Culture Groups New York

100th Annual San Gennaro Festival! 🇮🇹

On Tuesday, September 22nd let’s go to the 100th Annual San Gennaro Festival! 🇮🇹 5:45pm to 9pm Can join anytime! Schedule: 5:45 to 6pm, Meet at 220 Grand Street (Corner of Mott St & Grand St) 6 to 6:30pm, Listen to Italian Singers [https://sangennaronyc.org/event/francesca-cavaliere-7pm/](https://sangennaronyc.org/event/francesca-cavaliere-7pm/) Also at 220 Grand Street 7:30 to 8:15pm, Great Italian American Karaoke Show [https://sangennaronyc.org/event/karaoke-with-dj-bobby-7pm/](https://sangennaronyc.org/event/karaoke-with-dj-bobby-7pm/) Also at 220 Grand Street 8:15 to 9pm, Explore & Find a stand to Eat & Drink Free, no RSVP needed 220 Grand Street is where the performances will be Google maps to 220 Grand Street: [https://maps.app.goo.gl/GwYoAe5mkH7CYo3K9](https://maps.app.goo.gl/GwYoAe5mkH7CYo3K9) List of performers with all their locations: https://sangennaronyc.org/venue/mott-st-grand-st-new-york-ny-10013/ Of course, please reach out if you have any questions! The not so fun rule on RSVPs Please only RSVP if you think you can make it and adjust your RSVP asap if anything changes (as there are other people who would like your spot). Two no shows or cancellations within 6 hours results in a 4 month ban. I will send a reminder 24 hours in advance to the group Thanks and can't wait to see you!

Mexico Day! 🇲🇽

On Sunday, September 20th let’s celebrate Mexico Day! 🇲🇽 From 1:15pm to 2:15pm, we’ll go to the Mexican Day Parade at Madison Ave and East 28th Street (see section 1 for more details) From 2:45pm to 4:15pm, we’ll go to La Contenta Oeste, a Mexican restaurant near Union Square (see section 2 for more details) Section 1: Mexican Day Parade! 1:15pm to 2:15pm We’ll meet at Madison Ave & East 28th Street The parade goes from Madison Ave & East 38th to Madison Ave and & East 27th [https://www.manhattanbp.nyc.gov/events/32nd-annual-mexican-independence-day-parade-nyc-2026/](https://www.manhattanbp.nyc.gov/events/32nd-annual-mexican-independence-day-parade-nyc-2026/) Section 2: La Contenta Oeste 2:45pm to 4:15pm 78 W 11th St 10 minute walk from Union Square Google maps link: [https://maps.app.goo.gl/cpqV3vjqh945ZTYB9](https://maps.app.goo.gl/cpqV3vjqh945ZTYB9) Of course, please reach out if you have any questions! The not so fun rule on RSVPs Please only RSVP if you think you can make it and adjust your RSVP asap if anything changes (as there are other people who would like your spot). Two no shows or cancellations within 6 hours results in a 4 month ban. I will send a reminder 24 hours in advance to the group Thanks and can't wait to see you!

El Grito! Mexican Independence Day! 🇲🇽

On Tuesday, September 15th, let’s celebrate Mexican Independence Day! 🇲🇽 We’ll meet at 5th Avenue and 44th Street in Sunset Park, Brooklyn. (We’ll meet in the park named Sunset Park which is in the neighborhood Sunset Park lol 😂) We’ll be there from 4 to 7pm The event is free You’re welcome to join anytime There’ll be singing, dancing, and other festivities Of course, please reach out if you have any questions! The not so fun rule on RSVPs Please only RSVP if you think you can make it and adjust your RSVP asap if anything changes (as there are other people who would like your spot). Two no shows or cancellations within 6 hours results in a 4 month ban. I will send a reminder 24 hours in advance to the group Thanks and can't wait to see you!

SpeakIt Language Exchange: Meet friends, practice, and share a language!

