March NYC events + Top 10 NYC corona culture (03/05)

Posted on 03/05/2021 by GregD

Pre Covid-19 we searched the internet everyday looking for the very best of What’s Happening, primarily on Manhattan’s WestSide, so that you didn’t have to.” We made it as easy as 1-2-3.

Covid-19 has required some changes. First of all, some very important information:

How to Get the Coronavirus Vaccine in NYC – NYT

“There are multiple websites, disappearing slots and even attempts to game the system. Here’s our guide to what you have to do to get a dose in your arm.”

========================================================

For March we are going to try a different format – “Top 10 Corona Culture” – updated info and video especially suited to these difficult times OR NYC related visual info (Instagram and YouTube) OR all the NYC news you need to start your day.

We hope you will come back often to see what’s cooking here.

Today it’s Top 10 NYC Corona Culture. NEW STUFF!

2. Best Things to do in NYC This Week – TONY

“If you’re looking for the best things to do in NYC this week or even today, there are tons of fun options (so long as you can social distance and wear a mask). Start by checking out the “Love Letters” heart in Times Square or taking a meditative sound walk at Brooklyn Botanic Garden. Then, sit in for a night of Britney Spears-themed drag bingo or an intimate burlesque show at Club Cumming. “

Here are just a few ideas:

l. Black Seed Pizza
News Eating

Having secured their place among the top bagel shops in NYC, Black Seed Bagels is now venturing into making another iconic food—pizza. Black Seed Pizza, a culinary collab with chef Bobby Hellen (formerly of GG’s), launched on February 11 at Black Seed’s East Village location (176 First Avenue) with five different Sicilian-style pan pizzas: cheese, tomato, and white, alongside signature pies including a Green Pie and Bob’s Pie. Pizzas are available in two sizes: square (12” x 12”, which feeds two to three people) for $21-28 and round (9” diameter, which feeds one person) for $12-15 . The organic Hudson Valley dough, which is also offered in a gluten-free option, made with 100-year-old sourdough starter is fermented for 36 hours before it’s baked. The sauce comes from organic Bianco DiNapoli San Marzano-style tomatoes from California. All of it is baked in a wood-fired oven.

m. Spotlight on Orchids at NYBG
Things to do New York Botanical Garden, The Bronx Until Apr 4 2021

The New York Botanical Garden is forgoing its Orchid Show this year but is doing a limited Spotlight on Orchids across select galleries of the Enid A. Haupt Conservatory, including intimate displays of orchids in brilliant white and striking colors set against the foliage of aroids, ferns, and bromeliads—planted as they might be found in nature and blending gracefully with their surroundings, NYBG says. You’ll get to discover unusual orchids and artful floral creations by Botanical Garden horticulturists that combine expressive orchids with rocks, tree trunks, vines, and other found materials.

NYBG’s Orchid Show will return in 2022. Until then, you can purchase a Garden Pass + Conservatory ticket, which includes access to the Enid A. Haupt Conservatory and outdoor gardens and collections.

n. PASSAGE: Live Guided Meditations
Health and beauty Fotografiska, Gramercy Mar 5 2021-Mar 19 2021

Music and culture site Okayplayer and photography museum Fotografiska New York are offering New Yorkers a new series of live, guided meditations every Friday at 6 p.m. now, through March 19. The event, taking place at the museum, will incorporate tracks from “PASSAGE, the EP,” Okayplayer’s new project developed to inspire community healing through sound and stillness. The lead track of the record features Big K.R.I.T.; a short-film visualizer by the man behind some of Beyonce’s greatest visual works, Andrew Morrow.

o. The House Our Families Built
News Art

Art lovers will be delighted to know that a new moving art installation has landed on the New York scene less than a week ago. The House Our Families Built is an installation by Brooklyn-based artist Caledonia Curry (you probably know her as Swoon) that debuted last weekend at Brooklyn Bridge Park as part of a larger PBS initiative called “American Portrait.” The installation is a visually striking one: built on a 14-foot box truck, the diorama-style outdoor sculpture features pantings, cutouts and some live performances that dissect “the legacy of ancestral histories—whether through traditions, trauma or repeated narratives—and the ways in which they inform how we understand and talk about ourselves.” Swoon enlisted the help of her longtime collaborator Jeff Stark to come up with the work, which features stories found within the PBS American Portrait archives. Specifically, passerby can expect 15-minute live performances that “transition through emotions from humor to fear, tenderness to confrontation, encouraging people to ask where they’ve come from and what they can leave behind,” according to the installation’s official website. Folks walking by the installation while a live performance isn’t in session will instead be treated to an audio of the happening. The roving exhibit will take up residence at Brooklyn’s Prospect Park this weekend (February 6-7), followed by a stint in Flushing Meadows Corona Park on February 13 and 14, eventually landing on the North Plaza of Union Square at 17th Street in Manhattan on February 21.

p. Ootoya Times Square Onigiri Pop-Up
Restaurants Ootoya, Midtown West Until Mar 7 2021

Japanese restaurant Ootoya is opening an Onigiri Pop-Up take out window for one-month only at their Times Square location, offering twelve different onigiri, or Japanese rice balls. Ranging from $3.75 to $5 each, you can choose from Onigiri like flaked salmon and tuna-mayonnaise, but also Ootoya’s popular menu items turned into onigiri such as tonkatsu (fried breaded pork), spicy kurozu (fried chicken with spicy black vinegar sauce) and sukiyaki (soy-simmered sliced beef). Ootoya will also offer Onigiri sets that consist of two onigiris, choice of karaage fried chicken, edamame or potato croquettes, miso soup and pickles for $9.99 or $10.99.

q. The Arlo Soho dinner cabins
News Eating

The Arlo Soho is offering two fully-furnished cabins that you can book with a group of lumberjack cosplaying friends. This year, however, the cabins double as a perfect socially distanced getaway that you can enjoy with your pod.

There are many more interesting things to do right HERE at Time Out New York

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3. Museums Are Still Open in New York. Here’s What’s on View (for Now). – The New York Times

“Sanford Biggers, Félix Fénéon and the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s history of itself”

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4. The 25 best cheap eats in NYC – TONY

“Eat for $10 or less at the best restaurants with cheap eats in NYC

UPDATE, October 29 2020: Dining out in New York City has never been so different than this year and it’s not only because restaurants had to shut down their dining rooms for more than six months. The current crisis has put a renewed focus on more affordable food options, whether you’re scarfing down tacos from a food truck or ordering dumplings from a mom-and-pop business in Chinatown. At Time Out New York, we’ve done the homework for you in discovering dishes, old and new, that are all $10 or under. 

The hefty prices at many New York restaurants can at times make the dining scene feel like it’s only for the elite. But some of the best restaurants in NYC still serve affordable bites for $10 or less. Dining on a budget in New York doesn’t have to feel like a constraint with our picks for jerk chicken, Sicilian-style pizza, creative veggie burgers, underground buffets, Cuban bakeries and more.”

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“Nicolas Cage hosts the history of swearing. Lorde writes a book and Julie Mehretu takes over the Whitney. This new year has to be better, right?”

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6. Everywhere You Should Be Eating Vegan and Vegetarian Food in NYC – thrillist

17 go-to spots for meatless eats.

“New York City is on the cutting edge of all things culinary, so it’s no surprise that plant-based eateries have been a fixture in the city for decades. In fact, restaurants like Candle Cafe, Dojo, Angelica Kitchen (RIP) and many more transformed meatless diets into a lifestyle to aspire to as early as the 1970s. While vegetarian and vegan eateries have continued to proliferate since then, one exciting newish trend is the introduction of plant-based options within the fast-casual space (e.g., Taim, by CHLOE, et al.) offering affordable and quickly prepared items that make it that much easier for New Yorkers to go meat-free.”

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7. What’s Open in NYC | The Official Guide to New York City – nycgo.com

“Businesses across all five boroughs are working toward a common goal: to welcome back guests, employees and the community at large while ensuring everyone’s health and safety. Use this hub as a starting point for what’s open right now or opening soon, and make sure to follow up directly with any venue to confirm hours and protocols before you visit.”

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8. Three ‘astonishing’ works of art are inside the new Moynihan Train Hall – TONY

The Public Art Fund says they’ll ‘stop us in our tracks’ “In true New York style, the new Moynihan Train Hall at Penn Station, which opens Friday, has been decked out with incredible art.

Penn Station’s $1.6 billion Moynihan Train Hall features a spacious, light-filled atrium with a 92-foot-high glass skylight and soaring ceilings honoring the design of the original Penn Station, but as with any new transit hub, whether it’s a new subway station, airport terminal or a passenger hall like this one, New York calls on its amazing artists to decorate the walls, halls and floors and inspire travelers passing by.”

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9. The Metropolitan Opera is streaming free productions every night – TONY

The Met continues to share a different lineup of complete operas from its archives every week

“The Metropolitan Opera has closed its doors though at least September 2021, but the great New York opera house continues to lift the spirits of opera lovers around the world with free nightly streams of complete productions from its archives. Most of the offerings were originally recorded with multiple cameras in high definition to be shown in movie theaters as part of the company’s popular Live in HD series.

Each opera goes live on the Met’s website at 7:30pm EST (12:30am GMT) and remains there until 6:30pm EST the next evening. The operas can also be viewed with the Met Opera on Demand app on various devices.”

Nightly Opera Streams, March 1-7

Celebrating Women’s History Month

We celebrate the start of Women’s History Month with a week of free streams that shines the spotlight on trailblazing American artists who made or are making important contributions both onstage and off. Explore the articles and resources below to expand your knowledge and enhance your experience as you enjoy the screenings. A full schedule for the week is available at the bottom of this page.

 
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10. The Playbill Weekend Streaming Guide: What to Watch March 5-7

“A virtual tour of London’s West End, a drive-in production of the new rock musical SuperYou, and more online offerings this weekend.”

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11. Why This Billionaire Will Never Leave New York – The New York Times

“For the cosmetics mogul and philanthropist Leonard Lauder, the city, with its museums, public transit and parks, is an explorer’s delight.”

