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Beauty Featured Finance Lifestyle Living NYC Wellness

Downtown’s Ultimate Beauty Gift Guide 2020

 

We can all agree that 2020 was a year like no other, and it will go down in history as one of the most difficult collective challenges in our lifetimes. As the hashtag says, #weareinthistogether. No matter your level of income, age, skin color, or which part of the world you live in, we all had to rethink how we get from morning to night, facing challenges like working remotely and DIY beauty regimens.

We are grateful that our favorite brands made 2020 easier for us. We figured out how to get through it, even if it meant that our hair colorist had to drop off a premixed color formula so that our dear life partners (or children) could apply.

It may not have been a pretty sight, but from the creative photos on social media, it certainly came with a large dose of humility and humor.

This year we have decided to honor the brands who were there for our company in our Downtown’s 2020 Ultimate Beauty Gift Guide.

Here are a few of our favs!

 

Supremÿa Eyes at Night. Exceptional night skin care dedicated to revealing the youth of the eyes.

 

 

Supremÿa Cream An exceptional night treatment specifically for dry skin or skin lacking comfort, which targets the visible signs of aging to offer noticeably enhanced rejuvenation.

 

 

Scent Sational gifts from Sisley Paris. Sisley continues the original collaboration with artist Quentin Jones celebrating Izia in a new package inspired by her colorful ‘rock’ universe. Collages of roses, fluorescent ink, and flecks of paint boldly decorate the box. Its delicacy and lightness contrast with the ‘rock’ design of the box and echo the singular rose at the heart of the fragrance.

 

 

A limited-edition holiday bundle of 3 bestsellers from Bali Body, Ultra Dark Self Tan, Face Tan Water & BB Cream, it’s everything you need for the perfect glow. In a festive gift box!

 

 

Roam Slippers

 

 

ROAM slippers and sandals are all about comfort. They have custom-molded footbeds that are pillow soft while completely supporting your feet. The mid-soles are wrapped in neoprene for wicking and breathability, keeping your feet cool. There is also memory foam added to the uppers that allow the shoes to mold and form to your feet – truly creating a hug for your feet.

 

TYME

​Make ​​travel and everyday styling easier, and faster with Tyme. Combining many different size curling irons with a straightener. No more cluttered drawers, cabinets, and suitcases – just one tool.

One of our Publisher’s new FAV!

 

 

 

Joon Saffron Rose shampoo, this gentle conditioner detangles, hydrates, and smoothes hair. Used in traditional Persian beauty rituals for centuries, the “Antioxidant Powerhouse” created by Saffron, Rose, Pistachio and Pomegranate nourish and strengthen the hair strand while restoring elasticity, making your hair look/feel softer, stronger, and healthier.

Persians have used Saffron, Pistachio, and Rose in beauty rituals for centuries. Saffron, a spice worth more than its weight in gold, is used to strengthen hair. Pistachio nourishes and moisturizes for bouncy and smooth hair.

Coming from a haircare background, Shiva and Kayvon Tavakoli spent their entire lives in the salon haircare world. Their father came to the US when he was 17 years old and after moving to Houston, built a successful salon empire and haircare laboratory.

 

 

 

Joanna Vargas, We needed something to help keep our beauty regiment up, as we all worked from home, spas, and salons were closed during the quarantine. For a wide-awake look, with or without concealer, use the Magic Glow Wand to reduce the appearance of puffiness, invigorating your complexion, bringing your glow back.

 

Use it with a serum or mask for an unbelievably soft and radiant look!

 

One of our newest discoveries Deborah Lippman’s, hand and feet moisturizer, trust us, it will change your hands and feet forever. With the hard winter approaching, start now and by spring you will feel like a new person!

Your hands are the first to reveal your age. Keep them guessing with this award-winning cream formulated with shea butter, avocado, and jojoba oil. Winner of Health Magazine’s Healthiest Hand Cream, as voted by leading dermatologists Broad spectrum SPF 25 sunscreen protects from the sun’s UVA and UVB harmful rays Shea butter, Avocado, and Jojoba oil keep hands moisturized Botanical brightening complex helps to even skin tone.

