The kids from Juilliard are back for the new school year, and that means that Upper West Siders have another venue to enjoy great free music and dance performances. The music and dance school kicks off the new school year with a free jazz concert Monday at the Peter Jay Sharp Theater (on 65th Street between Columbus and Amsterdam Avenues) by Juilliard faculty members. Below, check out a list of events this week. We will likely add more as the week progresses. And email us at info at westsiderag dot com to let us know about upcoming events.

Please double-check times and prices with the event producer. Many venues offer special pricing for students, seniors and members.

Monday

5:30 p.m.
Metropolitan Opera musicians perform French music Metropolitan Opera musicians Samuel Magill (Cello), Linda Hall (Piano) and Elmira Darvarova (Violin) present a program of rarely heard works by French composer Pierre de Breville (1861-1949), a student of Cesar Franck and a teacher at the Schola Cantorum in Paris, whose highly original compositions are remembered for their quality. At Symphony Space. $20 ($25 day of show).

7 p.m.
Shakespeare’s Gospel Parodies: A Medieval Mystery Tour The Dark Lady Players present a selection of Shakespeare’s religious parodies, taken from various plays, and arranged in a Medieval Mystery Tour around a 17,000 sq foot nineteenth century church building. This production puts a modern twist on the Medieval Mystery Play Cycle with a “Living Museum” performance. Shakespeare’s plays contain 14 resurrections, 12 Apocalypses, 5 Virgin Mary Allegories, 3,000 additional religious references, a variety of Christ figures and were written using 14 different translations of the Bible. Come and find out why. The audience walks around the building following the story. There are stairs. The Tour may be joined at any time within the first 45 minutes. At West-Park Presbyterian Church, 86th Street and Amsterdam Avenue. FREE.

7 p.m.
Alexandra Fuller: Cocktail Hour In her multi-layered sequel to her memoir Don’t Let’s Go to the Dogs Tonight, writer Alexandra Fuller tells a lush story of her family and the land they loved. At the 82nd Street Barnes & Noble. FREE.

7 p.m.
Society for Ethical Culture Prospective Members’ Reception Find out about Ethical Culture – the philosophy, social ethics, programs and membership. At the Society for Ethical Culture. FREE.

8 p.m.
Saidenberg: Juilliard Jazz Quintet A New Day, A New Joy. Featuring Juilliard Jazz’s faculty ensemble, the Juilliard Jazz Quintet. At the Peter Jay Sharp Theater. FREE.

8 p.m.
D’Ambrose Boyd & David Pearl Present Singers Space Come to Singers Space at Thalia Café, hosted by D’Ambrose Boyd with David Pearl at the piano. Where New York’s finest professional and aspiring singers go to sing their favorites and hear their peers perform before an intimate audience. The café offers cocktails, wine & beer, soups, salads, wraps and desserts. There’s no cover and no minimum. At Symphony Space. FREE.

Tuesday

7 p.m.
Sebastian Barry: On Canaan’s Side Bestselling Costa Prize-winning author Sebastian Barry reads from On Canaan’s Side, an epic novel that spans the 20th century from WWI to the Vietnam War, and the long life of an unforgettable woman with astonishing riches and sorrows. At the 82nd Street Barnes & Noble. FREE.

7 p.m.
Shakespeare’s Gospel Parodies: A Medieval Mystery Tour The Dark Lady Players present a selection of Shakespeare’s religious parodies, taken from various plays, and arranged in a Medieval Mystery Tour around a 17,000 sq foot nineteenth century church building. This production puts a modern twist on the Medieval Mystery Play Cycle with a “Living Museum” performance. Shakespeare’s plays contain 14 resurrections, 12 Apocalypses, 5 Virgin Mary Allegories, 3,000 additional religious references, a variety of Christ figures and were written using 14 different translations of the Bible. Come and find out why. The audience walks around the building following the story. There are stairs. The Tour may be joined at any time within the first 45 minutes. At West-Park Presbyterian Church, 86th Street and Amsterdam Avenue. FREE.

8 p.m.
Jessica Lurie Ensemble Seattle-bred and Brooklyn-based composer and instrumentalist Jessica Lurie performs on alto sax, flute, accordion and voice. Her 2009 release Shop Of Wild Dreams has been reviewed as “one of the most unique and stimulating recordings to come out of that delectable netherworld between jazz and non-jazz.” (Something Else). At Symphony Space. FREE.