SpeakIt is a group where the goal is to **practice and learn languages** naturally: By talking and meeting new people! 🥳 this, of course, includes English learners 😍. [Traducción](https://www-meetup-com.translate.goog/speakit-nyc/events/299532447/?_x_tr_sl=en&_x_tr_tl=es&_x_tr_hl=en&_x_tr_pto=wapp&_x_tr_hist=true) We hope to have all the cultures that New York City represents, so we welcome **any language and all language levels**. Here's how it works: 1. 👨‍🎓You spend part of your time practicing a language you are learning; 2. 🧑🏻‍🏫You spend the other part of your time speaking in your native language, helping others! *(even if you only speak one language, that's fine)* When you arrive at the venue, we will have flag stickers 🇺🇳 representing any country of your choosing. Put your most fluent language on top and any language(s) you are learning or already know below. Then find someone else wearing a flag and say hi in your preferred language 👋🏼. **FAQ's** * 💰**Event is $2 (suggested, cash or Venmo)** to help cover the cost for the flags and the meetup subscription. * 🍻Please support the venue that hosts us by ordering something from the bar. 😎 * ***Will there be speakers of (my language) here?*** That depends! We don't organize who comes to the event, so we can't be 100% sure your language will be there. You may want to invite a practice buddy, or message us in advance and we can try to find you one. Otherwise come say Hi and find out! * **Can I show up late?** Show up any time during the event. * Coming alone? Welcome! Just bring a friendly face and some words. * Or feel free to bring along some friends, too. **When and Where:** * [Heart of Gold Bar](https://goo.gl/maps/csmu6MycKxirFvYv9), Astoria * Get off at Broadway on the N/W train or Steinway M/R. * Look for the flag table out back and say hi!

End-Of-Summer Happy Hour

Let’s meet up and catch up :) Venue coming soon. Follow us on Instagram ([@tcknyc](https://www.instagram.com/tcknyc)) and RSVP to get updates!

K-Drama Talk: Fatherhood & Masculinity in Agent Kim Reactivated (김부장)