 

 

 

 

Again for the 3rd year in a row, we are including BrooklynBotany. We cannot get through a winter without their scrubs and now new Sweet Almond oil.

This holiday season we sampled their new Blueberry Scrub, all we can say is THANK YOU Brooklyn Botany. Our dry skin feels renewed, and radiant, the winter dry itch is gone.

 

 

Sweet Almond Oil, the perfect name for Brooklyn Botnay’s oil..  sweet it is, very mild, and hypoallergenic. This oil is safe to be used for almost all skin types including sensitive, dry, and oily skin. It can even be used on children and babies skin.

 

Can’t get to St Barth this year, no worries, they bring their delightful products to you. And, just in time for Christmas with Ligne St. Barth

Feel the beauty of the island – surrounded by warmth, a breath of wind cools your cheeks. Sea Breeze embodies the lightness of a tropical summer day: with the deep blue Blue Lagoon shower gel, tingling like a bath in the surf. Try this sun splash, with grapefruit as an invigorating freshness accord. This beguiling Premium Care Oil gives your body, face, and hair, a golden sheen.

 

 

 

We cannot get enough of this brand. Anything they make it superb. We love the new refill pouch. Sustainability is here for Ouai.

We have tried many dry shampoo’s and it can be hit or miss. But not with Ouai’s Super Dry Shampoo. Works every time and does not leave your hair unruly or limp.

 

 

Ready for a private dinner at home for two, or just want to feel sexy? Intensely seductive, Good Girl Eau de Parfum Carolina Herrera’s Suprême reinvents the iconic Good Girl fragrance with a daring new formula. Redefining the emblematic contrast of lights and shadows encourages you to connect with your rebellious side. Grab one for a delicious stocking stuffer.

 

One does not think about body serum. However, we have been using Immunocologie body serum for years. Yes, it does moisturize, repair, and restore. It’s very light to the touch but deeply moisturizes. A dry oil intended for full-body application. We found that after a bath or shower apply, and leave on your skin all day and or night, it’s silky smooth and your skin will feel radiant and restored.

 

 

Four Seasons Hotel New York Downtown Give the gift of luxury to your loved one, or maybe the gift you have been looking for yourself. Join Downtown New York’s newest intimate space Club 27 where you can focus on your personal fitness and wellness goals, surrounded by inspiration and without any distractions.

 

Mudras.com

 

With this signature bespoke massage treatment, you will experience the magically unique and tailor-made Body Reset massage. This is considered a secret weapon for many of our #MudrasFam. The BodyReset Technique was developed by Yotam Kafri founder of Mudras.com Holiday special for first-time clients. Get 30% off on your first session!
Mention Downtown Magazine to get your special offer. LIMITED TIME ONLY!

 

 

Get your gift certificate now!

 

For those who are enjoying the sheer pleasure of CDB, these are our picks for the 2020 Holiday Season

 

 

 

Meet our first CBD infused moisturizer specifically formulated for the face. Lord Jones Whole Plant Formula Acid Mantle Repair is a soothing CBD moisturizer formulated to help maintain the acid mantle, support the skin’s moisture barrier, and rebalance the appearance of stressed skin.* Each jar contains 250mg of CBD (<0.3% THC).

 

Treat the CBD purist in your life to a trio of our most popular Lord Jones products gumdrops, body lotion, and Royal Oil.

 

 

 

These premium tinctures contain 500mg of full-spectrum CBD derived from specially-sourced hemp for unparalleled purity and quality. Each dropper delivers approximately 20mg of CBD. Available in two flavors, Orange and Peppermint.

