Local Expert
Steve Mirsky
Outside of my well worn daily routine, I consider every place I visit to be a travel experience. Whether it's hunting down the best Turkish coffee a few subway stops away or taking you inside the…
Outside of my well worn daily routine, I consider every place I visit to be a travel experience. Whether it's hunting down the best Turkish coffee a few subway stops away or taking you inside the shimmering Skyscaper Museum next to Battery Park, I enjoy sharing the journey as much as the destination itself.
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Washington Square Music Festival
Every Tuesday in July at 8 p.m., a free outdoor classical and Music of the Americas concert series will celebrate its 50th season under the stars featuring musicians who regularly play venues like Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center, and the Brooklyn Academy of Music. Founded in 1953 by violinist Alexander Schneider, member of the famed Budapest String Quartet, the festival traditionally gives up-and-coming virtuosos a chance to strut their stuff. Several now famous performers who appeared in the early stages of their careers include soprano Marilyn Horne and her husband, the late Henry Lewis, trumpeter Wynton Marsalis, violinist Tom Chiu, and conductor Gerard Schwarz. This year, harpsichord soloist Gerald Ranck is scheduled for July 8th, Lutz Rath and mezzo-soprano Stephanie Houtzeel on July 15, and pianist David Oei on July 22. Saving the best for last, The Charles Mingus Orchestra will take the stage on July 29th performing Mingus' original jazz compositions. Performance space is located in the southeast quadrant of Washington Square Park at the foot of Fifth Avenue. In the event of rain, head over to New York University's Frederick Loewe Theatre at 35 West 4th Street.