New York Adventure Club

https://www.nyadventureclub.com/event/1979235171678

For over 10 years inside his Upper East Side apartment, one celebrated entertainer and author has been hosting one of New York's best kept secrets: an under-the-radar jazz experience complete with a rare blend of soul-stirring performances, rich conversations, and home-cooked hospitality. This is more than a concert — it’s an invitation into the heart of a New York jazz tradition where elegance meets soulful tunes. Get ready for an "only in New York" music experience like no other.

Join New York Adventure Club for a sophisticated and intimate jazz experience in the heart of the Upper East Side that celebrates authentic old school Black American Jazz and Blues, blending world-class live music with the warmth of a home-cooked BBQ dinner that will make you feel right at home.

Hosted by JaRon Eames — acclaimed jazz and blues vocalist, archivist, and author of Historical Jazz Conversations — this unforgettable afternoon in his East 80s home will include:

• Rare access inside JaRon's cozy and eclectic private Upper East Side parlor
• A live jazz performance featuring JaRon Eames alongside suprise special guests such as pianist Les Kurtz
• A home-cooked BBQ dinner (brought right to your lap!) including Creole Shrimp & Rice, Salad, Cornbread, BBQ Chicken, and dessert
• Complimentary wine throughout the event
• An exclusive book signing of JaRon Eames’ acclaimed 600-page jazz history tome, Historical Jazz Conversations (book sold separately)
• Fascinating conversations with about jazz history, culture, and stories

Whether you're a longtime jazz aficionado or a curious newcomer, this special Sunday event will transport you to the golden age of jazz, all while creating new memories with like-minded music lovers.
Don’t miss this unique celebration of community, music, and culture — see you there!

*This experience is located inside a private residence in the East 80s — the exact address will be revealed in the confirmation email.
**Please be respectful of the property and do not share the location with others.
***Please note that the residence is located up one flight of stairs.
****Doors open at 2:00pm, jazz begins around 3:00pm.

Click here for a preview of the experience 📽️

About JaRon Eames
JaRon Eames is a celebrated jazz and blues vocalist, archivist, and author, renowned for his dedication to preserving the legacy of Black American music. With a career spanning around four decades, JaRon has performed alongside legendary musicians such as Doc Cheatham, Harold Mabern, and Dorothy Donegan, gracing iconic stages from the Apollo Theater to Berlin’s vibrant jazz scene. As the host of The JaRon Eames Show, a jazz and blues talk show, he has archived the stories of some of the greatest names in the genre, including Nancy Wilson and Joe Williams.
A Louisiana native, JaRon’s passion for jazz has taken him around the globe, but his mission remains rooted in celebrating the timeless art of "swinging saloon singing." Now based in New York City, he continues to inspire audiences with his unforgettable performances, rich storytelling, and deep love for the jazz tradition.

Disclaimer
By attending a New York Adventure Club experience, you accept our terms of service.
Must be 21 or older to consume alcohol. ID will be checked at door.
Ticket price is for a book signing with complimentary jazz performances, food, and beverages.
Categories: In-Person, Activities

https://nyadventureclub.com/event/1981585502581

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

https://www.nyadventureclub.com/event/1979392471165

Art doesn’t exist in a vacuum — and between the end of World War I and the eve of World War II, artists were anything but untouched by the chaos. How did the horrors of war, the collapse of empires, deadly pandemics, and ideological revolutions influence the creative minds who lived through it all? From personal grief to utopian ideals, it's time to explore how European artists responded to the rapidly shifting world around them — whether resisting, retreating, reimagining, or redefining what art could mean in the face of overwhelming uncertainty.

Join New York Adventure Club for a five-part series that traces how artists across Europe absorbed and responded to the seismic shifts of the interwar years. In Part Two: Wassily Kandinsky, we’ll follow the personal and artistic journey of a visionary who pushed the boundaries of abstraction while navigating the turbulence of revolution, war, and exile.

Led by art historian, museum educator, and lecturer Mariska Beekenkamp-Wladimiroff, this art-centric virtual journey will feature:

• A look at Kandinsky’s unconventional path to painting, beginning with his late transition from law and economics to the art world
• A discussion around his return to Russia during WWI, and how national folklore and political change pushed him briefly back toward figurative art
• An overview of the influence of Russian Suprematism, which reignited his pursuit of abstraction through geometric form
• Insight into his years at the Bauhaus, where collaboration and experimentation transformed his artistic vision
• A closer look at Kandinsky’s final chapter in Paris, where illness, displacement, and new biomorphic forms defined his later style
• The lasting tragedy surrounding his legacy, from postwar neglect to the violent death of his wife shortly after his passing

Afterward, we'll have a Q&A with Mariska — any and all questions are welcomed and encouraged!
Can't make it live? Don't worry, you'll have access to the full replay through one week after the entire series concludes.
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!

