Tag: central park

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Art Education News NYC Outdoor

Pioneering Women in New York City

Pioneering Women in New York City
Photo courtesy of Monumental Women

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).

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Culture Entertainment Uncategorized

Hillary Clinton to headline OZY Fest on July 21

ozy fest
ozy fest
Hillary Clinton to headline Ozy Fest
Hillary Clinton to headline Ozy Fest

OZY Media’s third annual OZY FEST has been extended to two days this year—July 21-22 on Rumsey Playfield in Central Park. The massive event, described by the New York Times as “part music festival, part TED Talk, part food fair” is New York’s answer to SXSW. It features world-class entertainers, thought leaders, celebrity chefs, artists, and more. This week, the OZY team announced a major name to the lineup, former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton. Secretary Clinton will be interviewed by President and Founder of Emerson Collective Laurene Powell Jobs, on the first day of the festival, July 21.

Other headliners include Common and Grouplove, Chelsea Handler, Laverne Cox, Jake Tapper, Taye Diggs, designer Christian Siriano, Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, Padma Lakshmi, authors Salman Rushdie, Roxanne Gay, and Malcolm Gladwell, celebrity chefs Marcus Samuelsson and Roy Choi, Martha Stewart, and many others.

Says OZY Media Co-founder and CEO Carlos Watson, “OZY FEST is a massive party that descends upon New York City, bringing together the most diverse group of performers, thinkers, chefs, and entertainers. It’s an unprecedented exchange of ideas and the most fun you’ll have all year. This year we’re taking over Central Park for two days of laugh-out-loud comedy, delicious food, and the hottest music. You don’t want to miss it!”

Organizers bill OZY FEST as an experience rather than just a run-of-the-mill concert/festival performance, and last year’s festival attracted over 5,000 people. In addition, previous events have included headliners such as Vice President Joe Biden and Dr. Jill Biden, as well as Jason Derulo, Issa Rae, Katie Couric, and Senator Cory Booker. Guests experienced new technology, amazing eats, and electric musical performances. Plus, they listened to provocative speakers with expertise in everything from politics to the arts.

VIP tickets to the two-day event include complimentary food and drinks, celebrity meet-and-greets, and reserved premier seating. General admission tickets include all-access passes to the festival grounds, gourmet food experiences and merchandise to try-and-buy. In addition, tickets can be purchased as a two-day pass, or individual day passes for either Saturday, July 21 or Sunday, July 22.

Attend the festival the Daily News called, “one of the hottest tickets in town this summer!” For more information, visit the OZY FEST website.

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Culture Dining Entertainment Events Featured Music

OZY FEST takes over Central Park for third annual festival of music, food, and fun

OZY FEST Main Stage
OZY FEST Main Stage
OZY FEST COMES TO CENTRAL PARK
OZY FEST COMES TO CENTRAL PARK

OZY Media’s third annual OZY FEST has been extended to two days this year—July 21-22 on Rumsey Playfield in Central Park. The massive event, described by the New York Times as “part music festival, part TED Talk, part food fair” is New York’s answer to SXSW. It features world-class entertainers, thought leaders, celebrity chefs, artists, and more.

This year, headliners include Common and Grouplove, Chelsea Handler, Laverne Cox, Taye Diggs, designer Christian Siriano, Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, Padma Lakshmi, authors Salman Rushdie, Roxanne Gay, and Malcolm Gladwell, celebrity chefs Marcus Samuelsson and Roy Choi, Martha Stewart, and many others.

Says OZY Media Co-founder and CEO Carlos Watson, “OZY FEST is a massive party that descends upon New York City, bringing together the most diverse group of performers, thinkers, chefs, and entertainers. It’s an unprecedented exchange of ideas and the most fun you’ll have all year. This year we’re taking over Central Park for two days of laugh-out-loud comedy, delicious food, and the hottest music. You don’t want to miss it!”

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Organizers bill OZY FEST as an experience rather than just a run-of-the-mill concert/festival performance, and last year’s festival attracted over 5,000 people. In addition, previous events have included headliners such as Vice President Joe Biden and Dr. Jill Biden, as well as Jason Derulo, Issa Rae, Katie Couric, and Senator Cory Booker. Guests experienced new technology, amazing eats, and electric musical performances. Plus, they listened to provocative speakers with expertise in everything from politics to the arts.

VIP tickets to the two-day event include complimentary food and drinks, celebrity meet-and-greets, and reserved premier seating. General admission tickets include all-access passes to the festival grounds, gourmet food experiences and merchandise to try-and-buy. In addition, tickets can be purchased as a two-day pass, or individual day passes for either Saturday, July 21 or Sunday, July 22.

Attend the festival the Daily News called, “one of the hottest tickets in town this summer!” For more information, visit the OZY FEST website.

