Thursday, September 29

Party on the Intrepid-FREE
Pandora and State Farm have teamed up for this concert which will feature the Roots, the Hold Steady, and DJ Vice. The best part though is that it takes place at the Intrepid Sea, Air, and Space Museum. Party amidst stationary fighter jets!
6:00-9:00 pm, Pier 86, W 46th St & 12th Ave

Sunset Salsa -FREE
At Sunset Salsa hosted by the Chelsea Improvement Company and Talia Castro-Pozo, you can enjoy an hour of professional dance instruction followed by an open dance session. So dance away as the sun sets enjoying the free music and good company. This Thursday is your last chance!
Lessons 6:30-7:30. Open dance: 7:30-9:00 pm. Chelsea Triangle on 9th Avenue and 14th St

Friday, September 30

All Tomorrow’s Parties 
A three day event, featuring Jeff Magnum (if you can pay the $250 to see him), Portishead, Cults, Battles, Chavez, the Album Leaf and many more!
September 30 – October 2, Convention Hall & Paramount Theatre, Berkeley Hotel and Asbury Lanes in Asbury Park, New Jersey (all these locations are near each other), accessible by the North Jersey Coast Line out of  New York. Tickets are between $99 (one day passes) $250 (three day passes, include Jeff Magnum) 

New Yorker Festival 
Pretty much the most cultured way to spend your weekend! The festival consists of a series of lectures and talks. A highlight (that’s not yet sold out) is “All that Glitters: A Conversation with Music” 10:pm Saturday the Scissor Sisters talk with John Seabrook.
Friday-Sunday, various times and locations. 

The New York Art Book Fair- FREE
The New York Art Book Fair is the place to go to find art books of all kinds; from contemporary art catalogs to zines to art periodicals, the latest and greatest art publications will be on display and available for your perusal. Plus, there will be workshops and performances throughout the weekend for those looking to learn more about the craft or the industry. MoMA PS1. Fri-Sun: 11am-7pm. G to 21 St, G/7 to Court Square.

NYC Yarn Crawl
For the third time, all of our city’s fine yarn stores have teamed up to provide a joint weekend of sales, scavenger hunts, and knitted (and crocheted) fun.  Over two days, get your crafting hat on and stop by as many stores as you can along the trail, talk to the passionate people who own the stores and love to shop there, and get a taste of what makes each shop unique.  For more information check out the website. Fri- Sun. 

Saturday, October 1

Bright to Light 2011- FREE
Bright to Light is a free night time public art festival that happens simultaneously with other “nuit blanche” events in cities around the world. (“Nuit Blanche” in French means an all-nighter) Established and emerging artists have created site specific art installations with sound, light, and performance art to transform the waterfront of Greenpoint Brooklyn. The art is meant not only to dazzle but also to inspire us to think critically about public space.
6pm – 1:00 am, G Train to Greenpoint Ave, L Train to Bedford Ave. Map of installations: http://www.bringtolightnyc.org/?page_id=889

Boo at the Zoo
A month of Halloween fun at the Bronx Zoo begins this Saturday! Head uptown to experience costume parades, hay rides, treat stations, a haunted safari, and an animal magic show. Kids in costume get in free! (Sorry college “kids,” but you might be pushing the age limit — the zoo defines a kid as anyone under 12). Oct 1–2, 8–10, 15–16, 22–23 & 29–30. 10am-5:30pm. 2/5 to East Tremont Ave/West Farms Square. Adults: $16.

1 Comment | Posted on September 29, 2011 | Categories: From the Blog, Weekend Forecast

tags: books, Culture, party, weekend, Yarn, Zoo

Central Park

Autumn is falling in New York!  Take a look at where INY editors go to check out the fall scenery:

GR: When it comes to scenic trails and bridle paths, Central Park has it all. Avoid the midtown bustle and begin your walk at the park’s W 106th and Central Park West entrance, also known as “The Stranger’s Gate”. Follow the beaten path and you’ll pass elegant, sweeping willow trees, dog walks, and Central Park Conservancy projects. The trail goes all the way to the Onassis Reservoir, perfect for that lazy afternoon stroll.

