The 5 Best Things To Do In NYC Tonight, November 13

Tonight in New York City: Learn how to speak Japanese, check out the latest exhibit at The Studio Museum in Harlem, or meet landscape and portrait artist Sarah Yuster. By Carly Petrone.

Free Sample Lesson for Beginners: Japanese

(credit: Facebook/Tenri Culinary Institute)

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Tonight's your chance to take a free beginners Japanese lesson at Tenri Cultural Institute. For one hour you can immerse yourself in a new language. The hiragana syllabary will be introduced as the foundation of Japanese pronunciation and grammar. Plus, you will walk away knowing how to say basic greetings and basic conversation. Class starts at 6 p.m. All you have to do is call to reserve your spot.

Ask Roulette

Photo Credit: Housing Works

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Have you ever wanted to ask a complete stranger a question? Tonight's your chance to when Jody Avirgan hosts Ask Roulette at Housing Works Bookstore. During this conversation series, strangers ask each other questions live on stage. After being randomly paired, you'll have to answer a question from a stranger, then you get to turn around and ask someone your question. Feel free to be as silly as you want. Tonight's series feature special guests Rembert Brown of Grantland and Robert Krulwich of Radiolab. House band Eli Bolin will also be there. Event begins at 7 p.m.

Staten Island 'Parks' Art

(credit: nycgovparks.org)

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Artist Sarah Yuster is known for her urban landscapes and insightful portraits and tonight you can see her work at the Conference House Park Visitor Center. Listen to her discuss her painting and the varied Staten Island landscapes that provide her endless creative inspiration. Event starts at 7 p.m. and admission is free.

Speaking of People: Ebony, Jet, and Contemporary Art

(credit: studiomuseum.org)

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Speaking of People: Ebony, Jet and Contemporary Art opens today at The Studio Museum in Harlem. This exhibit explores ways contemporary artists us Ebony and Jet as a resource and as inspiration in their practices. It takes a closer look at the magazines' material and cultural legacy as artists perceive them. Exhibit runs through March 8th and museum is open until 9 p.m. Admission is $7 for adults, $3 for seniors/students, free for members.

Video TALE: Brooklyn Storytelling with Video

Credit: Facebook.com/Videology

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Videology knows how to entertain you – with videos, of course! Tonight, storytellers Bruce Cherry (Comedy Central), Zachary Garrett (VHS Presents), and Jefferson Bites (Foreplay) will tell their favorite tales while integrating videos into their performance. Sounds fun, right? Show begins at 7 p.m. and admission is free.

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Carly Petrone is a freelance writer living in New York City.