Events & Things To Do

June 19, 2020

11 ways to celebrate Juneteenth in NYC

Juneteenth has been observed by African Americans nationwide for more than 150 years as a celebration of the day enslaved Black people were liberated in the United States. This year, as Black Lives Matter demonstrations continue across New York City, the holiday takes on special significance as a day of action, reflection, and education. New York officials are recognizing the weight of the anniversary by making Juneteenth an official state holiday and a city holiday, set to be observed by public schools next year. Although the festivals and cookouts of the past are on hold this year in light of the coronavirus, there are many virtual and socially distanced events happening across the city, from a digital day of dance to a cyclist-led Freedom Ride.
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Events & Things To Do

Juneteenth to become New York State holiday

Photo of New York State Capitol by wadester16 on Flickr

June 17, 2020

Juneteenth to become New York State holiday

By Devin Gannon

Gov. Andrew Cuomo on Wednesday signed an executive order recognizing Juneteenth as a holiday for state employees and said he will introduce legislation to make it an official New York State holiday next year. Juneteenth marks the end of slavery in the United States in 1865 and is celebrated annually on June 19.
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This year’s U.S. Open will happen in Queens without fans

Photo via Wikimedia Commons

June 16, 2020

This year’s U.S. Open will happen in Queens without fans

By Dana Schulz

This year's 52nd annual U.S. Open will be held at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in Queens from August 31st to September 13th without fans, Governor Cuomo announced in his press conference today. The U.S. Tennis Association will "take extraordinary precautions to protect players and staff," which will include robust testing, increased cleaning, extra space in locker rooms, and dedicated housing and transportation. Last year's event set an all-time attendance record of 737,872, bringing in $400 million in revenue, 80 percent of the USTA’s annual total.
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Nathan’s Famous will hold 2020 hot dog eating contest without fans

Photo by Chun-Hung Eric Cheng on Flickr

June 16, 2020

Nathan’s Famous will hold 2020 hot dog eating contest without fans

By Devin Gannon

While most of New York City's annual summer activities and celebrations have been canceled or postponed this year because of the coronavirus, one event will still take place. Nathan's Famous International Hot Dog Eating Contest will forge ahead in Coney Island on July 4, but with no fans, fewer eaters, and social distancing measures in place.
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12 virtual things to do this week: Juneteenth, restaurants, Gowanus, and more

Photo of Gowanus by Steven Pisano via Flickr cc

June 15, 2020

12 virtual things to do this week: Juneteenth, restaurants, Gowanus, and more

By Dana Schulz

This week's roster of virtual events pays attention to our current times, from a look at how the restaurant industry reopens with chef Marcus Samuelsson to a special food-based conversation around Juneteenth. In addition, the 92Y continues its "92Y Confronts Hate" series, and the Brooklyn Botanic Garden streams a concert by composer-trombonist Craig Harris, whose music has been focused on the art of breathing since the fatal shooting of Michael Brown in 2014. You can also take virtual tours of Gowanus and the mansions of the Hamptons.
Check out the full list

Events & Things To Do

14 virtual Pride events in NYC this year

Image by gagnonm1993 from Pixabay

June 11, 2020

14 virtual Pride events in NYC this year

By Dana Schulz

2020 marks 50 years since the first NYC Pride March was held, one year after the Stonewall riots. Though the LGBTQIA+ and New York City communities aren't able to celebrate in the big way that NYC Pride had planned, there will still be a special virtual March, along with many other ways to mark this momentous occasion from home, from panel discussions to a virtual 5K run to rallies and conferences.
The full list of events

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35+ black-owned restaurants in NYC by borough

