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 for the time being. Stay Safe.
Earlier today we covered Weekend Corona Culture (scroll down just a bit to find it). Now, how about some more useful information.
“The best things to do in NYC this weekend includes rooftop ice skating, Petcon, holiday markets and more
“Looking for the best things to do in NYC this weekend? Whether you’re spontaneous, searching for things to do in NYC today, or love to plan ahead, you can have a fun winter weekend by heading out to the Bronx Zoo Holiday Light Show, attending Petcon, shopping at a number of holiday markets, or ice skating on top of the William Vale. Whatever you do, get out there and make it a fall weekend to remember.” (TONY)
When it comes to reopenings, we’re seeing a lot of positive news–most major museums reopened, we got to watch a baseball season, and the holidays are being reimagined. In other cases, reopening is further off–the Met Opera and Philharmonic cancelled their entire 2021 seasons, and Broadway will remain dark until at least June. But whatever the case, 6sqft has put together a list of reopenings, postponements, and cancellations for New York City’s many museums, performance venues, outdoor spaces, and events
“Christmas in New York is a very special time in the city and arguably the most wonderful time of the year. There’s so much to do and so many things you really shouldn’t miss. As locals, we know about the most interesting events, most exciting shows and places you have to visit while visiting New York during Christmas.” (loving-newyork)
“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)
Many seasonal mainstays have been reimagined for online viewing this year. Here are some of our favorites, from “A Christmas Carol” to Handel’s “Messiah.”
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 for the time being. Stay Safe.
For December 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!
“Joy to the world: The holiday windows have come! The COVID-19 pandemic has upended virtually every holiday tradition — sitting on Santa’s lap, caroling, gathering at Grandma’s. But it actually is beginning to look a lot like Christmas outside Bloomingdale’s, Bergdorf’s, Saks and Macy’s.”
“It’s officially December and that means holiday mania!
As 2020 comes to a close, New York City is bustling with activities — and even with various safety measures in place due to the pandemic, there’s simply no better place to get in the spirit of the season.
From bar transformations, dazzling light displays, and all the icy fun and shopping in between—here are 55 magically festive things to do in NYC this month.”
“It’s officially spooky season. Brightly colored leaves, Halloween movies, and pumpkin spice reign supreme for the month of October, which might leave you craving fall fun with friends and family. While you can’t host any Halloween parties this year, there are still plenty of outdoor fall group activities you can do while maintaining a safe social distance. For those in the New York City area, Spectrum put together a guide to help you celebrate the season with your go-to group of friends.”
This December, the popular Fever Originals Candlelight series is bringing you an elegant classical music concert that you can experience right from the comfort of home!
” Here are feeds that will take you back to the optimism of modernist book design, back to the days when men wore hats or just back to the time before the coronavirus.”
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 for the time being. Stay Safe.
Earlier today we covered Top 9 Corona Culture. 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 (Nov.25-Dec.9).
OperaElektra Holiday in the House of Atreus. The Met oddly chose Thanksgiving to stream Strauss’s Elektra, in which children gather at home, sing bloody murder, and commit it, too. In this spectacular 2016 performance of a production directed by Patrice Chéreau, Nina Stemme delivers an extra helping of sublime rage, and Esa-Pekka Salonen keeps the home bonfires burning. —Justin Davidson metopera.org, November 26.
Classical MusicCon Alma With soul. New York composer Paola Prestini and Mexico-based singer-songwriter Magos Herrera (plus a crew of musicians) used the lockdown to collaborate at a distance, and the result is a melancholy but uplifting quasi-cantata full of bird calls, phone calls, and calls across frozen borders. —J.D. National Sawdust Tracks, December 4; live.nationalsawdust.org, December 13.
ArtTom Sachs: Handmade Paintings A mad man. Sparks crackle at the sight of Tom Sachs’s perennially engaging squirrelly trickster art. Here, bumpy paintings of logos, slogans, Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups, McDonald’s Golden Arches, the American flag. It’s steampunk hand-painted Pop Art made by some uniquely American Rube Goldberg–Unabomber sensibility. —Jerry Saltz Acquavella Galleries, 18 East 79th Street, through December 18.
