Events & Things To Do

May 7, 2020

JetBlue is doing a NYC flyover tonight to honor healthcare workers

Yesterday, JetBlue announced its Healthcare Hero program through which the airline will provide roundtrip flight certificates for two to anywhere JetBlue flies for 100,000 healthcare workers. To coincide with the initiative, they'll "bring the Clap Because We Care movement to the skies with a three aircraft, low altitude flyover salute above New York City" tonight at 7 pm. The flyover will be done by three New York-themed painted JetBlue planes, honoring the FDNY, NYPD and I LOVE NY/Empire State Development.
See the flight path
May 6, 2020

See the immersive art museum proposed for a landmarked Lower Manhattan bank hall

An art center with immersive art exhibitions has been proposed for a landmarked former banking hall in Lower Manhattan. Culturespaces, a French museum operator, presented its plan to adapt the Emigrant Industrial Savings Bank into a center of digital art to the city's Landmarks Preservation Commission on Tuesday. The design proposal from Woods Bagot Architects includes alterations to the landmarked interior to accommodate a ticketing area and necessary audiovisual equipment for the art center, as well as modifications to the exterior of the building.
More here
May 6, 2020

Iconic Asbury Park music venue The Stone Pony hosting live stream concerts

Since Bruce Springsteen got his start at the Jersey Shore music venue in the '70s (launching "the house that Springsteen built"), The Stone Pony has been a trailblazer in the music scene. Though the venue hosts big-name acts today, what's set the Pony apart over the years is its commitment to local artists and up-and-comers. And they're not letting coronavirus stop this. As reported by the Asbury Park Press, The Stone Pony is hosting "a curated live stream lineup of Jersey Shore musicians and national faves, all regulars at the venue."
Get the scoop
May 4, 2020

12 virtual things to do this week: Met Gala, cherry blossoms, oysters, and more

When it comes to virtual events, the biggest news this week is the Met Gala. Vogue's Anna Wintour is hosting a star-studded live event tonight where she'll be joined by the likes of Stella McCartney and Florence + the Machine. It's also Cinco de Mayo, so we've got a list of spots for taco takeout. For more foodie fun, the Billion Oyster Project is hosting a Zoom "oyster hour." You can also check out the Brooklyn Botanic Garden's Cherry Esplanade online, join a virtual animal meet and greet with the Staten Island Zoo, watch Ballet Hispánico, learn about the history of Hospital Ships, and more.
12 virtual things to do this week
May 1, 2020

13 virtual things to do in NYC this weekend: Eat pierogis, sip rosé, and bang on a can

The weather is supposed to be positively springy this weekend, but don't let the fact that you can't enjoy it as usual get you down--there are plenty of fun things to do indoors with those windows wide open. From a star-studded virtual comedy fest to a 24-hour global live stream event featuring three former Presidents and Oprah to a six-hour musical performance from Bang on a Can. And of course, what would quarantine life be without food (we're talking pierogis and cheesecake) and drink (spring-time weather calls for the start of rosé season!).
Check out the full list
April 28, 2020

‘Stand by Me’ is the pick for Thursday’s NYC sing along

Now in its third week, Peace of Heart Choir's city-wide sing along is encouraging New Yorkers to open up their windows this Thursday and belt out Ben E. King’s 1961 classic "Stand by Me." The first event kicked off with Frank Sinatra's "New York, New York," and last week was Bill Withers' "Lean on Me." As always, the sing along will start at 7:02pm, just following the nightly #ClapBecauseWeCare ritual.
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April 27, 2020

Thunderbirds, Blue Angels to fly over NYC to honor essential workers

The United States Navy Blue Angels and Air Force Thunderbirds will fly over parts of New York City on Tuesday to honor coronavirus essential personnel. The 40-minute joint flyover is part of the mission "Operation America Strong," announced by President Donald Trump last week, as the Washington Post first reported. The performance will happen across parts of the city and Newark starting at noon on April 28 and then move onto Trenton and Philadelphia.
Details here
April 27, 2020

The Empire State Building’s new light shows honor essential workers and first responders

After kicking off on Saturday, the Empire State Building will continue to put on nightly light shows in honor of specific first responders and essential workers. The landmark began its #HEROESSHINEBRIGHT series by paying tribute to the FNDY and EMS on Friday, doctors, nurses, and the medical community on Saturday, and correction officers on Sunday. Tonight, watch the building blink orange, blue, and white in honor of the U.S. Coast Guard, as well as blue and gold in honor of the U.S. Navy.
See the rest of the lineup
April 24, 2020

