Still, when Broadway opened its doors again in the fall of 2021, it was difficult for me to return. Even fully vaccinated, venturing out into the world again, especially crowded venues made me apprehensive. However, Broadway’s COVID-19 protocols were some of the strictest and this eventually gave me the confidence to go back. In the last three months of the year, I have been fortunate to see some amazing shows. Here’s the full rundown:
When Broadway shut down in March of 2020, it was a shocking, yet necessary measure amidst the uncertainty and toll of the pandemic. Theatre, a huge contributor to the cultural life blood of New York City, has always operated on the “show must go on” mentality. Yet, in an instant, it became just the latest victim of COVID-19. Like many avid theatregoers, I was saddened for the industry and missed the thrill of live theatre and the interconnectedness that comes from seeing a show with a room full of strangers.
Still, when Broadway opened its doors again in the fall of 2021, it was difficult for me to return. Even fully vaccinated, venturing out into the world again, especially crowded venues made me apprehensive. However, Broadway’s COVID-19 protocols were some of the strictest and this eventually gave me the confidence to go back. In the last three months of the year, I have been fortunate to see some amazing shows. Here’s the full rundown:
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My aversion to spending money is shamefully no secret. Numerous times on this blog, I have discussed my experiences with free events in the city. I wearily waited on the Shakespeare in the Park line at ungodly hours of the morning, fought for a picnic spot at NY Philharmonic’s Concert in the Park, and braved the crowds of cash-strapped New Yorkers at several museums’ Pay What You Wish days. Thus, when the New York Public Library announced Culture Pass, an initiative to provide New Yorkers with free admission to numerous cultural institutions across the city, I knew I had to try it.
What To Know Before You Go Like anything free in New York, Culture Pass has certain restrictions albeit fewer than other free exploits. The program, which launched last year, is available to anyone with a NYPL, Brooklyn Library, or Queens Library card. The good news is signing up for a card is absolutely free! Each cardholder can reserve up to one pass per institution each year. This condition is fairly reasonable given that most people rarely go to the same museum several times a year. While, most passes offer complimentary admission for two people, some museums offer family passes that provide entry for up to four. As gentrification turns even the seediest of neighborhoods of Manhattan into trendy, unaffordable hot spots and Brooklyn into a cool, pricey hipster haven, there is one borough that does not seem to be getting the same amount of love. Once a coveted getaway for upwardly mobile families who wanted to escape the plight of 1970s Manhattan, raise kids, and have a backyard and front lawn, Queens is perhaps moving in the opposite direction when it comes to progress. Though still heavily residential and housing one of the most diverse populations in the country, the area seems to be missing out on the growth appropriated to other boroughs. Instead, efforts to revitalize Queens have been superficial, at best, and have not really demonstrated a strong commitment to preserving its cultural institutions, amenities, and unique historical landmarks.
This year, I was fortunate enough to work in midtown for my summer internship around many iconic New York City landmarks. With a mandatory hour lunch break and relatively beautiful weather for most of June and July (and then it got hot...like I-want-to-die hot), I took advantage of this time to go exploring in the city. My spontaneous adventures have led me to the New York Public Library where I not only did research for my history thesis, but also saw some Alexander Hamilton documents and the original stuffed animals that inspired A.A. Milne’s beloved Winnie the Pooh; Broadway in Bryant Park where I stood stupidly star-struck four feet away from Sierra Boggess; the Princeton Club/Williams Club where I got a personal tour from a sweet Williams alum; and even a street fair where I spent over an hour’s wage on cute muscle tees and zeppole.
Yet, nothing was more embarrassing and sadly hilarious as my ordeal through the labyrinth that is Grand Central Terminal. Long story short: I, a native New Yorker, alum from Stuyvesant High School, student at Williams College, managed to get lost for thirty minutes. Here is the story. The visit to Grand Central was entirely unplanned. It had been a muggy, overcast day. Thinking that rain would be improbable (mistake number one), I left the office to eat outside and then go for a nice stroll. However, not even five minutes into my lunch break, menacing dark grey clouds rolled overhead and unleashed an onslaught of rain. So I ducked quickly into an indoor public space on 42nd Street to take cover. After eating my lunch, I was just settling in to read a magazine when a hobo walks through the door and sits maybe three feet away from me. The smell was horrific! The poor guy just reeked of bad BO and probably weeks (years?) of no showering, only made mustier by the rain. I felt bad about changing my seat so I packed up and headed back into the rain. Standing on the curb, I noticed that Grand Central was right across the street. Perfect, here was the opportunity for a new adventure! Although I have been there in passing, I never fully explored this prominent station. I rushed over and headed inside. New York Police Department Bill Bratton boldly, but realistically asserted that in today’s day and age, when it comes to the possibility of a terrorist attack in New York City, “it’s not a matter of if, it’s a matter of when.” This provoking statement shocked plenty, especially after the slew of tragedies happening worldwide, including the horrific attack at the Orlando nightclub right on American soil. However, Bratton is simply stating the obvious- New York City has always been and still is a target for any evildoer. The city is packed with people, supports much of the country’s economy, and is home to plenty of prominent landmarks. Not to mention, that New York City is far from a safe urban area. Crime still plagues our streets and mental illness remains a major issue for the city (actually our country, more generally). Thus, even if it is not ISIS that wrecks havoc on the Big Apple, a mentally unstable person will. The result will be the same- precious human lives lost and great tragedy. I have become quite the museum junkie having spent all of my life in New York City. I grew up going to the Metropolitan Museum of Art because it was free and big enough to capture my attention through multiple visits. I then spent half of my high school summers interning at the New-York Historical Society and took advantage of my ID card to get into many of the city’s museums. Having visited most of the big New York institutions like the MOMA, the Guggenheim, and the Natural History Museum, I have been left with some more obscure collections, like the Morgan Library, and the more expensive ones, like the Whitney. The Cooper-Hewitt just happens to fall into both categories. I found myself there because I followed my Disney-instincts to a special exhibit on Pixar (more about that later). The museum, having just undergone a huge revamping and renovation, provides a new and unique interactive experience for visitors. Though I may have my own biases, mostly pertaining to my pocketbook, the new Cooper-Hewitt does push the limits of technology and completely revolutionizes the purpose of a museum and role of the visitor. Not to mention, it has some pretty awesome chairs! One of the most highly anticipated events for foodies around the city is NYC’s summer Restaurant Week. From July 25th through August 19th, many higher-end restaurants open their doors to the little people like you and me (sorry, if I stereotyped you as the bourgeoisie, but I figured that people like Warren Buffet are a bit too busy to be looking at my blog). For a fixed and reduced price, you can enjoy a three-course lunch and dinner at some fancy schmancy, pretentious restaurants like Tavern on the Green, The Russian Tea Room, and Delmonico’s.
