7 Spots Around Town to Celebrate NYC Restaurant Week
NYC Restaurant Week returns with a bang. As New York City’s supreme dining scene reopens, the opportunity to celebrate eating out is greater than ever. Travelers and locals look forward to this occasion every year because it’s a great opportunity to try new cuisines at premium restaurants at reasonable prices. Running from July 19- August 22nd you can enjoy lunch and dinner options (entrée + one side) for $21 or $39, plus Signature Dining Experiences (three courses or more) for $125. Below are some of the great options available.
If you want to splurge on NYC Restaurant Week's new $125 tasting option:
Kintsugi
Kintsugi (28 Grand Street) applies the Edo-style sushi techniques of marination, aging, and smoking to bring out the umami flavors from seafood sourced all around the world. Sourcing and presenting the season’s best offerings directly to your plate, the style and execution allows for the purity of the ingredients to come forth. During NYC Restaurant Week, Kintsugi will offer a signature dining experience, which includes 13 Selected Classic and Seasonal Nigiri Sushi, Chef’s Choice Handroll, Gourmet Miso Soup, Seasonal Monaka Ice Cream, and Dessert Beverage all for $125. More information can be found at https://www.kintsuginyc.com
Delicious Options in Manhattan, Queens and Brooklyn:
Fish Cheeks
Fish Cheeks (55 Bond St) co-chefs and brothers Chat and Ohm Suansilphong, whose parents owned a restaurant in Thailand, prepare Thai family-style dishes at varying levels of spiciness; standouts include coconut crab curry and steamed whole fish with aromatic Thai herbs. Non-seafood items like grilled pork cheeks with jaew sauce and potent cocktails are also exemplary. During NYC Restaurant Week, Fish Cheeks will offer a $39 lunch and dinner special.
Ten Hope
Ten Hope
Ten Hope (10 Hope St) offers a Mediterranean-inspired menu at this Williamsburg bar-restaurant, so you can get meze plate or shakshuka flatbread alongside signatures like the Ten Hope Kofta burger and bacon or egg and cheese sandwiches for brunch. The outdoor garden makes for a relaxed setting to eat and drink at. During NYC Restaurant Week, Ten Hope will offer a $39 dinner special.
SkorpiosNYC
Skorpios (5 E 54th St) brings the isle of Rhodes to Midtown. Traditional Greek cuisine is the focus: appetizers like tzatziki and hummus, spanakopita, ouzo-flamed halloumi cheese and fried calamari, and mains like squid-ink pasta, steak and grilled fish. Indoor waterfalls and a sand art wall add to the feel of a Mediterranean getaway. During NYC Restaurant Week, Skorpios will offer a week of on site $21 lunch specials, $39 dinners, and a $39 Sunday brunch. Takeout is also available.
Lamia’s Fish Market
Lamia’s Fish Market (47 Avenue B) over-the-top design feels like part sea grotto, part submarine and part yacht. For solo diners or casual dates, the raw bar is the place to be for fresh-shucked oysters and ceviche. The multilevel East Village restaurant is owned by Lamia Funti. Ambitious and creative, it’s geared for perfect nights on the town. During NYC Restaurant Week, Lamia’s Fish Market will offer a $39 dinner for on site and takeout.
Lolo’s Seafood Shack
Lolo’s Seafood Shack (303 W 116th St) in Harlem takes its name from being locally owned, and locally operated. Owned by Guyanese chef Raymond Mohan and partner Leticia Skai Young Mohan, Lolo’s menu features seafood favorites that might transport you to a beach in the Caribbean or the coastal waters of Cape Cod. With a décor of ocean blues, sunny yellows, picnic benches, and a drink menu driven by the signature rum punch, Lolo’s bring an island-style vibe to the bustling streets of Harlem. During NYC Restaurant Week, Lolo’s Seafood Shack will offer a $21 lunch special and $39 dinner special.
Bar Marseille
Bar Marseille (190 Beach 69th St) in the Rockaways is located near the ocean making it the perfect summer dining destination. This French Riviera style restaurant features an extensive wine list providing pairings for various dishes. During NYC Restaurant Week, Bar Marseille will offer a prix fixe choice between a main course and side with a Sommelier wine pick all for $39.
SWCRF Annual Hamptons Happening
With the world returning to some sort of regularity, more than 300 guests gathered in Hamptons for a one of a kind event. The Samuel Waxman Cancer Research Foundation’s (SWCRF) was proud to hold the return of the one of the biggest charity events of the summer, The Hamptons Happening! The 17th annual event was a celebration of health and wellness, and the culmination of The Global Walk to Flatten the Cancer Curve with SWCRF partner, Walk with a Doc. Event committee member Maria Fishel and Kenneth Fishel hosted the ticketed fundraiser on their estate in Bridgehampton. The event raised more than $400,000 towards cancer research.
This year’s honorees included HUGO BOSS, Fashion Inc represented by Rodolfo Esparza III; Dr. Kenneth Mark, Skin Cancer & Cosmetic Dermatology Expert; Natalie Cohen Gould, Co-founder of Come Back Cycle, Dir. of Wholesale, FP Movement; and Chef and Restaurateur David Burke, David Burke Hospitality Management. The event was co-chaired by Mark D. Friedman of Brown Harris Stevens, Jessica Mackin of James Lane Post, and Randi Schatz. SWCRF founder Samuel Waxman MD, along with event committee members Christine Arlotta, Antonella Bertello, Erica Fineberg, Maria Fishel, Jacqueline Frank, Norah Lawlor, Jamie Koff, Christine Prydatko, Suzanne Sabet, and Michael Snell were in attendance.
Jonny Nierenberg, Tori Chanenchuk, Ali Nierenberg, Elin Nierenberg, Michael Nierenberg
Dr. Samuel Waxman, Marion Waxman, Maria Fishel, Kenneth Fishel, Bradley Fishel
Notable attendees included: Dr. Samuel Waxman, Marion Waxman, Maria Fishel, Kenneth Fishel, Bradley Fishel, Rodolfo Esparza III, Dr. Kenneth Mark, Chef David Burke, Natalie Cohen Gould, Jamie Koff, Mark D. Friedman, Chris Wragge, Harry Carson, Ramona Singer, Jean Shafiroff, Randi Schatz, Ann Liguori, William T. Sullivan, Cesar Ricci, Michael Nierenberg, Elin Nierenberg, Jonny Nierenberg, Tori Chanenchuk, Ali Nierenberg, Jody Gorin, Allie Gorin, Matthew Gorin, Erica Fineberg, Steven Carter, Mario Pecoraro, Chris Arlotta, Philip Greenwald, Dr. Nicholas Perricone, Michael Tadross, Matthew Yee, Vincent Wolf, Suzanne Sabet, Hormoz Sabet, Debbie Shlafmitz, Howard Shlafmitz, Sarah Shlafmitz, Craig Rivera, Cordelia Rivera.
The Hamptons Happening was a cocktail chef-tasting event featuring a dozen chefs and spirits from The Hamptons and NYC area providing samples of their favorite dishes, cocktails and mocktails. The event featured appearances by VIPS like Chris Wragge, anchor of CBS 2 Morning News, Hall of Fame linebacker Harry Carson of The NY Giants, Ramona Singer of RHONY, and a performance by Freestyle Love Supreme, a Tony Award Winning Broadway Musical Improv Group.
After the opening performance by Freestyle Love Supreme, Emcee Chris Wragge welcomed guests to the Hamptons Happening. After a brief interview with founder Dr. Samuel Waxman, the honorees were awarded by William T. Sullivan, Executive Director of the SWCRF. Following another brief performance, the auction got underway. With tickets purchased and auction item bids, the event raised more than $400,000.
The delicious tastings stations were supplied by: A la Mode, Arlotta Food Studio, Bareburger, Beauty & the Broth, Bimble, Centro Trattoria, Chef Julian Medina, Chef Scott Kampf of Southampton Social Club and Union Sushi & Steak; Clarkson Avenue Crumb Cake Company, David Burke Hospitality Management, Golden Pear, Halo Sport, Herradura Tequila, Kurly Kurtosh, Magnolia Bakery, MarieBelle New York, Milene Jardine, Out East Rose, Pompette, Rust & Gold, Simple Vodka, T-Bar Steak & Lounge, Taub Family Companies, Woodford Reserve.
