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:
“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 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 Met Musem’s new Goya exhibit or taking a meditative sound walk at Brooklyn Botanic Garden. Then, catch a free performance of Romeo + Juliet in a storefront.” Here are just a few:
a. Nowhere Fest
Things to do Online, Mar 11 2021-Mar 13 2021
To mark the anniversary of the WHO’s declaration of the Covid-19 pandemic, Nowhere, a new social and events platform that uses face-to-face interaction 3D spaces is launching a three-day festival of performances, panels, and more. Hear from Robert Siegel and Scott Simon of NPR who will talk about the future of journalism, House of Yes about the future of nightlife and Time Out New York editors Will Gleason and Shaye Weaver about social distancing in cultural spheres, and sit in for performances by Shasta Geaux Pop, Chris Gethard, and DJ MSG. Ticket proceeds will benefit Helping Hearts NYC.
b. “Goya’s Graphic Imagination”
Art The Metropolitan Museum of Art, Central Park Until May 2 2021
A new exhibition at The Met Museum explores how renowned Spanish artist Francisco Goya used prints and drawings to respond to the turbulent social and political changes occurring in the world around him through more than 100 works across three galleries. The work spans six decades and shows the turmoil of the Enlightenment, the Inquisition, and Spain’s years of constitutional government. You’ll see Goya’s early etchings, print series such as the Caprichos and The Disasters of War to his late lithographs, The Bulls of Bordeaux, and include albums of drawings that reveal the artist’s nightmares, dreams, and visions.
c. “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.)
d. City Skate Concert Series
Dance Ballroom and Latin Bryant Park, Midtown West Until Mar 25 2021
Gather at Bryant Park’s ice rink for a City Skate Pop Up Concert by Ice Theatre of New York (ITNY) every Tuesday and Thursday through March. Performers include Aaron Singletary and Val Levine, with choreography by Douglas Webster and Jody Sperling. The events are free and open to the public. The schedule is as follows:
March 2: “Putting on the Ritz” skated by ITNY performing apprentice Ella Bauer, choreographed by Tanya Douglass; “Take Five” performed by ITNY ensemble skater Armen Agaian, choreographed by Eliot Halveson.
March 4:
“O Mio Babinno Caro” performed by ITNY ensemble skater Sally Jean Watkins, choreographed by Douglas Webster; “Fragile” performed by ITNY ensemble member Aaron Singletary and choreographed by Douglas Webster.
March 9: “Nothing Else Matters” skated by ITNY performing apprentices and National Jr. Silver Ice Dancers, Oona and Gage Brown, choreographed by Joel Dear; “Arctic Memory” performed by ITNY member Valerie Levine and choreographed by dancer, Jody Sperling
There will also be performances on March 11, 16, 18, 23, and 25 that will include “I Will Fall for You” performed and choreographed by ITNY ensemble member, Sarah France, and “Hip Hip Chin Chin” skated by ITNY performing apprentice Milly Wasserman and choreographed by Stephen Belanger.
e. Social Alchemix (Live!)
Theater Experimental Online, Until Apr 30 2021
NYC-based cocktail guru Wil Petre, best known for his off-Broadway work, invites you to join Social Alchemix (Live!), a game night meets storytelling meetup. The project was developed over the past two years in tandem with Social Alchemix, an actual game employing a deck of alchemical tarot-like cards, containing questions that enable players to skip the small talk and get into the good stuff. The guests of this show are asked to turn off their cell phones for the duration of the event; some can participate in the gameplay, others can just watch and listen. Petre asks “Is it possible to have a meaningful conversation with a perfect stranger in our socially distanced and lonely world?”
f. 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.”
“Each work takes its inspiration from the garden and the temporal sensations one experiences among its natural features, both ancient and fleeting,” according to BBG.
On right now, Gelsey Bell and Joseph White’s “Meander” is a sound walk that guides listeners on a meditative stroll into the natural landscape. It encourages listeners to watch, listen, and reset their clocks to pastoral temporality, inviting them to sink into the complex patterns and fine details of the natural environment.
From February 26 to April 25, Ben Rubin and Brian House’s “Terminal Moraine” will be presented in the Elizabeth Scholtz Woodland Garden. The installation uses algorithmic sound to represent tree growth and glacial ice recession.
Then, from March 13 to May 9, “loved” will be on in the Cherry Esplanade. Composer Michael Gordon created the installation for BBG to honor those we’ve lost in the pandemic. Performed by percussionist David Cossin, the meditative composition for seven vibraphones plays hourly on Cherry Esplanade and runs 5 minutes, 28 seconds. It was originally presented in August and is being reprised to mark the one-year anniversary of New York City’s pandemic shutdown.
Many more things to do this week in NYC right HERE at Time Out New York
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“No barriers. No texts. No heavy gold fabric. At the museum’s two-year sublet of the Breuer building on Madison Avenue, it’s just you and the masters.”
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“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”
4.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.”
“The state says they can resume operations Friday. Some cinemas are saying not so fast; others are eager to welcome audiences. Here’s the latest.”
6. 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. “
7. 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.”
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: 13 Events for Your Art Calendar This Week – Artnet.com
From International Women’s Day Celebrations to a Look at Artemisia Gentileschi’s Influences
Plus, check out the latest edition of our Artnet Talks and see works by Brazilian artist Amelia Toledo.
“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. ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
NYCity 1-2-3 : What's Happening / Manhattan's WestSide 