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Your days of taking notes in a college lecture hall may be over, but that doesn’t mean you have to be done with learning. Scholarly thinkers and curious New Yorkers will want to put on their thinking caps for these talks and lectures in NYC this fall. Whether you attend a panel discussion on women in politics, the launch for Salman Rushdie’s new novel or a conversation with Dan Rather on the state of America today, you’re sure to leave with plenty of food for thought.
Dancing With Fred Astaire: Jonas Mekas With Amy Taubin; Oct 16
Even if you don’t know the name Jonas Mekas, you likely know some of his former collaborators: Mentioning Andy Warhol, Fred Astaire, John Lennon and Janis Joplin would just be scratching the surface. The filmmaker, critic and poet will share some fascinating anecdotes about his famous friends during a talk about his new book, A Dance With Fred Astaire, at the New York Public Library Stephen A. Schwarzman building. Film critic Amy Taubin will lead the discussion.
A Special Conversation With Woody Allen and Eric Lax; Oct 18
You’ll hear from two Woody Allen experts at this discussion at the 92nd Street Y: author Eric Lax and the legendary filmmaker himself. Lax hasn’t just written one book on Allen—he’s written four, including his latest, titled Start to Finish: Woody Allen and the Art of Moviemaking. Listen to Allen discuss his creative process, the film industry and some of his peers in the movie business at this conversation and book signing.
Fake News: A Real Conversation; Oct 18
Anyone who reads the paper or watches broadcast TV knows that the news cycle is dominated by the controversy around fake news. But how do journalists feel about it? New York Times op-ed columnist Frank Bruni will moderate a frank discussion between CNN political correspondent Dana Bash, media correspondent Jim Rutenberg, Dan Senor, a former advisor to Paul Ryan and Mitt Romney, and Campbell Brown, who leads news partnerships for Facebook.
In the Halls of Power: Women and the Future of New York Politics; Oct 25
If the future is female, why are so few women represented in New York City politics? By the end of the year, only 10 of the 51 seats on the New York City Council will be occupied by women. At this panel, you’ll meet four women who are kicking butt and taking names in city politics: former state senator Carol Bellamy, New York City Public Advocate Letitia James, Speaker of the New York City Council Melissa Mark-Viverito and former speaker Christine Quinn. Activist Ronnie Eldridge will moderate the discussion on gender parity in politics.
Pop-Up Magazine; Oct 30
Take a long form magazine story, add animation, video, photography or music, then bring it to a massive stage in front of a live audience and you’ve got Pop-Up Magazine. This mixed media non fiction show is like no other kind of journalism. Book tickets to the October show at Lincoln Center to witness this innovative kind of storytelling for yourself.
Unbound: Dan Rather; Nov 6
Longtime broadcast journalist Dan Rather has had a legendary career reporting on the White House, American politics and countless pieces of breaking news. But in the last year, he has again risen in popularity thanks to his impassioned posts on social media. Now, those thoughtful reflections have a home in a new book of essays, titled What Unites Us: Reflections on Patriotism. Join him for a discussion and book signing at the Brooklyn Academy of Music.
Salman Rushdie; Nov 14
With the release of The Golden House, prolific writer Salman Rushdie now counts 13 novels to his name. His latest book is set during the Obama years and follows a billionaire Bombay businessman and his family after a move to downtown Manhattan. Join Rushdie and Pulitzer Prize-winning author Geraldine Brooks for a conversation about the book’s focus on politics, wealth and the American identity at the Temple Emanu-El Streicker Center.
An Evening With David Sedaris; Nov 21 and 22
Essayist and humor writer David Sedaris wants to invite you to read his diary: His latest book titled Theft by Finding Diaries is actually a compendium of his journal entries from 1977 to 2002. Take a peek into his psyche and creative process during a book signing and talk at the Brooklyn Academy of Music.