Sponsors included: Backal Hospitality Group, Guaranteed Rate, HUGO BOSS Fashions Inc., James Lane Post, Mann Publications, Modern Luxury, Newrez, Prime Meridian Moving. And dozens of in-donations provided by Amali, Ani Private Resorts, Arlotta by Chris Arlotta, Arlotta Food Studio, The Baker House 1650, Bisous Web, Calissa, Covergirl, Chase William, Evolve East, Free People Movement, FR TEAM of Brown Harris Stevens, The Hidden Gem Café, HiWave, ISDIN, Kobi Halperin, Lawlor Media Group, Peter Thomas Roth, Regina Kravitz, Swoon.
The Global Walk to Flatten the Cancer Curve officially started on June 30th, 2021 and culminated at the SWCRF’s 17th Annual Hamptons Happening. The virtual walk raised international awareness and funds for life-saving cancer research. Participants logged their steps during the 11 days with the aim of accumulating 25,000 miles, enough to travel around the world. The virtual fundraising walk collected $100,000 for cancer research.
The incidence of cancer is rising around the world and advanced age is the most significant risk factor. More than 60 percent of Americans diagnosed with cancer are 65 and older. SWCRF, in collaboration with the National Cancer Institute and National Institute on Aging, is leading the way in funding the scientists who are working towards the next breakthrough in cancer treatments. Currently, SWCRF is funding 50 renown investigators on three continents, each working together to develop less toxic cancer treatments.
For more information, visit: www.waxmancancer.org/events/hamptons/
Photos: Patrick McMullan and Rob Rich Society Allure
FIAF's Bastille Day Celebration 2021
Wednesday July 14 at 6:15 PM, celebrate Bastille Day at SummerStage in Central Park, with live music, dancing and a movie screening, hosted by the Consulate General of France in New York, the French Institute Alliance Française (FIAF), and the Committee of French Speaking Societies (CAFUSA). The event is FREE, with all chair and lawn seats being first come first serve.
Doors open at 5PM, then the evening will commence with an opening address at 6:15, then at 6:35 with a jazz quintet performing French classics, headlined by French Grammy-nominated singer Kavita Shah.
At 7:15, Joachim Garraud, an important member of the French Touch (or French House) music scene, who has collaborated with David Guetta, will host a lively dance party.
French film My Donkey, My Lover & I will screen at 8:10: “Directed by Caroline Vignal, this warm comedy features stunning landscapes, a gentle touch, a few slapstick flourishes, and a tour-de-force star turn from Laure Calamy (Call My Agent!). On an impulse, Paris school teacher Antoinette (Calamy) decides to follow her married lover Vladimir and his family on a hiking holiday. Yet she soon realizes this impromptu vacation is more than she bargained for, as she finds herself trekking across the Cévennes mountains with only a recalcitrant donkey named Patrick to keep her company.”
You can also enter the Prize Draw online, a popular FIAF Bastille Day tradition with dozens of prizes up for grabs, including the grand prize of a luxurious two-night stay in a Terrace Suite, complete with a bottle of Champagne and skyline views, at Sofitel New York.
Bastille Day is a French National Holiday, commemorating the storming of the Bastille on July 14, 1789, and the birth of the modern French nation. Come join the celebrations at SummerStage Central Park!
Visit the FIAF website here for more details.
Costume Designer, Writer and Producer Alexandra Engelson
After a conversation with Long Island-based costume designer, writer and producer Alexandra Engelson, whose work could be seen premiering at Tribeca film festival this year, I received fascinating insight into how a career can be forged in the mysterious and elusive world of entertainment, and how one can use their success and creativity to uplift others breaking into the industry.
Everything happens for a reason. So, it did for Alexandra Engelson who came from a theatre background, performing in shows, costume designing, and becoming a theatre major in college. But at Hofstra, Engelson wanted the opportunity to be a college student, join a sorority, start a nonprofit, so changed course to Public Relations, putting costume design in the past. Engelson started working for a lawyer, learning everything about contracts, then in non-scripted television as a travel coordinator, then in PR and event planning. But wanting to really follow her heart, she persistently reached out to mentors for learning experiences in the entertainment industry, eventually leading to a dream job as a Costume PA for Quantico, which was celebrated with a happy dance in her mother’s kitchen (despite the surprise of her family remembering her famous last words of never going back into costume design).
From there, Engelson became a Union Costume designer, and worked various other jobs on sets across departments, such as Clearance Coordinating, from which her past knowledge of law and contracts came in handy. Another one of her mentors, now an Executive Producer, suggested that the way to become a writer was to just start writing, have that shelf of ideas: pick up a pen and write. Engelson found she already had such a strong grasp of storytelling, as costume design requires an understanding of the psychology of a character similarly to how writing does.
THE COSTUME DESIGN PROCESS AND LEYLAK
After reading the script about three times, Engelson breaks down the script in terms of logistics such as how many costumes there are, what's happening in the scene, then moving more into the psychology of the character which includes not just what they might be wearing but how they would wear it. After meeting with the producers and writers honing in on the tone and color themes for the overall show, she will create mood boards. These mood boards include color palettes and the character arc throughout the script, thinking how journey can be reflected in costume. Engelson references the most prominent example to her in recent history of costume design reflecting a character arc with the character of Sansa in Game of Thrones (SPOILER ALERT FOR GOT AHEAD): Sansa goes from dressed in lilac flowy outfits of satin and silk, but by the middle after being abused and losing her family, the color scheme of her costumes becomes darker and tighter around her body until by the end when she becomes Queen of the North, her clothes are reminiscent of armour. For Engelson, including this arc in the mood boards is a prime way to get a clear vision of how the character’s overall journey is envisioned by the directors and writers.
Engelson was a Costume Designer for two projects at Tribeca Film Festival for this year, Discovery+ Shock Docs: The Devil Made Me Do It and Leylak, part of the New York Shorts program. Of utmost importance for Leylak was the opportunity to reflect not just on the pandemic, but the immigrant status of a Turkish family, so Engelson made sure she would be giving back to the community and representing them properly, as she does for all her work. Many of the costume pieces were sourced from Turkish designers by thorough research. Delving into the character psychology of Yusuf’s bereavement and his daughter Renk’s situation as a teen with a double identity of cultural background while trying to integrate into American culture was reflected in the costume design. The switch from a brighter colored dress when Renk is in the dark about her mother’s passing, from when she is told the truth now wearing a deeper solid blue reflects the character arc being explored through costume design. At one point, Engelson decided not to steam a wrinkled shirt for the actor playing Yusuf, explaining the detail of how his character has been in so much pain, the last thing on his mind would be how his shirt looks. After shooting the scene, the actor acknowledged how having the shirt wrinkled helped with his acting, revealing how costume design not only influences the visuals for viewers, but can also aid the actor’s performance.
LEYLAK
LEYLAK
DOMINO WRITING CHALLENGE
Reflecting on the difficulties that so many women and non-binary people face trying to break into the industry as writers, and wanting to increase her own writing experience, Engelson started the Domino Writing Challenge in 2019. Turning the stereotype of the lone writer genius on its head, Engelson believes that collaboration is the only way of creating television and film. One of her sayings goes “I don’t have the golden ticket, but the people I bring on and the people I trust with my words or my costumes, together we can get the golden ticket and create the golden ticket.” The Domino writing challenge is a safe space for writing collaboration. For each challenge, the first person will get two days to write at least four pages of a script (flexibility to accommodate everyone’s schedules of course), then the next writer will take over to write the next four pages, passing the script along until it is completed. No editing is allowed until the first draft is complete, leading to a script made by 16 collaborators but still sounding almost seamless, refined through multiple drafts. The most recent challenge produced a terrifying Christmas Horror movie, showing the brilliance that can come out of collaboration from people of various levels of writing experience, from award-winners to newbies. Engelson has created a judge-free, no experience zone for any women and non-binary individuals to prove that anyone can be a writer.
