News

A New Space for Art in Lower Manhattan May 25 2015

whitney museum

By Mariana Palacios Vega 

The Whitney Museum returns to its first home, West Lower Manhattan. Located at 99 Gansevoort Street, the new building imposes it presence in a neighborhood that vibrates with life and fosters a growing community of artists and aficionados. Before migrating to a bigger and cutting edge building the Whitney Museum collection grew from 700 to over 21,000 works. You can find each one of these pieces displayed in the museum’s brand new building in meatpacking district, designed specially for this purpose by Renzo Piano. According to the Italian Architect “The design for the new museum emerges equally from a close study of the Whitney’s needs and from a response to this remarkable site. We wanted to draw on its vitality and at the same time enhance its rich character

 

 

The asymmetrical building faces the high line and features the largest column-free museum gallery in New York City. Besides the indoors and outdoors galleries, the institution features a cafe, a complete restaurant and a shop. The inauguration ceremony was held on April, hosted by First Lady Michelle Obama and since May 1 the museum opened its door to the general public. You can visit this remarkable icon Monday and Wednesday from 10:30am to 6pm, Thursday through Saturday from 10:30am to 10pm and on Sunday from 10:30am to 6pm. Currently you can enjoy the exhibition “America is hard to see”, which will be displayed until June 17, the museum offers free tours with the museum admission fee each day.

 

whitney museum, michelle obama

 

The Breuer building (corner of Madison and 75th Street) former house of the Whitney Museum; considered a heavy and brutal piece of architecture will now be administered by The Metropolitan Museum of Art and will present exhibitions and educational programs.

 


Shake Shack Madison Square Park Reopens! Big Line in the first day! May 20 2015

One week ago Shake Shack reported stellar first-quarter results, the burger chain has something else to celebrate. In the morning reopened its flagship Madison Square Park restaurant in New York City. People were lining up as early as 10 AM, to get their hands on the first burgers . In addition to the regular lineup, the spot was offering a special ParkBurger with cave-aged Jasper Hill Farm raw cow's milk cheese sauce and Niman Ranch applewood smoked bacon. So deliciuos.


Is CNN shutting down? May 18 2015

 

 

One of the most famous weather, temperature and time billboards in NYC advertising the news giant CNN was removed from the 3 Columbus Circle, the former Newsweek, building at Broadway and 58th Street.

No statement or press release was published by the channel.

 

 

 

We are sad seeing it going and we hope it will return in a bigger and better form but internet seems to be a game-changer even when it comes to the big powerhouses.

 

Are we mistaken by assuming that many of those reading this lines are hoping FOX news ticker is next? 


F. A. O. Schwarz to Close on Fifth Avenue May 16 2015

F. A. O. Schwarz, the toy store on Fifth Avenue, will close its doors July 15, a victim of rising rents and ultraluxury retailing in New York City’s hottest shopping district. It’s the last remaining location of the iconic toy brand. While the company seeks another location, a line of toys bearing the FAO Schwarz name will be sold in Toys “R” Us . 

FAO Schwarz started in 1862 and has moved several times since then, including a stop in Manhattan’s Union Square. Toys “R” Us purchased FAO Schwarz in 2009. At the time, it had a store in Las Vegas that was in the process of closing when Toys “R” Us made the acquisition.

 


One World Observatory Announces Opening Date April 08 2015

 

It's official. New York's highly anticipated One World Observatory will open to the public on May 29, 2015.
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Sitting on levels 100-102 of the One World Trade Center -- the tallest building in the Western Hemisphere -- it's vying to become the city's hottest new tourist attraction.
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TAKE THE TOUR from One World Observatory on Vimeo.

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The visit will start on the ground floor at the Global Welcome Center, which will feature greetings in dozens of languages and a world map highlighting the hometowns of what’s expected to be millions of visitors.

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Visitors get to the observatory via one of five "Sky Pod" elevators that shoot up to the 102nd floor in fewer than 60 seconds. 

The Main Observatory space on the 100th floor will include an interactive skyline "concierge" known as City Pulse.

It's made up of a ring of HD video monitors that use gesture recognition technology to bring imagery to the screens, allowing guests to find out more about the landmarks and neighborhoods they are viewing at from above.

Admission for adults ages 13-64 will be $32. Children ages 6-12 pay $26 and seniors over 65 can get in for $30. Guests five and under will be admitted at no charge.

Tickets to the One World Observatory are on sale from today on Wednesday, April 8, and are available on the official website www.OneWorldObservatory.com.


The Word "Art" Is Oversaturated March 27 2015

A young Brooklyn artist Alex Smetsky is telling us about New York, his view of Art, the way of life in "Big Apple" and what should be printed on toilet paper rolls.

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Where should we start, maybe what inspired you to become an artist, going back to childhood, when did you first become interested in art?