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Bonus#1: Train Your Muscles Without a Gym – The New York Times

“Get to a nearby park and get in shape (safely).”

Bonus#2: When the Bronx was a Forest: Stroll Through the Centuries – NYT

“Yankee Stadium was the site of a salt marsh. Concourse Plaza was a valley. Our critic walks with Eric Sanderson, a conservation ecologist.”

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We hope you enjoy this change of pace, then please return here April 1, and every day for our daily, hot off the presses event guide with “Only the Best” NYCity event info. 

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Stay home for a bit more – Mask up, stay smart and stay safe

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March NYC events + Best NYC restaurants (03/04)

Posted on 03/04/2021 by GregD

Pre Covid-19 we searched the internet everyday looking for the very best of What’s Happening, primarily on Manhattan’s WestSide, so that you didn’t have to.” We made it as easy as 1-2-3.

Covid-19 has required some changes. First of all, some very important information:

How to Get the Coronavirus Vaccine in New York City – NYT

“There are multiple websites, disappearing slots and even attempts to game the system. Here’s our guide to what you have to do to get a dose in your arm.”

========================================================

For March we are going to try a different format – “Top 10 Corona Culture” – updated info and video especially suited to these difficult times OR NYC related visual info (Instagram and YouTube) OR all the NYC news you need to start your day.

 

We hope you will come back often to see what’s cooking here.

Today it’s Best NYCity Restaurants. My Baker’s Dozen – NEW STUFF!

Covid 19 has greatly affected the NY City dining scene. Be sure to contact your restaurant before heading out.

19 Standout Vegan Dishes to Try in NYC Right Now – ny.eater.com

One Of NYC’s Great Vietnamese Restaurants Just Opened On The UWS – Gothamist

Best cheap eats NYC has to offer, from dumplings to sandwiches – TONY

The NYC Hit List: The Best New Restaurants In NYC – New York – The Infatuation

40 Inexpensive Dining Destinations in NYC – ny.eater.com

Adam Platt: The Best Meals I Ate in 2020 – grubstreet.com

Best Vegetarian & Vegan Restaurants in NYC – Thrillist

Top 10 Best Affordable Restaurants in New York, NY – Last Updated Nov 2020 – Yelp

100 best restaurants in NYC, serving Italian, Mexican and sushi – TONY

16 Exciting New Restaurants Open in Manhattan Right Now – ny.eater.com

The Best Vietnamese Restaurants In NYC – New York – The Infatuation

Critic Robert Sietsema’s Top 12 Neighborhood Pizza Slices – ny.eater.com

LOCAL TAKE: 21 Delicious Places to Eat in NYC in 2020 – nomadicmatt.com

The 38 Essential Restaurants in New York City,  – ny.eater.com

We hope you enjoy this change of pace. Please return here April 1, and every day for our daily, hot off the presses event guide with “Only the Best” NYCity event info.

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Now, how about some other useful NYC information for your winter season. 

The best things to do in NYC this week – TONY

“If you’re looking for the best things to do in NYC this week or even today, there are tons of fun options (so long as you can social distance and wear a mask). Start by checking out the incredible photography at “Love Letters for Harlem” or finding the giant art inside Chelsea Market. Then, sit in for a night of Britney Spears-themed drag bingo or an intimate burlesque show at Club Cumming. ” Here are just a few:

g. So Ready for Laughter: Bob Hope and World War II
Museums New-York Historical Society | Manhattan, NY, Upper West Side Mar 5 2021-Sep 5 2021

The New-York Historical Society has a new exhibit that coincides with the 80th anniversary of the United Service Organizations (USO) that shows off artifacts (a World War II-era aircraft fragment, mess kit, and other relics engraved to Hope), films, and rare photographs to illustrate how Bob Hope helped lift spirits with his USO and radio shows during a dark time in American history.

There’s also a companion exhibition, “The Gift of Laughter,” that delves into Hope’s varied career after World War II as a USO entertainer, television star, and Academy Award host demonstrating the many hats worn by comedians. His legacy will be brought to life with many items, including costumes from the Emmy Award-winning series The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, as well as objects related to other comedians—real and imagined—influenced by Hope.

h. “Grief and Grievance: Art and Mourning in America”
News Art

“Grief and Grievance: Art and Mourning in America,” a new exhibition that has taken over almost the entirety of the New Museum and is set to stay put until June 6, explores the history of racist violence all throughout the United States. Back in 2018, curator Okwui Enwezor began working on the project, hoping to mount it by last year’s Presidential election. Unfortunately, the curator’s passing in 2019 and the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic forced a shift in plans that delayed the show’s opening to last week. In total, the work of 37 Black artists currently fills the museum’s lobby, its three main viewing floors, the building’s exterior and the South Gallery found in the building next door. Expect to browse through the amazing works of artists the likes of Kara Walker, who is the brain behind an entire wall filled with sketches and drawings; LaToya Ruby Frazier, who contributes over a dozen photographs from her “The Notion of Family” series; and Jean-Michael Basquiat, whose “Procession” can be glanced at as soon as the elevator doors open on the third floor. The show is a powerful one, with images ranging in style, theme and scope, but one that is necessary to delve into today more than ever. Given COVID-19-related guidelines, visitors have to purchase timed tickets ahead of their trip. Feel free to do so right here.

i. A seven-foot-tall portrait of RBG inside Chelsea Market
News Art

New Yorkers can get their art fix at Chelsea Market, where a new exhibit honors some of “the most pivotal individuals in our nation’s history and pop culture.” The works are on display throughout the market’s main concourse and, best part of all, the exhibition is completely free to all visitors. Brooklyn artist Voodo’ Fe has curated the show, which includes “his very familiar and notable pop culture character renditions, all brought to life through the various textures of mixed media that he employs to tell his story,” according to the show’s official press release. In an effort to celebrate both Black History Month and Women’s History Month, the artist presents mixed media renditions of the likes of the late Kobe Bryant, the Notorious B.I.G. and Frida Kahlo. Specifically, expect to stumble on a Harriet Tubman piece mostly made of bottle caps and paint, alongside a pretty giant painting of the one-and-only late Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg. Speaking of size: most of the pieces stand 7 feet tall, so you really can’t miss them upon entering the market.

j. Love Letters For Harlem
Art Claire Oliver Gallery, Harlem Until Apr 3 2021

“Love Letters for Harlem” is an exhibition of photographs by Harlem residents John Pinderhughes, Ruben Natal SanMiguel, Jeffrey Henson Scales and Shawn Walker that celebrate the lives and culture of Harlem. “As longtime residents of Harlem, we are inspired by the rich cultural lineage of our neighborhood,” states gallerist Claire Oliver. “In the midst of this challenging year when we have all been so isolated, we wanted to showcase the resiliency and celebrate the individuals, geography and culture of Harlem through the intimacy of photography while also supporting a vital organization that provides urgently needed aid to our community in this time of need.” A portion of the proceeds will benefit Harlem Community Relief Fund, an initiative of the Greater Harlem Chamber of Commerce (GHCC), who in concert with Harlem Week, ReThink Food NY, NY State Assemblywoman Inez Dickens, CCNY, NAACP are working together to combat food insecurity in Harlem.

k. Act & Sip NYC
Things to do Russell Acting Studio, Midtown West Mar 4 2021-Mar 6 2021

If you’re not a paint and sip kind of person, try Act & Sip, a beer-fueled acting workshop in an Off-Broadway Theater with expert instructors. They pair students off with partners and hand over the pages to a scene from a well-known iconic NYC sitcom or movie, offering tips along the way to help performers conquer stage fright and discover their inner actor. This event is perfect for bachelorette parties, after-work outings, or just a fun night with friends to get on stage with a little help from liquid courage. You don’t need any experience, but you must be 21 or older and BYOB.

Many more things to do this week in NYC right HERE at Time Out New York

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50 Awesome Things To Do In NYC This March – Secretnyc

The Metropolitan Opera is streaming free productions every night

Metropolitan Opera | Week 51

11 Stunning NYC Rooftop Bars Open For The Perfect Spring Evenings – Secretnyc

How Covid-Safe Is Dining in a Restaurant’s Outdoor Tent? – WSJ

NYBG Replaces Annual Orchid Show With New ‘Spotlight On Orchids’ – Secretnyc

Bubbles, Cabins And Yurts: 25 Of The Most Creative Outdoor Dining Setups In NYC – Secretnyc

16 Broadway Plays and Musicals You Can Watch On Stage From Home | Playbill

The Best Online Workout Classes, According to Strategist Writers and Editors

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STAY HOME FOR A BIT LONGER – MASK UP, STAY SMART AND STAY SAFE.

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

March NYC events + Top 10 NYC corona culture (03/03)

Posted on 03/03/2021 by GregD

Pre Covid-19 we searched the internet everyday looking for the very best of What’s Happening, primarily on Manhattan’s WestSide, so that you didn’t have to.” We made it as easy as 1-2-3.

Covid-19 has required some changes. First of all, some very important information:

How to Get the Coronavirus Vaccine in New York City – NYT

“There are multiple websites, disappearing slots and even attempts to game the system. Here’s our guide to what you have to do to get a dose in your arm.”

========================================================

For March we are going to try a different format – “Top 10 Corona Culture” – updated info and video especially suited to these difficult times OR NYC related visual info (Instagram and YouTube) OR all the NYC news you need to start your day.

We hope you will come back often to see what’s cooking here.

Today it’s Top 10 NYC Corona Culture. NEW STUFF!

