New York Adventure Club

https://www.nyadventureclub.com/event/1982018102499

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.

When it comes to New York spaces made by and for women, the Upper East Side is home to many firsts — the first private women's social club in New York; the first public women's college in the nation; the first Black working women's settlement house in New York; and even the city's first women's historic preservation society. But how did this particular neighborhood become the hub for all of these powerful institutions for women, especially in an era when most men scoffed at the idea of women in leadership positions? This is the story of the women-only organizations that called the Upper East Side home, and the profound impact they had on the opportunities for women in New York City and beyond.

Join New York Adventure Club as we explore how New York's Upper East Side became the hub for women-only institutions beginning in the 20th century, ranging from private clubs to public universities.

Led by writer, historian, and New York City tour guide Lucie Levine, our virtual experience surrounding the architectural and social history of these storied institutions for women will include:

• How and why the Upper East Side became home to clubs, schools, residences, political institutions, and professional associations catered exclusively to women
• A discussion of notable women's institutions including the first free women’s college in the United States, a Hungarian church that helped empower immigrant working women, and the first women-only private club (which still exists today)
• Stories of the iconic women's-only Barbizon Hotel that was once home to Joan Crawford, Gene Tierney, Grace Kelly, Elaine Stritch, Liza Minelli, Eudora Welty and Joan Didion
• A look at the East Side women’s club that Eleanor Roosevelt turned into a foreign policy nexus
• The Black feminist activists who founded an East Side women’s club in 1897, stewarded one of the city’s largest collections of Black history, and went on the lead the NAACP

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 Lucie
Lucie Levine is a writer, historian and urbanist. She founded the historical tour and event company Archive on Parade, and has offered tours, lectures and courses on New York City history in collaboration with The New York City Department of Transportation, Vassar College, NYU, CUNY, The New School, The Municipal Art Society and the New York Public Library, among others. She has published widely on New York City history at outlets including The Gotham Center for New York City History Blog, Jstor Daily, and 6sqft, where she was the Contributing History Writer.

Testimonials
"I didn't know these institutions existed! The presenter did an excellent of speaking about these places." -Loretta
"Interesting history facts." -Elsie
"Everything!" -Barbara
"Plenty of information about the sites and the women behind them -- a nice introduction to several aspects of history and a number of remarkable women all at once. Spirited delivery." -Lahring
"I liked the speaker. Lucie Levine is wonderful. She’s always very informative and makes interesting connections." -Margo
"I liked the buildings and stories about these amazing women" -Sahra
"I love that it was inclusive and talked about orgs started by women of color. This is often ignored when discussing feminism and women’s contributions." -Jacqueline
"Lucie did an excellent presentation of “The Historic Women-Only Institutions of the Upper East Side” webinar. The subject was well researched and articulately presented." -Sharon
"Great information and interesting connections" -Sheila
"The historic documentation. The presenter's excellent research!" -Joanne
"New information about sometimes familiar people or places. Related in a pleasant speaking voice." -Kent
"Very informative and well presented" -Leon
"Very interesting. Terrific topic. Speaker was well informed...her visuals were excellent." -Elizabeth
"The history line was terrific and so full of information I knew nothing about." -Pamela
"Lucie Levine is so fun to listen to. Excellent presenter. She has a mind like an encyclopedia on her topics, great photos, and it seems to enjoy sharing her subject. She sparks interest no matter what her topic is just by listening to enthusiastic Lucie." -Sharon
"Lucie is terrific! Knows her stuff. Knows how to ask questions and make it interesting to sustain interest all along. Very personable. Has an intuitive sense of how to make things interesting... respects audience intelligence. I look forward to taking more "tours" with her." -Jacquelyn
"The instructor’s style - knowledgeable, yet informal. A lot of the information was new to me. For example, I didn’t know that many of these clubs had a social action component." -Elizabeth V.
"Great info and history! Always great webinars with Lucy! She is full of great info!!" -Alba
"Photographs, map, historical information." -Pamela
"Lucie knows her stuff, and clearly has a passion for history!" -Trish

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

https://www.nyadventureclub.com/event/1981859136026

In 1907, Gilded Age sculptor and art patron Gertrude Vanderbilt Whitney made a radical decision: instead of continuing to work inside her palatial mansion on Fifth Avenue, she would purchase a former 19th-century stable and convert it into her dedicated art studio. The action was ridiculed by New York's high society, summed up by the Topeka Daily Capital article headline, “Daughter of Cornelius Vanderbilt Will Live in Dingy New York Alley.” But over the next 35 years, Whitney would expand the site to a complex of eight connected structures, turning it into a hub of art-making and exhibitions and eventually opening a full-fledged museum in 1931. It's time to explore the remnants of this original studio and Whitney legacy like never before.