I was always doodling, painting and creating something. I've only recently started taking it professionally. Both of my grandparents were amazing artists. They were heavy influences to me.

Especially my grandfather from my fathers' side. He was in museums and all. Absolutely amazing artist and a war hero. His art was heavily influenced by WW2. Weirdly enough, after he passed, I got super heavy into art. I kind of feel like his soul lives in me. That's when I got heavy into graffiti too. That eventually became life to me. Day and night that was all I would do. 

A lot of my influences come from my upbringing in the Russian culture and of course a lot of the influences that were around me in Brooklyn. I grew up in Bensonhurst, back when it was still manly Italian. It was an amazing time. There was so much energy in the streets back then.

 

What was one of the first artists you saw or pieces that really stood out to you?

I honestly don't remember, but Salvador Dali was probably the first artists I've ever acknowledged as a true genius.

 

What about it caught your attention?

How he just said "f.... it all" and did what he wanted. It was so rebellious. As all art should be.

How is New York fitting in this picture, artist leak recognition and money in the time of gentrification. Some would say true artist have to suffer for their art. How do you see it does it inspire and influence your art, maybe in a commercial way? 

I was blessed to have a survival mentality, and even more so- Blessed to have learned my value and the value of my happiness. I understand that my art might not sell right away. Thats fine with me. It's about the process so I'm just enjoying the ride. New York gives you a million ways to work on any end you'd like to. Because of NY, I'm not limited to experiences, connections and my choices of what I choose to do for a living while my art starts to take off.

It's amazing to love what you do in all aspects. Plus my position allows me to network and meet some amazing connections, artists and be on the frontline of all new trends. It's truly a gift.

 

 

5. What do you want to express with your art, how do you want to influence people. In which way will your art change or influence New York, USA or even the world?

Honestly, I don't even like to call myself an artist or my work art. Just like everything in the world nowadays, the word "Art" is oversaturated and there are a lot of people misusing this term for things that I personally think should be the new decorations on toilet paper rolls. I bring my visions to life. I see myself as an engineer or a craftsman. I'd like it to express positivity, beauty, happiness....only positive messages overall. I'd like it to inspire freedom.

When my family came here, we didn't have much. We built from ground up. And I too worked from a young age and worked for my own. I've failed tons of times but got up a lot more times. Taking a dive into the art world and instilling my faith into it is something that many will be scared to do at my age (29). It's not practical to pursue this when most people are focusing on stability and starting families. So I want to send that message of trusting yourself, having value in yourself and just going for the leap. F... it!

Now, I'm more influenced by the classic artists- so you'll see what's in store soon.

 

 

6. You recently had an exhibition. How was the feeling showing your art for the first time to a broader audience?

I was blessed to be part of several gallery exhibits my first year doing this professionally. It's beautiful and rewarding all at the same time. To see people coming out to see your work, support you, purchase it and ... overall it's just an amazing experience.

I'm trying to do more works now so I can have a solo exhibit soon. Not trying to rush it- but I just want to experience it all. Also, starting Mixed Medium was ultra rewarding. Seeing so many believe in the cause and seeing so many artists collaborating with me on the project. It was surreal. So many more projects to come! Ultimately I want to give back as much as I can. Spoil the fans.

 

 

 

View more of Alex's art and details


The Annual Pillow Fight Day March 25 2015

pillow fight
Let's get ready to rumble!
On April 4th at 3 p.m. in Washington Square Park is your chance to show thousands of other New Yorkers how skilled you use your pillow.
The 10th annual NYC Pillow Fight is scheduled  for International Pillow Fight Day. In previous years the event brought out over 5,000 participants.
The best part, after the fun is over, you can choose to deposit your pillow in a donation truck where it will go to a person in need.
May the Force be with you!

Column: Hot Bars in NYC, Part II March 23 2015

hot bars in NYC

 

You can say what you want about NYC's clubs, bars and lounges, but the fact remains: The City That Never Sleeps is still the nightlife epicenter of America and probably the world.

The nightlife capital has a game-changing bar scene that is diverse and unique, impossible to conquer. Considering the fact that Paris is the size of "The Bronx" you will understand why this is a mission impossible. However we will introduce some hot spots in our series "Hot Bars in NYC".

Enjoy Part Two!

 

THE NOMAD BAR

 

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A handsome bi-level, a convivial, warm and classic New York City tavern located inside the NOMAD HOTEL.  

The bar is accessible from West 28th Street or from within the hotel through The Library Bar. 

There’s the vaulted, windowless ­double-height space, which can feel a little confined even if you’re sitting at one of the balcony tables and enjoying food and fancy cocktails. It’s elegant, it’s dark, and it’s the kind of place that makes you feel awesome.

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A spot that offers a full, expensive, menu with "casual food" – that is really fantastic. NoMad offers 30 of their own cocktail inventions as well as a selection of 8 classics. 