1. The best things to do in NYC this week – TONY

“If you’re looking for the best things to do in NYC this week or even today, there are tons of fun options (so long as you can social distance and wear a mask). Start by checking out the incredible photography at “Love Letters for Harlem” or finding the giant art inside Chelsea Market. Then, sit in for a night of Britney Spears-themed drag bingo or an intimate burlesque show at Club Cumming. ” Here are just a few:

a. “Geometric Properties” at ARTECHOUSE
News Art

“Geometric Properties: An Immersive Audio-Visual Journey Through Fractal Dimensions,” is the first solo exhibition of Dutch artist Julius Horsthuis’ work to come to NYC. Previously, his work has been featured in Manchester by the Sea and through collaborations with musical artists like ODESZA, Meshuggah and Birds of Paradise. He uses fractals to create alternate science fiction-like realities using visual art and motion graphics, and they are a real trip, to say the least. The digital art destination on Manhattan’s west side (it’s literally located in Chelsea Market’s former boiler room) is opening the new show on March 1, and it will be on view through September 6. If you want to stop by and check out the endless geometric iterations and fractional dimensions for yourself—you frickin’ fractal freak you—tickets cost $24 for adults and $17 for children. (Pro tip: New York and New Jersey residents receive a $5 discount on tickets on weekdays.)

b. St. Paddy’s Day at The Greens
News City Life

The Greens on Pier 17 is celebrating St. Patrick’s Day with a festive and traditional meal including Shepherd’s Pie and an Irish Whiskey Buck by its cocktail partner and World’s Best Bar, Dante, all set to Irish music. Cabin reservations open Monday, March 1 at 10 a.m. for parties of up to 10 guests. All reservations are for 90-minute increments and can be booked from 11am–11pm. The rooftop venue has 28 individual 12’ by 10’ winterized dining cabins that have jaw-dropping, floor-to-ceiling views of NYC from its prime location on the East River waterfront.

c. “The ​Land of the Blacks”
Art Westfield World Trade Center, Financial District Until Mar 25 2021

“The ​Land of the Blacks” digital exhibition displayed on the expansive screens at the Oculus will present graphics, maps, and photography illustrating the 28 different land grants earned by Black people in New Netherland between 1643 and 1663, making it the first Black community in New York City. This experience marks the largest public acknowledgment of The Land of The Blacks in New York City history. The installation is presented by Black Gotham Experience and Westfield World Trade Center. Black Gotham Experience, established in 2010 by artist and historian Kamau Ware, creates media at the intersection of scholarship and aesthetics that illustrates the impact of the African Diaspora missing from collective consciousness as well as the public square. It’ll be on through March 25.

d. The Rewind: A celebration of Women’s History Month

Take a look back at past virtual SummerStage performances for Women’s History Month. Vanessa Reed, President and CEO of New Music USA who initiated the international Keychange campaign in response to the gender gap in music, will introduce the program, which features artists like Beninese-American superstar Angélique Kidjo, indie group Soccer Mommy, Brazilian pop artist Duda Beat, Tunisian singer-songwriter Emel, queen of disco Gloria Gaynor, award-winning Afro-Cuban jazz singer Daymé Arocena, experimental R&B violinist Sudan Archives, Mexican alternative-pop singer Carla Morrison, and Camille A Brown & Dancers company member, Chloe O. Davis. It’s set for Thursday, March 4, at 7pm. Catch it on SummerStageAnywhere.org, YouTube, Facebook, Instagram, and Twitch.

e. NYC Ballet’s spring season
News Theater & Performance

Ahead of its planned return to in-person performances in September, the NYC Ballet has released its digital spring season, which includes newly recorded performances at the Koch Theater. It all starts with “Theme and Variations,” (March 1-2, 4) and “Stravinsky Violin Concerto,” (March 8-9, 11).

On Monday, March 1, a new episode of City Ballet The Podcast will feature NYCB Music Director Andrew Litton on Theme and Variations’ Tschaikovsky score.

On Tuesday, March 2, at 8pm, NYCB will present an “Inside NYCB” episode focusing on the first solo performed by the male principal dancer in Theme and Variations, with rehearsal footage and interviews with Principal Dancers Joseph Gordon, Andrew Veyette, and Repertory Director Kathleen Tracey.

On Thursday, March 4, at 8pm, NYCB will release a previously recorded performance of Theme and Variations, with Principal Dancers Tiler Peck and Andrew Veyette in the leading roles.

Other offerings during the digital season include:

Mondays: New episodes of the City Ballet The Podcast, featuring discussions with past and present company artists (free)
Mondays at 6:30pm: Ballet Essentials, live interactive movement workshops on Zoom for teen and adult dancers ($8-$15 suggested)
Wednesdays at 6:30pm: Signature Steps, ballet classes on Zoom for intermediate- and advanced-level dancers with at least five years of training ($30)
Thursdays at 6pm: Access Workshops, which offers warm-ups and choreography designed for teens and adults with disabilities (free)
Saturdays at 11am: Ballet Breaks, a series of half-hour workshops for children ages 3 to 8 ($5-$10 suggested)
Saturdays at noon: Access Workshops for Children, a program aimed at children with disabilities, ages 4 to 12 (free)

f. The Moth Eastern StorySLAM: “Luck”

Participants will prepare a five-minute story about calamities averted, windfalls or wipeouts, miracles or miseries that can claim no cause…except luck. The stream goes live at 7:30pm. Tickets are $10.

Many more things to do this week in NYC right HERE at Time Out New York

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2. Go-To NYC Spots for Takeout, Delivery, and Outdoor Dining in 2020 – ny.eater.com

“From Golden Diner’s honey butter pancakes to Parlay’s chicken curry, here are the restaurant orders that were kept in regular rotation all year long”

3.The best places to go ice-skating in NYC – TONY

“It’s time to lace up your skates—the best ice skating rinks in NYC are waiting for you. As one of the most beloved cities to spend the holidays in, NYC has plenty of indoor and outdoor rinks where you can glide and practice your toe jumps. To help narrow down your options, we’ve ranked the top places to go, from the iconic Rink at Rockefeller Center or lower-key rinks at NYC parks like Central Park. You can even make a full-day out of it when you shop at one of the city’s best holiday markets, followed by sipping hot chocolate and skating on The Rink at the Bank of America Winter Village at Bryant Park. If you’d rather stay warm while on the ice, there are many all-weather indoor rinks, including spots that offer roller skating.”

“A $1.6 billion transformation of a post office has given the city a lofty, light-filled steel, glass and marble cathedral, our critic writes.

The $1.6 billion Moynihan Train Hall opened at dawn on New Year’s morning — on budget, too, even a couple of months early. Instagram swooned. Tweeters channeled Stefon from “Saturday Night Live.”

In the midst of everything else, we needed this. New York needs this.”

5. The best bakeries in NYC – TONY

“At the best bakeries in NYC you’ll find world-class patisseries, pie shops, bread makers and tiered cake spots

In times like these, we all need comfort food more than ever. If you’re looking to indulge in some cookies or cakes try some delicious bites from some of the best bakeries in NYC. In addition to to-go offerings, most are also now offering same-day delivery and pick-up packages for those that want the sweet treats sent straight to the couch.

Sugar fiends never had it so good—with so many pedigreed dough-punchers setting up shop in our fair city, New Yorkers don’t only have access to the best bakeries NYC has to offer, but they have access to some of the best bakeries in the world. Whether you’re looking for French bakery spots or all-American donut shops, the best pies for the holidays or one of the city’s best chocolate chip cookies, check out every best bakery NYC sweets lovers should know about. “

6. The Underground Gourmet’s Year-End Digest – grubstreet

“The best new comfort food we ate in 2020.

Now is the time for pure, unalloyed comfort food, however you define it, which happens to be the theme of our roundup of the best things we ate this year.”

7.- 10 Cool NYC Art and Museum Exhibitions to Check Out Now – thrillist

“Grab your mask and wander the halls of the city’s unparalleled cultural institutions.

When NYC museums were forced to close their doors in March due to COVID-19, art-loving New Yorkers had to endure an already difficult period without all of the creativity and inspiration that comes from wandering the halls of our city’s unparalleled cultural institutions. Thankfully, though, museums in NYC were able to reopen in the late summer, and have remained so since then.”

8. The Best Meals I Ate in 2020 – grubstreet

“Our critic Adam Platt finds some comforts in a heartbreaking year.”

9. How Fans of The Queen’s Gambit Can Explore Chess in NYC – untappedcities.com

“When thinking of chess, what normally comes to mind is a pair of players dressed in khakis, glasses, and sweater vests. But if you’ve recently seen Netflix’s The Queen’s Gambit, chess might seem a lot more . . . glamorous? Almost to the point where you may have wanted to dig out your old chess board from the attic (good luck buying a set — thanks to the show, they’re sold out nearly everywhere). Based off of Walter Tevis’ novel of the same name, The Queens Gambit takes place during the sixties and follows chess prodigy Beth Harmon as she strives to become the world’s greatest chess player.”

10a. Editors’ Picks: 15 Events for Your Art Calendar This Week – Artnet.com

From Wikipedia Edit-a-Thons to a Virtual Visit With Kenny Scharf

Plus, your last chance to see the late Joyce Pensato’s studio recreated at Petzel.

“Each week, we search for the most exciting and thought-provoking shows, screenings, and events. In light of the global health crisis, we are currently highlighting events and digitally, as well as in-person exhibitions open in the New York area.“

10B. New York City Ballet Dancers to Step Back Onstage

“New works by the choreographers Kyle Abraham and Justin Peck will be filmed at the David H. Koch Theater for the coming digital season.”

“New York City Ballet’s dancers will return to the David H. Koch Theater before audiences do. The company’s coming digital season, set to begin on Feb. 22, will include performances, rehearsals and conversations filmed at the Lincoln Center theater, including new ballets by the choreographers Kyle Abraham and Justin Peck.”

Bonus#1. : When Manhattan Was Mannahatta: a Stroll Through the Centuries  – NYT  

“From lush forest to metropolis, the evolution of Lower Manhattan.”

We hope you enjoy this change of pace, then please return here February 1, and every day for our daily, hot off the presses event guide with “Only the Best” NYCity event info (well, maybe. it depends).  

Bonus#2: The best theater you can stream online anytime – TONY

“Much of the best streaming theater, dance and music of the lockdown period remains viewable anytime.”

We hope you enjoy this change of pace, then please return here March 1, and every day for our daily, hot off the presses event guide with “Only the Best” NYCity event info. ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Stay home for a bit longer – Mask up, stay smart and stay safe

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March NYC events + Selected NYC Instagram Photos (03/02)

Posted on 03/02/2021 by GregD

Pre Covid-19 we searched the internet everyday looking for the very best of What’s Happening, primarily on Manhattan’s WestSide, so that you didn’t have to.” We made it as easy as 1-2-3.

