Archive for the 'City Happenings' Category

The 2010 U.S. Open tournament is underway as the men’s and women’s qualifying rounds began on August 24th. Unlike previous years, the 2010 U.S. Open was actually “open” to everyone. All interested tennis players above the age of 14 were invited to compete for a wild card spot in the tournament. 1200 players came out to 16 sectional qualifying tournaments for a chance at their dreams in the inaugural U.S. Open National Playoffs. The two wild cards were earned by Blake Strode for the men and Alexandra Mueller for the women. Both Strode and Mueller are now off to compete in the first round of the U.S. Open Qualifying tournament.

In addition to the new National Playoffs that give everyone a chance to compete, the United States Tennis Association (USTA)  have announced a few more “enhancements” to look out for this year . These include upgraded facilities across all grounds, brand new concessions areas, expanded streaming on usopen.org to include all matches, and a star-studded opening ceremony that celebrates the tournament theme Dream, Succeed, Inspire. The opening ceremonies will take place on Monday, August 30th and will be broadcast on ESPN to kickoff their prime time coverage of the Open.

This year’s tournament, which officially takes place August 30th through September 12th, will most likely prove a very entertaining one, as top-seeded Rafael Nadal will compete for a chance to earn a career Grand Slam of the year and first U.S. Open title ever. On the women’s side, number one seed Serena Williams will be sidelined because of a right foot injury, and Caroline Wozniacki will step up in the top spot.

There are a few fun ways for everyone to get involved in the 2010 U.S. Open without breaking the bank on tickets to Arthur Ashe Stadium.  One way is to participate in the “Bracket Challenge” that is a totally free and fun way to interactively place your picks for each rounds winners. Also, Madison Square Park is once again hosting U.S. Open Live, presented by American Express. A live viewing screen will be set up in the conservancy so fans can enjoy all the action. Guests are welcome to sit in the bleachers provided and enjoy concessions from area restaurants. Live screening in the park will take place September 3rd through the 12th. 

Follow the 2010 U.S. Open on Facebook and Twitter for the most recent news and updates.

Looking for something fun to do over Labor Day Weekend this year?  How about an open-air electronic music festival…

The growing genre  of techno music (also referred to as “electric”, “house”, “trance” and “electro”) has mainly been celebrated in Europe, only recognized in the United States as underground “rave” music only acceptable at night time in dance clubs. All this was changed last year when Made Event put on the first Electric Zoo Music Festival on Randall’s Island Park in NYC. Last year’s festival proved a grand success with a reported 26,000 people in attendance. All of which enjoyed the mayhem of dancing and singing along to a diverse set of artists performing on four separate stages around the park.

This year’s event will take place on September 4th and 5th and feature artists such as The Chemical Brothers, Pretty Lights, Axwell, Richie Hawtin, Moby, Above & Beyond, Armin Van Buuren and Bassnectar.

For complete details including ticket information, directions, full line-up and recent news see the official Electric Zoo page. You can also follow the festival on Twitter or become a fan on Facebook.

Last year’s event had perfect weather so cross your fingers for another beautiful weekend this year!

For the third year in a row NYC is hosting the ‘Summer Streets‘ event.  Break out your bicycle and bring out your inner Lance Armstrong, dance your way down Park Avenue or perfect your backstroke at Grand Central .

From 7am to 1pm the streets of the Brooklyn Bridge, Central Park and Park Avenue will be closed to traffic and open to pedestrians.  What’s really cool for this year’s event is there will be swimming pools! Three clean unused shipping containers are being turned into swimming pools and will be located near Grand Central and open to the public.

Summer Streets; Play, Walk, Run, Bike

Saturdays August 7, 14, 21, 2010

On August 24th ,the East Coast Modball Rally will kick off in New York City with a Tunnel Run  that starts at the Roosevelt Hotel and continues through Midtown, Brooklyn, Holland and Park Avenue. Registration begins at 2PM at the Roosevelt Hotel and the run will begin at 8PM. This event  is not exclusively for cars that are participating in the Modball Rally that travels down the East Coast, but open to all modified cars in the New York City area. After the tunnel run, all teams are welcome to the Mad 46 Rooftop Lounge to celebrate the start of the Modball Rally. 

