Tag: romantic

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Culture Events Featured Movies

Rooftop Films: The Great Hack

The Great Hack
Photo Credit IMDB

A cloud of unease has surrounded social media for as long as it has existed. An AOL screenname could hide all kinds of nefarious characters. Anyone can look at your myspace. Pictures posted to Instagram could be used to disqualify you if you run for president (or is that one just me? My mother thought very highly of me when I was a teen.).

Social media paranoia came to a head in 2016 when news broke that a data collection firm called Cambridge Analytica may have used information gathered from Facebook to influence major election campaigns, including the 2016 US presidential election.

The Great Hack tells the story of the investigation into the UK-based company, following crucial figures and whistleblowers in real-time as the story unfolds. In a story equal parts unnervingly personal and deeply abstract, filmmakers Karim Amer and Jehane Noujaim keep the story grounded in the personal and professional struggles of those who took part in the search for truth.

The film primarily followed the stories of David Carroll, a professor who was suing CA for the rights to his data; Carole Catswallldr, a journalist with The Guardian who was investigating CA; and Brittany Kaiser, a former CA executive turned whistleblower. The intertwining stories unraveled the mystery behind the military-contractors-turned-election-consultants and their roles in electing Donald Trump and the vote for Britain to leave the European Union.

The film is part of the Rooftop Films summer series. Rooftop Films airs independent films like The Great Hack on rooftops across New York and gives the audience a chance to hear from the filmmakers. Kaiser joined Amer and Noujaim in an interview/Q&A after the film. The three explained how the film had come together (a 5-year journey) and how the couple–Amer and Noujaim are married–had first reached out to Kaiser (personal introductions, facebook messages, and a last-minute flight to Thailand).

Kaiser spoke to the crowd about data rights and “psychographics,” or the use of data to predict behavior. She founded the Digital Asset Trade Association, which advocates for the expanded use of distributed ledger technology.

Rooftops Artistic Director in conversation with Cambridge Analytica whistleblower Brittany Kaiser and THE GREAT HACK’s directors Karim Amer and Jehane Noujaim.

The Great Hack is a Netflix original which will be available for streaming July 24th. For more information on data and improving your DQ (Data Intelligence), Kaiser recommends visiting digitalasset.org and designgood.tech.

To purchase tickets for the next Rooftop Films showing or to become a member, check out their website here.

    Categories
    Dining Events Featured NYC

    Romantic Pop-Up Picnic Dinner Returns to New York

    Guests in white hold up sparklers, express excitement.
    Guests revel at NYC La Dîner en Blanc 2013.

    Photography courtesy of Eric Vitale Photography

    Do you need a romantic dinner getaway but only have one evening? Get ready, because “Le Dîner en Blanc” is coming back to NYC. The French-inspired pop-up picnic presents unforgettable dinners in mystery locations. Guests dress up and gather for live music and dancing at an outdoor venue revealed at the very last minute. All you need–besides yourselves, your picnic basket, and your silverware–is an invitation. Of course, that’s easier said than done. Le Dîner en Blanc, despite its massive scope, is equally exclusive and elusive. If you’re just hearing about it now, you don’t have much time to act if you want to experience the picnic of a lifetime.

    Hundreds of guests gather at one of Le Dîner en Blanc NYC's pop-up locations in 2017.
    Hundreds of guests gather at one of Le Dîner en Blanc NYC’s pop-up locations in 2017.

    Le Dîner en Blanc was founded in 1988 by François Pasquier. What started as a word-of-mouth tradition amongst friends has risen to global proportions–this year’s event aims to feed more than 130,000 people across 80 cities in 30 countries. New York City’s event alone will have 5,500 guests. Dîner en Blanc International was founded in 2012 and is headquartered in Montreal, Canada. It didn’t hit the US until 2011, when the first Dîner en Blanc opened in NYC.

    Registration is always for two, and goes out in three phases: the first phase is for attendees of the previous year, the second is new members referred by phase one members, and the third is for people who signed up on a waiting list. Phase One has already begun, so find your closest Phase One member before it’s too late. Hit up your closest celebrity friend, or that woman at work who always talks about the coolest parties. If all else fails, hop on that wait list ASAP.

