Category: Entertainment

Entertainment

Musical News

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musicEast Village’s Third Street Music School Settlement is celebrating 121 years at its yearly Spring Gala.  Having opened in 1894, this makes it the longest-running community music school in the US.   Today, over 5,000 students receive musical instruction and it’s not just restricted to kids.  Indeed, pre-school up to adults aged 93 years old, have been the recipient of musical instruction over the years.   And talking of inclusivity, the school really tries to accept everyone, especially those of disadvantaged financial means, catering to all types of musical loves.  One can even just come in for a singular lesson in the oboe!  With ensembles, the variety runs from rock band to orchestral. According to Brandon Tesh, Department Chair for Wind, Brass and Percussion, this makes it “like being in a toy store. There’s just all these instruments, drum sets, pianos everywhere, it’s filled with music. It’s really a great space.”

Meanwhile for those looking for concerts in the neighborhood check out The Voice for a comprehensive listing in NYC.

Entertainment

Become an Acting Pro with Betty Buckley

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stageFor those who have ever dreamed of becoming a professional actor and singer, for those in Manhattan it could become a reality. Early next month, Betty Buckley an actress and singer who has performed on both the TV and stage and was also a 1983 Tony award winner for Best Featured Actress in a Musical is going to be giving lessons right here in New York City.

 

For those in the vicinity from 1 to 5 May, the T. Schreiber Studio will be home to lessons from Buckley via the Song Interpretation & Monologue workshop.  Students preparing for auditions, students who want to improve, and even semi-professionals will be able to benefit from the workshop.

 

Buckley will be sharing “her expertise, guiding her students through a methodology that facilitates audience connection through songs and monologues. Her emotional connection to songs and audiences is renowned, and that very connection is at the heart of what Ms. Buckley imparts to her students.”

Entertainment

Midtown Festivities

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irish-festThere have been quite a few festivities taking place in the Midtown Manhattan area recently. First, the Manhattan Irish Fest provided a ton of entertainment – so much so that Chairman of the Fest, Peter Hegarty said it was the biggest he could recall since this event started! It even has a new location to boot, which is great since in years’ past, people have gotten their shoes quite muddy! Now, located right by the Firehouse, at 195 S. State Street, the South Wabash Street parking lot makes things much easier.

Now in its 22nd year, tons of people enjoyed the festivities – a great deal of them clad in green clothing. There was a 5K race and parade, at which the Bagpipes and Drums of the Emerald Society Chicago Police Department, performed.

With regards to New York City and St. Patrick’s Day, there’s more good news since Mayor Bill de Blasio ended his two-year boycott on America’s largest celebratory parade of this since it finally ditched its ban on permitting the LGBT community to march under their own banners. He happily said: “Finally, they can celebrate their heritage by marching in a parade that now represents progress and equality.”

Entertainment

Pokemon’s 20th Birthday Celebrations

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pikachuJust took place in Midtown Manhattan, right by Shimmie Horn’s Iroquois Hotel. This video game character took the world by a storm for years and years and today has kids equally enchanted. In the 1990s people kept trying to “catch ‘em all, ” and last weekend a team of huge Pikachu characters could be found running around the city in celebration.

Pikachus’ started their parade by the Brooklyn Bridge, moved along to Midtown Manhattan and then finished their walk at Penn Station. The crowd that came to witness this event was so large that an entire team of handlers were brought in to navigate the situation.

Of course, it was also good for business given that a new set of Pokemon-based games is due to come out later this year. In addition, the New York Nintendo store provided fun and games in recognition of two decades of Pokemon fun.

Entertainment

New York Beverages

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beerHudson Ale Works is very nearly ready for business. Featuring a shiny three-barrel brewing system, this downtown microbrewery was launched by three individuals from Highland. Its 17 Milton Avenue location has already been home to quite a few different businesses in the past, including a cabinetry store, laundromat and machine shop. Now the 7,500 square feet industrial building is being leased to Hudson Ale Works co-owners, Neil and Adam Trapani, and Josh Zimmerman.

