David Barnett’s “Collectomania” is on view by appointment at Ivy Brown Gallery, in the West Village through June 6.
By Karen Rubin, Travel Features Syndicate, goingplacesfarandnear.com
Pure joy and engagement is what I felt atDavid Barnett’s “Collectomania,” now on view by appointment at Ivy Brown Gallery through June 6 (the artist will be at the gallery for an artist talk on June 6, from 6 to 8 pm).
Barnett, a surrealist artist, incorporates discarded mechanical objects, gadgets, and various and sundry other collaged material into his artwork. His work is characterized by its unique and eclectic mix of materials which range from bottle caps, feathers, x-rays, machine parts, maps, doll parts, old clocks and typewriters. Barnett’s use of these discarded items not only adds texture and depth to his work, but it also serves as a commentary on consumer culture and the disposability of modern technology.
David Barnett’s “Collectomania” is on view by appointment at Ivy Brown Gallery, in the West Village through June 6
In addition to his use of mechanical objects, Barnett’s work often incorporates elements of humor and absurdity. Many of his pieces feature whimsical or fantastical creatures and scenes, such as a mechanical bird with flying machines, humans or parts of humans, a cityscape made entirely out of discarded electronics, old magazines, books, and various found objects. (I can easily imagine these becoming characters in an animated feature.)
David Barnett’s “Collectomania” is on view by appointment at Ivy Brown Gallery, in the West Village through June 6
“My objective is to integrate these found elements with those fashioned after my own hand to convey a sense of conflict that resonates with the viewer. My work speaks to a recurring theme–the battle between society and automation for man’s soul,” Barnett says.
David Barnett’s “Collectomania” is on view by appointment at Ivy Brown Gallery, in the West Village through June 6
“I incorporate Victorian era botanical imagery, ancient anatomical diagrams, and vintage mechanical components along with natural materials. Whether it’s a rusty piece of metal, branches from an oak tree, or tiny turquoise-tipped rooster feathers, the right juxtaposition reveals itself to me—the more absurd, the better. A character is born and a narrative begins to unravel. The theme of flight is recurrent, as is the conflation of anatomy and mechanics. The result is a menagerie of ethereal winged creatures, human and animal hybrids, and fanciful flying machines. In this era of mass-production and instant gratification, it’s my hope that these intimate and meticulously crafted works will also evoke a sense of rarity, delight, and mystery.” (see http://www.davidbarnettworks.com)
David Barnett’s “Collectomania” is on view by appointment at Ivy Brown Gallery, in the West Village through June 6
The range of his artistic talent is just stunning: painting, drawing, collage, sculpture, constructing complex figures as if he were an engineer or inventor. Some of the mobiles have electric motors. The intricate, meticulous detail is astonishing, and makes you want to look deeper, search more. The works are as thoughtful as they are artful. Many are playful, historical, nostalgic (lots of Victoriana), but some explore darker themes.
David Barnett’s “Collectomania” is on view by appointment at Ivy Brown Gallery, in the West Village through June 6
This may well be the most comprehensive show of David Barnett’s multi-media works – representing years of work – presented in a comfortable space that is both intimate and spacious enough to really enjoy the range of works on display.
Ivy Brown Gallery, 675 Hudson St #4N; Gallery hours; by appointment, phone: 212-925-1111, Email: ivybrowngallery@gmail.com, www.ivybrowngallery.org
The NY Phil holiday tradition returns as the Orchestra performs Handel’s Messiah. Masaaki Suzuki conducts the Philharmonic and soprano Sherezade Panthaki, countertenor Reginald Mobley, tenor Leif Aruhn-Solén, baritone Jonathon Adams, and the Handel and Haydn Society Chorus.
The NY Phil annual tradition returns with former Philharmonic Principal Trumpet Philip Smith as host, conductor, and trumpet. These family-friendly concerts (for ages four and older) bring the power and joy of brass to holiday favorites, classics by Holst and Bizet, and a world premiere of a piece by Ricardo Mollá.
These concerts feature Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets projected in high definition while the NY Phil performs John Williams’s original score, conducted by Justin Freer. Part of The Art of the Score.
All concerts will take place at the Wu Tsai Theater, David Geffen Hall.
For more information on Holidays at NY Phil, click here.
