Things to do on Staten Island this weekend: Free Zumba, historical talks and more

STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. – Looking for something to do this weekend? Check out these exciting events, from fitness classes and creative meet-ups to historical talks and social gatherings.

Saturday

Zumba / Nov. 9, 9-10 a.m.

Zumba combines Latin, International, and popular music dance themes to create a dynamic and exciting fitness system. Join Madeline Morales’ class and enjoy routines featuring aerobic fitness interval training with a blend of fast and slow rhythms, all designed to tone and sculpt the body with easy-to-follow dance steps. Register here.

Admission cost: Free

Location: Multi-Use Room in Greenbelt Recreation Center

Textile Meet-Up Group / Nov. 9, 10-12 p.m.

Eager to showcase your latest creation? Need a hand starting that knitted baby blanket you’ve been planning? Or interested in learning how to crochet? Stop by a textile meet-up! Bring your current projects to share with the group — open to all skill levels. Join in for a friendly discussion and maybe discover a new hobby. Participants are encouraged to bring their own materials.

Admission cost: Free

Location: St. George Library Center

Drag Me to Brunch / Nov. 9, 12-3 p.m.

Join the Pride Center of Staten Island and get dragged to brunch! Entry is free with an HIV test or a suggested $20 donation. Open to ages 21+, with limited spaces available. Reserve your spot today. For registration or details, contact Genevieve Hendrix at 718-808-1385 or ghendrix@pridecentersi.org.

Admission cost: Free with HIV test or suggested $20 donation

Location: The Pride Center of Staten Island

Shirley Chisholm’s Legacy: Reimagining Democracy in the U.S and Diaspora / Nov. 9, 1–3 p.m.

Attend a talk and book signing with Dr. Zinga Fraser, Assistant Professor of Africana Studies and Women’s and Gender Studies at Brooklyn College, as she discusses her newly published book Shirley Chisholm in Her Own Words. Get your tickets here. Get your tickets here.

Admission cost: Free

Location: Christ Church Parish Hall, 76 Franklin Ave.

Sunday

NYRR Open Run: Conference House Park / Nov. 10, 9 a.m.-12 p.m.

Start your morning off with a 5K run! Nestled at the southern tip of New York State, Conference House Park features four historic buildings, breathtaking views of the Raritan Bay, and an extensive network of hiking and biking trails waiting to be explored. For more information, visit the NYRR website.

Admission cost: Free

Location: Hylan Blvd. Parking Lot in Conference House Park

The Lenape, Permanent Settlement, Enslaved Africans & African Americans / Nov. 10, 1-3 p.m.

Local historian and author Pat Salmon will present about how Staten Island was several centuries ago. Participants will be taken on a trip back in time through information gathered from research and archaeological digs related to the Lenape, the arrival of Early Europeans, African-American History, the Peace Conference, and more. Get your tickets here.

Admission cost: Free

Location: Greenbelt Nature Center