This playlist contains content from our Just Kidding programing. The best in family-friendly music, theatre, dance and a whole lot more – all the cultural riches and inspiring experiences that affirm why you raise your kids in New York City.

Just Kidding Playlist

Playlist of our Uptown Showdown content. Two teams of comedians, writers and performers square off in head-to-head debates that tackle some of the most important issues of our time, such as which decade was the coolest—the eighties or the nineties, is cake really better than pie and who would win in a showdown pirates or ninjas? Forget about school reform and health care, these issues, heatedly argued by some of the funniest, smartest, intensely wacky creative thinkers around, are the topics that keep us awake at night.

Uptown Showdown Playlist

Playlist of our Thalia Book Clubs and other literature events happening at Symphony Space. Compelling stories, revealing conversations, and unforgettable performances. Our Literature series includes something for everyone. Learn more about your favorite authors at Thalia Book Club and Thalia Kids' Book Club.

Thalia Book Club and Literature Playlist

Music programing at Symphony Space. From cutting-edge classical to world sounds, Symphony Space is home to a broad spectrum of music, including Steinway Salon, Just Kidding, and performances in Bar Thalia, as well as exciting events woven into each of the four Projects.

Music Programing Playlist

This playlist consists of our series Secret Science Club North.The Secret Science Club is a science lecture, arts, and performance series based in Brooklyn.

The SSC hosts live science events for the general public, featuring subjects ranging from Black Holes and Dinosaurs to Human Evolution and the Human Brain. Every month, leading scientists give talks on discoveries in their fields and unleash their research on an inquisitive audience.

In 2014, The Secret Science Club extended its borders NORTH to Symphony Space in Manhattan, bringing great science programming to a broader audience and continuing to give the public direct access to scientific information “straight from the horses’ mouths."

Secret Science Club Playlist

From the Wall to Wall: Leonard Bernstein event at Symphony Space

Candide Overture - Leonard Bernstein

From a past Elizabeth Mitchell performance @ Symphony Space

Bling-Blang - Elizabeth Mitchell

We were saddened to hear that the remarkable singer Lhasa de Sela succumbed to breast cancer at age 37. Her performance at Symphony Space in the Fall of 2005 truly embodied our eclectic spirit, taking cues from Gypsy music, French cabaret, Mexican rancheras, and American country ballads. Listen to the concert here and find out why this explosive artist will be so deeply missed. <a title="theglobeandmail.com" href="http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/arts/lhasa-de-sela-her-songs-like-her-life-went-everywhere/article1420009/">Click here</a> to read an appreciation from Canda's Globe and Mail. The Boston Globe calls Lhasa "the ultimate global chanteuse" while the New York Daily News describes her music as combining "the lyricism of Tom Waits, the dark tones of Nick Cave and the sensuality of Kate Bush." Taking her cues from Gypsy music, French cabaret, Mexican rancheras and American country ballads, her music is explosive.
With violin, accordion, trumpet, tuba, sousaphone, theremin, bouzouki, piano and percussion backing the soaring and heartbreaking vocals of Nick Urata, DeVotchKa's sound is transcendent. For this special show, DeVotchKa play as a duo, spotlighting urgent and tragic vocals and classically trained violin.

De Cara a la Pared - Lhasa and DeVotchKa

El Desierto - Lhasa and DeVotchKa

The indie-rock singer-songwriter performs work from his acclaimed albums, Greetings from Michigan and Illinoise, as well as new arrangements of other favorites. In this performance his intimate, guitar-based band is backed by string and brass ensembles.

Chicago - Sufjan Stevens

Created fifty years ago, this collective has stayed true to its mission to enrich the heritage of the Bulgarian solo folk song by highlighting its beautiful timbres and irregular rhythms.