COLLABORATION IN JOINT VENTURE PILOT
Engelson is currently working on Joint Venture with six other writers, a half hour comedy about family, business and sampling the merchandise revolving around two adult twins who are in their 40’s who return home to discover their mom has turned their hardware store into a weed operation. Engelson is the co-creator, co-writer and coordinating producer for this concept which began by being workshopped with Marta Kauffmam (creator of Friends and Grace and Frankie). Engelson explained how the writing process is quite different from most Hollywood writer’s rooms, as her plus the six other writers sit every week on zoom and literally write every single word together. For the first four weeks, they took a page out of Dan Levy’s book (creator of Schitt’s Creek) by not starting any writing until they knew their characters completely. It then took about twelve weeks with two hours per week of work to write a first draft, an impressive feat of collaboration that Engelson considers a great process for producing the best version of the script possible, as every single word, action and scene is discussed as a team of creatives.
PILOT IN DEVELOPMENT: TRAVELLING SALESWOMAN
One day when sitting in her costume stock, a dress started moving and caught Engelson’s eye. Of course, it was just the wind, but it was a beautiful 1940’s beige dress with floral accent that seemed to be looking at her, and all of a sudden the whole life story of the woman who would have worn this came to her. Louise Margaret Lewis is a woman living in a man’s world in the 1940’s, a recent widow who discovered her husband has been murdered, so goes on an adventure with her friend who is a deaf artist. A neo-noir thriller all about female friendship and overcoming obstacles that has many parallels to today, The Travelling Saleswoman proof of concept is currently in development with Engelson at the helm as the writer, producer and designer. They are currently in the process of casting their lead actress and bringing onto the team someone who is deaf to script supervise the sign language.
Continuing to excel in her multi-hyphenate creative work, Engelson notes that no matter if you think you are a writer or not, there is always some kind of storyteller in you!
Seaport Artois
With millions of locals getting back in the New York groove by reuniting with their loved ones at their favorite eateries, Stella Artois is bringing together the city’s top restaurants as the spot to reconnect while savoring a refreshing beer, gourmet food and music.
As part of the brand’s all new “Your Table Is Ready” summer campaign, Seaport Artois will extend table service for restaurants during an extra competitive patio season and offer exclusive pizzas from the best kitchens in town with 100% of event proceeds benefiting New York restaurants and the James Beard Foundation. Starting today, book your spot to savor great food and beer at Seaport Artois via OpenTable by visiting StellaArtois.com/SeaportArtois.
Kicking off on Thursday, June 17 at Pier 16, home to the South Street Seaport Museum, Seaport Artois will debut unique takes on New York pizza.
Pizza Party Headliners
Chef Trigg Brown & Josh Ku of Win Son (‘20 Michelin Bib Gourmand)
Chef Emma Bengtsson from Aquavit (‘20 two-star Michelin rated)
Chef Erik Ramirez of Llama Inn (‘21 Michelin Bib Gourmand)
Chef Alex Raij and Eder Montero of La Vara (‘21 Michelin Plate)
Chef Hugue Dufour of M. Wells (‘21 Michelin Plate)
Delicious Event Lineup
“Iconic New York” (June 17): Kick off Seaport Artois and commemorate the classics on opening night, featuring Italian classic Don Angie (‘21 one-star Michelin rated).
“Pride” (June 24): Celebrate and show your support of LGBTQIA+ owned restaurants.
“NYC Flavors” (July 8): Toast to the diversity of food across this fine city.
“Street Culture” (July 22): Salute the NY street food and culture that is unlike anywhere else.
“Comeback” (August 5): A one-night only appearance from a beloved spot that closed its doors over the last year.
“New” (August 19): Raise a chalice to welcome a new restaurant in the city that’s raved about.
Running for six weeks, your table at the Seaport Artois will be open from 6 p.m. to 11 p.m. The pre-fixe evening will cost $50 and feature an amuse bouche, a selection of exclusive pizza interpretations, two chalices of Stella Artois, a sweet treat, DJ entertainment and exclusive access to Seaport Artois. Guests can also visit the Seaport Artois gift shop powered by Uncommon Goods that will be stocked with merchandise that are inspired by and pays tribute to New York City.
Seaport Artois is located at Pier 16 and will be the spot all summer long to reconnect with friends, family and the city you’ve missed. Starting today, locals can secure their spot at Seaport Artois at StellaArtois.com/SeaportArtois and get ready to savor a refreshing beer, gourmet food and music.
About Stella Artois
Stella Artois® is part of a brewing tradition dating back to 1366. It is the winner of the 2019 World Beer Award for World's Best International Lager and is present in 95 countries. Stella Artois is a bottom filtered, blonde pilsner. It is thirst quenching with a malty middle and crisp finish delivering a full flavor and a hint of bitterness. Stella Artois is best enjoyed served between 37.4- and 41-degree Fahrenheit and should be served in the unique Stella Artois Chalice according to the 9-Step Pouring Ritual to guarantee a perfect experience of this gold standard lager. Visit www.stellaartois.com for more information.
Boom! Where to Watch New York City Fireworks
New York City is known to go all out when lighting up the skies for the 4th of July, and after a hiatus due to COVID-19, it’s back and better than ever. Be sure to get a front row seat this weekend with five of the coolest spots across the boroughs.
Queens:
American Brass (2-01 50th Ave) in Long Island City will serve brunch, a raw bar and drinks menu midday and a three course dinner for $75 a person at night. Views will be as insatiable as the food with the fireworks positioned directly in front of the restaurant on the waterfront. Say goodbye to crowds of thousands and sit back and relax at American Brass .
Manhattan:
What better way to take in the glow than 42 stories in the sky at The Sentry (435 E. 35th St.) atop the American Copper Buildings? The private social and pool club is open to ticket holders for one day only — July 4th! The Sentry will transform this Sunday into a tropical paradise from 4pm - 11pm with a DJ, BBQ and epic view of the Macy’s firework show. Spending the day poolside on America's Birthday is easy and tickets include 4 drinks and can be purchased by visiting https://www.simpletix.com/e/summer-in-the-city-tickets-72797
The return of the Macy’s 4th Of July Fireworks means a scramble to find the best views. HolidayEvents.Com And Slate NY have partnered to bring a one-of-a-kind experience at the East 34th Street Heliport. An ideal viewing experience, guests will enjoy a live DJ, entertainment, food and bevs and of course insane fireworks.
Brooklyn:
Visitors can watch the skyline shine with fireworks with Fornino at Brooklyn Bridge Park's Pier 6. The rooftop will open beginning at 12pm (weather permitting) serving generations of Neapolitan pizza creations. In addition to fabulous pizza made in wood burning ovens, the eatery also serves specialty cocktails for the complete 4th of July experience. Reservations are a must and a $50 surcharge will apply to capture all of the action from this BK rooftop.
Staten Island:
If you have not been to a Clinton Hall location you are missing out. The newest Clinton Hall (55 Richmond Terrace) at Empire Outlets in Staten Island will open its doors for an amazing July 4th shindig. The Supercraft beer hall will have draft beers, signature cocktails, and over the top dishes like their award winning Double SmashBurger. This will be complemented by a fireworks display from Empire Outlets on the water, which is free to attend.
Tribeca New York Shorts: LIZA ANONYMOUS and LEYLAK
Liza Anonymous and Leylak are two of the stellar short films that premiered in the Tribeca Film Festival 2021 New York Shorts Program, the second year that the festival is including this category. The New York Shorts Program features a line-up of shorts with narratives based in New York, often with NYC based filmmaking and acting talent.
LIZA ANONYMOUS
A vibrant and heartfelt snapshot of the search for community amongst the loneliness of a big city.
“Liza’s (Danielle Beckmann) desperate search to fit in sees her get wrapped up in a tangle of lies and ill-informed emulation: As her charade crumbles, she learns that imitation is not the sincerest form of flattery, but finds solace in the most unlikely of places.”
In Liza Anonymous, the title character Liza goes to various support groups in the city putting on different disguises and personas, in an attempt to find support from a community.
Danielle Beckmann as Liza, courtesy of Liza Anonymous
I learned through a more in-depth discussion with the writer and director of the short, that for the actress/singer/filmmaker Leah Mckendrick, the writer of Liza Anonymous, this project started off as a gift for her actress friend Danielle Beckmann. The combination of fascination with the community created by support groups, and wanting to write a character to be tailored to Danielle’s acting strengths, led to the script coming to fruition.
Director Aubrey Smyth immediately said yes upon reading the script, compelled particularly by the opportunities for creative visual language. The camera revolving around Liza in the opening scene of the film highlights Smyth’s interest in exciting visual interpretations, using a circular dolly track to transition seamlessly between the support group scenes.