No Comments | Posted on September 27, 2011 | Categories: Attractions, From the Blog, Native's Pick

tags: Autumn, Central Park, Highline, Leaves

Chinese Scholar Garden, Snug Harbor

Now that it’s officially fall, colder temperatures are just around the corner. Looking for a way to enjoy the last few weeks of warm weather? Head out to the Staten Island Botanical Gardens!

The gardens are located at the Snug Harbor Cultural Center, which was originally created as a haven for aging sailors. Now, in addition to the botanical gardens, Snug Harbor holds exhibitions of visual and performing arts, and hosts community events.

Snug Harbor was founded in 1801, and by the turn of the 20th Century, it included 50 buildings and housed 900 residents. By the 1960s, Snug Harbor had fallen into disrepair, but was saved when the New York City Landmarks Commission designated the remaining buildings as New York’s first landmark structures and listed them on the National Register of Historic Places.

Read the complete post »

No Comments | Posted on September 27, 2011 | Categories: Attractions, From the Blog, Staten Island

tags: Botanical Gardens, College Candy, Garnet Henderson, Historic Places, Sailors, Snug Harbor, staten island ferry, Villa Gamberala

This brick, authentic-looking BBQ restaurant, tucked away under a highway bridge, could be easy to miss if you didn’t know it was there. However, missing this food is a shame, to say the least. In fact, it’s so good, I had to go back twice in less than 24 hours and I’ll probably go back again before I know it (is tomorrow too soon?)

The menu can be overwhelming at first.  They have so much food that picking the right thing can be a challenge.  Be sure to start with an appetizer though, such as some of their Jumbo BBQ Chicken Wings.  These wings are spice rubbed, pit smoked and then finished on the grill to perfection.  You pick your sauce spiciness– from mild (honey BBQ or sesame hoisin sauce) to hot (their famous Wango Tango sauce) or if you dare – I didn’t but my friend did and loved it – the hottest (the Devil’s duel).

Read the complete post »

2 Comments | Posted on September 27, 2011 | Categories: Dining, From the Blog, Harlem

tags: BBQ, cheesecake, dinosaurs, peanut butter pie, Simone Marie Martelle, spiciness

A cookie bakery that makes fresh cookies until 3am?  When I first heard about this place, I could hardly believe my ears. I knew I had to check this place out for myself.  Unfortunately I don’t live in an area where I can have them delivered to me (but if you do, order  NOW – they deliver until 2:30am), so I had to trek down to 79^th St, but it was definitely worth it.

Tucked away in a small little building, this bakery, certainly lives up to its motto:  “Baked Right, Late Night.”   These cookies are cooked just the way they should be: a little crunchy around the edges but soft in the center with the chocolate just a little bit melty.  Even better, they are priced reasonably -  only $1.10-1.25 for a regular cookie and $2.50 for a jumbo one.

The selection, while not overwhelming, still offers something for everyone.  The Snickerdoodle – usually my favorite – was good, but it was the Sugar cookie that won my heart this afternoon.  Sweet without being sickly and with the faint taste of vanilla, this cookie will turn anyone into a cookie monster. However, the Chocolate Chunk should not be overlooked either.  Most cookie bakeries add either too much chocolate or choose too bitter of chocolate, but this cookie was perfect.  Finally there was the S’more cookie: a chocolate cookie with chocolate and marshmallow chunks.  This cookie turned an old campfire classic snack into one of the best cookies you will ever try.

So whether you live in the area or you’re just craving a late night snack, why not treat your insomnia with these wonderfully fresh cookies and some chocolate milk.

