The Hudson River Park offers a sparkling lineup of free and low-cost cultural, recreational and educational events and programs for New Yorkers, families and visitors to the Big Apple this summer as the 2016 “Summer of Fun” gets under way.

Hudson River Nature Walk: Sundays: June 5 – September 25; 9-10AM. Meet at the Christopher St. Fountain, Christopher St and the Hudson River in Greenwich Village. Learn about Hudson River Park’s wildlife by joining knowledgeable naturalists on guided nature walks along the Park’s esplanade.

Big City Fishing: Sundays: June 5 – September 18; 12-4PM. Hudson River’s pier 25 – N. Moore St. and the Hudson River in Tribeca. Adults and kids aged 5+ learn how to fish while engaging with trained environmental educators about river science topics.

Hudson River Kids: Mondays: June 6 – August 15; 6:30-7:15PM. Hudson River Park’s Pier 62 – West 23^rd St. and the Hudson River in Chelsea: Rain Location: Pier 40 Lobby – 353 West St at Houston St. Hudson River Park brings out all of your favorite New York City family performers each Monday evening! From music to magic to interactive storytelling, Hudson RiverKids will keep your family entertained all summer long! For the 2016 season, Hudson RiverKids will be staged at two different locations in the park; Pier 62 in June and Pier 25 in July & August!

2016 Hudson RiverKids Performers: Pier 62
6/6: Story Pirates– Interactive Storytelling
6/13: Ramblin’ Dan and The Freewheelin’ Band
6/20: City Stomp
6/27: Penny Jones & Co. Puppets

Healthy on the Hudson:

Mondays – June 6 – August 15; 11AM-12PM. Hudson River Park’s Pier 84 – West 44^th Street and the Hudson River in Midtown (Meet by the Pier 84 fountain)
Tuesdays – June 7- August 16; 6:30-7:30PM. Hudson River Park’s Pier 25 – N. Moore St. and the Hudson River in Tribeca
Wednesdays – June 8 – August 17; 6:30-7:30PM. Hudson River Park’s Pier 46 – Charles St. (just north of Christopher St.) and the Hudson River in Greenwich Village
Getting fit in New York City has never been better! This FREE exercise series will take place on Mondays, Tuesdays & Wednesdays all summer long!

Mondays: Senior Fitness with Shape Up NYC
Shape Up NYC is a free citywide fitness program offered by NYC Parks in partnership with Empire Blue Cross Blue Shield and NYC Service. Shape Up NYC will offer a weekly walking club at Hudson River Park’s Pier 84. Classes are limited to 75 people on a first-come, first-served basis.

Tuesdays & Wednesdays with lululemon
lululemon joins forces with Hudson River Park to bring you a summer of fitness and fun! A wide range of classes are offered, but space is limited to 75 people per class. Participation requires RSVP. For scheduling and to RSVP, go to http://tinyurl.com/RSVPHealthy

Bring your own mat.

Sunset Swing: Tuesdays – June 7 – July 5; 6:30PM. Hudson River Park’s Pier 45 – Christopher St. and the Hudson River in Greenwich Village. Swing dancing returns to Hudson River Park! The Baby Soda Jazz band performs while New Yorkers dance the night away at Hudson River Park’s Pier 45. Beginner Swing dance lessons run from 6:30-7:15pm, Baby Soda Jazz Band hits at 7:15pm!

Sunset on the Hudson: Fridays from June 10 – August 19 (No show on July 1); 7PM. Hudson River Park’s Pier 45 – Christopher St. and the Hudson River in Greenwich Village. Friday nights mean great local music on Pier 45! Join us every Friday night at Hudson River Park’s Pier 45 at 7pm to hear some of NYC’s best local artists!

Sunset on the Hudson Bands
– Shanti Star & the Afro-Reggae All-Stars: 6/10, 7/8 & 8/12
– Chuck Braman Jazz Band; 6/17, 7/22 & 8/5
– Max Gallico & Friends: 6/24, 7/15, 7/29 & 8/19

Sunset Park Cruise: Wednesday, June 15: 6-7:30PM. Hudson River Park’s Pier 62 – West 23^rd St. and the Hudson River in Chelsea
Cross at W23 St. Join Hudson River Park and the American Institute of Architects New York Chapter aboard a 1920’s style yacht for a special Park tour. Learn about the planning, design and history of Hudson River Park from experts while enjoying beautiful NYC views from the water. Each ticket includes one complimentary drink.