🔥***Agent Kim Reactivated*** topped Netflix’s **Global Top 10 Non-English TV Shows** chart for multiple consecutive weeks. Its finale on July 25, 2026, reached an impressive **23.0% average nationwide rating in Korea**—a remarkable achievement these days. Join us for a lively discussion of **Agent Kim Reactivated (2026**), starring **So Ji-sub (소지섭)** as a loving father who is forced to return to his former life as a secret agent when his daughter is in danger. Beyond the action and humor, the drama raises questions about fatherhood, family, responsibility, and masculinity. We’ll also make occasional references to So Ji-sub’s role in **Mercy for None (2025)**, where he plays a different kind of man seeking revenge. The comparison will help us explore how similar themes of loyalty, responsibility, and masculinity can take very different forms. **Topics** * **Global Appeal:** **Why Is *Agent Kim* So Popular?** What makes *Agent Kim Reactivated* connect with audiences in Korea and around the world? What universal themes or emotions might help explain its appeal? * **Story: Revenge, Rescue & Family** Is *Agent Kim Reactivated* a revenge story, an action-hero story, a family story, or something else? How convincing is Kim’s transformation from an ordinary father into a secret agent? Does his journey feel believable and relatable? * **Characters: Fatherhood & Masculinity** Explore So Ji-sub as a K-drama action star and his portrayal of Agent Kim as a loving father and middle-aged Korean man. How does the drama challenge or reinforce traditional ideas of fatherhood and masculinity? * **Action: Humor vs. Darkness** Why does *Agent Kim Reactivated* use humor and playful action while *Mercy for None* takes a much darker approach? * **Three 아저씨 (Middle-Aged Men): Friendship & Teamwork** Agent Kim doesn’t fight alone. How do his two loyal buddies, their friendship, and teamwork shape the story? How does their trio compare with the lone fighter in *Mercy for None*? * **Technology: The AI Action Hero** Many scenes in *Agent Kim Reactivated* were produced with extensive use of AI. Can you tell which scenes were AI-generated? What might this mean for the future of the action star? * **The Ending: What Makes It Satisfying?** Does it give us justice, closure, or the emotional satisfaction of seeing Kim protect his family and defeat his enemies? ⚠️ **Before You Join** What to watch: Please watch **at least half of Agent Kim Reactivated** to participate. We’ll focus primarily on Agent Kim, with some references to Mercy for None. You do not need to watch Mercy for None—it’s completely optional. **Major spoilers ahead!** 🔔 **Please Note** * Registration is **limited to 8 participants** to keep the discussion intimate and engaging. **RSVP ASAP!** * If you can no longer make it, please **cancel** your registration and let someone else who is interested take your spot. Thank you! **소지섭 (So Ji-sub)** 이 사랑하는 딸을 지키기 위해 다시 비밀요원의 삶으로 돌아가는 아버지 김으로 출연한 ***Agent Kim Reactivated (김부장)*** 를 함께 이야기해 봅니다. 액션과 유머뿐만 아니라 **가족, 아버지, 책임, 우정, 그리고 중년 남성의 모습**을 중심으로 드라마를 살펴봅니다. ***Mercy for None (광장)*** 은 소지섭의 또 다른 캐릭터를 비교하기 위해 **간단히 언급**합니다. ### 💬 주요 주제 * **글로벌 인기:** 왜 *Agent Kim*은 한국과 해외에서 큰 인기를 얻었을까? * **아버지와 남성성:** 김에게 좋은 아버지란 무엇일까? * **복수, 구출, 책임:** 김은 복수를 위해 싸우는 걸까, 가족을 지키기 위해 싸우는 걸까? * **세 중년 남자의 우정:** 김과 두 친구의 우정과 팀워크는 이야기에 어떤 매력을 더할까? * **액션과 유머:** 왜 *Agent Kim*의 액션은 유쾌하고, *Mercy for None*은 훨씬 어두울까? * **AI와 액션:** AI는 액션 장면과 미래의 액션 스타를 어떻게 바꿀까? * **만족스러운 결말:** 좋은 결말에는 무엇이 필요할까? 정의, 복수, 화해, 아니면 주인공의 승리? **🗣 Language:** The discussion will be primarily in English, with Korean naturally mixed into the conversation. Feel free to use either language as you share your thoughts. ✨ **The Vibe:** Easygoing, friendly, and open. Some people love to share opinions, some just come to listen — all good! **👥 Who it’s for:** – K-drama fans or So Ji-sub fans – Korean/English speakers and learners (Calling all Korean native speakers! Don’t be shy—come join us! **한국어 네이티브 분들, 다들 환영해요—부끄러워하지 마세요!**) – Anyone interested Korean culture. 🔔**👥 How to find us?** Please enter through the **Capital One Cafe entrance on Broadway**. Walk straight ahead, and you’ll see **Community Room One on your left**. Please **do not** walk toward the café area.

Korean Book Club: Beasts of a Little Land By Juhea Kim

Join us for a discussion of the acclaimed historical novel ***Beasts of a Little Land***, originally written in English by Korean-American author **Juhea Kim** and later translated into Korean. Set in Korea from 1917 through the turbulent decades of Japanese occupation, the independence movement, war, and modernization, the novel brings this pivotal period of Korean history to life through the stories of its unforgettable characters. At the heart of the novel is **Jade**, a young girl who enters a courtesan school and grows into a celebrated performer. Through her journey, we enter a fascinating world of gender, class, education, sexuality, and social expectations in early 20th-century. **Discussion Topics** * **Characters, Love & Choices** What shapes Jade, JungHo, and the other characters? How do love, friendship, family, ambition, and survival influence their choices and relationships? Which characters did you find most compelling? * **Courtesans, Gender & Social Expectations** Courtesans could receive education and artistic training, earn money, socialize with men, and participate in cultural and political life—opportunities largely unavailable to “respectable” women. Was this a form of empowerment, or another form of constraint? What does Jade’s experience reveal about gender, class, and women’s roles in Korean society? * **History, Independence & Korean Identity** How do Japanese occupation, the independence movement, war, and modernization affect the characters and their lives? What does the novel tell us about what it means to be Korean during such a difficult and changing time? * **Beasts of a Little Land vs. *Pachinko*** What do these two novels have in common? How do they offer different perspectives on Korean identity, survival, family, and history? **🗣 Language:** The discussion will be conducted primarily in English, with Korean naturally mixed into the conversation. ✨ **The Vibe:** Easygoing and engaging. **👥 Who it’s for:** – Book lovers – Korean literature fans – Korean/English speakers and learners. (Calling all Korean native speakers! Don’t be shy—come join us! **한국어 네이티브 분들, 다들 환영해요—부끄러워하지 마세요!**) – Anyone interested in Korean history. 🔔 **Please Note** * Registration is **limited to 8 participants** to keep the discussion intimate and engaging. **RSVP ASAP!** * If you can no longer make it, please **cancel** your registration and let someone else who is interested take your spot. Thank you! 🔔**👥 How to find us?** Please enter through the **Capital One Cafe entrance on Broadway**. Walk straight ahead, and you’ll see **Community Room One on your left**. **Please do not walk toward the café area.**

