December 31, 2014

Places to spend your last day in 2014

Disclosure Pier 94, 711 12th Ave. at 54th St.; 646-778-3211; 8 p.m.
Guy and Howard Lawrence, the young but eerily skilled siblings behind Disclosure, are bringing their two-pronged, electro-music attack rigs to the edge of Hell's Kitchen. Claude VonStroke, Dusky, Ten Walls, Kyle Hall, and Isaac Tichauer will accompany the duo in what promises to be a retro-house-tinged evening.


Jack Ü Madison Square Garden, 4 Penn Plz., nr. 31st St.; 212-465-6741; 8 p.m.
No more Phish for Madison Square Garden. This year the venue is serving the gnarly equation of Skrillex plus Diplo, which equals Jack Ü, the high-octane electronic duo accentuated by grimy, hyperactive beats and very different hairstyles. Come with your best neon, head-bang, and fist-pump in tow — water bottles also recommended.


Gov't Mule Beacon Theater, 2124 Broadway, nr. 74th St.; 212-465-6500; 9 p.m.
Celebrating two decades together, the southern-rock jam band Gov't Mule has no dearth of material to play. The guitar-centric group, which originally began as a side project of the Allman Brothers Band, has garnered a reputation for bluesy noodling and rock tendencies that compete with some of the all-time greats. They've also begun digging back into their live archives, which include a multitude of Rolling Stones covers.


Rainer Maria Bowery Ballroom, 6 Delancey St., nr. Bowery; 212-533-2111; 9 p.m.
This emo-indie band, which reigned supreme in the late ’90s and early 2000s, has reunited to bring back its three-piece goodness after what was technically an almost decadelong hiatus. Get ready to embrace those end-of-year feelings. With openers Moss Icon.


Disco Biscuits Best Buy Theater, 1515 Broadway, at 44th St.; 212-930-1950; 8 p.m.
The Disco Biscuits are all about tasty tunes. If you want to mix your wild dance moves with an eccentric cross of jazz, rock, techno, blues, and classical, this might be your best bet. The band has promised to indulge in three straight sets of otherworldly, trance-fusion jamming.


PhilRAD The Capitol Theatre, 149 Westchester Ave., nr. Pearl St., Port Chester; 914-937-4126; 8 p.m.
For the first time since 1969, founding Grateful Dead member Phil Lesh will perform on New Year's Eve on the East Coast. He will join forces with JRAD, a hard-rock band with a penchant for Jerry Garcia's songbook.


Black Taxi and Mr. Brownstone Mercury Lounge, 217 E. Houston St., nr. Ludlow St.; 212-260-4700; 8:30 p.m. and 1:15 a.m.
Mercury Lounge is hosting two concerts, one early, one late, to celebrate the coming year. The night will begin with Black Taxi's raucous energy and end with Mr. Brownstone's alcohol-fueled Guns N' Roses tributes. For what it's worth, there's rumored to be lots of Jack Daniel's at these shows.


Erasure Terminal 5, 610 W. 56th St., nr. 11th Ave.; 212-260-4700; 8:30 p.m.
Titans of synth-pop Vince Clarke and Andy Bell have been busy touting their latest album, The Violet Flame. The English duo will bring their thrumming new material to Terminal 5, along with openers Alex English and Book of Love.


Holy Ghost! Irving Plaza, 17 Irving Pl. at 15th St.; 212-777-6800; 8:30 p.m.
Over at Irving Plaza, Holy Ghost! will also unspool a synth-pop set of its own. Expect this one to be tailored for the dance floor, and get ready to move your feet to some delectable indie-house jams.


Dee Dee Bridgewater Iridium Jazz Club, 1650 Broadway at 51st St.; 212-582-2121; 7 p.m. and 10 p.m.
Dee Dee Bridgewater is presiding over jazz and festivities at the Iridium in two doses. Talk about celebrating: The latter of the live shows includes the decorated singer-songwriter, a three-course meal, a Champagne toast, and a police escort to the Times Square ball drop. Of course, it is exponentially more expensive than its 7 p.m. counterpart, but it looks like you get what you pay for.


