GET OUT OF YOUR COMFORT ZONE. BE A TOURIST. FALL BACK IN LOVE WITH THE CITY ... AND YOURSELF
THE BREAK OUT ISSUE
ISSUE 55 JULY 2019 FREE
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THERE IS SIMPLY NOTHING ELSE LIKE IT. THE NEW YORK TIMES
Minskoff Theatre, Broadway & 45th Street
GENUINELY ELECTRIC! NEW YORK MAGAZINE
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BROADWAY MAGIC! THE WALL STREET JOURNAL
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INTREPID MUSEUM CELEBRATES LEARN MORE! IntrepidMuseum.org/ Apollo50 #IntrepidApollo50
Photos: Rob Tannenbaum; Reist Photography; Erika Kapin; NASA.
Join us for exhibitions, events and programs that connect the science and innovation from the 1969 moon landing to the space exploration of tomorrow.
VOTE
SUMMER MOVIE NIGHT proudly supported by
for the Augus t 16 Summer Movie at IntrepidMuse um.org/ Movies Voting closes July 19
ALSO ON DECK SUMMER MOVIE NIGHT First Man July 19, Sunset
Dramatic Hudson River views from Pier 86 provide the setting for NYC’s most unique outdoor movie experience. This event is part of Intrepid’s Free Fridays. Admission tickets (free of charge) will be distributed first-come, firstserved before the show. Space is limited. The movie begins at sunset, weather permitting. Alcohol is not permitted.
INTREPID AFTER HOURS
FOR FAMILIES included with admission INTREPID ADVENTURES July 6 & 7; 13 & 14; 20 & 21, Noon Join us for enrichment programs designed to provide children, their siblings and parents/caregivers an opportunity to have fun and learn together. Ages 5–12. Register in advance. PLANETARIUM SHOW: GIANT LEAPS July 20, 1:15pm & 3:00pm Audiences will travel alongside astronauts on the Mercury, Gemini and Apollo missions to discover the techniques and technology that NASA had to invent and perfect before attempting a trip to the moon. PLANETARIUM SHOW: ON THE WINGS OF NEW YORK Monday–Friday, 3:00pm Explore the Empire State’s role in the history of flight and journey with us from our earliest attempts aloft to our giant leaps on the Moon.
ELINOR SMITH: THE FLYING FLAPPER OF FREEPORT Tuesday–Friday, 2:30pm In 1928, pioneering aviatrix Elinor Smith became the youngest licensed pilot in the country. Discover what it was like to grow up during the Golden Age of Aviation and much more.
ASTRONOMY NIGHT: APOLLO 11 ANNIVERSARY July 19, 7:00pm Celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Apollo 11 moon landing with a talk by NASA’s Noah Petro, deputy project scientist for the Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter, stargazing on the flight deck (weather permitting), shows in our pop-up planetarium and more! Register in advance. This event is part of Intrepid’s Free Fridays. For more Apollo events, visit IntrepidMuseum.org/Apollo. #IntrepidApollo50 INTREPID PRESENTS: TO THE MOON with the Upright Citizens Brigade Touring Company July 20, 8:00pm–9:30pm Join us in the Space Shuttle Pavilion as we celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Apollo 11 moon landing with a night of comedy, history and science with the Upright Citizens Brigade Touring Company featuring Lauren Adams, former NASA astronaut Mike Massimino and NASA’s Noah Petro, deputy project scientist for the Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter. Ages 21+. Wine and beer available for purchase with valid ID. Tickets: $15 (General)/$10 (Members). Purchase online: IntrepidMuseum.org/Events.
PIER 86, WEST 46TH ST & 12TH AVE intrepidmuseum.org
2019 © Intrepid Museum Foundation. All Rights Reserved. Except as permitted under applicable law, this work may not be copied, published, disseminated, displayed, performed or played without permission of the copyright holder.
Summer in Times Square
FREE CONCERTS AND MORE
BROADWAY BUSKERS Tuesdays, 5–7pm Broadway Pedestrian Plaza between 43rd & 44th Streets Broadway actors and composers perform their own original music, from Tony Award and Pulitzer Prize winners to veteran ensemble members and actors making their Broadway debuts in new hit shows.
DRAW NYC WITH STREET LAB Wednesdays, 12–3pm Broadway Pedestrian Plaza between 43rd & 44th Streets Use artist prompts or draw from your own inspiration in an open-air art studio for all ages and abilities. Seating, materials, and live music accompaniment are provided.