About Mariska
Mariska is a Social Psychologist by trade but took up her love for the arts again after the birth of her children. ​
Heavily pregnant with number 3, Mariska finished her MA at the Courtauld Institute of Art in London, in Dutch Baroque Art. Soon after this she was lucky enough to lecture for the most wonderful group of students. She decided this was what she wanted to do and set up Art Historical London offering art historical lectures, courses, tours, travel and events from London and Amsterdam, and since 2020 online. ​
Fully accredited in the UK to teach the over 16, Mariska also lectures for NAFDAS, an arts education society with members in the UK and Mainland Europe, New Zealand and Australia. She is a lecturer with the public program of the Dulwich Picture Gallery in London, and can provide live, online and recorded lectures for groups or individuals.

Art in the Interwar Years Series
Part 1: New Styles After the Great War (Monday, January 26 @ 1:30pm ET)
Part 2: Wassily Kadinsky (Monday, February 2 @ 1:30pm ET)
Part 3: Henri Matisse (Monday, February 9 @ 1:30pm ET)
Part 4: Piet Mondrian (Monday, February 16 @ 1:30pm ET)
Part 5: Käthe Kollwitz (Monday, February 23 @ 1:30pm ET)

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

https://www.nyadventureclub.com/event/1979222479716

What began as a patchwork of mudflats, pastureland, and lofty dreams has — over nearly 250 years — become the symbolic heart of the nation’s capital. How did an unfinished idea become one of the most iconic civic spaces in the world, reflecting a nation's evolving ideals through architecture, landscape, and memory? From radical visions to monumental acts of reinvention, it's time to uncover the story behind the National Mall — and what it was always meant to inspire.

Join New York Adventure Club for a two-part series tracing the evolution of the National Mall from a lofty vision to an enduring symbol of American ideals. In Part Two: A Monumental Landscape Reimagined, we’ll examine how the Mall became a powerful space of memory, activism, and evolving narratives — and how its monuments continue to shape, and be shaped by, our national identity.

Led by Carolyn Muraskin, architectural historian and founder of DC Design Tours, this unique experience spanning World War II to the present and beyond will include:

• Vietnam Veterans Memorial — Radical in both form and intent, Maya Lin’s controversial design rejected heroic monumentality in favor of abstraction, forever changing how architecture could express grief, memory, and national trauma.
• Korean War Veterans Memorial — Blending sculpture, landscape, and inscription, this memorial creates an immersive experience whose subtle design choices quietly reinforce the war’s lingering ambiguity as “the Forgotten War.”
• Franklin Delano Roosevelt Memorial — This unique presidential memorial breaks from tradition by telling history through movement, water, and texture across a series of experiential “rooms.”
• National World War II Memorial — Positioned at the center of the Mall, this memorial balances triumph and loss through symmetry, water, and scale — while its long and controversial path to completion reveals how difficult it can be to monumentalize “the good war.”
• Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial — Carved from a “Stone of Hope,” this memorial transforms words into architecture, using scale, alignment, and symbolism to anchor the Civil Rights Movement within the nation’s monumental core.
• Desert Storm & Desert Shield Memorial (Under Construction) — Still taking shape, this memorial raises urgent design questions: how do you commemorate recent conflicts, and what should remembrance look like in a post–Cold War world?
• Women’s Suffrage National Monument (In Planning) — Long absent from the Mall, the planned suffrage monument challenges historic gaps in commemoration — prompting debate over representation, visibility, and who gets monumental space.

Afterward, we'll have a Q&A with Carolyn — any and all questions are welcomed and encouraged!
Can't make it live? Don't worry, you'll have access to the full replay through one week after the entire series concludes.
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!

About Carolyn
Founder and Owner, DC Design Tours
Carolyn Muraskin founded DC Design Tours in 2015 to share her passion for Washington DC’s design through walking, driving, bike, boat and virtual tours that uncover the city’s architectural secrets and surprising stories. A University of Maryland architecture grad and former designer, Carolyn worked on projects ranging from historic restorations to mixed-use developments.
Carolyn and her team lead architecture-focused tours across DC’s diverse neighborhoods—including Embassy Row, Capitol Hill, U Street, Georgetown, and Anacostia—designed for curious visitors of all backgrounds and interests. She has collaborated with institutions like the National Trust for Historic Preservation and the Smithsonian and has appeared on the Discovery Channel. Carolyn lives in Northwest DC and has a serious passion for all things brick, mortar, and design.

The National Mall Series
Part 1: Origins of America's Grand Civic Space (Monday, January 26 @ 8:00pm ET)
Part 2: A Monumental Landscape Reimagined (Monday, February 2 @ 8:00pm ET)

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