Events &amp; Things To Do

In a city where hundreds of interesting happenings occur each week, it can be hard to pick and choose your way to a fulfilling life. Art Nerd‘s philosophy is a combination of observation, participation, education and of course a party to create the ultimate well-rounded week. Jump ahead for Art Nerd founder Lori Zimmer’s top picks for 6sqft readers! With most of us ready to kick 2016 to the curb, there’s never been a better reason to get out and do something big for New Year’s Eve. This Saturday, put on something fancy/freaky/celebratory and get yourself to one of these amazing experiential parties. Take a cue from Dali at the Second Annual Surrealist Ball at the Roxy Hotel, or go Black Tie with Soho Grand’s Masquerade Ball. Expand your Sleep No More experience with their super fancy Bohemian Ball, or get a table at Mission Chinese for Luke Neocamp’s takeover. Hang all night at an art opening by Rae BK, or go the tourist way for the 112th New Year’s celebration in Times Square. Or if you’re in Brooklyn, head to The Well for a massive Tiki Disco, or to the immersive House of Yes for a party looking to the future. Whatever path you choose, happy New Year to all!
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Events & Things To Do

December 23, 2016

New Yorkers love ‘It’s a Wonderful Life:’ Mapping every state’s favorite holiday movie

New Yorkers tend to be a distinct mix of cynicism and optimism, so it's not surprising that our favorite holiday movie is "It's a Wonderful Life," the classic Christmas tale of George Bailey being saved from his suicidal state by a guardian angel who helps him see the positive impact he's had in his life. This data comes from CableTV's fun map of every state's favorite holiday movie, which they arrived at by cross referencing AMC's top-rated holiday movies with state data over the past decade from Google Trends.
See the full map and find out the country's top pick

Events & Things To Do

December 23, 2016

Did you know ‘The Night Before Christmas’ was written in New York’s Chelsea?

This may be hard to imagine, but one of the holiday's most iconic stories was written in none other than Manhattan's Chelsea. Ephemeral NY recounts the origins of Clement Clarke Moore's quintessential Christmas tale, "The Night Before Christmas," and points to early 19th century life in New York as the inspiration for the classic. As the story goes, the year was 1822, and Moore was said to have come up with the poem on a snowy day while riding around Chelsea in a sleigh, on his way to pick up a turkey from the market.
find out more here

December 21, 2016

The Urban Lens: Visiting Gramercy’s Pete’s Tavern, where O. Henry penned ‘The Gift of the Magi’

By James and Karla Murray

6sqft’s ongoing series The Urban Lens invites photographers to share work exploring a theme or a place within New York City. In this installment, award-winning photographers James and Karla Murray return with a look inside Pete's Tavern, a Gramercy favorite with beautiful holiday decorations and an interesting historical connection to Christmas. Are you a photographer who’d like to see your work featured on The Urban Lens? Get in touch with us at [email protected]. Pete's Tavern lays claim to being NYC's oldest continuously operating bar and restaurant. Established in 1864, it's become famous for the fact that O. Henry is said to have written the classic short Christmas story "The Gift of the Magi" while dining and drinking here. We recently visited Pete's to photograph its lovely holiday decorations and to chat with restaurateur Gary Egan and manager A.C. about the establishment's unique history, connection to O. Henry, and time as a speakeasy during Prohibition.
All the photos and the interview

December 20, 2016

6sqft Designer Gift Guide: 85 ideas curated by NYC creatives

Your holiday shopping companion has arrived! For the second year in a row, 6sqft has asked a handful of New York City designers, architects and artists to share five things they plan of gifting this season (and maybe one they hope to receive). Ahead find 85 truly unique and unexpected items curated by the city's most talented creatives. We promise that there is something for every budget and taste—and plenty of ideas to choose from if you happen to find yourself scrambling for a present at the last minute.
See all their gift picks here