JAZZ IN TIMES SQUARE Thursdays, 5–7pm Broadway Pedestrian Plaza between 43rd & 44th Streets Give your Thursday night a new rhythm as Jazz at Lincoln Center brings New York City’s hottest young jazz bands to the plaza.
Brought to you by
Full Schedule: TSQ.org/Music
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Stop me if I’ve told you this story before. About six years ago, on my walk to work, Defying Gravity came on my shuffle mix. That anthem from Wicked became my personal hymn. The lyrics – about a woman discovering her power, of taking a leap into the unknown without fear – spoke to me deeply. They led me to give up my job and become master of my own destiny. And while it hasn’t always been easy, at least I’m flying free. In this issue, we celebrate those who have defied gravity and broken free from their
CONTENTS July Edition
20
comfort zone. I hope you’re inspired.
Ruth Walker Editor
PEOPLE
THE TEAM THAT BROUGHT YOU W42ST
PUBLISHER PHIL O’BRIEN
EDITOR RUTH WALKER
phil@w42st.com (646) 267-9028
ruth@w42st.com (646) 847-9645
FOUNDING EDITOR SIMON KIRRANE
SOCIAL MEDIA EDITOR SANDRA MANGAN sandra@w42st.com
SENIOR ART EDITOR LEE CAPLE
PARTNERSHIP DIRECTOR DREW DARGIS
lee@w42st.com
AMBASSADOR HERSHEY MILLER
drew@w42st.com (646) 896-9562
CONTRIBUTORS
DANE LACHIUSA KRISTEN JONGEN CLAUDIA CHUNG SOPHIA STRAWSER
VANESSA ETIENNE JOE DELAHUNTY GREGOR COLLINS MICHAEL MUÑOZ ELIZABETH DURAND STREISAND
MIKE MASSIMINO JACQULINE REASON JANNA DAVIS THOMAS HUTCHINGS BRIAN DAVIS SAMIA FAKIH
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be used without written permission of the publisher ©2019. Please note: Every effort has been made to avoid errors, misspellings, and omissions in this publication. However, if you spot one please accept our sincere apologies.
12 WEST SIDE STORY
How news anchor Tamsen Fadal faced the humiliation of a very public divorce.
Why homelessness is now getting closer to home.
25 HUMANS OF HK
Meet Glen Graham, filmmaker and photographer.
15 EVENTS
Our pick of the big events you MUST see this month.
17 SOBER IN THE CITY
When you find comfort in the crazy, sometimes your best choice is to stop.
26 BE A TOURIST
If you can’t beat them, join them: 16 ways to fall back in love with this crazy city.
30 CHANGE MAKERS
Seven people who broke out of their comfort zone and never looked back.
19 PARTY PEOPLE
Were you at our Pride issue launch party at Flaming Saddles last month?
20 THE BIG SLEEP OUT
Spend the night in Times Square? In December? With only Will Smith and about 1,500 other people for company?
58 GALLERY
Hashtag your Instagram photographs #W42ST to get involved.
66 LAST WORD
Gina Greenlee gives you permission to
GRATITUDE TO OUR BRILLIANT, VISIONARY PARTNERS
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T HE ROB ERT W. WIL SO N M CC T H EATER S PACE 511 W EST 52N D STREET
FEARLESSNESS SPOTTED AT 52ND & 10TH. new musical / SEP 18 thru OCT 27, 2019
THE WRONG MAN
book, music, and lyrics by ROSS GOLAN music supervision, vocal arrangements and orchestrations by ALEX LACAMOIRE choreography by TRAVIS WALL directed by THOMAS KAIL
new play / OCT 3 thru NOV 10, 2019
SEARED
by THERESA REBECK directed by MORITZ VON STUELPNAGEL
new play / FEB 6 thru MAR 15, 2020
ALL THE NATALIE PORTMANS by C.A. JOHNSON directed by KATE WHORISKEY
new play / MAR 19 thru APR 26, 2020
NOLLYWOOD DREAMS by JOCELYN BIOH directed by SAHEEM ALI
new play / JUN 4 thru JUL 12, 2020
PERRY STREET by LUCY THURBER directed by THOMAS SADOSKI
WARNING Our 2019/20 season may grab you and not let you go.
LEARN MORE
T I X AT M CCT H EAT ER .O RG / (64 6) 5 0 6 - 93 93 photo DA PING LUO
do something you’ve never done before – where will that take you?
26
EAT
40 THE KITCHEN GAILY
Michael Muñoz begins a new regular column. This month – do you dare to leave your favorite Thai place and try somewhere new?