Ergen Deda - Le Mystere des Voix Bulgares

Danyova Maika - Le Mystere des Voix Bulgares

A feast of dances and songs from the four corners of the Celtic world, featuring fiddlers Kevin Burke, Christian LeMaitre and Andre Brunet, Irish singer Karan Casey and the UK ensemble called Flook.
&ldquo;The Celts&hellip;&rdquo; says host Stefon Harris, &ldquo;may speak in different tongues, but musically they have a common language. From Brittany to Gallicia, Scotland to Arcadia, and the Isle of Man to Ireland &ndash; the people who once ruled Europe have also done extraordinary things with their fiddles, their pipes, and their bows.&rdquo;

House of Little Lights, Souter Creek - A Celtic Celebration

The winner of four Parents' Choice Gold awards, Justin Roberts crafts songs that are rich with humor and insight capturing children's everyday lives with songs about temper tantrums, younger siblings, family pets, and more. He has been compared to James Taylor, Elvis Costello, Loudon Wainwright III, and even Green Day - and yet his style and songwriting are truly unique.
"On your feet fun and laugh-out-loud funny." -People Magazine

Justin Roberts & The Not Ready For Naptime Players  - Justin Roberts and the Not Ready For Naptime Players

The infectious pop band Bubble create the sights and sounds of the Beatles for the whole family, just in time for John Lennon's birthday. This year's performance of Magical Mystery Tour, regarded by many as one of the Beatles very best albums, recreates the album in its entirety and provides the perfect opportunity to introduce the kids to the magic and wonder of the Fab Four.
"Bubble will give you pop-band goose bumps." -Time Out New York
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Baby, You're a Rich Man - Bubble Do Beatles: Magical Mystery Tour

Anne-Marie McDermott offers her only New York solo performance of select Chopin piano music, and is also joined by the compelling young mezzo-soprano Marta Wryk and renowned international cellist Rafal Jezierski for a lyrical and passionate set of cello-piano works and rarely performed songs.
"Anne-Marie McDermott has technique to burn and a fierce commitment to every note; she offers highly individual performances which none the less remain scrupulously true to the composer." - Gramophone
This performance is in honor of the bicentennial anniversary of Frederic Chopin's birth.
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Frederic Chopin was born to a French father and Polish mother near Warsaw, Poland in 1810 and began performing and composing at a very young age. His first composition was written at age seven. He began growing in popularity outside Poland in 1830, after the publishing of his Variations, Op. 2, for piano and orchestra on Mozart's "La ci darem la mano." The work prompted contemporary composer Robert Schumann to declare him "a genius." Chopin left Poland soon thereafter for Paris, France. He debuted on February 26, 1832 at the age of 21 to an audience that included Franz Liszt, Felix Mendelssohn and Luigi Cherubini.
Chopin composed almost exclusively for piano. His catalogue is one the most profound and influential ever written for the instrument. His legacy includes 20 nocturnes, 25 preludes, 17 waltzes, 15 polonaises, 58 mazukas and 27 etudes. Chopin died on October 17, 1849 in Paris at the unfortunate young age of 39. 
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1. Mazurka in B flat Major op. 17 No. 1 - A Singular Chopin Recital

Tonight&rsquo;s concert, Jazz Greats of the Upper West Side, is the culmination of Symphony Space&rsquo;s two-week celebration, Upper West Fest. This annual spring festival, sponsored by Zabar&rsquo;s celebrates the artists and cultural institutions of the Upper West Side. Featuring: Being a West-Sider myself, I know there are hundreds of great jazz performers who are or have been my neighbors. As a producer of jazz music, I also know what talented and exciting musicians they are. When I heard that the celebration was being sponsored by Zabar&rsquo;s, and since Stanly Zabar and I were classmates in high school, I immediately saw an opportunity to showcase the great artistry of some of my musicians friends. I called Stanley, and within a couple of days I was talking to the Executive Director of Symphony Space, Cynthia Elliott, who informed me that I was now charged with producing the benefit concert! We are delighted to have Harry Belafonte hosting this event and are privileged to honor long-time West-Sider and one of the greatest jazz drummers of all time, Max Roach. I am thrilled to tell you that I have assembled an all-star cast including most of the reed section of The Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra &ndash; Walter Blanding Jr., Ted Nash, and Joe Temperley &ndash; supported by a rhythm section that includes bassist, composer and vocalist Jay Leonhardt, drummer Eddie Locke, and pianist Richard Wyands. Also appearing are Lew Tabackin, with drummer Mark Taylor and bassist Boris Kozlov. And two long-time West-siders and great guitarists &ndash; Peter Bernstein and jack Wilkins &ndash; along with saxophonist Jerry Dodgion and vocalist Jay Clayton, will help to make the evening extraordinary. As a special treat, making Symphony Space debut will be &ldquo;far West-Sider&rdquo; (California. Actually) &ndash; pianist Roger Kellaway, the composer of Come to the Meadow, theme music for Selected Shorts, Symphony Space&rsquo;s signature literature program. Thank you for supporting Symphony Space by joining us for this wonderful evening of celebration, recognition and, most importantly, Jazz.
Sincerely yours, Paul J. Weinstein

Saxophone Solo - Jazz Greats of the Upper West Side

The Sidney Bechet Society presents an exciting jam session on the Symphony Space stage.