Richard Bona: Mandekan Cubano Jazz Standard, 116 E. 27th St., nr. Park Ave.; 212-576-2232; 7:30 p.m. and 10:30 p.m.
Jazz multi-hyphenate Richard Bona has the same idea over at the Jazz Standard, where, for the later show, you'll get a three-course meal and a Champagne toast. Bona's also adding his Mandekan Cubano project, which melds African and South American beats, into that mix.


The Dictators NYC The Bowery Electric, 327 Bowery, nr. 2nd St.; 212-228-0228; 8 p.m.
For a healthy fix of punk-rock, check out the Dictators NYC, playing with Dirty Fences, Hector's Pets, and the Waldos. Although these guys might look old, you wouldn't guess it from their live shows: Handsome Dick Manitoba, the Dictators esteemed and storied front man, will not let you down.


The Hold Steady Music Hall of Williamsburg, 66 N. 6th St., nr. Wythe Ave.; 718-486-5400; 9:30 p.m.
For the Hold Steady, New Year's Eve will also be a birthday celebration for bassist Galen Polivka. Special guests the So-So Glos will open the night, and a limited-access birthday bash downstairs will cap off the Hold Steady's last live show of the year.


The Bayside Tigers Fun Music Ballroom at 26 Bridge, 26 Bridge St., nr. Plymouth St., Dumbo; 718-310-3040; 9 p.m.
Jump back a couple decades with the Bayside Tigers, who advertise themselves as the ultimate '90s tribute band. Throwback getups of sideways caps, lumberjack flannels, confetti, and a kaleidoscope of bright colors converge with early Blink-182–era tunes in one of New York's most fun acts.


Steve Tyrell Café Carlyle, 981 Madison Ave. at 76th St.; 212-744-1600; 5:30 p.m., 9 p.m.
Steve Tyrell's warm, jazzy voice will envelop the Carlyle crowd twice right before 2015. The first show includes a complimentary glass of Champagne, and the second features a prix-fixe four-course menu, followed by some New Year hoofing set against the sonic backdrop of the Peter Duchin Orchestra. Call 212-570-7109 for reservations.

New Year's Eve in NYC

The Times Square New Year's Eve celebration features star-studded musical performances, balloons, handouts, confetti, a colorful pyrotechnic display and about a million of your closest friends.

December 31st, 6:00 p.m. EST - January 1st, 12:15 a.m. EST

Watch the live webcast here!

December 24, 2014

A Christmas Eve Poem

Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the house
Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse.
The stockings were hung by the chimney with care,
In hopes that St Nicholas soon would be there.

The children were nestled all snug in their beds,
While visions of sugar-plums danced in their heads.
And mamma in her ‘kerchief, and I in my cap,
Had just settled our brains for a long winter’s nap.

When out on the lawn there arose such a clatter,
I sprang from the bed to see what was the matter.
Away to the window I flew like a flash,
Tore open the shutters and threw up the sash.

The moon on the breast of the new-fallen snow
Gave the lustre of mid-day to objects below.
When, what to my wondering eyes should appear,
But a miniature sleigh, and eight tinny reindeer.

With a little old driver, so lively and quick,
I knew in a moment it must be St Nick.
More rapid than eagles his coursers they came,
And he whistled, and shouted, and called them by name!

"Now Dasher! now, Dancer! now, Prancer and Vixen!
On, Comet! On, Cupid! on, on Donner and Blitzen!
To the top of the porch! to the top of the wall!
Now dash away! Dash away! Dash away all!"

As dry leaves that before the wild hurricane fly,
When they meet with an obstacle, mount to the sky.
So up to the house-top the coursers they flew,
With the sleigh full of Toys, and St Nicholas too.

And then, in a twinkling, I heard on the roof
The prancing and pawing of each little hoof.
As I drew in my head, and was turning around,
Down the chimney St Nicholas came with a bound.