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NoMad Bar isn't really just a bar this is also a pretty grand two-story restaurant with some fantastic dishes. A place that you want to visit only once in a while, best saved for those times you want to impress someone, or maybe just impress yourself a little bit. 

 


Artist Turns Brooklyn Night Club Into Enormous Home March 21 2015

In 2010, the artist Matthew Day Jackson bought a two-story warehouse in Greenpoint. Previously from 2006 to 2009 a night club called  Studio B on Banker Street in Greenpoint. In 2009 neighbors were fed up with the noise and it had to shut down.
Jackson bought the two-story warehouse for $2 million and after an extensive renovation that converted the ground floor into a studio and workroom and the upper floor into an airy apartment, all 15,000 square feet are now for sale.
The ask? $11,000,000.
There is an elevator, indoor parking, and a retractable roof, along with a separate guest suite and a view of Manhattan.
A funny little detail: it has a massive playroom/yoga studio that's plastered with skylights.

Column: Hot Bars in NYC, Part One March 01 2015



 

You can say what you want about NYC's clubs, bars and lounges, but the fact remains: The City That Never Sleeps is still the nightlife epicenter of America and probably the world.

The nightlife capital has a game-changing bar scene that is diverse and unique, impossible to conquer. Considering the fact that Paris is the size of "The Bronx" you will understand why this is a mission impossible. However we will introduce some hot spots in our series "Hot Bars in NYC".

Enjoy Part One!

 

The Raines Law Room 

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Imagine a world without dirty martinis and other beautiful cocktails  If you lived in America between 1920’s and 1930's, this would have been your devastating reality. During the prohibition era, different laws were passed that either prohibited or heavily taxed establishments on the sale and transportation of liquor to restrict the consumption of alcohol in the United States. But as during many dark times the human imagination works its miracles. 
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People created joints that were called “Speakeasies” or "Prohibition Bars". Found in secret rooms at the back of theaters or a secret door in an alleyway at which you would need a secret password, knock or handshake to enter. To make it more  inconspicuously, they would sometimes serve drinks in coffee mugs and tea cups in case of a raid. Many Speakeasies quickly became a booming enterprise for organized crime.  Some gangsters like Al Capone and Lucky Luciano even turned them into their homes and offices.
The Raines Law Room is reconstructed after this past dark times. Located in the Flatiron district behind an unmarked black door hides one of New York's Hot Bars. 
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To enter a doorbell has to be rang, a host/ess will ask for a reservation. The Raines Law Room doesn't take reservations for every day!
All tables in the bar are usually taken, the host/ess will mark down the name and phone number. 
Next to the table is a drink ordering bell. After pulling the string a waitress will discreetly arrive at the table and take an order.
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Raines Law Room is a perfect spot to experience a little exclusivity and a little mystery where besides the fantastic atmosphere some tasty gourmet cocktails are being served.  The rest we leave to your fantasy. 
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Celebrities at the Fashion Week February 18 2015

Fashion Week is all about checking out the new collections as they come down the runway, but let's be real—there's a lot to see sitting in the first row, too.

The start of New York Fashion Week comes with it the arrival of plenty of well-known stars to Big Apple. The runway turns into a red carpet for many of the biggest designer names, with celebrities of all walks - from sport stars to actresses and singers - turning out to support their favorites.

 

Kate Hudson at Michael Kors show

By: Alex Apatoff, Brittany Talarico and Sarah Kinonen

 

Kim Kardashian at Alexander Wang runway show

By: CRAIG BARRITT/GETTY IMAGES

 

Rihanna with Zac Posen

By: Leah Melby

 

Naomi Campbell & Zac Posen

By: Alex Apatoff, Brittany Talarico and Sarah Kinonen

 

Beyonce at Kanye West x Adidas Originals collection

 

By: GETTY IMAGES

 

Ashley Benson attended Reem Acra's presentation

 

Odell Beckham JR. and Anna Wintour

By: Alex Apatoff, Brittany Talarico and Sarah Kinonen

 

David Beckham at his wife's, Victoria, front row

By: Alex Apatoff, Brittany Talarico and Sarah Kinonen

 

Nicki Minaj at Alexander Wang

By: Alex Apatoff, Brittany Talarico and Sarah Kinonen

 

KESHA at the Edie Parker presentation

By: Alex Apatoff, Brittany Talarico and Sarah Kinonen

 

Katie Holmes at the newCinderella line for JCPenney

By: Alex Apatoff, Brittany Talarico and Sarah Kinonen

 


NEW YORK FASHION WEEK February 12 2015

The New York Fashion Week started today and will end on Feb. 19. You can follow all the shows live here: 

LIVE LINK

 

 

Events are being held at the following stores:

 

FEB 12

2-6 p.m.: Fivestory

Indulge your sweet tooth with Jars by Dani, Treat House, and New York Cake Pops all the while shopping at this Upper East Side boutique.

