolic details
• A private tour of the soaring lobby, with its marble-clad walls, vaulted ceilings, and hidden symbols embedded in the architecture
• A visit to the subterranean vault, where the building’s original safe deposit boxes are tucked beneath its towering frame
• A special trip to the mezzanine balcony, offering a close-up view of the vaulted mosaic ceiling, richly inspired by the opulence and patterns of the Byzantine Empire

See you there!

*There are no public restrooms on the tour, so please plan accordingly
**This tour is limited to the lobby and first sub-level
***Please refrain from wandering around the lobby before, during, or after the tour

About Bob
After retiring from the New York State Court System, Bob Gelber became a licensed New York City tour guide to share his deep knowledge and passion for his hometown. Over the past twelve years, he has led visitors through neighborhoods many tourists overlook, while also serving as a docent at the Woolworth Building and volunteering at both the Metropolitan Museum of Art and Open House New York. A longtime member of the Guides Association of New York City, Bob has served on its Board of Directors and several key committees. From Central Park to the Lower East Side — and even chocolate-themed walks through SoHo — Bob brings history to life with every step.

About Ed
With over four decades of experience in construction and nearly 15 years in the tourism world, Ed Welter brings a unique perspective to New York City's built environment. After starting his guiding career at the Cathedral of St. John the Divine in 2010, Ed went on to become a senior docent and trainer at the 9/11 Memorial & Museum, where he has been sharing the site’s powerful story since its earliest days. A licensed NYC tour guide since 2012, Ed also led Woolworth Building tours from 2014 until their pause in 2020 — and is excited to return as the tour program resumes with New York Adventure Club. His deep knowledge and passion have guided countless tours across Lower Manhattan, from the Brooklyn Bridge to City Hall Park, including topics like the Five Points, the African Burial Grounds, and the history of terrorism in New York.

Testimonials
"The tour of the lobby was full of secrets and mysteries and astonishing design. The lobby tour guide was kind, passionate, and extremely knowledgeable." -Simon
"Very informational. Knowledgeable lobby tour guide." -Jacqueline
"The guide was very knowledgeable and history interesting. My first with adventure club, not the last. I enjoyed it very much." -Judy
"...The guide was great… provided just enough information and stories, answered questions… and best of all really enjoyed seeing this iconic building up close! Wonderful event. Just the right amount of time." -Aimee
"A fascinating combination of history, architecture and biography in a magnificent building. The guide was exceptional." -Beth
"Informative on architecture, history, and history of Woolworth himself. Also notable comments on the strains between Woolworth and his architect, Cass Gilbert. Excellent speaker, humorous, personal, and interested in all facets of the building." -Margaret
"The history and love that went into building this magnificent building" -Jojo
"The information about Woolworth himself and the history of the 5 and 10 business was particularly good. Makes me want to learn more. Of course, just getting access was a treat. It's kind of a hidden treasure." -Leandro
"It was highly informative and the guide was engaging." -E
"Didn’t realize that this beautiful building was not open to the public so it was very special. Also the building was awesome. Guide was terrific." -Murray
"The guide was so knowledgeable, explained everything in an interesting way, was patient with questions and managed the group well. It was outstanding!!" -Betsy
"Tour guide's knowledge of the subject." -Lucien

Disclaimer
By attending a New York Adventure Club experience, you accept our terms of service.
Categories: In-Person, Neighborhood Tours