He was dressed all in fur, from his head to his foot,
And his clothes were all tarnished with ashes and soot.
A bundle of Toys he had flung on his back,
And he looked like a peddler, just opening his pack.

His eyes-how they twinkled! his dimples how merry!
His cheeks were like roses, his nose like a cherry!
His droll little mouth was drawn up like a bow,
And the beard of his chin was as white as the snow.

The stump of a pipe he held tight in his teeth,
And the smoke it encircled his head like a wreath.
He had a broad face and a little round belly,
That shook when he laughed, like a bowlful of jelly!

He was chubby and plump, a right jolly old elf,
And I laughed when I saw him, in spite of myself!
A wink of his eye and a twist of his head,
Soon gave me to know I had nothing to dread.

He spoke not a word, but went straight to his work,
And filled all the stockings, then turned with a jerk.
And laying his finger aside of his nose,
And giving a nod, up the chimney he rose!

He sprang to his sleigh, to his team gave a whistle,
And away they all flew like the down of a thistle.
But I heard him exclaim, ‘ere he drove out of sight,
"Happy Christmas to all, and to all a good-night!"

Rock The Dreidel!

What: Join us this Magical Last Night of Chanukah for a rock and roll dance party for our Jewish friends and the people who love them. DJs Xerox and Kirk Podell spin in the back room with Michael Stewart spinning up front. 
Free Gelt and Latkes while supplies last. Spread the Oy this Challah-day season.
When: Wednesday, December 24, 2014  |  10:00pm - 4:00am
Where: Beauty Bar: 231 E 14th St., NY  |  L train to 3rd Avenue

Free Hot Dogs in NYC

What: Shopping makes me hungry. So I like to stop by Spring Lounge in SoHo, where I can enjoy an hour of free hot dogs, cooked in the beer selection of the week. Just show up and remember to tip for the delicious service. 
When: Wed. Dec. 24; 5-6pm
Where: Spring Lounge: 48 Spring St.

Holiday Caroling Under the Washington Square Arch

What: The Rob Susman Brass Quartet, song leader and the revelers from all over the city, will lustily sing out the familiar tunes. The words are in the songbooks distributed compliments of the Washington Square Association, but many will know them by heart.  “Peace on Earth, Good Will to Men” will ring out to remind us all of the true meaning of the holidays.
When: Christmas Eve, Wednesday, December 24th at 5pm
Where: Washington Square Arch

#GTownCupcake Free Cupcake in Soho

What: Since I will be in Soho shopping, I will pop into Georgetown Cupcake for my free morning cupcake meal. Bethe first 100 people in line asking for the flavor of the morning, and its yours free. Just follow them on Twitter to find out what the secret flavor is.
When: 10am-12pm
Where: Georgetown Cupcake SoHo: 111 Mercer St. 

December 17, 2014

Casual Christmas at Full Circle Bar

What: Come spend a cozy evening with us at FCB and watch movies, decorate cookies, drink Nog, sing songs and spin dreidels.

*CHRISTMAS CINEMA
7pm - Jack Frost
9pm - Scrooged
11pm - Trading Places
1am - Santa Claus starring Officially John Lithgow

*EGG NOG DU JOUR
Golden, Caramel, Cinnamon, Sugar Cookie, Papi's Frozen!

*DECORATE-YOUR-OWN CHRISTMAS COOKIES

*CHRISTMAS CaROLLing

*MAJOR LEAGUE DREIDEL
Target Tops and Spinagogue Tournaments 



When: Dec. 17, 2014  |  7pm - 4am
Where: Full Circle Bar: 318 Grand St., Brooklyn

Alexia Crawford Sample Sale - Up To 80% Off

What: Alexia Crawford Sample Sale has it all. At this sale you will find trendy jewelry must-haves from their most recent collections. New items are delivered every day, and there is always something stylish to choose from. Prices range from $5-$40 on jewelry, handbags, scarves, and hair accessories. All one-of-a-kind pieces are all specially priced. Don't miss out on this great sale!
When: Now thru Dec. 20  |  Mon-Fri 9am-7pm  |  Sat 10am-5pm  |  (212) 518-7694
Where: 8 W. 36th Street (7th Fl ) New York, NY 10018