The Blues My Naughty Sweetie Gives to Me - The Sidney Bechet Society Presents an Exciting Jam Session

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The Sidney Bechet Society presents trumpeter&nbsp;Byron Stripling's Hot Jazz Band plus a 90th birthday salute to pianist&nbsp;Marty Napoleon. Byron Stripling is returning for an encore performance after his amazing 2010 Sidney Bechet Society concert.&nbsp;
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All of Me - The Sidney Bechet Society Presents Trumpeter Byron Stripling's Hot Jazz Band

Young Concert Artists celebrates its 50th anniversary with over 100 superstar performers including Emanuel Ax, Borromeo Quartet, Carter Brey, Claremont Trio, Sasha Cooke, Jeremy Denk, Jupiter Quartet, Christopher O'Riley, Vassily Primakov, and many more. The marathon encompasses Bach, Stravinsky, Takemitsu, and Schoenfield, as well as favorite works including Granados' Goyescas and Mendelssohn's Octet.
In collaboration with Young Concert Artists. *This program is not available in its entirety.

32. Schumann - Piano Quintet in E flat major, Op. 44 - II. In modo d'una marcia. Un poco largamente

Hold off on the wrapping for one more weekend and melt into your seat as beloved WQXR personality Naomi Lewin hosts this annual Symphony Space holiday favorite. The Symphony Space All-Stars perform some of the world's most glorious music--all six Brandenburg Concertos of J.S. Bach. This is what the season's all about!

Brandenberg Concerto No. 4 in G major - Basically Brandenburg with the Symphony Space All-Stars 2011

New York Chamber Music Festival presents, in a co-production with Symphony Space, a commemorative tribute to the 10th Anniversary of September 11. Hosted by B.D. Wong, this free concert, performed by musicians from the New York Philharmonic and the Metropolitan Opera, is dedicated to the people of New York City. The evening's program includes specially selected music and poetry poignant to the events of 9/11, and will feature appearances by some of New York's most illustrious artists, actors, athletes and politicians,&nbsp;such as John McEnroe, Tamara Tunie, Jon Faddis, David Hazeltine, Pascal Roge, Anne-Marie McDermott, David Amram, Joan Copeland, Octavio Brunetti, Simon Mulligan, Alan Stepansky, Lera Auerbach, Scott Dunn, Ami Roge, Jon Deak, Craig Mumm, Howard Wall, Tomoko Kanamaru, Patricia Zuber, Elmira Darvarova, Mary Ann Mumm, Frank Messina, Isaiah Sheffer.&nbsp;Spoken tributes will be offered by Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor,&nbsp;Police Commissioner Raymond Kelly, Rev. Al Sharpton and others.

Franz Lizst, The Blessing of God in Solitude - September 11 Tenth Anniversary Commemorative Concert

Hailed by The New York Times as "a rising star in the world of children's music," and The Chicago Tribune as "among the kid-rock royalty," Justin Roberts' vocal style has been compared to James Taylor, Elvis Costello, Loudon Wainwright III , and even Green Day! With clever, funny songs dealing with important issues a young child might face (the horrors of school picture day, making friends with the monster under the bed) Roberts' lyrics are rich with sharp, comedic insight that make his shows a Symphony Space favorite year after year.
"Comic and soulful songs with creative, unique twists and turns that parents will enjoy as much as children." -LA Times

Pop Fly - Justin Roberts and the Not Ready for Naptime Players

Pablo Ziegler, the master of Argentine Nuevo Tango music, who has dazzled Europe, Japan, Canada, Amsterdam, and Turkey with his sultry mix of tango and jazz performances, joins us for this concert appearance. This exciting evening with Ziegler at the piano and musicians on bandone&oacute;on, percussion, strings, and more, features classical renditions of works from Ziegler&rsquo;s eight stellar recordings.