Event Cost:
– Adults: $48
– Students: $32
*Special rate EXCLUSIVELY for current Friends of Hudson River Park cardholders: $32

Purchase tickets at: hudsonriverpark.org

Hudson River Dance Festival: Wednesday June 15 & Thursday June 16; 6:30PM. Hudson River Park’s Pier 63 Lawn – West 23rd St. and the Hudson River in Chelsea.The Hudson River Dance Festival returns to Hudson River Park for its second year! This celebration of Modern Dance will feature New York’s favorite dance companies appearing on one stage for two nights only – don’t miss these renowned dance companies in motion!

2016 Hudson River Dance Festival Dance Companies:
– Stephen Petronio Company
– Lar Lubovitch Dance Company
– Urban Bush Women

Presented by SHS Foundation with The Joyce Theater, with funding from The Gladys Krieble Delmas Foundation

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A Persistent Memory May Never Of Had One To Begin With

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Barbra Streisand To Present At The 2016 Tony Awards

Suzanna Bowling

Suzanna, co-owns and publishes the newspaper Times Square Chronicles or T2C. At one point a working actress, she has performed in numerous productions in film, TV, cabaret, opera and theatre. She has performed at The New Orleans Jazz festival, The United Nations and Carnegie Hall. She has a screenplay and a TV show in the works, which she developed with her mentor and friend the late Arthur Herzog. She is a proud member of the Drama Desk and the Outer Critics Circle and was a nominator. Email: suzanna@t2conline.com

Art

Events In April Bring Easter, Spring and Flowers Galore.

Published

3 days ago

March 25, 2023

Suzanna Bowling

Photograph: Eugene Gologursky/Getty Images for Macy’s, Inc.

Join the Judy Garland and Fred Astaire tradition with the Easter Bonnet Parade on Fifth Avenue. There is also the Orchid Show at the New York Botanical Garden or right at home the flower show at Macy’s. On select Fridays every month, you can enjoy Free Admission to the Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum between 5 pm and 9 pm.

Until 4/9: Macy’s Flower Show. The show includes beautiful, bright floral arrangements, special events including live music, and kids’ activities.

until 4/23: This is The Orchid Show‘s 20th year. Reconnect with nature while experiencing the picture-perfect beauty of the orchids. On select nights, adults can experience the exhibition through Orchid Nights, with music, cash bars, and food available for purchase.

4/1-30: Sakura Matsuri Cherry Blossom Festival. The festival, hosted by the Brooklyn Botanic Garden, celebrates Japanese culture and the arrival of spring. It features a variety of cultural performances and activities, as well as a small flea market, tea ceremonies, and crafts. The highlight is the magnificent display of cherry blossom trees, with over 200 trees in full bloom. Visitors can admire the pink and white blooms and enjoy a traditional Japanese atmosphere. Tickets are usually around $40 for adults, though seniors and students get a reduced rate of $35.

4/7-16th: The New York International Auto Show. The first new york Auto Show took place in 1900, for over 120 years now they have been sharing what’s new and interesting in the auto industry.

4/9: The Easter Parade starts near St. Patrick’s Cathedral at 10am. The tradition dates back to the 1870s, where elaborate bonnets and fashion galore is full frontal.

4/9: “Georgia O’Keeffe: To See Takes Time,” comes to MoMA.

4/15: The Tartan Day Parade is an NYC tradition that offers attendees a unique way to celebrate and honor Scottish culture. For the 25th year, there will be bagpipes, dancers, and even Scottish dogs marching in the parade. Attendance is free and open to the public. In addition to the parade, expect a whole week of Scottish-themed events and festivities.

4/15: Pillow Fight in the Park at Washington Square Park.

4/15: The New York Restoration Project is giving out 3,500 free trees to New Yorkers across all five boroughs. To get one of the 3,500 free trees that will be given away, register in advance on this website, where you’ll also get to browse through the current list of distribution dates, times and locations.

4/15 and 29: f the likes of udon, yakitori, ramen, and taiyaki make your mouth water, then mark your calendar for Japan Fes in Chelsea. The event will be held from 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM and is considered a paradise for Japanese foodies and cultural enthusiasts.

4/16: Holi in The City demands food, music, dance, and fun while embracing people and organizations from all ethnic and religious backgrounds.

4/22: Earth Day celebrated in NYC with a festive, family-friendly outdoor fair in Union Square. There will be dozens of exhibitors, interactive displays, a green-vehicle show, family activities, music, and entertainment. 12-6pm.