DINNER @87 LUDLOW

Museum of Jewish Heritage!

On Thursday, October 8th let’s go to the Museum of Jewish Heritage! 📜 5:45pm to 8pm Can join anytime! In Battery Park Free on Thursdays from 4 to 8pm Free, but RSVP recommended To reserve free ticket, please follow these instructions: Click this link: [https://mjhnyc.org/visitor-information/](https://mjhnyc.org/visitor-information/) Then scroll to this section: **FREE HOURS:** Admission to the Museum is free on Thursdays between 4pm – 8pm. To reserve your advance free admission, [please choose a Thursday from our admission ticketing calendar](http://898a.blackbaudhosting.com/898a/tickets?tab=3&txobjid=240de02f-69d4-4978-8de8-034474c9896f&_ga=2.67749329.1929223102.1641392340-1208651431.1571419872) and change the time dropdown to 4pm. Lox at Café Bergson on 2nd floor for drinks & bites (including coffee) Of course, please reach out if you have any questions! The not so fun rule on RSVPs Please only RSVP if you think you can make it and adjust your RSVP asap if anything changes (as there are other people who would like your spot). Two no shows or cancellations within 6 hours results in a 4 month ban. I will send a reminder 24 hours in advance to the group Thanks and can't wait to see you!

The Murals & Mosaics of Spanish Harlem: Celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month

Hispanic Heritage Month (Sept 15 - Oct 15) is the perfect time to explore this colorful and under-appreciated NYC neighborhood, focusing on its many murals and mosaics. The public art tells the story of Spanish Harlem and the history, culture, and politics of its residents. One mile of walking. **Meet** 1:30PM at the NE corner of Lexington and 111th St. Nearest subway stop: 110th St. on the #6. End at 103rd and Lex. Steady rain cancels. **Leader**: Leigh Hallingby lhallingby@gmail.com or 551-404-7514.