405 Amsterdam Ave (btwn 79th and 80th). 212-595-3800

-Simone Marie Martelle 

No Comments | Posted on September 27, 2011 | Categories: Dining, From the Blog, Upper West Side

tags: chocolate, Chocolate Chip, Cookies, Insomnia, S'mores, Simone Marie Martelle, Snickerdoodle

For my fifth grade class, the Skate Center was the place to have your birthday party. This summer as soon as I heard that a temporary rollerskating rink had been installed at the High Line, recalling the golden days of 5th grade Skate Center birthday parties, my attendance at the High Line Rink was quickly confirmed.

When my friends and I arrived at the rink, we immediately felt our adrenaline levels rise as the sweet sounds of the Backstreet Boys caressed our ears. We purchased our admissions wrist bands, laced on our skates, and eased to the safety of the barriers that defined the skating area, realizing that it had been a while since we’d stood on eight wheels.

Taking into account our lack of balance, the first couple laps around the rink were shaky, as the concrete under our skates took a while to adjust to, but after a few more rounds, we all sank into our comfort zones and started to pick up speed. Enjoying the mix of Top 40 music, oldies, and premature oldies (90’s music), we glided around the rink, attempting to keep up with the Roll Bounce-esque skate-dancers while gliding in and out of children learning to skate with walkers and flirty date-night couples. A fun, fair weather outing with friends.

The High Line Rink is located on The Lot, a small area under the High Line Park that houses temporary community attractions, such as AOL’s Rainbow City. A parade of food trucks parks around an open seating area and a bar run by Colicchio & Sons serves hungry guests on The Lot, right next to the skating rink. Since the admissions bands for the skating rink are good all day, feel free to take a break to walk in the park or check out the food vendors before returning to your wheels.

The High Line Rink is located on the southwest corner of W 30th St and 10th Ave. Sunday-Wednesday, 11:00 am-10:00 pm Thursday-Saturday, 11:00 am -11:00 pm. $10 for children under age 13, $12 for adults. Admission fee includes rental skates (but will not be waived if you bring your own). 1/2/3 train to 34th St & 7th Ave. 

-Averi Israel 

No Comments | Posted on September 25, 2011 | Categories: Attractions, From the Blog

tags: Averi Israel, Backstreet Boys, high line, Skating

Friday, September 23

OccupyWallstreet
This Friday will be day 7 of #OccupyWallstreet, a protest organized by adbusters. The protest started last Saturday when 5,000 people set up encampments in Zuccotti Park on Liberty Street (right by Wall St.) The numbers have dwindled but the protestors say they plan to stay indefinitely. Meghan Barr of the Huffington Post calls the protestors “a group of 20 something’s in flannel pajamas and tie-dyed T-shirts….plotting the demise of Wall Street as we know it.”

Charlie Parker Jazz Fest – FREE 
Originally a two-day concert but cancelled due to the hurricane, and now condensed to one day, featuring some of the greatest artists in the world. Brought to you by Summer Stage. Come see Kenny Werner, James Carter, Tia Fuller, and the Gerald Clayton Trio.
6:00 pm,  Marcus Garvey Park, Manhattan

Fourth Annual Governors Island Art Fair – FREE
The New York-based arts group, 4heads, has chosen 120 independent artists and a select number of innovative galleries to participate in this growing tradition.  Each participant is granted space in the abandoned military barracks on Governors Island and is given free reign to design his or her own exhibition, turning this historic site into a contemporary art showcase!  Come see the dramatic transformation of a national landmark into a spiraling trove of fresh, exciting artwork featuring 116 rooms of sculpture, photography, painting, video, sound, and object installations by  artists from as far away as Switzerland and Morocco and local NYC talents.
Friday: 11am – 4pm, Saturday and Sunday: 11am – 6pm

The High Line Rink 
 The vacant lot at the northernmost end of the High Line has been home to several temporary exhibitions and experiments; now, it’s a roller rink! Be sure to get there while the weather’s still pleasant and the rink is still open — the rink will only be here for one weekend before becoming a vacant lot once more.
10th Ave @ 30th St
Fri/Sat: 11am-11pm; Sun: 11am-10pm
A/C/E/1/2/3 to 34th St-Penn Station
Adults: $12; Children under 13: $10 (includes a pair of rental skates), Until Sep 26th

