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9/11 anniversary

Commemorate the day during these events.

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Before

"Return, Remember: Ephemeral Memorials in the Legacy of September 11th" 
Panelists will discuss the spontaneous memorials that sprung up in New York City after 9/11 and the significance of these tributes. The scheduled participants include photographer Martha Cooper (author of the recently released photo book Remembering 9/11), CUNY professor Harriet F. Senie and folklorist Steve Zeitlin. The powerHouse Arena, 37 Main St at Water St, Dumbo, Brooklyn (718-666-3049, powerhousearena.com). Sept 6 6--8pm; free.

RECOMMENDED: See all September 11 memorial events

"Trauma's Afterlife: Remembering 9/11"
The Museum of Jewish Heritage hosts a discussion about life after tragedy with psychologist Dr. Elizabeth Goren and neuroscientist Dr. Rachel Yehuda. The pair will discuss post-traumatic stress disorder while touching on September 11 and the Holocaust. 36 Battery Pl at 1st Pl (646-437-4202,mjhnyc.org). Sept 7 at 7pm; donations accepted.

"Witness to Tragedy and Recovery: How Media Images of Disaster Are Shaped--and Shape Us"
PBS anchor Aaron Brown will share his thoughts on covering the attacks for CNN in a symposium moderated by Michelle Charlesworth of WABC. The discussion is held in conjunction with a photo exhibit at Pace University that compiles images of the aftermath taken by more than 30 photojournalists. Multipurpose Room at Pace University, 1 Pace Plaza at Spruce St (212-618-6931,pace.edu/witness). Sept 8 7:15--9pm; free. Registration required at pace.edu/witness.

"The 9/11 Decade: New York and America After the Towers"
Following a performance of Richard Nelson's new play Sweet and Sad, which is set three days in the future, Alec Baldwin will moderate a panel discussion on the repercussions of 9/11. Public Theater, 425 Lafayette St between Astor Pl and E 4th St (212-967-7555, publictheater.org). Sept 8 at 7:30pm; $20.

"9/11 a Decade Later: Lessons Learned and Future Challenges" 
Former Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld and White House Press Secretary Ari Fleischer—both of whom were serving under President George W. Bush when 9/11 happened—join Michael Mukasey, the country's attorney general from 2007 to 2009, to discuss the results of the War on Terror, and the future of fighting terrorism. 92nd Street Y, 1395 Lexington Ave between 91st and 92nd Sts (212-415-5500, 92y.org). Sept 8 at 8pm; $29.

"Searching for Answers in a Post-9/11 World" 
Legal analyst Arthur Miller moderates a panel of more than a dozen members of the Wisdom Thinkers Network, all of whom have backgrounds in academia, media, NGOs and government. The group, which includes author Stuart A. Kauffman (Reinventing the Sacred: A New View of Science, Reason, and Religion) and Rabbi Brad Hirschfield, will discuss what the U.S. and the world have learned from the 9/11 attacks, and whether that knowledge will engender change. 92nd Street Y, 1395 Lexington Ave between 91st and 92nd Sts (212-415-5500, 92y.org). Sept 8 at 8:15pm; $29.

"In Times of Strife: Music Responds"
During this free discussion, composer John Corigliano will speak with Philharmonic archivist Barbara Haws about the process behind his meditation on 9/11, One Sweet Morning, which the New York Philharmonic will premiere on September 30. Following the chat, mezzo-soprano Cherry Duke and pianist Stephen Gosling will perform an arrangement from Corigliano's work. Free tickets will be distributed through a lottery, which can be entered by until September 1. Stanley H. Kaplan Penthouse (at Lincoln Center), 165 W 65th St between Broadway and Amsterdam Ave, tenth floor (212-875-5656,nyphil.org). Sept 9 at 6:30pm; free.

Art of Justice: 9/11 Performance Project 
John Jay College mounts three full-length plays—Demolition of the Eiffel TowerThe Domestic Crusaders and Another Life—inspired by the political climate following 9/11. Each work examines themes of prejudice, greed and violence. A panel discussion follows each performance, with the playwrights and legal experts probing how society has changed since the September 11 attacks.Gerald W. Lynch Theater (at John Jay College), 899 Tenth Ave between 58th and 59th Sts (212-279-4200, jjay.cuny.edu/theater). Schedule varies; $20, students $10. Sept 9--11.

