Third Annual East Village Arts Festival at Tompkins Square Library
Join Tompkins Square Library for the 3rd annual East Village Arts Festival on Friday and Saturday, December 6 and 7. The festival will feature art exhibitions, music performances, art activities, author readings, walking tours, and more.
Please stop by and participate—we have something for all ages!
Friday, December 6
3:30-4:30pmMusic Performance: NYPL Sings!
Join us for a fun sing-along with some fantastic librarians! Musicians from libraries across NYC will perform songs from the New York Public Library children's album, NYPL Sings! The performance will be held in the second floor children's room. All ages welcome.
3:30-4:30pmChildren's Art Activities: Free Painting
Express yourself! We'll provide the paints, you provide the expression. For children of all ages.
3:30-5pmArt Opening for the Sixth Street Youth Program
Young artists will display their work about climate justice and injustice and how it affects our community here in the Lower East Side.
Karla and James Murray, photo used with permission (click to enlarge)
5-6:30pmExhibition Opening: Store Front: The Disappearing Face of New York
See photographs by James and Karla Murray, whose critically acclaimed books include Store Front: The Disappearing Face of New York, New York Nights, Store Front II: A History Preserved and Broken Windows: Graffiti NYC. The opening reception includes live music and refreshments.
5-6:30pmMusical Performance: George Braith Quartet
A true original, saxophonist George Braith has brightened jazz with his innovations—from his classic 1960s recordings for Blue Note and Prestige; to his 1970s presentations at the lower Manhattan club, Musart, which he ran; to his own original instrument, the Braithophone, which fuses soprano and alto saxophones into one horn. Presented by the Jazz Foundation of America, with partial support from the National Endowment for the Arts, the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of Governor Andrew M. Cuomo and the New York State Legislature, public funds from the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs in partnership with the City Council, and the Howard Gilman Foundation.
6:30-7:30pmIllustrated Author Talk: Store Front: The Disappearing Face of New York
With photographs by James and Karla Murray. At the talk, the Murrays will discuss their books Store Front: The Disappearing Face of New York, Store Front II: A History Preserved and New York Nights. In this visual presentation, they take the audience on a photographic journey by spotlighting the ongoing story of New York's independent shops, bodegas, bars, and more with vibrant photography and deeply personal interviews with the shop owners.
Saturday, December 7
11am-12pmDrag Queen Story Hour with Harmonica SunbeamDQSH captures the imagination and play of gender fluidity in childhood, and gives kids glamorous and unapologetically LGBTQ role models. A drag queen will read inclusive books as well as storytime favorites, and lead participants in a simple craft. Sponsored by the Office of City Council Member Carlina Rivera.This program will be held in the basement community room.
11am-12pmWalking Tour: Artists, Writers, Musicians of Tompkins Square
Tompkins Square Park has long been a center of the arts. Please join us for a fun, free one-hour walking tour, hosted by library manager Corinne Neary and local street photographer Michael Paul.
12-2pmFace and Hand Painting
For kids ages 3 to 12 years old. All face paints are non-toxic, hypoallergenic, and water-soluble. Presented by Annette Lipson, held in the second floor children's room.
12-4pmChildren's Arts and Craft Activities
All materials will be provided, just bring yourself! These activities will be in the second floor children's room.
1-1:45pm16mm Short Film Screenings: Artists in New York
We will screen three short 16mm films, from the reserve collection of the New York Public Library for the Performing Arts:
- Jackson Pollock (1951; 10 mins.) Dir: Hans Namuth, Paul Falkenberg
From the straightforward documentation of the artist at work, and his personal explanation of what he is doing, to the original music score, everything in this film is marked with the intense quality of the late Pollock's personality. - Artist in Manhattan (1968; 9 mins.) Dir: Barry H. Downes, Linda Marmelstein
A portrait of Jerome Myers, a key figure in the famous Ashcan school of American art and one of the founders of the historic Armory Show of 1913. His paintings and drawings depict New York City at the beginning of the 20th century. - Andy Warhol (1965; 22 mins.) Dir: Marie Menken
"A long day in the life of pop artist Andy Warhol shortened into minutes: a document." Warhol is seen in his studio and at gallery showings surrounded by his signature pieces: Brillo and Campbell soup cartons, and his silkscreens of flowers and well-known personalities.
Illustration from artist Sandra Javera, used with permission
2-4pmStill Life Drawing Session
This drop-in still life drawing session is for everyone who likes drawing or wants to start, with facilitator, artist Sandra Javera. No skills or experience required. Paper, pencils, and charcoals will be provided.
Author, raconteur, and musician Mike Edison will bring a wild program of storytelling and music, featuring performances from his career as a literary wild man, focusing on selections from his books Dirty! Dirty! Dirty! and I Have Fun Everywhere I Go.
Edison speaks with enthusiasm and old-school élan on topics including free speech, pornography, and the absurd trials of being a writer in New York City. Expect literary mayhem, beatnik jazz, outlaw comedy, and more. He will be joined by his group, the Space Liberation Army.