Not sure what the Modball Rally even is?  It is described by one of its sponsors as “the most bonkers road trip around”. Teams from around the country assemble each year for a road rally that spans across many state borders. The term “modball” is given because it is said to be a modified ‘Gumball Rally’. The Modball Rally is known less for its actual race and more for the partying that ensues later each night. This years rally takes place from August 25th-29th and stops in  New York, Washington D.C., Virginia Beach, Atlanta, Orlando and finally Miami.

If you are interested in participating in this years rally, more info is available here.
If you would like to participate in the NYC Tunnel Run please send an e-mail to serena@modball.com indicating your name, number and a request for more info. 

The month of August in New York City has an average high 0f 83 degrees. While the days can be quite scorching, the evenings could not be more pleasant, and there are few better ways to enjoy them than heading out to the Hudson River Park to enjoy one of their events. The park is located right in Manhattan along the  waterside of the Hudson River between Battery Park and 59th street. While the park is a great place to visit for a bike ride along one of it’s scenic routes or a picnic under the trees, fun events take place almost daily during the summer and this month is no exception. Some Hudson River Park events going on in August are as follows:

• Hudson River Park’s Moondance - Dance Manhattan makes this event, which takes place on Pier 54 every Sunday night through August 8th, possible by offering free dance lessons. All levels of dance experience  are welcome to come and enjoy a night of swing, tango or salsa under the stars and along the river-front. Live music changes with every Moondance, which starts at 6:30 PM weather permitting

August 1st- Hector Del Curto’s Eternal Tango Orchestra
August 8th- George Gee Swing Orchestra

• Hudson River Park’s Stars of Tomorrow - students from the New School for Jazz and Contemporary Music and Mannes College The New School for Music perform on one of Hudson River Park’s most beautiful places, Pier 45. All are welcome to come enjoy the music, which starts at 6:30PM every tuesday evening and is free.

August 3rd- Peter Gazarov Quartet
August 10th- Classical Brass Trio
August 17th- Classical Woodwinds Trio

• Hudson River Park’s RiverFlicks for Grown-ups-  Book a babysitter for Wednesday nights! Pier 54 is the place to see all your favorite movies from 2009 on the big screen outside. Movies begin at 8:30 PM and are free to the general public.

August 4th- Julie & Julia
August 11th- Public Enemies
August 18th- Star Trek

• Hudson River Park’s Rumble on the River - This outdoor boxing event pairs some of the best amateur boxers from New York’s 5 burroughs to compete on Pier 84 in front of a live audience. The matches begin at 7PM and are free to the general public. Not so interested in the boxing? Enjoy the beautiful view of the sunset over the Hudson river instead, which is spectacular from Pier 84.

• Hudson River Park’s RiverFlicks For Kids- Grab a few blankets and snacks for a night of movies in the park with the whole family. Movies start at 8:30 PM and are on Friday nights.

August 6th- Big (Pier 54)
August 13th- Ice Age: Dawn of the Dinosaurs (Pier 46)
August 20th- Annie (Pier 46)

• Sunset on the Hudson - Every Friday night through August 20th, come to Pier 45 at 7pm to watch the sun dip below the horizon and listen to New York’s acclaimed Guitar Man David Ippolito from this spectacular grass-covered spot that stretches 900 feet into the majestic Hudson River.

• Hudson River Park’s RiverRocks- Don’t miss out on the Hudson River Park’s last concert of the season with Deer Hunter and special guest Real Estate. The show will be at Pier 54 and gates open at 6PM. Follow status updates on Twitter.