4/27: Attend The Queen’s Ball: A Bridgerton Experience

4/27- 30: Antiquarian Book Fair now in its 63rd year, this festival for book collectors at Park Avenue Armory for a full weekend of first editions, maps, manuscripts and other treasures from literary epochs past from nearly 200 exhibitors.

Art

Ken Fallin’s Broadway: Celebrating Hadestown’s 1000th Performance

Published

4 days ago

March 24, 2023

Ken Fallin

On Sunday, March 19, 2023, Hadestown celebrated the first day of spring and the show’s recently-achieved milestone of 1,000 performances at Broadway’s Walter Kerr Theatre.

The handsome artist with Anais Mitchell

On hand were songwriter Anaïs Mitchell and director Rachel Chavkin, Tony Award winner Lillias White, original Broadway cast member Jewelle Blackman as Persephone, Grammy Award winner Reeve Carney as Orpheus, Tony Award nominee Tom Hewitt as Hades, and two-time Tony Award nominee Eva Noblezada as Eurydice. were joined by Amelia Cormack, Shea Renne, and Soara-Joye Ross as the Fates. The chorus of Workers is played by Emily Afton, Malcolm Armwood, Alex Puette, Trent Saunders, and Grace Yoo.

The winner of eight 2019 Tony Awards including Best New Musical and the 2020 Grammy Award for Best Musical Theater Album, Hadestown is the most honored show of the 2018-2019 Broadway season. In addition to the Tony and Grammy Awards, it has been honored with four Drama Desk Awards, six Outer Critics Circle Awards, including Outstanding New Broadway Musical, and the Drama League Award for Outstanding Production of a Musical.

Following two intertwining love stories — that of young dreamers Orpheus and Eurydice, and that of King Hades and his wife Persephone — Hadestown invites audiences on a hell-raising journey to the underworld and back. Mitchell’s beguiling melodies and Chavkin’s poetic imagination pit industry against nature, doubt against faith and fear against love. Performed by a vibrant ensemble of actors, dancers, and singers, Hadestown delivers a deeply resonant and defiantly hopeful theatrical experience.

Art

The Disney Revolt: The Great Labor War of Animation’s Golden Age

Published

2 weeks ago

March 13, 2023

Suzanna Bowling

In the summer of 1941, Walt Disney’s top animator led hundreds of Disney artists out on strike, nearly breaking the studio. This is the true story of those two creative geniuses, plus a corrupt advisor and a mafia gangster, who collided to cause the greatest battle in Hollywood history.

An essential piece of Disney history has been unreported for eighty years.

Soon after the birth of Mickey Mouse, one animator raised the Disney Studio far beyond Walt’s expectations. That animator also led a union war that almost destroyed it. Art Babbitt animated for the Disney studio throughout the 1930s and through 1941, years in which he and Walt were jointly driven to elevate animation as an art form, up through Snow White, Pinocchio, and Fantasia.

But as America prepared for World War II, labor unions spread across Hollywood. Disney fought the unions while Babbitt embraced them. Soon, angry Disney cartoon characters graced picket signs as hundreds of animation artists went out on strike. Adding fuel to the fire was Willie Bioff, one of Al Capone’s wise guys who was seizing control of Hollywood workers and vied for the animators’ union.

Using never-before-seen research from previously lost records, including conversation transcriptions from within the studio walls, author and historian Jake S. Friedman reveals the details behind the labor dispute that changed animation and Hollywood forever.

Join a book talk with the author Jake S. Friedman on March 21 @ 7:00 pm – 8:30 pm, at The Lambs, 3 West 51st, 5th floor. RSVP@The-Lambs.org. The book will be available to be purchased and signed by the author.

Jake S. Friedman is a New York–based writer, teacher, and artist. He is a longtime contributor to Animation Magazine, and has also written for American History Magazine, The Huffington Post, Animation World Network, Animation Mentor, and The Philadelphia Daily News. For ten years he was an animation artist for films and television as seen on Nickelodeon, Disney Channel, and Saturday Night Live. He currently teaches History of Animation at the Fashion Institute of Technology and at New York University’s Tisch School of the Arts. The rest of his time he specializes in mental health for the creative psyche.

The moderator will be honorary Lamb Foster Hirsch, a professor film at Brooklyn College and the author of 16 books on film and theater, including The Dark Side of the Screen:Film Noir, A Method to Their Madness: The History of the Actors Studio, and Kurt Weill on Stage: From Berlin to Broadway.

The Cole will be Magda Katz.

More about the book here.