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Little Eva’s Returns to Island with Brooklyn Favorites
Third in a series. I’m really glad to know Little Eva’s is back on the island for 2015. I fell in love with it three years ago, and the charming beer garden on the island. Grilled food and cold beer? I’m there. Little Eva’s is the outpost of Kevin’s Red Hook, the seafood restaurant and catering operation run by Kevin Moore and Caroline Parker. Little Eva’s is located on Liggett Terrace and will be open 10am-6pm Thursday to Sunday, and holiday Mondays, May 23 until the end of September. Kevin answered questions about what the plans are for 2015, and what he loves about the island. How did Little Eva’s…
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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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Better Than Jam Brings Unique Items to Pop-up Island Shop
Second in a series. One thing that Governors Island is not short on is creativity. For the past five summers, visitors could meet Karin Persan, who makes her own silkscreen and clothing for pop-up shops. She runs Better Than Jam, a Bushwick, Brooklyn, shop that specializes in unique items. Karin curates a group of fellow artists and designers who make handmade items that are for sale in her pop-up shop. For 2015 BTJ will be in Building 410, the former 1917 Officers’ Quarters, on Hay Road, South of Comfort Road. Karin was nice enough to tell us about what’s coming to the island this season. How would you describe the…
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Brooklyn Soda Works Back to Pour More on Island
First In A Series When I first started going to Governors Island, 12 years ago, I had to bring a backpack with a bottle of water and a sandwich. Now there are actual vendors with great stuff for sale to eat and drink. To kick off my feature series about the people and places on the island, I’m starting with the Brooklyn Soda Works. Caroline Mak was good enough to answer my questions. They will be in the same spot as last season, on Liggett Terrace. How would you describe your product line? We make fresh juice sodas – we don’t use any syrups and don’t make anything from concentrate.…
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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…
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Brooklyn Wants More Ferries to Governors Island
The Borough of Churches has spoken. Brooklyn wants more ferries to serve the Borough to take residents to the island. Dana Rubinstein writes in Capital New York that when MayorBill de Blasio said the city would increase ferry service in Gotham, he forgot to include Governors Island. “Unfortunately, access is dramatically limited for Brooklyn residents, while Manhattan residents have daily access five days in the off-season and seven in the summer,” said Councilman Brad Lander, who represents Park Slope. Last week, Lander, along with Rep. Nydia Velazquez, Assembywoman Jo Anne Simon, State Senator Daniel Squadron and Council members Steve Levin and Margaret Chin sent a letter to the mayor urging him to…
