New York Adventure Club

Tickets: $12 (includes access to the full replay for one week)

Click the link below to officially register for this experience:

https://www.nyadventureclub.com/event/1955288934839

The American Gilded Age is often remembered for its titans of industry — the men who built railroads, banking empires, and fortunes that reshaped America. But just as influential were the women who operated behind the scenes and in the spotlight — steering society, challenging norms, and leaving legacies of their own. It's time to uncover the identities of these women and how their real stories stack up against the glamorous, high-stakes world depicted in HBO’s The Gilded Age.

Join New York Adventure Club for a three-part series exploring the real historical women who inspired Julian Fellowes’ The Gilded Age, and how their lives fueled the show’s iconic characters, social rivalries, and dramatic plotlines. In Part Two: Caroline Astor, we’ll explore the life of the social gatekeeper known as “The Mrs. Astor,” whose name became synonymous with New York’s elite and whose reign over high society set the rules others desperately tried to follow.

Led by NYC tour guide Ginny Poleman, this historical deep dive into the life of Caroline Schermerhorn Astor — the real-life figure who inspired the character of Mrs. Astor in The Gilded Age — will include:

• A look at Caroline's deep-rooted lineage, tracing her ancestry to New York’s Dutch aristocracy and how her pedigree reinforced her power
• Her strategic partnership with Ward McAllister, the Southern socialite who helped cement her position as the ultimate arbiter of taste and status
• A comparison between fact and fiction, examining how the show’s depiction of her clash with Bertha Russell mirrors real-life events — including Alva Vanderbilt’s grand ball and the Opera House rivalry
• Family drama behind the facade, from her daughters' high-profile marriages to the tragic fate of her son, John Jacob Astor IV, on the Titanic
• The legacy of her real estate empire, including her Fifth Avenue mansion, its demolition for the original Waldorf-Astoria Hotel, and the home she later shared uptown with her son

Afterward, we'll have a Q&A with Ginny — 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!

Women Who Inspired HBO’s The Gilded Age Series
Part 1: Alva Vanderbilt (Wednesday, December 3 @ 5:30pm ET)
Part 2: Mrs. Astor (Wednesday, December 10 @ 5:30pm ET)
Part 3: The Black Elite (Wednesday, December 17 @ 5:30pm ET)

About Ginny
Ginny Poleman is a graduate of Cornell University, a licensed NYC tour guide, docent for the Municipal Art Society, as well as an educational and costume collection guide for New York’s largest art museum. Additionally, she offers private tours for her own company, NYC Encounters, covering New York City Art, Architecture, and History. You can follow her on Instagram and Facebook at @Art_Encounters and @NYC.Encounters.

Disclaimer
By attending a New York Adventure Club experience, you accept our terms of service.
This event is a Gilded Age-themed educational webinar organized by New York Adventure Club. It is not affiliated with HBO, Warner Bros. Discovery, Julian Fellowes, or any related entities. Our event is a fan-inspired experience, celebrating the cultural impact and historical themes explored in The Gilded Age series. Any references to The Gilded Age are purely for educational and entertainment purposes, and no official endorsement or sponsorship is implied. The Gilded Age and related trademarks are the property of their respective owners, and this event is an independent initiative by New York Adventure Club.
Categories: Virtual, Gilded Age

Tickets: $12 (includes access to the full replay for one week)

Click the link below to officially register for this experience:

https://www.nyadventureclub.com/event/1972571148405

He sang, he danced, he joked, he acted — and he broke barriers every step of the way. How did a one-eyed Black, Cuban, Jewish entertainer from Harlem become one of the most celebrated stars of the 20th century? From dazzling highs to dramatic lows, it's time to examine an American icon who truly did it all.

Join New York Adventure Club for a critical discussion on the extraordinary life and legacy of Sammy Davis, Jr. (1925-1990), whose groundbreaking journey from vaudeville stages to global superstardom is a tale of talent, tenacity, and timeless charm.

Led by Grammy-nominated author and music historian Will Friedwald, our guided virtual commentary surrounding Sammy Davis, Jr.’s legendary career on his centennial will include:

• A discussion of Sammy’s early start in showbiz, from dancing in the Will Mastin Trio on the Black vaudeville circuit to appearances in early film shorts
• Breaking into the mainstream, with national TV appearances, top nightclub bookings, and stardom as one of the first African American headliners in Las Vegas
• An analysis of personal turning points, including his harrowing World War II service, the car accident that cost him an eye, and his conversion to Judaism
• Life at the center of the Rat Pack, from his friendships with Frank Sinatra and JFK to balancing fame and the fight for racial equality
• Commentary on his stage and recording milestones, including Mr. Wonderful, Golden Boy, and a string of hits like “What Kind of Fool Am I” and “The Candy Man”
• A review of his activism and legacy, from civil rights marches with Dr. King to the backlash over his Nixon-era White House visit, and his lasting cultural influence