Photo by Paul Sableman on Wikimedia

June 10, 2020

35+ black-owned restaurants in NYC by borough

By Devin Gannon

The Black Lives Matter movement continues to grow in New York City and across the country, with many people looking to get involved, whether it's donating to antiracist organizations or studying the history of the black experience in America. Another direct action New Yorkers can take to support the black community today is shopping at black-owned businesses. Lists and guides have popped up online in the last few weeks to bring attention to these mom and pop shops, with detailed resources from Black-Owned Brooklyn and this spreadsheet created by New Yorker food critic Hannah Goldfield. The app Eat Okra, which launched three years ago, is also a helpful resource that highlights most of the black-owned restaurants in NYC, which according to Eater, includes more than 2,500 restaurants. Ahead, we break down some of the best black-owned restaurants, cafes, and bars in every borough. It is no means a comprehensive list and we encourage our readers to share with us additional places to include.
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Here are the NYC museums and theaters opening their lobbies to help protestors

Photo by Eden, Janine, and Jim on Flickr

June 8, 2020

Here are the NYC museums and theaters opening their lobbies to help protestors

By Devin Gannon

Although cultural institutions in New York City remain closed to the public because of the coronavirus, some are opening their lobbies to provide Black Lives Matter protestors a safe space, a restroom, snacks and water, WiFi, face masks, or just a place to recharge. The social media account "Open Your Lobby" launched last week on Twitter and Instagram to track the museums and theaters that are repurposing their space in support of protesters. According to the organizers, there are more than 70 organizations participating nationwide, with more than two dozen in New York City alone.
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A giant mural memorializes NYC doctor who died from COVID-19

GreenPoint Innovations / Eduardo Amorim for Gerada Art

June 3, 2020

A giant mural memorializes NYC doctor who died from COVID-19

By Devin Gannon

A massive art mural that honors a New York City doctor who died from the coronavirus has taken over a parking lot in Queens. Spray-painted by Cuban-American artist Jorge Rodríguez-Gerada, the land art, titled "Somos La Luz" depicts Dr. Ydelfonso Decoo, a Dominican immigrant who lived in Washington Heights and skipped retirement to treat patients during the pandemic. The project also aims to memorialize all front line employees in New York City, particularly Hispanic and African American workers who continue to face disproportionate rates of infection and death caused by the virus.
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Events & Things To Do

10 organizations supporting the Black Lives Matter movement in NYC

Photo a protest June 1, 2020, by Eden, Janine and Jim on Flickr

June 2, 2020

10 organizations supporting the Black Lives Matter movement in NYC

By 6sqft

Demonstrations over the May 25 death of George Floyd continue across the country and New York City. For those seeking additional ways to advocate for antiracist policies, police accountability, and racial justice, we've compiled a guide to local NYC organizations that are advocating against institutional racism and supporting the Black Lives Matter movement. While this list is not complete, these resources hopefully can serve as a starting point to help New Yorkers navigate as allied communities during this time.
How to help

Events & Things To Do

The Met Opera will not resume performances until New Year’s Eve

By Dana Schulz

After last performing on March 11 and facing revenue losses nearing $100 million, The Met Opera has announced that it's cancelling its fall season with hopes to resume with a New Year's Eve gala. The opera's general manager Peter Gelb told the New York Times that "It’s transparently obvious that social distancing and grand opera cannot go together. It’s not just the audience; it’s the health of the company. You cannot put a symphony orchestra inside a pit, and performers and a chorus in intimate proximity on the stage of the Met."
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The Brooklyn Museum transforms into a pop-up food bank this week

Photo by Howard Brier on Flickr

June 1, 2020

The Brooklyn Museum transforms into a pop-up food bank this week

By Devin Gannon

Starting on Monday, the Brooklyn Museum is temporarily transforming its parking lot into a weekly food bank. The institution announced last week a partnership with The Campaign Against Hunger (TCAH), a Bed-Stuy based nonprofit that has served about one million meals to New Yorkers in need during the coronavirus pandemic. The museum has been closed since March 13.
More here

Events & Things To Do

10 virtual things to do this week: Brandi Carlile, The Apollo, dinosaurs, and more

Photo by Felix Soage on Unsplash

June 1, 2020

10 virtual things to do this week: Brandi Carlile, The Apollo, dinosaurs, and more