"Rethinking Memorial: Ten Interactive Sites for Remembering 9/11"
The Brooklyn Arts Council invited artists to submit ideas for temporary 9/11 memorials, to be mounted at ten different spots in Dumbo. The chosen pieces, which invite audience participation, will debut the day before the anniversary. Among the selected works are Sonya Blesofsky's Paper Monuments, which asks visitors to create models of the Twin Towers out of paper; and Illegal Art's Morning Sky, in which participants are invited to paint a square of canvas to match the color the sky was that day.Location varies; visit brooklynartscouncil.org for details. Sept 10 11am--5pm.

In Performance: Commemorating the 10th Anniversary of September 11, 2001
The Joyce Theater presents this free two-night concert in Battery Park. Matthew Rushing of the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater will perform solo, choreographer Jessica Lang will premiere a new work, and the Paul Taylor Dance Company accompanies the Orchestra of St. Luke's with guest conductor David LaMarche. Nelson A. Rockefeller Park, River Terr at Warren St (212-242-0800,joyce.org). Sept 10, 11 at 5pm; free.

A Concert for New York
For the New York Philharmonic's free memorial concert, soprano Dorothea Rschmann, mezzo-soprano Michelle DeYoung and the New York Choral Artists will perform Gustav Mahler's Symphony No. 2, "Resurrection," with the philharmonic's music director, Alan Gilbert, conducting. The work was composed in remembrance of Mahler's benefactor, Hans von Blow, and is a statement on the beauty of the afterlife. Avery Fisher Hall (at Lincoln Center), 132 W 65th St at Broadway (nyphil.org). Sept 10 at 7:30pm; free. Ticket distribution begins at 4pm on the Josie Robertson Plaza, limited to one pair per person.

Day of

Music After 
This 15-hour-long concert will feature short works by members of New York's contemporary music scene, including Philip Glass, Steve Reich, Laurie Anderson and Elliott Carter, as well the event's organizers, Daniel Felsenfeld and Eleonor Sandresky. The marathon performance is intended to demonstrate the number of musicians affected by 9/11 and their resolve to continue writing and playing music. Joyce Soho, 155 Mercer St between W Houston and Prince Sts (musicafter.com). Sept 11 at 9:18am; free.

St. Batholomew's 9/11 Remembrance Service
Family members of firefighters who died on September 11, 2001, will attend this service, which includes a performance of Gabriel Faur's Requiem by a full orchestra.St. Bartholomew's Church, 325 Park Ave at 51st St (212-378-0222, stbarts.org). Sept 11 at 11am; free.

In Memoriam—New York City, 9/11/01
Watch this Emmy Award--winning documentary, which was originally shown on HBO in May 2002. The 60-minute film incorporates interviews and video footage, and is a visceral reminder of what it felt like to observe the events of 9/11 and its aftermath. Former Mayor Rudy Giuliani narrates and shares his personal recollections of the chaos near Ground Zero following the attacks. Museum of the City of New York, 1220 Fifth Avenue at 103rd St (212-534-1672, mcny.org). Sept 11 at 11am, 2pm; free with museum admission.

9/11 Dance—A Roving Memorial
Sarah Skaggs presents 11 minutes of meditative choreography, in the hope that dance can shift public consciousness. The piece, which was adapted from Skagg's solo workDances for Airports (inspired by 9/11), will be performed in Union Square (noon),Washington Square Park (1pm) and Battery Park (3pm). Various locations; visitsarahskaggsdance.org for details. Sept 11 noon--3pm; free.

FDNY Memorial Ceremony
The New York City Fire Museum will host an official ceremony honoring the 343 firefighters who made the ultimate sacrifice a decade ago. The event will include the dedication of the bunker coat and helmet that FDNY chaplain Mychal Judge was wearing that day, when he lost his life with nearly 3,000 others. 278 Spring St between Hudson and Varick Sts (212-691-1303, nycfiremuseum.org). Sept 11 at 1pm; $8.

"The 9/11 Peace Story Quilt and Fifty Years of Making Art" 
In conjunction with the Metropolitan Museum of Art's display of "The 9/11 Peace Story Quilt," its creator, Faith Ringgold, talks about the process of making the work in collaboration with New York City middle- and high-school students. She'll explain how the project is meant to foster understanding and peace. Grace Rainey Rogers Auditorium (at the Metropolitan Museum of Art), 1000 Fifth Ave at 82nd St (212-570-3949, metmuseum.org). Sept 11 at 2pm; free with museum admission.