December 19, 2016

First look at the Second Avenue Subway’s $4.5M public art installation

If a sparkling new line isn't cause enough to celebrate, once the Second Avenue Subway opens on January 1st, 2017, millions of New Yorkers will also be treated to several stretches of world-class art while navigating the 96th, 86th, 72nd, and 63rd Street stations. As the Times first reports, the MTA has poured $4.5 million into beautifying the stations with contemporary tile artworks by famed names Chuck Close, Sarah Sze, Vik Muniz, and Jean Shin.
see more here

Gramercy Park will open to the public for one hour on Christmas Eve

Photo via Bosc d’Anjou/Flickr

December 19, 2016

Gramercy Park will open to the public for one hour on Christmas Eve

For one precious hour, mere mortals will have the chance to walk through Gramercys Park's iron gates sans key. Curbed reports that on Christmas Eve the Gramercy Park Block Association will host its annual holiday caroling hour with the local Parish of Calvary-St. George's, and from 6:00 to 7:00pm all will be welcome.
Find out more

Events & Things To Do

December 16, 2016

New-York Historical Society opens new exhibit featuring rare artwork of boxer Muhammad Ali

By Metro New York

“Float like a butterfly, sting like a bee” is how boxing icon Muhammad Ali described his fighting style. If that sounds more poetic than you’d think of boxing or the famed heavyweight champion’s technique, prepare to see them in a new way at the New-York Historical Society’s latest exhibit. “Muhammad Ali, LeRoy Neiman and the […]

Events & Things To Do

December 16, 2016

Governor Cuomo announces ‘Subway Therapy’ Post-Its will be preserved

Among the more positive things to emerge from the 2016 election was the very visible outpour of love and solidarity by New Yorkers, who not only took to the streets together to stand up for what they believe in, but without inhibition expressed their anger, fears, hopes and words of comfort for one another on colorful Post-Its stretched along the 14th Street-6th/7th Avenue subway corridor. Recognizing the historic nature of this spontaneous art movement, Governor Cuomo announced this morning that the New-York Historical Society will partner with the MTA to preserve some of the thousands of "Subway Therapy" sticky notes that have materialized over the last weeks.
more details here

JFK’s TWA Hotel breaks ground, gets new renderings

The shovels were out at JFK's TWA Flight Terminal yesterday, as MCR Development and JetBlue broke ground on their project to turn Eero Saarinen‘s mid-century modern masterpiece into the high-end, 505-room TWA Hotel. According to a press release, Governor Cuomo attended the festivities, noting that the conversion "will preserve this iconic landmark while cementing JFK’s status as a crown jewel of aviation." The news also came with two renderings that show the two, six-story, crescent shaped hotel buildings that will rise on either side of the existing structure.
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December 15, 2016

Art Nerd New York’s Top Event Picks for the Week- 12/15-12/21

In a city where hundreds of interesting happenings occur each week, it can be hard to pick and choose your way to a fulfilling life. Art Nerd‘s philosophy is a combination of observation, participation, education and of course a party to create the ultimate well-rounded week. Jump ahead for Art Nerd founder Lori Zimmer’s top picks for 6sqft readers! Fit some arty fun in between your holiday parties this week. Start out with a performance by David Louis Zuckerman at On Stellar Rays Gallery or get your opera on in a sampling of new works at Merkin Concert Hall. Grab an artist-designed host gift for your next party at Life:Curated’s holiday party, then enjoy the festivities yourself as MoMA PS1 transforms their VW dome into a huge snow globe. Pick up some affordable art for yourself and your loved ones while supporting the Standing Rock effort on Saturday, and get political at the #Pussypower group show. Check out Hyon Gyon’s fusion of hard and soft at SHIN Gallery, then ring in the holiday weekend with the stylings of the lovely Anna Copacabanna.
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Events & Things To Do

December 13, 2016

Rare modernist pieces by Prouvé, Le Corbusier, Gaudí and more up for auction today

