Park Avenue will be closed to motor vehicles from 7am until 1pm on three consecutive Saturdays, August 9th, 16th, and 23rd.  The street will be closed south of 72nd Avenue to the Brooklyn Bridge.

Get out, meet your neighbors, and enjoy New York’s largest block party.

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Post from: The New York City Traveler

Between Manhattan and Queens lies a sliver of land, Roosevelt Island.  The island is primarily residential, but taking the Roosevelt Island Tram on a round-trip is a fun way to see the city in a whole new angle. 

Photo credit: flickr

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Post from: The New York City Traveler

It is estimated that The Puerto Rican Day Parade has over 80,000 participants that march, over 2 million spectators, and is viewed on local and international channels, making it a truly international event.    

The parade has been marred by violence in the past.  In 2000, violence was at its height and last year, police arrested over 200 people, some of whom police believed have gang affiliation.  In 2005, Mayor Bloomberg asked some Fifth Avenue businesses and apartment buildings to refrain from boarding windows, citing that it was insulting.  But some businesses continue to board up and close for business on parade day.      

The parade always features celebrities and local politicians.  Geraldo Rivera, Jennifer Lopez, Marc Anthony, and Ricky Martin have all made appearances in past years.  This year’s Grand Marshal is labor leader Dennis Rivera.       

Location: Parade route is on Fifth Avenue from East 44th Street to East 86th Street.   

Date and Time:  Sunday, June 8, 2008.  Begins at 11am.

Photo credit: PSilver for flickr

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Post from: The New York City Traveler

The Whitney was founded in 1931 with the donation of 700 objects from Gertrude Vanderbilt Whitney.  Whitney, herself a well regarded sculptor, initially attempted to make the donation to the Metropolitan Museum of Art but the donation was declined, leading Whitney to be the founding member of the Whitney Museum of American Art. 

Currently, the permanent collection consists of over 12,000 works, including paintings, sculptures, multimedia installations, drawings, prints, and photographs.  The permanent collection includes numerous works by Edward Hoppers, Georgia O’Keefe, Japser Johns, Ad Reinhardt.  The acquisition budget of the Whitney has always modest, thus leading the museum to make the most of its resources by purchasing the work of living artists, particularly those who were young and not well known artists.

The Museum’s collections start at 1900 and continue to the present. The fifth floor galleries contain art from the permanent collection, 1900 to 1949; the second floor exhibits art from l950 to the present day. Other floors are devoted to changing exhibitions. 

On view now is the huge Whitney Biennial.  The show is widely regarded as the leading event in contemporary art (including performance art, as shown), featuring lesser-known avant garde artists.  This is the last week to catch the full biennial exhibition; the full exhibition will be on view through Sunday, June 1st and select floors will be on view through June 22nd. 

Location: Whitney Museum of American Art, 945 Madison Ave at East 75th Street (map), 212-570-3676 

Subway: 6 to 77th Street

Hours:  Wednesday-Thursday 11am-6pm; Friday 1-9pm; Saturday-Sunday 11am-6pm

Cost: $15; students and seniors $10. Every Friday from 6-9pm is “pay what you wish” admission.

Photo credit: exterior, Dom Dada via flickr; Whitney Biennial performance art, Michael Smith, A Nite with Mike. Performance, Videobrasil, Sao Paolo, 1998, courtesy of Whitney Museum of American Art;

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Post from: The New York City Traveler

This is your chance to catch temporary exhibits that are currently on display:

• Jeff Koons on the Roof
• Superheroes: Fashion and Fantasy
• American Landscapes
• Medieval and Renaissance Treasures from the Victoria and Albert Museum
• Tiepolo Drawings from the Robert Lehman Collection
• Anatomy of a Masterpiece: How to Read Chinese Paintings
• Radiance from the Rain Forest: Featherwork in Ancient Peru
• Beauty and Learning: Korean Painted Screens

All galleries of the permanent collection will also be open to visitors.  

Location:  Metropolitan Museum of Art, 1000 Fifth Avenue (at 82nd Street) (map) 212-535-7710

Getting There: 4,5,6 subway to 86th Street

Hours: Tue-Thur 9:30am-5:30pm; Fri-Sat 9:30am-9pm; Sun 9:30am-5:30pm; Closed Monday (except for select Met Mondays)

Cost: Suggested Donation Adult $20; Senior (65 and older) $15; Student $10; Members Free; Children (under 12 with adult) Free.

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Post from: The New York City Traveler

In an attempt to make sense of all of the museums in the city, and based on The DC Traveler’s immensely popular postings entitled “Monument Monday,” I am starting a regular weekly post featuring a different museum… so think of it as “Museum Monday!” 

Housed in an impressive 5-floor Neo-Georgian-Colonial style brick and limestone building, Museum of the City of New York explores the past, present, and future of New York City.  Founded in 1923 and with over 1.5 million items in its collection, the museum collects, preserves, and presents important items from the long history of New York.  From costumes and textiles to prints and photographs, this museum celebrates New York’s heritage of diversity, opportunity, and transformation. 