A Concert of Commemoration 
Composers Karl Jenkins and Ren Clausen will conduct their own pieces (The Armed Man: A Mass for Peace and The Fallen for the former, and Memorial for the latter) at this tribute, which will feature performances from the U.K.'s Really Big Chorus as well as Distinguished Concert Singers International. Avery Fisher Hall (at Lincoln Center), 132 W 65th St at Broadway (212-875-5030, lincolncenter.org). Sept 11 at 2pm; $20--$100.

In the Name of God reading
In this new play by Peter-Adrian Cohen, based on the 2002 PBS Frontline documentaryFaith and Doubt at Ground Zero, six characters question God's existence following the 9/11 attacks. Judson Memorial Church, 55 Washington Sq South at Thompson St (212-477-0351, judson.org/9-11). Sept 11 at 3pm; free.

Remembering September 11 concert
The Wordless Music Orchestra will premiere a live, orchestrated version of William Basinski's "The Disintegration Loops, dpl 1.1," an ambient composition created in response to 9/11 that was originally recorded using tape loops. For this performance, the orchestra will use violins and other instruments to bring the piece to life.Metropolitan Museum of Art, 1000 Fifth Ave at 82nd St (212-570-3949,metmuseum.org). Sept 11 at 3:30pm; free with museum admission.

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Day of (continued)

A 9/11 Memorial Concert
This community performance honors the service of volunteers who helped with cleanup and recovery after the attacks. Scheduled musicians include the String Orchestra of Brooklyn and the American Opera Projects. Irondale Center, 85 South Oxford St between Fulton St and Lafayette Ave, Fort Greene, Brooklyn (718-488-9233,irondale.org). Sept 11 4--6pm; free.

Man on Wire
James Marsh's 2008 documentary tells the story of French tightrope artist Philippe Petit's 45-minute walk between the Twin Towers in 1974. The film offers a glimpse at the beauty of the towers, which were completed only one year prior to Petit's act.Museum of the Moving Image, 36-01 35th Ave at 37th St, Astoria, Queens (718-777-6888, movingimage.us). Sept 11 at 4, 6:30pm; free with museum admission.

Remembrance of September 11
Organized by the Alice Austen House and the Fire Department Retirees of Staten Island, this annual ceremony includes a candlelight vigil, a water display (during which red, white and blue jets will be shot from an FDNY fireboat sailing in front of the museum) and a reading of the names of firefighters who perished because of the attack. Alice Austen House, 2 Hylan Blvd at Edgewater St, Staten Island (718-816-4506, aliceausten.org). Sept 11 5--9pm; free.

Tenth Annual Tribute in Light
Six months after the September 11 attacks, the Municipal Art Society of New York debuted its illuminated memorial made up of 44 7,000-watt bulbs. The lights create two beams that mimic the shape and orientation of the Twin Towers. The memorial will be switched on at dusk on September 11 and remain alight through dawn on September 12. Optimal public viewing locations include Washington Square and Union Square Parks in Manhattan; Roosevelt Island's Waterfront Promenade; Brooklyn Bridgeand Fort Greene Parks in Brooklyn; and the Staten Island Ferry TerminalViewing location varies (212-935-3960, mas.org/tribute). Sept 11--12 dusk--dawn; free.

9/11 World Trade Center Memorial Floating Lanterns Ceremony
This Japanese tradition welcomes New Yorkers to recognize not only the lives lost on 9/11, but also the lost lives of earthquake victims in Japan. Arrive early to decorate a lantern with the name of a loved one and a message before each is set afloat on the Hudson River during the tenth annual interfaith ceremony, led by Alfonso Wyatt, the vice president of the Fund for the City of New York. South side of Pier 40, W Houston St at West St (interfaithcenter.org). Sept 11 6--9pm; free.

