Best Free & Cheap Things to do in November

From 1565 to 1790, Africans surpassed Europeans among the roughly one million newcomers to what would become the United States. A majority of these nearly 360,000 men and women crossed in bondage. Centuries of local and federal laws related to the livelihood of black Americans have created a complex paper trail of genealogical resources. This class aims to provide introductory historical context and recommend basic research methods in the pursuit of African-American family history.

• Noon, Nov 6, at main NYPL on Fifth Ave., South Court Classroom B.
• Part II, Next Steps,  is Wed, Nov. 14 at 2pm.

Thurs., Nov. 8 – Commemorate the Anniversary of Kristallnacht

1938Projekt: 80 Years since Kristallnacht – On the night of November 9, 1938, state-sponsored Nazi gangs destroyed Jewish homes, synagogues, and businesses, killing nearly 100 and arresting 30,000 Jewish men.  Kristallnacht – Night of Broken Glass – is worth remembering every year, perhaps more this year as Anti-Semitism seems to be rising its ugly head once again.  This special program at the Leo Baeck Institute will feature remarks by historian Marion Kaplan (NYU), the premiere of a short documentary featuring individuals sharing their memories of 1938, reflections by radio personality and author Martin Goldsmith, and a musical performance by the Phoenix Chamber Ensemble.  The program is part of the online “1938Projekt,” which documents the German-Jewish experience.

• FREE admission, but registration is recommended to manage space.  The Leo Baeck Institute is at 15 W. 16th St.
• Kristallnacht photo courtesy LBI

Thurs., Nov. 8 – Voices of the People

This Lincoln Center commission commemorates Howard Zinn’s seminal book, A People’s History of the United States, with a FREE music and spoken-word performances that bring to life the extraordinary history of ordinary people in the book: those who built the movements for social justice, ending slavery and Jim Crow, protesting war and the genocide of Native Americans, creating unions and the eight-hour workday, advancing women’s rights and gay liberation, and struggling to right the wrongs of the day.

A galvanizing and engaging lineup of performers include actors Brian Jones, Imogen Poots, Eisa Davis, Wallace Shawn, Leta Renée-Alan, and Jessica Pimentel, poet Staceyann Chin, musician Zeshan B, and activist Akemi Kochiyama—delve into original source materials from the rebels, dissenters, and visionaries of our past—and present. Anthony Arnove, coeditor with Howard Zinn of the Voices of a People’s History of the United States anthology and author of the introduction to the new 35th-anniversary edition of A People’s History of the United States, narrates.

• FREE at 7:30pm, at David Rubenstein Atrium.  No tickets, no reservations, seating is first come first serve.

Thurs., Nov. 15 – Geneology Essentials

Researching Immigration and Naturalization Records

If one or more of your ancestors was an immigrant, learn how to find them in this FREE geneology workshop, also at the NYPL on Fifth Ave. Explore the history of how our ancestors became citizens of the United States of America, the kinds of records they generated when they did so, what information those records contain, and where you can find them.

• 2pm, Thursday, Nov. 15 at main NYPL on Fifth Ave., South Court Classroom B.

Events for NYC Foodies in November

Veterans Day Freebies and Deals

Smorgasburg goes downtown, indoors and late-night. 

Smorgasburg Winter Market moves to the former OfficeMax space inside the Atlantic Center in Fort Greene, at 625 Atlantic Ave.  In addition to food  vendors, it includes a couple of dozen vendors from Booklyn Flea. Saturdays 11am to 8pm and Sundays until 5pm.  Indoors through the end of March 2019.

Smorgasburg Night Market  is new, and for November and December only, unless it catches on and is expanded.  It’s Fridays, at the Villian, a party apce at 307 Kent Ave. in Williamsburg.  There’s also DJs.  The Smorgasburg Night Market is open Fridays from 6pm until whenever.  Admission is FREE, but a $25 ticket gets you priority admission along with two cocktails and a 20% discount on anything else you buy, whether that’s food, drink or merchandise.

Nov. 5-18 – Eataly Flatiron Restaurant Fest

Eataly has done some remodeling since separating itself from disgraced co-founder chef Mario Batali, including removing his name, books and products.  The “new” Eataly is celebrating with two-course lunch and dinner specials at all its sit-down restaurants, for either $18 or $28, depending on the restaurant, and $25 bottles of wine.

SEE ALSO

Where to eat in Flatiron without busting your budget

Fri.-Sun, Nov. 9-11 –   The Other Art Fair

Just in time for holiday gift buying, including for yourself, attend this leading artist fair presented exclusively by Saatchi Art in New York, Los Angeles, London, Bristol, Sydney, and Melbourne. Following two successful editions in 2017, The Other Art Fair returns to Greenpoint’s Brooklyn Expo Center for a third installment showcasing more than 130 talented emerging artists, alongside a unique and immersive features program.  Who knows, you might see the next Picasso

• Friday-Sunday, Nov. 9-11.  Get COMP tickets here.