Covid-19 has required some changes. First of all, some very important information:

How to Get the Coronavirus Vaccine in New York City – NYT

“There are multiple websites, disappearing slots and even attempts to game the system. Here’s our guide to what you have to do to get a dose in your arm.”

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For March we are going to try a different format – “Top 10 Corona Culture” – updated info and video especially suited to these difficult times OR NYC related visual info (Instagram and YouTube) OR all the NYC news you need to start your day.

We hope you will come back often to see what’s cooking here.

Today it’s Selected NYC Instagram Photos.

gigi.nyc

jstaffordphotos

humzadeas

joshfromny

openhousenewyork

jssilberman

aidan.f0x

theamazingknight

don_humberto_colmenares

nycprimeshot

mynamesjefff

new_york_city_photo

We hope you enjoy this change of pace, then please return here April 1, and every day for our daily, hot off the presses event guide with “Only the Best” NYCity event info. ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Here is some other useful, curated New York City information.

Best Things to do in NYC This Week – TONY

‘It Should’ve Happened A Long Time Ago’: Whitney Retrospective Gives Black Photographers Their Due – Gothamist

Top NYC Restaurant Newcomers of 2020 – Eater NY

The Underground Gourmet’s Year-End Digest – grubstreet.com

2020 In Photos: A Year Like No Other – The New York Times

The Best Food Trucks & Carts In NYC – New York – The Infatuation

Michelin-Starred Musket Room Now Selling Sandwiches Out Of 1962 International Harvester Van – Gothamist

What to stream online: from virtual museum tours to the best concert movies and theatre shows  telegraph.co.uk

Museums Are Still Open in New York. Here’s What’s on View (for Now). – The New York Times

The Best Live Theater to Stream Online Today – TONY

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STAY HOME FOR A BIT LONGER – MASK UP, STAY SMART AND STAY SAFE.

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March NYC events + Top 11 NYC corona culture (03/01)

Posted on 03/01/2021 by GregD

Pre Covid-19 we searched the internet everyday looking for the very best of What’s Happening, primarily on Manhattan’s WestSide, so that you didn’t have to.” We made it as easy as 1-2-3.

Covid-19 has required some changes. First of all, some very important information:

How to Get the Coronavirus Vaccine in New York City – NYT

“There are multiple websites, disappearing slots and even attempts to game the system. Here’s our guide to what you have to do to get a dose in your arm.”

=============================================================

For March we are going to try a different format – “Top 10 Corona Culture” – updated info and video especially suited to these difficult times OR NYC related visual info (Instagram and YouTube) OR all the NYC news you need to start your day. We hope you will come back often to see what’s cooking here.

Today it’s Top 11 NYC Corona Culture. NEW STUFF!

1.Cook With Cabbage and Sing a Sea Shanty – NYT

“This week, get a tarot reading, unwind with a yoga class or learn about pendulums.”

 

2. The Museum Of Natural History Is Unearthing A Brand New Hall Of Gems & Minerals – secretnyc.co

“This redesigned exhibit is going to rock!

The American Museum of Natural History just announced that The Allison and Roberto Mignone Hall of Gems and Minerals will finally be reopening on February 17, 2021. The hall has been part of the museum since the ’70s, and closed in 2017 to be redesigned as one of the New York icon’s 150th anniversary projects. It was originally supposed to open this fall, but because of the pandemic, it got moved to winter of 2021.”

3. Livestream Talks, Seminars & Readings March 1-5 – ThoughtGallery

“As the only site dedicated to the intellectual life of NYC, Thought Gallery provides a unique resource for getting a handle on brainy New York. We take a curated approach, with a calendar that’s tight and timely, and articles that bring the city’s great programming and institutions to life.”

4. Indoor dining capacity expands to 35% in NYC next week: Cuomo – amNY

“Indoor dining in New York City will be expanded to allow bars and restaurants to seat patrons at 35% capacity on Feb. 26 — marking a 10% increase since inside seating resumed on Feb. 12,”

5. The Met Casts New Light on its Greatest Hits and History – NYT

“Goya, Caravaggio, Rubens, Velázquez and more are in skylit splendor in the European galleries. And the museum is acknowledging the shaping force on art of colonialism, slavery, the disenfranchisement of women.”

6. -38 Standout Dining Destinations in New York City, Winter 2020 – EaterNY

“From quirky Chinese hot pot in Flushing to splurge-worthy sushi, here’s where to eat in NYC right now”

7. The Metropolitan Opera is streaming free productions every night – TONY

The Met continues to share a different lineup of complete operas from its archives every week

“The Metropolitan Opera has closed its doors though at least September 2021, but the great New York opera house continues to lift the spirits of opera lovers around the world with free nightly streams of complete productions from its archives. Most of the offerings were originally recorded with multiple cameras in high definition to be shown in movie theaters as part of the company’s popular Live in HD series.

Each opera goes live on the Met’s website at 7:30pm EST (12:30am GMT) and remains there until 6:30pm EST the next evening. The operas can also be viewed with the Met Opera on Demand app on various devices.”

Nightly Opera Streams, March 1-7

Celebrating Women’s History Month

We celebrate the start of Women’s History Month with a week of free streams that shines the spotlight on trailblazing American artists who made or are making important contributions both onstage and off. Explore the articles and resources below to expand your knowledge and enhance your experience as you enjoy the screenings.

8. Penn Station’s $1.6 Billion Expansion Is Finally Complete…And It’s Absolutely Stunning – secretnyc.co

“On January 1, the gigantic new Moynihan Train Hall officially opened to the public.

Governor Cuomo announced the grand opening earlier in the week, and New Yorkers have been making their way to see the stunning completed $1.6 billion project ever since.

The brand new train hall is 255,000 square feet, in the former over-100-year-old James A. Farley Building, once the main United States Postal Service building. The new hall has been named after U.S. Senator Daniel Patrick Moynihan, and will increase Penn Station’s current concourse by a whopping 50 percent. There is also a newly completed East End Gateway at 33rd St. and 7th Ave. that opened on New Year’s Eve.”

9. NYC Restaurant Headline Predictions for 2021 – EaterNY

What’s in store for restaurants next year?

“Welcome to Year in Eater 2020, Eater’s annual ritual of eulogizing the past 12 months. In 2020’s final days, Eater NY will be posting questions about New York City’s restaurant scene in the past year, with answers from food writers, photographers, chefs, restaurateurs, entrepreneurs, and even a few local legislators who helped to support the industry through this enormously difficult year. Now, we ask: What are your headline predictions for 2021?”

“Sanford Biggers, Félix Fénéon and the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s history of itself are some of the exhibitions that remain open to the public.”

11. Put these activities on your NYC winter bucket list

“We have a NYC winter bucket list ready for your family! Whether you are looking for a snowy day adventure or plan to stay cozy indoors, we have you covered with activities and new openings coming to NYC during these chillier months.” (amNY)

bonus#1:  Carnegie Hall and the Jewels of Midtown: Stroll the History – NYT

“Our critic chats about the beloved stretch from the music hall to Lincoln Center around Central Park with the architects Tod Williams and Billie Tsien.”

bonus#2: A Walk Through Harlem, New York’s Most Storied Neighborhood – The New York Times

“Our critic chats with the architect David Adjaye about Hotel Theresa, Marcus Garvey Park, the home of Langston Hughes, the Y.M.C.A. and other landmarks.”

We hope you enjoy this change of pace, then please return here April 1, and every day for our daily, hot off the presses event guide with “Only the Best” NYCity event info.

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Stay home a bit longer – Mask up, stay smart and stay safe

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February NYC events + Top NYC weekend corona culture (02/28)

Posted on 02/28/2021 by GregD

Pre Covid-19 we searched the internet everyday looking for the very best of What’s Happening, primarily on Manhattan’s WestSide, so that you didn’t have to.” We made it as easy as 1-2-3.

Covid-19 has required some changes. First of all, some very important information:

How to Get the Coronavirus Vaccine in New York City – NYT

“There are multiple websites, disappearing slots and even attempts to game the system. Here’s our guide to what you have to do to get a dose in your arm.”

===========================================================

For February we are going to try a different format – “Top 10 Corona Culture” – updated info and video especially suited to these difficult times OR NYC related visual info (Instagram and YouTube) OR all the NYC news you need to start your day.

We hope you will come back often to see what’s cooking here.

Today it’s NYC Weekend Corona Culture (Sun). NEW STUFF!

9 Actually Fun Things to Do in NYC This Weekend – Thrillist

Thrillist, a site with tons of food, drink, travel & entertainment info, introduces folks to the coolest things to do in NYC (and other places when you are traveling). I like to check them out regularly. You should, too.

“It’s funny how February is the shortest month of all, yet somehow, this year has already felt like 76 days. Nevertheless, we’ve survived (yet another) round of snowstorms, local movie theaters are set to reopen on March 5th, and… it’s the weekend! To close out the last days of the month, we’ve got enormous, overstuffed burritos; a new bakery with a mission; and at-home DJ sets to practice your moves before real clubs (fingers-crossed) eventually open up again.

As always, remember to stay six feet apart when you’re out and about, wash those hands, and don’t leave home without your mask. And be sure to check out our Weekend Guide podcast streaming below.”

