A stark white facade, windowless, lit from below by blue lights. The door tiny by comparison, framed by a band of moving digital words, like a movie title. The lobby lit with the glare of a giant projection / installation of close-up shots of human faces caught mid-expression, copied over and over in a giant blinking panorama. Welcome to the Museum of the Moving Image: a perfect blend of postmodern cinematic aesthetics, that familiar American pop cultural vibe of all movie theatres, and the thoughtful somberness of a museum. Read the complete post »
Wandering around in Astoria, Queens, I was delighted to find Cafe Triskell: a small interior dimly lit with a string of Christmas lights, low-key music with matching quirky décor, and a full house. There was a five minute wait, which we spent in the tiny foyer to stay warm. When the group before us left, one of them couldn’t resist telling us that we were about to eat some “really, really good food, guys”–that, plus seeing the mouth-watering crêpes on the other tables, made me very eager for the menu. Read the complete post »
Steinway Street should be known for having a little of everything. It has an impressive array of stores, from familiar chains to 99-cent emporiums, and restaurants of all ethnicities. It also has its fair share of fitness centers, including a new one that just opened about a year and a half ago. No machines or weights here; The Art of Fitness instead offers classes that are fun, so you won’t even realize you’re exercising. Really.
After watching one too many infomercials touting Zumba workout DVDs, I needed to try it for myself, which is how I found myself in Astoria on a Monday evening after work. As soon as I walked in, the atmosphere was friendly. Our instructor, Ashley, seemed energetic and put everyone at ease. Looking around the room, I noticed that there were people of varying ages- from teens to those in their thirties-eager to try the class. Read the complete post »
Judah Friedlander Watch Judah Friedlander perform through July 17 at Caroline’s! Tickets are $27.50! Friedlander may be best known for his work on 30 Rock, but he is also a stand up comedian and a published author.
Caroline’s on Broadway (1626 Broadway, Midtown West) 10 pm
GUMBO
This fabulous dance party and live music event hosted at the sleek and intimate Canal Room, will feature DJ Keo Nozari along with performer Shontelle. Gumbo NYC is an LGBT events group, which hosts a party every first Friday of the month at Galapagos Art Space in DUMBO, Brooklyn. GUMBO was a Paper Magazine nominee for “Best Gay Party 2010,” a Time Out New York “Critics’ pick,” and was declared “one of the hottest new parties in NYC” by OUT.com.
Canal Room (285 W Broadway) 10:30 pm
JULY 16
Barneys New York: FREE Facials
FREE facials at Barney’s this Saturday! Treatments include, but are not limited to, UV damage correction and wrinkle depletion. All services are done by world renown Sunday Riley Modern Skincare professionals.
660 Madison Ave 10 am – 5 pm
Robot Film Festival
After collecting around 70 short films that revolve around robots, the Robot Film Festival is showing off the flicks. Buy tickets to the movies and make sure attend the festival’s awards ceremony, called the “Botskers.” The Three Legged Dog (3LD) Theater (80 Greenwich St) through July 17
Field Day!
Come Out and Play is hosting a field day this Saturday on Governors Island! Join in on “the day of new and exciting outdoor games, from wild new field sports to large social games.” Every year, Come Out & Play features the best in experimental new real-world games. Listing of games is available online. 11am, 5pm, Governors Island
4 Knots Music Festival
Presented by The Village Voice, this indie-rock music festival includes groups like the Black Angels, Oberhofer, Davila 666, Titus Andronicus, and Eleanor Friedberger.
South Street Seaport’s Pier 17 1 – 12 pm
Opening of Jim Henson’s Fantastic World
Fifteen of Jim Henson’s famed puppets, including Kermit the Frog and Miss Piggy, will be on display at the Museum of the Moving Image along with over 120 other artifacts from Henson’s long career. Guided tours of Jim Henson’s Fantastic World will run every Saturday and Sunday at 3pm. Museum of the Moving Image (36-01 35th Avenue, Astoria) July 16–January 16, 2012
Midsummer Night Swing
Take a trip to Lincoln Center for the last day of this popular series. The Harlem Renaissance Orchestra will be playing fantastic music that will be sure to inspire plenty of crazy dance moves for the third annual dance contest.
Damrosch Park (62nd Street between Columbus and Amsterdam) 7:30 pm
Lesbo Disco
Head to Crown Heights for a lady party like no other! $15 entrance fee.
893 Bergen St (between Classon and Franklin Aves) 10 pm
JULY 17
Mister Sunday with Eamon, Justin and Todd Terje
(388-400 Carroll St., nr. Bond St; Gowanus Grove, Brooklyn)
Spend your Sunday dancing outdoors at this Brooklyn summer dance party. Bring your dog (on a leash), kids (who get in for free!), and enough sunscreen to last a couple of hours of dancing! 3 pm
Matt Timms Present’s “The Ice Cream Take Down”
Your chance to taste over 20 flavors of ice cream all for $15. Cast your vote for your favorite flavor! The Bell House (149 7th St, Brooklyn) 4 pm
The Yoga Room embodies the core ideal of this stylish and homey place, as everything is designed just up to the point: your health and well- being. With a friendly green and glass front against the mosaic wall, the small room welcomed me warmly. As I stepped inside and looked around, I sensed a philosophy of “vinyasa” in the decor—“vi”, in a special way, “nyasa”, to place— everything is placed in a special way; in one corner, a wooden table chest held a copper brown hand wash, with a large wooden Buddist embossment hanging over it, inviting a deep breath in the special ambiance of religious tranquility. This small world made me feel like I was in an exotic and authentic Indian lounge. I was asked to take off my shoes at the entrance, because everyone should have the right to enjoy themselves without any binding from the outside—both physical and psychological.
