Mae Rockland Tupa
(American, b. 1937),
Miss Liberty, Princeton, New Jersey,
1974; wood covered
in fabric; cast plastic
figures, 1 1 x 24 x 7 in.
The Jewish Museum
(Gift of the artist).
Hanukkah Gallery Tour, Art Workshop and
Concert at The Jewish Museum
DEC. 9
Regardless of your religion, The Jewish Museum’s collection of Hanukkah
lamps—one of the largest and most diverse anywhere—is something to see.
Where else can you find a menorah made of souvenir Statues of Liberty? This year,
children can use these fabulous pieces as inspiration to create their own “
imaginative Hanukkah light sculptures” in a gallery tour and art workshop sure to be a
highlight of the season. After the workshop, musical group Louie and Subanda rock
the house with traditional Hanukkah songs set to danceable beats. And Hanukkah
isn’t the only holiday that gets a nod at this museum. On Christmas day, the facility
throws an annual family arts and crafts extravaganza that’s become so popular
there’s usually a line around the block to get in. Luckily, the museum offers plenty
of complimentary Godiva hot chocolate to take the pain out of the wait.
For a
custom tour
of NYC,
The Holiday Shops
at Bryant Park
NOV. 17–DEC. 31
Though many of us consider shopping the
scourge of the holiday season, New York
takes some of the sting out of it with a
bevy of markets and fairs that offers gifts
for everyone on your shopping list—and
maybe a little something for you, too.
One of the biggest and most picturesque
markets is the Holiday Shops at Bryant
Park. Reminiscent of a European open-air
market, the Shops features 100 specialty
retailers, including clothing and jewelry designers, artists, craftspeople and
specialty food merchants. After you’ve
finished shopping, you can indulge in an
extra shot of holiday cheer. Gaze at the
park’s gorgeous Canadian Christmas tree,
or take a few turns on The Pond—the
admission-free skating rink installed
every winter in honor of the season.
Handel’s Messiah Sing-in
DEC. 18
Back in the day of “sit-ins” and “
love-ins,” when Lincoln Center was the new
performance venue on the block, choral
musicians were looking to do something
different. “We wanted to create an event
that would invite the whole community
to participate,” says Martin Josman,
National Choral Council’s artistic director. Forty years later, Josman’s Handel’s
Messiah Sing-in at Lincoln Center’s
Avery Fisher Hall has become one of
the most popular events of the season.
A flock of exceptional conductors and
