New Yorkers know that The Met is more than the world’s finest art museum. From special screenings and concert programs to artist talkbacks and lively critical discussions, The Met is the beating heart of the Upper East Side cultural scene. Living just a few blocks to the northeast of The Met, residents of the Extell Development homes at The Kent are perfectly positioned to take full advantage of the museum’s crowded schedule, and this season’s Holiday Concerts are sure to keep them busy with international musical events geared toward the whole family.

Before the Holiday Series begins, residents at The Kent will want to secure their tickets for Leon Botstein’s Orchestra Now Series, which includes two more events, one on November 18 and another next year in May. Botstein, a conductor and music historian, will take guests on a journey through music and visual art, complete with examples of both, before opening the room up for a question and answer session. The November event will feature works by Chopin and Delacroix, and the discussion will focus on the “Romantic impulse.”

“The First Lady of Celtic Music” will kick off The Met’s holiday series on December 13 with a special program of Irish holiday music curated for the museum. Singer and harpist Moya Brennan will be joined by an all-star cast of Celtic musicians, including Dublin-based harpist Cormac De Barra and two-time all-Ireland fiddle champion Patrick Mangan for an uplifting and emotional evening of tunes.

The museum will host another evening of European holiday music the very next night when German songstress Ute Lemper presents an evening of Weimar holiday tunes. Known for her seductive style that harkens back to the Weimar Republic era made famous by Cabaret, Lemper will bring songs by Weill, Brecht, Hollander, Spoliansky, and others to life, transporting the audience to a bygone era of experimentation and expression.

Best of all, residents of The Kent who attend these performances and find themselves inspired to make some music of their own have access to the Lenny Kravitz-designed Sound Lounge when they return home. This studio and practice space enables residents to hone their own holiday tunes and maybe even lay them down on a track. What better way to celebrate the holidays than with a family sing-along or custom single track? Head over to The Kent’s website to see why New Yorkers are flocking to these Upper East Side homes!