Posts Tagged ‘Brooklyn Bridge Park’

October Events for a Good Cause: Peace, Music, and Parks

The city kicks off its October event schedule with three programs for good causes: peace, music, and parks.

On October 6, Yoko Ono, founder of Imagine Peace, invites you to help her create the world’s largest human peace sign in honor of John Lennon’s birthday on October 9 (he would have been 75). Near Strawberry Fields in Central Park, the attempt at the Guinness world record will happen in the East Meadow. Expect anywhere from 6000 to 10,000 people and wear your best rock ‘n roll colors. Be there by 12 Noon (you can register onsite, too) as the photo will be shot overhead at 12:30pm. The event is free, but donations will go to the John Lennon Education Tour Bus, a non-profit mobile Pro Audio and HD video recording facility that provides hands-on experiences for students. You can sign up online at Eventbrite.

Also, on October 6, the Bulgarian Concert Evenings program in New York has its Opening Night Gala at 7:30pm at Weill Recital Hall at Carnegie Hall. Tickets are $40, $30, and $20 and support the development of young and upcoming musicians as well as fund the ongoing free concert program at the library of the Bulgarian Consulate General. This year’s gala features a program of music by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Dobrinka Tabakova, and Franz Schubert played on violin, viola, cello, double bass and piano.  For information and tickets, visit www.bceny.org.

Two days later, you can show your support for the city’s parks at a benefit supporting the Brooklyn Bridge Park Conservancy’s miraculous transformation of the abandoned Dumbo waterfront into a beautiful park. It’s a Brooklyn-style “black tie” affair taking place on Pier 2, called, not surprisingly, the Brooklyn Black Tie Ball and After Party. The October 8 event is filled with great food, dancing, and music, all with an amazing view of Manhattan’s skyline and the Brooklyn Bridge. I can’t think of a more wonderful way to thank these folks for all they do like bringing us the Movies with a View series, Pilates classes in the park, and Kayak Camp. The honoree at the event is former mayor Michael Bloomberg who was the driving force in the creation of the park. Cocktails and dinners are 6-9, with the After Party from 9-11. Separate tickets are required for each. Information at http://www.brooklynbridgepark.org/events/bkblacktie .

Posted by Meryl Pearlstein
Print |  1 Comment

Highlights of New York City Parks: Manhattan and Brooklyn

Belvedere Castle at Central Park

The enormity of Central Park can be daunting. To get the most beautiful and highest views of the park and its cityscape, venture up the hill behind the Delacorte Theater to Belvedere Castle, set in the middle of the park near 79th street.  An old Victorian folly transformed to measure today’s weather patterns, the castle provides spectacular lookout points to the reservoir to the north and the Ramble to the south.  The architectural landmark is open Tuesdays through Sundays from April to October and Wednesdays through Sundays from November to March.  For hours of operation call 212-772-0210 or visit http://www.centralparknyc.org/visit/things-to-see/great-lawn/belvedere-castle.html

Central Park Conservancy, 14 E. 60th St, Manhattan

Carousels at Brooklyn Bridge Park and Battery Park

Within another park known for its striking views of Manhattan, the renovated Jane’s Carousel is a tribute to early 20th century design genius. Lovingly restored according to 1922 plans, the Carousel was re-installed in September 2011 in a grand pavilion designed by award-winning architect Jean Nouvel. The 48-horse carousel and its magical setting are magnets for families, wedding parties and history buffs. Operating year-round, the carousel spins from 11am-7pm daily for $2 a person (with the exception of Tuesdays).  Further information can be obtained by phone at 718-222-2502, or at www.janescarousel.com

Jane’s Carousel, 45 Main Street Suite 602, Brooklyn

Just opened, the SeaGlass Carousel in Battery Park takes the concept of a carousel and spins it on its head: a nautilus-type structure puts riders into 30 fish illuminated with LED lighting and accompanied by integrated audio throughout. Open 10am-10pm. Rides are $5 per person. http://www.seaglasscarousel.nyc/

Sea Glass Carousel, State Street at Pearl Street, Manhattan

Dog Runs at Carl Schurz Park

While Central Park allows dogs off leash before 9am and after 9pm, Carl Schurz Park offers exercise options all day long. Taking into account the differences in a dog’s size, this East River park has two separate dog runs: one for small dogs and one for large dogs.  Located at East End Avenue to the East River from Gracie Square (East 84th St.) to 89th Street. www.carlschurzparknyc.org.

Carl Schurz Park, 217 East 85th Street, Manhattan

Posted by Meryl Pearlstein
Print |  0 Comments

Free Things to Do This Summer

If you think everything in New York costs too much, well, you’re right—almost. In fact, the city has tons of free attractions and activities; here are some summer faves.

Brooklyn BridgeWalk across the Brooklyn Bridge (or part of it) for a spectacular view of the Financial District and One World Trade Center, Brooklyn, the seaport, and Manhattan. If you’re still energized, you can visit Brooklyn Bridge Park, a beautiful setting blessed with unobstructed city views.