Michelle Wolf will perform at OZY FES
Michelle Wolf will perform at OZY FEST
Categories
Featured Health

Elie Hirschfeld in NYC Triathlon

Elie Hirschfeld excelled at the 17th Annual New York City Triathlon.

Noted New York developer and accomplished athlete Elie Hirschfeld performed at a peak level when he placed 14th in his 65-to-69-year-old age group at the New York City Triathlon earlier this month.

Each year, thousands of athletes brave the waters of the mighty Hudson River before biking along Manhattan’s West Side highway. Finally, athletes put on their running shoes for a run through New York’s famed Central Park in the final stage of this iconic race.

Hirschfeld, 68, finished the Olympic Distance competition in an impressive time of 3 hours, 10 minutes and 12 seconds.

The New York City Triathlon is in its 17th season and attracted about 4,000 competitors from more than 40 states and countries.

After swimming 1500 meters in the Hudson River, athletes headed to the West Side Highway where they biked almost 25 miles.

The final leg is a 10K run through beautiful — but challenging — Central Park.

Elie Hirschfeld, 68-years-old, 80 triathlons, and counting…

“This is one of the premiere events in the sport and I am proud to have been able to participate and excel in it,” said Elie Hirschfeld.

He has performed in more than 80 triathlons, improving with every competition and even celebrating his 40th birthday by competing in the vaunted Ironman World Championship in Kona, Hawaii and the 2009 Maccabiah Games in Israel.

“This sport has had a positive affect on my life — and this event has done the same for our city,” Elie Hirschfeld said. “I’m happy to have played a part in it again!”

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Culture Entertainment

5 NYC Places To Celebrate Harry Potter

This week on Monday, June 26, the beloved Harry Potter series by J.K. Rowling turned 20. The first book in the series, “Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone,” was released in 1997, and incited 20 years of magic, friendship and Butterbeer.

If you can’t make it to London this week to celebrate with a tour of the Warner Bros. studio or to Florida for a traipse through Diagon Alley at Universal Orlando, you may still be able to find solace here in New York City. Downtown’s looked into the beyond to find five places in NYC that channel serious Harry Potter vibes. These are the next best thing to Hogwarts, Hogsmeade or the Forbidden Forest. Muggles: it’s time to grab ‘yer broomstick and go.

The Cloisters

One of NYC’s often-forgotten-about gems is this branch of The Met museum located in northern Manhattan in Fort Tryon Park, overlooking the Hudson River. This museum, dedicated to medieval artwork, artifacts and architecture, conjures up some serious images of Hogwarts.

The sweeping grounds overlooking the churning river brings a taste of the Scottish Highlands, where many landscape scenes from the Harry Potter movies were filmed, to New York. Peek around the ornate columns of the centuries-old cloisters and you’ll expect to see an ecstatic Hermione rushing through a Hogwarts courtyard with a ramble-shank Crookshanks in tow.

Or, peer into the gallery which houses the famous Unicorn in Captivity tapestry, which marks one of the entrances to the Room of Requirement in the “Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix” film. The whole place has a castle-like feel to it, and you’ll be smitten with the Hogwarts-esque landscapes. 

Dylan’s Candy Bar

Fred and George Weasley’s over-the-top joke shops are part of a fantasy world, but Dylan’s Candy Bar is 100% real. Unlike Harry, you don’t need a permission slip to visit the village sweetshop (see book three, for the stress-inducing struggle of making it to Hogsmeade).

Waltz on over to the ever-colorful and waggish Dylan’s Candy Bar where you can purchase the sweets of your dreams. Selections of gummies, sours, chocolates and sweets of all kinds line the walls.

The candy is even in the floor. Sounds pretty magical to us.

Potter Pasta

Photo courtesy of Pasta Wiz 

Throughout the series, Harry and his lackeys spent a lot of time at a few different magical eateries and hangouts: The Three Broomsticks, Hog’s Head and The Leaky Cauldron (that’s in London). NYC now has its own version of a wizarding world dive: a Harry Potter-themed pasta restaurant.

The pasta bistro in Williamsburg is decorated with candles, chandeliers, books lining the walls and even a Sorting Hat. They serve organic, healthy and customizable pastas like spaghetti and “Magic Meatballs.” However, unlike those in the Great Hall at Hogwarts, the plates and goblets don’t magically clear themselves.

Belvedere Castle in Central Park

This is NYC’s very own miniature Hogwarts. Belvedere Castle is one of the five visitor centers in Central Park and, from the top, boasts one of the best views in the park. This mystical structure, nestled among the trees and greenery of the park landscape, feels otherworldly in the city. While we’re still waiting for our Hogwarts acceptance letters, no pass is required to visit this charming castle. Enter at 79th Street and journey mid-park to experience the spell-binding views.