Classical MusicBoston Symphony Orchestra Exploring the theme “American promise.” Tested, masked, and distanced, the BSO returns to its native stage at Symphony Hall, minus a live audience. The lone advantage of canceled seasons and rare performances is that orchestras have become nimble enough to respond to the world around them. This program, the second in the series “Music in Changing Times,” brings together music by three Black composers, Jessie Montgomery, William Grant Still, and Duke Ellington (plus two works by Osvaldo Golijov), led by the Black conductor Thomas Wilkins. —Justin Davidson bso.org, November 26 to December 26.
TheaterThis Is Who I Am Gather ’round. A wide coalition of theaters (including New York’s PlayCo) has joined virtual hands to present Amir Nizar Zuabi’s Zoom drama about a father and son, one in Ramallah, the other in New York. The two men talk from their respective kitchens, trying to bridge their political and physical gulf by making a traditional dish together. —Helen Shaw woollymammoth.net, November 29 to December 27.
Classical MusicNew York Festival of Song Highbrow fables. At a time when every news day seems to bring another epic struggle, vertiginous downfall, and act of hubris, soprano Julia Bullock and pianist Steven Blier are here to remind us that we’ve seen it all before. They’ve organized songs by Kurt Weill, Billy Strayhorn, Hall Johnson, and other composers into an evergreen program called “Myths to Live By.” —J.D. nyfos.org/athome, available through December 31.
ArtKim Jones: Rats Live on No Evil Star The artist served in the Vietnam War. Here, the scratchy, challenging battlefield pencil drawings of veteran Kim Jones. Some of these images covered whole walls with erased ships and columns of troops moving forward, retreating, being blown up, setting bulwarks, and regrouping. This retrospective show of paintings, drawings, sculpture, and videos will establish this artist’s bona fides as a connoisseur of visionary windmills of the mind. —J.S. Bridget Donahue, 99 Bowery, through January 9.
TheaterThe Future Presto. Earlier this year, card-handler and illusionist Helder Guimarães made one of the few true blockbuster quarantine theatrical performances, The Present. We got to do magic in our own homes. And only felt lightly manipulated. Now he returns with The Future, which will include interactive illusions, a mysterious kit mailed to you before the show, his rather wistful style of storytelling, and a choose-your-own-adventure flourish. —H.S. geffenplayhouse.org, December 4 to January 31.
ArtSalman Toor: How Will I Know Overdue. Salman Toor’s first solo exhibition of his queer rococo paintings, which live, as he does, between worlds (Lahore, Pakistan, where he was born and has a studio, and New York, where he lives) was supposed to open at the Whitney in April; it went into pandemic hibernation, but you can finally see it in person. —Carl Swanson Whitney Museum, 99 Gansevoort Street, through April 2, 2021.
*This article appears in the November 23, 2020, issue of New York Magazine.
In the age of Covid-19 this info from City Guide is one of the best sources of info on What’s Happening, even if some are only available in your home, and not in your favorite venue.
One World Observatory has made One World Explorer, the attraction’s Digital Skyline Guide, available for remote watching. Virtual helicopter tours of the city’s most iconic sites are available now.
WFUV-FM 90.7is 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.
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 for the time being. Stay Safe.
For December 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.
“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.”
“Theaters are closed for now, but you can find great stage stars and events streaming online today
The pandemic crisis has had a devastating effect on the performing arts. Broadway has shut down for at least the rest of 2020, and the ban on large gatherings in New York currently extends to all other performance spaces as well. So the show must go online—and streaming video makes that possible. Here are some of the best theater, opera, dance and cabaret events from across the country (and around the world) that you can watch today without leaving home, many of which will help you support artists and worthy charities. Scroll past the day-by-day listings to find events that have already premiered but can still be seen for a limited time. We update this page on a weekly basis.”
“Though indoor dining is permitted at 25-percent capacity in New York City, a lot of people still don’t feel 100-percent comfortable with the idea. Luckily, the city made its outdoor dining program permanent and year-round and gave restaurants the go-ahead to install outdoor heat lamps. If you’re looking for one of these spots to dine al fresco without shivering, we’ve begun a running list throughout the city.”
“A massive new brewery and restaurant opened in Soho last week, becoming the only production brewery in Manhattan. Located at 12 Vandam Street, Torch & Crown Brewing Company measures 9,000 square feet over three levels and boasts soaring ceilings, ivy-covered walls, and enough seating for 250 people inside and 180 people in their heated outdoor space.”