Standing out to me when watching the film was the vibrance of colors in each scene differentiating the support groups. Smyth explained how this is very deliberate work with color theory, using set and costume design, only using a certain amount of colors in each support group scene to make a subconscious impact on the audience's viewing and the interpretation of the characters in each scene.
The themes in Liza Anonymous may seem familiar to New Yorkers, reflecting on times being in this vast city without having that group where you feel supported, feel like you are truly yourself. The temptation to feel scattered, like you have to pretend to be someone you’re not in order to fit into the moulds of the groups around you certainly rings true for me as someone only having lived in the city a few years.
We can see in this short film how McKendrick reframes how loneliness is actually the ultimately shared experience between so many of us, when we otherwise may feel so unique in feeling isolated. Liza just really wants to put herself out there, although not necessarily doing it in the right way, it is still a hint towards the admirable boldness of trying to belong. Many of us put on different masks to try and fit in, although perhaps not as literally as Liza, it is a shared experience.
SPOILER ALERT BELOW!
In the final scene, we see Liza finally finding a group where she can be herself while also being able to play different personas: an improv troupe. Smyth notes how this scene connected to her personally, as the actors in this scene are pupils she took classes with in the city at Upright Citizens Brigade, bringing one of her own communities in NYC into the script.
LEYLAK
Winning a Special Mention Jury award, this film is particularly relevant and emotional, giving a snapshot of the tragedies of the pandemic, broken families and how we have tried to cope with so much loss especially with the devastation COVID caused to NYC.
“In present-day Queens, a Turkish gravedigger (Nadir Saribacak) is unable to face a shattering truth and risks losing the dearest connection left in his life.”
Leylak was written by Mustafa Kaymak, directed by NYC-based duo Scott Aharoni and Dennis Latos who run their internationally successful award-winning production company DUO Entertainment.
Filmed and set during the pandemic, the film opens with Turkish gravedigger Yusuf Çelik hard at work digging a field of graves, alluding to the mass deaths from COVID in the city. Yusuf struggles to come to terms with his wife’s condition in the hospital, not knowing how to explain the situation to his daughter Renk.
The visuals follow dark grays and blues reminding us of the oppressive solemness of loss surrounding the characters, only slightly brightened by the flowers Renk wants to bring for her mother. The handheld camera's unsteady motion emphasizes the precarious emotional balance of the situation, inviting us right into the family’s personal space.
The performances by Nadir Saribacak, Isabella Haddock, and Gamze Ceylan are incredibly moving with gentle poignancy that captures the essence of such great loss so many have been through on an individual level.
Cast and Crew Information Liza Anonymous:
Cast: Danielle Beckmann, Daniel Fox, Rafael Sardina, Malikha Mallette, Lida Darmian, Sharon Gallardo, Jane Geller
Director: Aubrey Smyth
Writer: Leah McKendrick
Producers: Katie Rosin, Danielle Beckmann, Aubrey Smyth, Daniel Ornitz
Director of Photography: Chloe Smolkin
Production Designer: Daniel Ornitz
Costume Designer: Keely Bembry
First AD: Catriona Rubenis-Stevens
Composer: Joanna Katcher
Editor: Samantha Smith
Sound Recordist: Vera Quispe
Makeup Artist: Gianna Gutierrez
Casting: Kristen Paladino
Publicity: Katie Rosin/Kampfire PR
Cast and Crew Information Leylak:
Cast: Nadir Saribacak, Isabella Haddock, Gamze Ceylan
Director: Scott Aharoni, Dennis Latos
Writer: Mustafa Kaymak
Cinematographer: Laura Valladao
Editor: Scott Aharoni, Dennis Latos
Composer: Ahmet Kenan Bilgiç
Executive Producer: Yvette Pineyro, Steve Biegel, Robert Pistor, Iliana Guibert, Sola Fasehun
6 Giving Opportunities in NYC
Giving to others who need help is one of the most fulfilling things in life. When you give back, it feels like someone has lifted a weight off your shoulders. Being able to make someone’s day better feels incredibly satisfying. Fortunately, if you’re living in NYC, there are so many ways to give back through charity work that anyone can participate in. You don’t have to be rich or famous—just generous! That said, here are the top overlooked charity opportunities in the Big Apple.
1. Food Banks
Food is the easiest and also the most crucial necessity you can provide for the needy. There are several food banks in New York City, but the Food Bank for New York City in the Bronx and Capital Region Food Bank might be your best starting point. The Bronx has been struggling with increasing poverty over the past few years. Not to mention that crime is also prevalent, so this is an area that needs all the help it can get. These organizations assist those living below the poverty line by providing free groceries every week. Plus, they also distribute fresh produce through farmers’ market programs.
2. Book Donation
As the world becomes more digitized, physical tomes of knowledge are becoming rarer by the day. Many people don’t realize that libraries and schools are always looking for new books. You can donate old collections to the Brooklyn Public Library. A program called NYC Books Through Bars will take your paperbacks and give them to incarcerated individuals to help deal with loneliness. Giving away these precious pages means imparting your knowledge to others. The easiest way to donate books is by organizing them into fiction or nonfiction. Try to cover them if you can and then take them directly to your nearest public library branch or school.
3. Donating When Moving
Moving is one of the most overlooked opportunities to help others. During the process, it’s more likely that you will have a few extra things lying around that you won’t want to bring. You may have a spare TV sitting in your old apartment, or your kids may have outgrown their old toys and clothing. Consider donating these things to people who can’t afford to buy stuff themselves.
These donations are a tremendous help to those living in low-income communities or neighborhoods where resources are scarce. It’s not just limited to toys or TVs. Donate whatever items you no longer need! It can be furniture, utensils, clothes, or even paint! What might seem like trash to you could make somebody else’s day brighter. Don’t hesitate to share!
But since you won’t have a lot of time during the move, it’s best to leave the job to the professionals. Experts from www.moversnyc.com suggest that you hire a reputable moving company that offers to deliver your donation items to charity organizations for free. If your movers show that they care about others even without money involved, they’re also likely to care about your belongings since you’re their client.
4. Blood Donation
Do you want to give something that can save lives? Then donating your blood will undoubtedly make a difference! Many people need blood donations daily. With so many accidents and emergencies, there is always a shortage of healthy blood for those who need it most. Blood donation is a great way to keep the supply of this essential fluid sufficient at all times. To donate, visit any American Red Cross center or call (877) 733-2767 to book an appointment and learn the next steps.
5. Donate to Orphanages
Imagine a world without orphanages. These institutions provide care and support for children who have lost their parents or whose families can no longer afford to take care of them. But beyond the good intention, it’s not easy to run one. Orphanages need help with everything, including clothes, food, and toys for the kids. If you would like to donate your old items, pack them nicely and send them over to the local charity. Orphanages close to NYC include Zion Orphanage, which has been providing a home for children since 1899.
6. Volunteer
What’s a better way to donate than giving some of your time to others? There are many different charities in New York City that will be more than happy to have you volunteer. You can choose from several programs, including Habitat for Humanity, the American Red Cross, Green Thumb, and many others. Most of these groups connect people with opportunities that suit their interests, such as elderly care or knitting. They offer an eclectic mix of activities covering everything from animal rescue centers to soup kitchens. Nothing’s more fun than helping other people while doing what you love!
Sharing is caring. Beyond NYC’s glamour and wealth lies thousands of people struggling to get by. One act of kindness might not seem like much, but it should be enough to make even an inkling of a difference. Don’t think twice about sharing your blessings.
ARTECHOUSE NYC: Geometric Properties
Next door to Chelsea Market and at the crossroads of art and technology is the latest immersive exhibit to hit the town: Artechouse NYC.
Founded in 2015 by arts advocates Sandro and Tati, Artechouse is a nationwide innovative art experience dedicated to showcasing new forms of creative expression. The NYC exhibit, titled “Geometric Properties,” is no exception. Exclusively showing the work of Julius Horsthuis, a Dutch visual and fractal artist who combines math, visual effects, and computer graphics, the new Artechouse NYC is an impossibly stimulating, cinematic show unlike any other.
