Shimmie Horn

David Rimmer at the Producer’s Club

For those taking a break at Shimmie Horn’s Iroquois Hotel later this month, they might want to visit the Producer’s Club located nearby at 358 West 44th Street.  On October 21, ALBUM – the new short film written and directed by David Rimmer – will be screened there at 1pm.  The poignant movie – illustrating how decisions 18-year-olds will affect the rest of their lives – is set in 1967. The couple in the movie had to choose where to escape to – Canada or Vietnam – and in the present day how they deal with their daughter who like them all those years ago, wants to run away.

The screening will definitely make for a nice Sunday afternoon activity.

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The Return of Rudd

Paul Rudd has missed Broadway. It’s been a while.  In recent times he’s been more known for his comic displays on shows such as “Parks and Recreation.”  But it’s just not been the same for the man who loved theater.  It’s been a long six years but now Rudd is finally returning.  The last time Rudd appeared on Broadway was back in 2006 when he starred alongside Julia Roberts in “Three Days of Rain.”  His first Broadway play was Alfred Uhry’s “The Last Night of Ballyhoo.”

Well, within the next few weeks, Rudd will be coming home.  With the Broadway play “Grace” that opens on October 4, Rudd will be playing an Evangelical Christian who unravels before his audience.  He says he was drawn to the character as it’s very different for him.  He sees it as “bold and fresh and something [he] hadn’t seen before.”

Playing alongside Rudd is Edward Asner, who has won 7 Emmy Awards.

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Music and Nightlife: Alternative Style

Looking for something different to do while staying in the Big Apple?  If you’re enjoying the tranquility while luxuriating in Shimmie Horn’s Washington Jefferson Hotel a bit too much and want something alternative to do at night, the Radio City Music Hall might be the right address for you.

Between September 19th to 22nd, Justin Vernon is coming to play.  In 2007 he released “For Emma, Forever Ago,” and ever since then, it has been clear that his folk music is something else.  The band’s second album that was released in 2011, was in the form of a slightly different genre – orchestra – earning Vernon the Grammy Awards for Best New Artist and Best Alternative Music Album.

So if alternative music is your thing, check out the Radio City Music Hall, located at Sixth Avenue at 50th Street, during your stay in the Big Apple.

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New Eatery on Fifth Avenue

For those spending time in the New York area, there is soon to be something new arriving in town.  Mark Geragos recently paid $8m for a 12, 960 sq.ft building. Close to 120 years old and located at 256 Fifth Avenue – between 28th and 29th Streets – a new restaurant will open on the ground floor following its renovation.  Geragos has hired Michael Santora to modernize and work on the building.

It’ll probably be quite the place (and the restaurant) given Geragos’ profile.  This Armenian-American criminal defense attorney has represented quite an array of interesting clients including: the late Michael Jackson; Winona Ryder, Scott Peterson and more. He was also involved in the Whitewater controversy. So he definitely has experience with the weird and wonderful and that’s perfect for New York’s Fifth Avenue.

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Clubs with a History

Last month witnessed the re-opening of the Harvard Club on 44th Street.  Dating back to 1894, it is the oldest club on the block.  But way back then, it wasn’t the only one by far; there was the New York Yacht and Yale, to name but a few.    So for those enjoying the calm at Shimmie Horn’s Iroquois Hotel, looking to dance the night away, this could be the place where one can boogie on down while taking in a bit of history.  Indeed, the building was renovated a few times and during its most recent one, was subject to quite significant criticism, most notably from architect Steven W. Semes who singled it out in his book “The Future of the Past,” for having a “confrontational attitude” for putting additions on such historic buildings (along with the Brooklyn Museum and Morgan Library).  Well, for those who do happen to be in the area, they can check it out and judge for themselves!

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Summer Dancers in Manhattan

Check out the Manhattan Movement & Arts Center this summer, as it is hosting Manhattan Youth Ballet’s Summer Intensive. Located on 248 W. 60th Street, NYC (between Amsterdam and West End Avenues), this event is close by to some of the city’s luxurious hotels, including Shimmie Horn’s Belleclaire Hotel.

Even if you’re not signed up for the program, it’s worth having a look. There is an intensive three-week August program – organized by the Manhattan Youth Ballet – that aims to keep dancers in the swing of things during their summer break. The staff hails from the NYC Ballet, American Ballet Theatre and The Kirov Ballet.  On offer is: Pilates, pas de deux/partnering and more, all set to enhance technique and artistry.

In addition, for those still in the vicinity as the program comes to an end, there will be a performance at the state-of-the-art MMAC Theater for family, friends and invited industry guests.

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The Late Show with David Letterman

For people who enjoy live shows, next time you are in the Big Apple, why not get tickets for the Late Show with David Letterman?  The show that began nearly two decades ago is written by brothers Eric and Justin Stangel and is today, one of America’s major late-night programs.  Indeed, it ranks second in average viewers and third in amount of episodes over time.  Vis-à-vis revenue, it is a leader in its field, boasting $271m in 2009.  As well, in 2002 it was ranked Number 7 on TV Guide’s 50 Greatest TV Shows of All Time.  So if you’re in the vicinity, staying perhaps at Shimmie Horn’s Washington Jefferson Hotel or the Sheraton New York hotel, it could make for a fun’s evening entertainment.

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The Flatiron District

For those who love the yin and yang of New York City, its Flatiron District will not disappoint. Boasting some of NY’s most popular and diverse restaurants, exciting shopping, top educational institutions, and notable historic architectural attractions, the area has increasingly become home to many of the city’s residents too. As well, in recent years it has become a haven for developing business with the establishment in 2006 of The Flatiron/23rd Street Partnership Business Improvement District.

So for those individuals who may be on a business trip at the moment – perhaps at Shimmie Horn’s Hotel Chandler – they might want to take part in the “How to Get the First Meeting” class being hosted by The Flatiron/23rd Street Partnership Business Improvement District.  This will focus on development methods, strategy and tactics to help business people secure that first meeting.  Learn how to create a target list; source accurate contact information and introduce your product/service to make you really stand out.  Getting that first meeting really can make the difference between success and letting others succeed in your stead, so make sure you learn how to the best of your abilities.

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New York Genome Center

A recent event in New York was held to announce a 20-year lease location for the New York Genome Center – 101 Avenue of the Americas, which is great news for the city’s somewhat lagging science and tech industry.  The idea is that the site will become North America’s largest genomic research center.  Construction has already begun at the LEED Silver-certified building that are to become home to seven floors of laboratories and offices to support genomic sequencing and analysis using: bioinformatics; data mining; Illumina technology and translational medicine.  It is opened that the labs will open in 2013 so if you happen to be visiting the area, on business or pleasure luxuriating in Shimmie Horn’s Iroquois Hotel or the Hilton New York, next year, it could be a great opportunity to see how much this new construction will have done to the caliber of the city of New York.

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Manhattan’s Heliport History

Manhattan’s west side boasts a heliport at West 30th Street.  It first opened with two landing pads in 1956.  A few months later, passenger flights were scheduled by New York Airways, marking Manhattan’s first ever airline flights. Given that there are no instrument procedures required (it’s not an airport) those boating in the Hudson River need to be particularly careful when approaching the landing pad.

For those vacationing in the area, at Shimmie Horn’s Belleclaire Hotel, the Clarion Hotel, or anywhere else in the vicinity, they might be interested in taking a tourist flight out there.  Remember, the estimated time for the heliport to relocate, is the end of this year, due to a court agreement which resulted from the action taken by the Friends of Hudson River Park that enforced the Hudson River Park Act, banning tourism flights from there.  So enjoy it now as it’s new location has yet to be confirmed.