Let’s Get Ready To Rock…

No you’re not dreaming. This is actually happening. Rock icons from the 50s,60s,70s,80s,90s and today will be coming together under one roof at the first annual Rock Con, The National Rock & Roll Fan Fest. This weekend (June 30th- August 1st), Sheraton Meadowlands Hotel & Conference Center in East Rutherford, NJ. will be opening it’s doors to fans and “Hall-of-Famers” alike for 3 days and nights of live performances, meet & greets, panel discussions, film screenings, auctions, photo ops and much much more! Where else will you be able to get that coveted Paul McCartney (yes, he’ll be there) autograph that you’ve always dreamed of having, or watch one of your favorite rock legends on a Q & A panel that addresses your direct questions.

Some confirmed rock celebrities that will be attending include members of the Go Gos, Cars, Yardbirds, Hollies, Rascals and Danzig. More special artists and guests include Johnny Winter, Livingston Taylor, Tommy, James and Robert Gordon.

Tickets for the event are going for just $20 online and $30 at the door. More information is also available at the event’s Facebook and Twitter pages.
Information on becoming an event sponsor is available here.
Directions to the venue can be found here.

Call 203-795-4737 for all other inquiries

In 1974, New York City celebrated its first Harlem Day, which was a tribute the unique history and cultural contributions of this highly influential urban neighborhood that was the site of the famous Harlem Renaissance in the early 20th century. Since then, Harlem Day has turned into Harlem Week which has turned into a season-long celebration and, with just over two million participants, the largest cultural festival in the United States.

Although Harlem Week has over 155 events and extended events associated with it that last all summer long, the key events take place between July 21st and August 26th. Some key events include “A Great Day in Harlem” (July 25), which honors the legacies of Teddy Pendergrass Patti LaBelle & Gamble & Huff and includes a National Black Sports & Entertainment Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony, and the “National Historic Black College Fair”(August 14), which salutes the efforts of black colleges and universities on our nation’s health. Events are enjoyed by a wide range of audiences and many are free to the public.

The theme of this year’s Harlem Week celebration is ” The 2nd Harlem Renaissance” which is aimed at remembering the economic, artistic and political flourishing  of urban America in the international mecca of Hispanic and African American culture. All events are sponsored by the Greater Harlem Chamber of Commerce.

Connect to Harlem Week and get updates on Facebook and Twitter

Last week, Slice: America’s Favorite Pizza Weblog, paid tribute to the way New Yorkers do pizza by celebrating the Official New York Pizza Week. Posts that were tagged included a thorough analysis of the famed “Fold Hold”;what to expect from a typical new york pizza joint; tips for what to look for in a great pizza; an open discussion on whether or not you can tell a pizza will taste good just by looking at it, and much more!

Though each post connected to Slice’s NY Pizza Week was an incredibly fun read, there was a great amount of information to take in. That is why I have taken the liberty of gleaning the very best information from  NY Pizza Week, consolidating it, and sharing it with you.

First thing’s first, Slice identifies three different variations of the New York “Fold Hold”, and on what type of pizza each should be executed. If you don’t already know, the “Fold Hold” is the way a typical New York pizza-eater will consume his slice. At its simplest, this means folding the slice lengthwise and eating it like a taco. This doubles the amount of pizza you can eat in one bite and avoids a mess by trapping the cheese and toppings.

• Full Fold- used for simple slices of pizza with a thin crust and few toppings. This is done by placing your thumb and forefinger just under the crust, supporting with the middle finger and folding completely.
• 1/2 Fold- the most common implementation of the Fold Hold, this is used when the pizza has many toppings and you want a balanced bite without much mess. This can be done by placing your thumb and forefinger on each side of the crust and pinky under the middle, and folding slightly so that all the edges curve in.
• Rare Fold- the least popular of the Folds is one used for very crisp pieces that do not need support at the bottom. It is much like a combination of the first two but without a third finger under the bottom of the piece.