43 PLAYLIST
A night owl performer chooses her go-to places to eat, drink, and play in the neighborhood.
45 DAYLIST
A day in the life of an Off-Broadway producer with a thing for Star Wars.
OUT
46 BREAK BOUNDARIES
In Broadway’s down time, take the opportunity to explore some of the most out there shows in town.
56
12 LIVING
64
30
48 STUDIO LIFE
Virtual reality and other true stories behind the doors of one of the world’s most iconic recording studios.
COVER ARTIST Jacopo Degl’innocenti (aka
55 HEY NEIGHBOR! Finding your tribe in HK.
56 HOME COMFORTS
Japa) is a Brooklyn-
A pop of color for any living space.
based Italian
STYLE
illustrator/animator and artist. Born and raised in Florence, Italy, he moved to NYC in 2010. He has exhibited his work in shows in NYC, Pittsburgh, Santa Monica, Tokyo, and Italy. japa-art.com IG: @japa_art
60 HOT STUFF
Why would anyone want to breathe while they exercise anyway? #overrated
63 ALL IN
The diaries of extreme change – and why Claudia wouldn’t have it any other way.
PETS
64 WAGGING TALES
Two pages of Hell’s Kitchen’s most handsome pets. Get involved by emailing waggingtales@w42st.com.
11
WEST SIDE STORIES
12
DIGITAL EDITION
WEST SIDE STORIES
Feel
THE BUZZ
After a very public divorce, Tamsen Fadal had to rediscover her comfort zone … starting with Times Square Interview Ruth Walker My HK story
I moved to New York from Philadelphia, to W57th St - 11th Ave because CBS was right across the street. The building was literally just being built at the time, but I had to get up at 2.30am to be in the studio for the morning news, and I thought: “I’ve got to sleep until the very end.” When I moved to that area, people went: “What’s over there? Nothing’s over there!” Now, there’s a Starbucks, there’s a grocery store – but Hell’s Kitchen has never lost its charm and its New York grit. That’s what I love about it.
When my marriage ended …
I felt very naked. I felt like everybody knew everything, and I felt failure. I spent a lot of Saturday nights on my couch ordering pizza, and watching TV going: “Oh my gosh, this is the new single.”
IMAGE: EMILIO MADRID-KUSER / BROADWAY.COM
I love Times Square!
I just love the energy of it, because it reminds me of the time before I moved to the city. So I’d walk from my house, through Times Square, and go all the way down to the Flatiron, then the Village, and just kind of weave through the city on a Saturday, remembering who I am. And that’s what I had to do to get back into my comfort zone.
I re-did my entire apartment
I had no money at the time – I was severely in debt, and my job was kind of rocky. But I went through everything,
every sign of “us.” I had no furniture for a long time – it was me and two Chihuahuas. And I think that my turnaround happened when I realized that this was my stuff again. I remember putting this slate color paint on my bedroom wall and a slate color on my closets and I went: “OK, it’s me.”
I never intended to be the poster child for divorce
But it felt like mine was so public at that point that I had to say something, and, trust me, I did not want to. But I learned as I went along.
Somebody asked: “Why are there recipes in your divorce book?”
Because it was all parts of my life. It wasn’t just: “I’m going to get on a dating app now and start over again.” I had to eat alone again, I had to cook for myself. This was about a life change and what was important to me was to get through that with dignity and with self worth, and respect, and feel good on the other side of it.
What I learned along the way
I think I learned that I’m only going to find my happiness in myself. In the relationships that I’ve had since, I’ve learned not to put it on somebody else. I’ve kept that independence and I like it, and I actually think it’s more attractive to the other person. I learned that I can do things on my own, and that keeping that independence within a relationship is really, really important.
DIGITAL EDITION
BIO Tamsen Fadal is an 11-time Emmy award winner and executive producer and host of Broadway Profiles for The Broadway Channel. She was named a “Power Woman” by Moves Magazine. Living in New York City, she gives back to
I like where I am today
I love what I’m doing. I love the fact that I’m at a television station that is really New York, because it is always where I wanted to be. I’d like to tell more stories of people – I do a segment at the station called Change Makers. I try to find people that are disrupters, whether it’s a nonprofit, whether it’s a for-profit, whether it’s changing things in children’s lives, or changing things in the world of make-up. I enjoy storytelling and I want to do it on a bigger scale.