The Museum of the City of New York offers six ongoing exhibitions: 

• Timescapes  From a small settlement to America’s most populous city, trace the growth of New York City.  This multimedia experience film features animated maps, archival photographs, prints, and paintings from the museum’s permanent collection.  The exhibition lasts 25 minutes and runs every half hour from 10:15am to 4:45pm.
• Perform  One reason New York draws so many visitors is the vibrant Broadway shows.  Costumes, photographs, props, and other original material explores New York’s link with the theater. 
• New York Interiors (1690-1906)  Daily life in city is examined in this exhibition which features New York’s domestic environments through daily objects.     
• Protect  Fire and fire safety has shaped New York and this exhibition examines that evolution.  
• Trade New York City ports and commerce has played a vital role in the history and development of New York City.  Explore the changing face of the New York City waterfront, past and present. 
• New York Toy Stories  Featuring toys, and games all owned or made by New Yorkers, learn more about childhood in New York.  Also, see the Stettheimer doll house. 

The museum hosts various temporary exhibitions as well.  Visit the museum website at www.mcny.org for more information.  

Location:  Museum of the City of New York, 1220 Fifth Avenue (at 103rd Street) map, 212-534-1672

Subway:  6 to 103rd Street

Days and Hours:  Tuesday-Sunday 10am-5pm.  Open on Monday holidays including Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, Presidents’ Day, Memorial Day, Labor Day, and Columbus Day.

Cost:   Suggested admission is adults $9; seniors, students $5; families $20 (max. 2 adults); children 12 and under free.  Free admission on Sundays between 10am and noon. 

Photo credit: flickr

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Post from: The New York City Traveler

Fashion is inspired by many things and art is not just two-dimensional objects for your viewing pleasure.  The newest exhibit at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, and part of the museum’s Costume Institute, looks as how movie and comic book superheroes have inspired fashion.  Superheroes: Fashion and Fantasy displays over 60 clothing ensembles, including movie costumes, active sportswear, and couture.

The exhibit is divided into very eight very distinct themes that discuss the key concepts of superheroism and their expression in fashion:

• The Graphic Body  Superman’s “S” has influenced many designer logos
• The Paradoxical Body  Catwoman’s “alpha-cat and omega kitten” sex appeal is seen in women’s fashion
• The Patriotic Body  Captain America and Wonder Woman made the stars and stripes fashionable
• The Virile Body  The padded shoulders of the Hulk has served to influence men’s fashion
• The Aerodynamic Body  Functional necessity is behind Nike’s “Swift Suit” and SPEEDO’s “Fastskin” 
• The Armored Body  Muscle and metal were the inspiration behind Thierry Mugler’s famous “Motorcycle Corset”
• The Mutant Body  Like Rebecca Romijin as Mystique in X-Men, the unfamiliar and unorthodox is still beauty… even in fashion    
• The Post-Modern Body  Skulls and other symbols of mortality from Ghost Rider have made their way onto the runways

In addition to the haute couture by designers like Giorgio Armani, Thierry Mugler, and Alexander McQueen, among others, movie costumes are displayed, such as Michelle Pfeiffer’s Catwoman suit and Toby Maguire’s Spider-Man suit.

If you feel inspired by the exhibit, stop by the museum store where there is “superhero” merchandise on display like a spiderweb scarf. 

Location:  Metropolitan Museum of Art, 1000 Fifth Avenue (at 82nd Street) (map) 212-535-7710

Getting There: 4, 5, 6 to 86th Street

Dates of Exhibit:  Superheroes: Fashion and Fantasy will be on exhibit May 7, 2008 through September 1, 2008 

Hours:  Tue-Thur 9:30am-5:30pm; Fri-Sat 9:30am-9pm; Sun 9:30am-5:30pm; Closed Monday (except for select Met Mondays)

Cost: Suggested Donation Adult $20; Senior (65 and older) $15; Student $10; Members Free; Children (under 12 with adult) Free. Includes same-day admission to The Cloisters.

Photo credit (left to right top to bottom): Thierry Mugler (French, born 1948), ensemble, spring/summer 1992, synthetic, resin, metal, leather, courtesy of Thierry Mugler Patrimoine, photo by Patricia Stable courtesy of Metropolitan Museum of Art; Bernhard Willhelm (German, born 1972) Ensemble, spring/summer 2006, cotton, synthetic, courtesy MoMu, Fashion Museum Antwerp, photo from personal collection; The Graphic Body II, photo from personal collection; Nike and SPEEDO race suits, photo from personal collection; Jean-Paul Gaultier (French, born 1952) Ensemble, haute couture spring/summer 2003, silk, courtesy of Collection Gaultier Paris, photo by Chris Moore courtesy of Metropolitan Museum of Art; Giorgio Armani (Italian, born 1934) ensemble, spring/summer 1990, silk, glass, crystal, courtesy of Georgio Armani, photo by Jaques Olivar courtesy of Metropolitan Museum of Art; Thierry Mugler (French, born 1948) ensemble autumn/winter 1995-1996, metal, plastic, resin, courtesy of Thierry Mugler Patrimoine, photo by Patricia Stable courtesy of Metropolitan Museum of Art; from “The Patriotic Body” photo from personal collection.        