By Dana Schulz

New York City is finally starting to see the light at the end of the tunnel, but that doesn't mean we shouldn't remain vigilant in our social distancing efforts. Thankfully, there are plenty of cool online events this week to make staying at home that much easier. There's good music, from the kick-off concert in a new series from Brandi Carlile to a benefit concert to support Harlem's The Apollo, as well as some newsy discussions like a talk about life after COVID-19 with Fareed Zakaria and a new virtual open newsroom with THE CITY and the Brooklyn Public Library. You can also go on a virtual dino bone dig with the American Museum of Natural History and watch Puccini’s masterwork Tosca with the Met Opera.
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9 virtual things to do this weekend: Loisaida Festival, guided meditation, dachshund fiesta, and more

Photo of last year’s Loisaida Festival by editrixie on Flickr

May 29, 2020

9 virtual things to do this weekend: Loisaida Festival, guided meditation, dachshund fiesta, and more

By Devin Gannon

If you've run out of Netflix shows and can't look at another jigsaw puzzle, there is still plenty of ways to stay entertained this weekend. From a virtual stand-up comedy show and a spring fiesta for dachshunds to guided meditation and a historic discussion on New York City's Chinatown, we've rounded up nine virtual events to keep boredom at bay.
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Events & Things To Do

This Saturday, partake in a virtual dachshund festival for peak cuteness

Photos of the 2019 Spring Fiesta by WSPC photography volunteer Beth Whitman

May 27, 2020

This Saturday, partake in a virtual dachshund festival for peak cuteness

By Dana Schulz

If quarantine's got you down, the Washington Square Park Conservancy has just the thing to lift your mood. This Saturday afternoon, along with their partner the Dachshund Friendship Club, the organization is taking its annual Dachshund Spring Fiesta virtual for a full hour of adorableness, including a sing-along to the "Dachsong."
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8 virtual things to do this week: Outer space, sourdough, Questlove, and more

Photo by Carol M. Highsmith via Wikimedia Commons

May 26, 2020

8 virtual things to do this week: Outer space, sourdough, Questlove, and more

By Dana Schulz

If you're having a tough time coming back to work after the long weekend, this roster of virtual events will help soften the blow. From an all-day celebration of the first US human mission to space in almost a decade to a virtual dinner party hosted by Questlove to a six-part sourdough class, there's plenty to do this week to keep busy and stay entertained.
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Events & Things To Do

To mark 125th anniversary, NYPL releases list of kids books to spark lifelong love of reading

Photo: Jonathan Blanc/NYPL

May 22, 2020

To mark 125th anniversary, NYPL releases list of kids books to spark lifelong love of reading

By Devin Gannon

While summer vacation is sure to look different this year, the New York Public Library hopes kids will stay busy reading. In celebration of its 125th anniversary on Saturday, the library has released a list of 125 children's books from the last 125 years, aimed at sparking a lifelong love of reading. The collection of books, which is available online, follows a list released in February of the best adult titles, with a list for teenage readers expected this fall.
More here

Events & Things To Do

NYC landmarks will ‘go green’ to honor parks workers

Photo (cropped) by Arturo Pardavila III via Flickr cc

May 20, 2020

NYC landmarks will ‘go green’ to honor parks workers

By Dana Schulz

At sunset on Thursday, May 21, the Empire State Building, Central Park Arsenal, Washington Square Park Arch, Coney Island's Parachute Jump, and the Bronx's Ranaqua Park will "go green" to honor parks workers, who have been part of the city's essential workforce during the current COVID crisis. #GoingGreenForParkies "is the ultimate acknowledgment and thank you for all their hard work," which has kept public parks well-maintained "in support of the mental and physical health of all visitors," according to a press release.
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Public art campaign lights up Times Square in support of essential workers

PSA by Carrie Mae Weems; Photo by Maria Baranova

May 19, 2020

Public art campaign lights up Times Square in support of essential workers

By Devin Gannon

A public art campaign is lighting up Times Square in support of New York City's healthcare and essential workers. As part of a joint effort by Times Square Arts, For Freedoms, and Poster House, "Messages for the City," now in its second phase, features work from more than 30 artists and designers on digital public service announcements in New York, Boston, and Chicago.
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Events & Things To Do