 

 

Her Royal Hempress

Her Royal Hempress skincare collection is defined by synergistic, small-batch blends of CBD and potent botanical actives that have been specially crafted with the highest attention to detail. Created by a generational, social-conscious gardener & mother Emma Spivey, Her Highness uses powerful botanical ingredients to complement the transformative CBD to leave skin feeling naturally radiant and for therapeutic relief. 

Her Highness 

Her Highness is a cannabis lifestyle brand based in New York with a curated collection of cannabis, CBD, and consumption essentials designed with the modern consumer in mind. Her Highness product is thoughtfully designed with the intent of bringing cannabis into a woman’s world, not the other way around. With a dynamic range of stylish, high-quality products for smoking, stress relief, self-care, and pleasure, Her Highness satisfies every cannabis craving.

New Highs CBD

New Highs CBD hopes to enlighten and empower women and men towards the path of an elevated lifestyle utilizing the healing properties of CBD. New Highs products invigorate the mind, body, and soul-lifting up high while remaining non-intoxicating.

“Dr. Kerklaan Therapeutics inspired by his desire to help my patients. In 2013, patients started asking about CBD and their health. He took the opportunity to research, study, and attended conferences in order to confidently provide answers to patients who were asking about the health benefits of CBD. Here are just some of our favorite products.

Deep moisturizing lotion utilizing condensed red ginseng water that strengthens the skin barrier and balances the pH for healthy and luminous skin. Donginbi Red Ginseng. DONGINBI was created in 1899, based on internationally recognized manufacturing company Cheong Kwan Jang’s philosophy of creating Korean red ginseng for external use.

Botanika life has a wide array of products catering to an active and healthy lifestyle.  Improving what already works by bringing in nature’s miracle ingredient CBD.

 

Whatever your plans for this holiday season, stay safe, do not gather in large crowds, think about your loved ones and, wear a mask. We look forward to seeing you in 2021.

 

From our home to yours Happy Holidays!

Categories
Dining Featured Restaurants Uncategorized

Ampia NYC Partners with The Murder Mystery Company

This year the holidays will be different, not bad, just different. We are recommending safe and socially distanced options for your ghastly haunt, Halloween spots in and around Downtown.

We have chosen to share our Halloween with this talented husband and wife duo, Chef Michele Iuliano, and Anisa Iuliano, who are the restaurateurs behind seven NYC-based Italian eateries (most notable being their popular Napoletana eatery, Gnoccheria) open Ampia Restaurant & Rooftop in the heart of the Financial District.

This incredible authentic Italian eatery with a gorgeous rooftop during outdoor dining also offers a beautifully decorated indoor restaurant.

 

 

Ampia NYC

 

Ready for a bloodcurdling time?

 

Come join the Downtown team this Friday, October 30th as Ampia teams up with The Murder Mystery Company

 

Ampia NYC

Enjoy a murder mystery dinner and show at Ampia NYC

 

Located at 100 Broad Street on the 2nd floor, guests may choose dinner & cocktail menu items from the Halloween pre-fixe menu.

 

With a socially distant dining room and perfect for all ages, Ampia NYC has your Friday night Halloween plan covered:

 

8:00PM seating: Dinner & show

  • Theme: Death of a gangster | Join the Dunn Family for the Mafia wedding of the century! Don your best 1920’s wedding attire for the Don and his goons. This show will have you in stitches… especially if you’re a snitch!
  • Time: 8:00PM: arrivals & cocktail reception | 8:30 – 10:00PM: dinner & show

VIP Booth seating available for groups up to 6 people

 

*Costumes are not mandatory but highly recommended*

 

Pexels Halloween

 

Ampia Restaurant first opened last October 2019 and closed its doors in March due to COVID-19. The 4,000 sq. ft restaurant sits inside of an old bank-clearing house, transformed into the modern Mediterranean inspired dining room, with all furnishing and design aspects directly from Italy.

The location is 100 Broad St., take the elevator (stairs are also available) up to the 2nd floor, entering directly into the restaurant. Guests can expect a luxurious menu to indulge in an authentic Italian dining experience while maintaining social distancing protocols, and several, safety and sanitizing precautions.

