Brooklyn Bridge Park w/ Jane’s Carousel. Photo by dumbonyc
New York City is a truly amazing place. One of the most enjoyable activities in the entire city is completely free- Brooklyn Bridge Park.
The park frequently hosts free events to entice a wide range of tastes. There is a spectacular view of the iconic New York City to write home about. There are art installations scattered throughout the beautiful grounds. Kayaks are free to borrow on the weekends. And that is just the beginning.
So let’s just take a look at the week coming up: June 26-July 2:
• Checkmate 101 is a chess instruction workshop, especially for beginners, designed to take your game to the next level. Sundays at 11am from June 19 to August 7.
• Wildlife Theater presents the Butterfly Boogie. On Sunday, June 26 from 11am to 1pm the Butterfly Boogie will take participants on a 3,000-mile adventure proving that bugs are the coolest creatures ever. The musical, interactive performance shows children the interdependence of plants and animals and introduces them to the idea of metamorphosis.
• Summer Reading Storytime features Brooklyn Heights librarians reading stories out loud from the Brooklyn Public Library’s summer reading list. Tuesdays from 10:30am to 11:30am from June 28 to August 9th.
And I almost forgot to mention the fabulous 100-year-old Jane’s Carousel. It is enclosed in glass to protect from the elements and also costs $2 to ride, so technically it isn’t free. But considering all the things you do get for free, including the amazing view, you will probably agree it is two well-spent dollars.
Are you convinced yet? If you are, then be warned that parking is difficult near the park. It is highly encouraged that visitors beyond walking distance take public transportation. Check out the park’s very own website for more information.
Don’t be ashamed: We know you love Star Wars and everything the Force can influence, and even sometimes the Dark Side, too. New York has some great ways to celebrate this nerdiest of days.
• Star Wars and the Power of Costume: The Exhibition at Discovery Square– Talk about cool! Head over to 226 West 44th Street and check out the more than 70 iconic costumes from all seven of the Star Wars films. From the Darth Vader’s super creepy black mask, to that incredibly uncomfortable looking golden junk pile Anthony Daniels as C-3PO was forced to wear, you will certainly be enthralled to see the real things up close and personal.
• Transport yourself to The Lego Store at 620 Fifth Avenue in Times Square and get a good deal on many Star Wars items offered on sale. Get a free copy of the official LEGO version of the Star Wars: Episode VII: The Force Awakens theatrical movie poster, with any Star Wars purchase. Hurry though, the promotions end on May 4.
• New York Jedi creates real life action with onstage, illuminated combat with lighsabers. Yup, you heard me right. You can even take a course in the skill, and you don’t even have to bring your own lightsaber. Lucky for most of us, they will provide them. Just think, after learning how to wield said saber the force can be with you all year long. Ripley Grier Studios, 520 8th Ave.
Join the over 500, 000 people who have already experienced the ‘brute force’ known as “Fuerza Bruta.” Originally created and performed in Buenos Aires in 2005, by Diqui James, the exuberant show was brought to New York in 2007 and is still running at the Off-Broadway Daryl Roth Theater.
The show has been described as “an energetic spectacle” which features audience interaction with the 16 performers and what is called a “360 degree” experience.
Perhaps less theater and more club, the newest version of Fuerza Bruta is called “Wayra,” or wind. The audience is up and dancing, screaming and hyperventilating at turns, enjoying the incredible aerial displays, water tank dancers, and pulsating, invigorating music.
This is an altogether different kind of show, which will, if nothing else, keep you talking long after the excitement has ended.
Looking northwest on Bushwick Avenue as Tour de Brooklyn approaches Aberdeen Street on a sunny morning. Photo by Jim.henderson
With an anticipated participation of 6, 000 biking enthusiasts, the Tour de Bronx is the largest free cycling event in all of New York State. Cyclists can choose between a 40-mile race and a less demanding 25-mile route.
The mission of this event is to raise awareness about the benefits of biking, and is presented by the Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz, Jr. in partnership with Transportation Alternatives. The Bronx Tourism Council is producing the event, with its eye on showcasing the environmentally-friendly pedestrian alternative to carbon-based fueled vehicles.
Participants will need to register and sing a waiver, and is happy to recruit volunteers to help out with registration and marshaling the event.
The rides are scheduled for Sunday, October 25, 2015. Check-in time is 9am. For more information go to the Bronx de Force web site.
Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland is celebrating its 150th year, having been published in 1865. It has certainly inspired many film adaptions, theater stagings, translations and more. Now, New York is taking the opportunity to celebrate Lewis Carroll’s work in many ways. Here are a few of them.
Morgan Library and Museum: Here, until October 11th, the museum will be hosting the original manuscript of “Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland” that is usually held at the British Library in London. The exhibit includes rare editions of the book, original letters and drawings.
Grolier Club: At this book society in Manhattan, they will showcase translations of the work. This will run from September 16th until November 21st.
Brooklyn Public Library: At their Central Library branch, there will be dramatic reading of “The Mad Tea Party” which is one of the most memorable chapters of the book. This fun event will take place on September 19th and is part of the “bookend events” for this year’s Brooklyn Book Festival.
