Category: Kay’s Free Picks

An Inside Walk Worth Taking

 

NO UMBRELLAS NEEDED ON THIS WALK!

The Oculus at WTC
Inside The Oculus-Photo by me

I was with my Tribeca family and we walked from their apartment thru Brookfield Place down the escalators across the walk and onto Westfield which recently opened in the soaring space of The Oculus.

The Oculus!  The Transportation Hub at the World Trade Center designed by the internationally renowned architect  Santiago Calvatrava of Spain.

I thought it was stunningly beautiful!  How do you combine a subway station and a mall into a grand open shining space…call on a famous architect that’s what you do.  Amazing!

Best way to do this walk?  I always suggest to check out websites to see what’s happening not only at Westfield, but also at Brookfield Place. They are connected and  you’ll never have to go outside. Often special events are taking place that will just add to the fun.   This is not a quiet walk, but it sure is exciting, especially the first time you do it.   By the way, stopped at the new Eataly and enjoyed a lovely wine  and pizza with my family overlooking the World Trade Center and the new Liberty Park.

It’s a huge place so when you go be sure to plan your day, don’t rush,  people-watch, perhaps  walk over  to Brookfield Place and take in a view of the Hudson or do it all in reverse.  Along your way, you’ll find many places to stop for something to eat plus, of course, a glass of wine or an old-fashioned to  give  your feet a rest and decide where  your next steps will take you on this inside walk!

oculus 10

Enjoy!

Kay’s Notes:

Important to know: It can get a little crazy during commuting times – so keep in mind it is a transportation hub.

Websites:  About The Oculus,  Westfield  and Brookfield Place

http://www.panynj.gov/wtcprogress/transportation-hub.html

https://www.westfield.com/westfieldworldtradecenter

https://brookfieldplaceny.com/

Cost:  Seeing the buildings- free. shopping, eating and drinking? As the old song goes sung by Frank Sinatra and Ruth Etting (back in the day)  “It all depends on you”!

Where to eat:  A huge selection of places- as of this post – not all opened but will be very soon.

Restrooms: Plenty

Kid Friendly:  Without a doubt

 

*Disclaimer – I try for correct info on Kay’s Notes– but no guarantees people.

 

IT WAS HOT, BUT OH SO COOL!

Temperatures about 100 – with humidity to match, but we were all there raising our voices to…. the public domain!    It was spectacular  and I consider myself so very fortunate to have been part of this once in a lifetime event– all sweating together and having a glorious  time!

The "public domain" chorus gathers at Josie Robertson Plaza at Lincoln Center on Saturday in New York, NY.

I couldn’t have said it better….. taken from Today’s August 15th New York Times review by critic Anthony Tommasini…..“By the time the singers had taken their places round the fountain, an audience of roughly 2000 had arrived, despite the sweltering humidity.  True to its title, “the public domain” was an inspiring outdoor musical event; it also proved an intricate, rich musical composition.”

As a very personal note – I received a text from my sister who said, “Dad, would have loved this.”   She was so right, our father absolutely loved music of all kinds – and this event would have caused him much joy, as it did me.

I love this City!

Kay’s Notes:

Important to know: google  http://mostlymozart.org/thepublicdomain you will find  a video from Lincoln Center on the making of “the public domain”and the performance.

Maybe ….. Interesting to know: When you go to the site, it opens with photos of some of us…. I’m on the top row – number 3 – behind the word “domain”….taken at the last rehearsal at the John Jay College gymnasium.

Disclaimer – I try for correct info on Kay’s Notes – but no guarantees people.

 

999 Singers And Me This Saturday at 5 – the public domain!

 

 

 

From the website

“One of the defining qualities of the Mostly Mozart Festival is the warm, enthusiastic bond that exists between performers and audiences. This year, which marks 50 years of the festival, we celebrate this beautiful relationship with the world premiere of Pulitzer Prize winner David Lang’s ambitious choral work the public domain. Presented outdoors on Lincoln Center’s iconic campus, the work honors the collective knowledge that connects us all, bringing together 1,000 volunteer vocalists for a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Conducted by Simon Halsey, Choral Director of the London Symphony Orchestra, with local conductors leading rehearsals across New York City, the public domain is a groundbreaking work of unprecedented scale”

Kay’s Notes:  There will be a video on line 48 hours following the performance.  Remember – it’s free.  I’ll be wearing my hat!

