Tag Archives: NYC

NYC: Dance Under the Influence

New York’s Museum of Arts and Design (MAD) is once again celebrating the marriage of visual art and dance with the 2nd season of “Dance Under the Influence.”

MAD explores the point at which craftsmanship, art and design intersect in the visual arts today.  Now, “Dance Under the Influence” is highlighting the artistry behind movement.

“MAD is a very hands-on museum. One reason why it wanted to do this series is because I would be presenting real live dancers and choreographers, who would be able to explain their process after the performance,” explains Valerie Gladstone, guest-curator of the series.

This season’s audiences can expect a diverse program including flamenco, tap, ballet, Indian classical dance, and postmodern contemporary dance—each with post-performance discussions.

Get your tickets early: this season’s first installment sold out both nights.  The next “Dance Under the Influence” performance on March 30 and 31 at 7:30pm will feature Ailey II, Jonah Bokaer, Holley Farmer, Jared Grimes and Dormeshia Sumbry-Edwards, among others. Tickets are $20 ($12 for MAD members and students).

For more information and to purchase tickets visit madmuseum.org

(Image courtesy of Stephen Petronio, photographed by Sarah Silver)

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François Sagat is a Master in NYC

François Sagat wants to teach you a lesson.

The gay porn star will bring his tattooed scalp and bulging muscle(s) to a Master Class and film series at New York’s Museum of Arts and Design (MAD).  On Saturday, November 19, Another Man: A Master Class with François Sagat promises to reveal “the method behind the man… from his personal career experiences to his approaches and process in tackling roles.”

The weekend will also feature the U.S. Premiere of Sagat: The Documentary, a behind the scenes look at the “Titan” man’s career (link contains adult content).  Additionally, the series will screen Man at Bath, Homme Au Bain and LA Zombie, two films starring Sagat, with the actor on hand for post-show discussions.

Eager to learn?  Click here for tickets and more information.

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“I’m From Driftwood” in New York

Three years ago, after seeing the film Milk, Nathan Manske was struck by an image of Harvey Milk—one of the first openly gay elected officials in the U.S. and the subject of the film directed by Gus Van Sant—in San Francisco holding a sign that said “I’m From Woodmere, NY.”  The sign was intended to show how far people had traveled to attend the 1978 San Francisco Gay Pride march.  But it meant something more to Nathan. It meant that there are lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer people in every small town and every big city across America and, indeed, the world.

Inspired, Nathan, who is from Driftwood, Texas, set off with a video camera on a 50-state tour to collect stories and spread a simple message to queer youth:  “You are not alone.”  The result, “I’m From Driftwood,” has exploded into an online community and non-profit organization that has collected and documented nearly 1,000 stories from all over the world, through videos and written testimonials.  Fifty-one of these stories have been organized into a book and this weekend they are finding their way onto the New York stage.

For the first time ever an ensemble of actors will bring these stories to life at Project Y Theatre Company’s New York New Playwright Festival.  Adapted by Luke Harlan, Joe Basile, and Jeffrey James Keyes, and directed by Luke Harlan, I’m From Driftwood will play the Access Theatre located at 380 Broadway at White Street on Friday, Oct. 14th at 8pm and Saturday, Oct. 15th at 9pm.

Visit their website for tickets and more information.

 

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IQ in The New York Times: “Glimpses”

What will our cities look like in 30 years? That’s the question posed by joint shows in New York City and Amsterdam, as architecture centers in each city simultaneously display an international collaboration, “Glimpses of New York and Amsterdam in 2040.” The exhibition organizers challenged 10 architecture and design firms to imagine a healthier urban future that includes new waterside cityscapes, neighborhoods and transit systems for both cities. “Glimpses” will remain on view in New York at the Center for Architecture (536 LaGuardia Place; 212-683-0023; www.aiany.org) through Sept. 10, and at the Amsterdam Centre for Architecture/ARCAM (Prins Hendrikkade 600; 31-20-620-4878; www.arcam.nl) through Aug. 13.

Read IQ’s full article in The New York Times, by clicking on the picture below:

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IQ Talks Travel on Toronto Radio: NYC

Ivan Quintanilla is featured as the travel expert  on Toronto’s Proud FM “Your Morning With Richard & Chris.”

Among the many exciting reasons to visit New York City this summer, IQ discusses the gay-popular neighborhood of Hell’s Kitchen, getting around the city, and the latest extension of The High Line.

Click  below to listen:


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NYC: Puppy Love

He loves you unconditionally.  He is always loyal.  He is your best friend.
He, too, deserves a luxury vacation in New York City.

Now, Toto (or Max, or Rover, or…) can join you at the iconic Jumeirah Essex House and delight in the hotel’s Canine Turndown Program.

When the Jumeirah Essex House is home, your front lawn is 843 acres of the most-visited city park in the United States.  In the last five years, this art deco masterpiece on Central Park South completed a $90 million renovation, joined the Dubai-based hospitality group responsible for some of the world’s most luxurious hotels, and has won countless awards, including the AAA Four Diamond Award, Michelin Guide’s Five Pavilions Award, and named “North America’s Leading Hotel” at the World Travel Awards.

I think Toto will approve.  And to further spoil the pooch, the House has partnered with doggie designer Amy Kizer of Wagwear to create the luxury pup-package, including:

  • Wagwear dog bed or Wagwear “Tee Pee Hound Lounge” (a miniature pop-up tent with fleece-lined bed)
  • Homemade dog treats created by the hotel’s Executive Pastry Chef
  • Essential Wagwear food and water bowls accompanied by a matching placemat
  • An exclusive gift bag complete with a plush Jumeirah Essex House logoed fleece blanket (monogramming is available upon request)
  • Use of stylish Wagwear collars and leashes during Toto’s stay

Additionally, the hotel concierges can provide information on the city’s best parks and trails, New York City leash laws, dog-walkers, pet-sitting facilities and doggie boutiques.