Winter is right around the corner, and that means rooftops will start to turn into wintery wonderlands (especially with outdoor dining continuing all year round)—and the Igloo Bar at 230 Fifth is the first to pop up!
“Yankee Stadium was the site of a salt marsh. Concourse Plaza was a valley. Our critic walks with Eric Sanderson, a conservation ecologist.”
We hope you enjoy this change of pace, then please return here December 1, and every day for our daily, hot off the presses event guide with “Only the Best” NYCity event info.
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. Earlier today we covered NYC Corona Culture. Here is some more useful NYC information.
In the age of Covid-19 this info from City Guide is one of the best sources of info on What’s Happening, even if some are only available in your home, and not in your favorite venue.
For a real sense of the city’s epic scale, you need to get up into the sky, into one of New York’s unparalleled observatories. The sometime chaos of New York sidewalks gives way to a clarity on the upper stories. The grids of streets, the flow of traffic, and architectural masterpieces from across the eras all come into clear focus. If you’re planning a visit to NYC, check out these virtual tours of our famous observation decks so you’ll be ready to choose the best one for you.
Virtual Tour: Empire State Building
EMPIRE STATE BUILDING. Ever since its 1931 completion, the Empire State Building has been the most famous skyscraper in the world. It remains a vital part of NYC and an inspiration to the millions of visitors who ascend to the ESB observation deck in every season. Newly updated features include a museum, the Observatory Experience. The result of a $165 million investment, this second floor stopover will substitute for what was once time spent waiting on line. Take a virtual tour of the space above, and check out the many features the attraction offers. 20 W. 34th St., 212-736-3100, esbnyc.com
Virtual Tour: One World Observatory
ONE WORLD OBSERVATORY. There’s only one tallest. Only one strongest. And only one destination selected as the Best New Attraction in the World. These attributes belong to One World Trade Center, and its pinnacle, the One World Observatory, rising over 100 stories in the sky. Check out this virtual overview of what you’ll find there. 285 Fulton St., 844-696-1776, oneworldobservatory.com
Virtual Tour: Top of the Rock
TOP OF THE ROCK. At this stunning perch atop Rockefeller Center, you’ll find wholly unobstructed views of the city’s most iconic landmarks, including the Statue of Liberty, the Empire State Building, the Chrysler Building, the rivers, and all of Central Park (its size can only truly be appreciated when seen from above). The Grand Viewing Deck on the 69th floor offers unparalleled views of the city, with visibility that reaches some 30 miles on a clear day. The 70th Floor is the proverbial cherry on top, allowing visitors to experience a 360° panorama of Manhattan in all its glory. This is an open-air perch with completely unobstructed views—no glass or anything. It provides a vantage point unlike any other in the city…or the world. 30 Rockefeller Ctr., 212-698-2000, topoftherocknyc.com
Virtual Tour: Edge
EDGE, the Western Hemisphere’s highest outdoor observation deck, opened in March 2020, just before the city went on pause. The city is looking forward to the return of this incredible, triangular deck extending from the skyscraper at 30 Hudson Yards. You can stand 100 floors above the ground and see miles and miles in every direction. The deck offers 360-degree views with jaw-dropping glimpses of the Empire State Building, One World Trade Center, the Hudson River, and much more. You can tour the various features at Edge here. Level 4 inside The Shops & Restaurants at Hudson Yards, 332-204-8500, edgenyc.com
There’s no bad time to take an eagle eye to the lives of millions of New Yorkers, but if you can time it, we’d steer you to dusk, when you can enjoy both sunset and the thrill of watching the city’s lights flickering to life.
Want more free advice on what to do and see in New York? Join our Facebook group Everything to Do NYC, a place for people to ask questions and get tips on how to make the most of the city.
Interesting. Unusual. Uniquely NYC. Highlights of this week’s top events include Making the Met, NYBG Glow, Alvin Ailey’s Virtual Winter Season 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.