The first thing you’ll notice when entering the exhibit is how dark it is. Where most traditional art exhibits tend to indulge in blank white walls, Artechouse NYC has used thousands of screens to display a spellbinding “new world” that includes everything from gothic-esque forests to psychedelic deserts. Adding to the experience is the Artechouse House app, which allows visitors to view kaleidoscopic, “hidden aspects” of certain works through their very own camera lens. The result? An all-enveloping, completely immersive experience. Lying on the ground, being lulled by the ambient music, it is too easy to feel as if you’ve been transported to an entirely new dimension.
Still, all good things can’t last forever. After taking in all the exhibit has to offer, visitors are able to exit through a gift shop that leads right into Chelsea Market, where they are free to finish up their day with a meal at one of the market’s famous eateries.
So if you’re an art/science/math/tech fan who’s looking to lose yourself for a few hours, this exhibit is the one for you. Bring your phone, bring your friends, keep an open mind, and you’re sure to have an unforgettable, IG-worthy experience that’ll keep you wondering for weeks to come.
The “Geometric Properties'' exhibit at Artechouse NYC will run until September 6th, 2021. Follow @artechouse or visit their website https://www.artechouse.com/location/nyc/ to learn more about the exhibit.
Van Gogh: The Immersive Experience
Art fans, this one’s for you. Located at 300 Vesey St. in Downtown Manhattan, right near the battery park and a short walk from the One World Trade is the art world’s latest tribute to a one-of-a-kind artist: Van Gogh: The Immersive Experience.
The exhibit starts with a chronological history of Van Gogh’s life that leads into a showcase of his art that is projected onto all the walls surrounding the space. The lighting and the reverberation are superb. Once you have a seat, you get to explore the many different paintings of Van Gogh; and they each come with a musical score that enhances the experience even more. Each image appears slightly and begins drawing right in front of your eyes. The effects and the way the paintings would flood into each other gave a unique effect.
I was completely in awe and really impressed by the amount of work put into the show. It is super inventive, and the music was immaculate. The whole experience was very serene and soothing. After a year of isolation and boredom, this event was like much needed therapy.
Of course, while the experience is not like seeing Van Gogh's actual work in Paris, Amsterdam or even the MOMA, it was amazing to see the depth and complexity of his work captured in such detail and most importantly, to learn the history of the tortured genius. I definitely recommend coming into this exhibit with an open mind and to view it more than once because it is totally unique depending on where you are sitting or standing in the room. There are so many elements and so much going on that it is easy to miss small details -- and trust me you won’t want to miss anything. After all, this is a completely new and engaging way of experiencing art. And pro tip: splurge for the VR - it is worth it.
Tribeca Festival 2021 Day 2
The second day of the 20th Tribeca Festival featured films, games, immersive experiences, musical performances, and podcasts. Highlights include:
Emmy/Grammy/Oscar/Tony Award-winner John Legend attended two events at the Festival, including Storytellers: John Legend and Mike Jackson, a panel with his Get Lifted Film Co. co-lead Mike Jackson at Spring Studios. During the conversation, Legend noted that when it comes to filmmaking, “I bring my sensibility and my taste...I have a strong sense of who I am as a person and what I want my brand to represent.” He also revealed that, especially in documentary filmmaking, he likes being able to enter into people’s worlds to humanize them to show that their lives are valuable. Emmy Award-winning producer Jackson spoke to Legend’s hands-on involvement in the production process, and said when choosing projects for Get Lifted, he employs the “mic test,” meaning he needs to be able to imagine John speaking about it during an interview. Later in the evening, Legend introduced the documentary he executive produced, Legend of the Underground (HBO) at the film’s premiere.
Musicians D’Angelo and Rhiannon Giddens performed the Red Dead Redemption 2 soundtrack alongside Daniel Lanois, the original soundtrack producer of the 2018 Game of the Year’s sountrack . This show marks the first live show in New York City to showcase tracks from the Red Dead Redemption 2 soundtrack, along with the first time ever that American soul and R&B artist, D’Angelo joined Lanois and Rhiannon together to perform these songs live.
The screening of the comedy Mark, Mary, and Some Other People was followed by a conversation with producer Peter Williams and cast members Hayley Law, Ben Rosenfield, Odessa A'Zion, and Nik Dodani. The film was recently acquired by Vertical Entertainment.
Jackie Collins’ daughters, Rory Green and Tiffany Lerman, joined director Laurie Fairrie on-stage after the screening of Lady Boss: The Jackie Collins Story to share their experience creating the documentary about their late mother, which included reading through her old diaries.
Director Pan Nalin watched the screening for Last Film Show for the first time alongside the audience. Since many of his India-based cast couldn’t travel to New York due to COVID restrictions, the film team had life size cutouts created so they could ‘walk’ the red carpet with him today at Pier 76.
At the Go Big screenings of shorts, snowboarder/surfer Jess Kumura and star Lucy Harris of The Queen of Basketball received a standing ovation for pushing boundaries and representing female athletes.
The world premiere of contemporary thriller Poser had cast and crew in attendance, including first-time feature filmmakers and directors, Noah Dixon and Ori Segev, at Hudson Yards.
Tribeca’s first-ever podcast event saw a sneak peak of the Red Frontier podcast, followed by a conversation with the creative team, including Head of Fiction at Gimlet Mimi O’Donnell, writer/director/executive producer Sarah Nolen, and cast member Kara Young.
Ongoing until June 20, Tribeca Immersive at Spring Studios, hosts a hybrid of virtual reality experiences including outdoor & interactive experiences, a virtual arcade, and Storyscapes, an in-person experience where attendees use a VR headset to experience content.
Films premiering in-person at Tribeca events are eligible for U.S. audiences to stream during the Festival via the Tribeca at Home virtual hub: tribecafilm.com/festival/at-home
Photo / Video Credit: Courtesy of Tribeca Festival
Tribeca Festival 2021 Opening Night
The 2021 Tribeca Festival, presented by AT&T, kicked off its 20th anniversary with the world premiere of Warner Bros. Pictures’ highly anticipated musical celebration In the Heights. The film fittingly premiered at the United Palace theater in Washington Heights with scenery from the film serving as the backdrop on the carpet. For the first time ever, the festival’s opening night was screened simultaneously across all five boroughs in multiple open-air venues.
Jon M. Chu directed the screen adaptation of the Tony Award-winning musical, created and produced by New York’s own Lin-Manuel Miranda. The screenplay adapted by Quiara Alegría Hudes, with original songs and lyrics by Miranda, is about a bodega owner Usnavi, played by Anthony Ramos, who hopes, imagines, and sings about a better life. The film also stars Corey Hawkins, Leslie Grace, Melissa Barrera, Olga Merediz, Daphne Rubin-Vega, Gregory Diaz IV, Stephanie Beatriz, Dascha Polanco, and Jimmy Smits. Miranda, Hudes, Scott Sanders, Anthony Bregman, and Mara Jacobs produce.
Tribeca also hosted members of its 2021 jury at the In The Heights screening at The Battery including Sharon Stone, Helen Hunt, Delroy Lindo, Bryan Cranston, John Turturro, Hari Nef, Justin Bartha, Adria Petty, Ana Lily Amirpour, Elegance Bratton, Tig Notaro, Iyabo Boyd, Judith Godreche, Sabrina Schmidt Gordon.
Tribeca 2021 runs June 9-20 and is the first major North American film festival held in person since COVID-19. The 12-day live celebration is the culmination of NY PopsUp, the statewide revitalization initiative to bring back live entertainment and the arts to the community.
Photo / Video Credit: Courtesy of Tribeca Festival
Summer Poker Tournament at Turning Stone
This summer in New York is going to be all about things coming back and returning to normal. We will see the reopening of the theaters late in the summer. There is already significant live attendance at sporting events, and there are full restaurants and bars. And outdoor festivities new and old are going to be all the rage throughout the next several months.
Another fun option for New Yorkers that isn’t getting quite as much hype or publicity, however, is going to be the return of live poker at some of the state’s casinos — and most notably the Turing Stone Resort in Verona. We have recently learned that some of the major poker tournaments in the U.S. are going to be held again this year after largely being cancelled (or at least significantly altered) in 2020. And while no such events take place in our state, it does appear as if those in charge of smaller events and amateur tournaments are following the larger organizations’ lead. At Turing Stone Casino, in fact, tournament play is already underway, and is scheduled on a near-daily basis throughout the summer.
