Secrets of Times Square

There Was No Ball Drop in 1942 or 1943

Published

3 months ago

December 29, 2022

In 1942 and 1943, the glowing Ball was temporarily retired due to the wartime “dimout” of lights in New York City. The crowds who still gathered in Times Square in those years greeted the New Year with a minute of silence followed by chimes ringing out from sound trucks parked at the base of the Times Tower.

The New York Times retained ownership of the Tower until 1961, when it was sold to developer Douglas Leigh, who was also the designer and deal-maker behind many of the spectacular signs in Times Square, including the famous Camel billboard that blew water-vapor “smoke rings” over the street. Mr. Leigh stripped the building down to its steel frame, then re-clad it in white marble as the headquarters for Allied Chemical Corporation.

Today, New Year’s Eve in Times Square is a bona fide international phenomenon. Each year, hundreds of thousands of people still gather around the Tower, now known as One Times Square, and wait for hours in the cold of a New York winter for the famous Ball-lowering ceremony. Thanks to satellite technology, a worldwide audience estimated at over one billion people watch the ceremony each year. The lowering of the Ball has become the world’s symbolic welcome to the New Year.

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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

Broadway

Did You Know There Is A Kander & Ebb Way?

Published

4 hours ago

March 27, 2023

Suzanna Bowling

On Friday, March 24th, the 96-year-old John Kander was given a Mayoral Proclamation from Mayor Eric Adams in celebration of the first performance of his new Broadway musical New York, New York. Following the proclamation, Lin-Manuel Miranda unveiled the sign renaming 44th Steet ‘Kander & Ebb Way. On hand was the Manhattan School of Music to performed the iconic Kander & Ebb song “New York, New York.”

New York, New York opens Wednesday, April 26, 2023 at Broadway’s St. James Theatre (246 West 44th Street).

Events

No Longer Is It I Love New York But We Love NYC

Published

6 days ago

March 21, 2023

Suzanna Bowling

Mayor Eric Adams and Governor Kathy Hochul kicked off the “We Love NYC” campaign today.

“This ‘We Love NYC’ campaign will help to capture that energy and preserve the city’s spirit by encouraging New Yorkers of every background to come together, get involved and make a positive change in their community,” Hochul said in a statement. “Listen you guys, in the 1970s things were awful here and crime was at record levels,” Hochul said.

Have they looked at the statistics? For the month of January 2023, the number of overall shooting incidents and murders in New York City stands at a 24-year high. Then there is the migrant problem and DA Alvin Braggs letting criminals run rampant.

“New York is not coming back, New York is back,” stated Adams.

Anna Uzele, who plays Francine Evans inner Broadway musical New York, New York, sang the title song at the launch.

Events

All You Can Eat Free Lobster At Red Lobster’s Endless Lobster Event In Times Square

Published

1 week ago

March 19, 2023

Suzanna Bowling

Red Lobster is offering select customers an all-you-can-eat lobster at its flagship New York City location on Tuesday, March 28.

The first ever “Endless Lobster” event will treat 150 customers to as many 1¼-pound lobsters as they can handle, as well as broccoli and one side of choice.

Red Lobster will open reservations a week in advance at 10 a.m. EST on March 21.

The event will be staggered into three windows: 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. and 3 p.m. to 5 p.m., with each window seating 50 guests.

Though the lobster will be free, diners will still are responsible for drinks, additional sides and of course a generous tip. By signing up for the event, guests will also “grant Red Lobster the right and license to use their names, images, and/or statements for advertising and publicity purposes,” according to fine print of the event.

Guests must eat their lobster in house and no leftovers or doggie bags.

If you get a reservation you will be given a table for two. Reservations will be non-transferrable, and diners will be required to bring their Eventbrite confirmation email to get access. Click here to get a table on March 21st.