Fivestory, 18 East 69th Street

4-7 p.m.: Khirma New York Fall 2015 Presentation

Handbag and accessory designer Khirma Eliazov will be hosting a fashion week presentation at her downtown boutique.

Khirma New York, 102 Charles Street

Bloomingdales

Bloomingdales

5 p.m.: Bloomingdale’s & GQ Launch the NBA Collection

Join NBA All Star James Harden for a preview of the NBA Collection. Enjoy cocktails and passed hors d’oeuvres while you shop.

Bloomingdales, 59th Street and Lexington Avenue

5 p.m.: Made to Measure by Freemans Sporting Club

Need a refresher, gentlemen? Enjoy a complimentary shave and haircut while learning about proper alterations from expert tailors.

Bloomingdales, 59th Street and Lexington Avenue

5-9 p.m.: Rye Bags Pop Up Shop

Rye Bags will be hosting a pop up at this downtown eyewear boutique. Enjoy cocktails as you shop the collection.

Bond 07 by Selima, 7 Bond Street

 

FEB 14

11 a.m. – 7 p.m.: Owen

Enjoy cupcakes, champagne and 10 percent off all merchandise. Also, 10 percent of all sales will be donated to the LGBT Community Center of NYC.

Owen, 809 Washington Street

1-4 p.m.: Barneys New York

Enjoy a glass of bubbly and a sweet treat as you shop. Plus, use your Barneys Credit Card and receive a candle with your purchase.

Barneys New York, Broadway and 76th Street

3-5 p.m.: BG x New Balance  

Join Bloggers Camille Charriere of Camille Over the Rainbow, Blair Eadie of Atlantic-Pacific, Tamu McPherson of All the Pretty Birds, Jane Aldridge of Sea of Shoes, and Anh Sundstrom of 9 to 5 Chic to view their exclusive New Balance collection.

Bergdorf Goodman, 754 Fifth Avenue, 5F

 

FEB 19

6 p.m.: Aimee Song Debuts Bracelet Collection

The Song of Style fashion blogger debuts her bracelets at Bloomingdales. Selfie with purchase? Possibly. Shoppers who snag her design may also be featured on her Instagram.

Bloomingdales, 59th Street and Lexington Avenue

1970s Inspired Jet-Set Beauty Event (running until Feb 28)

Dreaming of New York, Paris, and Milan? Get your fix at Saks Fifth Avenue. Check out “Global Entry” stations featuring makeup artists ready to create the beauty looks of each city.

Saks Fifth Avenue, 611 Fifth Avenue

 

FEB 25 & 26

Jason Wu Fashion Presentation

Shop the Fall 2015 collection straight from the runway at this two day event.

Saks Fifth Avenue, 611 Fifth Avenue



Read more at observer.com


Free Kanye West Concert February 11 2015

kayne west
Kanye West‘s upcoming show in New York City at Flatiron Plaza on the coming Thursday Feb. 12 will be for free. It’s going to be livestreamed for anyone who can’t be there or who prefers not to leave the house at the cold weather. The stream will be available at lifeandtimes.com.

The show is in honor of NBA All-Star Weekend that is taking place at Barcley's Center in Brooklyn and Madison Square Garden. 
At least 10,000 people are expected to attend. This has led to street closures and construction in the area, causing frustrations for local residents and businesses who feel the large stage and barricades are putting pedestrians too close to traffic on the busy street.
Work on Stage tweeted by glennschuck

Valentine's Day on Times Square February 08 2015

 

 

New Yorkers don’t really think of Times Square as a romantic place but for Valentine’s Day 2015 they might reconsider.

A Brooklyn-based architecture company, Stereotank, was announced as the winner of the annual Times Square Valentine Heart Design contest, a yearly competition to design a Valentine's Day sculpture. Stereotank’s HEARTBEAT installation is an interactive, pulsating, glowing urban drum as shown above.

 

According to the design site Bustler it is:  

"... a massive heart glowing to the rhythm of a strong, deep and low frequency heartbeat sound which changes its rate as visitors approach, move around and engage with it by playing various percussion instruments and joining the base rhythm of the heartbeat. The audience is invited to come together and creatively play, listen, dance and feel the vibrations of the heart while enjoying the warm pulsating light."

 

In 2014, "The Match-maker" was the winning sculpture: a heart-shaped tangle of tubes. Visitors arranged themselves at twelve points around the heart-shaped sculpture which promised to match New Yorkers by their "zodiac sign".

 

The romantic installation will open on February 9th and remain on the square for a month in Father Duffy Square, between 46th and 47th Streets.


Why Do People Love Times Square? February 06 2015

What is so special about Times Square, what makes it so magical, why is it the world's most visited.......? And this is where the sentence has to end because there is no precise definition of what Times Square is and what it represents. How to define it, it's not an attraction or sight, it's a place where Broadway crosses the the 7th and 8th Ave.. Pragmatically looking it's just an intersection but it's so much more. 