When I first learned about this opportunity, I was definitely all gung-ho about playing at being better off than I actually am. However, as Restaurant Week sneakily becomes more expensive and my experiences surpass the Honeymoon stage, I find myself turning into a crotchety and frugal skeptic. To be fair, a few years ago, you could get a dinner that would normally cost maybe $50 plus for $35. The next year, the same meal was $38 and this year, $42. To put things into perspective, the current inflation rate is only 1%, which would mean that using last year’s price as a reference, this year’s fixed price should only go up 38 cents, and Restaurant Week is definitely lapping that! Furthermore, not every restaurant has lived up to its expectations. Last year, my parents and I went to the Blue Water Grill near Union Square and were completely disappointed by their “specialty” seafood. Forty-two dollars for subpar food…I am not really all that enthusiastic. Former New York City mayor Al Smith once joked he received a degree from the “FFM,” which stands for the Fulton Fish Market. At first glance, we assume our late mayor is merely poking fun of his humble beginnings and lack of a formal education. However, New York City, being one of the largest and busiest urban metropolises in the world, is the perfect school for people of all ages. The lessons the city teaches are practical and undeniably street-smart. Growing up in New York City, I have learned much about the people, the sights, and sounds. I have learned how to own the streets where I live and take care of myself in a city that is both friend and foe. However, many of the lessons I have been taught by our marvelous city have been learnt underground.
One of the most prominent features of New York is the subway, a completely different city that lies beneath the sidewalks. While other urban areas have subterranean public transportation, our city can taut its historically significant and world-known transit system. Growing up just outside Manhattan, I have been riding the subway my entire life. In high school, I even took the subway every day to get to school or work. During this time, I have observed and experienced startling moments, stressful situations, and heart-warming memories that have opened my eyes to the complex fabric of the Big Apple. Unconsciously, these instances have become lessons, both big and small, that have changed my life for the better. Modern technology has revolutionized many fields and thus, opened up new frontiers of possibility for all professions. Perhaps most fascinating is the influence of new technological advances in the arts, where handcrafted creations and human ingenuity has reigned supreme for years. In this day and age, what took Donatello years to chisel can be recreated in five minutes through 3d printing at the single push of a button. The world of fashion is no different when it comes to the imprint technology has made on the field and the horizons of creativity and innovation there within. Needless to say sewing machines have facilitated quotidian clothing making and allowed for the commercialization of runaway styles at expensive high-end stores like Saks Fifth Avenue. With the line between haute couture and pret-a-porter blurring as we speak, the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Manus x Machina: Fashion in the Age of Technology explores the dichotomy of the handmade (“manus”= hand) and the machine-made (“machina”= machine), through the juxtaposition of various outfits that represent a broad spectrum of construction technology. For fashionistas and the artistically inclined, this exhibit is an enjoyable free runaway show filled with prominent designers like Chanel, Dior, St. Laurent, and Alexander McQueen and an intimate look into the avant-garde techniques and ideas of contemporary garment design. However, it is also an apt commentary on the fashion industry of our times where we continually to turn up our noses at the machine made, but can barely tell the visual difference between similar dresses sporting disposable trends from Forever 21 and Bendels. They say that animals, including humans, are happiest when they are sleeping or eating. My family tends to have an affinity towards the latter. The way to our hearts is definitely through our stomachs. Save your money on electronics, clothes, and picture frames that we will only display when you come over for a visit for Christmas and birthday gifts. Just give us a basket of bread, cured meats, cheese, chocolates, and French pastries (especially French pastries) and we guarantee that those will be greatly appreciated. We love all types of food and specifically gravitate towards street fairs less so for the music and shopping, but mostly to sample all the edible goodies. This summer, we found our new foodie haven at the Queens International Night Market. Inspired by open-air food markets in many Asian countries that cater towards evening clientele, the International Night Market is a weekly food fair that hosts numerous different local vendors. The initiative, located behind the New York Hall of Science in Flushing-Meadows Corona Park, is meant to showcase the melting pot that is Queens both through its ethnic cuisine, merchandise, and the diverse patronage that visits the market. The premise of the Night Market much like the Smorgasburg, which my family visited last summer when the franchise opened a location in Long Island City. Unfortunately, we found the experience far from relaxing and enjoyable. While, there were some hidden gems to be found, we were rebuffed by the high prices, claustrophobia-inducing special organization of the venue, and the slim offerings. The Night Market seems to correct for these faults, which may explain why it seems marginally more successful than the Smorgasburg, which has decided to not return to Queens this year. |
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