Dallas-Fort Worth, Texas History & Culture Weekend Group Trip - September 19-20

**Dallas-Fort Worth, Texas History & Culture Weekend Group Trip - Saturday, September 19 & Sunday, September 20 - Hosted by Robert & Michele** You’re invited to join us in **Dallas-Fort Worth, Texas** for 2 history and culture Meetup events on Saturday, September 19 and Sunday, September 20. Saturday morning we’ll have a FREE guided walking tour of downtown Dallas, and on Sunday morning we’ll have a FREE guided walking tour of downtown Fort Worth. Both tours will focus on art, architecture, history, culture, etc. and will have optional group lunches afterwards. During our weekend trip you’ll also have free time to visit additional sites on your own. With 8.5 million people the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex is one of the largest metro areas in North America, and also one of the fastest growing areas in the U.S. Come see why so many people are moving here. These programs are hosted by our **Dallas-Fort Worth History & Culture** Meetup group - details below. What are these walking tours like? **YouTube - Texas History & Culture** [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5eh3Fpt_HIM](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5eh3Fpt_HIM) *** **Downtown Dallas Art, Architecture & History Tour (FREE) & Optional Lunch After** Saturday, September 19 - 9:00 am. All are welcome. Meeting Point: The Flying Horse Café (inside the Magnolia Dallas Downtown) - 1401 Commerce Street - Dallas. [https://www.meetup.com/dallasfortworthhistoryandculture/events/315046233](https://www.meetup.com/dallasfortworthhistoryandculture/events/315046233) [https://www.eventbrite.com/e/downtown-dallas-art-architecture-history-tour-free-lunch-after-tickets-1990745075109](https://www.eventbrite.com/e/downtown-dallas-art-architecture-history-tour-free-lunch-after-tickets-1990745075109) **Downtown Fort Worth Guided Walking Tour (FREE) & Optional Riscky's BAR-B-Q Lunch** Sunday, September 20 - 9:00 am. All are welcome. Meeting Point: Starbucks - Sundance Square: 141 West 3rd Steet, Fort Worth. [https://www.meetup.com/dallasfortworthhistoryandculture/events/315547392](https://www.meetup.com/dallasfortworthhistoryandculture/events/315547392) [https://www.eventbrite.com/e/downtown-fort-worth-guided-walking-tour-and-optional-risckys-bbq-lunch-tickets-1993209563460](https://www.eventbrite.com/e/downtown-fort-worth-guided-walking-tour-and-optional-risckys-bbq-lunch-tickets-1993209563460) *** If you’re joining us for these programs and are not already in the Dallas-Fort Worth area then you’ll need to make your own travel plans as we’re only hosting the tours. We look forward to seeing you. Thanks! Robert Kelleman [rkelleman@yahoo.com](mailto:rkelleman@yahoo.com) 202-821-6325 (text only) [https://www.linkedin.com/in/robertkelleman/](https://www.linkedin.com/in/robertkelleman/)

🎨 LET’S GO — GUGGENHEIM POP: 1960 TO NOW!