The Jewish Museum presents “We Fight to Build a Free World: An Exhibition by Jonathan Horowitz” upon reopening to the public on Thursday, October 1, 2020. Originally scheduled to open in March 2020, “We Fight to Build a Free World” is an exhibition curated by Jonathan Horowitz, a New York-based artist who for three decades has made work that engages critically with politics and culture. Under his direction, the exhibition looks at how artists have …
Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, recognized by U.S. Congress as “a vital American cultural ambassador to the world,” is known for uplifting and uniting audiences across the globe with messages of hope as it will this holiday season with a free virtual season from December 2 – December 31, 2020 celebrating six decades of Revelations. Led by Artistic Director Robert Battle, Ailey’s extraordinary dancers elevate a legacy of innovation and excellence in artistry with a reimagined …
“NYBG GLOW,” an all-new nighttime outdoor experience, illuminates the landmark landscape and Enid A. Haupt Conservatory at The New York Botanical Garden (NYBG) on 14 select evenings this holiday season, beginning Friday, November 27, 2020. With lots of room to spread out, visitors can explore a glowing world of color and light featuring the Haupt Conservatory as the centerpiece–its iconic exterior a glittering canvas. Washes of brilliant colors, thousands of dazzling, energy-efficient LED lights, and picture-perfect …
The signature exhibition of The Met’s 150th-anniversary year takes visitors on an immersive, thought-provoking journey through the history of one of the world’s preeminent cultural institutions. “Making The Met, 1870–2020” features more than 250 superlative works of art of nearly every type, from visitor favorites to fragile treasures that can only be displayed from time to time. Organized around transformational moments in the evolution of the Museum’s collection, buildings, and ambitions, the exhibition reveals the visionary …
A magical wonderland awaits visitors with the return of this holiday tradition. Featuring toy trains, figurines, and miniature models from the renowned Jerni Collection, Holiday Express transports young and old alike to a bygone era. The installation includes a variety of toy train stations dating from the turn of the 19th century to the WWII era, showcasing the evolving designs of American and European toymakers. New to the display this year are Marklin’s Onion Dome Station and Grand
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 for the time being. Stay Safe.
For December 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. This is ALL NEW STUFF!
Covid 19 has greatly affected the NY City dining scene. Be sure to contact your restaurant before heading out.
We hope you enjoy this change of pace. Please return here January 1, and every day for our daily, hot off the presses event guide with “Only the Best” NYCity event info.
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. Earlier today we covered NYC Corona Culture. Here is some more useful NYC information.
“The vaccine news of the last few days is nothing short of spectacular. Pfizer and Moderna have both developed 95%-effective candidates, and Moderna’s has less of a deep freeze requirement, making the logistics side more promising. Accordingly, travel stocks have been shooting up. Less publicized is a recent NYU study showing that hospitalized patients with COVID had a 26% chance of dying in March; that’s been cut all the way down to 8% now. The FDA just approved an at-home COVID test. All of it bodes well for continued recovery…..”
WFUV-FM 90.7is 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.
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 for the time being. Stay Safe.
For December 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.
“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.”
“An exploration of Josephine Baker, an avant-garde trumpeter and the composer John Adams are among the highlights.
With many opera houses and concert halls still closed by the pandemic for months to come, the musical action has moved online. That’s been the case since March, of course — but as winter arrives and outdoor presentations grow more difficult, artists and institutions are creating digital presentations with more care and intention.”
“Make the most of the holidays with our list of Christmas things to do in NYC, including tree-lightings, gigs and more
It’s almost the merriest time of year and there are so many Christmas things to do in NYC to put on your list of festivities. From uptown to downtown, the city boasts holiday offerings like the Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree, light festivals, and the best holiday markets NYC has to offer. Whether you channel your inner grinch or cheery elf during NYC’s most wonderful season, we’ve got you covered with activities.”
“Governor Cuomo announced that indoor cultural activities like museums (and also bowling alleys, yes!) are allowed to reopen starting today. That’s good news for art-loving New Yorkers who have been cooped up for months with limited entertainment options.While many museums will slowly reopen over the upcoming weeks, when they do, expect attendance limited to 25% capacity, staggered and timed entry with ticketing booked in advance, and necessary safety protocols including the requirement of facial coverings and social distancing. So grab your mask and hand sanitizer, and check out these eight cool exhibitions to celebrate the museum phase of Phase 4’s reopening.”
“The best pizza in NYC as tasted by our pizza experts—from dollar slices to slice with mile high toppings.