Join New York Adventure Club for a rare trip inside the original site of the Whitney Museum of American Art, today a National Historic Landmark.

Led by a member of the New York Studio School (NYSS), our exploration of this historic space will include:

• A discussion of the rollicking, influential life of Gertrude Vanderbilt Whitney
• An introduction to the thriving bohemian culture of Greenwich Village in the early 20th century
• An overview of the near demolition of the building in 1967, and the early years of the School, with figures like Philip Guston, Mercedes Matter, Elaine de Kooning, and others
• A walkthrough of the former exhibition spaces of the original Whitney Museum, including the studio of sculptor Daniel Chester French — designer of the Lincoln Memorial statue
• Special access to the private cul-de-sac MacDougal Alley, located behind the NYSS
• A rare look inside the historic Whitney studio designed by Robert Winthrop Chanler

See you there!

*Due to the venue's COVID-19 protocols, all guests must [1] be wearing a mask, and [2] complete the NYSS COVID-19 Screening Survey before they enter the building on the day of the tour. Once visitors complete the survey, their names will be on a list at the front desk indicating that they are cleared to enter the building.

**The New York Studio School does not have an elevator

Testimonials

"I liked having a chance to glimpse a bygone bit of history and to see that venue is being given continued life and purpose." -Dennis

"I was able to see the part of the studio not usually accessible to normal visitors, the giant fireplace and the McDougal alley about which I had no idea, even though I've been around in the village countless times." -Gabriela

"Getting to see a part of the city i didnt even know was there!" -Finlay

"Interesting venue. Well organized." -Lucy

"Getting to see an important site in the art history of New York" -Yael

"It was interesting learning about the building and its history" -Dayna

"Never would have known about it any other way! Thanks!" -Suzanne

"The tour guide was amazing!!" -Lilly

"Amazing building, look at the private alley" -Yevgeniya

"Loved seeing an interior landmark that is otherwise inaccessible." -Ralph

Disclaimer

By attending a New York Adventure Club experience, you accept our terms of service.

Categories: In-Person, Museums & Galleries

https://www.nyadventureclub.com/event/1982018292066

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.

"If I'm going to sing like someone else, then I don't need to sing at all." -Billie Holiday
Billie Holiday, Bessie Smith, Ella Fitzgerald, Sarah Vaughan: each of these great vocalists not only sang jazz standards, but defined some of the genre's greatest hits thanks to their profound individualism in front of the mic. But how did these four vocal pioneers craft their individual styles to transform already popular tunes into their own unique sound? This is the story of some of the jazz world's most influential voices, and the tools they used to craft music that continues to draw us in all these years later.

Join New York Adventure Club for a two-part musical analysis of the life and music of four legendary female jazz singers. In Part One, we'll focus on Bessie Smith and Billie Holiday, exploring how they laid the foundation for jazz vocals with groundbreaking phrasing, emotional depth, and vocal power.

Led by DJ and jazz historian Matthew “Fat Cat” Rivera, our digital journey surrounding some of the greatest jazz singers of all time will include:

• A survey of the life and musical influences of two great female jazz singers — Bessie Smith and Billie Holiday
• A discussion of the musical contributions and importance of these two greats, including what defined each of these artists along with their most essential contributions to jazz and culture
• An analysis of some of the greatest hits from both Bessie Smith and Billie Holiday's illustrious careers, and what personal and professional challenges they had to overcome to become the best in the biz
• A review of original multimedia, which is all pivotal to the story of these singers

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!

