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No. 857
May 16, 2012
MidCity News
In this issue:

‘Meet the Birds’ and ‘Bryant Park Moves’ Return to Park 
"Meet the Birds' and Bryant Park Moves' Return to ParkThe rollout of spring programs continues at Bryant Park. Last week we welcomed the return of Meet the Birds. Every Tuesday through September 25, Terri Jones, Director at the Arcadia Bird Sanctuary and Education Center, brings gorgeous and friendly exotic birds to the area around Le Carrousel from 11:30am-2:00pm. We’ve noticed that kids are especially fascinated by the birds; so next time you’re at the park with your children, be sure to bring them by.  

And this Saturday, Bryant Park Moves with Limon Dance returns to the park. These classes in dance and movement are conducted by former and current members of the internationally renowned Limon Dance Company. They’re free and open to everyone, regardless of age or skill level. The classes meet every Saturday through September 8, on the lawn, from 10:00-11:00am. 

Back to the topic of birds. You only have a few more chances to participate in Bryant Park’s Spring Birding Tours. Conducted by Gabriel Willow of New York City Audubon, the tours are held twice weekly (8:00-9:00am on Mondays and 5:00-6:00pm on Thursdays), but the last session for the season is next week on Thursday, May 24. All tours depart from Heiskell Plaza at Sixth Avenue and 42nd Street.

Rangers Rally at Herald Square Park
Rangers Rally at Herald Square ParkIt looked as if the World’s Most Famous Arena moved a block east on Monday, April 30, as Herald Square Park hosted the “Blueshirts on Broadway” rally to get fans psyched for Game Two of the Rangers’ second-round playoff match against the Caps later that evening.

The centerpiece for the daylong event was a 30’ x 60’ synthetic ice rink that was available to anyone who wanted to pull on the skates and take a free lesson. There were on-ice demonstrations, a dancing contest, a puck-shooting contest, a toddler hockey rink, and a ‘Beard-a-Thon Tent’ where the fellow sporting the Best Beard won a prize.

Fans milled about all day, watching interviews with Ranger legends such as Adam Graves, Rod Gilbert, Stephane Matteau, Nick Fotiu, Ron Greschner, and Brian Mullen, and some lucky ones walked away with free prizes, including Rangers tickets.

Alas, the Rangers lost that evening’s game but the rally was still great fun, and the Blueshirts went on to take the series. We love these events. They’re great for fans, the athletes enjoy meeting the public, and the revenues we collect help us keep Herald and Greeley Square Parks spotless.       

Big Day at Southwest Porch on Tuesday
Big Day at Southwest Porch on TuesdayThe spring schedule at The Southwest Porch in Bryant Park swings into high gear next Tuesday, May 22, with two big events. In the morning, at 8:30-9:30am, is the first installment of this year’s Breakfast Briefings at Bryant Park series. Presented in partnership with Southwest Airlines and Fast Company, Breakfast Briefings bring successful business executives to the Porch to speak about the secrets of their success. Neil Janowitz, Senior Editor at Fast Company, serves as host, and will interview Lizzy Klein, Vice-President of Product at Seamless, the on-line food ordering service. Coffee and breakfast will be provided by ’wichcraft. Everyone is invited, but you must reserve a spot; so be sure to register here to ensure your participation.

Then, at 6:30pm, the long-awaited debut of the Summer Cult Movie Trivia Festival, presented in cooperation with Southwest Airlines and ’wichcraft, takes place at The Porch. All movie geeks are invited to test their knowledge of cult favorites by answering questions posed by quiz masters from Triviaad.com. The subject of the first contest is the Molly Ringwald classic, Sixteen Candles. The series returns on May 29, then every other Tuesday through July 24. The list of films to be discussed includes Dazed and Confused; Princess Bride; Fast Times at Ridgemont High; The Big Lebowski; and Wet, Hot American Summer. The competition is open to all, but please RSVP at trivia@wichcraftnyc.com to ensure your spot.

Of course, you don’t need to wait for a special event to visit The Porch. Its swings, rockers, and Adirondack chairs are there for everybody during all regular park hours, and ’wichcraft offers specially prepared snacks and beverage service every day from 11:30am-10:00pm, along with breakfast on weekdays beginning at 8:00am; and remember, no purchase is necessary to enjoy The Porch.

Check Out Twenty Years of Bryant Park
Check out Twenty Years of Bryant ParkBryant Park has been the site of many outdoor art projects, but the one currently gracing the perimeter of the park is perhaps closest to our hearts. To help commemorate 20 years of the lavishly restored park, Bryant Park Corporation has mounted an exhibition of large photographs on our fence for passersby to enjoy.   They show the bad old days, the initial efforts to reclaim the park, and scenes from the dense and evocative programming visitors to the park have come to expect.

Twenty Years of Bryant Park, consisting of 86 carefully selected photographs, visually documents one of the great urban reclamation stories of the 1980’s and 1990’s. Next time you’re walking past the park, take a look. They’ll be there until June 29. If you want to see them now, check out our special Flickr gallery. We’ve covered a lot of ground with these carefully-chosen photos: history, activities, horticulture, seating options, even maintenance. A park like ours doesn’t just happen; it takes inspiration and dedication, as this exhibition shows. It will also give you an idea of where we were, where we are, and just how Manhattan’s Town Square earned its moniker.      

Bryant Park to Launch Painter-in-Residence Program
Bryant Park to Launch Painter In Residence ProgramBryant Park Corporation is currently accepting applications from artists for positions in the inaugural Bryant Park Painter-in-Residence Program. Successful applicants will be commissioned to work outside at Bryant Park, creating representational images that will comprise a visual record of Bryant Park. Three painters will be selected, one for each of three separate two-week periods.

