COMMUNITY EVENTS
NEW IN MANHATTAN
Matthew Jensen: Wonder Walks
Sept. 24, 2 p.m.–4 p.m.
The High Line
Matthew Jensen uses collection and photography to explore public landscapes, often finding uncanny treasures within well-trod sites. For Wanderlust, Jensen transposes the length and shape of the High Line onto other sites in New York City, creating annotated maps and walks of these areas that offer the chance to wander between the natural and urban world while journeying to number of lesser-known landmarks. TheHighLine.org
New York Film Festival
Sept. 30–Oct. 16
Various locations
The 17-day New York Film Festival highlights the best in world cinema, featuring top films from celebrated filmmakers as well as fresh new talent. $10–$20,000. FilmLinc.org/nyff2016
NEW ELSEWHERE
Kiku: Celebrating the Art of the Japanese Garden
Oct. 8–30
New York Botanical Garden
The chrysanthemum, kiku in Japanese, is the most celebrated of all Japanese fall-flowering plants. Enjoy a stunning exhibition of these carefully trained flowers in the Haupt Conservatory. nybg.org
ONGOING ELSEWHERE
Paint It Up: Still-Life Watercolor
Through Sept. 27
Poe Park Visitor Center, Bronx
Experience the thrill of bringing a blank piece of paper to life, by creating a still life with a brush, paint, and water. Free. NYCGovParks.org
ENDING ELSEWHERE
SummerStage
Through Sept. 23
NYC Parks
New York City’s largest free performing arts festival, bringing more than 100 free performances to Central Park and 15 neighborhood parks throughout the five boroughs. Free. SummerStage.org
Falun Dafa (Falun Gong) Exercises
LOCATION 1: Fort Hamilton Library, 9424 Fourth Ave., Brooklyn
Thursdays 11 a.m.–12:30 p.m., through Sept. 22
LOCATION 2: McKinley Park Library at 6802 Fort Hamilton Pkwy., Brooklyn
Thursdays 6 p.m.–7:30 p.m., through Sept. 29
A class of five exercises including meditation. Come relieve your stress and anxieties, increase your energy and vitality, and enjoy peace of mind. Free. en.FalunDafa.org
VISUAL ARTS
NEW IN MANHATTAN
The Battle of Brooklyn
Sept. 23–Jan. 8
New York Historical Society, 170 Central Park West
On Aug. 27, 1776, on the marshy fields of Gowanus and Red Hook, George Washington and his rag-tag army of untrained soldiers fought the Royal Army, one of the most powerful military forces in the world. NYHistory.org
Jerusalem 1000–1400: Every People Under Heaven
Sept. 26–Jan. 8, 2017
The Met Fifth Avenue, Gallery 899
This exhibition will illuminate the key role that the Holy City played in shaping the art of the period from 1000 to 1400. While Jerusalem is often described as a city of three faiths, that formulation underestimates its fascinating complexity. In fact, the city was home to multiple cultures, faiths, and languages. History records harmonious and dissonant voices of people from many lands, passing in the narrow streets of a city not much larger than midtown Manhattan. $12–$25 suggested. METMuseum.org
The Gentleman With the Red Bow Tie
Oct. 6, 6 p.m.
Russian Orthodox Cathedral, 59 E. Secnd St.
The Unveiling of Johnny Maroney’s portrait by Fernando Martin Diez Cabeza. Art soiree with live music.
Valentin de Boulogne: Beyond Caravaggio
Oct. 7–Jan. 16
The Met Fifth Avenue in Gallery 999
This will be the first monographic exhibition devoted to Valentin, who is little known because his career was short-lived—he died at age 41—and his works are so rare. Around 60 paintings by Valentin survive, and this exhibition will bring together 45 of them, with works coming from Rome, Vienna, Munich, Madrid, London, and Paris. $12–$25 suggested. METMuseum.org
ONGOING IN MANHATTAN
Ceramics by Francis Delille Editions Paris
Through Sept. 30
Vallois America, 27 E. 67th St.