It’s time to get into the Halloween spirit this season, chose Ampia NYC and we will see you there!

Categories
Fashion Featured Industry News Miami News NYC

Time Square Fashion Week 2020

By DCG MediaGroup

 

MEDIA RECAP

Jean Shafiroff, NYC Socialite and Philanthropist, Manhattan Borough President Gale Brewer welcome Guests to Times Square Fashion Week!

 

The first LIVE Event in Father Duffy Square, Times Square since the commence of COVID-19! Times Square Fashion Week takes the famous Father Duffy Square red stairs and makes history by changing the landscape of #NYFW produced by Dee Rivera Founder, DCG Media Group & Fashion Mingle. Throw NYC designs a Fashionable Mask to benefit City Harvest NYC.org

Times Square Fashion Week takes the famous Father Duffy Square red stairs and makes history by changing the landscape of #NYFW. 

New York, NY September 2020 — As the Big Apple is gaining some normalcy day after day, Times Square Fashion Week gave a  taste of the new normal  in the midst of a global pandemic to the fashion industry and brought a glimmer of hope to fashion insiders, designers, and VIPs to the heart of New York City, 

Featuring seven talented designers on deck, as well as key sponsors, key-note speakers, and other creatives artists, this event was a slam dunk on how moving fashion-forward is done.

Times Square Fashion Week is on its second-year debut, the objective was to move fashion forward by spreading the word globally and locally, making sure the message is  #fashionnewyorkstrong. 

During New York Fashion Week, many designers are doing LIVE Stream Virtual Shows showcasing their collections. Times Square Fashion Week took the opportunity to showcase a full-frontal fashion live event at Father Duffy Square NYC! Most importantly, the event was a socially fashion-conscious show with beautiful, antimicrobial masks, designed by Throw NYC which everyone received as they entered.

“We are extremely grateful for all of the talented designers that showcased their work for Times Square Fashion Week as well as our sponsors,  keynote speakers, and VIP guests,” said Dee Rivera., Founder of Times Square Fashion Week and CEO of DCG Media Group

“It took hard work and determination, but we did a LIVE event in the heart of Times Square, which was more than expected. I am very proud of what we accomplished during a global pandemic for NYFW and grateful to my Executive Producer, Melissa Shea of Fashion Mingle who saw my vision and decided to take a leap of faith with me to make this event happen.”

The designers’ collections brought the heart of Times Square a vibe that was much needed since the start of Covid-19. 

Partners included Jean Shafiroff as the Mistress of Ceremony including as well as 

Gale A. Brewer, Manhattan Borough President, provided a phenomenal speech prior to the models walking down the red carpet, where she expressed her thanks to DCG Media Group, Melissa Shea of Fashion Mingle, the Times Square Alliance, City Harvest, THROW Nyc, and even the weatherman for providing beautiful weather for this delightful evening.

The catwalk included designers such as Justin Haynes [JUS10H], who featured a colorful collection full of his eye-catching signature patchwork. Makeup for Haynes’s models had a pop of color which made the outfits stand out.

Cenia Paredes [Cenia NY]featured an array of peacock colors on flowing cocktail gowns that were a Show Stopper and perfect for an outdoor soiree. The makeup on the models was very natural, glowy, and dewy. 

Isabella Barrett [House of Barretti] showcased Chanel style suits which can channel Jackie Kennedy in every Millenial and Gen Xer nowadays. The makeup looks were natural and to the point.

Gloria Lee [Gloria Lee Designs] had an all-white silky long dress with makeup consisting of a pink smokey eye and dramatic white lashes that provided the touch of an angel hitting the runway.

Cherelle Towns [XEVONQUII] showed her model wearing a playful yet colorful two-piece suit that will have you land your next job interview in the blink of an eye. The makeup for her model was natural as well.

Chokomode had two models sporting a wide-leg striped jumpsuit and mid-length one-shoulder dress which also had stripes. These outfits were classy yet sexy and can be worn to a wedding or a night out in the town with the girls.