My HK go-to spots
9th Ave is one of my favorite streets – I feel like you can be in a different country every night eating. I love Hell’s Kitchen, the restaurant, because I get their Brussels sprout tacos all the time – they’re so good. They have three kinds of guac too. Then Room Service for Thai. And Westerly Market is where my juice bar is – that’s like real, old school juice, not fancy juice.
My happy place
the community through charitable organizations, focusing primarily on breast cancer and animal rescue funds. A PIX11 news anchor, she’s the author of the book, The New Single. TAMSEN’S HK Signature Theater, W42nd St - 9th/10th Ave Hell’s Kitchen, 9th Ave - 51st St Room Service, 9th Ave 47th/48th St Westerly Market, 8th Ave 54th/55th St
I just love to walk in the city and explore. That’s when I can think and I’m not looking at my phone all the time. That’s when I’m happiest physically. Mentally, I still like a little bit of the old school in terms of reading and spending time with friends. I enjoy opening up a nice bottle of wine and talking. Connecting to me is huge and I think that’s what New York is all about – that’s what drew me here and that’s what’s going to keep me here.
13
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Discover amazing art, music, food and drinks at Summer Nights by Wells Fargo on the plaza at Hudson Yards.
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Your Summer Nights Are All Set. Thursdays July 18th and July 25th The plaza by the Vessel 5:00 – 9:00 PM Come enjoy food from New York’s favorite food trucks and a beer garden for 21+. Also featuring live performances and DJ sets throughout the evening. Access the Wells Fargo Customer Lounge with premium viewing and complimentary bites.* Find out more at hudsonyardsnewyork.com/events/summernightsbywellsfargo
*While supplies last. Simply show either your Wells Fargo debit or credit card, Wells Fargo Wallet/App to gain entry. © 2019 Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. All rights reserved.
420
What’s On Dragon Spring Phoenix Rise
Bard in the Park
Toni Stone
Celebrate the solstice with a spot of free Shakespeare – and a performance of A Midsummer Night’s Song on July 19. hudsonriverpark.org
Toni Stone is an encyclopedia of baseball stats. She’s got a great arm. And she doesn’t understand why she can’t play with the boys. This new play from Roundabout delivers a theatrical glimpse into the world of the first woman to go pro in the Negro Leagues. roundabouttheatre.org
Ozyfest
The Great Lawn in Central Park hosts an eclectic festival of music, comedy and ideas, with a lineup that includes John Legend, Trevor Noah, Malcolm Gladwell, Padma Lakshmi, Spike Lee, and a bazillion more. All on July 20/21. ozy.com
54 Sings Miley Cyrus
Pier 84
The largest pier on the Hudson hosts tai chi on Monday evenings, fishing on Sundays, and jazz monthly (July 11) at 7pm hudsonriverpark.org
ILLUSTRATION: DANELACHIUSA.COM
July 4
Fire up the barbecue, lay the picnic blanket, and have a wonderful holiday, everyone! songs like ‘The Way You Do the Things You Do’, and former wife of Kris Kristofferson plays the Iridium on July 10 and 11. theiridium.com
Dance on Camera
concerts, with an emphasis on world music, and much of it free. July 13 sees a special 20th anniversary celebration of the Latin Grammys. cityparksfoundation.org
Coriolanus
The genius of Eddie Jefferson and the elegance of Nat King Cole come together in one performance from Brooklyn-born, Harlem-raised Allan Harris. At Dizzy’s Jazz Club on July 9. jazz.org
Film at Lincoln Center festival, from July 12-15, features a lineup including dance luminaries Carlos Acosta, Anne Teresa De Keersmaeker, Merce Cunningham, and more, with personal appearances by Robert Fairchild, Bobbi Jene Smith, Sol Picò, and Charles Atlas. filmlinc.org
Rita Coolidge
SummerStage
Free Fridays
A Tale of Two Kings
The Grammy-winning singer of
July 2019 with Intrepid Museum, we bring you free entry to the aircraft carrier on July 19, from 5pm to 9pm. Highlights include a screening of First Man, a pop-up planetarium, and a chance to view the night sky through high-powered telescopes. intrepidmuseum.org
A kung fu musical that tells the story of a secret sect in Flushing, Queens, that possesses the magical power to extend human life, and the twin brother and sister caught in the struggle to control it. Yes, we did say a kung fu musical. theshed.org
Broadway performers sing their favorite Miley numbers for one night only, at Feinstein’s/54 Below on July 7. A portion of the proceeds will be donated to the Happy Hippie Foundation, a nonprofit founded by the singer to support homeless, LGBTQ+ youth, and other vulnerable young people. 54below.com
NEWS
A whole summer of outdoor
DIGITAL EDITION
The second half of The Public’s free Shakespeare in the Park performances begins on July 16 – a modern-day version of the Bard’s drama about a general voted into power by a populace hungry for change, and the unraveling that follows. Sound familiar? publictheater.org Continuing W42ST’s partnership
Broadway’s Rising Stars
See the next big names on the Great White Way – all hand-picked from the most outstanding new graduates, and introduced by Tony Nominee and former Broadway Rising Star, Ali Stroker. At the Town Hall, July 22. thetownhall.org
Lincoln Center Out of Doors
The annual festival of events at Damrosch Park begins on July 24 with Soul at the Center, in which five-time Grammy winner Lalah Hathaway performs classic songs by her father, Donny Hathaway. Queer pop duo The Illustrious Blacks start off the night with their disco-infused Afrofuturist funk, along with poetic R&B singer Baby Rose and hip-hop forefathers The Last Poets. lincolncenter.org
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PEOPLE
Comfort in the crazy
L
You’re busy. We get that. We all are. So what if (crazy thought) you … just … stopped?
