NYC - March Free / Cheap Events Preview - New York City

Aaaah. You know Spring is almost here when the mention of Orchids on display comes to mind and into our hearts. At the Enid A. Haupt Conservatory will be this annual and wonderful display of orchids. Get there and enjoy the beauty of one of the most gorgeous flowers in the world.

It is during this display that Orchid related events will be taking place. From Question and Answer sessions with Orchid Experts to demonstrations and more.

Search Engines Strategies Conference and Expo
March 23-27, 2009

Learn more about this special annual event which takes place not merely in New York but as well at other spots around the world. Visit this page to get more important details and links.

"The Way We Live Now–Regime Change in Days of Financial Tumult” with James Hedges
Taking place at One New York Plaza
Wednesday, March 25, 2009
12:30 pm
Crisis is the current American ethos. Financial woes, frauds, personal struggles, wars and an abdication of personal responsibility are traits of a culture in crisis. James Hedges will speak about the current global credit crunch and other aspects of the investment world, but merely in the context of the psychological impact it has on each of us.
Learn more about this and other events taking place at the World Financial Center and the surrounding area.

A Conversation with Richard Dreyfuss
as presented by Fordham Law School’s Forum on Law, Culture & Society
Thursday, March 26 from 8:00 pm; 7:30 pm...Cocktail Reception

The event is free but public seating is limited.  For audience reservations, please contact the Forum at 212-636-7295 or e-mail cultureforum@law.fordham.edu

Time Warner, Inc., One Time Warner Center,
58th Street between 8th and 9th Avenues

Forum Director and Fordham Law School professor Thane Rosenbaum will lead the evening of conversation with Mr. Dreyfuss.  

The distinguished actor will be the guest in a wide-ranging conversation about the role that law and justice play in both society and art.  The Academy Award–winning (The Goodbye Girl) star of such films as Jaws, Close Encounters of the Third Kind, and Mr. Holland’s Opus will also discuss some of his own law-related films, including Nuts, Night Falls on Manhattan, Prisoner of Honor, and his role as Vice President Cheney in the recently released feature film W.

Finian's Rainbow at the City Center Main Stage
130 West 56th Street, New York
Mar 26 - 29, 2009

Tickets: $25, $50, $95
A Musical Play in Two Acts
Music by Burton Lane; Book by E.Y. Harburg and Fred Saidy; Lyrics by E.Y. Harburg

Finian’s Rainbow is the story of Irishman Finian McLonergan, and his daughter Sharon who arrive in the small Southern town of Rainbow Valley in the mythical state of Missitucky, with plans to bury a stolen pot of gold in the shadows of Fort Knox, in the mistaken belief it will grow and multiply. They have been followed from Ireland by the owner of the gold, a leprechaun, who shows up determined to recover his treasure. Songs include “How Are Things in Glocca Morra?,” “When I'm Not Near the Girl I Love,” and “If This Isn’t Love.”

The Circus is coming to town!!!
March 26 - April 13, 2009

Visit the official web site for info and details on purchasing tickets

“Under The Table And Off The Books: Informal Economies In The
Developing City – And Your City”
Down Town Association, 60 Pine Street (between Pearl and William Streets)
A panel discussion moderated by Neil Brenner featuring David Harvey, Laura Kurgan, Vyjayanthi Rao and Peter Marcuse
Wednesday, March 30, 6:30 pm, RSVP Required, Free
Reservations available online starting March 20
This particular item is all booked up. Keep an eye out for the next item coming up.
As part of the Access Restricted: Capital Of The World Series (Through April 2009)

A Fireside Panel Discussion With A Sociologist, A Geographer, An Architect, An Anthropologist, And An Urban Planner On The Real Estate And Financial Sectors’ Influence On Urban Development And Policy, Both Locally And Internationally. The Landmarked Down Town Association Is A Private Social Club With A Magnificent Jacobean-Style Paneled Reading Room.