Accents By Sophia Annual Holiday Sample Sale

What: This manufacturer/wholesaler opens their doors to the public only once per year for this annual holiday clearance sale event. Look your best this season with beautiful, one-of-a-kind pieces made of sterling silver, marcasite, semi-precious stones, and cultured pearls. Find the perfect necklace, earrings, bracelet, or pin to add a sparkle to your outfit or to give to someone you love. Perfect holiday gifts.
  • Assorted macarsite earrings and pins now $20-$100, orig. $100-$300 and up
  • Assorted sterling silver earring now $10-$45, orig. $40-$100 and up
  • Assorted jade rings now $2, orig. $20
  • Genuine pearl necklaces now $20, orig. $99
  • Assorted genuine stones earring now $5 retailed $30
  • Payment types: Cash/MC/VISA / AMEX/Travelers Check/DIS
When: Now thru Dec. 24  |  Mon-Fri 10am-6pm  |  Sat-Sun: Closed
Where: 15 W. 36th St. (btwn. 5th & 6th Ave.) 6th Floor New York, NY 10019

December 13, 2014

Brooklyn Holiday Bazaar

What: Brooklyn Holiday Bazaar is a unique holiday event hosted by Brooklyn Makers.
We're coming back to Gowanus with 35+ handpicked local artisans, fantastic food and cool activities for the whole family.
Did we mention complimentary cocktails and free gift-wrapping?

When: Sunday, Dec. 14, 2014 11am - 6pm
Where: 501 Union St Brooklyn, NY 11231

December 12, 2014

All Aboard the Holiday Trolley!

What: Shopping in Brooklyn this weekend? Then you can hop on the free Downtown Brooklyn Holiday Trolley.
  1. Starting at Fulton and Jay Streets (on the hour);
  2. Continuing down Fulton and Bond Streets to peek at the holiday extravaganza at Albee Square (10 minutes after);
  3. Into the Cultural District at Fulton Street and Rockwell Place, where you can experience BRIC Arts | Media House, UrbanGlass, and Theatre for a New Audience's Polonsky Shakespeare Center (20 minutes after);
  4. Past the Barclays Center and Atlantic Terminal at Flatbush and Fourth Avenues (30 minutes after);
  5. Down Livingston and Hoyt Streets by Macy’s (40 minutes after);
  6. Looping around Borough Hall and Muni Building to end at Livingston and Court Streets – a stone’s throw away from the New York Transit Museum (50 minutes after).
When: Fri. Dec. 12, 4-10pm  |  Sat. Dec. 13, 12-6pm

2014 Holiday Handmade Cavalcade

What: Hosted by a collective of local artists, designers and makers who sell their handmade goods on the online marketplace Etsy.com, the 7th Annual Holiday Handmade Cavalcade will feature unique wares including clothing, jewelry, accessories, paper goods, body products, and more from 62 different indie vendors all based in the tri-state area.
When: Saturday, December 13th - Sunday, December 14th  |  10am-8pm
Where: Chelsea Market - 9th Ave between 15th and 16th St

December 11, 2014

Toy Drive For SCO Family of Services

What: The toys that are collected will be donated directly to the SCO Family Of Services. The tangible goal of this is event is to collect more toys than in the past years. We know that we can count on our community to not only donate these much needed toys but to also come out on December 13th to share in the festivities of the night that are being planned in your honor.
When: Saturday, December 13, 2014 4:00 pm
Where: Jouvay: 147-02 Liberty Ave. Jamaica, NY 11435
FREE

December 10, 2014

Ridgewood Market

What: Handmade, Artisan, and Vintage Gifts - Food, Pastries, Brunch, Alcohol, and Music right in Queens!!!
When: Sunday, December 14th 2014  |  11 AM to 5 PM 
Where: Gottscheer Hall: 657 Fairview Ave. Ridgewood, NY 11385
FREE 