The lights, the bizarre creatures, the energy and feelings, people from all over the world united at one place and the constant transformation are maybe what makes Times Square different from all other places in New York and in the world. The video represents a part of what Times Square is about very well. 

Brian Vinik one of the people who commented on this video summarized: "Times Square is one of my favorite places in the world because of the freedom it represents, and the constant, undying energy. So this video really spoke to me, and really made me smile!"


What Times Square Looks Without Ads February 03 2015

 

First electrified advertisement on Times Square appeared on the side of a bank at the corner of 46th Street and Broadway. From then on the lights got more and more bright and today they are taking up every square inch of space. 

New Yorkers are divided on the disneyfication some of would prefer the gritty, crime-ridden Times Square of old to the light show it's become but judge yourself.


Bugs Bunny at Lincoln Center January 23 2015

Classical music turns into something completely different when a certain Wascally Wabbit gets involved.
Whether it was Rossini's "The Barber of Seville" (known to us as "The Rabbit of Seville") or Franz Liszt's "Hungarian Rhapsody No. 2" (featured in "Rhapsody Rabbit") or the music of Richard Strauss and Tchaikovsky (we heard it in "A Corny Concerto"), we probably heard the music first in a now-classic cartoon.
Emmy Award winner George Daugherty, who conducts the KSO, brought the idea of a live symphony performing to classic cartoons to the stage with 1990's "Bugs Bunny on Broadway." 


The concerts take place Friday, May 15, 2015, at 7:30 p.m.; Saturday, May 16 at 2:00 p.m.; and Saturday, May 16 at 7:30 p.m.
Tickets are available here

City Pass NYC Changes Attractions January 15 2015

 

The CityPass changes its face. The ticket to some of New York's most famous attractions, starting next March, sees an exit from MoMA (who knows why), instead the visitors can choose between the Intrepid Sea, Air and Space Museum and the September 11 Memorial. A slight price increase of $5, from $109 to $114, will be added.

In summary. Those who purchase the CityPass will have access during their holiday in NYC to the following attractions:

1) Empire State Building Observatory 

2) American Museum of Natural History

3) The Metropolitan Museum of Art

4) Option 1: Top of the Rock Observation Deck at the Rockefeller Center or

                    Guggenheim Museum

5) Option 2: Statue of Liberty & Ellis Island or

                    Circle Line Sightseeing Cruise

6) Option 3: 9/11 Memorial & Museum or

                    Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum



Output - The Hottest Beats in Brooklyn January 12 2015

Image via Detroitsoundslikethis.com

 

With a 452 person capacity and a host of exciting DJs visiting every week, the Output club is a haven for Brooklyn night owls who love the electro beats.

Their proud slogan: "Output is open to anyone, but is not for everyone. Output welcomes individuals who value the communal experience of music over cameras and bottle service".

Turns out lot of people choose cool DJs and hot beats over fancy - schmancy Manhattan pretentiousness, high heels-short skirt-balloon heads.  

 

Image via Michael Nagie

 

The sound system at this Williamsburg club is nearly perfect since most attention is being payed to the music. 

The no-photo policy is suppose to refocus attention on the music rather than selfie shots, the ban earned praise and condemnation in equal. 

 

 


A Bar Lounge in a Watertower January 10 2015

Reported on The Night Heron and BedfordandBowery.com

 

A new hotel will open in Williamsburg imagining that visitors are looking for something special, old style, original and authentic Brooklyn. Which is why one of their dives will be inside a water tower, a 30-seat bar and lounge, a playful and secret spot in the bar soaked neighborhood. In their presentation to Community Board developer Toby Moskovits, CEO of a family-owned outfit called Heritage Equity Partners and her team presented plans that include six on-premises bars, including a "lounge in a rooftop water tower," reports Bedford and Bowery.

 

The eight-story hotel at North 10th and Wythe will also be home to a ballroom-type bar and a basement bar as well as a club-like dance floor. The establishment will seek a cabaret license. A 70-seat restaurant is also part of the plan. The Community Board decided to support their application, disregarding the concerns of some committee members that questioned the quality of life. Jeff Mann, president of the Greenpoint Chamber of Commerce, supported the project, saying there was a need for temporary housing in the neighborhood and the hotel would provide that for traveling musicians “who bring in business” to the community.

The 150-room hotel, expected to be completed sometime this year, is right around the corner from the trendy Wythe Hotel


Broadway Week 2015 January 09 2015

Broadway Week is everyone’s big chance to see a show at a very affordable price, with two-for-one tickets to select Broadway productions from January 21 — February 6.

You can buy tickets starting today January 9, 2014 at 10:30 am. Tickets are available online. Please see specific information on blackout dates and exceptions for each show, as well as guidelines on the NYC & Company site at the bottom of the page. 