Be one of the first to try ‘the best burritos on the internet’

Weekend-long
Lower Manhattan
Uber-restaurateur Stephen Starr is stepping into virtual restaurant territory for the first time and, unsurprisingly, doing it legit. Jackass Burritos, with its cheeky above-mentioned tagline, is no gimmick, however: they’re a messy, saucy, and delicious good time. Choose from five burrito options like the Frito pie (Frito corn chips, beef, jalapeno queso) and the baja shrimp (crispy shrimp, dried onions, cabbage), or order any of them as a signature “Jackass Bowl” with a choice of cilantro lime rice, brown rice, farro, lettuce. Pickup is available at El Vez or order delivery from all major platforms.
Cost: Burritos from $11

Stave off hunger with a snack box curated for Black History Month

Weekend-long
SoHo
Better-for-you convenience store, The Goods Mart, tapped human-rights activist and co-founder of the Black Lives Matter movement Opal Tometi as their February Guest Curator for Good. Tometi, who is also a self-professed snack fiend, created a box with 10 of her favorite sweet and savory nibbles, all from BIPOC- and/or female-founded companies. For every purchase, $10 goes towards Diaspora Rising, Tometi’s venture that supports the 21st century Pan Africanist movement.
Cost: $60 per box

Take a staycation to Italy with this limited-time menu

Weekend-long
Prospect Heights
It may still be some time before we can jet across the Atlantic for a bowl of pasta, so in the meantime, let Italy come to you. Alta Calidad’s Staycation Series highlights a different country each month and for February, the comforting flavors of chickpeas, saffron, and chocolate are all on tap. The three-course menu will feature a hearty escarole soup; saffron cavatelli served with lamb ragu; and, in a sweet finish, ricotta cannoli flavored with chocolate, candied lemon, and fennel seed. Delivery or takeout is available to order through the restaurant’s website.
Cost: $55 per person

Satisfy your sweet tooth by hitting up a new bakery with a mission

Weekend-long
Bushwick
Sweet Generation was a charming bakery in the East Village that also trained formerly incarcerated high school students to work in the food industry. After closing that location in early January, owner Amy Chasan is now reinventing the concept in Bushwick. The new location’s grand opening this week boasts a much larger retail area and café, as well as two floors of kitchens, one of which will serve as space for community baking classes. Aside from their ever-popular breads, cookies, and cakes, the new bakery will also serve house-made sandwiches and grain bowls, and even vegan soft serve.
Cost: Pastries from $3.25

Grab some of the city’s best hamantaschen for Purim

Weekend-long
Union Square
One of the most joyous celebrations of the Jewish year is Purim, which falls on February 26 this year. Hamantaschen, those triangular pastries often stuffed with poppy seeds, are probably the most traditional accompaniment to the holiday. And at Breads Bakery, the classic dessert is made new again: flavors include apple, halva, and chocolate, plus an incredible savory version stuffed with pizza toppings. Don’t miss the limited-time flavor available this week only: mango, chili, and matcha.
Cost: 1 for $3, 6 for $16 and dozen for $25

Create a club in your living room with this streaming DJ set

Friday, February 26
Virtual
The Standard, High Line was always a buzz of activity pre-COVID. Now, they’ve simply moved some of their beloved programming online; allowing you to pretend you’re sipping cocktails at Le Bain while you’re actually… in your living room. This Friday, tune in via their website or Mixcloud account for a two-hour-long DJ set of R&B, Afrobeats, Detroit techno, and more from Brooklyn’s own radio studio Half Moon.
Cost: Free

Gobble down mozzarella sticks covered in Cheez-Its

Weekend-long
East Village
It’s hard to improve upon perfection, but somehow, Big Stick Willy’s has done it. The cheese-centric shop specializes in everyone’s favorite bar food, but you’ll find way more than the basic fried stick here. There are six savory varieties—including the aforementioned Cheez It-coated cheddar stick—as well as sweet versions made with cream cheese or brie. And, since more is more when it comes to fried snacks, there are also 10 different sauces to accompany the sticks, ranging from a classic spicy marinara to an indulgent blend of rosemary, honey, sea salt, and butter.
Cost: Sticks from $2.50

Celebrate 30 years of House Party with Harlem’s Legendary Apollo Theater

Saturday, February 27, 7 pm
Virtual
House Party and House Party 2 were among the first films to document the Black teenage experience for a wider audience. Tune in for a conversation with Harlem’s legendary Apollo Theater about the films’ continued significance in an event created by Apollo Film and Screen/Play. Special guests will include actors from the films Kid ‘N Play, writer and director Reginald Hudlin, plus performances by Full Force, and Lisa Lisa.
Cost: $15 per ticket

Try the next viral food before anyone else

Weekend-long
SoHo
In NYC, you may think we’ve got every pizza style imaginable already. Luckily for us, that’s not the case: new pizzeria Coco Pazzeria is now selling buzzetti, mini, open-faced calzones that look as adorable on IG as they do in real life. The bite-size wonders come in four flavors, ranging from a zippy Gorgonzola and Italian ham, to a cheesy black truffle and broccoli rabe. Don’t miss their regular pizza either: the restaurant is owned by the legendary Pino Luongo, who does wonders with all Italian food.
Cost: $10 per buzzetti; pizza from $18

Sign up here for our daily NYC email and be the first to get all the food/drink/fun New York has to offer.

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The best art shows and exhibits in NYC – TONY

“Check out our suggestions for the best art exhibitions you don’t want to miss, including recently opened shows and more

With New York’s art scene being so prominent yet ever-changing, you’ll want to be sure to catch significant exhibitions. Time Out New York rounds up the best art shows and exhibits in NYC, from offerings at the best photography and art galleries in NYC to shows at renowned institutions like the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the Museum of Modern Art and the Guggenheim.”

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12 New Public Art Installations in NYC February 2021

“We might be in the midst of a huge snowstorm, but February is always a great month for new public art. Once you can dig yourself out, check out everything from the annual Times Square Heart unveiling to more timely works that are a commentary on COVID-19 and social justice, plus art exhibitions in surprising locations. Outdoor art installations are even more critical in the pandemic, with some shuttered businesses taking advantage of their exterior facades to communicate artistically with the public. Here are the new public art installations to see this month in New York City!” (untappedcities.com)

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The best Chinatown restaurants in NYC

Dumplings, tacos, ramen—the best Chinatown restaurants in New York City serve all that and much more

“February 2021: Now more than ever, it’s essential to support the best Chinatown restaurants in NYC, which have faced a unique set of challenges over the last year. Still, the neighborhood has risen to the occasion in brilliant and creative ways. From the illuminated lanterns now strung across Mott Street to creative outdoor dining set-ups, if you haven’t been to Chinatown lately, it’s worth taking some time to explore its many treasures—including its absolutely fantastic restaurants. These are our favorites that are currently open.

New York’s best Chinatown restaurants are more than dim sum and Peking duck—although, the downtown neighborhood is rife with fantastic options for both. No, the food possibilities expand well beyond some of the city’s best Chinese restaurants to include creative Mexican restaurants and Cali-coolcafes. Whether you’re looking for traditional soup dumplings or French-Malaysian fare, these Chinatown restaurants have something for you.” (TONY)

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“Nicolas Cage hosts the history of swearing. Lorde writes a book and Julie Mehretu takes over the Whitney. This new year has to be better, right?”

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“Sanford Biggers, Félix Fénéon and the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s history of itself are some of the exhibitions that remain open to the public.”

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WFUV-FM 90.7 is my fave local radio station. Noncommercial, member-supported with a format of adult album alternative music, WFUV is doing it’s best to keep us connected to our music with a comprehensive, updated list of live music online.

WFUV Live Online (February 25 – March 03)

 
2/25 Julia Holter from the Lodge Room
 
2/25 Tedeschi Trucks Band, “The Fireside Sessions”
 
2/25 Trampled by Turtles, “Trampled by Thursdays”
 
2/26 Little Dragon livestream
 
2/26 Vetiver, Meg Baird and Suzanne Vallie
 
2/27 Kristin Hersh of Throwing Muses
 
2/27 The Mavericks from Nashville
 
2/27 Fleet Foxes’ Robin Pecknold stream
 
2/28 Nickel Creek’s “Nickel Stream: A Livecreek Experience”
 
3/3 Liz Phair, “Hey Lou Hey Liz” livestream with Brad Wood

Online concert calendar and links at wfuv.org/livestreams

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“Long Overdue”: Visitors Marvel At New Moynihan Train Hall In First Walkthrough – Gothamist

“For some visitors, the stop was merely intended to gaze at the enormous hall complete with an enormous skylight roof and Art Deco clock. Many were spotted craning their necks to take in the open skylight, pivoting their hips taking scenic, panoramic photos. Others searched for fresco portraits created by Kehinde Wiley, which are prominently displayed at the 33rd Street entrance, or the spacious and modern Amtrak lounge on the upper floor.”

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Stay home for a bit longer. Mask up, stay smart and stay safe.

 

 

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February NYC events + Top NYC weekend corona culture (02/27, continued)

Posted on 02/27/2021 by GregD

Pre Covid-19 we searched the internet everyday looking for the very best of What’s Happening, primarily on Manhattan’s WestSide, so that you didn’t have to.” We made it as easy as 1-2-3.

Covid-19 has required some changes. First of all, some very important information:

How to Get the Coronavirus Vaccine in New York City – NYT

“There are multiple websites, disappearing slots and even attempts to game the system. Here’s our guide to what you have to do to get a dose in your arm.”

===========================================================

Earlier today we covered NYC Weekend Corona Culture (scroll down to find it). Now, how about some more useful information. (NEW STUFF)

The best things to do in NYC this weekend

“The best things to do in NYC this weekend includes orchids at NYBG, a Golden Globes party and more

Looking for the best things to do in NYC this weekend? Whether you’re the group planner searching for more things to do in NYC today, or you have no plans yet, here are some ideas to add to your list for this weekend. Check out the Spotlight on Orchids show at New York Botanical Garden, take a Winter Sound Walk at Brooklyn’s botanic garden, attend a virtual red carpet at a Golden Globes party or head out for some amazing art around the city. ” (TONY)

Here are just a few events happening this weekend for you to consider:

1. Spotlight on Orchids at NYBG
Things to do New York Botanical Garden, The Bronx Until Apr 4 2021

The New York Botanical Garden is forgoing its Orchid Show this year but is doing a limited Spotlight on Orchids across select galleries of the Enid A. Haupt Conservatory, including intimate displays of orchids in brilliant white and striking colors set against the foliage of aroids, ferns, and bromeliads—planted as they might be found in nature and blending gracefully with their surroundings, NYBG says. You’ll get to discover unusual orchids and artful floral creations by Botanical Garden horticulturists that combine expressive orchids with rocks, tree trunks, vines, and other found materials.