From start to finish, the Gigi experience is hip. Located in Astoria, it has all of the style of a high-end Manhattan salon with a fraction of the pretension. This Aveda Concept studio was opened in 2005, bringing to Astoria both its first high-end and environmentally-friendly haircare destination. All of the sleek interior decor is made from recycled materials, and, in addition to practicing energy-saving techniques and using “green” products, the hair that is cut at Gigi’s is collected and sent off to be used for oil spill clean up efforts.
Customer care is as much a priority here as the green initiative. From the first step in the door, one is offered a choice of beverages, including lemon water, coffee, tea, and wine. After an initial consultation with a hairstylist, one is directed to the washing station, at which point the client receives a complimentary hand massage. The services run the gamut, available to both men and women, and include cuts, coloring, styling–and prices are determined according to hair length. Appointments can be made by phone or online.
34-17 30 Ave. (Astoria). 718-777-7755. Tue-Fri 10am-8pm, Sat 10am-6pm, Sun 12pm-6pm, Mon 12pm-8pm. N to 30th Ave.
Picasso: Guitars @ 1912-1914
This exhibition at the MOMA showcases Picasso’s abstract sculptures of guitars, which are credited as the spark of the impressionist post WWI movement. There will be a talk and brunch Saturday June 4 at 11:30 am. Tickets are $12 for students and the exhibit runs through Monday, June 6.
11 West 53 Street, New York, NY
Le Poisson Rouge presents: The Village Gate’s “old Fashioned Piano Party” Show-tune enthusiasts rejoice! Le Poisson Rouge is hosting an open mic night hosted by musicians/actors/improvisors Kevin Michael Murphy and Caleb Hoyer. Come for cocktails (with a valid ID), a chance to sing your favorite songs from Broadway and Glee, or just to soak in the extravagant and flamboyant performances. Admission is free. This weekend only!
158 Bleecker Street, New York, NY
East Harlem International Film Festival: Area cafes and museums host this film festival, where you can see edgy short films and documentaries. Filmmakers hail from across the world, as far away as India, Russia, and South America. Venues include The Poet’s Den (309 E 180th St, between 1st and 2nd Ave), Museum of the City of New York (1220 Fifth Ave), and The New York Academy of Medicine (1216 Fifth Ave).
Walking Tour of Old Astoria Village in Queens: Sponsored by the Greater Astoria Historical Society, this tour shows off how this beautiful town once was. Amazingly still intact, Old Astoria is a remnant of 19th-century life in a modern, vibrant city. After trodding this path, stop by one of the many Greek restaurants or beer gardens that Astoria has to offer. Sunday, June 5, at 11 AM. $10 for the tour; meet at the entrance to Socrates Sculpture Park (Broadway and Vernon on the East River in Long Island City, Queens).
Salute to Israel Parade, Sunday, June 5. To celebrate Israel’s 63rd year of independence, spend the day with 30,000 other marchers. Expect a marching band, floats, and performances by the likes of SOULFARM and Kosha Dillz. 11 AM – 4 PM, rain or shine. It starts at 57th and 5th and goes to 74th and 5th.
Howl Festival: Come see poetry, music, dance, and more at this loud festival on the Lower East Side, fun for all ages! For more events, check out http://www.howlfestival.com/festival/calendar/ June 3-5 only at Tompkins Square Park (E 10th Street and Avenue B).
Staten Island Pride: In anticipation of New York’s larger-than-life pride celebration at the end of the month, kick off the festivities at Staten Island Pride this Saturday. The parade kicks off at noon at Central Ave and Slosson Terrace and winds through the streets of St. George toward Tompkinsville Square Park, where a culminating festival will last throughout the afternoon. Also, don’t miss the Pride Rock N Roll After Party ($7 cover) at South Fin Grill starting at 9pm. Tompkinsville Park on June 4, noon-4pm.
Queens Pride Parade & Festival Come out this weekend for the 19th annual Queens Pride. The parade kicks off at noon at 85th Street and 37th Avenue and goes down 37th to 75th Street. Here, in the heart of Jackson Heights, a multicultural festival with vendors, awards, and performers will follow the parade. Come out (pun intended) and show your support. June 5, noon-6pm
Pride Goes East: To kick off NYC Gay Pride Month, the lower east side is hosting an afternoon blocko party this Saturday. The day will kick off with a Lady Gaga look-alike competition and conclude with headlining performer Sir Ari Gold. NYC Pride may not be for a few weeks, but why not start celebrating early? LES on June 4, 3:30-7:30 pm (Orchard St. between East Houston and Stanton Streets)
Veuve Clicquot Polo Classic: This Sunday June 5, head to Governors Island for a bougie experience like none other. The Veuve Clicquot Polo Classic will feature all the fashion and ferocity that have come to be associated with polo. There will be plenty of free seating reserved for the public. So grab your hat and catch a ferry (FREE!), because this is sure to be an unforgettable afternoon. Plus, with co-host Marc Jacobs and M.C. Hugh Jackman, there’s no excuse to miss out. June 5 at Governor’s Island, 11am-5:30pm
This is the first in our feature on alternative ethnic foods, where we venture past our favorite standbys to try out some of the other (inexpensive) cuisines that New York has to offer.
The best comfort food is that which can nourish one’s soul. And so when your meal needs to do more than provide mere sustenance, I recommend venturing out to Balkh Shish Kabab House in Astoria, the holy grail of ethnic food.
Afghan immigrants are the main customers at this Middle Eastern restaurant, but the fire-burning brick oven and family photographs create a homey atmosphere that embraces all who visit. And the authentic food and generous freebies like cardamom-infused green tea and fresh baked flat bread don’t hurt, either. Read the complete post »
