Happening History Lessons

In a sense, the timing of the long-overdue First Gotham History Festival could not have been better. Amidst the devastation, it's more important than ever to anchor ourselves in time," wrote the festival's founder, Mike Wallace (the Pulitzer Prize-winning author of Gotham: A History of New York City to 1898), announcing that his series of lectures, panels, screenings, exhibits, and tours would proceed as planned. So when you're through giving blood and expressing consumer confidence, head for the festival's first leg, a three-day conference October 5 through 7 at the B. Altman building consisting of more than 100 events: talks by Martin Scorsese, Ben Katchor, Pete Hamill; roundtables on black New York, Arab New York, gay New York; a panel on the history of the subway system (including the Third Avenue El, pictured); and a screening of the conclusion of Ric Burns's New York documentary. Events continue for another week, ensuring many options for inexpensive and relatively guilt-free entertainment. (See various "Mix" listings for details.)

Back