NYBG’s Orchid Show will return in 2022. Until then, you can purchase a Garden Pass + Conservatory ticket, which includes access to the Enid A. Haupt Conservatory and outdoor gardens and collections.

3. Winter Sound Works at Brooklyn Botanic Garden
Things to do Brooklyn Botanic Garden, Prospect Park Until May 9 2021

Get your zen on at the Brooklyn Botanic Garden which has launched a new series of winter nature walks and sound works in the Garden—site-specific original compositions and audio walks for visitors to experience at their own pace. As part of the Art in the Garden series, BBG is showcasing three works from January through May: Gelsey Bell and Joseph White’s “Meander,” Ben Rubin and Brian House’s “Terminal Moraine,” and a reprisal of Michael Gordon’s “loved.”

4. Virtual Golden Globes Viewing Party

The New York City-based podcast “Good Afternoon Planet Earth TV” is hosting a Golden Globes viewing party on Sunday for a chance to dress up and watch the show along with other New Yorkers. There will be a virtual red carpet, a karaoke party in between commercial breaks, live stream commentary and Golden Globes 2021 Bingo to participate in. You can watch the live stream on its YouTube channel for free, or to participate in the festivities, join the Good Afternoon Planet Earth TV Patreon for memberships as low as $3, and the Zoom link to be in the live stream will be provided there.

5. So Ready for Laughter: Bob Hope and World War II
Museums New-York Historical Society | Manhattan, NY, Upper West Side Until Sep 5 2021

The New-York Historical Society has a new exhibit that coincides with the 80th anniversary of the United Service Organizations (USO) that shows off artifacts (a World War II-era aircraft fragment, mess kit, and other relics engraved to Hope), films, and rare photographs to illustrate how Bob Hope helped lift spirits with his USO and radio shows during a dark time in American history.

There’s also a companion exhibition, “The Gift of Laughter,” that delves into Hope’s varied career after World War II as a USO entertainer, television star, and Academy Award host demonstrating the many hats worn by comedians. His legacy will be brought to life with many items, including costumes from the Emmy Award-winning series The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, as well as objects related to other comedians—real and imagined—influenced by Hope.

7. Pandemic Burlesque at Club Cumming
Comedy Club Cumming, East Village Mar 4 2021-Mar 25 2021

Tallulah Talons, New York nightlife diva and the 6’1 giantess of burlesque, is hosting extraordinary evenings featuring her favorite performers every Thursday. Enjoy drinks and laughs with your friends at your very own socially-distanced table while some of New York’s top burlesque talent give you an intimate show you won’t forget!

9. “Grief and Grievance: Art and Mourning in America”
News Art

This new exhibition that has taken over almost the entirety of the New Museum and is set to stay put until June 6, explores the history of racist violence all throughout the United States. Back in 2018, curator Okwui Enwezor began working on the project, hoping to mount it by last year’s Presidential election. Unfortunately, the curator’s passing in 2019 and the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic forced a shift in plans that delayed the show’s opening to last week. In total, the work of 37 Black artists currently fills the museum’s lobby, its three main viewing floors, the building’s exterior and the South Gallery found in the building next door. Expect to browse through the amazing works of artists the likes of Kara Walker, who is the brain behind an entire wall filled with sketches and drawings; LaToya Ruby Frazier, who contributes over a dozen photographs from her “The Notion of Family” series; and Jean-Michael Basquiat, whose “Procession” can be glanced at as soon as the elevator doors open on the third floor. The show is a powerful one, with images ranging in style, theme and scope, but one that is necessary to delve into today more than ever. Given COVID-19-related guidelines, visitors have to purchase timed tickets ahead of their trip.

Many more interesting things to do in NYC right HERE at Time Out New York

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Go-To NYC Spots for Takeout, Delivery, and Outdoor Dining in 2020 – ny.eater.com

“From Golden Diner’s honey butter pancakes to Parlay’s chicken curry, here are the restaurant orders that were kept in regular rotation all year long.”

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NYC-Arts Top Five Picks: February 26  – March 4

PLUS ONGOING EVENTS

Interesting. Unusual. Uniquely NYC. Highlights of this week’s top events include Contemporary Arab Cinema 2021, Vera List & The Posters Of Lincoln Center, Monir Shahroudy Farmanfarmaian’s Mirror-works and Drawings and more. Get the NYC-ARTS Top Five in your inbox every Friday and follow @NYC_ARTS on Instagram or @NYCARTS on Twitter to stay abreast of events as they happen.

David Goldblatt: Strange Instrument

David Goldblatt: Strange Instrument

Pace Gallery 510

Manhattan / Fri, Feb 26, 2021 – Sat, Mar 27, 2021

David Goldblatt was renowned for creating powerful images that revealed the complex and far-reaching dynamics of apartheid, as well as the post-apartheid conditions that continue to impact his native country to this day. Curated by South African artist and activist Zanele Muholi in collaboration with Yancey Richardson Gallery, “David Goldblatt: Strange Instrument” presents over 60 vintage prints by the late South African photographer. The exhibition groups the works into idiosyncratic categories that reflect Muholi’s deeply personal engagement …

Contemporary Arab Cinema 2021

Contemporary Arab Cinema 2021

Brooklyn Academy of Music

Brooklyn / Wed, Mar 03, 2021 – Wed, Mar 10, 2021

From Wednesday, March 3 through Wednesday, March 10, BAM and Jacob Burns Film Center present the third annual “Contemporary Arab Cinema.” The beauty, complexity, and diversity of Arab culture shines in these vital recent works from some of the Middle East and North Africa’s boldest filmmakers. Featuring thrillers, tales of forbidden love and sociopolitical upheaval, women’s rights, and tradition, the series offers stunning dispatches from an ever-evolving region. This year’s edition also offers two films …

92Y WINTER/SPRING VIRTUAL SEASON OF 13 CONCERTS

92Y WINTER/SPRING VIRTUAL SEASON OF 13 CONCERTS

92nd Street Y

Manhattan / Mon, Feb 01, 2021 – Wed, May 26, 2021

92Y is pleased to announce a formidable lineup for its winter/spring season of streaming concerts, February 1 – May 26. From Ax to Vieaux, this season’s performers embody the excellence in performance and presentation that audiences have come to expect from 92Y’s online recitals. All thirteen programs are world premiere webcasts; eight will stream live in real time from 92Y’s Kaufmann Concert Hall, with the other five newly recorded. All concerts take place at 7:30 pm Eastern …

Monir Shahroudy Farmanfarmaian: Mirror-works and Drawings

Monir Shahroudy Farmanfarmaian: Mirror-works and Drawings

James Cohan Gallery

Manhattan / Fri, Jan 29, 2021 – Sat, Mar 06, 2021

Over six decades, Monir Shahroudy Farmanfarmaian (1922 – 2019) investigated the intricate geometries of her Iranian heritage, reconfiguring traditional craft techniques to explore the philosophical, poetic, and perceptual possibilities of interlocking primary forms. In her work, rigorous structure and repetition are the foundations of invention and limitless variation. Spanning mirrored mosaics, sculptural assemblage, drawings, textiles and monotypes, Monir’s multidimensional practice centered on incorporating elements from her inherited past into her own designs—which blended a range …

Vera List & The Posters Of Lincoln Center

Vera List & The Posters Of Lincoln Center

Poster House

Manhattan / Thu, Jan 14, 2021 – Sun, May 09, 2021

Poster House’s second mini-exhibition focuses on the contribution made by Vera List to the creation of a poster program advertising the new Lincoln Center complex in 1962. Inspired by artist-designed posters she had seen in Paris, she earmarked $200,000 as seed money for what would become the List Art Poster Program (later known as the Vera List Art Project), featuring some of the most notable names in contemporary art, from Andy Warhol to Roy Lichtenstein, Ben Shahn to Robert Indiana. Each poster advertises a new building …

PLUS ONGOING EVENTS

David Hammons: Body Prints, 1968–1979

The Drawing Center

Manhattan / Fri, Feb 05, 2021 – Sun, May 23, 2021

The first museum exhibition dedicated to David Hammons’s pivotal early works on paper, “David Hammons: Body Prints, 1968–1979” brings together the monoprints and collages in which the artist used the body as both a drawing tool and printing plate to explore performative, unconventional forms of image making. The exhibition features a significant number of Hammons’s large-scale body prints, including “Pray for America” (1974), as well as two sculptural objects, “Black Boy’s Window” (1968) and “The …

So Ready for Laughter: Bob Hope and World War II

New-York Historical Society

Manhattan / Fri, Feb 05, 2021 – Sun, Sep 05, 2021

The New-York Historical Society celebrates the golden age of comedy with “So Ready for Laughter: Bob Hope and World War II,” on view February 5–September 5, 2021. Organized by The National WWII Museum in New Orleans and supported by the Bob & Dolores Hope Foundation, the special exhibition highlights the legendary performer and his unique role during World War II entertaining troops overseas. Coinciding with the 80th anniversary of the founding of the United Service Organizations …

But Still, It Turns: Recent Photography from the World

International Center of Photography

Manhattan / Thu, Feb 04, 2021 – Sun, May 09, 2021

The International Center of Photography (ICP) proudly announces its winter/spring 2021 exhibition: “But Still, It Turns: Recent Photography from the World,” guest curated by photographer Paul Graham. The exhibition—on view February 4 through May 9, 2021—comes on the heels of ICP’s reopening of its galleries on October 1 following a six-month closure due to the COVID-19 pandemic and arrives just as ICP celebrates its first anniversary at its new home on Manhattan’s Lower East Side. In “But …

BAC’s Digital Spring 2021

Baryshnikov Arts Center

Manhattan / Mon, Feb 01, 2021 – Mon, Jun 21, 2021

Baryshnikov Arts Center (BAC) announces the Digital Spring 2021 season of free online presentations, featuring premieres of new works commissioned by BAC. Through the BAC Artist Commissions initiative, which was established September 2020 in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, BAC has continued supporting the development of new work by providing resources for artists to realize their creative visions specifically for online presentation. The resulting projects from seven mostly New York-based artists innovating in dance, music, and multimedia will be released …