December 9, 2014

Gingerbread Ship Workshop

What: Join BLDG 92 for holiday family fun at our Third Annual Gingerbread Ship Workshop. Christopher Sanchez, Manager at The Lambs Club and Baker Extraordinaire, will create a gingerbread model of the Yard-built USS Levant for children to decorate and "commission." Participants become ship builders in training as they are led on a mini interactive exhibit tour followed by an arts & crafts based shipbuilding workshop led by an educator from the Brooklyn Historical Society. Each participating child will also receive a gingerbread ship cookie and supplies to decorate.
When: Saturday, December 13, 2014   |  1:00 pm
When: Brooklyn Navy Yard Center: 63 Flushing Ave, Bldg 92 Brooklyn, NY 11201
Cost: $8 for children (best for ages 4-10) | FREE for accompanying adult

2nd Annual Holiday Tree Lighting in Astoria

What: Join your fellow Astorians at the eastern edge of Astoria Park around the beautiful evergreen that was planted at the park last year. The festivities recognize Chanukah, Christmas, and Kwanzaa. There will be singing, some speeches by our local electeds, and of course the lighting of the tree. Dress warmly, since you’ll be standing outside for a little while (the park is beautiful at night, too).
When: Thursday, December 11th, 2014
Where: Astoria Park, 6:30pm 
FLYER

December 8, 2014

Citi Field Winter Fest

What: Winter Fest… A celebration of the holiday season! Join us as we turn Citi Field into a Winter Wonderland. There will be something for everyone, what better way to spend an afternoon than at Citi Field where you can meet Santa, help a child in need, play games, feast on holiday treats, and more….
When: Saturday, December 13th  |  1pm-5pm
Where: Citi Field: 12301 Roosevelt Ave Flushing, NY 11368
Cost: $10 Per Adult/$7 Per Child

The Ugly Sweater Run: NYC

What: Each Ugly Sweater runner receives a custom vintage knit hat, unlimited hot chocolate, and one Winter Lager (if you’re of age of course!). A closed course full of Hot Chocolate aide stations, snow blowers, and the biggest Santa inflatable around will await you. Make sure to enter the ugly sweater contests to win great prizes. What are you waiting for? Register now!
When: Saturday, December 20, 2014 at 11:00 AM
Where: Citi Field: 123-01 Roosevelt Ave New York, NY 11368
Cost: $55+ Tix

dd:SOCIAL "Holiday Bash + 2min Agency Showcase" Presented by Digital DUMBO

What: 21+ Join us and our friends from Carrot Creative, Free Association, Huge, HUSH, Prolific Interactive, Red Antler & Stinkdigital for some Holiday cheer, a celebration of amazing creativity, and in usual Digital DUMBO style - DJ, Drinks, & Cool Creative Minds.
When: Thursday, December 11, 2014 from 6:30 PM to 9:00 PM
Where: The Dumbo Loft: 155 Water Street New York, NY 11201
Cost: $15 Tix

Pop² Brooklyn Holiday Pop Up Market

What: This 2-day holiday pop-up market will feature up to 25 Brooklyn-based vendors, DJs, art, food trucks like Mexicue and Mamu Thai Noodle, and Brooklyn Brewery beer, and it's all brought to you by the Downtown Brooklyn Partnership and Gowanus Nite Market, the team behind the popular Grove Alley events.
When: Friday, December 12, 2014 4:00 pm - Saturday, December 13, 2014 8:00 pm
Where: 200 Livingston Street Downtown Brooklyn, NY 11201 
FREE RSVP

December 5, 2014

NYC’s First Peruvian Restaurant Week #PeruPicanteNYC

Chimu (Williamsburg-Brooklyn)
Cocoroco (Park Slope-Brooklyn)
Jora (Long Island City-Queens)
Panca (West Village-Manhattan)
Pio Pio (Midtown & Upper West Side)
Raymi (Chelsea-Manhattan)
Surfish (Park Slope-Brooklyn)
Warique (Upper West-Manhattan)

