Category Archives: Performances/Events
Loving Day NYC 2011 Celebrates a 44th Anniversary!
A couple of years ago my family and I celebrated Loving Day here in NYC.
We are excited to know that it will be coming back again this year, Loving Day NYC 2011 will take place on Sunday, June 12 (the 44th anniversary of the Loving v. Virginia decision) at their usual venue (Solar 1).
Read more about our experience of this wonderful annual event here.
We hope you can come out and celebrate!
Connecting Families Through The Great American Campout
One of the things that I have missed the most about living in New York City is having a back yard. I remember as a kid, during a brief time in New Jersey, that we had a yard. My friends and I would go outside and build makeshift forts and spend hours upon hours sitting and sleeping in them or in our tents made up of chairs and my mom’s old blankets.
Ah. Such a great childhood pass time.
Now, as an adult, I have only gone camping a couple of times with my kids, and chances are we probably won’t be camping in the back alley any time soon.
But my heart still loves the idea of a backyard campout, which is why I wanted to let you know about the Great American Backyard Campout being promoted by the National Wildlife Federation. On the 4th Saturday of June, the National Wildlife Federation (NWF) supports Great Outdoors Month by coordinating this nationwide event, raising funds and awareness of the benefits of camping as a way to connect people with nature. The locations and types of campsites vary from backyard family campouts, local campgrounds to high‐profile campouts in select public campsites on a larger scale.
You can follow all the fun buzz (and even join in on it) going leading up to the grand campout event on Saturday, June 25, 2011. The hashtag on Twitter is #campout – NWF will be tweeting about this at @NWF, @BeOutThere, and @Green Hour
You can find them on Facebook (and also “like”) at http://www.facebook.com/backyardcampout
If you can participate as a Campout State Leader (meaning, sleep under the stars) and you will be included on the “wall of honor” on National Wildlife Federation’s blog and if you blog about your experience, your post will be shared with NWF’s large social media communities.
How to participate:
· Register at www.backyardcampout.org
· Like on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/backyardcampout
· If you blog (but you don’t have to to participate in the campout), publish a post on your blog about the event before the big day (with a link to www.backyardcampout.org for registration). Visit this page for badges you can use on your blog.
· Please email your blog to campout@nwf.org, with the subject “State Leader Blog” so they can make sure to include you in their wall of honor.
There are a couple ways to register:
1. Create your own team (camp with your family, invite friends and neighbors)
2. Register as an individual camper
3. Join an existing team near you. There are quite a few shared events taking place at parks and campsites across the country.
You can camp in your backyard, on your back patio, or go to a campsite – it’s up to you. Once you are registered, the website has lots of camping activities, helpful tips, and recipes. This is also a fundraising event (not mandatory), but we encourage you to set a goal and recruit family/friends to help you reach it. Funds go towards NWF programs to help connect kids with nature.
Just a note: If you can’t camp out on June 25, but can do it another weekend, THAT’S OK! You can still register and camp on a different night! Some families definitely wait until fall to camp out, especially if they live in a hot-weather state.
Happy Camp Out Adventures!
Carnival Night for Kids Hosted by Coalition for The Homeless
Homelessness in New York City has reached record levels. More than 16,000 children have no place to call home tonight. The dearth of affordable housing coupled with chronic joblessness has pushed these thousands into the public shelter system with little hope of finding a way out. The lack of stability that children in homeless families face is particularly difficult. Many show symptoms of withdrawal and depression, while others struggle to focus in school and feel isolated from their peers.
For over 25 years, the Coalition for the Homeless has given homeless kids the chance to escape the crowded shelters and sweltering city streets at Camp Homeward Bound in Harriman State Park. During one of three sessions, campers enjoy arts and crafts, swimming, music, and also learn cooking and computer skills. For them, it is a time to have fun and forget the stress and insecurity of shelter life. The new skills they learn help improve their self-esteem and confidence, and when summer ends, campers take with them the support and encouragement they received at Camp.
However, in order to be able to continue to provide all it does to these children and maintain the programs in place, The Coalition for the Homeless relies on financial support. With budget cuts for such programs on a continued rise, it is up to us as a community to do so. There are many ways to support the program, but every year the Coalition hosts a fun event as part of their yearly fundraiser.
Carnival Night for Kids, benefiting the Coalition for the Homeless’ Youth Programs, will be held on Wednesday, June 8, 2011 at Victorian Gardens in Central Park.
All proceeds from Carnival Night benefit Camp Homeward Bound, the nation’s first summer sleep away camp for homeless boys and girls, and Bound for Success, an after school program and summer day camp for children living in New York City shelters. Through these programs, the Coalition for the Homeless strives to improve the lives of homeless youth across the city by offering them the chance to enjoy their childhood.
