The 9th annual Savor the Bronx restaurant week is running through Jan. 17 2020. The Bronx is a fun place to visit even when it is not restaurant week. Now it is well worth a trip to taste some of the Italian, Asian, Latin American, and Caribbean cuisines on offer.
45 eateries in the Bronx, representing the borough’s cultural and culinary diversity, are offering discounts and specials.
Whether you are a die-hard New Yorker or “just” a New York enthusiast, you can now get your NY-fix when you are in the United Kingdom.
Manahatta, a New York-inspired cocktail bar is opening in York on November 8.
The venue, like its namesake, will have many unique Instagrammable features, from neon signs and peacock blue booths. Stacked burgers like the ‘Godfather,’ a stack of beef, fried chicken, pancetta, pulled pork and Monterey Jack Cheese, is sure to please. The Beyond Brooklyn is a veggie option, with pulled BBQ jack fruit, vegan cheese, and spicy chipotle. Prosecco, Aperol Spritz, Bloody Marys, beer, and unique NY cocktails are all available.
An in-house DJ will fill Manhatta with NY-style music, including tunes played by various ensembles in NYC subways.
A private dining room on the top mezzanine, and other areas available for private hire, provide more intimate spaces to enjoy a taste of New York when visiting York.
Beginning on October 31, 2019, New Yorkers can mosey on down to Bryant Park and go ice-skating completely free of charge. Sponsored by Bank of America, it is part of what is being called Winter Village at Bryant Park.
Skaters can either bring their own skates or rent high-quality skates at the rink. To prevent overcrowding, people can reserve their on-the-ice time online, making it fun and easy to enjoy this traditional New York winter activity.
Visitors can participate in Broomball pick-up games, Exerskate classes, and other great activities that will keep you moving through the winter. There is also special programing on the calendar, including kids’ week, bumper cars, read-to-skate story time, and lots more.
Not a skater? There are shops, restaurants, bars and the Lodge by Urbanspace where new and classic restaurants come together for visitors to enjoy.
So dust off your skates and go up to Bryant Park at Sixth Avenue and 42 Street. Winter Village will be in operation until March 1, 2020.
Now that school is at last back in session, it’s time to think about some extra special places to go with your little ones to help ease the pain of the end of the summer. Luckily, New York loves kids!
American Museum of Natural History
There is no question the AMNH has risen to super-nova star status. Movies like a Night in the Museum and dozens of books have all added to the allure of this mother of all kid-friendly museums. From gigantenormous dinosaur bones, to humungagiant blue whales hanging from ceilings, your kids will beg to stay way past closing hours. Entrance is free, but it is suggested that adults donate $19 per person.
The Zoo
The weather is still great, so why not go see the elephants? Which zoo, you may ask? Well, there are so many to choose from in the five boroughs and beyond, that whatever you choose is sure to please. For a zoo more in tune with conservation and animal welfare, your best bet is probably the Bronx Zoo, but don’t dismiss the joys of a visit to the Central Park Zoo, the Prospect Park Zoo (Brooklyn) or the Staten Island Zoo. We are pretty sure they all have elephants.
Coney Island
This amusement park destination might be unique in that it is part of a real live neighborhood and is along a real live beach. Situated along the great boardwalk that connects Coney Island to Brighton Beach, if you get tired of roller coasters and Ferris wheels, just walk along the boardwalk and feel the cool ocean breezes and snack on some hot dogs and cotton candy washed down with some cold beer. Oh, and get your kids something, too.
There is no better time to make some great memories with your kids than now. And with so many fun activities to choose from, those memories are sure to be thrilling. Get out there and par-ty!
There is so much going on this coming month, you had better have a darn good reason for leaving the Big Apple just as it is coming ripe and ready for you to take a giant, delicious bite.
Shall we start with music?
*On August 1 Herb Alpert and wife, Lani Hall, will perform a mix of Brazilian jazz and classic songs at the Mayo Performing Arts Center in Morristown, New Jersey.
*August 1-11 Outdoor concerts at Lincoln Center are free and take place in nearby Damrosch Park and the plazas of Lincoln Center, when weather permits.
*Classical music festival from August 1-10 includes concerts, operas, late-night recitals, and world premieres at Mostly Mozart Festival.
*Broadway Hits the Park from August 1-15, on Thursday afternoons at Broadway in Bryant Park. Arrive by 11am to get a seat and watch the pre-show. Completely free.
What about Film?
*The Asian Film Festival takes place from August 1-3 at different locations around town
*August 1-3 are the dates for the Long Beach International Film Festival where 50 films will be screened along with tasting events and parties on Long Island.
*August 2 through September 8 you can catch free movies in parks in all boroughs but Staten Island.
And for something completely different.
*Go see the amazing Dragon-Boat Festival August 3 and 4. You will see 170 dragon-boat teams compete on Meadows Lake. In addition, there will be music, dance, martial arts, folk art and best of all, Chinese food. Its all free at Flushing Meadows Park in Queens.
*From August 10-11 you can go to the Model Train Show at the New Jersey Convention & Exposition Center in Edison, New Jersey. Its free for anyone under 11.
*And my personal favorite: Women Brewing Beer on August 10, from 12pm to 4pm. If you head out to Brooklyn for this event, you will be able to taste beer brewed from 24 women-owned brewers. Billed as Beers without Beards, there will also be food for sale. Open only to adults over 21.