Concert for Peace
Shortly after 9/11, violinist and teacher Allegra Klein founded Musicians for Harmony, a group dedicated to promoting peace through the arts. This year, the organization stages its tenth annual Concert for Peace, featuring performances from the Juilliard String Quartet, Syrian clarinetist Kinan Azmeh, shakuhachi (a Japanese flute) player Kojiro Umezaki and his 35-piece New York Arabic Orchestra. Merkin Concert Hall, 129 W 67th St between Broadway and Amsterdam Ave (212-501-3330, www.kaufman-center.org). Sept 11 at 7pm; $15--$125.

The September 11 Tenth-Anniversary Commemorative Concert
Symphony Space presents a tribute, hosted by actor B.D. Wong. The event will feature notable New Yorkers—including Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand, tennis legend John McEnroe and U.S. Supreme Court justice Sonia Sotomayor—reading selections from poets such as Emily Dickinson and Dylan Thomas. Additionally, members of the New York Philharmonic and the Metropolitan Opera will perform pieces by Barber, Brahms, Liszt and others. Peter Jay Sharp Theatre (symphonyspace.org). Sept 11 at 7pm; free.

"9/11 Ten Years Later"
In the eight months following 9/11, photographer Joel Meyerowitz received exclusive access to the area surrounding Ground Zero, or what he called "the forbidden city." He produced more than 8,000 photographs depicting varying moods of courage, compassion and solidarity in the wake of tragedy. Meyerowitz will share his memories during a talk and presentation of images from his 2006 book, Aftermath: World Trade Center Archive, which documents his work from that period. 92nd Street Y, 1395 Lexington Ave between 91st and 92nd Sts (212-415-5500, 92y.org). Sept 11 at 7:30pm; $29.

The 10th Anniversary Memorial Political Cabaret
Burlesque star Julie Atlas Muz and Thirsty Girl Productions impresario Jen Gapay are behind this cabaret event, featuring performances from Murray Hill, Dirty Martini, Amanda Lepore, Justin Vivian Bond and more. Proceeds will benefit the Uniformed Firefighters Association of New York's Widow's and Children's Fund. Highline Ballroom, 431 W 16th St between Ninth and Tenth Aves (212-414-5994, highlineballroom.com). Sept 11 at 8pm; $20, VIP $40.

After

Staged reading of "The Dust"
Reflect on the events of that day during a dramatized version of Michael Gottlieb's poem "The Dust," in which he lists items that may have been found in the debris from the WTC. Poetry Project, 131 E 10th St between Second and Third Aves (therelationship.org). Sept 12 at 8pm; suggested donation $8.

Second Annual 9/11 Memorial Puppy-Hugging Parade
In the words of comedian Kurt Braunohler, who organized this pupcentric march, "9/11 is hard. Puppy-hugging is easy. Let's combine them and make it medium." All are welcome to bring their dogs, and Brooklyn's Dog Habitat Rescue (which will receive proceeds from the event) will also have critters available for adoption. Littlefield, 622 DeGraw St between Third and Fourth Aves, Gowanus, Brooklyn (718-855-3388,littlefieldnyc.com). Sept 12 at 7:30pm; $8, advance $5.

"Peter Eleey: A Picture Held Us Captive"
MoMA PS1 curator Peter Eleey, who assembled the museum's current "September 11" exhibit, will talk about how the visual language of art has changed since 9/11. School of Visual Arts, 133-144 W 21st St between Sixth and Seventh Aves, room 101C (212-592-2010, sva.edu). Nov 14 at 6:30pm; free.

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Ongoing

Trinity Wall Street's Remember to Love
After 9/11, Trinity Wall Street—one of the city's oldest churches, which sits near the World Trade Center site—became a haven both for those working at the site, as well as those seeking spiritual guidance in the aftermath of the attacks. To commemorate the tenth anniversary, the institution hosts nearly two weeks of memorial events, including an overnight vigil on the night before the anniversary (Sept 10 at 6pm--Sept 11 at 6am; free) and a full day of services (Sept 11 7:30am--8pm; free). The chapel will also host a permanent exhibit showing artifacts gathered from the church in the months after 9/11. Trinity Wall Street, 89 Broadway at Wall St (212-602-0800,trinitywallstreet.org). Through Sept 11; time varies.

