Events &amp; Things To Do

A massive sculptural portrait was unveiled on the Jersey City waterfront this week, along with a new public plaza. Created by Barcelona-based artist Jaume Plensa, Water's Soul is a monumental 80-foot-tall sculpture depicting a young person in contemplation. The new permanent artwork sits on the Hudson River in Newport, the master-planned, mixed-use community developed by the LeFrak Organization and Simon Property Group.
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Events & Things To Do

NYC’s newest observation deck Summit One Vanderbilt officially opens

Photos courtesy of SUMMIT One Vanderbilt

October 22, 2021

NYC’s newest observation deck Summit One Vanderbilt officially opens

Midtown's tallest office tower opened its observation deck this week, adding to the city's ever-growing list of sky-high, for-sale spectacles. Designed by Snøhetta, One Vanderbilt's Summit stretches across floors 91 through 93 at the 1,401-foot-tall tower and offers incredible views across a 65,000-square-foot multi-level entertainment venue about 1,000 feet in the air. Tickets start at $39 for general admission and climb to $83 for evening admission that comes with a cocktail.
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NYC Street Vendor Project launches a citywide scavenger hunt to help local vendors rebound

Photo by Anton on Unsplash

October 22, 2021

NYC Street Vendor Project launches a citywide scavenger hunt to help local vendors rebound

Beginning November 14, street food lovers are invited to join their favorite food carts and treats trucks for the first-ever NYC Street Vendor Scavenger Hunt. Participants will get to compete in fun challenges, meet the vendors and, of course, sample the food, to win prizes and help support the Street Vendor Project of the Urban Justice Center–the city's only street vendor organization.
Gather your squad and start sleuthing

The best 2021 Halloween happenings and spooky spectacles in NYC

Photo of 2015 Village Halloween Parade by Peter Burka on Flickr

October 18, 2021

The best 2021 Halloween happenings and spooky spectacles in NYC

New York City really shows its creative side for Halloween, and after a year of laying low, everyone's ready for some trick-or-treat action. The epic Village Halloween Parade is back on, parks and pumpkin patches are putting their fall bounty on display, and our favorite gathering, shopping, and dining spots are stocking up on candy and planning fun events. For the best ideas, browse our list of Halloween haunts and happenings from family-friendly to wicked and wild.
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Events & Things To Do

The faces of 1,200 New Yorkers now greet visitors outside of the Port Authority bus terminal

All photos: Alexandre Ayer / @DiversityPics for the Garment District Alliance.

October 15, 2021

The faces of 1,200 New Yorkers now greet visitors outside of the Port Authority bus terminal

The Port Authority bus terminal in Midtown may not be one of New York City's most beautiful places, but the world’s busiest terminal recently got a beauty boost in the form of a 40-foot-high, 600-foot-wide gallery wall that features the diverse and fabulous faces of over 1,200 New Yorkers. The Garment District Alliance (GDA) and the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey (PANYNJ) have collaborated to bring the giant photo gallery, "Inside Out: NY Together," part of an international initiative by world-renowned artist JR, to the Manhattan bus gateway.
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Events & Things To Do

See David Chipperfield’s plans to renovate the historic townhouse at 1014 Fifth Avenue

Image © Sebastian Kaempf, KARO Architects

October 14, 2021

See David Chipperfield’s plans to renovate the historic townhouse at 1014 Fifth Avenue

From October 14 through October 17, cultural organization 1014 will introduce the public to prize-winning architect David Chipperfield's plans for the renovation of an Upper East Side historic and cultural gem at 1014 Fifth Avenue. Built in 1907 and flanked by two 15-story apartment buildings, the Beaux-Arts townhouse faces the Metropolitan Museum of Art. The renowned British architect was chosen in 2020 to design the building's future form after an international competition that included some of the field's most noted names. This weekend “1014 Past and Future” and related programming are taking place as part of Archtober and Open House New York.
Find out more about this unique global cultural hub

Christie’s will auction works from top contemporary artists to benefit New York City AIDS Memorial

Photo: John Moore, Circular Space Photography

October 12, 2021

Christie’s will auction works from top contemporary artists to benefit New York City AIDS Memorial

As the New York City AIDS Memorial celebrates the 10th anniversary of its founding, Christie’s has announced "UNQUESTIONING LOVE: An Auction to Benefit the New York City AIDS Memorial." The November auction will present a select group of 19 artworks by leading contemporary artists that will be sold across two live sales. The Post-War and Contemporary Art Day Sale on November 12 will feature a selection of 16 artworks by contemporary art stars, with works by Elmgreen & Dragset, Sam Gilliam, the Haas Brothers, Jim Hodges, Shara Hughes, KAWS, Rashid Johnson, Trevor Paglen, Adam Pendleton, Ugo Rondinone, Sarah Sze, Salman Toor, Jonas Wood, and Lisa Yuskavage, many made for the event.
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Events & Things To Do