Magazines and the American Experience

Grolier Club

Manhattan / Wed, Jan 20, 2021 – Sat, Apr 24, 2021

This exhibition is a study of how magazines have both driven and reflected the American experience. Unlike regional newspapers, that report local current events, or non-fiction books, which focus on major historical moments and personalities, national magazines have the unique ability to connect trans-local communities of like-minded individuals. In the colonial era, magazines were the harbingers of American thought and identity; the first successful magazine from the 18th century proudly proclaimed itself as “The American …

MasterVoices’ 79th Season

MasterVoices

Manhattan / Wed, Jan 13, 2021 – Wed, May 26, 2021

Ted Sperling, Artistic Director of MasterVoices, announced details of the 79th season of the acclaimed ensemble, which celebrates the power of the human voice to unite, inspire, and connect. The central project of MasterVoices’ 2020-2021 season will be a virtual rollout of award-winning composer Adam Guettel’s theatrical song cycle, “Myths and Hymns,” in an online staging conceived by Ted Sperling. Inspired by Greek myths and a 19th-Century Presbyterian hymnal, the 1998 cycle is a kaleidoscopic collection of …

Sea Chanteys and Maritime Music Sing-Along Broadcast

South Street Seaport Museum

Manhattan / Ongoing

South Street Seaport Museum’s monthly sea-music event, “Sea Chanteys and Maritime Music,” continues virtually on Sunday, January 3, 2021 at 2pm ET. From our living rooms and kitchens join a round-robin of shared songs featuring members of The New York Packet and friends. Listen in, lead a song, and belt out the choruses for your neighbors to hear on the first Sunday of every month. The event is FREE. Sign up here to receive the …

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One Of NYC’s Great Vietnamese Restaurants Just Opened On The UWS – gothamist

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The best places to go ice-skating in NYC

Lace up your skates and head to our favorite spots for the best indoor and outdoor ice-skating NYC has to offer

It’s time to lace up your skates—the best ice skating rinks in NYC are waiting for you. As one of the most beloved cities to spend the holidays in, NYC has plenty of indoor and outdoor rinks where you can glide and practice your toe jumps. To help narrow down your options, we’ve ranked the top places to go, from the iconic Rink at Rockefeller Center or lower-key rinks at NYC parks like Central Park. You can even make a full-day out of it when you shop at one of the city’s best holiday markets, followed by sipping hot chocolate and skating on The Rink at the Bank of America Winter Village at Bryant Park. If you’d rather stay warm while on the ice, there are many all-weather indoor rinks, including spots that offer roller skating.” (TONY)

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Stay home a bit longer. Mask up, stay smart and stay safe.

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February NYC events + Top NYC weekend corona culture (02/27)

Posted on 02/27/2021 by GregD
 

Pre Covid-19 we searched the internet everyday looking for the very best of What’s Happening, primarily on Manhattan’s WestSide, so that you didn’t have to.” We made it as easy as 1-2-3.

Covid-19 has required some changes. First of all, some very important information:

How to Get the Coronavirus Vaccine in New York City – NYT

“There are multiple websites, disappearing slots and even attempts to game the system. Here’s our guide to what you have to do to get a dose in your arm.”

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For February we are going to try a different format – “Top 10 Corona Culture” – updated info and video especially suited to these difficult times OR NYC related visual info (Instagram and YouTube) OR all the NYC news you need to start your day.

We hope you will come back often to see what’s cooking here.

Today it’s NYC Weekend Corona Culture (Sat). NEW STUFF!

5 Things to Do This Weekend NYC (Feb.27-28) – NYT

Dance / Solos to Beat Back the Blues

Classical Music / Between Despair and Hope

KIDS / All Manhattan’s a Stage

Theater / If Subway Benches Could Talk …

Pop & Rock / A Platform That Rocks

“Our critics and writers have selected noteworthy cultural events to experience virtually.”  (NYT)

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amNY Weekender: 9 things to do in New York City (Feb.26-28) – amNY

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4 NYC Art Gallery Shows to See Right Now – The New York Times

“Threads,” a group show of textile art; Peter Sacks’s imposing “Republic”; Kazuko Miyamoto’s sculptures; and “K as in Knight”explores ambiguity.”

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Moynihan Train Hall is Not Perfect, But It’s Close Enough (Op-Ed)– untappedcities

“Moynihan Train Hall is open and in this humble Chief Experience Officer‘s opinion, it is good. The renderings we saw for years became a reality on New Years Day when the spacious 255,000-square foot hall was opened to the public. The Art Deco clock was the first welcome surprise. The timepiece, designed by Peter Pennoyer Architects, was not on an any of the original renderings but now hangs as an homage to the concourse clock in the old Penn station and the beloved opaline-faced clock in Grand Central Terminal. Train travelers finally have a clear and definable meeting spot on the west side.”

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One Of The City’s Great Jewish Delis Comes To The Upper West Side – gothamist

“In 1956, when this kosher Jewish delicatessen first opened on Queens Boulevard, it was called Pastrami King, and for nearly 40 years the place fed the courthouse crowd out there in Kew Gardens. In 1998, facing a steep decline in business, the King decamped to the Upper East Side, and, in honor the new owners’ family matriarch, was renamed Pastrami Queen.

Now Pastrami Queen has crossed the park, opening their second location on West 72nd Street in the space that Fine and Schapiro held since 1927, before that venerable institution closed for good when the pandemic hit in March.”

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10 Classical Concerts to Stream in March – NYT

“Mitsuko Uchida, the Louisiana Philharmonic and a performance organized by Teju Cole are among the highlights.”

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21 Amazing Things New Yorkers Are Putting On Their 2021 Bucket Lists –secretnyc.co

It’s time to (finally) say goodbye to 2020, and HELLO to 2021.

Though of a course a new year won’t fix everything, it definitely feels like the right time to have a fresh start.

One thing that gets us super excited is making a list of all the activities we want to take part in the new year — and luckily, we’re in the best place to do that: NYC! We also asked our Instagram followers what was on their 2021 bucket lists, and got even more ideas from that.

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Stay home a bit longer. Mask up, stay smart and stay safe.

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February NYC events, only the best (02/26, continued)

Posted on 02/26/2021 by GregD

Pre Covid-19 we searched the internet everyday looking for the very best of What’s Happening, primarily on Manhattan’s WestSide, so that you didn’t have to.” We made it as easy as 1-2-3.

Covid-19 has required some changes. First of all, some very important information:

How to Get the Coronavirus Vaccine in New York City – NYT

“There are multiple websites, disappearing slots and even attempts to game the system. Here’s our guide to what you have to do to get a dose in your arm.”

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Earlier today we covered the Top NYC corona culture, useful February NYC event info. Scroll down the site for a bit to find it. Now, how about some more useful NYC information.

New York magazine is biweekly these days and every issue has a wonderful section, “The Culture Pages,” which includes a “To Do” list – 25 things to see, hear, watch, and read. Here are my favorites from the current issue (Feb.17-Mar.3).

Art

Greg Drasler: Crowded Places/Open Spaces
Hat tip.
Painter Greg Drasler has created an uncanny, almost surreal world of mostly men, many of whom are pictured in crowds, as if the group mind were also one body. His colors and imagery are simultaneously nostalgic, bland, and oddly stilted in ways that take your breath away. Drasler’s work leaves you suspended in irresolution — a wonderfully risky place for an artist to master. —J.S.
Betty Cuningham Gallery, 15 Rivington Street, through March 6.

Lucas Michael: Transcriptions
Cerebral.
Inspired by the Rorschach inkblot, Argentinian-born artist Lucas Michael’s new abstract paintings ask the viewer to spend some time in the swirling lines and consider what you see. The works, made with India ink on raw, unstretched canvas in a technique “akin to automatic writing,” are an extension of an earlier project where the artist “obscured the pages of pseudo-scientific racist and homophobic books with abstract inkblots.”
Fierman, 127 Henry Street, through March 14.

Theater

25 Years of RENT: Measured in Love
No day but today.
At its online benefit on March 2, New York Theater Workshop celebrates Jonathan Larson’s scrappy little musical that changed the theatrical landscape. There will be video salutes from artists like Jeremy O. Harris, Anaïs Mitchell, and Ivo van Hove, but the draw for viewers will undoubtedly be Larson’s masterpiece: Original stars including Idina Menzel and Daphne Rubin-Vega — as well as other Broadway super-luminaries such as Christopher Jackson, Billy Porter, Ben Platt, and Ali Stroker — will be on hand to sing 525,600 (or so) tributes, measuring the industry’s long-standing love for the rock-boho musical. —Helen Shaw
nytw.org, March 2, available through March 6.

Classical Music

New York Philharmonic
Introducing NYPhil+.
The venerable orchestra makes its first large-scale foray back to the concert hall, albeit with masks and no audience. Even so, the sheer normality of the program is refreshing: a curtain-raiser by Jessie Montgomery, a Mozart piano concerto (played by Emanuel Ax), and Elgar’s Introduction and Allegro, all conducted by David Robertson. —J.D.
nyphil.org/plus, through May 8.

*This article appears in the February 15, 2021, issue of New York Magazine. Subscribe Now!

AND CONTINUING EVENTS

Art

“In Praise of Painting: Dutch Masterpieces at the Met” Ongoing. The ultimate balm to the soul in all of Western painting may be the Dutch works that include Rembrandt, Vermeer, and Hals. Thanks to the very deep pockets of the collectors and robber barons of New York, the Met has them and is now displaying 67 of these masterpieces. Get lost in some of the finest brushwork and deepest color in all of painting; glimpse infinity. —J.S. The Metropolitan Museum of Art, 1000 Fifth Avenue.

Theater

Silver Lining Streaming Series Still mint condition. The much-loved New York stalwart the Mint Theater is in the business of reviving forgotten classics, so it’s unsurprising that it took a serious look at its own archive, offering a full (and free) slate of digital releases, films of productions from past seasons — including Lillian Hellman’s superb labor drama Days to Come (through February 22) and Teresa Deevy’s earthy but eerie Katie Roche (February 1 to March 28). —H.S. minttheater.org, through June 13.

