During Prohibition (1919-1933), New York City's speakeasies were home to drinking, dancing and the swinging sounds of the Jazz Age. At their height of popularity, which coincided with the Great Depression, the city's speakeasy count grew to over 32,000.

For New Yorkers, there can't be a better place to swing to the Lindy Hop, the Balboa, and the Charleston than the terrace at the Museum of the City of New York - which keeps track of the city's historical moments, including the socially significant ones too. Join in on Wednesday, August 19th, with classic jazz spun by DJ GetName.

Last week's Speakeasy was moved indoors due to bad weather. Photos by Nadia Kitirath.

Don't dance much? Not a problem! Next Wednesday, August 26th,  Akemi Kinukawa of the Lindy Hop All Stars, who is an expert on dances of the Prohibition Era, will be giving instruction from 6:10 to 6:40. Dance sets follow, with live music by The Moonlighters. To bring a little historical perspective to the evening, author Kevin Fitzpatrick (A Journey into Dorothy Parker's New York) will give a brief talk at 7:00 pm.

Admission to The Speakeasy at 1220 Fifth is $10 for museum members and $12 for non-members and includes one free drink and access to the museum's first-floor galleries, where Dutch Seen: New York Rediscovered and Amsterdam/Niew Amsterdam: The Worlds of Henry Hudson are on view. No reservations, tickets are sold at the door.

Museum of the City of New York is located at 1220 Fifth Avenue at 104th Street.
By bus:
M1, M3, M4 or M106 to 104th Street, M2 to 101st Street.
By subway:
#6 Lexington Avenue train to 103rd Street, walk three blocks west, or #2 or #3 train to Central Park North (110th Street), walk one block east to Fifth Avenue, then south to 103rd Street. Ramp access is available at the 104th Street entrance.

AT MCNY THIS WEEKEND
Photographer Charlotte Dumas will speak about her portraits of New York City shelter dogs, now on view in Dutch Seen, followed by a discussion with dog handlers from Animal Care & Control of New York City about their work in rescuing, caring for, and finding homes for homeless animals. Sunday, August 23 at 2:00 pm. Free with museum admission.

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