We hope that you will be able to join in brightening a homeless child’s summer by making this year’s Carnival Night for Kids a great success.
More info can also be found at www.coalitionforthehomeless.org/carnivalnight or on their Facebook event page.
Cookies for A Cause Charity Event
My beautiful friend, Jessica Shyba from Mommas Gone City hosting a bake sale to raise money for Cookies for Kids Cancer and we hope you can make it, or support the cause online!
This event is chance to help raise money and help fight childhood cancer which simply put is nothing any parent/ kid should ever have to deal with.
Moomah, the beloved NYC venue for children and their families, has donated space for the moms and dads who will be attending.
Event details:
To RSVP for the event, please click here. If you can’t attend the event, but would like to donate to help support this incredible cause, please visit this link to make your online contribution. Thank you!
The Delicious Taste of Tribeca 2011
Who doesn’t love a good food festival? Especially one that features the top chefs and culinary master minds featured in the trendy neighborhood of Tribeca.
I previously announced that the Taste of Tribeca was happening on May 21, and when the day came around it brought with it sunshine, something which NYC had been lacking for 5 days straight!
Needless to say we, along with what seemed the rest of the city, ventured out and took in the rays. We headed over with the kiddos to all the festivities and indulged in all it had to offer. For $45 we got a total of 6 generous tastings at any booth of our choice.
Taste of Tribeca 2011: Food, Wine, and Art in Support of Local Public Schools
Take out your forks, get ready to feast, while simultaneosly helping in a great cause – education.
Taste of Tribeca invites food, arts and wine lovers alike to the annual school fundraiser. On Saturday, May 21, 2011 The Taste of Tribeca (TOT) will celebrate over 65 of the chefs and restaurants from lower Manhattan from 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. (Duane Street between Greenwich and Hudson). This one-of-a-kind outdoor culinary festival features signature dishes from renowned Tribeca chefs, a series of cook-offs between master chefs, a family-friendly Kids’ Zone, live entertainment sponsored by City Winery, and wine tastings.
This year TOT is pleased to welcome back Iron Chef contestants Marco Canora and Marc Forgione as well as Marc Murphy of Landmarc, judge on the television show “Chopped.” New To Taste of Tribeca this year Sarabeth, New York City’s “Goddess of Bakedom,” and Chef Andrew Carmellini of Locanda Verde.
All proceeds from this exciting event will directly underwrite the ongoing arts and enrichment programs at local public schools PS 150 and PS 234.
Cost of admission for one person is $45 and includes six tastes from any of the participating restaurants. There will also be locally-brewed beverages for sale including Waa-tah, GuS soda, Fizzy Lizzy, Icelandic Glacier, Ny Springs and V Blast.
Kids Zone For All Ages
The kids zone will take place at the Duane Park triangle and offer activities for kids of all ages including:
• Performances by the clown Looney Lenny • Creative balloon art by Brian, the Balloon Man • Arts and crafts sponsored by Church Street School of Music and Art • Cookie decorating organized by Cupcake Kids • Face painting by professional make-up artists
Wine tastings
For those that want to get out of the sun, TOT attendees can browse Tribeca wine stores where tastings will be hosted throughout the day. Participating stores include:
• Frankly Wines • Chambers Street Wines • Tribeca Wine Merchants • Paumanok Vineyards (at Tribeca Greenmarket) • Maslow 6 • Vestry Wines • Tribeca Greenmarket’s NY State wine table
Ticket Prices
For more information about the event and to purchase tickets, visit www.tasteoftribeca.org.
• General Admission Tasting Cards are available for purchase at the event for $45 ($40 in advance) and includes six tastings.
• Premium Ticket Market Table Seats start at $175 per person for personal food runners, reserved seating, designer t-shirts and a gift bag from the Taste of Tribeca sponsors.
• Taste Table Reserve featuring the above amenities for a table of six costs $950. Tickets are available on a first-come, first-served basis. Advance purchase is strongly recommended.
If you cannot attend the event but want to contribute to the arts programs in Tribeca public schools please consider the following options:
• Help a Fixed Income Senior Citizen attend the event with a $100 donation • Give the Gift of Art and Music with a $25 minimum donation at www.tasteoftribeca.org
Taste of Tribeca® was founded in 1994 by the parents of children in Tribeca’s two public elementary schools, PS 150 and PS 234. They created this fundraiser as a way to showcase their very special neighborhood and pay for the much needed arts and enrichment programs at their childrens’ schools. Now in its 17th year, Taste of Tribeca has grown into downtown’s premiere food event helping reinforce Tribeca as a dining destination and bringing the entire community together.
