News
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Photo Tour of The Hills Reveals Dynamic Change on Island
Getting a sneak peek at The Hills was a real treat. The Trust for Governors Island is hosting monthly hardhat tours. I attended the most recent one with more than a dozen other fans of the island, and what we saw was impressive. After getting our official reflective vests and hardhats at Liggett Hall, we were on our way. Our guide was Stephanie Shaw, a project manager with The Trust. She gave us a lot of information as we were on our tour. The highlights: The four hills are all underway and look to be finished by the 2016 season: Grassy, Slide, Outlook, and Discovery. They will range in size…
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New York City Poetry Festival July 25-26
The fifth annual New York City Poetry Festival returns to Governors Island on July 25-26 in Colonel’s Row Park. The featured poets this year are Nick Flynn, Patricia Spears Jones, David Matlin, and Fran Quinn. The headliners will be reading for The Poetry Society of New York at 3pm on the Algonquin Stage on Sunday, July 26. Admission is free and open to the public. Kids are welcome and the hours are 11 AM to 6 PM both Saturday and Sunday. All information is on the group’s site and Facebook page. Stephanie Berger and Nicholas Adamski founded the New York City Poetry Festival in the summer of 2011. The purpose…
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Photos From Jazz Age Lawn Party
It was the 10th anniversary of the Jazz Age Lawn Party, and I don’t see how it could get any more perfect. Once more, Michael Arenella has pulled off another fantastic weekend on Governors Island. The Brooklyn bandleader and his team produced a fantastic event that had a wonderful turnout. The weather cooperated and it was a warm and sunny weekend for live jazz, shows, cocktails, and special events. I’m a fan of the Court of Pie and the pie baking contest. I talked to people that had come from Europe for the weekend to attend. The next Jazz Age Lawn Party is August 15 and 16, 2015, and tickets…
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Prepare For Jazz Age Lawn Party June 13-14
The first Jazz Age Lawn Party of 2015, the 10th annual, is this weekend on Governors Island. Michael Arenella and the Dreamland Orchestra are returning once more with one of the best events on any calendar. Organizers announced this week that while tickets are sold out, there will be some general admission tickets available at the door for $75.00 each. Michael founded the Jazz Age Lawn Party and oversees the annual event. A recent story in the Village Voice by Zoë Leverant pointed out something that many people miss–or overlook–in the rush to take selfies and dress up in vintage clothes: the music is dynamite. It’s the musical authenticity that…
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Lost Amusement Parks of New York City Opens May 24
Empire Historic Arts is back on Governors Island with a new exhibit that will run May 24-September 27 (Saturdays and Sundays). “Lost Amusement Parks of New York City” Building 20B in Nolan Park An installation of ephemera and artifacts from a bygone era of New York’s amusement parks. For more information, visit their site and their Facebook page. Previously Empire Historic Arts exhibited “Tattered and Torn” on Governors Island.
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Annual Family Festival on Sunday, May 24
The Governors Island Alliance has announced the activities for for the 11th Annual Family Festival on Governors Island. Date: Sunday, May 24th Time: Noon-4pm Place: Nolan Park The Family Festival will kick off an exciting summer of programming on Governors Island. This year’s festival will explore the intersection between the environment, conservation, sustainability, and art. Highlights include: Arm of the Sea Theater Arts in Action Visual Art Program Live music with Astrograss The Central Park Zoo Wildlife Theater Rides on the Homespun Merry-Go-Round Theatrical performances by Story Pirates With FREE activities by: Earth Matter The Trust for Governors Island Lisa Abbatomarco OgoSport GrowNYC NY Aquarium Children’s Museum of the Arts…
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OutdoorFest Adventures Day May 30 in Nolan Park
Bring your yoga mat, sneakers and frisbee for a fun (and fit) afternoon. OutdoorFest Adventures Day is Saturday, May 30, 2:00-5:00 pm, in Nolan Park. OutdoorFest is bringing FREE outdoor adventure to Governors Island. It begins with yoga, followed by outdoor fitness classes, field day games, and wilderness skills demos. There will be a group run, bike rides, boot camp, and outdoor skills classes. The partners are: Pop Up Yoga NYC: OutdoorFest’s Official Yoga Partner, Pop Up Yoga brings yoga to urban spaces. Live life better, stronger, and happier. The Rise: An on-going fitness boot camp dedicated to transforming participants from fitness beginners to all-out warriors. You don’t have to…
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National Park Service Announces 2015 Island Schedule
The Governors Island National Monument is maintained by the National Park Service. Rangers are available for tours throughout the summer. Castle Williams and Fort Jay will be open daily all season. Times and programs will vary during the season. The following programs will be available May 23 to June 12. Explore Castle Williams Daily. Courtyard open 10 AM until 4:30 PM. Tours every hour from 11:30 AM till 3:30 PM. About 30 minutes. Get some history in the round at the best-preserved circular fortification in the nation. On weekends the Castle is open until 5:30 PM with an additional tour at 4:30 PM. Experience Fort Jay: An Island Star! Courtyard…
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Lower Manhattan Cultural Council’s Open Studios May 23-24
Building 110 Saturday-Sunday, May 23-24 12 PM to 5 PM The Lower Manhattan Cultural Council announced its opening weekend of activities. Visit with visual and performing artists and writers who have been working in the Arts Center at Governors Island since March. The weekend will feature behind-the-scenes access to 20 multidisciplinary artists’ studios. On Sunday, May 24 at 3pm there will be readings by writers-in-residence in a special portion of the event called, Open Texts. For more information, visit their site. Court/Garden Building 110 Sunday, May 24 3PM Court/Garden is a three-act dance performance that is inspired by the imperial ballets of Louis XIV’s French Court, the spectatorship of the…
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Dates for 2015 Jazz Age Lawn Party, Tickets on Sale
Michael Arenella, bandleader and creator of The Jazz Age Lawn Party, announced the dates for the two 2015 weekends. These will be Saturday and Sunday, June 13 and 14, and August 15 and 16. Tickets are on-sale now from $35 to packages at $900; if any are left they will be sold at the door. I recommend buying advance tickets, they are going fast. Hosted and conceived by Michael, the event started ten years ago as a small gathering of perhaps fifty friends and fans. The event, initially produced by the island, was handed over to Michael in its third year to organize and grow. It now attracts more than…
