West 104th St. Block Association: social activities

West 104th Street Block Association

Social activities
Curbside Cafes | Walking tours | Holiday sing | Special events

Tell us of an event you'd like the block association to organize.

Curbside Cafes
During the summer months, we hold informal parties called Curbside Cafes on the street from about 5:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Block residents enjoy stopping after work to chat with each other and share wine, cheese, soda, and home-baked desserts.

Curbside cafe scene

Scene at a recent Curbside Cafe

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Walking tours
Each year, the block association sponsors a walking tour of the neighborhood focusing on its historic architecture, landscapes, and well-known former Walking tour in Central Park residents (Humphrey Bogart and the Gershwins among them). We are fortunate to have a block resident, Gil Tauber, create and lead the tours.

In 1999, Gil took us from park to park to park (see picture at left): from the Conservatory Garden in Central Park to Straus Park, and ending up in Riverside Park. After the tour, Doug and Joan Kerr graciously gave us a tour of their beautifully preserved 1892 brownstone and hosted a reception in their backyard.

In July 2001, Gil designed a Riverside Park tour, taking us from 104th St. south to the new pier in the 60s and then back north to the Boat Basin Cafe where we relaxed in the cool of the rotunda.

Tours generally last two hours and cost around $15. Proceeds benefit the block association.

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Holiday sing
Each December, block residents gather to sing carols and winter holiday songs on West 104th Street. We usually walk east to Broadway to sing for Mr. Suba and his Caroling in the snow staff at Suba Pharmaceuticals, then cross Broadway to sing for the families in the Regent Family Residence. We've also sung at the holidays parties of buildings on the block.

2002 holiday sing details

A wet and wonderful snow fell during the sing pictured at right.

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Special events
Special donor tea
Every two years, the block association organizes a tea for special donors. The tea is held in a splendid location, such as a penthouse apartment overlooking the Hudson River. In February 2001, we had a champagne brunch for our consistent contributors in the Nicolas Roerich Museum.

Private museum tours
We have organized tours of the Metropolitan Museum of Art and the New-York Historical Society led by block residents who work at the museums.

Theatre parties
We have also organized theatre parties.

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Updated December 10, 2001