NYC & Company, the official tourist office of New York City, created the offer in partnership with The Broadway League. Long-running favorites such as “Chicago” and “The Lion King” are being joined by new participating Broadway Week shows such as “Kinky Boots,” “Matilda the Musical” and “After Midnight.”

All the Broadway shows participating in the Broadway Week 2015 discount offer are listed below.

 

Aladdin 

Disney's latest Broadway adaptation brings the fantastical world of streetwise hero Aladdin, his love Princess Jasmine, his evil nemesis Jafar and his magical sidekick the Genie to the Great White Way. Featuring beloved songs from the film's acclaimed soundtrack, this high-energy, visually stunning musical is directed by The Book of Mormon's Tony-winning Casey Nicholaw.

 

Beautiful: The Carole King Musical

Broadway phenom and Tony Award nominee Jessie Mueller (Mystery of Edwin Drood, On a Clear Day You Can See Forever, Nice Work If You Can Get It) stars as singer-songwriter King in this biographical musical, which uses the singer's most beloved songs to chart her journey—from humble Brooklyn beginnings to her years as a Brill Building songwriter alongside husband Gerry Goffin, through the release of her seminal albumTapestry and her rise to become one of the most successful female singer-songwriters of all time.

 

Cabaret

Emma Stone makes her Broadway debut as Sally Bowles in this revival ofCabaret, based on Oscar-winning director Sam Mendes' acclaimed 1998 Broadway staging of the musical. Alan Cumming will also reprise his Tony-winning turn as the Master of Ceremonies in this classic tale of love, loss and nightclub life in Weimar Berlin.

Chicago The Musical  

This quintessential Broadway experience features show-stopping tunes, slinky dancing and a story that revolves around murder, heartache, betrayal, revenge, friendship, fame and all that jazz. You won’t be disappointed by this Tony Award-winning show, which spawned the hit movie.

 

The curious incident of the dog in the night-time

 

An intelligent but unusual 15-year-old boy goes on a quest to prove his innocence in the death of a neighbor’s dog—and unearths a few secrets along the way. Based on Mark Haddon’s internationally best-selling novel of the same name, this drama comes to Broadway following a successful production in London’s West End, where it won seven Olivier Awards, including Best New Play.

 

A delicate balance

Emmy and Tony Award winner Glenn Close and Golden Globe and Emmy winner John Lithgow lead an illustrious cast in this revival of Edward Albee’s Pulitzer Prize–winning drama. Tony Award nominee Bob Balaban and Emmy and Tony Award nominee Martha Plimpton co-star in this sharply observed portrait of a suburban couple, whose bland routine is shattered by the arrival of some houseguests and the return of their newly divorced daughter.

 

Disgraced

This 2012 Pulitzer Prize–winning drama about race, assimilation, Muslim-American cultural identity and dinner parties finally comes to Broadway, after wildly successful runs in Chicago, London and Off-Broadway. London cast member Hari Dhillon stars alongside Boardwalk Empire’s Gretchen Mol and How I Met Your Mother’s Josh Radnor as guests at a dinner party where a discussion of traditions, race and faith turns uneasy.

 

A gentleman’s guide to love and murder

This lighthearted musical comedy about envy, intrigue and murder in Edwardian Britain follows the sinister efforts of a young man who—after finding himself ninth in line for dukedom—decides that he has no option but to knock off each of the eight relatives ahead of him…all of whom are portrayed by Tony winner Jefferson Mays (I Am My Own Wife).

 

Honeymoon in vegas

This new musical, based on the beloved 1992 Nicolas Cage comedy of the same name, stars Tony Danza as Tommy Korman, an aging gangster looking for one last chance at love (no matter the cost), and Rob McClure as Jack, the conflicted young man who must fight Tommy for the love of his fiancée—set against the splashy, campy backdrop of contemporary Las Vegas.

 

If/then

Original Rent cast members Idina Menzel and Anthony Rapp reunite on stage for the first time in this new musical from the Tony- and Pulitzer-winning songwriting team behind Next to Normal. If/Then follows the adventures of Elizabeth (Menzel) as she returns to Manhattan on the eve of her 40th birthday, in search of a fresh start. The show marks Menzel's first Broadway appearance since her 2003 turn as Elphaba in Wicked, for which she won a Tony.

 

It's only a play

Matthew Broderick, Nathan Lane, Stockard Channing, Rupert Grint and Megan Mullally head up a star-studded cast in the Broadway debut of legendary Tony- and Emmy-winning writer Terrence McNally’s new comedy. It’s Only a Play follows playwright Peter Austin on the opening night of his newest production, as he struggles with his best friend, his nervous producer, a hotshot young director and the nagging sense that his entire career is on the line.

Note that It's Only A Play  will run through January 18 at the Gerald Shoenfeld Theatre. The production will then move to the Bernard B. Jacobs Theatre for performances from January 23 forward.