Kimberly Pucci [Kimberly Pucci Atelier + Vault] featured a chic weekender bag that can be utilized for a mini getaway or even as a gym bag to look chic when entering the locker room.

Afterward, Raven Roberts, Style & Fashion Director of ravenroberts.com, was Times Square Fashion Week’s red carpet host and interviewed Designers and VIP guests.

This amazing event ended with a toast to Times Square Fashion Week, as the event was nothing but phenomenal. Guests mingled and received swag bags containing a bottle of Black Baron Wine, Vera Moore Cosmetics, and an Astouri Designed Mask.

Our finale was breathtaking as everyone strolled to the Times Square billboard and featured our Digital Fashion Show featuring each designer’s collection as well as Ads for all of our sponsors with Naomi Group, Black Baron Wine, Astouri, New York Makeup Academy, and True Model Management.

Stay tuned for our LIVE Virtual Premiere on Globalfashionchannel.com on September 17th at 8 pm EST.

ABOUT DESIGNER

XEVONQUII New York

Cherelle Townes is back at it again, this time with her latest fashion line, Xévonquii, due to launch September 2020. Xévonquii exudes class and its 1920s inspired style will have you wanting to add pieces to your closet immediately. Xévonquii is all about vintage tweed and soft velvets with a heavy influence from Chanel. Townes’ goal is to master one fabric and be known for her iconic use of it. The Richmond, VA native is not new to the fashion industry. 

 

Gloria Lee is a womenswear brand that offers dresses that women can wear from day to night.  Inspired by mythology, nature, and history, Gloria Lee™ designs each and every garment with the purpose to highlight women’s innate elegance, beauty, and a touch of drama.  The mission of the company is to deliver style without polluting or damaging our ecosystem. It starts with the promise of creating beautiful collections with natural fibers and embodying production processes (ex: Zero-Waste pattern-making, manufactured locally) that are least harmful to our ecosystem. 

 

JUS10H

International Fashion Designer Justin Haynes, is CEO and founder of JUS10H; specializing in men, women, and children’s clothing. Justin’s modern vintage designs are featured at local, national, and international shows—from his native Springfield, Massachusetts’ runway to the Fashion Weeks of New York, Los Angeles, Chattanooga, Miami, Paris, and Milan. Justin has taken patchwork to a whole new level. Creating clean, tailored garments on a signature level resulting in numerous requests to create trademark looks for the Oscars 2020. 

House Of Barretti

House of Barretti is a worldwide leader in Custom 2 Piece Suits for the sophisticated Tween, Teen, and Young Adult.  Successful Teen entrepreneur, spokes Model, TV Actress and one of the youngest millionaires in the USA. She has worked with Young Entrepreneurs across the country building brands and has several successful brands including a skincare, haircare and teen suit line under the House of Barretti label. Isabella Produces a fun IGTV show called Business with Bella and is about to release a book Teens Guide to Business. 

Chokomode is a unique clothing line offering individual collections of rich quality fabric for today’s professional woman whether at work or at play. We are passionate about creating indelible first impressions for the style-functional woman. Our clothing is designed for authority and power while embracing the soft and sexy femininity within every woman. Chokomode as a fashion brand symbolizes the essence of the well-dressed woman while offering a high-quality collection of fashion items built for the success and lifestyle of the modern working woman. Our designs are classy, sophisticated, and elegant yet boast a figure-flattering tailored fit.

CENIA New York: Cenia caters to the woman who embraces her curves, is sassy, self-secure, and wants to look tastefully sexy and radiant no matter what size or body shape. In 2011, Cenia was chosen among 900 companies as one of the 22 participants of TheWorkshop At Macy’s, and she was one of 4 vendors chosen to launch her product in selected stores. Since then Cenia has expanded her distribution to specialty stores globally and has expanded her line to include a highly successful denim line with her patent-pending Cenia Convi Jean. In the Spring of 2016, Cenia’s debuted on Shopping Life 24 in Russia and HSN in the USA.