By Michelle Cohen

If your idea of a perfect stocking stuffer is a classic Serge Mouille three-armed ceiling light, the auction of items from the private collection of architect Lee Mindel, which begins today, is just what your gift list ordered. "Light & Aerie: The Collection of Lee F. Mindel, FAIA" includes dozens of rare modernist pieces from the architect's personal collection. Mindel is moving from his Chelsea loft in a former hat factory to a new aerie in Tribeca's rare and collectible Herzog & de Meuron-designed "Jenga tower" at 56 Leonard Street; Mindel's loft is available, too, if you've got a really big stocking to fill. Auction house Phillips is handling the sale, which includes stunning pieces ranging from art to furniture, lighting and decorative items by the likes of Jean Prouvé, Antoni Gaudí, Georges Braque, Hans J. Wegner, Ettore Sottsass, Jr. and many, many more.
Check out some of the iconic pieces headed for auction

December 13, 2016

Historic districts and landmarking: What they mean and how they could affect you

By Michelle Cohen

In New York City, where buying and selling real estate is a high-stakes endeavor, the topic of historic and landmark designation is frequently raised. There are heated discussions on the subject of listing neighborhoods or buildings on the State and National Register of Historic Places or having them designated by the city’s Landmarks Preservation Commission. It's important to know what those organizations do and the distinctions between them. You could even be eligible for significant financial aid for your renovations if you own property in an historic district.
Find out what these designations mean, how you could benefit from them and why they're sometimes controversial.

December 12, 2016

Westbeth Artists Housing starts its own post-it therapy project, ‘Write Now’

By Metro New York

A West Village exhibit is taking a page from the fluttering layers of post-it notes scrawled with messages of hope and frustration that have cropped up in underground passageways around the city since the election. The “Write Now” exhibit is adopting the zeitgeist—this apparent need among New Yorkers to both purposefully express their feelings and […]

Events & Things To Do

December 10, 2016

12 alternative holiday events, exhibits, and outings in NYC

From the swarms of tourists, long lines at stores, and increased prices on everything from theater tickets to cocktails, the holidays in New York can be more of a headache than anything. But fear not--there are plenty more ways to get festive other than battling the crowds at Rockefeller Center or paying an arm and a leg to see the Rockettes. 6sqft has rounded up a dozen alternative events, including a sexy rendition of the Nutcracker, an exhibit of Santa's history in NYC, a latke festival, and a special Kwanzaa dance performance.
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Events & Things To Do

December 9, 2016

KBA Architects reveal ziggurat-like tower for Kellogg’s Diner-adjacent site in Williamsburg

Back in March, 6sqft reported that a new hotel/rental tower at 500 Metropolitan Avenue had risen above ground, but there was still a bit ambiguity surroundings its final design. Now, just as the Williamsburg building has topped out, CityRealty uncovered the final renderings from KBA Architects. The firm created a 14-story, ziggurat-like structure that will slope down from the adjacent site of longtime local haunt Kellogg's Diner and offer a slew of trendy amenities.
More views and details

December 9, 2016

Google’s Window Wonderland lets you tour Fifth Avenue holiday window displays from your home

Google Maps introduced a street-view look at NYC's holiday windows a couple years ago, but their Shopping app has now completely revamped the feature, launching this year as Window Wonderland. The interactive tool lets users take a high-resolution digital tour of 18 stores, including audio tours from their creative directors and real-life background street noise. See the 34 hand-sculpted animals in Lord & Taylor's "Enchanted Forest," explore the candy and couture at Saks Fifth Avenue's "Land of 1000 Delights," or see the gang from South Park at Barney's.
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December 8, 2016

Art Nerd New York’s top event picks for the week- 12/8-12/14

In a city where hundreds of interesting happenings occur each week, it can be hard to pick and choose your way to a fulfilling life. Art Nerd‘s philosophy is a combination of observation, participation, education and of course a party to create the ultimate well-rounded week. Jump ahead for Art Nerd founder Lori Zimmer’s top picks for 6sqft readers! Before the delving into the hectic holidays, have a rare bucolic moment in Times Square through Tal Yarden’s "Counting Sheep" as it takes over the screens of the Midtown hub. Then get into the spirit season and make a wish at Luminaries at Brookfield Place, or hop over to Madison Square Park to wander through the life-sized gingerbread village which went up just this week. Tonight, Julia Sinelnikova, a.k.a. the Oracle, invites viewers to a clandestine celebration of performance and light art, and Michelle Grabner rethinks the afghan at James Cohan. The gorgeous, sensual ceramics of Serra Victoria Bothwell Fels open at Catinca Tabacaru, and Brooklyn gallery Brilliant Champions showcases their roster in a winter group show. Finally, shake off all of your aggression from the last few weeks at the arty dance party by CHERYL at C’mon Everybody in Greenpoint.
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Events & Things To Do