Summer Streets Starts Today FREE! …Kay’s Free Pick

 

PARK AVENUE CLOSED TO TRAFFIC  FOR SUMMER STREETS

ONLY ON SATURDAYS – THREE DATES – TODAY AUGUST 6TH, AUGUST 13TH AND THE 20TH FROM 7 AM TO 1 PM!
Summer Streets 2016

Summer time and the walking is easy!

It’s fun to do.  Lots of activities like  music, a water slide, games, Zipline  and lots and lots of people.  But, only walkers, bikers, roller bladers, scooters, strollers, skater boarders, etc., are allowed.    And, because I live on the UES, a stop at St Bart’s outside restaurant for a Mimosa is definitely in order to stay cool and watch the fun! Event is free – the Mimosa ??? Nope!

Citi Summer Streets Returns to NYC: Saturday’s 8/6, 8/13 & 8/20

From Summer Streets 2016 website -NYC Department of Transportation. Check it out – website below

“Summer Streets is an annual celebration of New York City’s most valuable public space—our streets. On three consecutive Saturdays in August, nearly seven miles of NYC’s streets are opened for people to play, run, walk and bike. Summer Streets provides space for healthy recreation and encourages New Yorkers to use more sustainable forms of transportation. In 2015, nearly 300,000 people took advantage of the open streets.

Summer Streets is modeled on other events from around the world including Ciclovía in Bogotá, Colombia and the Paris Plage in France and has since inspired other such events around the world such as CicloRecreo Via and London’s Regent Street Summer Streets.

Held between 7:00 am to 1:00 pm, Summer Streets extends from the Brooklyn Bridge to Central Park, along Park Avenue and connecting streets, with easy access from all points in New York City, allowing participants to plan a trip as long or short as they wish. All activities at Summer Streets are free of charge, and designed for people of all ages and ability levels to share the streets respectfully.

Summer Streets is a project of the New York City Department of Transportation.”

Kay’s Notes: This post is a little late for today’s events – but in plenty of time for the 13th and the 20th. 

Important to know:  It’s a great walk – see the City along Park Avenue from a different perspective.   Police are very helpful because cars still want to go cross town – and there are volunteers  with signs that say “stop” or “go” or something like that.    Definitely check out the website to see where along the route the activities take place.

Restrooms – Hotels along the way – couldn’t find if they are having any of those portable conveniences.  But  plenty of Starbucks and other restaurants a block east or west of Park.

Remember it starts at 7 AM and ends at 1 PM.

Disclaimer – I try for correct info on Kay’s Notes – but no guarantees people.

 

“Too many notes”..said the Emperor

Mark your calendar — “Amadeus” kicks off the Summer HD Festival at The Met Plaza on Friday August 26th at 7:45  — get there early — bring food, a jacket, maybe a small umbrella — check the weather —  and watch the action before the movie even starts!   See you there!

I T ‘ S    F R E E !

Kay’s Notes:

See my post of July 26th for full info on the Festival   “Get ready – the Outdoor Free Summer HD Series starts in August”

Photo of Cover of DVD 

 Disclaimer – I try for correct info on Kay’s Notes– but no guarantees people.

Kay’s Free Picks – SHAKESPEARE IN THE PARKING LOT!