If you are like me then you are probably wondering how it can possible be July already. But however, you are reacting to the beginning of summer vacation, there is no question that there is no lack of what to do every single day, and every night.
For a nice list of something to do all 31 days in July check this out.
The following are just a small sample of the fun you can have, if you so choose, in the great Big Apple. Many of the following are FREE. Just take a bite!
July 4th: Don’t miss the amazing, traditional Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest in Coney Island, at the southern tip of Brooklyn.
July 7th: International African Arts Festival at Commodore Barry Park, Fort Greene, Brooklyn.
July 11th: Go see Moulin Rouge at the Al Hirschfeld Theater in Manhattan’s theater district, in other words, Broadway.
July 12th and 13th: Jennifer Lopez is performing in honor of her birthday at Madison Square Garden.
July 16 – August 23rd : Go see Corionalus at the Delacorte Theater as part of the Shakespeare in the Park Festival in Central Park.
July 21st: Go have a blast at the Rubin Museum Block Party. The yearly event starts at 1PM and ends at 4PM, in Chelsea, lower Manhattan.
July 26th: Jeff Tweedy will perform at Lincoln Center Out of Doors. Starts at 7:30PM, at Damrosch Park, on West 62nd Street between Columbus and Amsterdam Avenues.
July 30th: Mostly Mozart at Lincoln Center.
The International Computer Music Conference and New York City Electroacoustic Music Festival is scheduled this year for June 16-23. This unique gathering combines the art and science of making music with computers by hosting panel discussions, workshops, presentation of scholarly papers, and of course, performances.
All week long dozens of papers will be presented at the NYU Education building from 9am to 12pm concerning such issues as: “The Emotional Characteristics of Woodwind Musical Instruments with Different Pitch and Dynamics;” “Bubbles: an object-oriented approach to object-based sound for spatial composition and beyond;” and “IRMA (Interactive Real-time Measurement of Attention). A new method investigating performances of audio-visual computer music.”
Each day there is one panel discussion from 3pm to 4pm on such topics as: “Women in Computer Music;” “Soundscape Heritage;” and “Feedback Musicianship.”
Participants can also join in a large variety of workshops, including: “Computer Aided Design for Prepared Instruments;” “A Suggested Methodology for Composing & Performing Live-Electronics;” and “A Phenomenological Approach to Curating AI Music Composition.”
But of course, most people will come for the amazing performances, featuring the following performers:
• Elenora Claps, soprano
• Enzo Filippetti, saxophone
• Jocelyn Ho, piano
• Esther Lamneck, clarinet and tarogato
And many more.
The festival began in 2009 and is one of the largest festivals like it in the world. Music will be performed using acoustic instruments, laptops and custom-made electronic devices. There are also works featuring digital video and sound installations.
For more information visit New York City Electroacoustic Music Festival.
Fans of J.R.R. Tolkien and his “Lord of the Rings” series will appreciate the opportunity to visit the Morgan Library’s exhibit, “Tolkien: Maker of Middle Earth.”
Now on display in the museum’s third floor gallery, this exhibit features the largest collection of Tolkien’s work and life. Featuring 115 manuscripts, watercolors, handwritten notes and drawings, this enchanting display offers a rare glimpse into the author’s writings.
“Tolkien’s Middle Earth speaks to so many of us because it is a complete world. It has geography, it has history, it has language,” says curator John McQuillen. “We are not reading isolated tales but a much richer and interwoven narrative.”
The museum also offers related activities such as mapmaking for children and a watercolor landscape painting class.
The Westminster Dog Show is a favorite NYC event. Hundreds of dog owners and all types of breeds compete for the title of Best of the Breed.
The Westminster Dog Show offers several categories in agility training. Owners of show dogs often spend thousands of dollars on training and grooming. This show offers visitors the chance to meet breeds of dogs they may have never seen before.
The Westminster Dog Show will take place on February 11 and 12th at Madison Square Garden and Piers 92/94.
The Westminster Dog Show was first held on May 7, 1877, making it over 140 years old! Make sure you stop by this not-to-be-missed NYC tradition!
If you want a great NYC style new year’s eve, New York has to be the place to do it. in past years, you may have been able to get the same style in other neighborhoods, such as Detroit, but this year ‘The Drop’ has been cancelled.
According to a statement put out by Jerrid Mooney, the event planner:
“We launched The DROP in 2010 to draw attention to the city’s indestructible spirit and grit, and to-date have been tremendously successful. From our inaugural year we have grown our revelers looking to celebrate the coming new year in Detroit at The DROP — from an unexpected crowd of 3,000 at our inaugural event in 2010 to crowds exceeding 30,000 people. We have certainly caught national attention and media acclaim and we thank ALL OF YOU that have attended year after year.”
So it seems like it’s back to New York City for the real deal and what can one expect to enjoy on December 31st as we see in 2019? You have to get to Times Square. And this year looks like it will be bigger and better than in previous years with an anticipated million revelers joining the scene. so get there early to snag a good spot; the ball will be lifted at 6pm and the show begins at 8pm. plan your calendar accordingly.
For those not wishing to brave the crowds, you can always stay home and stream the famous Fortnite Ninja on his Twitch TV channel!