Saturday, September 24

Vendy Awards @ Governors Island 
Street food enthusiasts and a team of celebrity judges will be on the island this Saturday for the Seventh Annual Vendy Awards, an annual competition and fundraiser for Urban Justice Center’s Street Vendor Project. Tickets get you all-you-can eat access to the city’s finest vendors as they battle to take home the Vendy Cup, aka the title of New York City’s Best Street Food Vendor!
12PM to 5PM, 1 to South Ferry, Free Ferry to Governors Island

Lightsaber Battle
Star Wars fans, rejoice! This Saturday  a giant lightsaber battle will take place in Washington Square Park. Whether you’re one with the jedi, you’ve been seduced by the dark side, or just want to live out a childhood fantasy, this event looks like a lot of fun. May the force be with you!
9pm-11pm (lightsabers distributed at 8:30), $5 to reserve a lightsaber
A/C/E/B/D/F/M to W 4th St, N/R to 8th St-NYU

Sunday, September 25

Housing Works Open Air Street Fair 
Looking for a bargain? This Sunday, thousands of books, CDs, and records from Housing Works’s thrift shops will be sold for only $1. You’ll also have the opportunity to peruse their array of clothing, accessories, and shoes, all while enjoying snacks from the Housing Works cafe and music from local bands.
Crosby St btwn Houson and Prince St, 10am-6pm
N/R to Prince St, 6 to Spring St, D/F to Broadway-Lafayette

Brooklyn Beefsteak 
A “beefsteak” is a cut of rare beef dipped in hot butter and Worcesters sauce. The word also refers to huge beer and beefsteak extravaganza’s thrown by Tammany Hall in the 1930′s. And now, for the second year in a row, the beefsteak is back! Come to Brooklyn and enjoy “Endless pitchers of New York’s oldest ale on every table, heaping mountains of juicy steak cuts, and absolutely no utensils. All washed down to the toe-tapping rhythm of Brooklyn’s favorite hillbilly boogie band, Susqehanna Industrial Tool and Die Company” (SIT&DIE).
Two seatings: 1-4pm/ 5-8 pm. $50 individual/$45 group of 4+ @ the BellHouse, 149 7^th Street (between 2^nd and 3^rd avenue) in Gowanus Brooklyn by the D, N, R.

No Comments | Posted on September 22, 2011 | Categories: Entertainment, Event-Related, From the Blog, Native's Pick, Nightlife, Weekend Forecast

tags: art, Battle, Beef, free, Governor's Island, Jazz, Nerds, Protest, Steak

No one loves pasta more than I do– it’s undeniable. Spaghetti, penne, farfalle, you name it, I’m eating it: breakfast, lunch, and dinner.  My enthusiasm to attend Casa Barilla in Central Park probably went unmatched by millions of Manhattan residents.

A $5.00 donation benefiting the Food Bank for New York City provided 25 meals to hungry New Yorkers, and left my stomach satisfied as well, as I stuffed myself with Barilla samples, from cherry tomato bruschetta spread to rotini pasta salad or my personal favorite, the new piccolini pasta with vegetables “hidden” inside.  You’d have to be pazzo not to love this!

Casa Barilla Invitational!

Walking into the large blue tent, filled with exhibits on the history of Barilla, tasting stations, cooking classes, demonstrations, an espresso bar, and more, I was overjoyed with pasta enthusiasm and excited to experience all that Casa Barilla had to offer!

Sharing our pasta dishes, hot farfalle with marinara and basil and whole wheat penne with vegetables at the large group tables in the middle of the tent was certainly a highlight.  I chatted with pasta lovers alike, shared recipes and New York tips, and even practiced my Hebrew!  The Casa Barilla invitational, a contest similar to Iron Chef, hosted by RC Smith was certainly another memorable event of the day.

Delicious Pasta!

