Cultural Connections

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Cultural Connections

Hostel•Arts•Culture•Community✨
A nonprofit bringing people together from across cultures to foster peace and understanding since 1953.

08/31/2026

From Central Park to the Brooklyn Bridge, our staff and guests from around the world are finding connection, community, and a shared stride 🏃🏾‍♂️🏃🏼‍♀️Just another way we bring people together in New York. 🌎💙

08/25/2026

‘Hearts of Condolence’ by Denise Michelle Halpin.

We are deeply moved by this extraordinary gift to The Tesdell House and honored to share Hearts of Condolence in our reception.

Created by artist Denise Michelle Halpin, the work honors those who lost their lives in the devastating attack on Shajereh Tayyebeh Primary School in Minab, Iran, on February 28, 2026.

Each of the 170 hand-painted hearts represents a life lost. On the reverse of each heart are the names of those who have been identified. The list includes 25 boys, 26 girls, eight women, one man and a two-month-old baby. The majority of the children have not yet been identified.

Individually, these fragile hearts represent one human life. Together, they become something larger…a memorial to innocence, to families forever changed, and to the immeasurable human cost of war. And perhaps their greatest legacy is the reminder that they were more than a number.

May their names be remembered. May their lives be honored.

08/24/2026

Being part of the Upper West Side community means showing up—and showing up for one another.

We’re grateful to Gregory J. Kirsopp and the NYPD24 Precinct for bringing neighbors together for the 2nd Annual Back to School Block Party! 🎒✨ A special shout-out to our friends at the EFA RBPMW (Robert Blackburn Printmaking Workshop) for co-facilitating the hands-on activity with us.

For more than 70 years, The Tesdell House has been bringing people together from across cultures to promote peace, understanding and community. That’s why gatherings like this feel so meaningful to us.

Strong communities are built when we come together, celebrate one another, and make space for everyone to belong.

Here’s to a wonderful school year ahead! 📚✨

08/16/2026

Making friends in NYC from around the world? This is what The Tesdell House is all about.

South Africa 🇿🇦 Germany 🇩🇪 Singapore 🇸🇬 Poland 🇵🇱 France 🇫🇷 the Netherlands 🇳🇱… different countries, different stories, one unforgettable adventure together.

There’s nothing better than Coney Island on a Friday night in the summer to enjoy the amusement park and the fireworks! 🎢🌊🎆

Come as travelers. Leave as friends. 🌍✨🩷

08/15/2026

Summer nights at The Tesdell House ✨

NYC is a city alive with energy, adventure, and endless possibilities. We’re lucky to be just steps from the heart of it all.

But sometimes, your soul calls for something quieter…an evening gathered around the garden, good conversation, and a little magic under the stars. 🌺🌿✨

At The Tesdell House, there’s room for both.

Come for the city. Stay for the moments that feel like home. 💛

08/08/2026

Since 1953, cross-cultural exchange has been woven into the DNA of The Tesdell House. 🌎🩷

Over the past five years, we’ve built our International Cultural Exchange Program around community, connection, and hospitality — welcoming 54 volunteers from 23 countries and counting.

But the numbers only tell part of the story.

Our hope is that every volunteer leaves with lasting friendships, unforgettable memories, a deeper connection to the world around them, and a little piece of The Tesdell House in their heart.

Because sometimes, the places we travel to become more than a destination — they become a home away from home. ✨

07/19/2026

The World Cup is more than a tournament…it’s a celebration of our shared humanity. While nations compete on the pitch, the game has a remarkable way of bringing people together. Locals and travelers alike gathered in the streets, neighborhood pubs, and stadiums, cheering side by side, united by a love for the game🏟️⚽️

For a several unforgettable weeks, the world felt a little smaller and a little more connected. We witnessed joy shared across languages, cultures, and borders. This is a powerful reminder that community can be built anywhere 🌏✨

As a place that welcomes guests from more than 120 countries each year, we see that same magic every day. When people from different backgrounds come together in a space rooted in openness, curiosity, and belonging, meaningful conversations begin, friendships are formed, and the world becomes just a little bit brighter☀️💕

07/10/2026

The Alethiometers put on a spirited show last night as a part of our Arts for PEACE concert series. Performing to a sold out crowd, this talented trio captivated the audience with toe tapping jazz favorites, their masterful and synchronous musicianship, and infectious energy. Their performance was a memorable celebration of live music and the joy it brings to the community.

07/07/2026

Join us Wednesday, July 8 at 7pm for a special screening and fundraiser for the West Side Familia film, a PBS-supported feature documentary that retells the history of the cultural and political influence of a longstanding Puerto Rican and Black community on the Upper West Side.

We’ll be watching the film, having a brief discussion, and learning about how we can support its final funding stages. It’ll be an enlightening and entertaining night that you won’t want to miss!

06/22/2026

Join us for an intimate evening of live jazz featuring The Alethiometers at the Tesdell House, our 1915 historic brownstone.

A summer evening to remember: live jazz, great people, and warm, inviting atmosphere.

The line-up features:
Bass - Dominick Carnivale
Drums - Ben Barham-Wiese
Piano - Vadim Sarma

📆 Tuesday, July 7

⏰ Doors open at 6:30 pm; Performance is 7:00 - 8:30 pm

🎟️ Tickets: reserve on EventBrite (https://www.eventbrite.com/e/an-evening-of-jazz-with-the-alethiometers-tickets-1992368441642?utm_source=ig&utm_medium=social&utm_content=link_in_bio)

Donation collected at the door. Any amount is appreciated.

🍷 Light refreshments provided

SupportTheArts historicbrownstone musicunitespeople

Address

38 West 88th Street
New York, NY
10024

Telephone

+19296371318

Website

http://www.culturalconnectionsglobal.org/

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