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Post from: The New York City Traveler

Children’s Day

Festivities include performances of Japan’s classic stories for children: Peach Boy (Momotaro), Golden Boy (Kintaro), Story of the Old Man Who Made Withered Trees to Blossom (Hanasaka jiisan), and The Monkey and the Crab (Saru-kani gassen). 

Following performance, visitors can enjoy traditional snacks (kashiwa mochi) and create their own samurai helmets (kabuto) and carp streamers (koinobori), traditional Children’s Day decorations. 

Location: Japan Society, 333 East 47th Street (map)

Subway:  6 to 51st Street; 4, 5, 7, S to Grand Central;  E, V to 53rd Street-Lexington Avenue  

Date and Time:  Sunday, May 4th.  2pm.

Cost:  $15 per family (up to five people).  For more information, check the Japan Society website.  

Here a few other events going on around town: 

• Saturday, May 3rd  2008 | Tribeca Film Festival Family Street Fair  Seven blocks of street performances by Broadway actors, puppeteers, music, food, and more fun.  Greenwich Street from Hubert to Duane Street.  Click here for more information.  Free 
• Saturday, May 3rd and Sunday, May 4th | Sakura Matsuri  Stroll under the canopy of cherry blossoms at this “rite of spring” festival.  A samurai sword demonstration, taiko drumming, traditional Japanese music and dance, a kimono and a kimono fashion show.  Brooklyn Botanical Garden.  Click here for more information.  Free  
• Saturday, May 3rd and Sunday, May 4th | Portraits of Mom Studio  Kids can play games and snack while Mom receives a complimentary makeover.  Then the family poses for a family portrait by a professional photographer and the photos will be loaded onto an on-site computer so participants can make their own prints. 89 Montague St at Hicks St, Brooklyn Heights, Brooklyn.  Click here for more information.  Free

Photo credit: flickr

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Post from: The New York City Traveler

Amazônia Brasil – Main Exhibit:  South Street Seaport, Pier 17

South Street Seaport has been transformed into a re-creation of the Brazilian rainforest.  In the 13,000-sq.-foot experience, visitors can see the sights and sounds of the Amazon and walk through a replica of a Amazon village.  Lending even more credibility to the experience, visitors may interact with indigenous shamans and artisans also in attendance.  Click here for more information.  Ends July 13th.     

Fashion & Design Exhibit: World Financial Center Courtyard Gallery  FREE

Focusing on mixing sustainability with fashion and design, I thought this exhibit was fascinating.  The exhibit begins with a display of ten dresses, designed by Brazil’s finest clothing designers, that were made with natural, organic materials.  Among my favorite was the beautiful tilapia fish skin dress by Patricia Viera, the organic cotton and linen dress by Clô Orozco (Huis Clos), and the tucumã straw dress by Nadia Pires.  The exhibition also presents furniture and houseware designs, many made from recycled PET.  Click here for more information.  Ends July 13th.    

Photography & Video:  National Museum of the American Indian  FREE

This National Museum of the American Indian, affiliated with the Smithsonian Institute, opens the “Guardians of the Forest” exhibit tomorrow, May 1st.  This free five day event will offer daily screenings videos which showcase award-winning productions by indigenous filmmakers of the Amazon as well as discussions with some attending filmmakers.  After the New York stop, this exhibition will be heading south to Washington D.C. from May 7-11.  Click here for more information.  Ends May 5th.        

Climate Change Exhibit:  United Nations Visitors Lobby  FREE

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Post from: The New York City Traveler

This week, Shepard Fairey will be the guest DJ spinning a mix of old-school, hip hop, rock, and electronica at the Guggenheim.  Fairey is one of the most influential street-artists of his time.  He initially became known for his “André the Giant Has a Posse” (later known as OBEY Giant) campaign.  Most recently, Fairey is the artist behind the “Progress: Obama” campaign.   

This Friday, enjoy drinks with friends, explore the galleries in the Frank Lloyd Wright-designed building, and listen to some pumping music at Guggenheim’s First Friday Art After Dark. 

Location: Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum, 1071 Fifth Avenue (at 89th Street), map, 212-423-3500

Subway:  4, 5, 6 to 86th Street 

Date and Time: Friday, May 2, 2008 from 9pm until 1am.

Cost:  $25; Free for Guggenheim members. 

Photo credit: Flickr

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Post from: The New York City Traveler