Ceramics will showcase a selection of rare pieces of the most prominent contemporary ceramics artists, all produced in La Tuilerie Manufacture in France, a workshop dedicated to preserving the traditions and pushing the limits of ceramic work. Vallois.com
Lost in Old New York
Through Oct. 1
Museum of the City of New York
The Museum of the City of New York is offering museumgoers a chance to travel back to the 19th and 20th centuries with Lost In Old New York , an interactive installation of eight classic images of to the city’s most iconic locations. From the beaches of Staten and Coney Islands and the old Penn Station to the 1939 World’s Fair, Lost In Old New York celebrates the places that, for well over a century, helped New York become a world-class city. MCNY.org
Watteau’s Soldiers: Scenes of Military Life in 18th Century France
Through Oct. 2
The Frick Collection
Most know Jean-Antoine Watteau as a painter of amorous aristocrats and melancholy actors, a dreamer of exquisite parklands and impossibly refined fêtes. Few artists would seem further removed from the misery of war. And yet, early in his short career, Watteau created a number of military scenes—about a dozen paintings and some thirty drawings. Frick.org
Citizen Soldier: Ebenezer Stevens and the American Revolution
Through Oct. 2
New York Historical Society, 170 Central Park West
Ebenezer Stevens, a Lieutenant Colonel in the Continental Army, rose through the officer ranks during the Revolutionary War and participated in pivotal events like the Boston Tea Party and the battles of Saratoga and Yorktown. His life and military career are explored through objects from New-York Historical’s collection, including Stevens’ Society of Cincinnati badge and officer’s tailcoat, in addition to selections from New-York Historical’s manuscripts and prints collection. NYHistory.org
Kogei: Contemporary Japanese Art
Through Oct. 8
Onishi Gallery, 521 W. 26th St.
Even more than a display of the exquisite artistry of over 30 Japanese contemporary artists, this exhibition introduces into the international art market “Kogei”—a category of art object translated from Japanese as “Art Crafts.” This category of “Art Crafts” has specific qualifications, and refers to a class of artistic creations produced with advanced technical skill and refined design aesthetics. OnishiGallery.com
Masterpieces of Chinese Painting
Through Oct. 11
Metropolitan Museum of Art
Over the last forty years, the Metropolitan’s collection of Chinese painting and calligraphy has grown to be one of the greatest in the world. Replete with masterpieces dating from the Tang dynasty (608–917) to the present, the collection encompasses the vast historical sweep of the brush arts of China, from serene Buddhist scriptures to bombastic court portraits to lyrical scholars’ paintings. This exhibition, presented in two rotations, will highlight the gems of the permanent collection in a chronological display, with an emphasis on works from the Song (960–1279) and Yuan (1271–1368) dynasties. $12–$25 suggested. METMuseum.org
ONGOING ELSEWHERE
Manifesto
Through Sept. 25
634 Park Ave., Brooklyn
Drawing on more than 50 manifestos by artists, architects, choreographers, and filmmakers, this highly theatrical cinematic installation by cinematographer and video artist Julian Rosefeldt reinterprets these famous texts as poetic monologues that are brought to life by Academy Award-winner Cate Blanchett. $20. ArmoryOnPark.org
PERFORMING ARTS
NEW IN MANHATTAN
Balanchine B&W: All Stravinsky
Sept. 21–Oct. 8
David H. Koch Theater, Lincoln Center
Highlighting a signature NYCB style, this collection of boundary breaking ballets celebrates the apex of the Stravinsky/Balanchine collaboration, each work a streamlined marvel of music and movement that continues to astonish decades after its creation. $30–$175. NYCBallet.com
Bound for Broadway
Sept. 26, 7:30 p.m.
Merkin Concert Hall, 129 W. 67th St.