Examining Jazz's Unique Female Singers Series
Part 1: Bessie & Billie (Re-Air Opens Friday, March 6 @ 5:30pm ET)
Part 2: Ella & Sarah (Re-Air Opens Friday, March 13 @ 5:30pm ET)

Testimonials
"Mathew, as always, hits it out of the park! Enjoy his sessions immensely." -Linda
"Well organized and presented in an interesting manner." -Sheila
"Mathew was an expert on jazz and the blues and had deep knowledge of the four women profiled last night." -Cathy
"The presenter was knowledgeable, thorough, and friendly. He was very well prepared, with lots of materials (video clips, still photos, audio content including 78 rpm records) and he answered questions towards the end of the session." -Ricardo
"Learning details about the 4 female jazz artists, hearing their music and seeing wonderful photos of them- thanks for including the wonderful photos done by a professional photographer." -Ruth
"Matthew was gifted and passionate on his topic." -Laurie
"I enjoyed listening to great music, and learning about the artists who created the music!" -Trish
"Great music. Learned things I hadn’t known." -Carole
"Matt is so knowledgeable and enthusiastic." -Lorna
"Matthew is so good on information. Love all of his classes." -Lanning
"Good balance between the music and the background of the person and the era." -Kathleen
"Matt..great presentation. Pointing out aspects of Bessie and Billie that often are bypassed" -Ron
"Very knowledgeable, passionate and well-organized presenter. He is just right. Still very enjoyable and informative." -Frances
"I learned a lot about two famous singers I did not know well, and the video footage was great to have along with the music and excellent commentary." -Marian
"Great presentation, you can feel the investment into this topic that the presenter has, which is admirable." -Annette

Disclaimer
By attending a New York Adventure Club experience, you accept our terms of service.
Photo Credit: Main Photo - William Gottlieb, Middle-Right - Carl Van Vechten
This event is an educational presentation organized by New York Adventure Club and is not affiliated with Bessie Smith, Billie Holiday, their estates, Columbia Records, or any other associated entities, institutions, or rights holders. Our event is a fan-inspired experience that celebrates the legacy, artistry, and cultural impact of these pioneering jazz vocalists. Any references to Bessie Smith, Billie Holiday, their recordings, images, or related materials are made solely for educational and commentary purposes, and no official endorsement or sponsorship is implied. All referenced names and trademarks are the property of their respective owners.
Categories: Virtual, Art & Entertainment

https://www.nyadventureclub.com/event/1982302391816

New York runs on systems most of us never stop to think about — the barges hauling our trash, the tunnels moving wastewater, and the plants keeping it all flowing. With many of these sites clustered along the East River, what kinds of structures are hiding in plain sight along its banks? Step aboard an NYC ferry and get ready to explore the essential infrastructure that keeps the city clean, running, and (mostly) rat-free.

Join New York Adventure Club as we embark on a one-of-a-kind ferry trip along the East River to explore the vital water and waste systems that keep New York City running.

Led by licensed guide and urban planner Rayn Riel — who has worked on real-world infrastructure projects across sanitation, wastewater, and beyond — our unique experience from Lower Manhattan to the Bronx and back will include:

• A look at the journey of your trash and recyclables, spotting the barges that ferry them toward landfills, incinerators, or recycling facilities
• A glimpse of NYC’s 14 wastewater treatment plants and the century‑old sewer and utility tunnels beneath the river — some predating the subway
• A view of the Hell Gate Bridge’s three‑in‑one structure, explained so you’ll see what most miss
• A ride past hidden sites like North Brother Island, once home to NYC’s deadliest disaster
• A float past the Bronx River mouth, NYC’s only true freshwater river
• Unexpected sights along the way, including a decommissioned prison barge, the evolving Fulton Fish Market, and Roosevelt Island’s forgotten elevator (along with the site of its once-infamous sewage fountain)
• An earpiece for each guest to hear the guide over the sounds of the ferry

This experience is limited to only six guests.

See you there!

*This ticket includes roundtrip NYC Ferry service between Wall Street / Pier 11 & Soundview.
**Guests are free to disembark earlier on the return voyage at the East 34th Street or Stuyvesant Cove ferry landing as the tour content will be finished by then.
***Each NYC Ferry has food and snacks available for purchase, as well as a restroom.
****This experience will take place indoors on the trip up to Soundview, and outdoors on the return trip to Manhattan (weather permitting).

Tour Schedule

• 10:20am: Gather at Meeting Location
• 10:50am: Depart Pier 11 on Soundview Ferry
• 11:49am: Turnaround at Throgs Neck / Ferry Point Park
• 12:28pm | 12:35pm | 12:46pm: Disembark at Preferred Ferry Landing - East 34th Street, Stuyvesant Cove, or Pier 11

About Rayn Riel
Rayn is an urban planner and tour guide based in New York City. He’s worked on infrastructure projects across the five boroughs and is passionate about exploring how cities function.

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