    Let’s say you find your Phase One friend, or you get picked off of the waitlist. Congratulations! You and your plus one are on your way to a night out or romantic dinner. Now you need the outfit. The dress code calls for all-white clothes and elegance, but leaves the rest to the imagination. Creativity is encouraged. A white three-piece suit and top hat? Queen Victoria’s wedding gown set in an all-white punk aesthetic? Let your imagination soar, as long as it stays elegant and tasteful. Just make sure it’s something you can walk in.

    NYC attendees pose in white dresses at La Dîner en Blanc.
    NYC attendees pose in their Dîner en Blanc outfits.

    Next comes supplies. You’ll need a folding table, two white chairs, and a white tablecloth. You’ll need a picnic basket filled with fine food, proper stemware, and white dinnerware. Catered picnic basket options will be available to those who reserve them upon registration, but many guests prepare their own individualized gourmet meals. Don’t forget a garbage bag (also white).

    A picture of a finely set table with a cake, candles, and food on white plates.
    Le Dîner en Blanc guests set up their own romantic dinner settings.

    So there you have it. Your chance to take part in a worldwide, top-secret picnic with you, a person of your choice, and 130,000 of your closest friends from around the world. Move quickly though, that waitlist had 64,000 people on it last year.

    Categories
    Events Travel

    8 Cruises Around New York With Classic Harbor Line

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    Images: Classic Harbor Line

    As our warm-weather days are winding down, let us not forget that there is still time to plan a summer adventure with your friends and family. The Classic Harbor Line of New York offers guests a variety of experiences–none of which involve the stress of dealing with airlines and hotels. The cruises are great for any family, couple, or friend group looking for luxury the way it’s supposed to be–hassle free! Take a peek at some of the exciting packages and spend the day or night on the waters of New York City.

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    1. The Architecture Cruise. This option provides guests with the opportunity to experience New York through the eyes of AIANY (American Institute of Architects New York) members, who guide the tour and introduce Lower Manhattan’s greatest skyscrapers, as well as the key features alongside the East River. Learn about New York City and enjoy hors d’oeuvres and champagne with your party as you cruise on a Gatsby-style yacht. For two hours and forty-five minutes, you will pass under eighteen of Manhattan’s bridges and circumnavigate the island. This cruise is ideal for any party, any size, and is regarded by many as one of the best experiences that Classic Harbor Line has to offer. Also note that due to popular demand for this type of cruise, Classic Harbor Line is also offering various time slots made available to all!

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    2. Schooner Sailing. The Schooner America 2.0 is the pioneer in relaxing daytime cruises. Built in 2011, it caters to the customer looking to truly kick back on the seas and embrace the breeze of New York’s Harbor. On the Schooner, you can experience true boating and get to know the harbor in an entirely new way. This option accommodates any size group from 6 to 60, and includes a narrated presentation of the island of Manhattan.

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    3. Sunset Jazz. Enjoy some evening jazz and a complimentary drink on this cruise when you depart from the Chelsea piers on a Sunday afternoon. This cruise is the perfect option for a romantic date, featuring the talents of the cruise’s very own trio “The Sound Waves” playing works of Gershwin, Cole Porter, and Duke Ellington. Admire the views with your party all the way from Battery Park to Brooklyn in this one and a half hour cruise.

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    4. Chef Morimoto Sunset Sushi & Sake. The famous Morimoto from the Food Network’s Iron Chef can be found on Classic Harbor Line’s Sunset Sushi & Sake cruise. This option is adaptable to guests, as you can choose the ways in which you would like your food served. Request an open saki bar if you wish, or fine cuisine served buffet-style. These cruises can be scheduled privately, however there is a selection of pre-scheduled Morimoto cruises if you would like to purchase tickets at a predetermined date.

