New format

If you're anything like me, you've got a lot on your plate. Which means keeping track of those fun little diverting things on your calendar falls by the wayside. Seriously, how many times have you heard about a festival, thought "I want to go to that" and promptly forget about it. Then, you see the blurb the Friday before and think "Oh yeah I wanted to do that." 

So you log online and discover you need tickets. But, it's sold out!  That happens a lot with indoor festivals and those involving food or activities - they can only let so many people in on the fun. So to distinguish those types of festivals from the type you can probably just get in at the door, I'm introducing a few new labels:

1) Just go: this means you can expect to get in at the door without advance purchase.

2) Buy tickets now: you should make arrangements to go to this as it will probably sell out

3) How it works: for general pointers on how this blog is set up. I hope to be adding new features soon!

Buy Tickets Now: NYC Brewfest is June 19

I can't believe I've missed out on this before. Brewfest is being held for a fourth consecutive year out on Governor's Island June 19 from 3:30-8PM. The last three sold out according to the website, so don't get left out.


This festival is dedicated to craft beer (and cider) tasting and brewing, but there will be music and food as well as the chance to check out Governor's Island (I still haven't). And there will be seminars about brewing - yes you can make your own beer at home! Tickets are hardly free ($55 for the basic tasting pass), but there is a $25 music lover pass for the non-beer drinkers among us (that would include myself). No one under 21 will be admitted, so this is a situation where you get a sitter (who is probably under 21 too, so no conflict of interest there!).


http://www.nybrewfest.com/index.php to buy tickets.

Coming UP: Park Slope Community Volunteer Fair

Your personal flavor of charity is on tap at the Park Slope Community Volunteer Fair, scheduled Thursday, May 13 at the brand new Park Slope Armory. Arts, local advocacy, animals, parks and rec, hospitals and medical nonprofits will all be there - even the local Civil War reenactment chapter! You don't have to go far from home to do a little good - even a few hours a month make a difference.

High school students with community service requirements will find suitable opportunities there either.

Show up, see your neighbors, help your friends, check out the beautiful renovation. You never know what might move you.

For a more information and a list of participating organizations, click here:
http://www.assembly.state.ny.us/member_files/044/20100414/

Coming up: Affordable Art Fair.

Original works of art can cost a pretty penny. But if you know where to look you can find some great stuff. I got my cubist-inspired oil from Ebay from a prolific artist who seems to be pretty successful selling them that way. But if you need to really touch and see (or just see in the case of paintings) the stuff, head over to the Affordable Art Fair of NYC, in town May 6-9.

According to the website, the art is priced from the potentially affordable to $100 to the more aristocratic $10,000. Nevertheless, those who are familiar with art collecting know that this is indeed affordable art. However, window shopping is permissible. All it will cost you is the $20 ($16 for students/seniors) you paid to get in the door. If you're serious about collecting some art, $45 gets you into the private preview on May 5.  Most of the good stuff gets snapped up pre-sale, so it could be worth it for that perfect watercolor of the two bridges.

Ancillary to the AAFNYC is the I [heart] Brooklyn party on May 6, meant to celebrate Brooklyn's art galleries (primarily located in Williamsburg, Cobble Hill and Dumbo). $25 gets you in

It goes without saying that original art pieces are one of a kind, but don't worry if you can't make it: going forward, AAFNYC will hold a second fair in September. Stay tuned.

GET REGISTERED: Solstice in Times Square

A great opportunity for the city to show off the new pedestrian promenades in Times Square is coming up: Solstice in Times Square.

Duffy Square (Broadway and 7th Ave near 46th street) becomes ground zero for hundreds (thousands?) of yogis saluting the sun on the longest day of the year. Bring your mat and join in. Local teachers give talks and classes during the day. And last year, 1500 participants got yoga-related swag!

When: June 21 starting at dawn and going to dusk

Where: Times Square between 46th and 47th Street

PREREGISTRATION IS OPEN!!!
Head here to preregister for one of the sessions at Solstice in Times Square! http://www.timessquarenyc.org/about_us/events_solstice.html

For Next Two Weeks: Tribeca Goes from Battery Park to 23rd Streets

Yes, that's right, Tribeca Film Festival is in full swing. The latest Shrek movie debuted last Thursday at Borough of Manhattan Community College's Tribeca Performing Arts Center. (No, I was not on the guest list).  But an amazing slate of movies is on tap this year, playing mainly at three different theater complexes around town: the Village East Cinemas at 2nd Ave and 12th Street, Clearview Chelsea Cinemas at 8th Ave and 23rd Street, and the School of Visual Arts Theater building at 23rd Street between 8th and 9th. Tickets go fast, especially for the films with the  most recognizable names, but there are still tickets left for lots of great shows.

Top of my list: The Infidel, Metropia, Gerrymandering, and Sons of Perdition.  View the entire lineup and schedule at http://www.tribecafilm.com/festival.

People who think the $16 general admission ticket is too pricey can opt for a late night or early matinee tickets for just $8 (limited b availability). If you just HAVE to see a particular film that's sold out, RUSH tickets are usually available for at least the first five people in the rush line. But be aware that seats are harder to come by later in the festival, so book early or come early.

Or, check out the Virtual Pass lineup on-demand from your local cable company. 8 of the feature selections and several shorts are available for an amazing $45 price. That's just 3 regular screenings with enough left for a bottle of water!  These and additional features will continue to be available after the festival on demand and on the large(r) screens of the Tribeca Film Center.

Low on dough?  Head south to the Tribeca Drive-in at the World Financial Center Plaza, where you can find free outdoor screenings and activities.  SVA Theater and Barnes & Noble at Union Square are hosting the Tribeca Talks series:  industry panels in writing distribution and production. And the Tribeca Family Festival Street Fair will be on Greenwich Street north of Chambers 10AM-6PM Saturday May 1.  In the past, many celebrities have been spotted at this event!

If you're tired of schlock in 3D and want to see some good films, come down to Tribeca, support independent film and have a little fun!

Celebrate Earth Day this Week in Battery Park City

Battery Park City is celebrating Earth Day all week with it's "NY's Greenest" week. Starting April 17-25, the festival is combining free art, movies, readings, nature activities and kids activities with panel discussions and education about going green.

A full schedule of activities can be found at Battery Park City's Website. Most activities are free to the public.