 

Jersey boys

Jersey Boys tells the story of Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons: Frankie Valli, Bob Gaudio, Tommy DeVito and Nick Massi. The musical chronicles these blue-collar boys from the wrong side of the tracks on their journey to pop stardom. Dark Monday. 

 

Kinky boots

Grammy Award–winning singer-songwriter Cyndi Lauper and four-time Tony Award winner Harvey Fierstein coauthored this musical comedy, based on the 2005 indie film hit of the same name. A young man (aided by a wise, witty drag queen) saves his family’s struggling shoe business by producing sexy women’s shoes…for men.

 

Les miserables

Hear the people sing—again! Returning to the Imperial Theatre, the show's home during its original 12-year Broadway run, this blockbuster musical's newest production is based on the 2010 US touring version. The fourth-longest-running show in Broadway history, Les Miserables also returned to Broadway for a two-year engagement from 2006 to 2008, and, of course, was made into an Oscar-winning film in 2012.

 

The lion king

More than 55 million people around the world have come to discover the thrill, the majesty, the truly one-of-a-kind musical that is The Lion King. And there's no better place to experience this landmark entertainment event than in the city where it all began. Join us at the Minskoff Theatre, in the heart of Times Square, and discover the pride of New York.

 

Mamma mia!

Even if you’re not an ABBA fanatic, there’s no resisting the charm of this upbeat hit musical about a Greek island wedding and a young bride’s quest to connect with her biological father, who could be one of three different, wonderful men who once loved her free-spirited mother, who runs a beachside taverna. If you’re not dancing in the aisle—or at least tapping your feet—by the end of the night, have your doctor check your vital signs.

 

Matilda the musical

Transferring from a blockbuster run in London’s West End—where it received seven Olivier Awards, more than any other production in West End history—to a new home on Broadway, Roald Dahl’s classic story tracks a remarkable young girl who is mistreated by the adults in her life but (with the help of one caring teacher) finally discovers the true extent of her abilities. 

 

On the town

Three sailors on shore leave for one night in New York City look for excitement—and love—in Leonard Bernstein’s quintessential 1944 musical comedy. Directed by John Rando (A Christmas Story) and choreographed by Joshua Bergasse (Smash), this revival—the first to hit Broadway since 1998—stays true to the playful, sexy spirit of the original production.

 

The phantom of the opera

Andrew Lloyd Webber’s most famous creation, based on a popular French novel, is the longest-running musical on Broadway. Night after night, audiences are moved and awed by this ghost story with a heart, a darker version of Beauty and the Beast, in which a deformed musical genius gives voice lessons to a struggling singer, falls in love and attempts to force her to return his feelings. The passionate music, suspenseful plot twists and spooky ambiance of the show leave a lasting impression. 

 

The river

 

Transferring from an acclaimed run at London’s Royal Court Theatre, Jez Butterworth’s new play—his first since the Tony-nominated Jerusalem—stars Hugh Jackman as a mysterious fisherman who brings women up to his isolated cabin for an annual evening of angling. But once they’re there, things take a surprising (and reality-bending) turn.

 

Wicked

Celebrating its tenth anniversary and winner of over 50 major awards, including the Grammy Award and three Tony Awards, Wicked is the untold story of the witches of Oz. Long before Dorothy drops in, two other girls meet in the Land of Oz. One, born with emerald-green skin, is smart, fiery and misunderstood. The other is beautiful, ambitious and very popular. Wicked tells the story of their remarkable odyssey—how these two unlikely friends grow to become the Wicked Witch of the West and Glinda the Good. Based on the novel by Gregory Maguire, Wicked has music and lyrics by Stephen Schwartz (Godspell, Pippin, Enchanted), and a book by Winnie Holzman (My So-Called Life, thirtysomething, Huge). The production is directed by Tony Award winner Joe Mantello (Three Days of RainDogfight, Other Desert Cities) with musical staging by Wayne Cilento (Sweet Charity,Aida, The Who’s Tommy).

 

You can't take it with you

Adhering steadfastly to the notion that money can't buy happiness, the freewheeling Sycamore clan has forsaken boring the nine-to-five grind for idiosyncratic hobbies and offbeat pursuits. But when youngest daughter Alice brings her fiancé and his conservative—and judgmental—parents to dinner, it throws the family’s happy state of controlled chaos out of kilter. Tony winner James Earl Jones returns to Broadway in a revival of Kaufman and Hart's 1936 classic comedy.

 

 


10 Best TV Show Sets in New York January 06 2015

sex and the city

New York is the set to many movies and TV Shows. We chose ten famous New York based TV show sets.

 

1. Sex and the City

Many of the interior scenes were shot at Silver Cup Studios in Long Island City, much of the series was shot on the streets, bars, restaurants, stores, clubs etc. making New York City the actual star of HBO’s Sex and the CityIt’s been more than ten years since Sex and the City went off the air, and we’re still watching, quoting, reliving, reminiscing, and continuing the eternal city and love debate.