For more information or to make a reservation, call 1.888.645.5697 or visit www.jumeirahessexhouse.com.

Photos courtesy of Jumeirah Essex House

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NYC Goes MAD for Dance

Jennifer Muller, Photo by Paula Lobo

Artists find inspiration in many things.  Among them… other art. On February 9, New York’s Museum of Arts and Design (MAD) celebrates the marriage of visual art and dance by unveiling its first dance series, “Dance:  Under the Influence.”

MAD explores the point at which craftsmanship, art and design intersect in the visual arts today.  Now, “Under the Influence” adds a new artistic collaboration to the intersection, highlighting choreographers who are inspired by the visual arts.    The program is guest-curated by arts writer, editor and George Balanchine biographer, Valerie Gladstone.

“MAD is a very hands-on museum.  They are very interested in process,” explains Valerie.  “Part of their attraction to this project is presenting something in the museum that is alive.  Most things in a museum are inanimate.  MAD is interested in exploring beyond that, and bringing new audiences to the museum.”

And when the audiences do arrive, they can expect a diverse experience of dance. “Under the Influence” is showcasing new performances at every show, ranging from flamenco to tap, from classical ballet to contemporary styles—some are excerpts from the companies’ repertories, while others are original work.

The series premieres on February 9 at 7:00pm, with performances by Jennifer Muller, Heidi Latsky and Ballet Hispanico, and continues one Wednesday a month through May 18, 2011.  Tickets are $18 ($15 for MAD members).

Who knew a night under the influence could be so culturally enriching?  To learn more details, visit the program’s  website.

Museum of Arts and Design
2 Columbus Circle, New York
212.299.7777
www.madmuseum.org

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NYC: Sweet Treats on Wheels

New Yorkers are constantly on the go. Why should our food be any different? Food trucks of all varieties continue to expand their customer base by parking their mobile restaurants on the different streets of New York City. From tacos to pizza to dumplings, if you can imagine it, there is probably a truck serving it down the block. But times are tough and IQ likes his sugar, so let’s sweeten our summer with some of the city’s most unique desserts on wheels.

Liege with Ice Cream

First stop, Belgium. Wafels & Dinges brings the Belgian Waffle to our Yankee curbs. Choose the light ‘n crispy Brussels Wafel, or the soft ‘n chewy Liege Wafel, and dress it up with your favorite Dinges (toppings). Go fruity (strawberries, bananas), sugary (dulce de leche, chocolate fudge, maple syrup) or creamy (butter, whipped cream, ice cream). Truck locations are posted on the site, on Twitter @waffletruck or by calling 866.429.7329.

Next, pull up to the bumper for the baby-sized deliciousness of New York’s first mobile, gourmet cupcake shop. When Lev Ekster graduated from law school last year, the job market was…well, pretty sour.  But when life gives you lemons…you make a lemon meringue cupcake. Lev assembled a team of bakers, created recipes, and revved the engine of Cupcake Stop, a traveling store of fresh-baked, hand-made cupcakes. Follow the tweets to your sweet treat @cupcakestop.

Gobbler

Our final parker is the brainchild of a classically trained bassoonist with a little soft-serve and a lot of flair. The Big Gay Ice Cream Truck was created by Douglas Quint, a graduate of The Manhattan School of Music and The Juiliard School (and presumably a homosexual). The menu combines traditional soft-serve ice cream with imaginative toppings and funky names. Cool your lips with a Salty Pimp (vanilla ice cream dipped in chocolate with dulce de leche and sea salt) or be thankful for the Gobbler  (vanilla ice cream with pumpkin butter, crushed graham crackers, whipped cream and craisins). Follow the truck’s location on its site or on Twitter @biggayicecream and top yourself off with some sweet rainbow sprinkles this summer.

(All pictures provided by the vendors)

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NYC Restaurant Week

Hey New Yorkers, are you hungry?
NYC Restaurant Week allows you to sample three-course, prix-fixe meals at some of the city’s most amazing restaurants for $24.07 at lunchtime and $35 at dinner.  From now until September 6, pull up a chair at more than 275  New York City restaurants.  Go classy (Le Cirque, Cipriani) or sassy (Nobu, Megu), but don’t forget to make a reservation, as the most popular places fill up fast.  For a complete list of this summer’s restaurants, click here.

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Take Me To The River


(Photos by Fred Rose)

New York City is often considered a concrete jungle, herding humans and sprouting skyscrapers through its densely overgrown streets.  Yet approximately one-quarter of the city is occupied by public parks, playgrounds and nature preserves.  The grande dame, of course, is Central Park.  But there’s a new kid in town who grows bigger every year and demands your attention.

The Hudson River Park is the largest park to undergo construction in Manhattan since Central Park.  It spans 550 acres along the west side of Manhattan, between Battery Place and 59th Street.  Since its establishment in 1998, the park has unveiled new piers, playgrounds and facilities every year.  This week, Piers 62 and 63 have officially opened to reveal 9 fresh acres of gardens, lawns and a newly designed skate park in Chelsea.  From sun worshiper to thrill seeker, there is something for everyone.

If you are craving a little relaxation, the lawns and piers provide beautiful views of the Hudson River by which to sunbathe and picnic.  For the more active visitor, Hudson River Park offers an amazing variety of sports activities.  Bicycling, running, kayaking and sailing are but a few.  And if you lean toward more extreme sports, a visit to the skate park or trapeze school will send your heart soaring, quite literally.

So whether you are king of the jungle or a lazy house cat, explore the Hudson River Park this summer.  And do the outdoors—NYC style!

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