For anyone who enjoys poker or takes an interest in casino culture in general, these tournaments are well worth keeping in mind for the “comeback” summer. For one thing, they make for great fun to watch if you are spending some time at the resort, even if they are not full-fledged spectator events. For another, they are quite accessible if you want to play — with entry buy-ins in the $125 to $250 range. That alone should make them a draw for people from all around New York (and surrounding states for that matter) through the season.
The other reason we are highlighting the poker tournaments going on at Turning Stone though is that the resort itself also makes for a great, easy summer destination. Whether you live in the city and you are looking forward to a break at some point, or you simply want to have a getaway after not being able to do so for quite some time, Turning Stone can be a breath of fresh air.
Beyond poker tournaments (and other activities in the casino for that matter), there’s plenty to do at the resort. You can play a round of golf or two at a connected course that generally garners excellent reviews. You can soothe yourself after 18 months of stressful living with a spa package. And you can enjoy some of the state’s better restaurants outside of New York City — whether at the decadent TS Steakhouse or at the quirky but elegant fine dining spot, Wildflowers (trust the seasonal menu!). Plus, there is something to be said for the resort’s accommodations. It is simply a nice, comfortable place to spend a few days and nights.
Ultimately, in a summer full of renewed activity, something like regular poker tournaments at a resort upstate will be easy to overlook. For those looking for an escape, an in-state vacation, and a full slate of recreation though, all of this is well worth considering!
A watering hole for thirsty New Yorkers – Bandits Opening Preview
An almost hidden gem between the known neighborhood bars in the West Village, the new location of the Den Hospitality team is the perfect place for anyone interested in eye-catching drinks, creative food creations and extraordinary design elements. While the new must-go is only officially opening its doors to all wanna-be cowboys, foodies, and everyone else this Wednesday, the team hosted a special press preview event on Thursday, May 13th.
Guests were invited to try a selection of Bandits’ elevated all-American diner inspired classics as well as a variety of drinks that left even born and raised New Yorkers surprised by their creative presentation, labels, and taste. Offered choices ranged from Truth or Pear to Rice Russian, Purple Rain and 53rd & 6th, with the latter being a homage to The Halal Guys for the well-known after-bar-hopping relief they have been offering to many of us since the 90’s.
But even without taking a look at the menu, visitors just had to enter the saloon-style interior or talk to the dedicated team to be immediately exposed to the thoughtfulness behind every part of this NYC gem. Inspired by old-school 1970’s NY diners, the retro themed interior was designed by Yakka and invites guests to a small time travel in the midst of busy Manhattan.
Listening to the team’s stories, one could learn all about the months-long brainstorming sessions for drink labels as well as Bandits’ namesake, the Den Hospitality’s racoon mascot. As it might have become apparent, Bandits makes it easy for guests to completely lose track of time, which might even be the best part of it. It truly is a Bandit in that sense.
Not leaving any guest hungry throughout this extraordinary experience, guests were offered a broad food selection ranging from delicious “Have it your Way” TOTS in mango curry and pickled mint spring to deli-inspired classics like The Ripper, a New Jersey-style deep fried hot dog. With these and more food delights paired with the broad variety of stories, no guest was left hungry or thirsty for more — other than a next visit as soon as Bandits officially opens its doors.
Hours of Operation: 12pm - 12am on weekdays
11am - 12am on Saturday & Sunday
Website: https://www.banditsnyc.com
FHS 'April in Paris' Palm Beach Luncheon
French Heritage Society hosted their “April in Paris” Palm Beach Luncheon on Monday, April 26, 2021 at The Colony Hotel. As their first in-person event of 2021, the atmosphere was particularly festive as guests enjoyed a catered meal and toasted a brighter future from The Colony’s poolside oasis.
The lovely, sold-out fête was held at the behest of Event Chairs Michael A. Kovner and Jean Doyen de Montaillou. Further flair was provided by Luncheon Chairmen CeCe and Lee Black, Audrey Gruss, Liz McDermott Barnes, FHS Board Chairman Elizabeth Stribling and New York Chapter Co-Chairman Guy Robinson. The event was in the presence of Consul General of France in Miami Laurent Gallissot with Camille Langlois. The Steering Committee included Lee Black, Paul Lowerre, and Guy Robinson. Suzanne Stoll was the Palm Beach Representative.
Esteemed guests included: Board Members Ronald Lee Fleming and Jean Shafiroff. Also attending: Friederike Biggs, Sharon Bush, Susan Cushing, Bill and Regine Diamond, Patricia Duncan, Randy Fishburn and Andrew Sands, Anne Fitzpatrick, Annette Friedland, Lou Hammond, Mai Hallingby Harrison, Linda Hickox, Nicole Hirsch, Linda Hoffman, Kamie Lightburn, Paul and Ursula Lowerre, Denise-Marie Nieman, Natalie Pray, Robin Reardon, Paola Bacchini Rosenshein, John and Barbara Cirkva Schumacher, Daisy Soros, Sherri Stephenson, and Michel Witmer.
Proceeds from the Palm Beach Luncheon benefit French Heritage Society’s mission to ensure that the treasures of our shared French architectural and cultural heritage survive to inspire future generations.
Photos by Annie Watt Agency
About French Heritage Society
French Heritage Society (FHS) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit American organization in operation since 1982 whose mission is to protect the French architectural and cultural legacy both in France and the United States. Over the past 39 years, our generous members and patrons have helped us ensure that these treasures survive to inspire future generations by supporting our three-fold mission: Preservation, Education and Cultivation of French-American Friendship.
Preservation
FHS raises funds to support the preservation of culturally and historically significant French architecture in France and the U.S. To date, FHS has awarded over $13.2 million (which results in a total of more than $26.4 million being made available due to our required matching funds condition) to over 600 grants to châteaux, historic properties and gardens. FHS also creates special funds for emergency restoration efforts, which have provided critical support following the fire at Notre-Dame in Paris and Hurricane Katrina in New Orleans.
Education
Each year, FHS selects and sends around 35 students from prestigious universities in France and the U.S. across the Atlantic for internships at esteemed organizations. Since the program’s inception, over 500 students have benefited from these opportunities.
French-American Friendship
FHS’s network includes ten chapters across the U.S. and one in Paris and collectively, they organize over 50 events each year to raise local awareness about and funds for FHS’s mission. In addition, the FHS community comes together for annual fundraising galas in New York, Palm Beach and Paris. FHS is also known for the specially curated trips to France that it offers its members every year.
ADDF 4th Annual Memories Matter
The Alzheimer’s Drug Discovery Foundation (ADDF) presented its Fourth Annual Memories Matter Event via live stream on Wednesday, April 7. In a special evening of stories and songs, the event united Alzheimer’s advocates, caregivers, families, and supporters around the ADDF’s mission to conquer Alzheimer’s disease, raising over $850,000 in donations to advance its research efforts.
The theme of this year’s Memories Matter was “Music and Memories.” The program opened with a musical number from ADDF board member Mitchell Kaneff, Memories Matter Founding Chair Ian Ginsberg, and Young Professionals Committee member Alec Ginsberg, who came together for the first time to explore the role music plays in connection to memory, and shared personal stories of families impacted by Alzheimer’s disease. The event also featured special guest appearances from Emmy and Tony award winner Bryan Cranston and ADDF Board of Governors Co-Vice Chair and Secretary Randal Sandler, as well as an ensemble of Broadway singers performing the worldwide hit song “Memories” by Maroon 5 as a tribute to those who have been lost to the disease and to the power of memories.
Bryan Cranston
The ADDF, the only nonprofit solely devoted to finding new drugs to prevent, treat and cure Alzheimer’s, hosts their annual Memories Matter event to raise awareness of the devastating impact of this disease on patients, caregivers and families, particularly younger generations. The personal stories and discussions of Alzheimer’s shared during the event highlight the need to change the course of this disease with better drug therapies. The event was founded by ADDF Board Members Wendy Wilshin and Stephanie Ginsberg, who both lost their mothers to Alzheimer’s disease.
Ginsberg shared, “At my mother’s funeral, memories of her voice and who she truly was came flooding back. Memories matter. We’re all here today because we want to see Alzheimer’s disease become a distant memory.”