I left with a full stomach, a Barilla tote bag filled with free pasta and cheap, delicious sauces from their on-site shop, as well as a fantastic recipe booklet which has inspired many of my meals this week! While the event ended Friday, keep an eye out for Barilla’s return to NYC- who knows what amazing pasta parties they have planned?  Bon Apetito!

-Melissa Kravitz

No Comments | Posted on September 18, 2011 | Categories: Attractions, Dining, Event-Related, From the Blog, Native's Pick

tags: Central Park, Cooking, Eating, Melissa Kravitz, pasta, sauce

Williamsburg Fashion Weekend
For a $10 cover, spend the evening ogling clothes from 20 local designers, including Hayden Dunham, Melissa Lockwood and Nathalie Kraynina, while bands like Twin Gemz (Fri 16 11pm) and Magick Report (Sat 17 midnight) perform. Sip white-wine sangria ($5) or beer ($4) and score an official WFW poster drawn by local artist Arthur Arbit ($8).
287 Kent Ave between South 1st and 2nd Sts, Williamsburg, Brooklyn
(718)-384-7300,williamsburgfashionweekend.com). Fri 16, Sat 17 8pm–4am.

Casa Barilla @ Rumsey Playfield in Central Park:  It’s your last day to catch free pasta, cooking classes, and more!  For a $5.00 donation, you can spend the day eating linguine and perhaps leave with tasty goodies to continues the pasta love throughout the weekend…

Saturday, September 17

World Maker Faire is an alternative World Faire meets TED Talk meets intense arts and crafts table. Things you might find there include: “a huge scale steel dragon sculpture/ interactive kinetic playground built on the frame of a 1973 dump truck,” drumming robots, a life-size mousetrap, a circus warehouse, urban farming workshops, steampunks galore, Coke Zero and mentos, and tons of workshops and lectures so you can learn to make some of this crazy stuff, yourself! Runs through Sunday.

Lou Reed is performing in Brooklyn at 8pm! Along with Laurie Anderson and John Zorn for a night of improv at the Roulette (at 509 Atlantic Avenue between Nevins St and 3rd Ave by D, N, R). http://www.roulette.org/events/event.php/GRANDOPENING32011
de K Loreley Biergarten in Williamsburg is celebrating Oktoberfest this Saturday! Yeah, it’s not really even October yet, but they’re giving away free beer so who cares!? Just be sure to get there early, because the beer’s only free until the first keg runs dry. 3PM-2AM.
Sunday, September 18

ooning: A Retrospective opens today at MoMA!

1 Comment | Posted on September 15, 2011 | Categories: Attractions, From the Blog, Native's Pick

tags: crafts, fashion, free, weekend

If you haven’t stopped by Lincoln Center for a glimpse of models, celebrities, and glamour, head down to 66th Street today before Mercedes Benz Fashion Week ends! You didn’t need a ticket to the runway to spot famous famous and admire gorgeous get-up.  Stop by the Allure lounge on West 63rd St for a photo shoot, free goodies, and more!  Grab a drink at the Empire Hotel (feel free to introduce yourself as Chuck Bass at the bar and see what happens)… for a sure shot at seeing fashionistas.

For a bite to eat, check out the 23 restaurants in near Lincoln Center offering fashion plate specials- delicious prix-fixe meals at affordable prices.

This afternoon,  Jessica Szohr stopped by The Eddie’s Pizza Truck for Urban Decay with a few girlfriends to grab a few pizzas in between the shows.  Jessica ordered “The Naked” pie for herself, named after the brand’s cult-favorite “Naked” palette. Following @UrbanDecay411 for exclusive pizza (and cosmetics!) giveaways.

Beyonce and baby-bump were also spotted yesterday at the Mercedes Benz Star lounge along with famous faces like Emma Watson and Mandy Moore. Show off your style and admire others– who knows who you’ll see! Seriously, if your fashion week viewing hasn’t begun, head to the West Side before it’s too late!

No Comments | Posted on September 15, 2011 | Categories: Attractions, Entertainment, Event-Related, From the Blog, Midtown West

tags: Celebs, fashion, Gossip Girl, Lincoln Center, models