The competition is open to all U.S. artists 18 years of age or older. Any artwork submitted for consideration must have been completed in the last two years. Though representational styles will be given preference, innovative and experimental approaches are welcome. Likewise, art using either traditional or alternative media will be accepted.

Those artists chosen will receive a stipend. All art created under the program is commissioned by BPC and becomes its sole property. The closing date for applications is May 31, 2012. Awards will be announced June 20, 2012. For more information, visit www.bryantpark.org/painterinresidence or email requests for application forms to promero@urbanmgt.com.

The Bottom Line
The Bottom LineRecords continue to fall at Le Carrousel in Bryant Park. Four months into 2012, attendance is up 44% over last year, and revenues, boosted by the growing popularity of private parties, are up 48%. It’s not too late to schedule your own children’s party at Le Carrousel. Email your inquiries to parties@urbanmgt.com, or call us at 212-768-4242 x129. You can also find out more, or make your reservation online, by visiting our website.  

34th Street District
Weekly Activities
Salsa Dance
  Tuesdays: 5:30-6:30pm, Broadway Boulevard between 34th and 35th Streets
Zumba 
  Thursdays: 5:30-6:30pm, Broadway Boulevard between 34th and 35th Streets

Bryant Park
Daily Amenities
Le Carrousel Spring Hours 
The Daily: 11:00am-7:00pm
 Reading Room
   Daily: 11:00am-7:00pm
The Southwest Porch
   Daily: 11:30pm-10:00pm
   Southwest Porch Events:
   Breakfast Briefings with Lizzie Klein, VP of Product for Seamless. Hosted by Neil Janowitz, Senior Editor       
   at Fast Company.    

   Tuesday: May 22, 8:30-9:30am
   Summer Cult Movie Trivia Festival – Sixteen Candles
   Tuesday: May 22, 6:30-7:30pm
Weekly Activities and Classes
Bryant Park Yoga 
   Tuesdays: 10:00-11:00am, Upper Terrace
   Thursdays: 6:00-7:00pm, Lawn
Bryant Park Tai Chi
   Tuesdays & Thursdays: 7:30-8:30am, Fountain Terrace
Meet the Birds
   Tuesdays: 11:30am-2:00pm, Le Carrousel
Bryant Park Juggling
   Tuesdays: 5:30-7:30pm, 40th Street Plaza
Bryant Park Birding Tours (Meet at Heiskell Plaza, Sixth Avenue and 42nd Street)
   Mondays: 8:00-9:00am
   Thursdays: 5:00-6:00pm
Bryant Park Fencing
   Tuesdays: 1:00-2:00pm, Fifth Avenue Terrace at 41st Street   
Bryant Park Moves: with Limon Dance 
   Saturdays: 10:00am-11:00pm, Lawn
  
Daily Activities 
Chess and Backgammon
   Monday-Friday: 11:00am-7:00pm
Pétanque
   Monday-Friday: 11:00am-6:00pm - Free Lessons
Ping Pong at The Tables
   Daily: 11:00am-7:00pm
Bryant Park Games – Scrabble, Quoits, Bananagrams and more
   Monday-Friday: 11:00am-7:00pm, 40th Street Plaza

Upcoming Events
Piano in Bryant Park: Roy Eaton – Played Carnegie in 1937 
   Wednesday-Friday: May 16-18, 12:30pm-2:30pm, Upper Terrace  
Word for Word Author: Justin Halpern (I Suck at Girls) and Ali Wentworth, (Ali in Wonderland: And Other Tall Tales). Hosted by Sara Barron (People Are Unappealing: Even Me)   
   Wednesday: May 16, 12:30-1:45pm, Reading Room
Piano in Bryant Park: Todd Robbins – Ragtime and Classic Tin Pan Alley  
   Monday-Friday: May 21-25, 12:30pm-2:30pm, Upper Terrace  
Word for Word Poetry features the Poets of Barrett Street Press, with Richard Blanco, Lesley Wheeler, Ely Shipley, and Scott Hightower 
   Tuesday: May 22, 7:00-8:30pm, Reading Room
Word for Word Author: Andrew Blackwell (Visit Sunny Chernobyl: And Other Adventures in the World's Most Polluted Places) and NYU Prof Andrew Ross (Bird on Fire: Lessons from the World's Least Sustainable City). Hosted by New York Times Dot Earth blogger, Andrew Revkin.   
   Wednesday: May 23, 12:30-1:45pm, Reading Room

Exhibitions
20 Years of Bryant Park – A Photo Exhibit
   Daily: May 4-June 29, All Hours, Bryant Park Fence   

14th Street Park at Tenth Avenue
Weekly Activities
Yoga 
   Thursdays: 6:30-7:30pm

Chelsea Triangle at Ninth Avenue and 14th Street
Weekly Activities
Capoeira Classes
   Wednesdays: 6:30-7:30pm

Gaston Silva, Chairman 34th Street Partnership | Michael Fuchs, Chairman Bryant Park Corporation | Adam Goldenberg, L. Robert Lieb & Clyde E. Rankin, III, Co-Chairmen Bryant Park Management Corp. | Daniel A. Biederman, President 34th Street Partnership, Bryant Park Management Corp., Executive Director Bryant Park Corporation
1065 Avenue of the Americas, Suite 2400 New York, NY 10018 | Tel 212.719.3434 | Fax 212.719.3499

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