9:30 p.m.
Cynthia Hilts Cynthia Hilts is an amazing pianist, a beautiful voice, who writes tunes that range from sultry to hard-driving – serious jazz and compelling lyrics. Her album “Second Story Breeze” was released by Blond Coyote Records in 2008 to critical acclaim – a beautiful jazz trio with Ron McClure and Jeff Williams, mostly original compositions with a few standards. At Symphony Space. FREE.

Wednesday

9 a.m.
Walk NYC Walk NYC is a program that encourages New Yorkers of all ages to get fit while enjoying the outdoors. Parks will staff locations throughout the city with trained walking instructors to lead one-hour walks. Meet at 83rd Street & Riverside Drive. FREE.

2 p.m.
Guitar Afternoon Enjoy free live music performed by jazz guitarist Bill Wurtzel and guest musicians each Wednesday from 2 to 3 pm. Folk Art Museum. FREE.

6:30 p.m.
Live music at Tavern on the Green Join the Central Park Conservancy for live outdoor acoustic music at Tavern on the Green. Featuring EMEFE – An original blend of Afrobeat Funk sure to delight any crowd. At Tavern on the Green (67th Street off Central Park West). FREE.

6:30 p.m.
Yoga-Evening Salute to the Sun End your day with relaxing Hatha yoga in a beautiful sunset setting. Suitable for all fitness levels. Please wear loose, comfortable clothing and bring your own mat. In Riverside Park at the plaza around 66th Street. FREE.

7 p.m.
Karl Marlantes: What It Is Like to Go to War Karl Marlantes, decorated war veteran, Discover Great New Writers winner and author of the bestseller Matterhorn, talks about the contradictions and gritty human experience of battle in his new book, What It Is Like to Go to War. At the 82nd Street Barnes & Noble. FREE.

7 p.m.
Kierstin Gray Dynamic songwriting, dazzling acoustic guitar chops, vocals that hit the sweet highs of pop and limbo the lows of the blues: this is Kierstin Gray. At Symphony Space. FREE.

8 p.m.
The Tenant Set in Paris and inspired by Roland Topor’s book which was famously adapted into a film by Roman Polanski, The Tenant is a thrilling, haunting, and grotesquely hilarious investigation into the relationship between who we are and where we live. When Monsieur Trelkovsky rents a room recently vacated by a woman who fell from her window, he soon finds his world changing in bizarre ways. Haunted by images of the previous tenant’s apparent suicide and terrorized by his new neighbors, Trelkovsky begins a slow decent into paranoia and delirium. Installed by Woodshed Collective in the West-Park Presbyterian Church and adjoining Parish House, The Tenant has been adapted and expanded, with new text by some of New York’s brightest up and coming playwrights. At West-Park Presbyterian Church, 86th Street and Amsterdam Avenue. FREE (the shows are booked, but waiting list seats are given out before the show if you show up and write down your name an hour before the performance).

8:30 p.m.
Bar Trivia TriviaTryst was founded in NYC in 2009 by Bryce Galen after realizing that pub quizzes were fun, but there was potential for a new type of trivia night with music, energy and popular appeal! At Symphony Space’s BAR Thalia. FREE.

9 p.m.
Bachauer Piano Competition Recital Winners of the 2011 Gina Bachauer Piano Competition in duo recital. Paul Hall. FREE.

Thursday

3 p.m.
Human Chess Be your favorite game piece as you navigate the chess board from inside at our Human chess games, where chess becomes a team sport. All levels welcome! West 89th Soldiers’ and Sailors’ Monument. FREE.

7 p.m.
Connectivity: Artists’ Reception A Group Show Curated by The Lowbrow Society for the Arts Presented by Bar Thalia. The Lowbrow Society for the Arts is a New York City based art collective committed to experimenting with the established conventions of how the public interacts with art, and providing emerging artists- particularly LGBTQ, people of color, and women- with the resources and support network needed to get their artwork shown. Partly inspired by Philip Glass’ Portals: A Multi-Media Exploration of Longing in the Digital Age, The Lowbrow Society for the Arts is looking for the answers. The artists’ reception, presented by Symphony Space will include a discussion led by Artistic Director Laura Kaminsky. Music will be played by Zack Knewstub. At Symphony Space. FREE.

8 p.m.
The Tenant Set in Paris and inspired by Roland Topor’s book which was famously adapted into a film by Roman Polanski, The Tenant is a thrilling, haunting, and grotesquely hilarious investigation into the relationship between who we are and where we live. When Monsieur Trelkovsky rents a room recently vacated by a woman who fell from her window, he soon finds his world changing in bizarre ways. Haunted by images of the previous tenant’s apparent suicide and terrorized by his new neighbors, Trelkovsky begins a slow decent into paranoia and delirium. Installed by Woodshed Collective in the West-Park Presbyterian Church and adjoining Parish House, The Tenant has been adapted and expanded, with new text by some of New York’s brightest up and coming playwrights. At West-Park Presbyterian Church, 86th Street and Amsterdam Avenue. FREE (the shows are booked, but waiting list seats are given out before the show if you show up and write down your name an hour before the performance).