The New York Gilbert & Sullivan Players cast of H.M.S. Pinafore, performing at the Kaye Playhouse at Hunter College Dec. 30-31, 2022 and Jan. 7-8, 2023(photo by William Reynolds)
New York Gilbert & Sullivan Players(NYGASP) 48th season continues December 30-31, 2022 and January 7 -8, 2023 with the mounting of a Gilbert & Sullivan staple, H.M.S. Pinafore; or, The Lass That Loved a Sailor at the Kaye Playhouse at Hunter College (East 68th Street between Park and Lexington Avenues).
“I always voted at my party’s call and I never thought of thinking for myself at all.” This line sounds like something out of last week’s Washington Post, but no, it’s front and center in a satirical patter song from the Gilbert & Sullivan classic H.M.S. Pinafore – proving once again how relevant this timeless send up of personal and institutional excess remains. All Gilbert & Sullivan works make us laugh at ourselves in entertaining, endearing, and relatable fashion, but none more succinctly than H.M.S. Pinafore.
As the first rollicking hit of the G&S collaboration, H.M.S. Pinafore charted a new course for modern musical theater and its lampooning of overblown nationalism, party politics, class distinction, and classic melodrama still rings true, while Sullivan’s quasi nautical score is equally clever at parodying the classics. It’s little wonder that the NYGASP production includes a few ad lib references to relevant contemporary matters while staying true to the enduring values and traditions of the original.
The cast includes patter man James Mills as party loyal Sir Joseph Porter of the above mentioned quote, David Auxier as Captain Corcoran who’s “never, never sick at sea”, soprano Michelle Seipel as his beautiful but conflicted daughter Josephine, Angela Christine Smith as the “plump and pleasing” peddler lady Little Buttercup, Cameron Smith as romantic and noble sailor Ralph Rackstraw, Victoria Devany as the annoying leader of Sir Joseph’s “sisters and his cousins and his aunts”, Lance Olds as the voice of the ugly truth seaman Dick Deadeye, Matthew Wages as the stalwart Boatswain Bill Bobstay, and David Wannen as the ship’s Carpenter.
The ensemble of Sailors and First Lord’s Sisters, Cousins and Aunts include: Caitlin Borek, Brooke Collins, Michael Connolly, Michael Galante, Hannah Holmes, Sarah Hutchison, Claire Leyden, David Macaluso, Daniel Z. Miller, Logan Pitts, Chris-Ian Sanchez, Nathan Seldin, Laura Sudduth, and Laurelyn Watson-Chase. Founder and Artistic Director Albert Bergeret shares the conductor’s podium with Associate Conductor Joseph Rubin.
Performances schedule:
December 30, 2022 at 2:00pm* & 7:30pm
December 31, 2022 at 2:00pm
January 7, 2023 at 2:00pm & 7:30pm
January 8, 2023 at 3:00pm
*Special Family Matinee, Bring Your Grandparents! All persons 40 years of age and under are eligible to purchase any available seat for $30.
Tickets begin at $30. For more information and to purchase visit: www.nygasp.org/.
The Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade® returns to usher in the start of the holiday season at the sound of 5, 4, 3, 2, 1…Let’s Have A Parade™! On Thursday, November 24 at 9 AM, the 96th edition of Macy’s iconic spectacle will bring the nation together in celebration with a dazzling lineup featuring giant character helium balloons, fantastic floats, showstopping marching bands, high-spirited performance groups, whimsical clowns, music stars and the one-and-only Santa Claus.
Bluey, the star of the hit series Bluey will soar above the streets of New York City as a new giant character balloon in the 96th Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade®.
“Since its first march in 1924 and through the decades, Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade has served to bring joy to the millions who gather nationwide each year to experience it with friends and family,” said Will Coss, Executive Producer of Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. “This November, as we once again set the stage for the start of the holiday season, we are thrilled to showcase another spectacle full of magic and wonder that will help create everlasting memories with loved ones during this special time of year.”
The magic comes together with Macy’s signature ingredients. This year’s 96th Macy’s Parade will feature more than 5,000 volunteers, 16 giant character balloons, 28 floats, 40 novelty and heritage inflatables, more than 700 clowns, 12 marching bands and 10 performance groups, a host of musical stars, and the one-and-only Santa Claus.