December 4, 2014

Christmas in Richmond Town & Traditional Tree Lighting

What: We welcome you to share in the Christmas spirit, embracing Christmas present and Christmas Past. At the end of the day we hope you take away the anticipation of a Christmas filled with PEACE, LOVE & JOY.
When the Historic Village closes at 5pm, PLEASE join in the walk to the Tree Lighting beginning at the Courthouse. This year, like every year, the tree lighting is free so join your neighbors and friends under the tree!
When: Sunday December 7th , 2014  |  11 AM - 5 PM
Where: Historic Richmond Town: 441 Clarke Avenue Staten Island, NY 10306
Cost: $2 A Person  |  6 years old and younger - FREE

18th Annual Dana Holiday Lighting

What: Celebrate the season at our 18th Annual Holiday Lighting in Central Park.  Meet Santa and friends, watch a live ice carving demonstration, sing carols on the Plaza, and warm up with hot cocoa and cookies.  The event concludes with lighting the Charles A. Dana Discovery Center and a flotilla of trees on the Harlem Meer.
This event is free and family friendly! No organized groups, please. Strollers are not allowed on the Plaza, but stroller parking will be provided.

When: December 4, 2014, 5:30 PM to 6:30 PM
Where: Central Park Charles A. Dana Discovery Center, inside the Park at 110th Street between Fifth and Lenox Avenues
FREE 

December 3, 2014

Gingerbread Extravaganza

From left to right: “Coney Island” by Rolling Pin Productions, “Empire State Building” by Le Monde, “Food, NYC Style” by Baked Ideas, “NYC Street Scene: The New York Holiday Hustle” by Butterfly Bakeshop
What: City Harvest presents the Gingerbread Extravaganza, an annual winter celebration of gingerbread across New York City. We invite you to vote for your favorite gingerbread structure and taste delicious treats around the city!
View incredible gingerbread structures inspired by the theme of “Made in New York” in the atrium of Le Parker Meridien as well as at select locations around the city. Vote for your favorite by donating to City Harvest to help feed hungry New Yorkers, with every $1 counting as one vote as well as one chance for you to win a 5-night stay at the Parker Palm Springs. The creation with the most votes will receive the People’s Choice Award in January.
When: December 4, 2014 – January 4, 2015
Where: Le Parker Meridien : 119 West 56th Street, New York, NY 10019

Food52 Holiday Market

What: Stop by and you'll find a selection of products from our shop: beautiful housewares, kitchen and pantry essentials, and exclusive items galore. And we’ll also be hosting classes to bring your gift wrapping, wreath making, cocktail shaking, and holiday cooking skills to a new level — and serving tastes of some of our favorite Food52 recipes throughout.
When: Dec. 4 - 7, 2014
Where: 168 Bowery New York, NY 10012 
Website

Santacon 2014

What: Santacon is coming to town!
When: 12/13/14  |  10am-2pm
Where: Manhattan and Bushwick
Cost: You can never un-see what happens

December 2, 2014

BUST Holiday Craftacular

What: It's that time again--time for NYC's longest-running indie craft fair to set up shop! This, our ninth year in action, we'll be hosting a mega-craft fair in a new location: The brand-spanking-new, light-filled, glass-lined Brookyn Expo Center, located in the thriving heart of Greenpoint and close to all forms of transportaion. There's even parking!
When: Saturday Dec. 6-7th, 2014; 11am-7pm
Where: Brooklyn Expo Center: 79 Franklin St. Greenpoint, Brooklyn
Cost: FREE

December 1, 2014

The Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree Lighting

What: The Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree is a world-wide symbol of the holidays in New York City. The 2014 Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree will be lit and there will be live performances. Tens of thousands will crowd the sidewalks for the event and hundreds of millions will watch it live across the globe. The Tree will remain lit and can be viewed until 8pm on January 7th, 2015.
When: Wednesday, December 3, 2014 | 7-9pm 
Where: Rockefeller Plaza, between West 48th and West 51st Streets and 5th & 6th Avenues.
FREE