Wilshin continued, “Having the ability to connect to our past gives us our future. After a long and difficult year, we wanted to focus on things that give us hope. The power of music could not be overlooked. Music triggers parts of the brain that evoke emotions, and it's one of the last things to be destroyed by this disease.”
Wendy and Stephanie
ADDF CEO Mark Roithmayr noted how many of the ADDF’s volunteers and donors are led to its mission by their deep personal connections to the disease, saying, “A nonprofit is only as good as its family and friends.” Roithmayr was joined by Dr. Howard Fillit, ADDF’s Founding Executive Director and Chief Science Officer, who spoke to the science behind our mission and shared his perspective on what memories and music mean, both as a clinician and as someone who saw the impact of songs on his own father as he suffered from Alzheimer’s disease.
Bryan Cranston, who lost his mother Audrey ‘Peggy’ Sell to Alzheimer’s in 2004, said, “Alzheimer's is a thief. It steals your loved ones away from you; and we have to find a way to stop this thief. It is vitally important that we continue research, treatment, and explore the world of drugs and how to mitigate the effects of Alzheimer's. The ADDF is doing just that, and we have to support them in their quest to not only take care of the people who are already afflicted with Alzheimer's, but those who will become afflicted with Alzheimer's. Their diligence in finding a cure; that's really the goal.”
Randal Sandler shared how he watched both his mother and mother-in-law suffer from the disease. “My mom was an avid volunteer of her time. I’m most proud of the time I’ve spent over the past years helping this organization to meet its audacious goal of ending Alzheimer’s in our lifetime because that motivation comes from my mom. It’s incredibly gratifying that the ADDF is at the forefront of a lot, if not all, of the most innovative ideas in Alzheimer’s research.”
Caitlin Fay
As CEO Mark Roithmayr noted in his remarks, the ADDF was founded on three pillars: diagnostics, prevention, and drug discovery. Today, those three pillars still serve as our true north, especially as the ADDF’s focus has pivoted from pre-clinical to clinical research. 80% of the clinical trials we fund are now in phase 2, the phase that tests for efficacy and safety. In addition, the ADDF has one of the largest and most diverse clinical trial portfolios in the world, with 35 active trials targeting more than seven pathways that go awry during the aging process. In the next year alone, we’re expecting results from six of our most promising phase 2 trials.
Following the event’s first-time virtual live auction, which raised over $100,000, siblings Matt and Caitlin Fay, two members of ADDF Young Professionals Committee (YPC), a group dedicated to raising awareness and funds for Alzheimer’s research, explained how they joined together after their father was diagnosed with the disease to raise funds through a series of events among a group of 20- and 30-year-old professionals. The Fay siblings’ fundraisers raised over $15,000 to support the ADDF.
“Having a network of people through the YPC and ADDF putting their time and money towards the Alzheimer’s cause to support my dad and others suffering from this disease is so empowering. If we continue to put our efforts all together, the possibilities are endless,” said Caitlin Fay.
About the Alzheimer’s Drug Discovery Foundation
Founded in 1998 by Leonard A. and Ronald S. Lauder, the Alzheimer's Drug Discovery Foundation is dedicated to rapidly accelerating the discovery of drugs to prevent, treat and cure Alzheimer's disease. The ADDF is the only public charity solely focused on funding the development of drugs for Alzheimer's, employing a venture philanthropy model to support research in academia and the biotech industry. Through the generosity of its donors, the ADDF has awarded over $168 million to fund more than 650 Alzheimer's drug discovery and biomarker programs and clinical trials in 19 countries. And 100% of every donation funds drug research programs. To learn more, visit http://www.alzdiscovery.org.
6 Spectacular Spots in the Sky to Eat & Drink
With the weather warming up, and the easing of COVID-19 restrictions, NYC is slowly retuning to pre-pandemic form. While most patrons probably have not dined out for a long time, a lot more people have been vaccinated prompting them to come out of hibernation. If sidewalk cafes and parking-spot seating is not your cup of tea, try a spacious elevated view from many of city’s rooftop restaurants. These 6 rooftop places are open currently open for dining options, with COVID-19 safety measures in place.
Ampia Rooftop
1. Ampia Rooftop (100 Broad St) is a modern Mediterranean inspired bi-level venue with classic Italian dishes, providing a much needed escape from the chaotic city below. With gorgeous floral decor draped across this expansive FiDi rooftop and a stunning art mural by OGMillie, guests are instantly transported to an oasis where you can expect an extensive array of cocktails and a delicious menu filled with authentic Italian cuisine. Guests have the option to dine in greenhouses in the sky, individual colorful villages or in open air.
This expansive rooftop is open Monday - Friday beginning at 4pm - 11pm and Saturday - Sunday starting at 12pm.
Fornino
2. Fornino has their seasonal rooftop and restaurant open at Pier 6 in Brooklyn Bridge Park for diners to take in summer sunsets with wood-fired pizzas, salads and sandwiches and drinks of all kinds.
The rooftop is open weather permitting Wednesday - Thursday from 4pm - 9pm and Saturday - Sunday from 12pm - 8pm.
Haven Rooftop
3. Haven Rooftop above the Sanctuary Hotel (132 W. 47th Street) in Midtown is a perennial favorite. Haven offers delicious food including sliders, tuna tartare, and Buffalo wings, Branzino and Steak Au Poivre with peppercorn sauce. Pair that with a Cloudtini or summer sangria for a truly elevated experience.
Haven is open Monday - Friday beginning at 3pm, with Happy Hour from 3pm - 6pm and on weekends beginning at 11:30am for weekend bottomless brunch.
Sushi Lab Rooftop
4. Sushi Lab Rooftop (132 W. 47th Street) at The Sanctuary Hotel in Midtown offers guests a creative spin on traditional sushi from Executive Chef Frankie Chen in a gorgeous leaf-filled, canopied rooftop setting. The restaurant features Japanese small plates, along with creative Nigiri, Sashimi and Maki sushi. Of course the star of the show is their omakase experience, utilizing only the freshest ingredients.
Sushi Lab Rooftop is open seven days a week, Monday from 5pm - 10pm and Tuesday - Sunday from 12pm - 10pm.
Ainslie
5. Ainslie (76 Ainslie St.) in Williamsburg has a rooftop escape for up to 25 guests to enjoy in addition to their biergarten and sidewalk seating. Ainslie's Executive Chef John DeLucie and lead pizzaiolo Erasmo ‘Mino’ Lassandro offer a tasty menu of wood-fired pizzas, pastas, free-range chicken, NY Strip Steak, Atlantic Salmon and Wood Fired Rosemary Wings. The restaurant, wine bar and beer garden also has an extensive alcoholic beverage menu.
They also have an All You Can Drink Brunch on Saturday and Sunday from 12pm-4pm. Ainslie is open Monday - Thursday from 5pm - 11pm, Friday 4pm - 11pm, and Saturday - Sunday 11am - 11pm.
The Sentry
6. The Sentry is the rooftop you'll need a connection to get into, atop the iconic American Copper Buildings (626 1st Ave). This amenity driven private social club made for those who move, make, create and shake things up a bit is accepting applications this year. The private rooftop will be opened in May for the summer season and originally opened in 2019 and even hosted poolside musical performances by Fat Joe and Naughty by Nature.
YAGP Gala 2021
Maria Khoreva and Kimin Kim
Youth America Grand Prix (YAGP) – the world’s largest ballet scholarship competition – hosted its annual gala on March 31, 2021, featuring the World Premiere of Journey Uptown by American Ballet Theatre (ABT) Soloist and YAGP Alum Gabe Stone Shayer, two exclusive duets from Russia’s Mariinsky Ballet, and highlights from YAGP’s 2021 season. “To all of our supporters and participants of this season, you have astounded us with your resilience, your talent, your passion, and your commitment to the arts”, said YAGP Board Chair Christina Lyon.
The evenings performances kicked off with the World Premiere of Journey Uptown, choreographed and performed by Shayer, alongside ABT Principal Dancer and YAGP alumna Skylar Brandt. Rising sensation, 19-year-old blind pianist and composer Matthew Whitaker created and performed the accompanying music. While collaborating, Shayer and Whitaker envisioned the sound and feeling of New York City. The piece was part of YAGP’s Emerging Choreographer Series, which has previously featured Melanie Hamrick, Justin Peck and Derek Hough.
