Happy Saturday and Happy PRIDE! We hope you have colorful and fun plans for this weekend.
PRIDE weekend is underway — and it marks the opening of a new gay club and another three new venues heading to the gayborhood. More details here…
Prepare yourself for a rare sight — a line at a theater’s real-life box office! There’s a very special deal on tickets for Antoinette Chinonye Nwandu’s Pass Over if you head in person to the box office next week. Details here…
Here’s what’s been happening this week in Hell’s Kitchen…
Some local dogs got a big treat last weekend when Astro’s Dog Run reopened on 10th Avenue and W39th Street. It’s been closed since last summer — but now the refurbishments made by Port Authority and local volunteers have created a wonderful pooch oasis. More here…
There’s a growing tension around new outdoor dining and the workings of New York. We reported on issues of “Meals vs Wheels” as the city tries to deal with structures in bus lanes.
We spotted this image in our Twitter feed of a Montreal trash can design that helps people who collect beer cans for refundable deposits. Apparently, the design originated in Cologne in Germany. It’s the invention of a young designer, Paul Ketz.
If you’ve ever wondered about the economy around bottle and can collecting in New York, read this heartwarming essay by student Jessica Yauri about how her parents collect bottles for a living.
On Monday, we talked to residents frustrated at New York City’s top-down, bureaucratic mishandling of the renaming of the city’s parks. Last week, NYC Parks Commissioner Mitchell Silver wiped out the name Hell’s Kitchen from Hell’s Kitchen Park “which is his privilege and ability per the City Charter” (according to the Commissioner’s office).
The name change to Lorraine Hansberry Park had already been made on Google Maps — with the sign replaced by the end of summer. “Would Lorraine Hansberry want her name to replace a name which celebrates the identity of a neighborhood, a community family of immigrants and artists and exiles seeking a better life?” said JD Noland. It was a big NO from the neighborhood…
By Wednesday, NYC Parks Department had reversed its decision to rename Hell’s Kitchen Park. Instead, across 10th Avenue, there will soon be a Lorraine Hansberry Plaza. Details here…
After primary day, Andrew Yang conceded the race for New York City Mayor, Bottcher was the clear leader in Council District 3 and Corey Johnson trailed in the voting for City Comptroller. More here…
We’ve gotten a little break from the heat lately but as temperatures begin to rise, there’s welcome news for when the next heatwave inevitably arrives: all outdoor pools throughout the five boroughs will open for the season today. Read more…
Everyone in New York has an opinion — and this picture by Victoria Whitelaw taken at the corner of 8th Avenue and W44th Street brought diverse reactions from W42ST readers on Facebook and Instagram.
Rose said: “This is why I love New York!”
Michael said: “This isn’t an example of community outreach. It’s an example of community negligence.”
Cindy said: “This picture is worth a million words!”
Daphne said: “I’m so grossed out that they are leaning on that trash can, and that man’s bag is on the floor.”
They were seen as a lifeline for bars struggling to survive in the midst of a pandemic, but now to-go cocktails are no more — and the announcement this week by Governor Andrew Cuomo left a bitter taste with owners still battling to stay in business. More here…
It’s not quite Hell’s Kitchen, but Waterline Square is making us venture a block or two north to explore the architecture, park and free sunset programming. This Wednesday saw a “romantic jazz trio” on the lawn. Our friends at I Love the Upper West Side have more details of future events.
On Thursday lunchtime, we rubbed shoulders with the lead actors of Hamilton and Tina as Shelly Fireman reopened Bond 45 on W47th Street. We also got updates on reopening for Joe Allen, Glass House Tavern, Bar Centrale, Orso, On the Rocks and Casellula. Details here…
The latest Bjarke Ingels Group (BIG) designed skyscraper to grace the west side, The Spiral is really taking shape — and what a shape it is! BIG won plaudits and awards with VIA, its distorted pyramid on W57th Street, and with The Spiral the design company is again thinking outside of the box. More pics and details here…
What we’ve been reading
Pam Real Thai is out (sadly) — but you’ll find Pure Thai Cookhouse in this ‘best of NYC’ list. (Eater)
Alvin Ailey Gala creates an explosion of hope. (New York Times)
Companies are keeping their NYC offices — but their future is a hybrid model. (Commercial Observer)
New York’s libraries are on their way back to full capacity. (NYPL)
Are we ready for another pandemic? This writer says no… (The Atlantic)
Freeze Frame
A heartfelt rendition of Happy Days Are Here Again brought to a close an intimate evening of burlesque at Bond 45. Speakeasy brought Broadway back to life — close-up and personal — and those 5 fabulous cocktails are my excuse that the weekly newsletter is a little late this morning.
Have a wonderful PRIDE weekend.