Historical Society Celebrates Bridges Centenary
March Marks 100th Anniversary of Queensboro Bridge
Monday, March 30, 7:00 pm
Taking place at the Greater Astoria Historical Society, 35-20 Broadway, Long Island City

Queens is celebrating an Anniversary! Come join in the fun and help blow out 100 candles for the grey old lady who gave birth to the modern borough of Queens – the Queensboro Bridge! The official celebration will kick-off with a photo exhibit, a birthday cake and an all-star cast of presenters at the Greater Astoria Historical Society (4th floor, 35–20 Broadway, L.I.C.) on Monday, March 30, at 7 PM.

Jackson Heights resident, Bob Olmstead, a civil engineer with over a half-century of experience with the MTA, will discuss the evolution of the bridge from the horse and wagon days. Bob, who has worked on the design and construction of transportation projects around the world, will also discuss efforts to designate the bridge as a National Engineering Landmark.

Michael Lorenzini, the Curator of Photography at the New York City Municipal Archives, will discuss the work of Eugene de Salignac, who photographed the construction of the Queensboro Bridge a century ago. Michael, whose book on de Salgnac won the New York Society Library’s New York Book Award, will also show images from the Queensboro Bridge 50th Anniversary.

Judith Berdy, President of Roosevelt Island Historical Society, will examine trolley travel of bygone days and efforts to save one of the original trolley kiosks, now the Roosevelt Island Visitors Center. Judy is a co–author of the book Queensboro Bridge.

‘Bridge Man’ Dave Frieder, who has climbed almost all of New York’s great bridges, will present some of his photos, widely considered some of the finest images ever taken of the Queensboro Bridge.

For further information, visit: www.astorialic.org or call the Greater Astoria Historical Society at 718–278–0700.

2009 NY International Auto Show at the Jacob Javits Convention Center

That's right! Tickets are already available for the 2008 show taking place
April 10 - April 19

Visit the main Auto Show page to learn more as well as the photos page to see postings from previous years' shows.

Climb to the Top
Sunday, March 1, 2009
Top of the RockTM, Rockefeller Center

http://www.climbmsnyc.org/

Join 1,000 New Yorkers Sunday, March 1, 2009 as they participate in the inaugural Climb to the Top event benefiting the New York City Chapter of the National MS Society. This is a once in a lifetime opportunity to Climb to the Top of Rockefeller Center, while making a difference in the lives of those affected by MS.

General Event Information

Registration Fee:
$50 from February 1 until February 27
$100 on February 28
Fundraising Minimum: $250
All participants, regardless of age or division, are required to raise a minimum of $250 to participate and all donations must be turned in prior to receiving your bib number and timing chip. No one will be allowed to participate without a bib number and timing chip.
Age Minimum: 12+ (participants between ages 12-17 must be accompanied by a guardian).
Event Start Time: 6:30am. Participants will be assigned with a start time between the hours of 6:30am and 9:00am. All participants will be required to check-in 60-90 minutes prior to their assigned start time. No one will be permitted to start after 9:30 a.m.
Check In: Participants will check in for Climb to the Top on the Concourse level at 30 Rockefeller Center on either of the below dates. At check in participants can turn in any remaining donations, recieve their participant bib and timing chip.
utes prior to their assigned start time. No one will be permitted to start after 9:30 a.m.

The Little Red Lighthouse Tour
No date at the time is available

Tour the only lighthouse in Manhattan. Discover its history and enjoy a view of the Hudson Valley.
Head down to the base of the George Washington Bridge for this wonderful opportunity to check out the lighthouse on this rare occasion.
Location: Fort Washington Park. Meet at the lighthouse.

12th Annual USA Memory Championship
Saturday, March 7, 2009
9:00 am – 5:00 pm (Lunch Break: 12:00 pm – 1:30 pm)
Free for Spectators

“The Olympics of the Mind”: Some of us need notes to remember our own birthdays, but others can memorize a shuffled deck of cards in less than two minutes.

At the USA Memory Championship, "Mental Athletes" compete in brain-breaking events including the memorization of: a string of 1,000 random digits, two decks of shuffled cards, 99 names and faces, 100 spoken words and an unpublished 50 line poem. In this tournament, challengers from around the country vie for the title of "USA National Memory Champion."

The winner of the USA Memory Championship will automatically qualify to compete against champions of other countries at the World Memory Championships to be held from November 11-14, 2009 in Bahrain.