Rose Main Reading Room at NYC Public Library

Photo courtesy of The New York Public Library

For those who always rooted for Harry, Ron and Hermione to venture into the Restricted Section of the library, this room may offer a certain air of intrigue. The historic space reopened in October after a two-year restoration period and now serves as a gathering place for a community of students, teachers, readers and scholars.

If you’re looking for a quiet place to read (or re-read) a favorite book in the series, make your way to the New York Public Library to experience this beautiful room with its soaring ceilings and bewitching lights. No invisibility cloak required.

Categories
Events Health

Fitness Friday: Outdoor Yoga

Fitness Friday is here and this week we are featuring the best outdoor yoga spots downtown. Summer is FINALLY officially here and it is the time to get out and enjoy the beautiful weather, so why not find a local yoga class and enjoy the weather while relaxing and staying active?

Downtown has searched different outdoor yoga practices offered around Manhattan, focusing mainly on the Downtown area, but added a few close by just in case you find yourself in other areas of the city.

Downtown

Washington Square Park

Photo courtesy of NYC Parks

Each week all summer long, on Wednesdays at 8:30-9:30 a.m., Garibaldi Plaza in Washington Square Park puts on a yoga event with Sacred Sounds Yoga for FREE, courtesy of NYC Parks. Afterwards, from 10:00 to 10:45 a.m., your kids can also go to a free yoga class at the kids playground. Spend your Wednesdays in Washington Square Park to ensure a relaxing workout.

Battery Park 

Photo courtesy of NYC Parks

Battery Park offers two yoga sessions each week from now until August 27th by Tejal Patel of Tejal Yoga, who is dedicated and passionate. One session is on Sundays from 11:30 am to 12:30 p.m. and another is every Wednesday from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m.. The suggested donation is $10, which goes to The Battery Conservancy.  You must RSVP to attend these sessions. Sunday mornings are for all ages while the Wednesday evening sessions are for the after-work crowd. I can vouch that this was a great class; peaceful, relaxing, and grounding. Take advantage of this opportunity to practice yoga in the beautiful Battery Park!

Citi Summer in the Square

Photo Courtesy of Summer in the Square

Every Thursday, in the morning and afternoon, in Union Square Park, Citi Summer in the Square has two yoga sessions you can attend up until August 10th. To start off your day, you can attend a 7 to 8 a.m. yoga session in the South Plaza, put on by Paragon sports. Or, to end your day, you can attend sunset yoga at 7:30 to 8:30 p.m. in the North Plaza, with New York Health & Racquet Club. All events in Citi Summer in the Square are free. Make your Thursdays extra special by participating in these awesome events while you can!

Complete Body – Financial District

Photo courtesy of Yelp

Every Wednesday at 7:30 a.m., there is a 45 minute Vinyasa yoga outside class in the Financial District location of Complete Body — located at 10 Hanover Square. It is an open level class driven to strengthen and open the body. Through different postures and certain breathing techniques, Complete Body encourages a “calm, self-awareness and vibrant energy.” Complete body requires a membership.

…. Along with these 4 spots, as promised we’ve included a few places abovee Downtown:

Downtown Goes Up

Summer on the Hudson

Photo courtesy of City Atlas

The Parks Department’s annual outdoor arts & culture festival has begun and takes place in Riverside Park, which is from 59th Street all the way to 153rd Street. Within Riverside Park South, every Wednesday from now until September 27 at 6:30 p.m. there is a yoga class – an evening salute to the sun, located at The Plaza at 66th Street. In Mid Riverside Park, Yoga Flow is every Thursday, present until September 28, at 6:30 p.m., located at the Lawn at 78th Street.

Bryant Park

Photo courtesy of NYC Parks

Open to all ages and fitness levels as well as free to the public, Bryant Park puts on a hit yoga class every Thursday — from now until September 7 — at 6 p.m. held on the lawn. This is their 14th season of outdoor yoga classes and allows anyone and everyone to have an opportunity to end up perfecting their downward dog at their own pace.

Hudson Park

Photo courtesy of HY/HK Alliance

Every Sunday, from now until August 6, the HY/HK Alliance puts on a free morning yoga session with Malorie Bryant 10 a.m. to 11 a.m.. Held at the Hudson Park Fountains, in Hudson Park (between W 34th and W 35th, 10th Avenue and 11th Ave), they are reaching out to all different levels and only require you to bring a mat. The Hudson Yards is a perfect place to practice yoga on the beautiful Manhattan Sunday mornings.

Along with these, Central Park is full of many yoga opportunities for beginners, all levels, and more. Although some may require a fee to join the class, there are classes offered at a variety of times and with different groups or even just meet-ups.

Namaste to summer days and outdoor yoga!