Want to see the next Avenue Q or Hamilton before anyone else? Don’t miss Bound for Broadway! An annual event eagerly anticipated by New York’s most serious and knowledgeable musical theater fans, this performance previews some of the best new musicals headed to New York theaters. KaufmanMusicCenter.org
Tristan und Isolde
Sept. 26–Oct. 27
Metropolitan Opera
Tristan und Isolde opens the Met season in a new production by Mariusz Trelinski (the director responsible for the 2014–15 season’s double bill of Iolanta and Bluebeard’s Castle), and will be well served by a cast of outstanding Wagnerians: Nina Stemme as Isolde, Stuart Skelton as Tristan, Ekaterina Gubanova as Brangäne, and René Pape as King Marke, with Sir Simon Rattle conducting, in one of his rare appearances at the Met. From $27. MetOpera.org
Don Giovanni
Sept. 27–May 11
Metropolitan Opera
Three charismatic singers, Simon Keenlyside, Ildar Abdrazakov, and Mariusz Kwiecien, share the role of the title hero, who goes to hell in a dazzling coup de théâtre. From $25. MetOpera.org
Jewels
Sept 28.–Oct. 2
David H. Koch Theater
Inspired by a visit to Van Cleef & Arpels, this full-length masterwork manifests the multifaceted opulence of three coveted stones to awe-inducing effect. Sight and sound conjoin in a brilliant display of music and mood, eliciting audible gasps from every audience. $30–$175. NYCBallet.com
La Bohème
Sept. 28–Jan. 14
Metropolitan Opera
The Met presents its spectacular Zeffirelli production,with multiple excellent casts: Ailyn Pérez and Kristine Opolais are paired with Dmytro Popov, Piotr Beczala, and Michael Fabiano, as the young Parisian lovers at the center of the story. Susanna Phillips, David Bizic, and Massimo Cavalletti also star. Carlo Rizzi and Marco Armiliato conduct. From $25. MetOpera.org
NYTB: Carnival of the Animals
Oct. 1 at 3 p.m.
Schimmel Center at 3 Spruce St.
In a magical forest, Queen Diana and her shaggy lion rule a charming assortment of animals who live more or less peaceably until a pair of lost children wander in, and then the fun begins! $10 children, $20 adults. SchimmelCenter.org
L'Italiana in Algeri
Oct. 4–Oct. 29
Metropolitan Opera
James Levine conducts this comedy of a feisty Italian girl turning the tables on her bumbling captors via Rossini’s blend of madness and fun. Mezzo-soprano Elizabeth DeShong is poised to conquer the title role, opposite tenor René Barbera and baritone Nicola Alaimo. Bass-baritone Ildar Abdrazakov plays the pasha who is overcome by love and pasta. From $25. MetOpera.org
Danspace Project: Legends & Visionaries
Oct. 6–7 at 8pm
St. Mark’s Church-in-the-Bowery, 131 E. 10th St.
The evenings will include the World Premiere of a new piece by Antonia Franceschi set to an original musical score by Claire van Kampen. Also featured in the program is Jerome Robbins’ Antique Epigraphs set to Debussy’s “6 Epigraphes Antiques,” staged by Kyra Nichols, and Song Before Spring choreographed by Zhong-Jing Fang. DanspaceProject.org
MUSIC
NEW IN MANHATTAN
Creators in Concert: Matthew Aucoin, Composer
Sept. 29, 7 p.m.
330 Seventh Ave.
The composer, conductor, pianist and writer Matthew Aucoin becomes artist-in-residence this season at Los Angeles Opera, a position that will culminate in a world-premiere opera in 2019. Aucoin’s oeuvre as a composer extends from solo piano to opera to chamber and orchestral music. $10 members, $25 non-members. OperaAmerica.org/onstage
Mark Schultz: An Evening of Stories and Song
Oct. 5 at 7:30 p.m.
Schimmel Center at 3 Spruce St.
Join Dove Award winner Mark Schultz for an intimate evening of inspirational stories and song. Selling over 1 million albums and with 10, 1 songs Mark Schultz is a powerful performer not to be missed. $29, and $49 meet-and-greet. SchimmelCenter.org
ONGOING IN MANHATTAN
Piano in Bryant Park
Upper Terrace
Mon.–Fri., 12:30 p.m.–2:30 p.m., through Sept. 30
Summertime, and the livin‘ is easy... so swing on by for toe-tappin’ performances by New York’s finest, playing ragtime, stride, and jazz to your and My Heart’s Delight. Free. BryantPark.org
Spiral Music
Wednesdays
Rubin Museum, 150 W. 17th St.
Spiral Music presents acoustic music every Wednesday evening at the base of the museum’s spiral staircase. Artists who specialize in music from the Himalayas and South Asia are invited to forge a connection between their music and the art in the galleries. Free. RubinMuseum.org
NEW ELSEWHERE
New York Polyphony (5BMF)
Sept. 24, 7:30 p.m. at Christ Church Riverdale, the Bronx
Sept. 25, 5 p.m. at Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church, Staten Island
The ensemble performs a mix of Renaissance and contemporary music, in a program entitled Passion, featuring works by Compere, Andrew Smith, de Penalosa and Kreek. 5BMF.org