Soledad - Carlos Gardel - Pablo Ziegler: Beyond Tango

Jomama Jones ignites the Summer of 2011 with a dynamic evening of song featuring material from her recent albums, Lone Star and Radiate. The legendary expatriate chanteuse sings original songs of transformation, resilience and love, backed by her band, and her backing vocalists, The Sweet Peaches, led by musical director Bobby Halvorson. True to Jomama's playful nature, there will likely be a surprise or two in store for all.
Jones's appearance at Symphony Space follows her triumphant comeback at Soho Rep from January of this year. The series of performances were sold-out smashes, winning audience and critical acclaim:
"Sultry Amazon" -The New York Times
"Wonderfully Unique" NY1
"Jomama is a woman with a mission" -The Feminist Spectator.
So come out and celebrate the longest days of the year with an ecstatic evening of music in the presence of a woman whom Backstage calls "A true theatrical original."
Featuring:
Jomama Jones - lead vocals Helga Davis - backing vocals Sonja Perryman - backing vocals Bobby Halvorson - musical director and guitar Sean Dixon - drums Michael O'Brien - bass Ted Cruz - keys Brandon Lewis - trumpet
and a special guest appearance by Daniel Dodd Ellis.
&nbsp;

I Wish, Stevie Wonder, Songs In the Key of Life - Jomama Jones: Endless Summer Live

Rajasthan, the "land of kings" in northwestern India and home of the great Thar Desert, has one of the liveliest folk traditions in India. Its music and dance is richly varied, representing the distinctive styles of the different groups that make up this desert land. The Langas ("song givers") and Manganiyars are groups of hereditary professional musicians whose music has been supported by wealthy landlords and aristocrats for generations. Their styles and repertoires differ, shaped by the tasted of their patrons. Though both communities are made up of Muslim musicians, many of their songs are in praise of Hindu deities and celebrate Hindu festivals such as Diwali and Holi. The Manganiyar performers traditionally invoke the Hindu god Krishna and seek his blessings before beginning their recital. At one time, the Manganiyars were musicians of the Rajput courts accompanying their chiefs to war and providing them with entertainment before and after the battles. The Langas, from the Barmer district of Rajasthan, seem to have converted from Hinduism to Islam in the 17th century. Traditionally, Sufi influences prevented them from using percussion instruments; however, the Langas are versatile players of the Sindhi sarangi and the algoza double flute. The Sindhi sarangi used by the Langas is made up of four main strings, with more than twenty vibrating sympathetic strings that help to create its distinctive haunting tones. The bowing of this instrument is often supported by the sound of the ghungroos (ankles bells) that are tied to the bow to make the beat more prominent. The dances in tonight's concert come from the court tradition of Rajasthan and are performed during social ceremonies. The Kalapriya Dancers choreograph deft patterns with their hands and use movements of ghoomar. Ghoomar, a community dance of the Rajputs performed by the women of the house and traditionally out of bounds for men, uses simple swaying movements to convey the spirit of any auspicious occasion. There is an amazing grace as the skirts flare slowly while the women twirl in circles, their faces covered by the veil. The dances are performed to lyrics of the 16th century saint-poetess Meera, who sang about her spiritual love for the Lord Krishna.

Track 11 - Rupayan with the Kalapriya Dancers

Natacha Atlas will perform a roots-oriented repertoire which includes songs of Fairuz and Abdel Halim Hafez and classical versions of her own songs. The program will include selections from her most recent CD, Mish Maoul (Beggard Banquet).

Mon Amie La Rose - From Arab Roots to World Sounds: Natacha Atlas

Instrumental - Fado of Portugal: Ana Moura

Fado Menor - Fado of Portugal: Ana Moura

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This Grammy-nominated kid rock star and his band return for their annual blow-out concerts. With style compared to Elvis Costello and Green Day, they're an audience favorite year after year!
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- Justin Roberts and the Not Ready for Naptime Players 2013