Celebrate NYC neighborhoods virtually with Jane’s Walk (from Home)

One of New York City's greatest annual events is going virtual. Jane's Walk honors urbanist Jane Jacobs with free volunteer-led walking tours across the city for one weekend every year. Adapting to the realities of the coronavirus pandemic, the Municipal Art Society (MAS) announced this week plans to host virtual activities that still celebrate the five boroughs, but safely from home.
Find out more
April 24, 2020

Coney Island nonprofit launches virtual face mask design contest

With the Mermaid Parade officially canceled, the Coney Island nonprofit behind the event is hoping to celebrate creativity in another way this year. Coney Island USA announced on Friday plans to host a "Put on a Funny Face Design Contest," described as the "world's first-ever mask design contest." The virtual contest is being presented by Spectrum News NY1 and will be judged by yet-to-be-announced celebrities of Coney Island.
Learn more
April 24, 2020

11 virtual things to do in NYC this weekend: Sing with Stephen Sondheim, make pizza dough, and more

Happy Friday! Even if every day feels like a Saturday to you, there tends to be more virtual goings-on over the weekend, and this week is no exception. From live-streamed events like the Met Opera's at-home gala and Broadway.com's birthday concert for Stephen Sondheim to interactive happenings like Zoom "happy hours" at your favorite local bar and quarantine cooking classes, we've rounded up the 10 best virtual things for New Yorkers to do this weekend.
Check out the full list
April 22, 2020

See the giant heart design on Bryant Park’s lawn

A giant heart was mowed into Bryant Park's lawn this week as a message of support for the city's healthcare personnel and essential workers. The park, which recently transformed its Winter Village ice skating rink into its famed lawn, will reopen its green space to the public in early May. Social distancing regulations will be in effect, according to the Bryant Park Corporation.
Find out more
April 22, 2020

LPC approves design for condo conversion at 120-year-old Hotel Wales

The Landmarks Preservation Commission on Tuesday approved plans to retrofit Carnegie Hill's historic Hotel Wales, which is set to be converted into luxury condominiums. The proposal from Form4 Design Studio and Higgins Quasebarth & Partners retains the hotel's Beaux-Arts facade, terra cotta elements, and scroll-bracketed balconies, as CityRealty reported. But the biggest alteration planned for the Carnegie Hill Historic District building is the new cornice and rooftop addition, the design of which the LPC on Tuesday said needs to be modified.
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April 21, 2020

When NYC reopens, there will be a ticker-tape parade for health care workers and first responders

"The first thing we will do, before we think about anything else, is we will take a time as only New York City can do, to throw the biggest, best parade to honor these heroes," said Mayor de Blasio in his morning press conference, referring to his announcement that the city will hold a ticker-tape parade down the Canyon of Heroes for health care workers and first responders as soon as things reopen. "This parade will mark the beginning of our renaissance."
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April 21, 2020

This week’s NYC sing along goes national with ‘Lean on Me’

Photo by Norbert Kundrak on Unsplash On April 3, three-time Grammy Award winner Bill Withers passed away at the age of 81. Among his top hits were "Ain't No Sunshine," "Lovely Day," and "Lean on Me," which will be the song New Yorkers will sing to out their windows this Thursday evening. Volunteer community choir Peace of Heart Choir kicked off the city-wide sing along last week with Frank Sinatra’s “New York, New York.” This week, the event is planned to reach the entire nation.
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April 20, 2020

Bruce Springsteen, Bon Jovi, Jon Stewart and more will perform on ‘Jersey 4 Jersey’ benefit

On Wednesday, April 22 at 7:00pm, the New Jersey Pandemic Relief Fund will host a star-studded benefit to support those in need in the severely impacted state. The event will include performances streamed from the homes of  New Jersey natives Jon Bon Jovi, Bruce Springsteen and his wife Patti Scialfa, Halsey, SZA, and Charlie Puth, as well as Tony Bennett, who long had a studio in the state. Others who hail from the state will make special appearances including Whoopi Goldberg, Kelly Ripa, Chelsea Handler, Saquon Barkley, Jon Stewart, and Chris Rock.
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April 20, 2020