# 🎨 LET’S GO — GUGGENHEIM POP: 1960 TO NOW! ## A SPECIAL PRIVATE GUIDED TOUR + THE BRAND-NEW TARYN SIMON EXHIBITION 🗓 **Saturday\, September 26\, 2026 \| 1:00 PM** 📍 **Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum** 1071 Fifth Avenue New York, NY 10128 👥 **LIMITED PRIVATE GROUP EVENT** 💵 **SPECIAL SOCIAL CLUB PRICE: ONLY $25 PER PERSON** **Includes Museum Admission AND our Private One-Hour Guided Tour!** *** ## ✨ A VERY SPECIAL AFTERNOON AT THE GUGGENHEIM Join us for a wonderful Saturday afternoon at one of New York City's most iconic cultural institutions as our Social Club returns to the **Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum** for a completely new experience! And this time, we're doing something special. I have arranged a **private one-hour guided tour exclusively for our Social Club**, led by one of the Guggenheim's Museum Educators, focusing on the exciting exhibition: # 🎨 GUGGENHEIM POP: 1960 TO NOW Following our private guided experience, our afternoon will continue with a **self-guided exploration of the Guggenheim's brand-new Taryn Simon exhibition**, which will have opened only eight days before our visit! So this is essentially **two completely different museum experiences in one afternoon**. This is Pop Art—but not simply a retrospective. *Guggenheim Pop: 1960 to Now* traces the explosive emergence of Pop in the early 1960s and follows its influence all the way into contemporary art. Advertising. Comic strips. Consumer products. Movies. Mass media. Celebrity. Everyday objects. Artists took imagery that surrounded ordinary people and completely transformed the boundaries between popular culture and fine art. And we're talking about some **very recognizable names**: 🎨 **Andy Warhol** 🎨 **Roy Lichtenstein** 🎨 **Yayoi Kusama** 🎨 **Claes Oldenburg & Coosje van Bruggen** 🎨 **Richard Hamilton** 🎨 **Jim Dine** ...alongside contemporary artists who continue to reinterpret Pop's influence today. The exhibition also tells an important Guggenheim story. In 1963, curator Lawrence Alloway organized *Six Painters and the Object* at the Guggenheim—the **first museum presentation of Pop Art in New York**. More than six decades later, this exhibition looks at where Pop began and what became of its legacy. *** ## ⭐ SOME VERY SPECIAL HIGHLIGHTS There are several works here that make this exhibition particularly interesting. 🍌 **Maurizio Cattelan's *Comedian*** — yes, THAT artwork: the banana attached to the wall. 🏸 **Claes Oldenburg and Coosje van Bruggen's *Soft Shuttlecock*** — being shown in New York for the first time in 25 years. ✨ And **Yayoi Kusama's *INFINITY MIRRORED ROOM – DANCING LIGHTS THAT FLEW UP TO THE UNIVERSE***, a major loan to the exhibition. Having a Guggenheim Museum Educator guide us through this for an hour should make an enormous difference. Rather than simply looking at the works, we'll be able to understand **why they mattered, what the artists were responding to, and how Pop changed modern art.** # 🌀 AND THEN — SOMETHING COMPLETELY NEW! ## TARYN SIMON — A BRAND-NEW GUGGENHEIM EXHIBITION After our private Pop tour concludes, we're not finished! We'll continue on our own through the Guggenheim's **brand-new major exhibition by Taryn Simon**, opening September 18—just eight days before we arrive. And this one sounds fascinating. Simon is known for using photography and storytelling to examine the hidden systems, unseen forces and narratives that shape the world around us. For this major Guggenheim exhibition, she has created an entirely **new body of work** incorporating: 📷 Never-before-seen photographs 🎥 Video 📝 Text 🗿 Sculpture 🌀 Interactive installation And here's what makes it particularly appropriate for the Guggenheim: **The exhibition fills the entire Rotunda.** Rather than following one predetermined route, visitors will be able to choose their own pathways through a huge constellation of imagery and ideas spiraling through Frank Lloyd Wright's extraordinary building. It should be a completely different experience from the Pop exhibition—and because it will have opened only days earlier, **we'll be among its earliest visitors.** *** ## 🏛️ AND, OF COURSE...THIS IS THE GUGGENHEIM The art is only part of the experience. Frank Lloyd Wright's extraordinary spiral building is itself one of the great works of 20th-century architecture and part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Even walking through the Guggenheim is unlike visiting virtually any other museum. And for anyone who wants to remain after our two featured exhibitions, your admission provides an opportunity to continue exploring the Museum—including the ongoing **Thannhauser Collection**, with Impressionist, Post-Impressionist and modern French masterpieces including works by **Degas, Manet and Van Gogh**. *** # ⏰ OUR AFTERNOON **12:45 PM — Please arrive by no later than 12:45pm.** **1:00 PM — Our Private Guggenheim Museum Educator Tour Begins** 🎨 *Guggenheim Pop: 1960 to Now* Approximately **1 hour** **Approximately 2:00 PM — Taryn Simon** 🌀 We'll continue together into the newly opened exhibition for a self-guided exploration. Afterward, members are welcome to remain at the Guggenheim and continue exploring the Museum at their own pace. *** # 💵 AN EXCEPTIONAL SOCIAL CLUB PRICE — ONLY $25! I am especially pleased with the pricing I was able to arrange for our group. Our special Social Club price is: ## **ONLY $25 PER PERSON** And that includes: **✓ Guggenheim Museum admission** **✓ Our exclusive private one-hour guided tour** **✓ Museum Educator** **✓ Guggenheim Pop: 1960 to Now** **✓ Taryn Simon exhibition afterward** **✓ Access to the Museum's other available galleries** This is an outstanding value for a private guided experience at the Guggenheim. PLEASE NOTE: REFUNDS WILL ONLY BE MADE IF THE EVENT IS CANCELED. *** # 🌟 THIS SHOULD BE A GREAT ONE! **Warhol. Lichtenstein. Kusama. Pop Art.** A **private one-hour Guggenheim tour exclusively for our Social Club.** Then an entirely different experience inside a **brand-new exhibition filling Frank Lloyd Wright's famous Rotunda.** And all of it for **only $25 per member.** I think we have the makings of a really special Saturday afternoon. **Space will be limited, so please RSVP early!** I look forward to seeing everyone at the Guggenheim! 🎨🌀😊