Stars on 34th Street
The holiday season’s biggest stage for entertainment is the Macy’s Parade and this year a host of stars will join the lineup to celebrate with the nation. Joining the festivities will be Paula Abdul; Big Time Rush; Cam; Jordan Davis; Blue’s Clues & You! host Josh Dela Cruz; Gloria, Sasha and Emily Estefan; Jimmy Fallon & The Roots; Fitz and the Tantrums; Kirk Franklin; Mario Lopez and family; Ziggy Marley; Miss America 2022 Emma Broyles; the cast and Muppets of Sesame Street®; Sean Paul; the cast of Peacock’s Pitch Perfect: Bumper in Berlin (Adam Devine, Sarah Hyland and Flula Borg); Joss Stone; Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue; Jordin Sparks; Dionne Warwick; Betty Who; and Santa Claus. With additional talent to be announced.
Ballooning Icons
Conceived during the Parade’s infancy, the giant character balloons have become a signature of the annual celebration. Since 1927, the world’s most popular characters have been transformed into high-flying art in the sky. Originally inspired by marionettes, the Parade’s balloons first debuted as upside down puppets filled with air which were carried down the Parade route on sticks. The design later evolved to include helium, making them high-flying giants. Over time Macy’s artists innovated creating several types of inflatables including balloonheads (inflated heads sitting atop of a costumed participant), balloonicles (hybrid inflatables with vehicles inside) and most recently, trycaloons (tandem tricycles with an inflated balloon character).
New giants joining the line-up this year include Bluey by BBC; Diary of A Wimpy Kid®by Abrams Books; DINO and Baby DINO by Sinclair Oil; and Stuart the Minion from Illumination.
Making return appearances to the skies above New York City are giant balloon favorites including Ada Twist, Scientist by Netflix; Astronaut Snoopy by PEANUTS Worldwide; The Boss Baby from DreamWorks Animation; Goku by Toei Animation; a Funko Pop!-inspired Grogu™ by Funko and in partnership with Lucasfilm;Chase from PAW Patrol®by Nickelodeon; Pillsbury Doughboy™by Pillsbury™; Red Titan from “Ryan’s World” by Sunlight Entertainment and pocket.watch; Ronald McDonald®by McDonald’s®USA; Papa Smurf from The Smurfs™by Nickelodeon; Pikachu™& Eevee™ by The Pokémon Company International; and SpongeBob SquarePants & Gary by Nickelodeon.
The inflatable lineup also includes a new balloonicle of Striker, the U.S. Soccer Star by FOX Sports. Returning inflatables include Sinclair’s Baby DINOs, the Go Bowling™balloonicles; Hot Air Dolly by Universal Orlando Resort, Smokey Bear by the USDA Forest Service; and Macy’s very own special reindeer Tiptoe and Toni the Bandleader Bear.
Floating Fantasy
The Parade’s signature floats transport spectators to magical worlds. These creations take a theme to new heights bringing magic to the streets of New York City and into homes nationwide. Conceived and crafted by the incredible artisans of Macy’s Parade Studio – a design and production facility that includes carpenters, engineers, electricians, painters, animators, balloon technicians, sculptors, metal fabricators, scenic and costume designers – this year’s line-up of floats showcase the animated theatricality that the Macy’s Parade has become world-famous for.
This year five new floats will debut in the Turkey Day celebration. The floating wonders along with their scheduled performers include Baby Shark by Pinkfong and Nickelodeon (Ziggy Marley); Geoffrey’s Dazzling Dance Party by Toys“R”Us (Jordin Sparks); People of First Light by Macy’s; Supersized Slumber by Netflix (Ballet Hispánico); and The Wondership by Wonder (Cam).
The returning float roster and its scheduled performers include 1-2-3 Sesame Street®by Sesame Workshop™ (The cast and Muppets of Sesame Street); Big City Cheer by Spirit of America Productions (Miss America 2022 Emma Broyles); Big Turkey Spectacular by Jennie-O (Paula Abdul); Birds of a Feather Stream Together by Peacock® (Adam Devine, Sarah Hyland and Flula Borg); Blue’s Clues & You! by Nickelodeon (Josh Dela Cruz); The Brick-changer by The LEGO® Group (Fitz and the Tantrums); Celebration Gator by the Louisiana Office of Tourism (Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue); Christmas in Town Square by Lifetime® (Kirk Franklin); Colossal Wave of Wonder by Kalahari Resorts and Conventions (Sean Paul); Deck the Halls by Balsam Hill® (Gloria, Sasha and Emily Estefan); Elf Pets®by The Lumistella Company®; Everyone’s Favorite Bake Shop by Entenmann’s®; Fantasy Chocolate Factory by Kinder™ (Big Time Rush); Harvest in the Valley by Green Giant® (Jordan Davis); Heartwarming Holiday Countdown by Hallmark Channel (Joss Stone); Her Future is STEM-Sational by Olay (Betty Who); Macy’s Singing Christmas Tree (Macy’s Choir); Magic Meets the Sea by Disney Cruise Line (Captain Minnie Mouse and Friends); Santa’s Sleigh (Santa Claus); Snoopy’s Doghouse by PEANUTS Worldwide; Tom Turkey (Mario Lopez and family); Toy House of Marvelous Milestones by New York Life (Dionne Warwick); and Winter Wonderland in Central Park (Jimmy Fallon & The Roots).