A second subject discussed is how New Yorkers do pizza very differently than anywhere else in the world. A few key points mentioned include:

• New York City is still a “by the slice” kind of town where folks can just grab a piece and go while on the run. Often a slice is purchased at a “hole-in-the-wall” joint, and is given on a paper plate with a big stack of napkins.
• A  typical New York pizza is thin with a crisp yet pliable crust and only one or two toppings.
• wood-oven pizza revolution of the 2000’s left a majority of the city’s pizza joints with wood-fired pizza. NOTE: just because it is a wood-fired pizza does not mean it’s better, it always depends on the skill of the pizza-maker.
• pizza maps: where to find the best pizza in NYC

Lastly, Slice addresses what to look for in a good pizza.

• The crust should be “like a good football defense; it bends but never breaks.’ It should have a few raised bubbles that are slightly burnt and crisp. Inside should NOT be dense, but holey, much like the inside of freshly baked bread.
• The best pizzas are covered in sauces that are made with uncooked, canned tomatoes that have been strained and seasoned with salt and oregano. Sugar should NEVER be added to the sauce because pizza sauce is not supposed to taste like pasta sauce. Fresh tomatoes are rarely used in a good pizza.

One last thing… Slice asked pizza-eaters if they thought they could tell how good a slice of pizza would taste just by looking at it. Many said that the eye is deceiving, and one must rely on the taste buds to know for sure. Tell us what you think!!!

They start out by swimming 1500 meters in the Hudson River, then continue by biking a grueling 40 kilometers, and finish off by running 10 kilometers on Manhattan’s West Side highway. That is a  total of 32 miles with an average finishing time of 4 hours! The Nautica NYC Triathlon is coming up on July 18th and the athletes need your support.  Now, I’m not going to encourage anyone to go register for the race and join the athletes (registration is closed anyway), but I will provide a few tips on how you can enjoy this event from the sidelines and cheer on the  3,000 participants that have come from 50 countries and 49 states to challenge themselves both physically and mentally. It is especially important to attend if you have a family member or friend in the event!

• The kickoff to a full weekend of fun events dedicated to the race starts with the Jamaica Underwear Run in Central Park.  The run takes place every year on the Friday before the big race. Last year, the race smashed the Guinness World Record for the number of people gathered in one place in their underwear. The race is 1.7 miles long and starts at 7:30 PM.
• View race and cheer on triathletes from the best spots! The best viewing areas  for the race are between 80th and 99th street for the swim; between 84th and 90th for the bike route; and along 72nd street for the run.
• Watching the Iams Doggy Dash is also a fun event that takes place in Central Park during the big race. It is a 5 mile race that owners and their dogs can compete in together. See the 2010 Competitors here. The event starts at 8AM.
• The jetBlue Finish Festival on Sunday closes the weekend’s events. Awards are given and completion of the race is celebrated by al

Check out the Nautica NYC Triathlon Spectator Guide for more details.

Mark your calendars! The event that was reviewed by the New York Times as one of the “Most Memorable Parties of 2009″ is coming up. The 5th bi-annual Jazz Age Lawn Party on Governors Island will be taking place this summer on July 17th & 18th, and August 28th & 29th.

Michael Arenella and his Dreamland Orchestra will be providing the entertainment with special guests Drew Nugent & the Midnight Society. The event is said to be set “Under a shady grove of centuries-old trees, caressed by fresh sea air, a sprawling green surrounded by historic officersí quarters and 18th century naval ramparts becomes the setting for a true Gatsby affair.”  In the past, the Jazz Age Lawn Party has been enjoyed by everyone from jazz-age history buffs to curious families. There is a little something for everyone with great music, food and drinks provided by Brooklyn Brewery. Also, there are fun activities to participate in such as recipe contests, dance lessons and tug o’ war. There’s nothing quite like this party under the stars.

The party starts at 11AM and continues until 6PM that evening. Tickets are $7 in advance and $10 at the door ( Children under 7 years old are admitted for free ). However, there is a little incentive to buy your tickets in advance as the first 250 people to purchase tickets in advance at http://www.brownpapertickets.com will be given free drink tickets.