New Yorkers are fortunate to live in a city where the pizza is so good that even the dollar slices are excellent. But with so many options, it’s difficult to know which pie shop is worth the trek. We put together our most comprehensive guide to slices across the five boroughs. Whether you’re looking for a classic margherita pie, our favorite joint with an old-school New York atmosphere or the spot to grab a slice at an outdoor restaurant in the warmer months, we’ve got you covered. Now more than ever, pizza in New York is experimental and accommodating to all kinds of dietary restrictions (such as gluten free pizza, thank you, Screamer’s!) while many of the old-fashioned spots have kept the same charm as ever.”
“While the Park remains open to the public, to mitigate the spread of the virus and in alignment with recommendations from public health officials, in-Park tours and public programming are on pause, and all visitor centers are closed until further notice.”
With more than 1,000 miles of bike routes and lanes, NYC makes for a bike-friendly destination. Two-wheeled transit is an increasingly popular and accessible way to navigate the City while taking in some extraordinary vistas. Check out this video for a beginner’s guide to getting around town by bike. For more details, our biking article has the basics on how to rent some wheels and ride safely, along with some suggested starter routes.”
“From lush forest to metropolis, the evolution of Lower Manhattan.”
We hope you enjoy this change of pace, then please return here December 1, and every day for our daily, hot off the presses event guide with “Only the Best” NYCity event info.
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 for the time being. Stay Safe.
Earlier today we covered Selected NYC Instagram Photos and some curated event info. 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 (Nov.25-Dec.9).
Opera Elektra Holiday in the House of Atreus. The Met oddly chose Thanksgiving to stream Strauss’s Elektra, in which children gather at home, sing bloody murder, and commit it, too. In this spectacular 2016 performance of a production directed by Patrice Chéreau, Nina Stemme delivers an extra helping of sublime rage, and Esa-Pekka Salonen keeps the home bonfires burning. —Justin Davidson metopera.org, November 26.
Classical Music Con Alma With soul. New York composer Paola Prestini and Mexico-based singer-songwriter Magos Herrera (plus a crew of musicians) used the lockdown to collaborate at a distance, and the result is a melancholy but uplifting quasi-cantata full of bird calls, phone calls, and calls across frozen borders. —J.D. National Sawdust Tracks, December 4; live.nationalsawdust.org, December 13.
Art Tom Sachs: Handmade Paintings A mad man. Sparks crackle at the sight of Tom Sachs’s perennially engaging squirrelly trickster art. Here, bumpy paintings of logos, slogans, Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups, McDonald’s Golden Arches, the American flag. It’s steampunk hand-painted Pop Art made by some uniquely American Rube Goldberg–Unabomber sensibility. —Jerry Saltz Acquavella Galleries, 18 East 79th Street, through December 18.
Classical Music Boston Symphony Orchestra Exploring the theme “American promise.” Tested, masked, and distanced, the BSO returns to its native stage at Symphony Hall, minus a live audience. The lone advantage of canceled seasons and rare performances is that orchestras have become nimble enough to respond to the world around them. This program, the second in the series “Music in Changing Times,” brings together music by three Black composers, Jessie Montgomery, William Grant Still, and Duke Ellington (plus two works by Osvaldo Golijov), led by the Black conductor Thomas Wilkins. —Justin Davidson bso.org, November 26 to December 26.
Theater This Is Who I Am Gather ’round. A wide coalition of theaters (including New York’s PlayCo) has joined virtual hands to present Amir Nizar Zuabi’s Zoom drama about a father and son, one in Ramallah, the other in New York. The two men talk from their respective kitchens, trying to bridge their political and physical gulf by making a traditional dish together. —Helen Shaw woollymammoth.net, November 29 to December 27.
Classical Music New York Festival of Song Highbrow fables. At a time when every news day seems to bring another epic struggle, vertiginous downfall, and act of hubris, soprano Julia Bullock and pianist Steven Blier are here to remind us that we’ve seen it all before. They’ve organized songs by Kurt Weill, Billy Strayhorn, Hall Johnson, and other composers into an evergreen program called “Myths to Live By.” —J.D. nyfos.org/athome, available through December 31.
Art Kim Jones: Rats Live on No Evil Star The artist served in the Vietnam War. Here, the scratchy, challenging battlefield pencil drawings of veteran Kim Jones. Some of these images covered whole walls with erased ships and columns of troops moving forward, retreating, being blown up, setting bulwarks, and regrouping. This retrospective show of paintings, drawings, sculpture, and videos will establish this artist’s bona fides as a connoisseur of visionary windmills of the mind. —J.S. Bridget Donahue, 99 Bowery, through January 9.