Strike Up the Band
Bringing the beat to the holiday revelry will be a selection of the most gifted marching ensembles. Joining the line-up are Benedict College (Columbia, SC), Bourbon County High School (Paris, KY), Carmel High School (Carmel, IN), Clovis North Educational Center (Fresno, CA), Delfines Marching Band (Veracruz, Mexico), Macy’s Great American Marching Band (United States), NYPD Marching Band (New York, NY), The Queer Big Apple Corps (New York, NY), South Dakota State University (Brookings, SD), Tarpon Springs High School (Tarpon Springs, FL), University of Missouri (Columbia, MO), and Vandegrift High School (Austin, TX).
Performance Spotlight
Taking entertainment to the next level will be the Parade’s beloved performance groups who bring joy to the masses. This year’s lineup will feature performances from the dazzling dancers of Ballet Hispánico, the hilarious Big Apple Circus, the rhythmic movement of Boss Kids, the artistry of the Fusion Winter Guard, two-steps and high kicks from the Kilgore Rangerettes, the puppeteering skills of Phantom Limb, the iconic stepping of The Sigma Gamma Rho Centennial Steppers, the energetic moves of the St. John’s Dance Team, and the exuberance of Spirit of America Cheer and Spirit of America Dance Stars.
See the Magic Live
For spectators wishing to enjoy the live spectacle in New York City, the 96th Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade kicks off from its traditional starting line at 77th Street and Central Park West. From there the procession will march down its signature 2.5-mile route taking it from Central Park West to Columbus Circle, turning onto Central Park South and then marching down 6th Avenue/Avenue of the Americas. At 34th Street, the Parade will make its final turn west and end at 7th Avenue in front of Macy’s Herald Square.
Public viewing will be set up along designated portions of the route and managed by the NYPD. Spectators should avoid bringing large bags, umbrellas, backpacks, and strollers. The public entering viewing streets may be subject to security search. For additional viewing information, please visit macys.com/parade.
A Nationwide Spectacle
For decades, the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade has been one of the nation’s most anticipated and watched holiday celebrations. Viewers nationwide can catch all the action via a special presentation on NBC and streaming on Peacock, from 9:00 A.M. to 12:00 P.M., in all time zones. The TODAY Show’s Savannah Guthrie, Hoda Kotb and Al Roker will be back to host the Emmy®-Award winning celebration.
In order to create a more inclusive experience for blind and visually impaired viewers, NBCUniversal is proud to present the full NBC broadcast with live audio description on the Secondary Audio Program channel (SAP), provided by Descriptive Video Works. The broadcast will be available with additional audio narration, describing the rich visuals of the Parade.
The pomp and pageantry marching down the streets of New York City is only a portion of the day’s entertainment. Broadway’s best shows will also perform for the national broadcast audience. The show will kick off with a spectacular opening number from Lea Michele and the cast of Broadway’s Funny Girl. With additional Broadway performances from showstoppers A Beautiful Noise, Some Like It Hot,andin celebration of its 25th anniversary Disney’s The Lion King. Rounding out the theatrics will be the iconic Radio City Rockettes®.
And the treats keep coming when the stars of Fraggle Rock: Back to the Rock on Apple TV+, appear throughout the broadcast. Join Uncle “Travelling” Matt as he goes on an epic journey away from Fraggle Rock friends and family to learn the meaning of the “Macy’s Thanksgiving Day” holiday and the impossible to answer question: “What is a parade?”
#MacysParade
For an insider’s look at the holiday procession, fans nationwide should visit macys.com/parade for regular updates including behind-the-scenes content, interactive historical information, educational activities, and more. Fans can also follow @macys on various social media networks and join the conversation using #MacysParade.
