Good morning! It’s Juneteenth today. If you are looking for a way to be an ally and celebrate this new national holiday please head over to Times Square at midday.
The Broadway League’s Black to Broadway Initiative is presenting Broadway Celebrates Juneteenth, a free outdoor event centered around Black joy and unity that will feature Black Broadway performers in a 90-minute concert.
It is open to all to join in this celebration, including those who identify as Black, their allies, and anyone who feels a connection to this holiday. Details here…
We asked the six candidates competing to become the representative for New York City Council District 3 to share their West Side Story before Tuesday’s Democratic Primary. The winner will replace term-limited Speaker Corey Johnson in the role. Get to know the candidates here…
Here’s what’s been happening in Hell’s Kitchen this week…
Mayor Bill De Blasio and Lin-Manuel Miranda opened a new vaccination hub for the theater, film and TV industry in Times Square in April. On Monday, the Broadway center — run in partnership with the Actors Fund and ATC Vaccination Services — warned over 800 people that they had received an expired dose of the Pfizer vaccine. More here…
Google’s first physical retail store opened to the public this week — and for the tech geeks it’s just a short hop down 9th Avenue. Details here…
We love this picture of Billy Hipkins enjoying reading under the bookworm at the newly reopened Drama Book Shop. “In a seat. In a David Korins’ set. In a drama book store reading In the Heights. In pearls,” he shared on Instagram.
Governor Cuomo said that in 472 days we went from “worst to first”. Thanks for letting us into your inbox during that time to keep you connected, update and upbeat. On Tuesday night there were fireworks and the city lit up in the blue and gold colors of New York State. More here…
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You know PRIDE is getting into full swing when The Ritz on Restaurant Row unfurls their rainbow ribbons.
FDNY spent two nights putting out fires and rescuing residents from apartment buildings on 9th Avenue. The fires — both caused by electrical faults — have displaced all residents. In a show of true Hell’s Kitchen resilience, the affected restaurants — Mom’s Kitchen and Rancho Tequileria — reopened for business within 24 hours. More here…
Mayor Bill de Blasio has again pledged to move homeless residents from local hotels back to congregate shelters by the end of July — providing New York State gives approval. More here…
Readers have seen whales, sea horses and seals in the Hudson River — but has anyone spotted an Oyster Toadfish? Hudson River Park report that “oyster toadfish are benthic ambush predators in the Hudson River Estuary. This means that they live on the bottom of the river, waiting for prey like crabs and smaller fish to pass in front of their hiding places. Then, the toadfish springs into action, using their large and powerful jaws to capture their prey. You can see that toadfish also have a set of teeth that help them to crush through shells and hold on to slippery food items.” Yikes…
Local theater group INTAR took their productions to the street (and the paint store and the basketball court and the butcher shop) on Thursday evening. MicroTEATRO Festival was staged at some pretty unusual Hell’s Kitchen venues to 100% capacity audiences (the capacity was 4 people). Ten-minute photo essay here…
Frankie and Johnnie’s started life as a speakeasy back in 1926 and is one of the Theater District’s longest-running restaurants. Last night, the steakhouse reopened on Restaurant Row after surviving the pandemic. More here…
What we’ve been reading
AstraZeneca vaccination will not get you a seat at Springsteen on Broadway. (The Guardian)
Artwash, Hudson Yards and The Shed. (Vulture)
Juneteenth is not a paid holiday for NYC workers, despite De Blasio’s pledge. (amNY)
“It’s not easy to keep journalism alive” — WSJ closes Greater New York section. (Crain’s)
A weekend guide to eating and drinking in the Hudson Valley. (Eater)
Freeze Frame
Thanks to Kerry Bryne for capturing this piece of the Caribbean on Restaurant Row. We were told last night that Jasmine’s has some wonderful Rum cocktails on offer. Read more about this neighborhood restaurant that opened in the middle of the pandemic. #supportblackbusiness