Kimberly Pucci 

Now, with Kimberly Pucci Atelier and Kimberly Pucci Vault, her artistic sensibility and unparalleled expertise have found their ultimate expression. “I am living my passion,” she says. “Building relationships with my clients, and my artisans, based on uncompromising quality and integrity. It’s a dream come true.” Kimberly Pucci was planning to become a lawyer, but a fateful junior year abroad at the Università degli Studi di Firenze changed everything. “Florence stopped me in my tracks,” she recalls. “Everywhere I turned I was inspired, whether it was food, wine, art, or just the culture of living la dolce vita.” Her host family included artisans who handcrafted frames for Renaissance paintings at the Uffizi Gallery—and she was hooked. 

ABOUT OUR TEAM

Founder/Executive Producer

Dee Rivera, Latina Entrepreneur, Founder of DCG Media Group, and Times Square Fashion Week has over nearly 20 years of fashion production and public relations experience. She has worked with some of the most recognizable fashion, beauty, luxury, lifestyle brands, and celebrities in the world. With a vision to create a fashion week that can be celebrated around the world, during Covid-19, Times Square Fashion Week was born. 

 

Media Partner/ Executive Producer

Melissa Shea is the Founder of Fashion Mingle, a global network for fashion industry professionals.  Our mission is to build a revolutionary platform that will fuel the growth of local fashion communities creating economic opportunities for all.

Fashion Mingle has over 5,000 members in 100+ industry categories, creating a global hub for collaboration and commerce.

KeyNote Speaker-CoSponsor-Gale A. Brewer is the 27th and current President of the New York City borough of Manhattan and a Democratic politician from the state of New York. She was a member of the New York City Council, where she represented the Upper West Side and the northern part of Clinton in Manhattan

 

Mistress Of Ceremonies

Jean Shafiroff is an American philanthropist, author, advocate, and socialite. Shafiroff serves on the boards of several charitable organizations and has been honored by the American Heart Association, American Cancer Society, NYC Mission Society, The Jewish Board, The Hadassah, Surgeons of Hope, and more. She is the host of the television show “Successful Philanthropy” on LTV.

 

 

A portion of the proceeds plus our Times Square Fashion Week Face Mask will benefit City Harvest. City Harvest is New York’s first and largest food rescue organization, helping to feed millions of New Yorkers who struggle to put meals on their tables. This year, we will rescue 109 million pounds of fresh, nutritious food and deliver it — free of charge — to more than 400 food pantries, soup kitchens, community partners, and our own Mobile Markets across the five boroughs. We work alongside our community partners to boost community capacity, expand nutrition education, and strengthen local food systems. For more than 35 years, City Harvest has always been there to feed our city — one day, one meal, one New Yorker at a time.

 

Global Fashion Channel has become the Official Live Stream Channel for Times Square Fashion Week. Around the

world, enthusiasts have access to the Global Fashion Channel platform. Their app is free to download and available for Android devices, including TV apps for Apple TV, Roku and Amazon Fire TV. In addition, their content will be redistributed via numerous networks, satellites, and cable providers worldwide. Currently, there are over 15 million monthly views. Global Fashion Channel as the Official Live Stream Global Channel streaming

Times Square Fashion Week, Fashion Mingle Globally on Roku, Apple TV, Amazon.

MASK DESIGNED by THROW NYC

THROW NYC

Fashion can be transformative, and at THROW we take that notion to heart. THROW takes designer and industrial materials that have served a purpose, then transforms them through re-design into something beautiful and new again. From surplus designer fabric left at the cutting room to giant vinyl trade show banners destined for landfill, THROW diverts excess from the supply chain and gives it new life. THROW’s focus is on up-cycling rather than recycling. What’s the difference? Recycling generally goes more downstream (think designer jeans recycled into insulation, or elegant writing paper turned into egg cartons)

 

 

PARTNERS

Categories
Industry News Uncategorized

Path Train Engineer – COVID

‘EVERYONE’S A LITTLE MORE PATIENT WITH EACH OTHER,’ SAYS PATH TRAIN ENGINEER

Elena Clarke’s job is to make sure people get where they need to go. She’s a PATH engineer, and she’s been working all through the pandemic.

