The 102nd Street Field House in Riverside Park, newly renovated, has a full week of free programming starting Monday, Nov. 2: three movement classes, a staged reading of a new play on Saturday evening, and a morning look at the Riverside Park Conservancy's work vehicles a few blocks south. Everything is free and run by the conservancy's Summer on the Hudson program.
Finding the Field House
The building sits below Riverside Drive on the park's promenade level. Enter the park at 102nd or 103rd Street and Riverside Drive, walk down to the promenade, and the stairs to the Field House are across the promenade at 102nd Street. The 1 train stops at 103rd Street and Broadway, three avenue blocks east.
Monday: Bodyroll
Bodyroll, a dance class built on body rolling, aerobic dancing and movement exercises, meets Mondays from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. The listing says no dance experience is needed. The class runs weekly through Dec. 21, with no session on Nov. 23.
Wednesday: yoga
Instructor Meg SantaMaria leads a morning yoga practice on Wednesdays from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m., open to all fitness levels. Bring your own mat and wear loose clothing. It runs weekly through Dec. 16, skipping Nov. 25.
Thursday: mat Pilates
Sweet Water Dance & Yoga teaches mat Pilates on Thursdays from 11 a.m. to noon, working the core along with the arms and legs, with attention to posture, breathing and controlled movement. The listing calls it suited to beginners and useful for more experienced students too. Bring a mat. The fall series ends Nov. 19, so three sessions remain, starting Nov. 5.
Saturday morning: meet the fleet
On Saturday, Nov. 7, from 10 a.m. to noon, the Riverside Park Conservancy opens its 95th Street Compost Compound for a look at the cars, trucks and heavy equipment that maintain the park. Staff will be on hand to explain how the vehicles fit into the conservancy's sustainability work.
Saturday evening: a new play, read aloud
Back at the Field House the same day, from 5 to 7 p.m., Summer on the Hudson presents a staged reading of Strange Confessions, a new play by Laura MacLean. Its central character is Peyton, a writer with agoraphobia who stays inside her apartment in a large prewar building. After construction work in the building, her kitchen air vent starts carrying her neighbors' conversations, and she learns their secrets one by one.
MacLean began as a singer and songwriter, touring abroad and opening for acts in Hawaii, New Zealand and the United Kingdom, before turning to playwriting in the early 2000s. She is a member of Actors' Equity and the Dramatists Guild. The reading is free, with an RSVP through Eventbrite linked from the NYC Parks listing.
Before you go
All five programs are free. The play asks for an RSVP, and questions go to Summer on the Hudson at 212-870-3089 or soh@riversideparknyc.org.

Loading comments…