Photo of 2019 Village Halloween Parade by Steven Pisano on Flickr

October 5, 2021

The 2021 Village Halloween Parade is officially back on

The Village Halloween Parade is officially back this year thanks to a major donation. The beloved event was scheduled to return after a pandemic-related hiatus, but a lack of funds threatened to cancel the 2021 parade, according to organizers. The parade set a fundraising goal of $150,000 by October 5, and with the help of 183 donors who contributed over $11,000 and Jason Feldman and his wife Missy who made up the difference, the spooky show will go on.
Details here

Events & Things To Do

October 1, 2021

The 7 best places to see fall foliage outside NYC

By Rebecca Fishbein

A downside to living in a thriving city is that air pollution makes for poor fall foliage, though some spots in town—Wave Hill, Pelham Bay Park—still boast colorful leaves at the end of October. But if you take a short trip outside the city limits, you can see some beautiful autumn colors, all within a day’s drive. Ahead, we've rounded up our seven favorites, from Mohonk Mountain House to Bear Mountain to the Storm King Art Center.
Check out all the spots

Events & Things To Do

A 24-ton stone sphere is hanging in the lobby of Philip Johnson’s 550 Madison Avenue tower

A massive blue spherical stone now hangs in the lobby of the landmarked office building 550 Madison Avenue, part of a broader project to revitalize Philip Johnson's postmodern gem. The Olayan Group on Wednesday unveiled the renovated space, a project which included preserving the 110-foot arched entry, adding a multi-story window across from the entrance with views through to the new garden, still under construction, and the centerpiece art commission. Designed by artist Alicja Kwade, who had a solo exhibition at the Metropolitan Museum of Art's roof garden in 2019, the art installation includes a 24-ton Azul Macaubas stone sphere hanging from ten polished stainless steel chains only 12 feet above the floor.
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7 historic treasures to check out at the new NYPL exhibit

Photo: Max Touhey/ NYPL

September 29, 2021

7 historic treasures to check out at the new NYPL exhibit

More than 250 historic items and artifacts, many of which the public has never seen before, are now on display in New York City. The Polonsky Exhibition of the New York Public Library's Treasures opened at the Stephen A. Schwarzman Building last week, showing off just some of the institution's incredible collection of objects, images, letters, manuscripts, and more that spans 4,000 years in history. From a draft copy of the Declaration of Independence written by Thomas Jefferson to the stuffed bear that inspired the Winnie-the-Pooh stories, the library's first permanent exhibition allows the public to connect intimately with history at no cost.
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Waldorf Astoria launches 90th anniversary oral history project

Photo via Wikimedia Commons

September 28, 2021

Waldorf Astoria launches 90th anniversary oral history project

October 1 marks 90 years since the Waldorf Astoria opened its doors on Park Avenue. It was the world's tallest hotel for 32 years and became perhaps the most famous hotel on the globe, too, attracting Hollywood’s elite, world leaders, and famed cultural events and galas. Since 2016, the landmark has been closed for a restoration and reimagination that will bring 375 hotel rooms and suites, along with 375 luxury condos as part of The Towers of the Waldorf Astoria. In anticipation of the reopening in early 2023, and to mark its nine-decade-long history, a new website called Waldorf Stories will "honor, document, and preserve the oral history of the world’s most famous hotel through stories told by the people that lived them."
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Fun food festivals are coming to the Upper West Side and South Street Seaport this month

Taste of the Upper West Side in 2019. Photo via Taste of the Upper West Side.

September 27, 2021

Fun food festivals are coming to the Upper West Side and South Street Seaport this month

This weekend, Taste of the Upper West Side returns, with more than 80 chefs, restaurants, and culinary personalities celebrating the neighborhood and offering up unlimited food, wine, beer, and spirits. And later this month, Taste of the Seaport will take place at Piers 16 and 17, where over 30 Lower Manhattan restaurants will participate, along with live music and art and a special kids' zone.
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September 24, 2021

MTA unveils colorful new subway mosaics at Bedford and 1st Avenue L train stations

This week, the MTA unveiled two new mosaic series at the 1st Avenue and Bedford Avenue L train stations. In the East Village, artist Katherine Bradford created Queens of the Night, a fanciful tribute to the creatives and essential workers (depicted as superheroes) who ride the L train. And in Williamsburg, artist Marcel Dzama created No Less Than Everything Comes Together, a collection of theatric fairytale-like figures under the sun and moon.
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Supersized origami sculptures land in NYC’s Garment District

Photos courtesy of Alexandre Ayer / @DiversityPics for the Garment District Alliance

September 22, 2021

Supersized origami sculptures land in NYC’s Garment District

Seven supersized origami-inspired sculptures are now on display in Midtown Manhattan as part of the neighborhood's latest public art exhibit. Installed by the Garment District Alliance and the Department of Transportation, the exhibition, Hacer: Transformations, features brightly colored steel sculptures of animals that vary in size and resemble the paper-folding art. Created by California-based artist Hacer, the installation will be on display along Broadway between 36th and 39th Streets through November 23.
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Events & Things To Do

Futuristic hotel/condo tower designed by a Zaha Hadid alum will rise near LaGuardia Airport

Renderings courtesy of SASI Studio

September 17, 2021

Futuristic hotel/condo tower designed by a Zaha Hadid alum will rise near LaGuardia Airport