Theater The Future Presto. Earlier this year, card-handler and illusionist Helder Guimarães made one of the few true blockbuster quarantine theatrical performances, The Present. We got to do magic in our own homes. And only felt lightly manipulated. Now he returns with The Future, which will include interactive illusions, a mysterious kit mailed to you before the show, his rather wistful style of storytelling, and a choose-your-own-adventure flourish. —H.S. geffenplayhouse.org, December 4 to January 31.
Art Salman Toor: How Will I Know Overdue. Salman Toor’s first solo exhibition of his queer rococo paintings, which live, as he does, between worlds (Lahore, Pakistan, where he was born and has a studio, and New York, where he lives) was supposed to open at the Whitney in April; it went into pandemic hibernation, but you can finally see it in person. —Carl Swanson Whitney Museum, 99 Gansevoort Street, through April 2, 2021.
*This article appears in the November 23, 2020, issue of New York Magazine.
Broadway theaters closed on March 12 as New York City enacted rules to promote social distancing and slow the spread of Covid-19, but that doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy a show. The NYC theater community has responded with initiatives and online shows to help support its members and entertain audiences via the internet while we’re staying away from crowds.
We’ve put together a sampling of streaming performances you can watch from your laptop or phone:
Broadway HD Starting in 2015, this online service began offering HD versions of classic and recent Broadway plays and musicals. You can try it out for free (with a one-week trial) or buy a subscription (from $9 a month) to watch some of your favorite shows. You can see stars like Katherine Hepburn in 1973’s televised version of The Glass Menagerie as well as musical hits like Kinky Boots, An American in Paris and Cats.
Stars in the House Broadway actor, director and writer (and radio host) Seth Rudetsky and his husband, producer James Wesley, host two shows a day from their house on YouTube. The hourlong shows, which air live at 2pm and 8pm (the usual Broadway start times), raise money for the Actors Fund, helping to provide emergency relief for those unemployed in the theater community.
Living Room Concerts Broadwayworld.com has started posting daily concert videos from an array of performers, mainly those whose shows were running before the recent closure of Broadway. They’re posting a new video every day—stars featured include Carolee Carmello (Hello, Dolly!), Kathryn Gallagher (Jagged Little Pill) and teenager Andrew Barth Feldman, the former lead in Dear Evan Hansen.
Marie’s Crisis Virtual Piano Bar This West Village bar, known for sing-alongs to Broadway show tunes, has taken the experience online. They’re streaming two main sets of songs each evening, usually starting at 4pm, with different pianists tickling the ivories. To watch, join their Facebook group and tune in to “Sing out, Louise” (in the comfort of your own living room). You can also tip the piano players via Venmo or PayPal, with details during each performance.
Download recent shows, like the SpongeBob SquarePants musical, on Amazon Many recent shows are available to rent or buy on Amazon and other online streamers, usually in the range of $3–12. Highlights include Rent, taped just before it ended its Broadway run; 2013’s Carousel, via Live from Lincoln Center; 2010 Tony Award winner Memphis; and the original Broadway production of Into the Woods, starring Bernadette Peters.
Virtual Hal Prince Exhibit at Lincoln Center In December 2019, the Lincoln Center Library for the Performing Arts opened an exhibit on the late Harold Prince, the legendary Broadway producer behind megahits like The Phantom of the Opera and Sweeney Todd. While the library is closed, you can take a virtual walk-through and 30-minute guided tour of the gallery with Doug Reside, the show’s curator.
Broadway Dreams Live Lessons The Broadway Dreams Foundation is hosting free daily lessons, led by some accomplished Broadway-caliber talent, for aspiring actors, singers and dancers. Their lineup has included actors from Frozen, Head Over Heels and Chicago. To watch, get the Zoom link from their Facebook page. Sessions begin at 1pm; each day’s links are posted five minutes before class begins, though the schedule is listed earlier than that.
Viral Monologues from 24 Hour Plays Every year, the 24 Hour Plays event presents a series of shows that are written, cast, directed and performed in one day with the involvement of talent from the NYC theater community. Now they’re doing a mini version, with online monologues, on their Instagram account. They’re performed by actors like Denis O’Hare and penned by playwrights like David Lindsay-Abaire.
