Awesome Outdoor Venue w/ a vue + free activities

How many of you have visited the Pier i Cafe by the Hudson River? If you haven't, ... it's definitely worth a visit. Not only does it have great tasting food, but you can enjoy it overlooking the Hudson River. On a nice summer evening, the views are incredible as the sun sets and the water offers a nice breeze. The setting is relaxed and self serve. The food is priced reasonably, especially for what you are getting. Example, you can get a burger and fries, made to order, with your choice of cheese (Swiss, American, Blue, and I think another kind) for $11, but the order can easily be shared by two people. The fries are thinly cut and sprinkled with herbs and the burger has a great smoky flavor to it. The place is pretty popular so you will have to wait a few minutes for your order to be called out over the speakers, but there's plenty of seating while you wait.

In addition, you might find free entertainment if you go when a "Summer on the Hudson" event is taking place. Riverside Park South, where Pier i Cafe is located, is offering a variety of free programs like outdoor movie screenings, concerts, and more. The full schedule can be viewed in two places:

1. Either on the Summer on the Hudson calendar.
2. Or via the NYC Parks & Recreation page (which also lists events for all of the NYC parks)

The Cafe is also a short walk from Lincoln Center's Midsummer Night Swing festivities (see earlier blog for more info).

Free Ice Cream by Baskin Robbins + Do Something

Screen shot from http://www.dosomething.org/serve/coupon

Baskin-Robbins in partnership with Do Something, a non-for-profit service oriented organization for youth, is offering free ice cream to young adults and teens ages 13 - 25. The Promotion lasts from July 13, 2009 - July 17, 2009. To find out more info visit their website here.

Photography Lovers...

So this opportunity isn't technically in NYC, but rather online. I stumbled on this site recently and thought that it could be useful for someone who wants to get their work out there.

The website is called jpgmag.com , and its connected to an in-print magazine. Photographers can upload their pics to the various themes and challenges and then have an opportunity to be featured in print. There is also a voting component to the process. Looks interesting.

Screenshot of JPG re: how it works page

If anyone decides to participate, come back and let us know how it went.

Midsummer Night Swing: Outdoor Music + Dancing Events @ Lincoln Center

Screenshot of Lincoln Center's Calendar for MNS Program

Midsummer Night Swing is an outdoor dancing program presented by Lincoln Center. In it's 21st Season, the program features a dance lesson, followed by live music and a dj, and a huge outdoor space for dancing. According to Lincoln Center, this year's dance floor is 30% larger than in previous years.


Group dance lessons start at 6:30pm. Instructors from local dance studios demonstrate the basic steps on stage. DJ and Live band follow. The events attract both beginners and dance lovers of all styles and ages. By the time the live band begins playing the dance floor fills up almost to capacity. To enter the official dancing area, one must purchase a $15 ticket. But there is plenty of space on the outskirts of the official area to either sit or dance. There is a bag check for a $3 fee and a cash bar for those of age. The festival lasts from July 7 to July 25 with events five nights a week. The upcoming week (July 14 - 18) will feature:

• jazz/swing by Melba Joyce & Her Big Band


• tango by Otros Aires (New York Debut)


• soul/r&b/funk by The Get Down: Soul/R&BPonderosa Stomp


• rockabilly by Best Dance in Town: RockabillyPonderosa Stomp @ Lincoln Center


• salsa/boogaloo by New Swing Sextet
  

Whether you grab a partner or come solo, you're sure to learn a step or two.

The full schedule is available here: http://new.lincolncenter.org/live/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=167&Itemid=69

Free Concerts & Music Ambassador Program by Carnegie Hall

Carnegie Hall, the famed performance space located in Midtown Manhattan just steps away from Central Park, not only hosts world renown concerts within its hallowed halls but also puts on free neighborhood concerts in various venues throughout the City and its boroughs.


The free concerts usually feature great performers and could be an opportunity to explore some local spots & listen to your favorite or potentially new (to you) singer--band--style. It could even work out that the concert may be right in your own 'hood. The musical styles range from "classical, jazz, Latin, tango, klezmer, Gospel, folk, contemporary, world music, and more"
(source).

To find about the next show, head over to Carnegie Hall's Neighborhood Concerts website. There's even a mapping tool that allows you to search their events interactively, however it seems that it has both past and upcoming events plotted on the same map. The shows are produced with sponsorship support & also incorporate volunteers. If you would like to volunteer to help with a concert, you can sign up on the Neighborhood Concerts page, just scroll down and look at the lower right hand corner.


Unfortunately though, it looks like the Neighborhood Concerts don't start up again until Fall 2009. In the meantime though:

1. There is an interesting Music Ambassador program which allows one to volunteer with Carnegie Hall and score free tickets and other benefits like a discount to the gift shop in exchange for helping out. If you're into music this might be a great opportunity for you.

2. There are TONS of other concerts/music events going on around the city right now -- Summer 2009. I will post more details shortly (within the next 30/45 min --promise).

For All You Tennis Fans...

Randall's Island is hosting some of the Tennis world's greatest legends and current superstars. If you couldn't score a seat to Wimbledon (across the pond) or the other elite competitions, don't worry-- here's your chance to see the stars live right here in New York.


To purchase tickets, check out the schedule :

• July 7 vs.St. Louis (Anna Kournikova) 7:00pm
• July 10 vs. Washington (Serena Williams) 7:00pm
• July 13 vs. Newport (John McEnroe) 7:00pm
• July 15 vs.Boston (John McEnroe & Martina Navratilova) 7:30pm
• July 17 vs. Kansas City (Bryan Brothers) 7:00pm

Here's a bit about the game's format :"The Advanta WTT Pro League, co-founded by Billie Jean King, is a professional co-ed sports league featuring three generations of tennis stars playing in a team format in 10 U.S. markets. Team matches consist of five events, with one set each of men's singles, women's singles, men's doubles, women's doubles and mixed doubles. The first team to reach five games wins each set." (source)