2020 National Book Festival

Registration is now OPEN for the 20th annual Library of Congress National Book Festival, to be held online Sept. 25-27. Children and Teen content will be released on Friday, Sept. 25, and all other content will be released on Saturday, Sept. 26.

Author presentation videos for children and teens will be released at 9 a.m. ET on Friday, September 25, and will be available on demand via the Festival platform, Library website and YouTube. 

All author presentation videos on other stages will launch at 9 a.m. ET on the next day, Saturday, September 26. For a complete line-up of authors and their video presentations, please see the complete video on demand list.

From Friday through Sunday, September 25-27, we will feature interactive live Q&A sessions with select authors to complement their presentation videos. We list them in the schedule under "Live Events by Stage" and "Live Events by Day."

For more detailed festival information, click here.

Happy Autumnal Equinox!

 

Autumn is Here Again! 

It is the best time for outdoor activities such as camping in the Catskills at Big Wood in Acra, NY, for the small accommodations meets nature experience. Most people want to use this season to get out, explore and immerse themselves in local culture and live in nature. When camping in Acra, you can do just that. Just about 2 hours away from New York City, a short, fun road-trip, the drive up has beautiful mountain views, especially with the changing of the leaves. 

Imagine waking up in a secluded meadow, breathing in fresh, clean mountain air, watching the sun rise over the big wood oak trees, surrounded by peace and tranquility, taking in nature at its best. 

The tent site of Big Wood is on a generational homestead which provides campers with access to numerous farm side amenities and services during their stay. The hosts offer campers a variety of amenities for their stay so that you don't have to travel with too many accommodations from home, leaving space for those local finds you may pick up when exploring the quaint mom and pop stores in the area. 

When in season, they also have local honey and jams that have a pure, natural, wholesome taste to them.

With the campfire grill and fire pit, you can finally practice your outdoor grilling techniques and roast some marshmallows to make s'mores outside! They even offer a s'mores kit so you don't have to hunt down ingredients when you get there. 

And campers can even bring along their four-legged fluffy friend! Now your dog can run around in the open meadow and get in touch with their true nature. Dogs need vacations too! At least once in their life, let them experience what it feels like to roam freely in the woods.

This campsite is also close to so many local activities, so you will always have something to do. There are local wineries, farmer's markets, and flea markets to visit. There are many hiking trails, big and small to explore, rock climbing, and seasonal biking, fishing and swimming.

The Big Wood is definitely a campsite worth checking out. It is not too far away from the big city and for a weekend, you can truly focus on nature and yourself, which is beneficial for your health and well-being. The hosts are insightful, gracious, and respond quickly to any questions or concerns campers may have about their trip. Cheers to Big Wood!

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Smorgasburg is Back!

Smorgasburg’s large outdoor markets remain on hold until they can reopen safely.

Until then, we have pivoted to a new takeout-only format, Smorg To Go, which launched in Williamsburg on July 20.

Beginning the weekend of September 12 + 13, Smorgasburg is launching a second takeout location in Prospect Park at LeFrak Center.

All ordering takes place at Smarter Takeout; then you pick up your food at our site at 51 N. 6 St. (at Kent Ave.) Feel free to head across the street to Marsha P. Johnson State Park (where the “real” Smorgasburg happens) for a picnic, making sure of course to help keep our park (and neighborhood) tidy. (Marsha P. is a great place to watch the sunset by the way).

We appreciate your help in making Smorg To Go safe for our staff, vendors, and of course our customers. Please wear a mask when picking up, maintain a six-foot distance while waiting, and wait for a text message that your order is ready before approaching the pickup point. If there is a problem with your order, speak to the Smorg staff onsite, or call the vendor phone number on your receipt. 

Williamsburg

Every Wednesday to Sunday, 11:30am-8:00pm

10 of your favorite Smorgasburg vendors, rotating every week

This Week’s Lineup in Williamsburg

Berg's Pastrami

C Bao

Duck Season

Groundlings Pizza

Mao's Bao

Vaquero Elotes

Yakitori Tatsu

Prospect Park at LeFrak Center

Saturdays and Sundays through the end of September

7-10 vendors open each weekend from 11:30am-8:00pm

This Week’s Lineup in Prospect Park

#Gogi

Bon Chovie

C Bao

Carlito's BBQ Taqueria

Destination Dumplings

Duck Season

Excell's Kingston Eatery

Mai Bpen Rai

The Whole Bowl

You can get a Free iced coffee at Dunkin' tomorrow

Dunkin' is offering free iced coffee to kick off fall and welcome people back on Wednesday, September 9.