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    5. Brunch. This option includes a delectable ensemble of meal choices for each guest to enjoy. What could be better than brunch on a leisurely weekend? Brunch with a breathtaking view of Downtown Manhattan, of course. The menu offers a variety of brunch favorites, from Belgium Waffles to Salmon Platters. And be sure to save room for some Italian cookies and fresh fruits for dessert! This type of cruise is the perfect way to spend a day catching up with loved ones and rekindling your inner foodie.

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    6. Wine Tasting. There are multiple Wine-Tasting options at Classic Harbor Line, NY. Each wine featured on the cruise is carefully selected and served to each guest, alongside the finest artisan and farmside cheeses. And if you have no time left during the summer to schedule one of these wine-tasting cruises, they are also offered during the holidays, an ideal way to celebrate the season in style.

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    7. Full Moon. The Full Moon Cruise Option provides an opportunity to sail beneath the stars. You’ll sail by Ellis Island, the Statue of Liberty, among other city icons. There’s nothing like New York past sunset; guests will watch the city come alive. Complimentary wine, beer, and champagne will be provided to those who choose to attend the Full Moon Cruise, created with elegance and sophistication in mind.

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    8. Full Day Bear Mountain. This nine-hour long event begins with an open breakfast buffet and travels north throughout the Palisades and the lower Hudson River Valley. After the boat docks at Bear Mountain, guests enjoy three hours of outdoor activities. This cruise is perfect for families and friends who enjoy hiking and exploring. If you wish, you can also visit the museum or zoo alongside the beautiful Hessian Lake!

    If you’ve got a free day to spare and you’re looking for something to do with friends and family, then browse through the selection of cruises offered by Classic Harbor Line! There is bound to be one that fits your taste, time constraints, and craving for luxury. Don’t let the last month of summer fly by; these cruises are the perfect opportunity to get away from the hustle of the city…but not too far away!

    –Kelly Fleming

    Categories
    Fashion

    Claire Pettibone’s Fashion Show of “Romantique” Wedding Dresses

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    On Wednesday June 18th, guests headed to West 36th St to view Claire Pettibone’s highly anticipated line of boho-chic wedding dresses, Romantique. Attendees entered through the elevator to Gary’s Loft, a room with rustic wooden floors and white walls. Along the wooden floor, a runway made-up of two antique carpets, placed diagonal from each other, separated two rows of chestnut colored chairs.

    Romantique is the low-end of high end wedding dresses. Though this is a more affordable line, it’s highly requested among brides who want to wear Pettibone’s popular bridal designs for their special once-in-a-lifetime event.

    The dresses were purely immaculate. The designs were subtle, soft, flowing and flattering. Pettibone used traditional styles, some including lace with engraved floral and butterfly patterns. Brides love lace; which is widely known in the bridal world.

    Pettibone designed the new line Romantique as a less expensive bridal line to meet the requests of brides who could not afford the high-end designer’s expensive dresses. The intricate and detailed  designs of the dresses exhibited Pettibone’s skills with couture and sophisticated fashion. The price point of the bridal line is between $1,000 and $3,000.

    The models gracefully walked down the runway, flaunting the goddess-like creations. The crowd was mesmerized. All of the models had floral head wreath hair accents, which are popular and trendy at the moment, paired with dark beige sandals that laced up right below the knee. It was impossible to miss the elegant trains that followed behind the models. The ensemble was perfection.

    As the last model walked down the runway, she exposed a back tattoo that read “Romantique” in script. This accompanied the anchor tattoo on her forearm, which gave the dress a different feel from the models before her.

    Pettibone is excited to meet the demands of her brides. She said “I have many wonderful followers who love the collection but can’t necessarily afford the couture price. I thought it was really time to do a focus collection fully for that price level so that a bride who loves Claire Pettibone would have more choices, and can find something lovely.”

    The gowns are now available for purchase and Pettibone has already began filling orders for buyers who attended the event. She couldn’t be more pleased. “I am really happy,” Pettibone explained. “The dresses are flowy, romantic and pretty. They have a different feeling from couture; they’re equally as pretty, with a different vibe.”

    – Mariah Brown

    – Photography by Blair Kwon