Zagat’s First-Ever Food Truck Frenzy
UPDATE:
Due to the inclement weather forecast for this Wednesday the Zagat Food Truck Frenzy will be moved to Monday, May 23. Purchased tickets will automatically transfer to next Monday when we hope there will be sunny skies and warm weather!
New Date: Monday, May 23, 2011 from 12:00 PM – 3:00 PM (ET)
Location:
Zagat Food Truck Frenzy
21st and 22nd Streets
Between 10th and 11th Avenues
You know that feeling you get when you’re watching those food channels that feature all the awesome eateries and food trucks you walk by but have never stopped to try? It’s called regret and together with the sudden hunger these shows give you, you wonder how it is you’ve never tried them before. Well, this is your chance to at start tasting! The best of the best food trucks will be providing guests with treats and you really don’t want to miss it.
Zagat is bringing 20 of NYC’s top food trucks together for a special lunchtime event where you get to build your lunch from four food trucks of your choice! They’ll also have street bands on hand playing complimentary tunes, giveaways and more. Tickets available for $12 before May 8.
***
PREVIOUSLY HELD CONTEST IS NOW CLOSED
Participating trucks include: Bian Dang, Big D’s Grub, Big Gay Ice Cream Truck, Bistro Truck, Cupcake Crew, Desi Truck, Endless Summer Tacos, Joyride Truck, Kelvin Natural Slush Co., Korilla Food Truck, La Cense Beef Burger, Mexicue, Patacon Pisao, Pizza Moto, Rickshaw Dumpling Truck, Souvlaki GR, Steak Truck, Sweetery, Van Leeuwen Ice Cream Truck & More.
To the trucks!!
Kiehl’s Partners with Share Our Strength
Starting the week of May 14 2011, the skin care company Kiehl’s Since 1851 will embark on a partnership with Share Our Strength, a national nonprofit that is ending childhood hunger in America by connecting children with nutritious food they need to lead healthy, active lives. NYCityMama readers can participate at the Kiehl’s Flagship store at 109 Third Ave.
It is on May 14, 2011 when Kiehl’s will proudly unveil a national event called Erase Lines, Fill Needs, and Ensure That No Kid Goes Hungry in America. Taking place at the Kiehl’s New York Flagship Store (and in all Kiehl’s freestanding stores nationwide) we’re inviting our patrons to visit Kiehl’s and:
Help reach their overall donation goal of $75,000, by giving at the cash register between May 14 and May 31, 2011 (donations can be made at Kiehls.com too, through the end of 2011.)
And, on May 14, 2011:
1. Receive a complimentary 10.5 day supply of Powerful-Strength Line-Reducing Concentrate and Kiehl’s will donate $1.50 per customer visit to Share Our Strength (up to $10,500)
2. Purchase treats from a bake sale to further raise funds for the organization
3. Partake in additional Vitamin C with treats of oranges and orange juice
4. Participate in two raffles for a Kiehl’s gift valued at $150
**$1 can help connect a child to 10 meals!**
Gifts made to Share Our Strength represent a gift to Kiehl’s organizational mission and will be used to reach the highest number of children facing hunger in America. Share Our Strength does this by combining your gift with others to address child hunger community by community, state by state. Your gift today will leverage the time, expertise, and additional funds needed to end childhood hunger once and for all. And because Kiehl’s is an outstanding 501c3 organization, your gift is tax deductible.
Broadway Show Review: Baby It’s You!
When I first walked out of the Broadhurst Theater after watching a performance of “Baby It’s You“, the Broadway musical featuring what is said to be the first American girl group, The Shirelles, I felt happy and energized by so many great oldies this show covers. Just minutes before, the theater was standing in ovation of the the actors, lead by the talented Beth Leavel, who plays the independant, ambitious New Jersey housewife-turned independent record mogul Florence Greenberg, as well as the four talented actresses who play the Shirelles (Erica Ash, Christina Sajous, Crystal Starr and Kyra Da Costa). “You Make Me Wanna Shout” had been playing loudly towards the end, and really, how can that song that make you wanna dance?
But it took me hours after I got home to research who Florence Greenberg really was, not to mention the story of The Shirelles, because their story was not one I got much of in a show that seemed to happen around them.
One character that left me completely baffled was Florence’s blind son, who isn’t meant to be a lead, but yet got my attention because he was mentioned as being the writer of the song “Dedicated To The One I Love”, which according to the show, flopped at first intro to the market. I guess I wasn’t really suppose to care about this character, except that I cared about the song. It was one even I had heard a version before The Mamas and The Papas covered it later on, and though it seemed Florence’s son had much to do in inspiration for her career choices and the songs for the group, I was left knowing absolutely nothing about him.
