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17 Things to Do on Inauguration Day in New York City

By DNAinfo Staff | January 17, 2017 4:57pm | Updated on January 20, 2017 9:31am

 Protester Marni Halasa stands outside the Plaza Hotel to protest Donald Trump, who was speaking inside the hotel. Many anti-Trump events are planned in New York as he is sworn in on Friday in Washington.
Protester Marni Halasa stands outside the Plaza Hotel to protest Donald Trump, who was speaking inside the hotel. Many anti-Trump events are planned in New York as he is sworn in on Friday in Washington.
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DNAinfo/Ben Fractenberg

Although President-elect Donald Trump has his supporters here, for many in dark blue New York, watching the Inauguration may not feel like much of a celebration.

As the Queens native is sworn in as the 45th president of the United States on Friday, some people are planning to commemorate the day in a range of creative ways, from pay-as-you-wish admission at city museums to a special “Buffet of Tears” all-you-can-eat taco breakfast in Brooklyn.

If you’re looking for a way to observe the day, we rounded up more than a dozen inauguration-themed events for every stripe, whether you’re looking for a poetry reading or a protest. Take a look:

MANHATTAN

► Pay-What-You-Wish at the Museum of Art and Design

Where: 2 Columbus Circle, Midtown
When: 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.

The Museum of Arts and Design will be admitting patrons on a “pay-what-you-wish” basis on Friday, to give them a chance to see “an unprecedented number of solo exhibitions on view by women artists across generations.” Visitors will also be able to check out a soon-to-close exhibit focused on climate change and coral reef death called “Coral Reef: Toxic Seas.”

Pay-What-You-Wish at the Whitney

Where: Whitney Museum, 99 Gansevoort St., Meatpacking District
When: 10:30 a.m. to 10 p.m.

In observance of Inauguration Day, admission to the Whitney is pay-as-you-wish and the museum will offer a special exhibit and tours for “My America,” an exploration of “immigration, ethnicity, race and the complexity of American identity.” Tours will take place at 11 a.m., and 1, 3, 5, 7 and 8:30 p.m.

Inaugurate Love: Dreaming Our Nation United

Where: United Palace, 4140 Broadway at 175th Street, Washington Heights
When: 11 a.m.

Join award-winning actress Ellen Burstyn to celebrate a time to “stand up for community.” The event will include indigenous ceremonies, such as sound healing, drumming, spoken word, poetry, dance and movement, live art, singing, instrumentalists and group meditation.

Black, Brown & Indigenous Mobilize Against White Nationalism
Where: Harriet Tubman Memorial, 235 St Nicholas Ave, Harlem
When: 11 AM - 4 PM

The Bronx-based group Why Accountability is inviting people to turn out to protest Trump "and the rise of white nationalism" at a daylong protest event.

► Concert for America: Stand Up and Sing

Where: The Town Hall, 123 W. 43rd St., Midtown
When: 3 p.m.

Join Broadway stars including Rosie Perez, Billy Borter, Betty Buckley and more for a concert celebrating diversity and love. Proceeds from the concert will benefit five organization: Planned Parenthood, NAACP, the Sierra Club, Southern Poverty Law Center and the National Immigration Law Center. Tickets to see the show in person have sold out, but the performances will be streamed live on Facebook.

► Day One: A Poetry Reading and Open Mic

Where: Poets House, 10 River Terrace, Battery Park City
When:  5 to 7 p.m.

Join a lineup of poets and artists, voicing their collective dissent. According to organizers, the event is “day one” of many where “we will have to commune, resist, and be heard.” A limited number of open mic slots will be available.

► Rally and Protest at Foley Square

Where: Foley Square,
When: 5 p.m.

Organizers from Socialist Alternative NYC invite New Yorkers to join a family friendly, "non-violent" permitted anti-Trump protest and rally that will march from Foley Square to the Trump Building at 40 Wall Street.

BROOKLYN

Rose's 'Buffet of Tears'

Where: Rose’s, 295 Flatbush Ave., Prospect Heights
When: 10 a.m.