A high-rise hotel and condo building designed by a former senior architect at Zaha Hadid's firm is coming to Queens. Located at 112-51 Northern Boulevard in Corona, the 25-story mixed-use development, dubbed Eastern Emerald, will have roughly 250 hotel rooms, 191 apartments, and a conference and performing arts center. The 370+ foot project, which will break ground this month, features a futuristic, environmentally-friendly design that will reduce carbon emissions and use clean energy for heating and cooling systems.
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12 best spots for beers and brats in NYC this Oktoberfest

Photo by Brett Sayles on Pexels

September 17, 2021

12 best spots for beers and brats in NYC this Oktoberfest

While the world's largest folk festival in Germany has been canceled for the second year in a row because of the coronavirus, New Yorkers can still commemorate Oktoberfest. Starting this weekend, breweries, beer gardens, and bars across New York City are celebrating Bavarian culture with big brews, German-inspired grub, live music, and fun contests. Ahead, find 11 spots that recreate the magic of Munich during Oktoberfest. And remember, if you're dining and drinking inside, you'll have to show proof of vaccination.
Full list ahead

Archtober 2021: This year’s best in-person and virtual architecture and design events

Photo of Little Island by Michael Grimm Photography, Photo of Freshkills Park courtesy of Rebecka Gordon, Photo of the Brooklyn Central Library by the Center for Architecture, and Photo of the Brooklyn Bridge by Ling Tang on Unsplash

September 15, 2021

Archtober 2021: This year’s best in-person and virtual architecture and design events

A monthlong celebration of architecture and design returns to New York City next month with a mix of virtual and in-person events. Now in its 11th year, the Center for Architecture's Archtober includes a host of events, exhibitions, and expert-led tours and talks, all of which provide a behind-the-scenes look at the buildings, cultural institutions, and public space that make New York, New York. For the second year in a row because of the coronavirus, the festival will feature a combination of in-person and virtual programming, allowing more people than ever to participate. Ahead, find just some of our favorite events happening for the festival, which runs through the month of October.
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Summit One Vanderbilt reveals 1,000-foot-high mirrored art experience

All photos courtesy of SUMMIT One Vanderbilt

September 14, 2021

Summit One Vanderbilt reveals 1,000-foot-high mirrored art experience

Tickets officially go on sale today for Summit One Vanderbilt, the Midtown East tower's 1,000+ foot observation deck. Previously, we got a look at the two skyboxes that allow guests to stand on completely transparent glass 1,063 feet above Madison Avenue, and now developer SL Green has revealed even more of the sky-high attractions, including an all-glass outdoor elevator (yes, even the floor!) that travels up the side of the building to over 1,200 feet. But perhaps most mesmerizing is an art installation called Air created by Kenzo Digital. Covered on three sides, along with the floor and ceiling, in mirrors, the multisensory experience challenges one's perception of space and immerses the guest within the fabric of the skyline.
See it all here

September 10, 2021

Colorful ‘Soundsuits’ mosaics by Nick Cave revealed at 42nd Street Shuttle passageway

Artist Nick Cave is best known for his Soundsuits, wearable sculptures made of natural materials like dyed human hair and feathers that make noise when worn. For his latest endeavor, creating a public art piece for the passageway that connects the B, D, F, and M trains to the 42nd Street shuttle, Cave translated his Soundsuits into colorful, energetic mosaics of dancers in Soundsuits made of raffia and fur. According to the New York Times, the $1.8M project was commissioned by MTA Arts & Design as part of the larger $250 million undertaking to revamp the shuttle. In addition to more than 24 intricate mosaics, Cave's piece, titled "Every One," includes a series of 11 digital screens that play videos of people in actual Soundsuits dancing.
See the mosaics here

A fun wine festival is coming to the Jersey City waterfront

Photo courtesy of Wine Fest

September 10, 2021

A fun wine festival is coming to the Jersey City waterfront

Next Friday, September 17, Jersey City Wine Fest is taking place at Harborside's waterfront property. A ticket will get you samples of both local and international wine, and there will be live entertainment, food, and interactive games (oh yeah, and NYC skyline views!).
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Events & Things To Do

New York’s official fall foliage map is here!

Image courtesy of I LOVE NY

September 9, 2021

New York’s official fall foliage map is here!

Have you been dreaming of pumpkin spice and chunky sweaters all summer long? Well, autumnal bliss is upon us, with the first signs of colorful fall foliage already appearing in upstate New York. To help you keep tabs on peak foliage in your area, the state has released its annual Fall Foliage Report, an interactive map that is updated weekly using on-the-ground observations and reports from a state-wide network of volunteers.
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Here’s how New Yorkers affected by Hurricane Ida can get help

Gov. Kathy Hochul tours a storm-damaged apartment in Inwood. The heavy rains of Tropical Storm Ida forced part of a parking garage to collapse and damaged a ground floor apartment, and vehicle, on West 218th Street. Photo: Kevin P. Coughlin / Office of Governor Kathy Hochul on Flickr

September 7, 2021

Here’s how New Yorkers affected by Hurricane Ida can get help