"Ten Years After 9/11: Searching for a 21st Century Landscape"
This juried exhibition presents images from four photographers (Garth Lenz, Michael Robinson Chavez, Florian Bttner and Michael Busse) that capture political, social and economic changes around the world since 9/11. For example, Lenz, a noted photojournalist, documented the effects of the oil industry on nature. The powerhouse Arena, 37 Main St at Water St, Dumbo, Brooklyn (718-666-3049,powerhousearena.com). Mon--Fri 10am--7pm; Sat, Sun 11am--7pm; free. Through Sept 16.

"The Twin Towers and the City"
The Museum of the City of New York mounts two exhibits (which share a name) that examine the past, present and future of the World Trade Center. The first features photographs by Camilo Jos Vergara, who has documented the site since the 1970s. His images show the Twin Towers in various states of completion, as well as the new structures currently in progress at the site. A second show is made up of eight oil paintings by the late Romain de Plas, all of which were created in the year following 9/11. 1220 Fifth Ave between 103rd and 104th Sts (212-534-1672, mcny.org). Mon--Sun 10am--6pm; $10, seniors and students $6, children under 13 free. Sept 3--Dec 4.

"Embodied Light: 9-11 in 2011" 
The downtown nonprofit Educational Alliance displays works by the artist Tobi Kahn that invite the viewer to commemorate and reflect on the attacks. Four elements make up the exhibit: memorial candleholders; a series of sculptures of an abstract figure between two vertical forms; a floor relief that evokes the New York cityscape; and a series of 220 (the number of floors in the Twin Towers) blocks decorated by acquaintances of Kahn with memories and impressions of September 11. Ernest Rubenstein Gallery, 197 East Broadway at Jefferson St (646-395-4235, edalliance.org). Mon--Thu 9am--9pm, Fri--Sun 9am--6pm; free. Sept 9--Nov 23.

"September 11"
While this group show observes the tenth anniversary of the World Trade Center attacks with mostly pre-9/11 works, it manages to reflect on that day. Besides serving as a fitting memorial, the exhibit demonstrates art's ability to change its meaning depending on circumstance. Featured artists include Diane Arbus, William Eggleston and Barbara Kruger. MoMA PS1, 22-25 Jackson Ave at 46th Ave, Long Island City, Queens (718-784-2084, ps1.org). Mon, Thu--Sun noon--6pm. Suggested donation $10, seniors and students $5. Sept 11--Jan 9.

"The 9/11 Peace Story Quilt"
Artist Faith Ringgold examines the healing power of art with this work, created as a response to the attacks in collaboration with a group of New York City students. Three 72-by-50-inch panels—each made up of 12 peace-themed squares—compose the quilt, which shows, through textiles and paint, how 9/11 affected the city's youth.Metropolitan Museum of Art, 1000 Fifth Ave at 82nd St (212-535-7710,metmuseum.org). Tue--Thu, Sun 9:30am--5:30pm; Fri, Sat 9:30am--9pm. Suggested donation $25, seniors $17, students $12, members and children under 12 free. Through Jan 22.

"Remembering 9/11"
Prior to its grand reopening on November 11, the New-York Historical Society mounts this new exhibit, featuring hundreds of photographs, letters and other artifacts related to 9/11. On the afternoon of the anniversary, museum educator Katie Fuller and FDNY bugler Vin Panaro will read from Maira Kalman's picture book Fireboat: The Heroic Adventures of the John J. Harvey (Sept 11, 11:30am--12:30pm), which tells the story of a retired fireboat that was used to pump water to the World Trade Center site on 9/11. 170 Central Park West between 76th and 77th Sts (212-873-3400, nyhistory.org). Sept 8--Nov 10: Tue--Sat 10am--6pm; Sun 11am--5pm. From Nov 11: Tue--Thu, Sat 10am--6pm; Fri 10am--8pm; Sun 11am--5pm. Free. Sept 8--April 2012.

"Yahrzeit: September 11th Remembered"
Taking inspiration from the Jewish tradition of memorializing the anniversary of a death, the Museum of Jewish Heritage opens an area for contemplation and reflection in its Rotunda Gallery. The space will feature photos and quotes from people who witnessed the attacks. Museum of Jewish Heritage—A Living Memorial to the Holocaust, 36 Battery Pl at 1st Pl (646-437-4202, mjhnyc.org). Mon, Tue, Thu, Sun 10am--5:45pm; Wed 10am--8pm; Fri 10am--3pm. $12, seniors $10, students $7, members and children under 12 free. Wed 4--8pm free. Ongoing.

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