…With apologies to Arthur Miller, Brooklyn Bridge Park is a work in progress.
By Nancy Mandell
Last week, Karen Altfest hosted a docent-led tour of the Neue Museum’s collection of Viennese and German art with 15 of her sister alums from McGill University. After a fascinating tour of works by German artist Otto Dix (on view through Aug. 30), we stopped for lunch in the museum’s Café Zabarsky. Read More…
Halfway through its 40th FREE season of international and avant garde music and dance Lincoln Center Out of Doors Festival is in full swing. Since it was launched as a small festival of street theater in 1971, Out of Doors has commissioned some 90 works from composers and choreographers and presented hundreds of major dance companies, world-renowned musicians and legendary jazz, folk, gospel, blues and rock performers. Read More…
…New York’s parks and piers offer free films all summer long.
By Nancy Mandell
There have been days this summer when the only appealing destination was an air-conditioned movie theater. But even senior ticket holders pay a pretty price for the privilege. So, before the season escapes us, it’s time to consider a different kind of film-going—one that offers a wide variety of films in a variety of scenic venues that share two significant elements in common: The movies are free, and the seats are outdoors, under the stars. From river to river, from uptown to down, New York is truly a summer film festival. Read More…
…and some unusual ways to enjoy it.
By Nancy Mandell
Did you know that you don’t have to pack your bags, stop the mail or kennel the dog to enjoy a spectacular summer cruise in this city? Of course you’re aware of the Circle Line offerings that ferry tourists around the island and the Spirit Cruises from Chelsea Piers that gussy up the trips with buffet meals and loud music. But how about a liesurely sail up or down the Hudson and East Rivers on historic ships that combine offshore breezes with a whiff of maritime history? Read More…
By Nancy Mandell, guest blogger
The fleet is in—or soon will be—and not a moment too soon for anyone who, like me, has been immersed in World War II through “The Pacific,” the 10-part HBO miniseries produced by Steven Spielberg and Tom Hanks. Add to that, three new episodes of PBS Mysteries’ “Foyle’s War,” just aired, and it’s no wonder I’m excited at the prospect of watching the U.S. Navy vessels that will begin their parade up the Hudson River next Wednesday morning.
This year, four ships will make their way to the reviewing stand at Pier 86 (46th Street and Hudson River Park), home of the Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum, where senior military and political leaders will be on hand to welcome them. The USS Iwo Jima (Pier 88 South), the USCG Katherine Walker (Pier 88 North) and the HMCS Athabaskan (also Pier 88 South) will be open to visitors from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. every day from Wednesday, the 26th through the holiday weekend. Lines will be capped at 4 p.m. The Athabaskan arrives on May 25th and departs the morning of Sunday, May 30, a day when all the ships will be closed to visitors.
The official high point of the holiday weekend takes place at 11 a.m. Monday when the annual Memorial Day celebration will include a ceremonial wreath laying, a three-volley salute, a flyover of military aircraft in the “Missing Man” formation, and the unfurling of a 100-foot American flag.
The entertainment at the pier promises to be a treat. At noon on Friday, May 28th the ladies in the cast of “Lend Me a Tenor” will host a Broadway showcase that includes performances from “Memphis,” “Promises Promises,” “American Idiot,” “Addam’s Family,” “Million Dollar Quartet” and “Hair.” At sunset, the Intrepid Summer Movie Series launches its 2010 season with “Top Gun.”
At noon on Saturday, you can catch a performance by the Broadway cast of “Wicked.” Stay on for a Tug of War at 12:30 p.m., and a performance by the West Point Jazz Knights Band at 2:30. From 5 to 7 p.m. Saturday night, Miss Babs & the Kickin’ Boogie Band and Reckon So will bring country music to the city. (Beware: Dancing is allowed on the pier!)
Tickets for the Intrepid Museum itself can be purchased at https://tickets.intrepidmuseum.org in advance for specific days.
By Nancy Mandell, guest blogger
It was one of those gorgeous summer preview days in early April—a day that simply had to be spent outdoors. My friend and I considered the possibilities: Central Park, a Brooklyn walking tour, the Battery Park City Esplanade. But was there anything new under the Manhattan sun that we hadn’t experienced? Read More…
By Nancy Mandell, guest blogger
The Meadowlands: You’ve stared at it across the Hudson for years. You may have cheered the Jets or Giants in its stadium, or watched Springsteen or BonJovi in concert. It’s swampland, right? With some landfill to support the stadium, racetrack, concert halls and now—nearing construction—a weirdly multi-color structure called the Xanadu shopping center.
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