I won’t go so far as to say the show was bad, because I honestly didn’t think it was, but it did seem to be a little scattered. I walked away having really enjoyed the medley of tunes, both by the Shirelles and other musicians around their time, either in Florence’s record label or not, but I wasn’t really sure who those artists might have been, and even though there is no doubt that Florence was a remarkeable woman for having accomplished much and achieved such success in a time when it was unheard of for women to do so, the vast strength and accomplishment of this woman is largerly left untouched.
Instead the story starts with her in the kitchen arguing with her archaic and insanely infuriating husband, lingers in the period when she takes on an African-American lover, who was also a producer in her company (and I found out in my research, many years younger than her), and towards the end when she has to make a choice on the Shirelles.
The costumes for the show, the various outfit changes, and the way each shimmered and glittered on the stage made my girly heart flutter; it was all so beautifully done. The musical performances were incredible, the voices on all of these actors are captivating to say the least, making audience participation in sing alongs an easy incorporation in the show. However, for as much as I liked Florence and the Shirelles, there was so much I just didn’t understand or know about them.
Maybe I expected too much. Maybe to say that I couldn’t wait to get home and read up on all these people was a sign that the show was good enough to affect me in this way. For these reasons I can see how so many would enjoy it.
My overall conclusion: There is a lot of talent showcased here. The singers have powerful voices, the acting will not disappoint. Beth Leavel is worth every shining light surrounded her name and the actresses in the roles of the Shirelles are endearing. This show might not leave you with a full understanding of the characters mostly featured, but at least on a superficial level the story is entertaining, and the music, where ever it initially came from, whom ever the artist was, is also fun to listen to, and when given the opportunity, and you will be, it is equally fun to sing to as well.
For more information, tickets, and performance dates, please visit the official Baby It’s You! website.
Disclosure: Tickets to Baby It’s You were complimentary for the purpose of this review. The views and opinions shared are entirely my own.
Join Friends of Kiehl’s Earth 2011 to Support Waterkeeper Alliance
In honor of Earth Day, Kiehl’s Since 1851, the venerable New York-based purveyor of fine quality skin and hair care is pleased to announce a Limited Edition Label Art series, where 100% of net proceeds will benefit the Waterkeeper Alliance a charity long supported by Kiehl’s for the past 30 years. This grassroots advocacy organization, with nearly 200 Waterkeeper member organizations, is dedicated to empowering communities to protect and preserve our waterways from polluters.
To commemorate the philanthropic success of “Friends of Kiehl’s” Earth Day 2009 and 2010 initiatives – which raised $100,000 for Waterkeeper Alliance, and $200,000 for the Rainforest Alliance – Kiehl’s is proud to extend its relationship with Waterkeeper Alliance in 2011, with a donation of $100,000.
Staying true to Kiehl’s longstanding mission of supporting initiatives to help preserve and protect the environment, two “Friends of Kiehl’s” have created Limited Edition labels for Kiehl’s Rare Earth Deep Pore Cleansing Masque, made with fairly-traded Amazonian White Clay from the Marajo Island. An ingredient found at the basin of Brazil’s Amazon River, White Clay, also known as “magic earth,” is a natural ingredient known for its skin detoxification properties. With this in mind, a partnership was born from the ideal pairing of an organization that preserves waterways from polluters, and a product that removes dirt, toxins, excess oil and dead cells from the skin. Kehl’s has tapped into the he creativity of Michael C. Hall and Chloë Sevigny, who have designed the labels for this collection.
100% of Net Kiehl’s Proceeds from this Limited Edition Label Art series will benefit Waterkeeper Alliance. The Limited Edition Rare Earth Deep Pore Cleansing Masque series features water-ecology inspired designs by socially conscious influencers, depicting their vision of social responsibility.
This partnership is only the latest piece in Kehl’s long-standing commitment to the environment, part of their overall mission to give back to their communities. Kiehl’s has always used the most minimal packaging in their products to reduce waste; encouraged their customers to recycle, and their ongoing in-store Recycle and Be Rewarded! program has encouraged customers to return more than 200,000 empty Kiehl’s bottles back to their stores for recycling. Throughout the years,they’ve also supported environmental organizations with limited edition products to benefit their efforts, and have been fortunate to collaborate with like-minded partners such as Julianne Moore, Pharrell Williams, Jeff Koons and Erykah Badu on these projects.
So if you can make it out to Kiehl’s, treat yourself or someone you love to any one of their wonderful products and in turn, help in this great cause.
Disclosure: This is not a sponsored post.