Afterward, we'll have a Q&A with Will — any and all questions are welcomed and encouraged!
Can't make it live? Don't worry, you'll have access to the full replay for one week.
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 Will
Will Friedwald is a featured arts writer for The Wall Street Journal and Vanity Fair, and the award-winning author of ten books on music and popular culture, including the new Straighten Up and Fly Right: The Life and Music of Nat King Cole, as well as A Biographical Guide To The Great Jazz And Pop Singers, Sinatra: The Song Is You, Stardust Melodies, Tony Bennett: The Good Life, Looney Tunes & Merrie Melodies, and Jazz Singing. He has written over 600 liner notes for compact discs, received ten Grammy nominations, and appears frequently on television and other documentaries. He is also a consultant and curator for Apple Music.

Disclaimer
By attending a New York Adventure Club experience, you accept our terms of service.
This event is an educational presentation organized by New York Adventure Club and is not affiliated with Sammy Davis Jr., his estate, or any other associated entities, institutions, or rights holders. Our event is a fan-inspired experience celebrating the life, work, and cultural contributions of Sammy Davis Jr. Any references to Sammy Davis Jr., his performances, or related materials are made solely for educational and entertainment purposes, and no official endorsement or sponsorship is implied. Sammy Davis Jr. and related trademarks are the property of their respective owners.
Categories: Virtual, Art & Entertainment

Tickets: $12 (includes access to the full replay for one week)

Click the link below to officially register for this experience:

https://www.nyadventureclub.com/event/1968204249894

While the holiday season in America has always been filled with festivities and traditions, a lot has changed over the past 250 years when it comes to decorations. How did early colonists celebrate the first days of winter and how have holiday displays become bigger and brighter over the generations? From a lavish German market in a small Texas city to an enchanting fairy-tale parade in a Hudson River hamlet, it's time to uncover some of the most over-the-top light and ornament displays in America.

Join New York Adventure Club for a special nationwide trip across America as we virtually explore brilliant holiday displays and traditions found within small and large communities alike.

Led by architectural historian David V. Griffin of Landmark Branding, this digital showcase and memorable review will include:

• A look at early colonial holiday traditions and festivals
• A history of the White House Christmas trees
• The rise of department store decorations including the great Fifth Avenue department store holiday windows
• A survey of famed holiday displays of historic homes and hotels
• Neighborhood lights and folk art displays

Afterward, we'll have a Q&A with David — any and all questions are welcomed and encouraged!
Can't make it live? Don't worry, you'll have access to the full replay for 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 — Google Chrome is the most compatible. Exact technical requirements and a webinar user guide will be shared in the automated confirmation email upon registration.
***A full replay of the experience will be available to all registered guests for up to a week

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

Tickets: $15.71 ( incl. $3.71 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/1965578071925

Few composers have captured the full range of human emotions as effortlessly as Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. But what makes his operas so timeless, and how do they continue to captivate audiences centuries later? With the help of a prominent opera producer and music historian, it's time to explore the genius of Mozart’s operatic masterpieces through a fresh and engaging lens.

Join New York Adventure Club for a deep dive into the world of Mozart’s operas where we’ll uncover the stories, characters, and musical brilliance that make his operas enduring masterpieces.

Led by music historian Jamie Hayes, our virtual exploration of Mozart’s operatic genius will include:

• An introduction to Mozart’s operas, from his most famous productions (The Marriage of Figaro, The Magic Flute, Don Giovanni) to lesser-known gems (Apollo et Hyacinthus, Il re pastore), and how they fit into his incredible body of work
• An overview of opera seria, opera buffa, and Singspiel — the three main genres Mozart mastered throughout his career
• A look at Mozart’s musical language and how he used harmony, orchestration, and character development to create deeply human and emotionally rich stories
• Historical and modern perspectives — how 18th-century audiences experienced Mozart’s operas, and how today’s productions bring new interpretations to life
• Musical excerpts and examples illustrating key moments from famous productions around the world

Afterward, we’ll have a Q&A with Jamie — any and all questions are welcomed and encouraged!
Can't make it live? Don't worry, you'll have access to the full replay for one week!
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 Jamie Hayes
Jamie lives in the UK and has directed many new opera productions, both at home and abroad. After training at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art (RADA), he worked for Glyndebourne Festival Opera, the BBC and the Royal Shakespeare Company. His new opera productions overseas have appeared as far away as Reykjavik, Malta and Melbourne. Jamie was Associate Director on the original production of the hit musical Miss Saigon in the West End and on Broadway.
In 2022 Jamie became an accredited lecturer with The UK Arts Society.

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