Grab a distinctively different park experience by hiking the High Line. Where else but in New York could you smell the flowers, admire art and score some superb people watching along a former railroad track? If you happen to be there on Friday between 7 and 9:30pm, stop by the new Whitney Museum. Admission is free (you can pay what you wish).

Ride the Staten Island ferry (and back) to see the Statue of Liberty, Ellis Island, and the southern tip of Manhattan from the water.

Catch a free outdoor movie screening in Soundview Park (Bronx), Bryant Park (Manhattan), on Pier 1 in Riverside Park (Manhattan), Brooklyn Bridge Park, Sunset Park (Brooklyn), Willowbrook Park (Staten Island), Simeone Park (Queens) or at the Socrates Sculpture Garden (Queens). Schedules are posted weekly.

FishingGo catch-and-release fishing at Harlem Meer with free poles and bait to borrow from the Dana Discovery Center.

Wander Battery Park City’s waterfront promenade. The breeze, occasional concerts, fun parks and playgrounds, and passing boats will make you forget you’re in the gritty city, although the view of the Statue of Liberty will remind you that you couldn’t be anywhere but New York.

TrapeseWatch wannabe trapeze artists swing and soar at the New York Trapeze School along the Hudson River at Pier 40 in Manhattan, or at 3029 Stillwell Ave. in Coney Island

Island Hop to Governors Island by ferry. In this historic and expansive park setting you can bike, take a tram ride, and absorb the great views of the city.

Taste the treats at the Union Square greenmarket (Mon., Wed., Fri., Sat.), where farmers offer samples of organically grown produce, hand-pressed juices, artisanal cheeses, and fresh bread.

Stroll the Coney Island boardwalk and play on the beach for some old-school kitsch. Although the outrageous Mermaid Parade and the gluttonous Fourth of July hot-dog-eating contest have passed, there’s plenty to see to keep you entertained.

Check out the street performers around New York’s parks: break-dancers in Union Square and by Central Park’s Bethesda Fountain, nutty unicyclists in Washington Square, and Statue of Liberty clones in Battery Park and Times Square along the pedestrian-only Broadway promenade. The entertainers situated near the subway (or in the subway – enter for only $2.75) are better than you’d expect—to perform, they must first be vetted by committee.

Conservatory GardensStroll among the paths in the Central Park Conservatory Garden for gorgeous, gorgeous flowers, and idyllic formal gardens.

Attend a storytelling hour or author talk at Barnes & Noble. You can check schedules and store locations online.

Visit a museum. Many, many of New York City’s best collections offer hours, days, or nights when admission is free for all. You can view the complete schedule here.

Posted by Meryl Pearlstein
Print |  0 Comments

Arts Festivals in Brooklyn – September 27-29



This is a big weekend for the arts in Brooklyn, with two major events happening in exciting, lively DUMBO.  DUMBO, the District under the Manhattan Bridge, is recognizable from many TV shows and films (especailly Woody Allen films).    From here, you’ll get an astonishing view of Manhattan across the river, a chance to walk on cobblestones that hearken back to the city’s glorious past, and areas to wander among the warehouses which have now been converted to restaurants and boutiques.  In addition, the area’s wonderful, new Brooklyn Bridge Park is a delight, with its hills, promenades, and play areas.  The Park is bordered by Atlantic Avenue to the south and Jay Street to the north and runs along the Brooklyn waterfront.  brooklynbridgeparknyc.org

Two free events at the park warrant your attendance:

Photoville – Photoville is a Brooklyn-based photo destination, a pop-up village of freight containers transformed into temporary exhibition spaces, which runs through September 29 on the Uplands of Pier 5. The event includes a mix of exhibitions, lectures, hands-on workshops, night-time projections, a photo dog-run, a camera-flower greenhouse, and a summer beer-garden with food trucks.  The containers themselves offer up great photographic possibilities. The site covers more than 60,000 square feet in the heart of Brooklyn Bridge Park.  A full schedule of events can be found at http://photovillenyc.org/schedule/.  www.photovillenyc.com.  Weekend hours are Friday 4pm to 10pm; Saturday noon to 10pm; and Sunday noon to- 8pm.

Dumbo Arts Festival – also through September 29, the Dumbo Arts Festival, http://dumboartsfestival.com/

The DUMBO Arts Festival is a non-commercial, welcoming presentation of local, national and international art set against the breathtaking backdrop of the Brooklyn Bridge and the Manhattan skyline. More than 400 artists from a variety of disciplines will be showcased.  Traditional to avant-garde pieces are highlights, and outdoor projections are on view through midnight each night. Festival hours are Friday 6pm to 9pm, Saturday noon to 9pm, Sunday noon to 6pm. Art revelers can enjoy outdoor and indoor visual art installations and exhibitions, digital art and large-scale projections, visiting artists in their studios or making murals on the street, dancers, poets as well as performers throughout the neighborhood, on street corners, and in the park.  Plan to spend a few hours!

The DUMBO Arts Festival spans the neighborhood of DUMBO, Brooklyn, between the Brooklyn and Manhattan Bridges, including the waterfront.

Posted by Meryl Pearlstein
Print |  0 Comments

Planning a trip to NYC?