June New York Minutes

Usually on Fridays I feature some fleeting moments from my week that made me stop and think, “I’m so lucky to live in NYC!” And maybe some that made me think, “Bahaha this city is ridiculous and I love it.” This month, the weekly post just didn’t happen so I’m sharing them all in one go! Here are some New York minutes from June:

Park Avenue Lemonade Stand

Outside an apartment building on Park Avenue and 75th Street, definitely in the top 1% of luxury addresses in NYC, two little girls were selling lemonade and cookies. Best deal on the Upper East Side, I bought a big Solo cup of their strawberry-infused lemonade for just $1. I’ve happened across these urban lemonade stands before, they always warm the cockles of my heart and I always buy a cup (if I have any cash! Though I wouldn’t be surprised if these savvy Gen-Z tykes accepted Venmo…)

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Coney Island Mermaid Parade 2019: The Most Magical Event of NYC Summer

Once upon a time, long long ago in 2016 when the world still felt bright and hopeful, I attended the Coney Island Mermaid Parade. It is a glorious, beautiful event that bursts with creativity and body positivity. I’ve longed to go back ever since and this weekend my wish finally came true.

So Much Fabulousness at the Coney Island Mermaid Parade 2019

I was invited by Coney Island Brewery to watch from the VIP judges area. Which meant not only did I have a spectacular view of the action, I got to sip stellar summer beers the entirety of the parade. Truly a dream come true.

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Summer of Love Shakespeare on the Lower East Side: The Mechanicals NYC Presents “As You Like It”

This season is shaping up to be the Summer of Shakespeare for yours truly. I’ve seen 3 Shakespeare productions in the past two weeks. All have been wildly enjoyable, especially for a theatre nerd like me. I just can get enough iambic pentameter!

The Mechanicals theatre company opened their production of As You Like It last night. It’s a perfect play to start your very own Summer of Shakespeare. Or just enjoy a night of groovy drag, love-triangles, and theatrical hi-jinks.

9 Reasons to See The Mechanicals’ “As You Like It”

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Occupy Harry: Rollicking, Raggle-Taggle Shakespeare in the Park at Summit Rock

For many New Yorkers, it doesn’t feel like summer until you’re engaged in one of the following activities:
1. Sunbathing at Rockaway Beach
2. Scarfing down a hotdog on the Coney Island boardwalk
3. Catching the first whiff of sweltering garbage

If you’re a giant theatre nerd like me, it doesn’t feel like summer until you’ve watched an outdoor production of Shakespeare.

Last night, Shakespeare in the Park opened their production of Much Ado About Nothing and the rave review in the Times today means the infamous line is likely to balloon for the rest of the final 12 days of the run. You should absolutely try to see it and read my article first: A Former Usher’s Tips for Getting Shakespeare in the Park Tickets.

In the meantime, this weekend June 13-16, you can catch a delightful production of Shakespeare in the (lowercase) park just a short walk away from the Delacorte Theater. Totally free with no need for tickets or any kind of line!

I was lucky enough to see Occupy Verona’s production of Occupy Harry last Saturday. With that kick-off, it’s officially summer for this theatre nerd.

Occupy Harry at Summit Rock in Central Park

The “production value” of this show is a stark contrast to that down the hill with the Public Theater. Thus this production of Henry V (rebranded “Occupy Harry“) becomes a prime example of how the brilliance of Shakespeare lies in the words. Just like your college theatre professor promised- don’t need much else!

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The Color Run 2019: What “The Happiest 5K” is Really Like

Saturday morning was all sunshine and rainbows, unicorns and sweat. The Color Run, the so-called “happiest 5,000 meters on the planet”, came to town!

If you know me, I’m so not an exercise junky. I run maybe once a week. Full disclosure: my body is still sore from this run and it happened four days ago. That’s my level of fitness. So listen up when I say the Color Run is the PERFECT 5K for people who really aren’t that into running but want to try!

This is my I’M READY. LET’S DO THIS face at the starting line inside CitiField. This face is far too serious for this event but my Dear Evan Hansen sweatband and the ladies in back of me are just perfect.

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Weekly New York Minutes #49

On Fridays I feature some fleeting moments from my week that made me stop and think, “I’m so lucky to live in NYC!” And maybe some that made me think, “Bahaha this city is ridiculous and I love it.” Here we go for the last week I was in NYC before I left on vacation!

A New Central Park Discovery

I’ve lived in NYC 11 years and I still stumble across parts of Central Park that I never noticed before. I was walking past Wollman Rink (it’s closed for the season, also Trump owns it so it’s ruined) when I noticed this wood gate made of branches. My immediate thought was it must be new! How cool! But the wood looks anything but fresh…a sign describing the enclosed nature sanctuary leads me to believe I’ve walk by it many times and just never noticed it! Which thrilled me even more than if it had been new. Lived here 11 years and still discovering new things every week.

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Weekly New York Minutes #48

On Fridays I feature some fleeting moments from my week that made me stop and think, “I’m so lucky to live in NYC!” And maybe some that made me think, “Bahaha this city is ridiculous and I love it.” Here we go for this April week that sometimes kinda, sort felt like spring…

Game of Thrones invaded Rockefeller Center.

Where the famous Christmas tree stands every winter the infamous Throne of Swords was erected for the lead up to the final season release. The premier was in NYC last week and I watched them set up the catwalk, 20 yards from this throne display. Sometimes I feel like the only person in New York who hasn’t seen this show…

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