Takes place at: Con Edison Grand Auditorium, 4 Irving Place (14th Street), NYC
Student Mental Athletes (Contestants) ages 12-21 -- Free registration
Mental Athletes (Contestants) Ages 22 and up: $25 to register
Student Mental Athletes (Contestants) Ages 12-21 –Free Registration

Note: Anyone who is a permanent US Resident and over the age of 12 can register to compete.
So if you're interested in learning more about this special event then head on over to the official website: www.usamemorychampionship.com

New York Open Judo Championship - 25th Year
March 8, 2009

On March 8th, 2009 will be taking place this annual Judo Championship at the New York Athletic Club with participants from 20 countries.

This item takes place at the New York Athletic Club, 180 Central Park South.

PRIZE MONEY: $1000 awarded to each of the 1st place winners
So why not have a look? Visit as well the official web site for additional details.

“Under The Table And Off The Books: Informal Economies In The
Developing City – And Your City”
14 Wall, 14 Wall Street (Between Broad And Nassau Streets)
Speaker: Robert Neuwirth, Featured Speaker
Wednesday, March 11, 6:30 pm, RSVP Required, Free
Reservations available online starting March 3
As part of the Access Restricted: Capital Of The World Series (Through April 2009)

Journalist Robert Neuwirth speaks about black, gray, and other alternative markets developed and practiced in various shanty towns and immigrant communities around the world. The landmarked site of J.P. Morgan's former private residence, 14 Wall’s 31st floor most recently existed as a bar and restaurant.

Sixth Annual Soho Art Auction To Feature Works
By Array Of New York City Artists
Wednesday, March 11, 2009 from 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm

All Proceeds to Benefit the Mental Health Project of the Urban Justice Center
Poltrona Frau showroom, 145 Wooster Street (between Prince and Houston) in Manhattan

Original works of art by a range of emerging and established New York City artists, including Richard Serra, Christopher Colvin, Anders Goldfarb, Jennifer Gerstenberger, Laura Greengold, Michael Krondl, Eric Pelka, and others will be auctioned during the event, which commences with a 6:00 pm wine reception.  Tickets start at $45. For more information or tickets, call (646) 602-5677; email maya@urbanjustice.org or visit http://www.mhpartauction.org

The Mental Health Project helps low-income New Yorkers with psychiatric disabilities break the devastating cycle of homelessness, hospitalization and incarceration and regain dignity and hope.  To find the people who need us most, we go to jails, psychiatric units, and shelters.  We focus on essentials such as food, housing, medical care, and disability benefits.  When we discover gaps in the safety net, we educate, organize, and litigate to close them.  

The Pier Show at Pier 94
PIER 94, 12th Ave., @55th St., NY
Saturday and Sunday from 10:00 - 6:00 pm
March 14-15, 2009

Internationally known, The Pier Antiques Show will have thousands of eager shoppers heading to the unconventional exhibit arena called Pier 94 in New York City. Almost 500 exhibitors set up wonderful settings of art and antiques to crazy collectibles to ultra cool modern furnishings and vintage fashions all in a big warehouse facility fitted out to be a convention center. There is a style section for every taste, each overlapping so that you might discover a new passion.

With today’s design trend of mixing old with new this is the place to find the perfect antique accent. Shipping and delivery services are on site.

Admission $15.
Children under 16 free when accompanied by an adult.
On-site paid parking available. For information Stella Show Mgmt. Co. (212) 255-0020; www.stellashows.com.

The Bronx Concert Singers’ Community Open Rehearsal
March 10 and March 17 from 7:30 – 10:00 pm
at St. Paul’s Evangelical Lutheran Church, 1891 McGraw Avenue in Parkchester, Bronx, NY.

Love To Sing? Love Classical Music? The Bronx Concert Singers is currently in rehearsal for their upcoming 28th Annual Spring Concert, Mad About Mozart.  To perform with BCS this season contact us today.  Call (917) 743-4641, email BCS_info@bronxconcertsingers.org, or visit them on the web at www.bronxconcertsingers.org

At Open Rehearsal, experience first hand the fun and challenge of learning beautiful and complex classical music.  Attendees can sing along with the chorus—BCS will provide the music— or sit back, listen and enjoy an evening of arts and culture.  Singers of all experience levels, and visitors, are welcome.  Refreshments will be served.