8:30 p.m.
Amber Rubarth This self-taught and self-made artists started playing at age 21. Through word of mouth and tours in the U.S., Europe, and Japan, Amber soon had her songs receive over 1.6 million plays on MySpace. She has shared the stage with such greats as Loudon Wainwright III, Roger McGuinn (The Byrds), Colin Hay, Martin Sexton, and Lisa Loeb. Rubarth now composes for films as well, most recently composing all music with Paul Brill for the highly acclaimed Sundance Film Festival winner Joan Rivers: A Piece of Work. She is also one half of Brooklyn’s buzz band The Paper Raincoat, an iTunes Indie Spotlight favorite.At the David Rubenstein Atrium. FREE.

9:30 p.m.
Jessie Marquez Latin jazz vocalist/composer Jessie Marquez blends Cuban, Brazilian and pop sounds for music with lush harmonies and cool grooves. While her themes revolve around love and longing, her soothing vocals are a balm for any heart. At Symphony Space. FREE.

Friday

8 a.m.
Walk NYC Walk NYC is a program that encourages New Yorkers of all ages to get fit while enjoying the outdoors. Parks will staff locations throughout the city with trained walking instructors to lead one-hour walks. Meet at 83rd Street & Riverside Drive. FREE.

8 a.m. (until 1 p.m.)
Green Market Choose from fresh produce & dairy, artisanal breads, baked goods, meats & poultry, honey, eggs. Clothing/textile recycling bin on-site. 97th Street and Columbus.

10 a.m.
The Scene @ Tavern: Sit and Be Fit Improve your health at any age with this outdoor chair exercise class designed to be done from a seated position. Tavern on the Green (67th Street off Central Park West). FREE.

5 p.m.
Jazz Legend Fall Series Musicians play at Whole Foods. This week: Steve Berrios. At the Columbus Square Whole Foods (at 97th Street). FREE.

5:30 p.m.
Free Music Fridays Featuring John Schmitt, Greg Thomas, Sweet Soubrette. At the Folk Art Museum.

8 p.m.
Jon Geffner Geffner’s style of music is either rock and roll with a twang or country with a rock-and-roll edge. It depends on the audience, the venue, or my mood at any given time. At Symphony Space. FREE.

8 p.m.
The Tenant Set in Paris and inspired by Roland Topor’s book which was famously adapted into a film by Roman Polanski, The Tenant is a thrilling, haunting, and grotesquely hilarious investigation into the relationship between who we are and where we live. When Monsieur Trelkovsky rents a room recently vacated by a woman who fell from her window, he soon finds his world changing in bizarre ways. Haunted by images of the previous tenant’s apparent suicide and terrorized by his new neighbors, Trelkovsky begins a slow decent into paranoia and delirium. Installed by Woodshed Collective in the West-Park Presbyterian Church and adjoining Parish House, The Tenant has been adapted and expanded, with new text by some of New York’s brightest up and coming playwrights. At West-Park Presbyterian Church, 86th Street and Amsterdam Avenue. FREE (the shows are booked, but waiting list seats are given out before the show if you show up and write down your name an hour before the performance).

10 p.m.
John Schmitt Called “one of New York City’s best young storytellers,” John Schmitt was born and raised in Buffalo, NY, and his songs are a direct reflection of his experiences growing up there. His simple, honest approach tells stories that hit at the heart of American life. Blending a folk-meets-soul style, Paul Simon-meets-Motown, to go along with thoughtful lyrics and images, John sings about his life in real terms. At Symphony Space. FREE.

Saturday

10 a.m. (until 5)
Kayaking on the Hudson Join the Downtown Boathouse for 20-minute instructional paddles, and explore the Hudson River first hand. Please wear a bathing suit or shorts and a t-shirt, and know how to swim. 72nd St. & the Hudson River. FREE.

11 a.m. (until 3)
My Dog Loves Central Park Country Fair Mark your calendars, and don’t forget to bring Sparky (on leash, please)! Central Park Paws, a program of the Central Park Conservancy, invites dogs and owners of all ages to celebrate Central Park’s vibrant dog community and promote responsible stewardship of the Park at our 9th Annual My Dog Loves Central Park Country Fair. With games, giveaways and contests. Naumburg Bandshell (Mid-Park at 72nd Street). FREE.