If you’re looking for something to entertain you this summer in the New York heat, it’s worthwhile to check out the US cable network Reelz. Recently, they picked up the celebrity biography series Celebrated and it will be worth the watch. Executive produced by The Exchange’s CEO Brian O’Shea and by head of acquisitions Jeff Bowler, this is a great show for entertainment.
It is being produced by Reboot TV and is a half-hour weekday show that profiles stars that you love to learn about. Profiles include those of Russell Crowe, Angelina Jolie and many others and they use a mix of interview clips, social media tags and red carpet footage to cover the topic.
This is actually The Exchange’s first entry into television since creating its TV development division. Jeff Bowler is certainly working hard on acquisitions and it shows.
Other titles you’ll find on Reelz’s 2015 lin up include TMZ Hollywood Sports, Autopsy: The Last Hours of… and Celebrity Legacies.
With this type of line-up, you won’t have to venture into the New York heat unless you’re after a good ice cream cone.
Here are a few bars with something unique to offer along with a pint or a lovely glass of wine.
Frying Pan: This unusual bar & grill was built in 1929 as a floating lightship to guard a place called Frying Pan Shoals 30 miles off the coast of Cape Fear, North Carolina. At some point in the boats history she was abandoned for ten years, and then sank. After three years submerged, she was salvaged and then bought by today’s owners. In 1989 the boat, with a new engine and completely refurbished, sailed to New York City. Today Frying Pan is docked at Pier 66a in the Hudson River Park at West 26th Avenue. The owners chose to restore the outside of the boat to her original look, but the inside maintains a barnacle covered, sunken ship motif.
Floyd, NY: Owners Pam and Jim Carden took a liquor store and recreated a rural tavern the likes of which can be found in Pam’s hometown of Floyd, Iowa. To create such an atmosphere the Cardens added a jukebox with great Hank Williams tunes and songs from the Bad Liver. The premises sport tin ceilings, a rescued 1870s era bar, and even polite bartenders. Even more impressive is the indoor bocce game, sand and all.
Gallow Green: Talk about street theater- this luscious green rooftop bar features actors who never leave character, chatting up the patrons in a decidedly historical manner. Located on top of the McKittrick Hotel which houses the immersive theater extravaganza “Sleep No More,” a night out at this bar is sure to create lasting memories, and make you smile.
“The High Rollers Extravaganza Co.: The Great Chariot Race in Bend Her.” Poster for an American burlesque from 1900.
Looking for something a bit different for your date-night? How about trying a little taste of a bygone era when Vaudeville and Burlesque were all the rage?
Founded in 1999 by performer and producer James Habacker, the slipper room is a place where avant-garde performance artists could experiment without fear of being too outrageous, lewd, messy or even illegal. James’ idea was to give performers a space to push themselves as they try out their most fantastic ideas.
It did not take long for the Slipper Room to emerge from relative obscurity to becoming a major player in Manhattan’s downtown theater world and nightlife. Now the show has a reputation as the place to see the most cutting edge performance art; what has become known as New York Burlesque and Variety.
Tickets can be purchased on-line from the Slipper Room’s own website. Shows can be seen 7 days per week, and Variety shows Wednesday through Saturday at 10pm and beyond. The Slipper Room is located at 167 Orchard Street between Rivington and Stanton. The entrance is on Stanton Street.
Big Apple Helicopter Tours to see NYC from a new perspective
Just imagine seeing all of New York in just 15 minutes! All you need to do is fly above the traffic and noise and buildings to see New York like you never have before. Of course for flying you will need a helicopter, which is a thrill in and of itself.
Your amazing helicopter tour begins at the Downtown Heliport, located near Battery Park and Wall Street. Climb aboard and rise above the crowds and see from on high the World Financial Center, the Empire State Building, the famed art-deco Chrysler Building, the Woolworth Building and the Met Life tower. Then turn away from the island and head to Ellis Island, get a close up look at the Statue of Liberty, and then turn right, and follow the great Hudson River up to the George Washington Bridge near the northern end of Manhattan.
For more information on how you can visit New York via helicopter, contact Viator.
Its summer, yea!! Summer means the beach, the pool, air-conditioned museums, but best of all, fantastic festivals. Here is a short list of some of the city’s most exciting outdoor parties.
* In the “free department” is the Madison Square Park Kids Concerts. Beginning already in June, these high-quality, high entertainment value shows will continue throughout July every Tuesday and Thursday until August 5th. Well worth the effort, and not to mention the price.
Adventures NYC
* In Central Park, at the band-shell, kids and their families can experience the fun of the great outdoors without leaving town. Kayaking, fishing lessons and a rock climbing zone will enthrall kids of all ages. There will also be an opportunity to meet the NY Liberty basketball team. Live music free bike rentals and bike helmet giveaways make Adventures NYC an amazing activity for families. Even more amazing, it’s all absolutely free.
* Bryant Park Summer Film Festival is another free activity which presents movies on a weekly basis every Monday all summer long. See flicks like the 1940 “The Mark of Zorro,” “Karate Kid,” and “Lover Come Back.” The lawn opens up at 5pm and the film begins as the sun sets.
