Here’s What’s Happening (in order of appearance):

Chelsea Green Park’s Annual Online Auction / Vanderbilt in the City / West Side Community Fund’s  Spring 2025 Grant Cycle / Music, Art, & More at Verdi Cannabis / Demo and Dine / Art Exhibits at Hudson Guild /  

Chelsea Green Park’s Annual Online Auction: Through Tuesday, March 11 | Friends of a Chelsea Green, the group behind the great programming at Chelsea Green Park (140 W. 20th St. btw. 6th & 7th Aves.), is having its annual action. Proceeds will help fund the migthy microspace’s free entertainment and activities, including street fairs, Halloween festivities, and live performances. Why support this effort? The Friends make the case in the auction’s promo materials, observing, “This small but vibrant spot provides a peaceful green space where neighbors can gather, relax, and connect. It’s a quiet retreat in the heart of Chelsea, with shaded seating, a welcoming play area for children, and plenty of room to enjoy a moment outdoors. Beyond being a beautiful space, Chelsea Green Park brings our community together.” If you have any questions, contact the Friends by sending an email to ChelseaGreenPark@gmail.com. To join their new Facebook page, click here. And to participate in the auction, click here.

Vanderbilt in the City: Conversations on America | Thursday, March 6, April 10 & May 1 at Vanderbilt University (440 W. 21st St. btw. 9th & 10th Aves.) | This three-event series is the first piece of public programming for WHERE-based University since last year’s announcement that a long-term lease will see them establish an academic presence in West Chelsea (on General Theologic Seminary property; W. 20th to 21st Sts., 9th to 10th Aves.). Curated in a manner befitting an academic’s restless curiosity, Conversations on America, they tell us, “will convene faculty and thought leaders for discussions that explore big questions” by highlighting “the dynamic perspectives of what it means to be an American today as our role in the world is shifting.” On March 6, the theme is America and the World. On April 10, American Humor is explored—and on May 1, the series closes with Health in America: Challenges and Opportunities. Attendance is open to the public, and registration is required. Click here to do so. For the full story via Vanderbilt’s Feb. 6, 2025 press announcement click here.

Events at Verdi Cannabis (158 W. 23rd St. btw. 6th & 7th Aves.) | Having recently celebrated its first full year since setting up shop on West 23rd Street, legal cannabis distributor Verdi Cannabis offers free arts programming via gallery-style displays of artwork on their walls, and a Thursday night music series. This month, the featured musical acts are: March 6, Nice Time (Sponsors: Smokiez, Umamii); March 13, Leather and Lace (Sponsors: Edie Parker – Seediez, Rhythm, Miss Grass; March 20, Love Deep (Sponsors: Bettering Co); and March 27, Joe Salgo Solo Project (Sponsors Gron). As for special events happening in-store: On Thursday, March 20, the Cousins Maine Lobster Food Truck is parked nearby, 12pm-8pm; On March 21, 1pm-8pm, it’s a Bloom Women’s History Month Flash Tattoo Event. (Expect announcements soon regarding  tie-ins to basketball’s March Madness and March 17’s St. Patrick’s Day.) Also: Always on view on the walls–and available for purchase–is the work of painters and photographers. Through mid-March, the featured artist is Spazecraft. Then, from March 22 through April 12, the featured artist is Dina Freeman. Throughout the month of March, Verdi is running a fundraiser in collaboration with Rove to benefit LA Wildfire relief. “We have 3 Rove gift baskets, with live product and merch, each at a $350 retail value. You can purchase a raffle ticket for $5 at Verdi,” says a Verdi staffer. To keep up with what else is up with Verdi, click here to visit their website. To visit the EVENTS page of their website, click here.

Demo and Dine at Market 57’s PLATFORM (at Pier 57, 25 11th Ave.) | PLATFORM, the ultra-modern showcase kitchen and educational facility at Pier 57’s Market 57, is home to this series that sees participants immersed in the favorite flavorful cuisine of a renowned guest chef. The series debuts at 1pm on Sunday, March 9, with Milk and Cardamom: Afternoon Chai with Hetal Vasavda. Author and blogger Vasavda shares family favortes during this demonstration and tasting. Learn the secret to making delectable Masala Chai and Kesar Pista Cream Puffs while sipping chai. General admission tickets are $95 here and tickets with a copy of Desi Bakes (Vasavda’s book) are available for $125 here. Then, at 6pm on Friday, March 28, it’s Pasta and Pastry with Chef Renato Poliafito. Brooklyn-based chef/author Poliafiro leads this interactive dining experience and Q&A, while sharing “his expert techniques for making fresh, authentic pasta from scratch, and the step-by-step secrets behind his incredible pastries.” Tickets are available for $95 here.

Water’s Voice and Our Fragile Moment: Climate Crisis-Themed Exhibits at Hudson Guild | Free to the public, these exhibits are the latest in Hudson Guild’s Art in Response series in which “artists  examine issues of social and political importance to our community.” Water’s Voice considers the powerful presence of water in nature—and ourselves. (“We are mostly water,” the exhibit’s promo material notes.) The work of artists Patricia Espinosa, Eleanor Goldstein, Ellie  Irons, Susan Knight, Michelle Lougee, and Camille Seaman celebrate and champion water, working in a variety of formats and mediums. Free to view at Guild Gallery II (119 Ninth Ave.) through April 22; Tues. through Fri., 10am to 5pm, and by appointment (call 212-760-9837 to schedule a visit).

Having opened on February 13 at Hudson Guild Gallery (441 W. 26th St.) with a free reception from 5:30pm to 7pm, the exhibit Our Fragile Moment highlights environmental issues, including sea level rise. “The  combined voices of these artists allow beauty to blend with sadness, fear to be overlaid with hope and optimism, and  apathy to be turned to action,” notes artist/educator Fran Beallor, who curated this exhibit as well as Water’s Voice. As for the talent featured in Our Fragile Moment, Beallor’s hand-picked roster includes Rachel Aisenson, M. Annenberg, Nicole Betancourt,  Lois Bender, Pam Brown, Pamela Casper, Jesica Clark, Simona Clausnitzer, Nora Chavooshian, January Yoon Cho, Nicole Cooper, Cailyn  Dawson, Noreen Dean Dresser, Anke Frohlich, Nancy Gesimondo, Pearl Rosen Golden, Deborah Kruger, Sally Linder,  Christina Massey, Mars Miller, Eleni Mylonas, Beryl Perron-Feller, Grace Graupe Pillard, Jeffrey Allen Price, Kristin  Reed, Yvonne Lamar Rogers, Ann R. Shapiro, Amrita Singh, Molly Tenzer, Tammy West, Jane Whitten, and Lucy Wilner.

“Our Fragile Moment” is free to view through April 22; Tues. through Fri., 10am to 6pm, Sat., 12pm to 3pm, and by appointment (call 212-760-9837to schedule a visit). Monday, March 24, 76pm to 8:30pm, artists from both exhibits come together for a virtual event: “Artists on the Climate Crisis An Artists Talk on Art.”  This online discussion is held via Zoom. Click here for the link and when prompted, use 737066 as the password.

—Listings compiled by Scott Stiffler

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