McRae “You Broke me First”
Popstar Tate McRae (YAGP Alumna) performed her single You Broke Me First.
Mariinsky Ballet’s Maria Khoreva and Kimin Kim (YAGP Alum) performed a duet from Le Corsaire, and May Nagahisa and Victor Caixeta (both YAGP Alumni) gave an exclusive behind-the-scenes look of their duet from Romeo and Juliet.
Whittaker, Brandt and Shayer
Hosts, actress Stuart Brazell and Craig Olsen, presented a dazzling compilation of the best performances from YAGP’s 2021 Season participants worldwide; including from South Korea, Japan and over 15 cities across America. “Last year YAGP was the last dance organization to close down and within a week we were hosting free online master classes with Luca Masala, Twyla Tharp, Alexei Ratmansky and other professionals from all over the world. It was a very strange year but what stayed the same is our commitment to supporting young talented dancers” said YAGP Founder Larissa Saveliev.
On display throughout the evening were two one-of-a-kind designer couture ballet tutus from Carolina Herrera and The Row. Carolina Herrera and Wes Gordon are noted ballet enthusiasts, and for years The Row’s Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen have been YAGP Gala Chairs alongside their friend and YAGP supporter, Marcella Guarino Hymowitz.
If you missed the performance, watch the replay here: https://yagp.org/2021-gala/
Photos by YAGP
Bingo in NYC
As a game whose history can be traced back to 1500s Italy, bingo is often considered an old person’s game. However, in reality, seniors aren’t the only ones who are very much in love with this internationally popular game. In fact, a lot of individuals and institutions right here in New York City are bringing new life and style to bingo. Since more people are staying home due to the pandemic, people are finding new ways to enjoy their hobby.
New York City and Bingo
The link between the bustling city of New York and bingo goes all the way back to the early 1900s. Before toy salesman, Edwin S. Lowe popularized the version of bingo most Americans play nowadays, he first brought the game concept back to New York and introduced it to his friends. It is said that it was during one of those game nights when the carnival game Lowe found took on a new name and changed from “beano” to “bingo.”
After seeing the potential of bingo as a fun and interactive social game, Lowe then hired a Columbia University math professor, Carl Leffler, who helped him increase the number of combinations in bingo cards. By 1930, Lowe and Leffler successfully developed 6,000 different bingo cards with fewer non-repeating number groups.
This technique successfully reduced the likelihood of two or more players getting bingo at the same time. Available in two versions, the Lowe-produced bingo game utilized bingo cards that boasted a 5x5 number layout for a 75-ball game. To this day, Lowe’s 75-ball bingo, born here in NYC, is still the US standard for this well-loved game across age groups.
Even as the times and bingo itself are changing, NYC’s storied love affair with bingo continues to thrive. Today there are many different versions of bingo with online gaming platforms combining it with other casino games to create entirely new varieties that help the game find new audiences. The Slingo games on Foxy Games demonstrates how bingo has been combined with slots, with the online titles also retaining a strong link to New York. Many Slingo titles pay homage to NYC, with the F.R.I.E.N.D.S. Slingo game adds a dose of nostalgia as it features the city skyline, Central Park, and well-loved characters like Rachel and Monica. Even in its latest forms the Big Apple continues to play a crucial role in the never-ending evolution of bingo.
Playing Bingo in the city that never sleeps
Despite the steady rise of online bingo sites, there are still brick-and-mortar bingo halls you can visit in NYC. For instance, there’s the Fifth Avenue Bingo Hall. Situated at the heart of Brooklyn, Fifth Avenue Bingo Hall has long been a meeting place for avid players of the game. It is known for its fast-paced and intense bingo games that are enjoyed by both veterans and young hipsters craving for one of Brooklyn’s last authentic sub-cultures.
Aside from Fifth Avenue Bingo Hall, NYC tourists and residents can also drop by Top Bingo Hall for some bingo fun. Top Bingo Hall sits on the border between Queens Village and Long Island, and has been hosting game nights for over 45 years now. Due to the immense popularity of bingo, plenty of other NYC establishments have also started offering weekly bingo nights. There’s the Standard Grill, which made bingo the central attraction in an all-out party every Sunday for its patrons.
Places like Gigawatt Garden and The Stonewall Inn have also been holding upgraded bingo nights. While Gigawatt Garden hosts drag bingo every Tuesday, The Stonewall Inn does the same every Monday. Last month, fantasy-inspired bar, restaurant, and event space The Cauldron also started hosting drag bingo. The Cauldron’s drag bingo was initiated in support of the #FreeBritney movement and hosted by the business’ reigning drag queen, Holly Box-Springs.
NYC Staycation: A Change of Scenery
During the ‘Covid era,” it’s important to keep your mental health in check, not just your physical health! While staying in the best thing to do right now, it’s not always the best option mentally. That’s why we’re putting together a list of the best ways for you to enjoy the city while still staying safe, starting with Hotel Hendricks, a brand new hotel with great food, a proper work from home set-up, and a convenient location near Bryant Park in the heart of NYC.
About Hotel Hendricks:
Hotel Hendricks is the newest addition to Fortuna Realty Group’s collection of Manhattan hotels. The hotel is located at 25 W 38th Street, conveniently situated between Herald Square, Bryant Park, and Fifth Avenue shopping, providing guests with the best of New York City right outside their doors. Property Unleashes Luxury Accommodations, Elevated Latin Cuisine and Two Rooftop Venues in a Space Where Uptown Glamour and Downtown Edge Converge. The 176-room property features modern interiors by LA-based designer Marcello Pozzi, a Latin-inspired restaurant on the ground floor by renowned chef PJ Calapa, and two rooftop bar concepts. Hotel Hendricks is a member of the Preferred Hotels & Resorts Lifestyle Collection.
The hotel greeted us with a private welcoming tour of their breathtaking open-aired rooftop including miraculous views of the NYC Skyline (pictured below):
Being a New Yorker, I can assure you that the views provided by the top of Hotel Hendricks are unparalleled to anything in the area. One can argue that it is all in the details -- from the Murano glass chandeliers hanging from the ceiling to the 37,000 pennies accenting the two bars, and even the cherry blossoms spelling out the ‘H’ motif. Hotel Hendricks is welcomed to the hotel scene alongside its sister hotels completing the ‘H’ pattern; Hotel Hugo, Hotel Henri, Hotel Hayden.
With modern interior designs by LA-based Marcello Pozzi, the boutique ambiance was the perfect recipe for a Staycation. Upon entering the room, the picturesque view of the Empire State Building dramatized my new office. Work-from-hotel approved with a proper desk, a chic yet comfortable chair, pens & notepads and most importantly coffee.
WFH
+
Views
= The Perfect Setup
Time to eat. Hotel Hendricks hosted us for a private rooftop dinner from The Paloma- Latin-inspired restaurant on the ground floor by renowned chef PJ Calapa. Exceeding my expectations, this meal was on our list of great meals. Pan seared salmon with lemon caper butter sauce, churros, vanilla bean cheesecake, and flowing champagne (pictured below).
Safety measures at Hotel Hendricks include:
Distancing will be maintained in common areas
Waitstaff will wear masks and all diners must wear masks unless eating or drinking
Each table will be disinfected in between each seating
What to do nearby?
Bryant Park: Situated steps away from Hotel Hendricks, Bryant Park offers ice-skating, seasonal shops in an outdoor market, and countless restaurants and cafes to enjoy. Located between Fifth and Sixth Avenues/ 40th and 42nd street, Bryant Park offers a refreshing break of nature in between the high rises of Midtown Manhattan.
Hudson Yards: With its official debut in March 2019, Hudson Yards provides work, entertainment, shops, and dining. InvitedNYC explored this territory reporting that this megadevelopment is open for business with options ranging from visiting The Edge, Soul Cycle, or Thomas Heatherwick's Vessel (the centerpiece of Hudson Yards pictured below).
Union Square Park: Heading downtown, you can find one of Manhattan's most desired outdoor markets located in Union Square on: Monday, Wednesday, Friday or Saturday. Anything from fruit to plants or artisan dog treats, Union Square market has everything you want and not need on a staycation.
Union Square Greenmarket
Stay tuned and visit InvitedNYC.com for more upcoming events and reviews.