Clarke works in the cab of the train, i.e. the driver’s seat, and because it’s her job to be on PATH trains all week, she comes prepared. “I make sure I have all the PPE that I need,” Clarke told the Downtown Alliance, “and not only for myself.” If a coworker forgets a mask or gloves or hand sanitizer, Clarke is ready to be generous — because it helps everyone. “We’re trying to all do this together.”

Clarke, who has worked for PATH for eight years, keeps in mind how important her role is to keep the city running, through the worst of the pandemic and now, in this strange limbo split into phases of reopening. “I’m proud to do what I do,” she said. “I’m proud to be an essential worker and get other essential workers where they need to go.”

Clarke’s shift goes from 3:30p to 11:30p. “I take people home from work, which I like because they seem to be in better spirits,” she said.

Though, in the last few weeks, Clarke has noticed a change.

Every day, I’m seeing more people –

and it’s funny because it used to be that everyone rushes to sit down and kind-of like push each other out of the way to get a seat. But these days everyone’s a little more apprehensive of one another, a little more patient with each other, and I like seeing that.

Still, Clarke wants to make sure everyone remembers to wear their masks so everyone can stay safe — and remind people to bring their PPE with them when they disembark. The trains are dutifully cleaned — and they should stay that way. So take your masks and gloves with you and don’t leave them in the train car. “If people would be more conscious to pick that stuff up, that would be great,” she said.

Like everyone else, Clarke is still processing how COVID-19 has impacted the world. “This really affected everyone in a big way. Even outside of work I see the way people have changed,” she said. “I’m in my thirties and I’ve never felt like I have had to be so protective when I leave my home.”

My LM

Categories
Events Featured NYC

Midsummer New York 2020

Sweden Invites New York to Experience Midsummer With Live Streams, Midsummer Picnic Baskets for Pickup, and Complimentary Flower Crowns

For the first time in 24 years, the annual Swedish Midsummer Festival in New York City is canceled, due to the coronavirus pandemic. But it is still possible to experience this major Scandinavian holiday, recognizing summer and the summer solstice, through live streams from all over Sweden on Friday, June 19. For New Yorkers who wish to partake in the activities, complimentary Midsummer flower wreath kits will be provided by Visit Sweden in partnership with Morgan+Grand Flowers, and a few restaurants in New York City have announced “Midsummer specials” for pickup.

 

Midsummer New York 2020
Photo: Anna Hållams/imagebank.sweden.se

 

To prevent the spread of the coronavirus-

this year’s Midsummer festivities in Sweden will look a little different. All major Midsummer events in Sweden have been canceled, but Swedes will still celebrate this special day in smaller groups, with family or close friends. In fact, this year’s Midsummer will be even more special because the nationwide celebration – from Skåne in the south to Swedish Lapland in the north – will be shared with everyone through Visit Sweden’s Facebook live streams. Local Swedish hosts will guide the viewer through activities and share their very personal Midsummer traditions: from their take on the infamous frog dance around the Midsummer pole to skiing under the midnight sun.

Visit Sweden Facebook Live Stream Schedule (US/Eastern Time)
5 am Flower-wreath making in Skåne 
7 am Midsummer lunch in West Sweden
9 am Dancing around the Midsummer pole in Dalarna
1 pm Flower picking and evening dip in Roslagen
6 pm Midnight sun and skiing in Swedish Lapland

Midsummer Live Facebook eventhttps://www.facebook.com/events/265902574468529/

Midsummer Celebration in New York City

The Consulate General of Sweden, in collaboration with Battery Park City Authority, typically hosts the annual Swedish Midsummer Festival in New York, which is the largest official Midsummer celebration in the world outside of Sweden. This popular event, dating back to 1996 and drawing thousands of visitors every year, has been postponed until 2021. Instead, the Consulate General of Sweden will honor the Swedish tradition on social media during the week of June 15 leading up to Midsummer’s Eve.