So the question is, what kind of beer were people drinking during yesterday’s Super Bowl? Was it the kind that will be offered at Hudson Ale Works? Beer is very important at that annual sporting event; possibly as much as wings. Indeed, the beer should perfectly match the wings you choose. Different beers are good with different styles: from honey to barbecue, shrimp paste to Korean. Indeed, as Director of the Craft Beer Program for the Brewers Association, Julia Herz points out: “Sweet cuts heat. If you have a spicy sauce you’re going to go for a more moderate alcohol and something with a little more residual sugar.”

And for New Yorkers who would rather not go the alcoholic route, they could try one of Joe Isidori’s uber-large creative milkshakes. Isidori is the chef and owner at Black Tap Craft Burgers & Beer and started making these “hella insane” shakes when his wife asked him to make a candy milkshake for her. Measuring a foot tall, these funky shakes sell for $15, three of which can be purchased at Black Tap, Manhattan.

Some of these shakes are themed (like the Red Velvet Valentine’s Day, Candy Cane Christmas one), and one of them was even made special for Super Bowl 50!

Entertainment

Art in the City

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artLooking for something different to do in the Tribeca neighborhood? Located in the former Telepan Local space, the Muse Paint Bar could be just the thing. For those who like art (but don’t necessarily want to take a lesson in it), classes at the bar are very different to the standard art class. In fact, these classes are seen more of an entertainment. And the best part? You actually walk out with something you’ve created yourself.

Each class – that costs $45 – takes around two hours and all equipment is provided. There is a library of approximately 650 designs and new ones each week. One can also purchase snacks and beverages while they paint.

For kids in the area, MoMA is offering a new way of playing using the imagination; get into character of Louise Nevelson rather than Batman at its Art Lab. This is stocked with colored pencils and crayons and kids find a whole slew of different things to use in the lab each time, from toilet paper rolls to golf balls and more.

In fact, this lab sounds like it’d be good for adults too!

 

 

Entertainment, Shimmie Horn

Artists in the East Village

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art galleryAn art gallery in New York’s East Village that seeks to boost local artists was just opened by Carly Zuendel. Named Moxie in Des Moines’, it is located at 505 E. Grand Avenue which is also home to Raygun, Domestica, Thelma’s Treats and Mars Cafe.

At the gallery, 10 artists display their work – the majority of whom live locally. There are different prints and paintings as well jewelry, 3D sculptures and pieces for the home. It is aiming to become a great place to both buy and sell cutting edge art.

The gallery is open Tuesday through Saturday from 10am to 6pm.

Entertainment

The Pope’s Pizza

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pizzaIt was recently revealed that Pope Francis wanted a slice of pizza in New York City. Greenwich Village’s Bleecker Street Pizza decided to go all out following that request (as relayed by Father Hernan Peredes) and made a pizza pie with a portrait of the Pope on it. It is being displayed in the store.

The pizza is a classic mozzarella and tomato flavored one (with some toppings) and on the portrait, Pope Francis is clad in a robe that is made out of ricotta cheese. The cross with Jesus is made from anchovies and pineapples are the yellow part of his hat. Red peppers and cucumbers are the red and green parts of his garments. Raspberries and ricotta cheese attempt to make his skin color – which, according to manager Tony Salihaj was the toughest part to create to accuracy.

The pizza pie took five hours to make.

Entertainment

Hispanic Day Parade

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by S Pakhrin
by S Pakhrin

Last week New York streets were packed as thousands marched up Fifth Avenue for the yearly Hispanic Day Parade that has been taking place for more than half a century. Today New York City is home to around 2.4 million Hispanics. Last year – because it was the fiftieth year of the parade – close to 1 million took place in the march.

The annual march is timed to coincide with Hispanic Heritage Month, September 15 to October 15. It is not just individuals who march but also those associations connected to the Hispanic community as well as the NYC Police and Fire Department.

It is a fun event too. People enjoy standing up for their nationality and it is most colorful since each country that is represented shows up in their colorful native clothing.

Special guest at the parade of 2015 was Miss Universe Paulina Vega who hails from Colombia.

Entertainment

Lower East Side Gets Cinema

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digital-filmsManhattan’s Lower East Side will soon be privy to a two-screen movie theater, with the capacity of playing 35 millimiter and digital films. The idea behind Metrograph came from film director and menswear accessory designer, Alexander Olch who has a boutique right near the location of the new theater, which will be found on Ludlow Street at Canal Street, in an old warehouse.

The plan is also to build a bookstore, restaurant and lounge in the warehouse.