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At the next installment of the wacky debate series,&nbsp;a team including&nbsp;Hot Tub'sKristen Schaal&nbsp;(30 Rock&nbsp;and&nbsp;Flight of the Concords) and&nbsp;Kurt Braunohler(host of IFC's Bunk) face off against a team led byChristian Finnegan&nbsp;(VH1's Best Week Ever) with&nbsp;Myq Kaplan&nbsp;(Last Comic Standing) and&nbsp;Bob Powers&nbsp;(Happy Cruelty Day) in this quirky take-off on the old school debate team. Hosted by&nbsp;Matthew Love&nbsp;(Comedy Editor&nbsp;Time Out New York).
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Play the Show  - Uptown Showdown: Babies vs. Old People with Kristen Schaal and Kurt Braunohler

Just Kidding: Justin Roberts and the Not Ready for Naptime Players - Just Kidding: Justin Roberts and the Not Ready For Naptime Players - November 2013

Angel Reda - Ring-a-Ding-Ding - Frank Sinatra at 100

Einstein's General Theory of Relativity with Astrophysicist Jason Kalirai

- Secret Science Club North: Whats that Smell? with Neuroscientist Leslie Vosshall

You never know what to expect at this bi-monthly, wacky debate series that brings together two teams of comedians, writers and performers to face-off on a chosen topic, such as which pet is superior cats or dogs and is it better to be comfortable or fashionable? This installment features debaters Sasheer Zamata (Saturday Night Live), Seth Lind (This American Life), Kenny DeForest (Comedy at the Knitting Factory), Sue Smith (Best Week Ever), Kevin Townley (The Talent Show Brand Variety Show) and Chase Mitchell (The Tonight Show Staring Jimmy Fallon).

Uptown Showdown Manhattan vs. Brooklyn

Rick Moody (The Ice Storm), Dinaw Mengestu (All Our Names), and Saeed Jones (Prelude to Bruise) lead a spirited discussion of Baldwin’s classic set in 1950s Paris about a man torn between a woman and another man. With a reading by Malcolm Gets (Grey Gardens).

Thalia Book Club: James Baldwin's Giovanni's Room

Brian Selznick, author and illustrator of Wonderstruck and The Invention of Hugo Cabret, which was adapted into the film Hugo by Martin Scorsese, discusses his new book, The Marvels. Two seemingly unrelated stories—one in words, the other in pictures—come together in a story filled with mystery, vibrant characters, surprise twists, heartrending beauty, and Selznick’s most arresting art to date. This event will include readings from the novel, a look at the book's magnificent artwork, and original music written and performed by Lucas Elliot Eberl. Actress Barbara Barrie will read from selected works by William Shakespeare, who served as inspiration for The Marvels.

Thalia Kids Book Club- Brian Selznick's The Marvels

Think the friction between red states and blue states is rough? Try checking out the culture wars over “proper" English. In this special talk coinciding with the release of his new book Words on the Move, linguist and master observer of American culture John McWhorter examines and parses our shape-shifting language and explores why some of the tensions over Lingua Americana may be central to our identities and views about culture and race in America.

Secret Science Club: Words on the Move

Beauty fades, but nobody swipes right after seeing your 120 I.Q. In this knock-down, drag-out comedic debate with two teams of comics.  Aparna Nancherla (Selected Shorts: Too Hot for Radio), Shalewa Sharpe (Stay Eating Cookies), Melissa Villaseñor (Saturday Night Live), Joel Kim Booster (Conan), Chris Duffy (You're the Expert), and Matteo Lane (Girl Code) go head-to-head to determine which makes better people--cleverness or comeliness. Whether you walk in feeling like a smart cookie or eye candy, after this witty war of words you'll know whether it's better to grasp the ineffable or just be effable.

You never know what to expect at this bi-monthly, wacky debate series that brings together two teams of comedians, writers and performers to argue a chosen topic, such as which pet is superior cats or dogs and is it better to be comfortable or fashionable? Debaters will argue these lingering questions, drawing from historical fact and personal-opinion in equal measure, and with plenty of silliness and audience participation. Forget about school reform and health care, these issues, heatedly argued by some of the funniest, smartest, intensely wacky creative thinkers around, are the topics that keep us awake at night...in a good way. Winner decided by the audience.

Uptown Showdown Brains v. Beauty

Comb-over or Pantsuit?
Infantile Narcissist or Scheming Insider?
The 2016 election is shaping up to be the most divisive and controversial campaign in modern history, and Uptown Showdown is here to flip your established visions of the candidates on their heads.

