WASHINGTON SQUARE TREE LIGHTING AND CAROLING | From Charlie Hebdo to Black Lives Matter to last month’s Paris attacks, Washington Square Park has been a gathering place for expressions of grief, solidarity, and resolve. As this violent year draws to a close, “Peace on Earth, Good Will to Men” is a sentiment that will ring out in grand, communal style — when The Washington Square Association hosts two carol singing sessions backed by the Rob Susman Brass Quartet.
On Dec. 9, Santa Claus (candy canes in hand) will lead the illumination countdown, after which the switch will be flipped on a 45-foot tree under the Arch, and yuletide songs will be sung. The caroling takes place again on Christmas Eve.
At the Washington Square Park Arch (Fifth Ave., one block south of Eighth St.). At 6 p.m. on Wed., Dec. 9 and at 5 p.m. on Thurs., Dec. 24. Call 212-252-3621 or visit washingtonsquarenyc.org. The tree will be lit for the season, daily, between 4 p.m. and 1 a.m.
23 DAYS OF FLATIRON CHEER | The Flatiron Partnership’s list of riches puts “The Twelve Days of Christmas” to shame — without asking you to provide housing for calling birds, pipers, and the other 10 gifts. The public plazas near the iconic Flatiron Building may have ample room for maids to milk and ladies to dance, but this 23-day event has more practical (and fun) uses in mind.
Performances, social media contests, holiday-themed walking tours, fitness classes and hot beverages are among the quality freebies. Give back by donating to a drive, which supports the Food Bank For New York City. A Dec. 22 event invites you to create Solstice Stars, with the help of staff from the nearby MoMath (National Museum of Mathematics).
Through Dec. 23, at the public plazas beside and across from the Flatiron Building (23rd St. at Fifth Ave. & Broadway). Access the schedule at FlatironDistrict.nyc. Facebook: FlatironDistrict.nyc/facebook. Twitter & Instagram: @FlatironNY. Use the hashtag #NovaFlatiron when posting holiday images on Twitter and Instagram to be entered into social media contests.
THE ARChive OF CONTEMPORARY MUSIC HOLIDAY RECORD & CD SALE
No matter how good you’ve been or how politely you ask, Santa can’t leave a downloaded song under the tree — and why would he want to, when the busy elves at ARCHive of Contemporary Music have lined their shelves and bins with over 50,000 tactile items of interest? Proceeds from this annual sale help support the nonprofit music archive, library and research center, which collects, preserves and provides information on popular music from 1950 to the present.
Among the sounds and sights up for grabs at this sale: collectible LPs priced below book/online value, 20,000 CDs (starting at $3), ’60s psychedelic posters, audio equipment, music magazines, videos, DVDs, and an Astroturf Yard Sale section full of vintage kitchen wares and clothing.
Dec. 5–20, daily, 11 a.m.–6 p.m. At the ARCHive of Contemporary Music ground floor office, 54 White St. (3 blocks south of Canal St., btw. Broadway & Church Sts.). Call 212-226-6967 or visit arcmusic.org.
—By Scott Stiffler
