Upcoming Public Programs

Wednesday, December 4, 2024
The Artistic Crime of the Century: A Conversation with Philippe Petit
6:00 pm - 7:00 pm ET

Fifty years ago, French high-wire artist Philippe Petit captured headlines around the world when he pulled off what became known as the “artistic crime of the century,” performing a tightrope balancing act between the Twin Towers. A quarter mile into the sky, Petit walked and performed his way between the two skyscrapers, without a net, for 45 minutes. This act made him a celebrity and shined a spotlight on the World Trade Center only a year after it was dedicated. In conversation with Museum Director Clifford Chanin, Petit reflects on the World Trade Center, his iconic performance, and its legacy half a century later.

Wednesday, December 11, 2024
Intersections: Jazz and 9/11
6:00 pm - 7:00 pm ET

September 11, 2001 was the first day of classes for students at The Juilliard School. Among them were Dominick Farinacci, jazz trumpeter and composer, Erica Von Kleist, saxophonist and educator, and Ulysses Owens, drummer and percussionist, all members of the school’s inaugural jazz studies program. That morning, students emerged from practice rooms with orders to evacuate, and in the following days and weeks, the arts served as the backdrop for the community as they gathered to cope with the trauma of the attacks.

In collaboration with the National Jazz Museum in Harlem, 9/11 Memorial & Museum President & CEO Beth Hillman is joined by these musicians and Loren Schoenberg, NJMH Senior Scholar, to reflect on 9/11, its impact on these college students and on the jazz community, and the power of music in times of tragedy.