From noon to 6pm at any tri-state area Dunkin', you can pick up a small iced coffee with any purchase.

The following areas will be offering free iced coffee on Wednesday: 

Bronx, Dutchess, Kings, Nassau, New York, Orange, Putnam, Queens, Richmond, Rockland, Suffolk, Sullivan, Ulster, Westchester; in New Jersey: Bergen, Essex, Hudson, Hunterdon, Middlesex, Monmouth, Morris, Ocean, Passaic, Somerset, Sussex, Union, Warren; and in Fairfield, Connecticut.

On top of the deal, Dunkin' is doing ribbon-cutting ceremonies at each franchised location at noon with local celebrities at eight select locations, including Mike "The Situation" and Lauren Sorrentino in Manhattan, former New York Jets and Barstool Sports star Willie Colon in the Bronx and Brooklyn, Joe & Real Housewife Melissa Gorga at the Jersey Shore, former Mets pitcher John Franco on Long Island, and former Jets players Wayne Chrebet and Nick Mangold in New Jersey.

The ceremonies and free coffee are ways for Dunkin to thank everyone who helped keep it running, according to Katie Silvio, Dunkin’ brands integrated marketing manager for Metro New York.

"Our local communities and neighborhoods were the hardest hit during this pandemic, but what has been truly inspiring is the perseverance and spirit we’ve seen over the past several months that makes the tri-state area such a special place to live and for our franchisees to operate," she said.

WYCLEF JEAN LIVE AT THE APOLLO

Grammy Award-winning artist Wyclef Jean opens the Apollo Theater's Fall season with a special virtual concert streamed live from the legendary Apollo stage in partnership with ADCOLOR, the premier organization dedicated to celebrating and promoting diverse professionals in the creative industries. This historic performance will bring the iconic Apollo experience to audiences everywhere and mark Wyclef’s first-ever, complete performance of his Grammy-nominated, Double Platinum album, The Carnival.

Wednesday, September 9, 2020 - 8 PM ET

LadiesCon 2020 - Virtual Event

The Ladies of Comicazi, who represent an inclusive community devoted to consuming, critiquing, and creating comics and pop culture, are teaming up with their homebase, Comicazi, to make the 5th annual LadiesCon a virtual celebration of comics and pop culture. The virtual event will span 9/9-9/13.

The free virtual show will present writers, artists, creators, and artisans specializing in comics, fantasy, and science fiction, with a particular emphasis on creators who are women, LGBTQ, non-binary, and people of color, as well as local artists. Attendees will have the chance to engage with content such as panels on a variety of topics via Zoom and YouTube.

Wednesday, September 9, 2020 12:00 PM  - Sunday, September 13, 2020 5:00 PM

How to Grab & Go at The New York Public Library

As part of The New York Public Library’s gradual reopening following our temporary closure due to COVID-19, we are pleased to announce that we are now offering Grab and Go service at 50 of our branches across the Bronx, Manhattan, and Staten Island.

Grab and Go is a contactless checkout and return service that allows patrons to pick up requested materials and return items at these open locations while maintaining a safe distance from each other and staff. Please note that our open branches are available for holds pick ups and returns only. At this time, we are not able to offer book browsing, public computer usage, public programs, or use of restrooms.

Check out the steps below to learn more about using the Grab and Go services. For more details, including finding your library card number, instructions on the hold process, or anything else, check out our FAQ.