New Yorkers wishing to continue the tradition of celebrating Swedish Midsummer can also pick up a Midsummer flower wreath kit from two locations in Manhattan, by Central Park and Union Square, as well as one in East Williamsburg, Brooklyn. Visit Sweden is offering these kits free of charge (maximum two per person) on a first-come, first-served basis. Check Morgan+Grand Flowers’ Instagram account for updates: instagram.com/morgandgrand/

Michelin-starred Swedish restaurant Aquavit as well as Swedish top chef Marcus Samuelsson’s Harlem eatery Red Rooster are offering contactless pickup of Midsummer baskets featuring traditional smorgasbord favorites. Pricing and information on how to order the baskets will be available on their websites.

Aquavit is offering a Midsummer Picnic Basket for $155 each. I have attached the full menu and a photo below but each basket feeds at least two people including dishes like herring, Gravlax, Deviled Eggs, Sausages, Swedish Meatballs, and strawberries and cream for dessert; beverages include a flight of housemade aquavits and two Carlsberg beers. The baskets are available to pre-order by calling the restaurant at 212-307-7311 or by visiting the website at www.aquavit.org. Guests can pick up the baskets Thursday, June 18th through Saturday, June 20th from 2 pm to 8 pm.

For those who want to cook their own food, grocery lists and recipes will be shared on

Visit Sweden’s Facebook page.

Midsummer New York 2020
Midsummer Live Facebook event

Swedish Midsummer – the Origins
In agrarian times, Midsummer celebrations in Sweden were held to welcome summertime and the season of fertility. It was not until the 1900s, however, that this became the most Swedish of all traditional festivities. Midsummer Night, one of the lightest of the year, was considered a magical night, as it was the best time for telling people’s futures. Also that night, it was said, water was turned into wine and ferns into flowers. Many plants acquired healing powers on that one night of the year.

Swedish Midsummer – the Movie
Last year, many Americans had their first encounter with the tradition in Ari Aster’s horror movie “Midsommar.” The live streams will be a chance to see what Swedish Midsummer really is like – some may recognize the Midsummer pole and dancing, Swedes’ special connection with nature, as well as the light, beautiful nights.

Social Media Hashtag
#MidsummerLive

Links, Recipes, and Information

Categories
Art Education News NYC Outdoor

Pioneering Women in New York City

Here’s a chance for kids to show off their best artwork – and highlight the power of women!

Monumental Women is giving kids a chance to have their artwork featured at the historic unveiling of the Women’s Right Pioneers Monument that features Sojourner Truth, Susan B. Anthony and Elizabeth Cady Stanton.

Monumental Women is a nonprofit that is bringing the first statue of real women to Central Park. Amid the COVID-19 pandemic, the organization moved its in-person Put Her on a Pedestal workshop online. The workshop teaches young people about the Women’s Suffrage movement and prompts them to design a monument honoring a suffrage leader who inspires them.

 

Pioneering Women in New York City
Photo from MonumentalWomen.org

 

Some of the stellar submissions will be displayed at the Women’s Rights Pioneers Monument unveiling ceremony on August 26th.

The workshop is particularly timely: August 26, 2020 marks the 100th anniversary of the ratification of the 19th Amendment, when American women won the right to vote.

Monumental Women specifically chose this day to unveil the Women’s Rights Pioneers Monument and symbolically “break the bronze ceiling” in Central Park. There are currently only statues honoring historic men and fictional female characters such as Alice in Wonderland, Mother Goose, and Juliet (with Romeo).

For more information about the workshop, visit Monumental Women at monumentalwomen.org (and click on the “Education” tab).