The New York City Traveler

New York may not have the television industry that California does, but the Big Apple is quickly gaining on its West Coast competitor.  Just a few months ago, it was announced that ABC’s hit comedy Ugly Betty will move production, joining an impressive list of shows that are taped in New York.
The American Museum of the Moving Image is dedicated to the art of film and television production by collecting and preserving moving image-related artifacts.  The museum is housed on the same block as the legendary Kaufman Astoria Studios.  The studio was home of the Marx Brothers and Cosby …read more

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If Water Taxi Beach simply isn’t cutting it any longer, try a getaway to one of the New York area’s finest beaches.  Some are close enough for a day-trip while others are best enjoyed by spending a weekend. 

Rockaway Beach, Queens   Watch the longboarders catch some of New York’s best waves at this surfers delight.  Close to the city, Rockaway Beach Park offers a quick get-away.  Free admission.  A to Broad Channel then S to Rockaway Park-Beach 116th St. 
Jones Beach State Park, NY   If you don’t want to wade in the surf of this 6.5 mile beach, try …read more

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Spring is “film festival season” in New York and today marks the opening of the Havana Film Festival New York (HFFNY).  The film festival celebrates the best of Latin America cinema featuring films from Cuba, the Caribbean, Mexico, Central and South America.  The festival runs until Thursday, April 17th. 
Tonight’s opening film, La Noche de los Inocentes (The Night of the Innocents) (Cuba/Spain/Italy), opens with a badly beaten man in the emergency room of La Habana hospital.  Everyone assumes that he’s been assaulted for being a transvestite, but as the night continues, mysterious characters “come out of the woodwork.”  The …read more

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Super Tuesday is less than 24 hours away and up for grabs is New York State’s 281 Democratic delegates and 101 Republican delegates.  Though it feels like everybody has been campaigning for years (like Hillary Clinton has) Super Tuesday marks only the beginning of the election season.  Between now and November 4th, we can expect to be bombarded with political commercials as the candidates take to the airwaves to duke it out for New York State’s 31 electoral votes. 
The Museum of Moving Image, located in Queen’s Astoria neighborhood, has a great exhibition focusing on the presidential elections and television …read more

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Housed in a Romanesque-Revival building that was once a New York City public school, P.S. 1 Contemporary Art Center is the answer for those who prefer avant garde art by little-known artists to the sterilized art found in many of today’s major museums.
P.S. 1 was founded in 1971 by current director Alanna Heiss and was primarily dedicated to transforming abandoned buildings in New York City into exhibition, performance, and studio space for artists. Today, P.S 1 operates two spaces for contemporary art: P.S 1 Contemporary Art Center, a huge hundred-room museum in Long Island City, Queens, and the …read more

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Cruise the Harbor with cheap booze: I recently sang the praises of the cheapest cruise in town but the Staten Island Ferry also happens to be one of the best places in New York to watch the fireworks.  Spectacular views of Liberty Island, New Jersey, Brooklyn, and Manhattan.  Don’t forget to bundle up!
B.Y.O.B. and watch the fireworks without the crowds:  If you want to stay on land, Astoria Park (map) in Queens will have great views of the Central Park and Brooklyn fireworks.  Or, skip the crowds at Battery Park and go to Rockefeller Park (map) for views of …read more

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