A terrific cast of comedians including Peter Grosz (Late Night With Seth Meyers), Kevin Allison (Risk!), Dan Wilbur (Better Book Titles), Halle Kiefer (Vulture), Mehran Khaghani (Last Comic Standing), and Emma Willmann (First Time podcast) take to the podium to debate the future of our country and nothing less than civilization itself. You'll leave knowing which box you'll tick in November, and after some laughs and a few drinks, it might not be for the gal you walked in with....

You never know what to expect at this bi-monthly, wacky debate series that brings together two teams of comedians, writers and performers to argue a chosen topic, such as which pet is superior cats or dogs and is it better to be comfortable or fashionable? Debaters will argue these lingering questions, drawing from historical fact and personal-opinion in equal measure, and with plenty of silliness and audience participation. Forget about school reform and health care, these issues, heatedly argued by some of the funniest, smartest, intensely wacky creative thinkers around, are the topics that keep us awake at night....in a good way. Winner decided by the audience.

Uptown Showdown: Hillary vs. Trump

Join evolutionary biologist and best-selling author Richard Dawkins to commemorate the 40th anniversary of The Selfish Gene and a lifetime of thinking and writing about science. Starting with The Selfish Gene—his classic exposition of evolutionary thought—Richard Dawkins gives a gene’s eye view of evolution that is imaginative, powerful, and stylistically brilliant.

Are our bodies merely vehicles for ensuring the immortality of our genes? How can selfish genes support kindness and altruism? Why does our understanding of the evolution of life matter?

The anniversary celebration continues and expands as Richard Dawkins discusses marking the 30th anniversary of the publication of The Blind Watchmaker, the 20th anniversary of Climbing Mount Improbable, and the 10th anniversary of The God Delusion.

As our knowledge of the genome grows by leaps and bounds in the 21st century, Richard Dawkins continues to change and challenge our view of Earth’s life forms and our own human experience.

Secret Science Club: Richard Dawkins

Symphony Space proudly presents the world premiere of an electrifying live musical reading from Ned and Constance Sublette’s powerful new book, The American Slave Coast: A History of the Slave-Breeding Industry, winner of the 2016 American Book Award.

Ned Sublette, acclaimed author of Cuba and Its Music and The World That Made New Orleans, will direct a cast of readers—including Jonathan Demme, Nona Hendryx, Carl Hancock Rux, Kandia Crazy Horse, and Lezlie Harrison—who will bring the book’s many voices to life. Renowned New Orleans composer, musician, and bandleader Donald Harrison will compose, improvise, and direct a live musical counterpoint.

This urgent work reframes our shared history at a particularly dramatic moment in our American lives.

The American Slave Coast: Live

Kasparov vs. Deep Blue. Sarah Connor vs. the Terminator. Robert Smith vs. Mecha-Streisand. If history teaches us anything, it's that robots and people do not get along. Come see humankind make its final stand against technology and automation, as two teams of New York's best comics debate which is superior: Humans or Machines?

This installment features Dave Hill (Dave Hill Doesn't Live Here Anymore), Carolyn Castiglia (Right Now!), Josh Gondelman (Last Week Tonight with John Oliver), Ophira Eisenberg (Ask Me Another), Alex Marino (The Daily Show) and Chris Duffy (You're the Expert).  

You never know what to expect at this bi-monthly, wacky debate series that brings together two teams of comedians, writers and performers to argue a chosen topic, such as which pet is superior cats or dogs and is it better to be comfortable or fashionable? Debaters will argue these lingering questions, drawing from historical fact and personal-opinion in equal measure, and with plenty of silliness and audience participation. Forget about school reform and health care, these issues, heatedly argued by some of the funniest, smartest, intensely wacky creative thinkers around, are the topics that keep us awake at night....in a good way. Winner decided by the audience.

Uptown Showdown Humans vs Machines

Our adult literacy program All Write! fosters a unique and inspirational learning experience.  This multifaceted program offers: exposure to great literature, an exciting and bonding theater experience, alternative and creative strategies for engaging with challenging fiction and poetry, and a way to propel students to enthusiastically write their own.

All Write! Adult Literacy Program 2017

A hip-shaking, head-bopping morning of music for the cool family crowd from Latin GRAMMY winner Lucky Diaz and the Family Jam Band. With an audience base growing by the second (and not just in height!), Lucky and crew are known for inspiring dance parties all around the country!