The 2022 New York Philharmonic Concerts in the Parks, Presented by Didi and Oscar Schafer, will take place June 14–17, 2022, marking the return of the beloved series following two years of cancellations due to the pandemic. Music Director Jaap van Zweden conducts four free outdoor concerts, which take place at Van Cortlandt Park, Bronx (June 14); the Great Lawn in Central Park, Manhattan (June 15); Cunningham Park, Queens (June 16); and Prospect Park, Brooklyn (June 17). All four outdoor performances will begin at 8:00 p.m. and conclude with fireworks.
The program will include Wagner’s Prelude to Act I of Die Meistersinger von Nürnberg, Bruch’s Violin Concerto No. 1 with Bomsori Kim as soloist, Dvořák’s Symphony No. 7, and works by New York Philharmonic Very Young Composers: 14- year-old Naama Rolnick’s Keep Walking, and 17-year-old Alexander Rothschild Douaihy’s A Human Rhapsody.
In addition, Musicians from the New York Philharmonic will perform a Free Indoor Concert, on Sunday, June 19, 2022, at 4:00 p.m., at St. George Theatre in Staten Island. Program to be announced. Tickets are free but required and will be available at a later date.
“Like so many New Yorkers, Didi and I missed tremendously the Concerts in the Parks these past two summers,” said Philharmonic Chairman Emeritus Oscar S. Schafer. “We love the parks, and we love this orchestra, so we’ve been eagerly awaiting their return. We look forward to seeing people come together in these beautiful parks across the boroughs to enjoy magnificent music performed by this virtuosic orchestra. It will truly mean that New York City is back!”
“What a joy to be returning to the Parks of New York after two years of not being able to perform for the Parks’ audiences,” said Music Director Jaap van Zweden. “Music speaks to our hearts better than any language, and the New York Philharmonic players and I cannot wait to reconnect with the thousands and thousands of people throughout the Boroughs of New York who come to the Parks to hear us.”
“We are so excited to welcome back the New York Philharmonic for the iconic Concerts in the Parks series!” said NYC Parks Commissioner Sue Donoghue. “This series brings together people from all backgrounds to enjoy world class music for free, in some of our most picturesque parks — this is summer in New York at its best!”
The New York Philharmonic’s free parks concerts have become an iconic New York summer experience since they began in 1965, transforming parks throughout the New York area into a patchwork of picnickers, and providing music lovers with an opportunity to hear classical music under the stars. More than 15 million listeners have been delighted by the performances since their inception. All programs are subject to change.
New York City — NYC & Company, New York City’s official destination marketing organization and convention and visitors bureau, today announced details of NYC Winter Outing, presented by preferred payment partner Mastercard, running from January 18 through February 13, 2022, offering visitors and locals an opportunity to enjoy vibrant wintertime experiences at an attractive price point across hotels, dining, Broadway, museums, cultural institutions, attractions, performing arts and tours. The program will bring together NYC & Company’s three signature programs, NYC Restaurant Week, NYC Broadway Week and NYC Must-See Week, and introduce a new program, NYC & Company’s first-ever NYC Hotel Week—which reservations opened for today at nycgo.com/hotelweek—creating ultimate value across the five boroughs. Further details on NYC Winter Outing are available at nycgo.com/winterouting, and deals will include:
· 22 percent off hotel stays across the City to welcome the year 2022
· 2-for-1 tickets to Broadway shows, attractions, museums, cultural institutions, performing arts and tours
· Prix-fixe menus at hundreds of exceptional restaurants and neighborhood favorites across the five boroughs.
Give the gift of New York City this holiday season with a trip this January or February, and begin booking accommodations at 22 percent off the standard retail rate for NYC Hotel Week, January 4 through February 13, at nycgo.com/hotelweek. There are currently 115 hotels across all five boroughs participating in NYC Hotel Week, covering a wide range of hotels for every visitor, from major brands to unique independent hotels, and options for every price point from moderate to luxury. Bookings for NYC Restaurant Week, NYC Broadway Week and NYC Must-See Week will open January 11.
“We encourage travelers to give the gift of New York City this year, by taking a trip during a time with lesser crowds and incredible value on premier hotels, exceptional dining, Broadway, world-class arts and culture and more,” said Fred Dixon, President and CEO of NYC & Company. “We look forward to reintroducing visitors to our vibrant city during NYC Winter Outing this year and reminding locals of the incredible opportunities at their fingertips.”