11 a.m.
Storytelling at Hans Christian Andersen Each Saturday at 11 am, from June through September, storytellers tell folk and fairy tales from many countries and especially the stories of Hans Christian Andersen. The majority of the audience is adults who know that a good story sustains one throughout the week and often throughout a lifetime. Children over five years old are welcome. 72nd Street and 5th Avenue inside Central Park. FREE.

12 p.m.
Seneca Village Tour Seneca Village was Manhattan’s first known community of African-American property owners, on land that would become Central Park. Learn about the history of the village, the property owners, and what New York City was like at the time. Outside Diana Ross Playground, inside the Park at 85th Street and Central Park West. FREE.

7 & 10:30 p.m.
The Tenant Set in Paris and inspired by Roland Topor’s book which was famously adapted into a film by Roman Polanski, The Tenant is a thrilling, haunting, and grotesquely hilarious investigation into the relationship between who we are and where we live. When Monsieur Trelkovsky rents a room recently vacated by a woman who fell from her window, he soon finds his world changing in bizarre ways. Haunted by images of the previous tenant’s apparent suicide and terrorized by his new neighbors, Trelkovsky begins a slow decent into paranoia and delirium. Installed by Woodshed Collective in the West-Park Presbyterian Church and adjoining Parish House, The Tenant has been adapted and expanded, with new text by some of New York’s brightest up and coming playwrights. At West-Park Presbyterian Church, 86th Street and Amsterdam Avenue. FREE (the shows are booked, but waiting list seats are given out before the show if you show up and write down your name an hour before the performance).

8 p.m.
Portals: A Multi-Media Exploration of Longing in the Digital Age It’s a rare treat to experience a Philip Glass premiere, especially as performed by rising star violinist Tim Fain. This multi-media evening features Glass’s new Partita for Solo Violin, pianist Nicholas Britell, a film choreographed and directed by Black Swan’s Benjamin Millepied, the music of Pulitzer Prize winners Aaron Jay Kernis and William Bolcom and celebrated composers Nico Muhly, Kevin Puts, and Lev Zhurbin, all interwoven with films by Kate Hackett and the words of Leonard Cohen. At Symphony Space. Starts at $45, or $15 for under-30.

Sunday

10 a.m. (until 5)
Kayaking on the Hudson Join the Downtown Boathouse for 20-minute instructional paddles, and explore the Hudson River first hand. Please wear a bathing suit or shorts and a t-shirt, and know how to swim. 72nd St. & the Hudson River. FREE.

12 p.m.
Tavern and its Green Tour Discover the sheepfold that became a world famous restaurant, a parade ground that became the Sheep Meadow, the Children’s District, The Mall including its statues and American Elm Trees, and much more. Tavern on the Green (67th Street off Central Park West). FREE. (Groups of seven or more people should call 212-360-2726 or e-mail tours@centralparknyc.org to schedule a custom tour.)

3 p.m.
A Secret Mountain Celebration Join family music luminaries and four-time Grammy nominees Trout Fishing in America, along with other guest artists, including Michelle Campagne, Lucy Kaplansky, and Juno Award-winning singer/songwriter Connie Kaldor, for a buoyant afternoon of songs and stories from the always innovative Secret Mountain catalog. The performance will include tales and tunes from popular Secret Mountain releases, and a first-ever performance of new material from Trout Fishing’s forthcoming book/cd release Chicken Joe Forgets Something Important. At Symphony Space. FREE.

4 p.m.
Shakespeare’s Gospel Parodies: A Medieval Mystery Tour The Dark Lady Players present a selection of Shakespeare’s religious parodies, taken from various plays, and arranged in a Medieval Mystery Tour around a 17,000 sq foot nineteenth century church building. This production puts a modern twist on the Medieval Mystery Play Cycle with a “Living Museum” performance. Shakespeare’s plays contain 14 resurrections, 12 Apocalypses, 5 Virgin Mary Allegories, 3,000 additional religious references, a variety of Christ figures and were written using 14 different translations of the Bible. Come and find out why. The audience walks around the building following the story. There are stairs. The Tour may be joined at any time within the first 45 minutes. At West-Park Presbyterian Church, 86th Street and Amsterdam Avenue. FREE.

Ongoing Events

Lincoln Center: American Ballet Theater, Jazz at Lincoln Center, Chamber Music Society, NYC Ballet, War Horse

NYPL for the Performing Arts: Residue: Installation by Eiko & Koma, Marlboro Music at 60

American Museum of Natural History: Ongoing Exhibits

Photo of Juilliard-Barnard-Columbia concert by Mira (on the wall) via flickr.