Thingamajig

Lines and Dots

Monkey Jones

Blue Bear - Lucky Diaz and the Family Jam Band

Pinata Attack

Lisa Moore performs a special program, The Pleasure of Being Lost, curated by John Luther Adams. The program includes a world premiere by Michael Byron, and music by Peter Garland, Lois V Vierk, Jim Fox, David Mahler, Lou Harrison, and Adams himself.

Part of the John Luther Adams Residency

Tukiliit (2012) by John Luther Adams (b. 1953)

Say hello to your little friends—all 100 trillion of them. Enjoy an evening of riveting conversation and science-themed cocktails in a fun, informal setting, as microbiologist Dr. Martin Blaser explores new research on the human microbiome (the 1,000 or so microbial species that inhabit our noses, mouths, guts, and skin), the dangers posed to our health by the overuse of antibiotics, and how obesity, asthma, diabetes, and even mood swings may be linked to changes in our microbiota.

Secret Science Club: Marvels of the Microbiome

American Composers Orchestra: Parables

A night of spoken word performance inspired by the poetry of the Beat Generation and revolutionary artists like Gil Scott-Heron and the Last Poets. With performances by spoken word artists Dr. Jamila Lyiscott, Karl "Dice Raw" Jenkins, Nancy Mercado, and alumni artists from Urban Word NYC: Ish, Alyssa "Lady Logic" Saunders, and Jadon Woodard. Event also includes a short music performance by beatboxer Rahzel and violist Martha Mooke.

The evening ends with an open mic Poetry Slam! Bring the words, Rahzel will bring the beats!

The Beat of the Poets: Spoken Word Performance

Was Lady Gaga right? Are we Born This Way? Or did Bowie nail it when he wrote Changes? As our two teams of comedians debate Nature vs. Nurture, it won't matter whether they decide it's in the genes or upbringing—we're guessing they'll still blame their parents. John Fugelsang (Tell Me Everything), Krystyna Hutchinson (Guys We F*cked podcast), David Rees (Election Profit Makers), Anna Drezen (Saturday Night Live), Jeffrey Joseph (The Wrong Mr. Johnson), and Kevin Townley (The Talent Show) will debate the age-old question. 

Hosted by Matthew Love.

Uptown Showdown: Nature vs. Nurture

Klara Min performs virtuosic and expressive preludes by Scriabin and Chopin, alongside Sean Hickey's meditative Birds of Barclay Street, dedicated to the victims of 9/11.

Birds of Barclay Street by Sean Hickey

Preludes, Op. 11 by Alexander Scriabin

Preludes, Op. 28 by Frédéric Chopin

The Russian Lullaby - Avalon Jazz Band

“...it is not permissible that the authors of devastation should also be innocent.
It is the innocence which constitutes the crime.”

–James Baldwin

“A Letter to My Nephew” written by James Baldwin, 1962.  

Read by Christopher Jackson at Symphony Space, 2019.

Tragically still true, 2020.

Black lives matter. Unequivocally.  

We are committed to this—in thought, in action,
in our communities, in our world.

James Baldwin's "A Letter to My Nephew" performed by Christopher Jackson

Georgia Buck - The Carolina Chocolate Drops

Peze Kafé - Creole Choir Of Cuba

March On - Lakecia Benjamin And Soul Squad

Slide B - Soule Monde

Bug Juice - The Du - Rites

Hole In One - Delvon Lamarr Organ Trio

In 2016, friends Michael Ian Black and Mo Rocca joined us for a Thalia Book Club in celebration of Black's memoir Navel Gazing: True Tales of Bodies, Mostly Mine (but also my mom's, which I know sounds weird). As the book jacket warns: "You'll laugh, you'll cry, you'll call your mom."

Michael Ian Black's "Navel Gazing" with Mo Rocca

Tropical Island - Asheba

Day At The  Beach - Bari Koral Family Rock Band

Enjoy the best of Symphony Space's music, literature, comedy and family shows. Listen free on your computer or mobile device. Symphony Space was founded almost 40 years ago in the belief that the arts bring people together, transcend barriers, and celebrate both our similarities and our differences. That belief remains our guiding principle and is more important now than ever. Your generosity during the Covid19 crisis will help us continue to provide great programs free of charge. Thank you for your support.

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