NYC cancels Pride March, Puerto Rican Day Parade along with all June gatherings

Though Governor Cuomo has only extended New York Pause through May 15, Mayor de Blasio went one step further and canceled all non-essential permitted events in June. Most notably this includes the Pride March (for which it would have been the 50th anniversary), the National Puerto Rican Day Parade, and the Celebrate Israel Parade. In addition to parades, concerts, rallies, and large gatherings will be canceled through June.
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April 14, 2020

The Met Opera will present a live-streamed gala with 40+ artists

The show must go on. The Metropolitan Opera on Monday announced plans to host a virtual "At-Home Gala" this month with over 40 artists participating around the world. On Saturday, April 25 at 1 p.m., leading Met artists will perform live from their homes for a free three-hour concert. The event comes after the venue was forced to cancel the rest of its season because of the coronavirus pandemic.
Get the details
April 10, 2020

This Sunday’s Easter Parade is going virtual

While it won't be an actual procession, this year's annual New York City Easter Parade and Bonnet Festival will take place virtually on Sunday, April 12. The festive event dates back to the 1870s but was, of course, canceled this year due to the coronavirus crisis. But the Fifth Avenue Association is taking it to Instagram, encouraging participants to "dress up in their most creative, home-crafted Easter outfits, strike a pose in quintessential Fifth Avenue style and participate in a virtual parade."
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April 10, 2020

New-York Historical Society is collecting objects related to the COVID-19 pandemic

The New-York Historical Society is asking New Yorkers to donate any materials related to the coronavirus pandemic as a way to preserve this moment in the city's history. First created during September 11, the museum's History Responds initiative has collected objects related to movements like Black Lives Matter, Occupy Wall Street, marriage equality, and others.
Find out more
April 3, 2020

All the performances, events, and classes in NYC you can stream online

Although the coronavirus has shuttered most of the city, many museums, performance venues, theaters, and famous New Yorkers are offering free (or low-cost) online resources to entertain New Yorkers throughout this difficult period. From virtual storytime with Brooklyn Public Library librarians to live-streamed performances by the Metropolitan Opera to baking classes with Milk Bar's Christina Tosi to dance lessons from the Radio City Rockettes, support local organizations safely from your home. This list was lasted updated at 10:00 a.m. on April 3, 2020.
The full list, ahead
April 2, 2020

20 NYC hotels sign on as temporary hospitals, will add 10,000 beds

New York City's hotels have seen more than an 80 percent drop in occupancy since the coronavirus crisis, but that unfortunate fact has at least opened one positive door. As Mayor de Blasio announced in his press conference yesterday, 20 hotels have signed contracts to be converted to temporary hospitals, which will add roughly 10,000 additional beds. As NY1 reported, on Wednesday, Dr. Mitchell Katz, CEO of NYC Health + Hospitals, said, "We are in disaster mode so that contracts can be quickly signed. When it’s operational, patients who don’t need to be incubated, who are recovering but not well enough to leave the hospital, will be sent to hotels."
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March 30, 2020

A nightly music-to-light show launches at the Empire State Building to keep NYC bright

A New York City landmark is looking to lift the spirits of New Yorkers and keep the light in the city bright during this challenging time. The Empire State Realty Trust on Friday launched a music-to-light show from the skyscraper's famous tower, in partnership with iHeartMedia. A new show, designed by lighting artist Marc Brickman, will premiere every Friday night and play nightly for one week.
More here
March 25, 2020

Free fun and educational online resources for kids at home during coronavirus

The current times are especially tough for children who are home from school and their parents who are struggling to keep up with remote learning and keep the kiddos occupied during downtime. Luckily, institutions and businesses are stepping up to offer all kinds of free fun and educational resources for youngsters. From cool virtual museum content to online homework help to virtual storytelling to penguin cams, 6sqft has put together a list of ways to keep your children entertained and educated while at home.
The full list, ahead
March 25, 2020

Support local NYC artists and performers with this new subscription-based streaming service

With theaters and performance venues closed as a result of the ongoing pandemic, the livelihoods of many artists in New York City continue to hang in the balance. A new subscription-based streaming service launched this week to support local artists affected by these coronavirus-related shutdowns. "The Trickle Up" charges subscribers $10 per month to access original performances from 50 different artists, with proceeds going to artists struggling financially.
Details this way