Browse the full list of current Grab and Go locations

NYC MUSEUM REOPENING DATES

Sept 9, 2020

Bronx Museum of the Arts
Wed - Sun 1-6pm
Free

Swiss Institute of Contemporary Art
Wed - Fri 2-8pm, Sat 12-8pm, Sun 12-6pm
Free

9/9 community day, 9/10-11 members, 9/12 general public
Brooklyn Museum
Wed - Sun 11am-6pm
Suggested admission: $16-20 general, $10-12 seniors/students

9/9 members, 9/13 general public
Museum of Jewish Heritage
Wed, Thur, Sun 10am-5pm
$16 general, $12 seniors, $10 students

9/9 members, 9/16 general public
Society of Illustrators
Wed - Sat 11am-5pm
$15 general, $10 seniors/students

9/9 members, 9/23 general public
The Noguchi Museum
Wed - Fri 10am-1pm, 2-5pm; Sat - Sun 11am-2pm, 3-6pm

$10 general, $5 seniors/students

Sept 10, 2020

9/10 members, 9/12 general public
The Rubin Museum of Art
Thur 11am-5pm, Fri 11am-10pm, Sat - Mon 11am-5pm
$19 general, $14 seniors/students, free fridays 6-10pm

Sept 11, 2020

9/11 for 9/11 families, 9/12 general public
9/11 Memorial Museum
Thur - Fri 12-7pm, Sat - Mon 10am-5pm

The New-York Historical Society
Thur 11am-5pm (age 65+ and immunocompromised only)

Fri 11am-8 pm, Sat-Sun 11am-5pm
Free

Sept 12, 2020

El Museo del Barrio
Sat & Sun 12-5pm
Suggested admission: $9 general, $5 seniors/students

The Met Cloisters
Thur - Mon 10am-5pm
Includes same-day admission to The Metropolitan Museum of Art. Pay-what-you-wish admission for New York State residents and students from NY, NJ and CT; otherwise admission is $25 general, $17 seniors, $12 students

In the Mood for Food

Hosted by Welcome to Chinatown + participating Chinatown businesses

Are you in the mood for food? We might not be able to crowd around a night market right now or sit down for a big family-style feast, but we’ve partnered with Chinatown’s diverse small businesses to curate this taste around town. Proceeds will be donated to participating businesses. The neighborhood, and your stomach thanks you in advance. Questions? Contact chinatown@welcometochinatown.com

What is In the Mood for Food?

In The Mood for Food is a Chinatown block walk, taking you along the foodie’s footpath from the eyes of a resident. We’re re-imagining the lively experience of eating our way through a night market, the socially-distanced way.

Through small bites from local businesses, and stops to witness the spirit that makes Chinatown extraordinary, this block walk is a way for your crew to taste the town, while supporting small businesses and bringing the spirit and unique energy back to Chinatown.

Does this poster look familiar? Good eye! Our block walk was inspired by Wong Kar-Wai’s 2001 film, In The Mood for Love. This iconic Hong Kong film shows us how food plays an integral part in the human experience. We see how love and food are intertwined in Chinese culture. To love is to feed, to nourish, and to come together around the table.

Chinatown needs our love more than ever. We’re here to say, Chinatown will always be open for business. Thank you for supporting Chinatown, we hope you enjoy your day around this historic, vibrant and delicious neighborhood. Stay safe, chi fan ba! 吃饭吧.


What can you redeem with a ticket?

You will have the option to purchase a vegetarian ticket. Please note, the vegetarian menu will apply to all participating businesses if selected.


Regular Menu

1. Fong On: Choice of Soy Drink or Herbal Tea

2. Jing Fong: Honey walnut prawns

3. Grand Seoul: LA galbi (marinated short ribs) over rice

4. Soft Swerve: Ube, black sesame, matcha, or frozen hot chocolate ice cream served in a cup or cake cone

5. Taiwan Bear House: Fried chicken leg snack

6. Tonii's Fresh Rice Roll: Rice roll and sponge cake

7. Wing on Wo & Co.: Surprise gift! (not a food item)



Vegetarian Menu

1. Fong On: Choice of Soy Drink or Herbal Tea

2. Jing Fong: Braised tofu with mushroom over a bed of rice

3. Grand Seoul: Korean spicy rice cakes with Ggoma kimbap

4. Soft Swerve: Ube, black sesame, matcha, or frozen hot chocolate ice cream served in a cup or cake cone

5. Taiwan Bear House: Braised tofu skin and daikon

6. Tonii's Fresh Rice Roll: Vegetable rice roll and sponge cake

7. Wing on Wo & Co.: Surprise gift! (not a food item)

When: Sunday, September 13th, from 1-6 pm

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