Sokol New York
Arts & Entertainment
,
Dance
Sports & Fitness
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Basketball
,
Children's Classes
,
Dance Studios
,
Fitness Centers & Gyms
,
Gymnastics
Sokol was an inspiring find on East 71st Street. Founded in Prague by philosopher Dr. Miroslav Tyrs in 1862, Sokol (the Slavic word for “falcon”) has numerous international branches all devoted to physical, educational, cultural and social growth. Sokol New York was begun in 1867 by Czech and Slovak immigrants. The 71st Street hall was built in 1896, and financed by members’ donations.
Housed in a stunning building, there is a “retired” bar in the front filled with old signage and dark wood. The main floor has a gym surrounded by a balcony lined with dozens of Czechoslovakian prints from 1923, looking down on basketball hoops and gymnastics equipment. Upstairs, the “1896 Meeting Room” doubles as a ballet studio and offers a beautiful piano and a library of artifacts. Downstairs is a Tae-Kwon Do room and a tot’s gym that was previously a space for billiards.
A community-centered organization, Sokol New York maintains a perfect intersection of culture and recreation. Each year local chapters get together to hold contests against one another and every four years an international competition, the Slet (a gathering of falcons), is held in an alternating Sokol branch. There are also Czech and Slovak cultural activities such as wine tastings and Halloween festivities that are organized in an effort to continuously bring families together. Language classes are offered to youngsters eager to learn Czech.