Groove to disco versions of Stephen Sondheim songs Broadway Records just released the digital version of Losing My Mind, a compilation of Sondheim songs with a dance beat. Conceived by Broadway performer Joshua Hinck and arranger Scott Wasserman, the 12-song album is an expanded version of a popular concert they put on in 2018. The album features singers like Alison Luff (Waitress) and Chip Zien (from the original Into the Woods). You can preview a track, “Unworthy of Your Love,” from Passion; hear the collection on Spotify; or order a copy from the Broadway Records site.
Broadway Backwards 2020 Encore Broadway Cares, which produces number of annual AIDS fundraisers, has put together a special encore series of recent star-studded performances from Broadway Backwards, at which performers belt out famous show tunes with gender-swapped roles. They’re also asking viewers to support an emergency fundraiser for actors affected by the Covid-19 crisis—you can make a donation at broadwaycares.org.
Watch Broadway classics like Cabaret for free on YouTube These days you may be wondering, “What good is sitting alone in your room?” You can get a very direct answer on YouTube by watching the 1993 version of Cabaret, featuring Alan Cumming in his breakout role. Other star turns worth checking out for free are Bernadette Peters and Mandy Patinkin in American Playhouse‘s 1986 broadcast of Sunday in the Park with George; Carol Burnett in 1964’s Once Upon A Mattress; Nell Carter in a 1982 broadcast of Ain’t Misbehavin’; Lauren Bacall in 1973’s Applause; Gregory and Maurice Hines in 1980’s Eubie!; and Ethel Merman and Frank Sinatra in 1954’s Anything Goes.
Jason Alexander sings on Twitter While most people know Jason Alexander as George from Seinfeld, he got his big break on Broadway in a Stephen Sondheim musical (Merrily We Roll Along). He recently went on Twitter to sing a song from the show that got him interested in theater, Stephen Schwartz’s Pippin. The beautiful ballad, “With You,” has a message of love and support we can all use today.
Interesting. Unusual. Uniquely NYC. Highlights of this week’s top events include Making the Met, NYBG Glow, Alvin Ailey’s Virtual Winter Season 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.
The Jewish Museum presents “We Fight to Build a Free World: An Exhibition by Jonathan Horowitz” upon reopening to the public on Thursday, October 1, 2020. Originally scheduled to open in March 2020, “We Fight to Build a Free World” is an exhibition curated by Jonathan Horowitz, a New York-based artist who for three decades has made work that engages critically with politics and culture. Under his direction, the exhibition looks at how artists have …
Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, recognized by U.S. Congress as “a vital American cultural ambassador to the world,” is known for uplifting and uniting audiences across the globe with messages of hope as it will this holiday season with a free virtual season from December 2 – December 31, 2020 celebrating six decades of Revelations. Led by Artistic Director Robert Battle, Ailey’s extraordinary dancers elevate a legacy of innovation and excellence in artistry with a reimagined …
“NYBG GLOW,” an all-new nighttime outdoor experience, illuminates the landmark landscape and Enid A. Haupt Conservatory at The New York Botanical Garden (NYBG) on 14 select evenings this holiday season, beginning Friday, November 27, 2020. With lots of room to spread out, visitors can explore a glowing world of color and light featuring the Haupt Conservatory as the centerpiece–its iconic exterior a glittering canvas. Washes of brilliant colors, thousands of dazzling, energy-efficient LED lights, and picture-perfect …
The signature exhibition of The Met’s 150th-anniversary year takes visitors on an immersive, thought-provoking journey through the history of one of the world’s preeminent cultural institutions. “Making The Met, 1870–2020” features more than 250 superlative works of art of nearly every type, from visitor favorites to fragile treasures that can only be displayed from time to time. Organized around transformational moments in the evolution of the Museum’s collection, buildings, and ambitions, the exhibition reveals the visionary …
A magical wonderland awaits visitors with the return of this holiday tradition. Featuring toy trains, figurines, and miniature models from the renowned Jerni Collection, Holiday Express transports young and old alike to a bygone era. The installation includes a variety of toy train stations dating from the turn of the 19th century to the WWII era, showcasing the evolving designs of American and European toymakers. New to the display this year are Marklin’s Onion Dome Station and Grand
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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.
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