Mastercard cardholders can enjoy early access from January 6–9 to tickets and reservations for NYC Restaurant Week, NYC Broadway Week and NYC Must-See Week. Additionally, when dining with a preregistered card during NYC Restaurant Week, all Mastercard cardholders will receive an exclusive $10 statement credit (for up to 10 transactions, totaling a $100 rebate) when spending $39 or more on-site at participating restaurants, subject to NYC Restaurant Week Winter 2022terms and restrictions.
“Bringing locals and visitors together to explore New York City’s iconic experiences is truly Priceless,” said Cheryl Guerin, Executive Vice President of North America Marketing & Communications at Mastercard. “Together with NYC & Company, Mastercard is providing people meaningful ways to connect to their passions, whether culinary or travel or arts and entertainment, and create once-in-a-lifetime memories that no other city can offer.”
The Mayor’s Office of Media and Entertainmenthas partnered with NYC & Company as a sponsor of NYC Winter Outing, to offset participation fees for businesses across the boroughs in response to New York City’s ongoing tourism recovery.
“As we continue along the path of recovery, the Mayor’s Office is proud to support NYC Winter Outing, a program showcasing the best of the City’s dining, arts and culture, and hospitality, as it returns this winter after a one-year hiatus due to the pandemic,” said Anne del Castillo, Commissioner of the Mayor’s Office of Media and Entertainment.
Further details are available today at nycgo.com/winteroutingand a full list of NYC Winter Outing offers and participants will be available in the coming weeks. Reservations for NYC Hotel Week deals are open now at nycgo.com/hotelweekfor hotel stays from January 4 through February 13. Bookings for NYC Restaurant Week, NYC Broadway Week and NYC Must-See Week will open January 11, for experiences from January 18 through February 13.
The highly anticipated December 31 Times Square New Year’s Eve celebration is inviting revelers back to Times Square to safely watch the Ball Drop in person with proof of full vaccination and valid photo identification. Organized by The Times Square Alliance and Countdown Entertainment, the festivities will also be broadcast for television and internet audiences, and will include a virtual multi-media experience.
“This year, we are ready and thrilled to welcome a full house of revelers back to Times Square to celebrate the New Year,” said Tom Harris, President, Times Square Alliance. “Now more than ever we need to come together to revive our favorite traditions with our loved ones – reflecting on a tough year behind us while looking forward to a new year with hope.”
All in-person revelers are required to be vaccinated. Attendees who are age 5 or over must present proof of COVID-19 vaccination to enter the event. Proof of vaccination must include an FDA or WHO approved COVID-19 vaccine (Pfizer, Moderna, Johnson & Johnson, AstraZeneca/Oxford, Sinopharm or Sinovac). Unvaccinated minors under the age of 5 must be accompanied by a vaccinated adult to enter the event. Face coverings are required for unvaccinated minors who are medically able to tolerate a face-covering.
Persons who are unable to get vaccinated because of a disability will be required to present proof of a negative COVID PCR test taken within 72 hours prior to the event and if medically able to tolerate a face-covering, wear a mask for the entire duration of the event.
A Times Square New Year’s Eve commercial-free webcast will cover the action and festivities in Times Square, beginning with the Ball Raising at 6 p.m. EST, plus live musical performances, hourly countdowns, behind-the-scenes stories, and star-studded interviews as anticipation builds towards the midnight countdown and the famous Ball Drop. The webcast will be streamed live on multiple websites, including TimesSquareNYC.org, NewYearsEve.nyc, LiveStream.com/2022 and TimesSquareBall.net. Embedding codes and additional webcast info is available at: https://www.timessquarenyc.org/times-square-new-years-eve/nye-live-webcast or LiveStream.com/2022.
Additionally, Jamestown, the owner of One Times Square (home of the iconic New Year’s Eve Ball Drop Celebration) will bring back its virtual New Year’s Eve experience with the VNYE app. Through the VNYE app, people from across the globe can explore the virtual world of Times Square, play games, and livestream New Year’s Eve celebrations in Times Square and around the world. Broadcast networks also will be airing elements of the Times Square celebration.
Revelers began celebrating New Year’s Eve in Times Square as early as 1904, but it was in 1907 that the New Year’s Eve Ball made its maiden descent from the flagpole atop One Times Square. Seven versions of the Ball have been designed to signal the New Year.
New York in 1904 was a city on the verge of tremendous changes – and, not surprisingly, many of those changes had their genesis in the bustling energy and thronged streets of Times Square. Two innovations that would completely transform the Crossroads of the World debuted in 1904: the opening of the city’s first subway line and the first-ever celebration of New Year’s Eve in Times Square.