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Stay home for a bit longer. Mask up, stay smart and stay safe.

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February NYC events + Top 10 corona culture (02/26)

Posted on 02/26/2021 by GregD

Pre Covid-19 we searched the internet everyday looking for the very best of What’s Happening, primarily on Manhattan’s WestSide, so that you didn’t have to.” We made it as easy as 1-2-3.

Covid-19 has required some changes. First of all, some very important information:

How to Get the Coronavirus Vaccine in New York City – NYT

“There are multiple websites, disappearing slots and even attempts to game the system. Here’s our guide to what you have to do to get a dose in your arm.”

========================================================

For February we are going to try a different format – “Top 10 Corona Culture” – updated info and video especially suited to these difficult times OR NYC related visual info (Instagram and YouTube) OR all the NYC news you need to start your day.

We hope you will come back often to see what’s cooking here.

Today it’s Top 10 NYC Corona Culture. NEW STUFF!

1. Your Concise New York Art Guide for February 2021 – hyperallergic.com

“Your list of must-see, fun, insightful, and very New York art events this month.

It’s February, and groundhog mumbles aside, we’re one month closer to sunshine and longer days. To break up some of the winter slush, we’ve rounded up 10 art events worth checking out — from exhibitions, to film series, to book fairs and interdisciplinary projects — many of which are available online.”

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2. Best Things to do in NYC This Week – TONY

“If you’re looking for the best things to do in NYC this week or even today, there are tons of fun options (so long as you can social distance and wear a mask). Start by checking out the incredible photography at “Love Letters for Harlem” or finding the giant art inside Chelsea Market. Then, sit in for a night of Britney Spears-themed drag bingo or an intimate burlesque show at Club Cumming.”

Here are just a few ideas:

I. PASSAGE: Live Guided Meditations
Health and beauty Fotografiska, Gramercy Feb 26 2021-Mar 19 2021

Music and culture site Okayplayer and photography museum Fotografiska New York are offering New Yorkers a new series of live, guided meditations every Friday at 6 p.m. now, through March 19. The event, taking place at the museum, will incorporate tracks from “PASSAGE, the EP,” Okayplayer’s new project developed to inspire community healing through sound and stillness. The lead track of the record features Big K.R.I.T.; a short-film visualizer by the man behind some of Beyonce’s greatest visual works, Andrew Morrow.

J. Harlem Restaurant Week
Restaurants Harlem , Until Feb 28 2021

Feast during Harlem Restaurant Week, now through February 28. Enjoy two weeks of $25 meal deals presented by Uber Eats. More than 40 restaurants in Central, East and West Harlem will participate, including GAUDir, 67 Orange Street, Archer and Goat, Safari Restaurant, Sexy Taco, Sugar Monk, Teranga, Red Rooster, Sylvia’s, Miss Mamie’s Spoonbread, and more. Deals will range from lunch and or dinner menus, depending on the restaurant. All deals and list of participating restaurants can be accessed at harlemrestaurantweek.com.

K. A walking tour about Black resilience in NYC
News City Life

Looking for ways to celebrate Black History Month while exploring this great city of ours? A new self-guided walking tour showcasing 11 sites across Manhattan and Brooklyn might be just the thing for you. The endeavor is presented by the Shed, the art center in Hudson Yards, and focuses on New York’s history of racial violence, specifically diving into the story of the 1863 riots. The audio tour—which can be taken by folks currently in New York or listened-to from anywhere online—is called “Fighting Dark” and it is accompanied by a short film narrated by artist Kamau Ware, founder of local art studio The Back Gotham Experience. Among the highlighted stops are the African Burial Ground National Monument, in downtown Manhattan, and Weeksiville, a historic neighborhood in Crown Heights that was established by free African Americans back in 1838. You can expect the visual portion of the project to debut in the upcoming weeks. The walking tour, on the other hand, is already available for free streaming right here.

L. The House Our Families Built
News Art

Art lovers will be delighted to know that a new moving art installation has landed on the New York scene less than a week ago. The House Our Families Built is an installation by Brooklyn-based artist Caledonia Curry (you probably know her as Swoon) that debuted last weekend at Brooklyn Bridge Park as part of a larger PBS initiative called “American Portrait.” The installation is a visually striking one: built on a 14-foot box truck, the diorama-style outdoor sculpture features pantings, cutouts and some live performances that dissect “the legacy of ancestral histories—whether through traditions, trauma or repeated narratives—and the ways in which they inform how we understand and talk about ourselves.” Swoon enlisted the help of her longtime collaborator Jeff Stark to come up with the work, which features stories found within the PBS American Portrait archives. Specifically, passerby can expect 15-minute live performances that “transition through emotions from humor to fear, tenderness to confrontation, encouraging people to ask where they’ve come from and what they can leave behind,” according to the installation’s official website. Folks walking by the installation while a live performance isn’t in session will instead be treated to an audio of the happening. The roving exhibit will take up residence at Brooklyn’s Prospect Park this weekend (February 6-7), followed by a stint in Flushing Meadows Corona Park on February 13 and 14, eventually landing on the North Plaza of Union Square at 17th Street in Manhattan on February 21.

There are many more interesting things to do right HERE at Time Out New York

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3. Museums Are Still Open in New York. Here’s What’s on View (for Now). – The New York Times

“Sanford Biggers, Félix Fénéon and the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s history of itself”

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4. The 25 best cheap eats in NYC – TONY

“Eat for $10 or less at the best restaurants with cheap eats in NYC

UPDATE, October 29 2020: Dining out in New York City has never been so different than this year and it’s not only because restaurants had to shut down their dining rooms for more than six months. The current crisis has put a renewed focus on more affordable food options, whether you’re scarfing down tacos from a food truck or ordering dumplings from a mom-and-pop business in Chinatown. At Time Out New York, we’ve done the homework for you in discovering dishes, old and new, that are all $10 or under. 

The hefty prices at many New York restaurants can at times make the dining scene feel like it’s only for the elite. But some of the best restaurants in NYC still serve affordable bites for $10 or less. Dining on a budget in New York doesn’t have to feel like a constraint with our picks for jerk chicken, Sicilian-style pizza, creative veggie burgers, underground buffets, Cuban bakeries and more.”

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“Nicolas Cage hosts the history of swearing. Lorde writes a book and Julie Mehretu takes over the Whitney. This new year has to be better, right?”

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6. Everywhere You Should Be Eating Vegan and Vegetarian Food in NYC – thrillist

17 go-to spots for meatless eats.

“New York City is on the cutting edge of all things culinary, so it’s no surprise that plant-based eateries have been a fixture in the city for decades. In fact, restaurants like Candle Cafe, Dojo, Angelica Kitchen (RIP) and many more transformed meatless diets into a lifestyle to aspire to as early as the 1970s. While vegetarian and vegan eateries have continued to proliferate since then, one exciting newish trend is the introduction of plant-based options within the fast-casual space (e.g., Taim, by CHLOE, et al.) offering affordable and quickly prepared items that make it that much easier for New Yorkers to go meat-free.”

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7. What’s Open in NYC | The Official Guide to New York City – nycgo.com

“Businesses across all five boroughs are working toward a common goal: to welcome back guests, employees and the community at large while ensuring everyone’s health and safety. Use this hub as a starting point for what’s open right now or opening soon, and make sure to follow up directly with any venue to confirm hours and protocols before you visit.”

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8. Three ‘astonishing’ works of art are inside the new Moynihan Train Hall – TONY

The Public Art Fund says they’ll ‘stop us in our tracks’ “In true New York style, the new Moynihan Train Hall at Penn Station, which opens Friday, has been decked out with incredible art.

Penn Station’s $1.6 billion Moynihan Train Hall features a spacious, light-filled atrium with a 92-foot-high glass skylight and soaring ceilings honoring the design of the original Penn Station, but as with any new transit hub, whether it’s a new subway station, airport terminal or a passenger hall like this one, New York calls on its amazing artists to decorate the walls, halls and floors and inspire travelers passing by.”

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9. The Metropolitan Opera is streaming free productions every night – TONY

The Met continues to share a different lineup of complete operas from its archives every week

“The Metropolitan Opera has closed its doors though at least September 2021, but the great New York opera house continues to lift the spirits of opera lovers around the world with free nightly streams of complete productions from its archives. Most of the offerings were originally recorded with multiple cameras in high definition to be shown in movie theaters as part of the company’s popular Live in HD series.

Each opera goes live on the Met’s website at 7:30pm EST (12:30am GMT) and remains there until 6:30pm EST the next evening. The operas can also be viewed with the Met Opera on Demand app on various devices.”

Nightly Opera Streams, February 22–28

Dmitri Hvorostovsky Week

“This week of free streams pays tribute to Dmitri Hvorostovsky, the beloved Russian baritone who passed away in 2017. Celebrate his extraordinary career with some of his most riveting Met appearances, and explore the articles and resources below to expand your knowledge and enhance your experience as you enjoy the screenings.”

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10. The Playbill Weekend Streaming Guide: What to Watch February 26-28

An Ali Stroker concert, André De Shields’ solo Frederick Douglass show, and more online offerings this weekend.

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11. Why This Billionaire Will Never Leave New York – The New York Times

“For the cosmetics mogul and philanthropist Leonard Lauder, the city, with its museums, public transit and parks, is an explorer’s delight.”

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Bonus#1: Train Your Muscles Without a Gym – The New York Times

“Get to a nearby park and get in shape (safely).”

Bonus#2: When the Bronx was a Forest: Stroll Through the Centuries – NYT

“Yankee Stadium was the site of a salt marsh. Concourse Plaza was a valley. Our critic walks with Eric Sanderson, a conservation ecologist.”

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We hope you enjoy this change of pace, then please return here March 1, and every day for our daily, hot off the presses event guide with “Only the Best” NYCity event info. 

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Stay home for a bit more – Mask up, stay smart and stay safe

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