 

2. Gossip Girl

gossip girl, new york

America’s most popular television drama, Gossip Girl, based on the book series written by Cecily Von Ziegesar. This show is fun because it features “Manhattan’s Elite,” and “Gossip Girl” astutely portrayed how, today, everyone who’s anyone is a tipster, fixer, and author.

 

3. Friends

The beloved ’90s sitcom where bunch of sketchily-employed twenty somethings can afford to live, with tremendous ease, in a brace of gloriously spacious apartments in the West Village. New Yorkers know how far from reality this is but we still enjoyed watching it. 

 

4. The Nanny

When she appears on the doorstep of the Upper East Side Townhouse of a wealthy widower Maxwell Sheffield, cosmetics saleswoman Fran Fine, a Jewish Queens native unexpectedly gets a job as the nanny for the Broadway producer's three children. Her voice rings in our ears till today. 

 

5. Seinfeld

The first sitcom in television history that was “a show about nothing.” But that description was of course lazy. It was never a farce. It was social satire. Seinfeld simply argued that nothing is all that any rational person can expect out of life. Most episodes of Seinfeld in a longer indirect way forward two worldviews: Number one is that most people are bad and not very smart. Number two is that caring about other people is absurd and not very practical. All of this in a very funny way. Are they right?

 

6. How I met your Mother

Taking place mostly at New York's streets, bars, apartments and parks this sitcom was one of the most loved all over the globe. But, the end and the last episode many referred to as "Disappointed." "Betrayed." "Violated." Not words you'd usually attribute to a beloved sitcom, but that was the general consensus among fans following the series finale of How I met your Mother. Ted Mosby's wife Tracy McConnell, the titular "Mother," passed away. Getting there is half fun not in the case of this series. 

 

7. Girls

A comedy about the experiences of a group of girls in their early 20s. Created, written, and directed by the twenty-six-year-old Lena Dunham, who plays the wannabe memoirist Hannah Horvath, a native New Yorker.

 

8. Mad Men

mad men

Mad Men is set in the 1960s, initially at the fictional Sterling Cooper advertising agency on Madison Avenue in New York City, later Sterling Cooper & Partners, located nearby in the Time-Life Building, at 1271 Sixth Avenue.

 

9. Law & Order

The show follows a crime, adapted from current headlines, from two separate vantage points. The first part of the show concentrates on the investigation of the crime by the police, the second follows the prosecution of the crime in court. NYPD, NYC's court houses and criminal system are being portrayed. 

 

10. The Cosby Show

Centering itself around a gorgeous Brooklyn Heights brownstone, the Huxtable family inspired America by radiating warmth and healthy family influence while managing to be hilarious and heart warming.


Some Great Advice for 2015 December 31 2014

2014 is behind us and everybody has its own way of celebrating the new year. Some of us in a more fun way than others. We thought the best way might be to start the new year with some advices and a smile on your face. 

 

When you've been partying all night you always have to lock your door before going to bed.

 

If you go to get drinks keep in mind that others might had the same idea.

 

Not everybody is welcome think twice before you show up uninvited.

 

We can't emphasize enough how important it is to lock your door.

 

Never play too much on your phone during a party people want your attention.

 

Be careful when somebody opens a bottle of Champagne.

 

Friends always have your back.

 

Nobody likes when you arrive late.

 

 

Make sure to hide all your firework before you take a nap. 

 

....and never wake up a sleeping beauty. 

 

Happy 2015 from The New York Nightlife Team!

 

 

 


10 Breathtaking Pictures of NYC From Above December 29 2014

 

New York is the most famous city of the USA, and Manhattan is the most known part of New York. It all started 1624 when the most profitable land deal in human history was made: the Native Americans "sold" (Indians did not regard land as something to buy and sell, something of wealth. To them, it was just there to use, like the air and waterManna-hata (the island of many hills) for 60 guilders (today value ~ $1000).

Since that time the island has changed dramatically. The city seen from above appears unreal something only imagination can create. After Hong Kong New York City has the second most skyscrapers in the world, 235.  

Present day Manhattan is the most populated island on the planet. The land itself costs about 40 billion US dollars, and the cost of the entire Manhattan, including its real estate, reaches over 3 trillion US dollars.

A fairtale in pictures. 

 

1. Central Park, the lung of the metropolis surrounded by skyscrapers. 

2. Empire State Building, the iconic and world famous tower. 

3. The Verrazano Bridge, the starting point of NYC marathon.

 

4. The view from above of one of the most stylish buildings on the planet, The Chrysler Building.

5. Statue of Liberty seen from the air.

6. Midtown and the Times Square area.

7. Downtown and the financial district at night.

8. The UN Plaza and the UN Building.

9. Columbus Circle, one of the very few Grid - System - Surviver

10. The New York Yankees Stadium