This inaugural bash commemorated the official opening of the new headquarters of The New York Times, at the time, Manhattan’s second tallest building. The newspaper’s owner, German Jewish immigrant Adolph Ochs, spared no expense to ensure a party for the ages. The night was such a rousing success that Times Square instantly replaced Lower Manhattan’s Trinity Church as “the” place in New York City to ring in the New Year. Before long, this party of parties would capture the imagination of the nation, and the world.
When two years later, the city banned the fireworks display Ochs arranged to have a large, illuminated seven-hundred-pound iron and wood ball lowered from the tower flagpole precisely at midnight to signal the end of 1907 and the beginning of 1908.
On that occasion, and for almost a century thereafter, Times Square sign maker Artkraft Strauss was responsible for the ball-lowering. In 1914, The New York Times outgrew Times Tower and relocated to 229 West 43rd Street. By then, New Year’s Eve in Times Square was already a permanent part of our cultural fabric.
The Ball has been lowered every year since 1907, with the exceptions of 1942 and 1943, when the ceremony was suspended due to the wartime “dimout” of lights in New York City. Nevertheless, the crowds still gathered in Times Square in those years and greeted the New Year with a minute of silence followed by the ringing of chimes from sound trucks parked at the base of the tower—a harkening-back to the earlier celebrations at Trinity Church, where crowds would gather to “ring out the old, ring in the new.”
The Ball is a geodesic sphere, 12 feet in diameter, and weighs 11,875 pounds, covered with a total of 2,688 Waterford Crystal triangles of varying sizes, and illuminated by 32,256 LEDs (light emitting diodes). For Times Square 2022, 192 Waterford Crystal triangles introduce the new Gift of Wisdom design represented by a central wheel with wedge cut petals of knowledge growing ever forward.
Today, New Year’s Eve in Times Square is a bona fide international phenomenon. Each year, hundreds of thousands of people still gather around the Tower, now known as One Times Square, and wait for hours in the cold of a New York winter for the famous Ball-lowering ceremony. Seeing it live is an experience that should be had once in a lifetime.
Thanks to satellite technology, a worldwide audience estimated at over one billion people watch the ceremony each year. The lowering of the Ball has become the world’s symbolic welcome to the New Year.
More information at TimesSquareNYC.org and TimesSquareBall.net.
Honor Veterans Day by visiting the New-York Historical Society for a program to learn about the experience of Black soldiers during World War II. (Image courtesy of Hugh Groffinet)
The New-York Historical Society, the oldest museum in New York City, commemorates Veterans Day with two days of insightful programs for all ages. Admission is free for veterans and active duty military on November 11–12. All Veterans Day programs are free with Museum admission.
Veterans Day: Black Soldiers in World War II | 1 pm and 2:15 pm Honor Veterans Day by coming to the NYHS to learn about food, rationing, and the experience of Black soldiers during World War II. Visit an interactive station to discover how a sugar-coated chocolate began as a soldier staple and later became a candy store favorite. Then, chat with a soldier—as portrayed by historical interpreter Hugh Groffinet—to learn about Black WWII vets such as Corporal Ivan J Houston, Major Hyman Yates Chase, and Captain Robert W. Hainsworth. Interact with original and reproduction WWII artifacts and learn how the country banded together to feed the troops and their families back home. After the program, visit the NYHistory Store to pick up a free sample of one of WWII’s most lasting contributions to the American diet: M&Ms! This event is sponsored by Mars Wrigley Confectionery and AMERICAN HERITAGE® Chocolate.
ADULT PROGRAMS ON NOVEMBER 12
Women in the Military: Keynote | 1–2 pm Colonel (Retired) Mary Westmoreland of the U.S. Coast Guard and U.S. Army shares her recollections and personal experiences of serving in the military. Writing Veteran Experiences: Women’s Voices After Military Service | 3–4:30 pm Hear from five women veterans about their military service and experiences of writing about it afterwards. Join us for short readings and a moderated panel discussion about their lives after the military and the process of engaging with narrative to help share veteran experiences.
Canary in Combat Boots, a musical performance featuring Alexis Cole | 6:30–7:30 pm Experience a hilarious one-woman show starring jazz vocalist Alexis Cole as she reflects on her experience as a soldier during Army basic training. Cole reports back from the front lines and sings iconic, World War II-era pop standards from composers like Arthur Schwartz, Johnny Mercer, Irving Berlin, and Frank Loesser.