New Yorkers invited to design iconic Rockefeller Center flags

Photo by Sharon Mollerus on Flickr

May 18, 2020

New Yorkers invited to design iconic Rockefeller Center flags

By Devin Gannon

A public art competition launched last week that asks New Yorkers to submit designs for the iconic flags that surround the Rink at Rockefeller Center. Led by the site's developer Tishman Speyer, "The Flag Project" is looking for artwork that celebrates New York City, whether it be through graphic design, a drawing, or collage. Winning designs will be made into flags and flown from Rockefeller Center's 192 flagpoles this August as part of a temporary exhibit.
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Events & Things To Do

May 18, 2020

13 virtual things to do this week: Pizza, mozzarella, African dance, and affordable housing

By Dana Schulz

With the warm weather sticking around it's getting a bit harder to stay inside, but this list of fun virtual events and ideas for things to do will help make this week much more bearable. From an online mozzarella-making class to a chat with the man who possesses the world's largest collection of pizza boxes, there are plenty of foodie options. You can also enjoy BAM's DanceAfrica programming, learn about affordable housing, take a virtual tour of the Merchant's House Museum, and much more.
Check out this week's event guide

Events & Things To Do

NYC drive-in festival to open near Yankee Stadium this summer

Photo by Daniel Vargas on Unsplash

May 18, 2020

NYC drive-in festival to open near Yankee Stadium this summer

By Devin Gannon

A drive-in festival with live performances, movies, and local food vendors is set to open near Yankee Stadium this summer, offering New Yorkers a way to have fun without violating social distancing rules. From the event planners who put on the Bronx Night Market and the Bronx Beer Fest, the "Uptown Drive-In Experience" is slated to open in July as a "social distancing playground," according to the organizers.
More here

Events & Things To Do

A diner in Astoria has transformed into a pop-up drive-in

Photo courtesy of The Bel Aire Diner

May 15, 2020

A diner in Astoria has transformed into a pop-up drive-in

By Devin Gannon

A retro diner in Queens has transformed its parking lot into a drive-in movie theater, giving New Yorkers a way to be entertained safely during the coronavirus pandemic. The Bel Aire Diner, located at Broadway and 21st Street, set up a 25-foot outdoor projection screen in its lot that has enough space for 40 cars. After successful first showings of "Grease" and "Dirty Dancing," the diner plans to keep the movie nights going, possibly with multiple showings per week.
More here

Events & Things To Do

May 15, 2020

13 virtual things to do this weekend: Small-space design, Obama, Taylor Swift, and more

By Dana Schulz

The sun is shining, and the weekend looks lovely, so crack open those windows and enjoy one of these fun virtual events. From concert streams by Prince and Taylor Swift to virtual graduation events featuring a commencement speech by President Obama to Apartment Therapy's weekend-long small-space design lineup to a star-filled benefit for Hollywood's behind-the-scenes workers, there are plenty of cool things to do from home this weekend.
All the events

Events & Things To Do

Artwork titled “Now & Forever” by Tristan Eaton created exclusively for Montefiore and Alto New York’s 2020 “Heroes” campaign

May 12, 2020

Street artist Tristan Eaton reveals new Midtown mural thanking NYC’s nurses

By Dana Schulz

Los Angeles-based painter and designer Tristan Eaton is well known for his street murals, which he's brought to NYC through a collaboration with Montefiore Hospitals. The towering artwork, which sought to capture the heroism of our healthcare workers, is located on 34th Street and 8th Avenue and is part of a larger appreciation campaign for National Nurses Week sponsored by Montefiore and its creative company of record, Alto NY. They wanted to create a "digital" ticker-tape parade and "extend the Canyon of Heroes to the doors of every hospital in New York." Using Eaton's mural as a template, New Yorkers can create their own hero image by uploading a photo on the website or through Instagram. In addition, Montefiore has created a moving video thanking all the brave nurses.
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