After the fireworks, the barbecues, the mojitos, the beer, the hotdogs and the  s’mores – how about some free Shakespeare?  No lines, no tickets and always free!  The Drilling Company has been doing these outdoor productions since 1995 in a parking lot and the last few years also at Bryant Park.   For more information about  this great group and specific days and times of these productions and the rest that run through the summer, go to their website. The information below is from their site.

http://www.shakespeareintheparkinglot.com

SHAKESPEARE IN THE PARKING LOT

“The Drilling Company performs free outdoor Shakespeare in the Parking Lot behind The Clemente (Clemente Soto Velez Cultural and Educational Center), located at 114 Norfolk Street (east side of Norfolk Street between Delancey and Rivington Streets), just three blocks from the municipal parking lot where the plucky New York cultural attraction started in 1995.”

JULY 7 TO 24

“MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S DREAM”
“A Midsummer Night’s Dream” is a tale of love and enchantment that is simultaneously set in the woodland and in the realm of Fairyland, under the light of the moon. Shakespeare in the Parking Lot, ever fond of holding a mirror up to its own neighborhood, is adapting the story into a fable of the Lower East Side in the first production of its 2016 season. Kathy Curtiss directs.”

SHAKESPEARE AT BRYANT PARK

In Midtown – behind NY Public Library – between 40th and 42nd Streets and Fifth and Sixth Avenues.

July 21 to 23

“As You Like It” with music by Natalie Smith
“The magical comedy is set in the classical Victorian era and everything becomes Steampunk when the scene shifts to the Forest of Arden. This production premiered in our parking lot last season. The New York Times wrote, “it’s easy to find magic here” and praised the leading performances as “wonderful by any standard.”

Kay’s Notes*  “All the world’s a stage” says Will

This will be my first time going to one of their productions.  My first inclination is to go to Bryant Park as it is much easier for me to get to, but inwardly I’m  being pulled and tugged  to go to the parking lot – where these performances began and sit among the cars!   I just figured it out, I can do both.  Love this City!

 

Shakespeare cartoon drawing – courtesy of the Drilling Company

*Disclaimer – I try for correct info on Kay’s Notes and my posts  but no guarantees people.

 

Kay’s Picks – NYC Pride March Sunday June 26- Event Passed

 

(Photograph: Filip Wolak)

The March  takes place in NYC on Sunday, June 26, 2016 at noon.

IT’S FREE!

  • It begins at 36th Street and Fifth Avenue and ends at Christopher and Greenwich Streets in the West Village. See the route map here.
  • This year’s theme is Equality Needs You. Last year’s March was a joyous occasion coming mere days after the Supreme Court ruled in favor of marriage equality, but now, there’s a serious note as we realize how far we still have to go.
  • Because of the Orlando shootings, there will be added security this year, with hundreds of security guards throughout the March. Nothing has been cancelled.

For more info on the March and other events go to: http://nycpride.org

Write up and photo – courtesy of TimeOut NY and NYCPride.org

 

 

 

Kay’s Free Picks – Night at the Museums Downtown Event Passed – was June 21

TUESDAY JUNE 21  4 TO 8 pm

FREE MAJOR EVENT –

NIGHT AT THE MUSEUMS – DOWNTOWN

www.mjhnyc.org/nightatthemuseums

From the Night at the Museums’  website.

“The museums and historic landmarks of Lower Manhattan are an American treasure. Explore one of the most diverse and concentrated groups of museums in the world – 15 sites – all within comfortable walking distance of each other. 

Special this year  are  free musical celebrations on the  21st, the longest day of the year, with over 1,200 concerts on streets, sidewalks, and parks across the five boroughs.

 Museums  include: African Burial Ground National Monument, The Anne Frank Center USA, Federal Hall National Memorial, Fraunces Tavern® Museum, Museum of American Finance, Museum of Jewish Heritage—A Living Memorial to the Holocaust, National Archives at New York City, National Museum of the American Indian—Smithsonian Institution, National September 11 Memorial Museum, 9/11 Tribute Center, Poets House, The Skyscraper Museum, South Street Seaport Museum and Wall Street Walks.”

Note: some museums require advance reservations – still free – but necessary .

Hope to see you there!

Enjoy!

Kay’s Notes:  Just go to their website – everything you ever wanted to know about Night at the Museums is there!