December 7, 2016

10 modern menorah designs for Hanukkah 2016

By Rebecca Paul

Our ongoing series Apartment Living 101 is aimed at helping New Yorkers navigate the challenges of creating a happy home in the big city. In anticipation of Hanukkah, we’ve rounded up ten modern menorahs for the design-minded. For thousands of years, people all over the globe have been celebrating Hanukkah (a.k.a. Festival of Lights), and this year's festivities are just around the corner. While the holiday invites participants to join in on a variety of joyful traditions like playing dreidel and eating potato pancakes, the eight-night event is centered around the lighting of the menorah. From emojis and dinosaurs, to elegant branches and minimal blocks, you can find a menorah in almost any style these days—so why not give the ancient nine-tiered a contemporary update? To help you find the right menorah design for your living space, we've rounded up ten of our favorite modern takes on the centerpiece.
have a look at all 10 here

December 6, 2016

New documentary ‘Tree Man’ explores the lives of NYC’s Christmas tree sellers

By Michelle Cohen

One of the many signs that it's Christmastime in the city is the sight, sound and scent of the city's sidewalk tree vendors. The annual arrival of the (mostly) jovial tree purveyors reminds us that bell-ringing Santas, office secret Santas, and bar-crawling Santas aren't far behind. Each year thousands of trees are sold to New Yorkers to help them deck the halls for the season. But what about the people who sell those trees? A new documentary film, “Tree Man,” gives us a peek at the lives of the city's tree sellers, many of whom leave families behind to camp out in sometimes harsh living conditions for the sake of their business.
Watch a trailer for 'Tree Man'

December 6, 2016

Arsenal Gallery invites New Yorkers to submit wreath designs that shed light on social issues

By Metro New York

The department store windows of Midtown aren’t the only place to see holiday masterpieces. This Tuesday is the opening reception for Wreath Interpretations, the Arsenal Gallery’s long-running show that invites anyone from the community to submit designs for their own take on the traditional holiday symbol. In its 34th year, the exhibit will feature more […]

Events & Things To Do

December 6, 2016

21-inch replica of the Astor Place Cube selling for $30,000 on ebay

The Astor Place Cube returned to its longtime East Village home just a month ago, after a nearly two-year absence while the intersection was under construction and it underwent a restoration. Sculptor Tony Rosenthal erected the 15-foot public art piece known officially as "Alamo" in 1967, and over the years he created around 10 mini replicas of it. One of them, measuring 21 inches and weighing 30 pounds, is up for sale on eBay for a staggering $30,000, which, as Bedford & Bowery points out, is not that much more than the $180,000 it cost to restore the actual cube.
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Events & Things To Do

December 6, 2016

5 places to buy affordable modern art in New York City

Our ongoing series Apartment Living 101 is aimed at helping New Yorkers navigate the challenges of creating a happy home in the big city. This week Art Nerd New York founder Lori Zimmer shares her top five shops for scoring affordable art in trendy Manhattan. Manhattan is a treasure trove of fine art. The gallery districts have shifted from Soho to Chelsea down to the Lower East Side, populating each neighborhood with clean white walls and a rotating collection of pieces from a roster of painters, sculptors, and mixed media artists. Although viewing the art the city has to offer is free, taking a piece home can be a major hit to the wallet. I've rounded up a list of great places in Manhattan to not only see art, but to also buy art affordably. Kickstart your burgeoning collection, or find a unique gift, at one of my picks below.
5 spots to score great art here

December 6, 2016

Iconic JFK Terminal begins its life as the ‘TWA Hotel’ with new signage