Enjoy an all-you-can-eat taco breakfast with all-you-can-drink Bloody Marys and micheladas for this “Buffet of Tears,” a one-time event Rose’s. “We aren’t usually morning people, but we’d like to drink together and summon the good vibes for a new age,” the restaurant said on Instagram.

► Marathon Reading of 'Let America Be America Again'

Where: Brooklyn Museum, 200 Eastern Parkway, Prospect Heights
When: Every 30 minutes from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Performers, artists, activists and writers will read this “prescient” 1935 Langston Hughes poem every half hour all day long on Inauguration Day. The program is free and open to the public.

 Anti-Inauguration Night with DJ Saasha Foo

Where: Berg’n, 899 Bergen St., Crown Heights
When: 6 p.m. to midnight

Come together and dance away your Inauguration Day fears at this Anti-Inauguration Day party. DJ Saasha Foo will be spinning vinyl jams that celebrate unity and love, organizers say.

► Sabbath Queen, Inauguration Edition

Where: Invisible Dog, 51 Bergen St., Boerum Hill
When: 6 p.m.

This monthly shabbat event hosted by Lab/Shul, a “God-optional” experimental Jewish community, will focus on “what it feels like to be an American at this moment of transition,” organizers say. The event is free with a suggestion for donations.

► The Election Monologues

Where: Jalopy Theatre, 315 Columbia St., Columbia Street Waterfront District
When: Doors at 6:30 p.m., show at 7 p.m.

Six different people will read monologues of their experiences during Trump’s election. Guests are invited to stay after the one-hour presentation to to continue the conversation at the Jalopy Tavern. The Election Monologues is part of a national storytelling event held simultaneously in 12 other cities across the U.S. and Canada. A donation of $10 is suggested.

► #WeAreHer Night

Where: Friends and Lovers, 641 Classon Ave., Crown Heights
When: 7 to 10 p.m.

See performances by and celebrating women at this benefit concert to raise money for the ACLU and Planned Parenthood. The night will also include an after-party featuring female DJs. There is a $10 to $20 suggested donation at the door.

Inauguration Karaoke Night with Randy Credico

Where: Brooklyn Commons, 388 Atlantic Ave., Boerum Hill
When: 7 p.m.

Sing your heart out at this fundraiser for WBAI radio hosted by Earth Mum and special guest Randy Credico. There is a $10 suggested donation at the door.

► Nasty Women and Bad Hombres

Where: Freddy’s Bar, 627 Fifth Ave., South Slope
When: 8 p.m.

Raise money for Planned Parenthood at this comedy, burlesque, raffle and music night at Freddy’s, held in honor of all the people “threatened by the new presidency,” organizers said. Performers are scheduled every hour, roughly, through midnight.

Anti-Inauguration Ball

Where: Silent Barn, 603 Bushwick Ave., Bushwick
When: 8 p.m.

For $8, join this ball “celebrating the art of the protest and the joy of resistance,” organizers said, to benefit the Women’s March on NYC, scheduled to take place Saturday. Formal dress is encouraged.

► Inauguration Day Brewery Sneak Peek

Where: Industry City, 33 35th St. 6A, Sunset Park
When: 8:30 to 11 p.m.

Get a sneak peak of beers from Industry City’s newest breweries — Wartega and Lineup — while raising funds for charity on Inauguration Day. Proceeds from Wartega will go towards the International Rescue Committee, proceeds from Lineup will go toward Planned Parenthood and proceeds from Arcane Distilling will go to the Natural Resources Defense Council. Tickets are $35 and include four beers and a shot. There will also be a cash bar with cocktails from Industry City Distillery.

QUEENS

► J20 Strike at the Queens Museum

Where: Queens Museum, Flushing Meadows-Corona Park
When: 12 to 2 p.m.

The Queens Museum will close on Friday to host an afternoon of creative solidarity for the J20 General Strike. Guests can make signs, posters, banners and buttons with help from Shoestring Press and the EFA Robert Blackburn Printmaking Workshop. It’s free for everyone, with all materials provided.

This column was compiled by DNAinfo reporters Leslie Albrecht, Katie Honan, Maya Rajamani, Allegra Hobbs, Alexandra Leon, Noah Hurowitz, Carolina Pichardo, Irene Plagianos and Rachel Holliday Smith.