As part of New York City’s Key to NYC program, all visitors to New York City museums age 12 and over are required to be vaccinated against COVID-19; masks are also required. For more details, go to our FAQs.
(Fun fact: the American Museum of Natural History, across the street, is providing free vaccinations for children 5-11, that comes with admission for four.)
Also visit “Notorious R.B.G.: The Life and Times of Ruth Bader Ginsburg.”
New York City’s oldest museum, the New-York Historical Society Museum & Library was founded in 1804. The Patricia D. Klingenstein Library—one of the most distinguished in the nation—fosters research through its outstanding collections, which holds millions of books, newspapers, maps, manuscript and archival collections, prints, photographs, and architectural collections. The Museum presents groundbreaking history and art exhibitions as well as public programs that convey the stories of New York and the nation’s diverse populations to the broadest possible public.
The New-York Historical Society, 170 Central Park West (77th Street), New York, NY 10024, 212-873-3400, nyhistory.org.
Make your child’s COVID-19 vaccination truly memorable and rewarding with free admission for up to four people! The American Museum of Natural History, along with all New York City vaccination sites, is now offering COVID-19 vaccinations to children ages 5–11. The Museum vaccination site is open seven days a week, from 10 am to 5 pm.
Though the site accommodates walk-in appointments, scheduling an appointment in advance is strongly recommended. To schedule a vaccination appointment, visit vaccinefinder.nyc.gov or call 877-VAX-4NYC (or 877-829-4692). Note that a parent or guardian must be present during vaccination appointments for children ages 5–15. For ages 16–17, a parent or guardian must be present or reachable by phone during the vaccination appointment. To help with capacity at the vaccination site, we request that only one parent or guardian join each child for their vaccination. Enter the Museum at the West 77th Street entrance to access the vaccination site.
All those who get vaccinated at the Museum will receive a voucher for free admission for up to four people.
This month, the Museum is also presenting two free virtual programs about COVID-19 and vaccines. You can learn more and RSVP at the site:
COVID-19 Vaccines for Children
Tuesday, November 16, 7 pm ET
What should your family know about the safety and efficacy of the COVID-19 vaccine for kids? Join Dr. Sallie Permar, chair of the Department of Pediatrics, and Dr. Jay K. Varma, professor in the Department of Population Health Sciences at Weill Cornell Medicine as they discuss the science and public health policies behind the development of vaccines and the authorization of the COVID-19 vaccine for children—and take your questions.
Teen SciCafe: Health Equity, Racial Inequality, and COVID-19
Friday, November 19, 4:30 pm ET
In this program for students ages 14 and up, join Dr. Torian Easterling, first deputy commissioner and chief equity officer of the NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, to find out how and why the COVID-19 pandemic disproportionately affected communities of color across the U.S., and how to work for health equity in the future.
NYC’s celebrated Bank of America Winter Village at Bryant Park, featuring the city’s only free-admission skating rink, holiday market and delicious food offerings, has returned for its 20th season, Friday, October 29, 2021 – Sunday, March 6, 2022. While still proceeding with an abundance of caution for the safety of its guests, Bank of America Winter Village at Bryant Park is thrilled to be welcoming back its most popular attractions this winter season:
The Rink: the only free-admission ice skating rink in NYC is open daily. The Rink is completely outdoors, and skate time and rentals can be reserved in advance online. New skate reservation dates will be released on a rolling basis throughout the season. Masks are encouraged, and Bryant Park is continuing to implement additional cleaning protocols throughout the day to ensure high-touch surfaces and shared rental equipment are sanitized and safe for use.
Holiday Shops: the open-air holiday market are open daily through January 2, 2022, and features more than 170 new and returning merchants.
Small Business Spotlight presented by Bank of America: fourNew York City minority-owned small businesses with annual revenue of $1 million or less will have the chance to showcase their products in a rent-free booth, made possible by Bank of America, as part of this season’s Holiday Shops.
Last year’s featured small businesses were sustainable candle and soap company TREE*STAR, Brooklyn-based bakeshop Annie Mae’s Bakery, custom-designed hat shop Harlem’s Heaven Hats, and Tibet Tree of Life, a business selling incense, shawls, and other products made in the Himalayan region.
The Lodge by Prime Video: a covered, outdoor après skate escape is where visitors can cozy up with a festive cocktail, enjoy delicious food, watch the ice skaters or admire the tree.
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