et’s face it if you are reading this column, and you are a sober person living in America, by default, you are already out of your
IMAGE: JULIO NUNYO
wheelhouse. When I hear the phrase “comfort zone,” my mind conjures up images of dull, suburban life. I imagine the cliché notion of being a bored housewife or a doormat of a man. I then jump to the banal solution of signing up for karate classes or learning a foreign language. Maybe it’s because I grew up in the 1980s with movies like Fried Green Tomatoes and Ferris Bueller’s Day Off? The basic storyline is this: boring life needs excitement. To me, this epitomizes comfort zone challenges. However, as always, New York City challenges my presumptions, because it’s a cliché in reverse. Since New Yorkers are already insanely busy, our comfort is in the crazy. What if the constant hustling is the boring AF equivalent to pushing the snooze button? What if, instead of picking up a new activity ... we let go? Be honest, I just hurt your feelings, didn’t I? Could it be that staying home alone and sober is the most
uncomfortable thing you can fathom? I knew it! What if, instead of stacking our schedules, we committed to paying attention to one person for an entire evening? What if we started with ourselves? As an addict, I find life on life’s terms generally insufferable. Left untreated and to my own vices, I would wake up and immediately eject myself from reality. Whether it is to drink, smoke, turn on the news, down a pot of coffee, shop online for hours, zone out on social media, check dating apps, flirt, gossip, ruminate, make to-do lists, eat two sharable-sized bags of M&Ms (don’t you judge me!), remain obnoxiously busy, engage in flings, and, yes, even attend a million 12-step meetings, this girl knows how to escape. Am I alone? So, in honor of Manhattan’s specialness, and our comfort in overload, I have jotted down some kooky, out-of-the-box ideas. They are sure to ruffle a few feathers and might be the disruption your spirit is looking for.
Below: Kristen has a 10-step program to getting real with yourself.
“What if, instead of stacking our schedules, we committed to paying attention to one person for an entire evening? What if we started with ourselves?”
You game? Here goes: 1. Call your mom and give her your undivided attention. Yes, you read this right. 2. Be your own best friend. 3. Stay in and learn how to cook something for yourself. 4. Do not post to social media for one full week. 5. Tell the truth. Don’t exaggerate a single thing. 6. Check on your friends and ask them about them. 7. Do something kind for someone and keep it a secret. 8. Sit with uncomfortable feelings. Don’t run away (this may require going to bed at 7pm). 9. Call your congressman and local politicians. Let them know your opinion on a matter that is important to you. 10. Repeat this phrase all day long: I Am Enough. Busy can be boring too. We are enough without all the extras. Our challenge is to get comfortable sitting with that. We have quiet work to do, Boo. I see you. Your friend,
Kristen
About KRISTEN
An internationally recognized author, artist, and motivational speaker, Kristen has written and published two books and is the voice behind Soul Soup books, prints, and greeting cards. Listen to her weekly Sober in the City podcast. If you’re having a hard time with drugs and alcohol, find support meetings at nyintergroup.org
DIGITAL EDITION
17
I CK D R O PK ! AR C HY I R T A P T HE
THE NEW MUSICAL COMEDY FROM BE MORE CHILL TONY AWARD ® NOMINEE JOE ICONIS
VISIT W42ST.COM/BOUNTY TO ENTER TO WIN A PAIR OF TICKETS! Begins July 9 • BroadwayBountyHunter.com • Greenwich House Theater, 27 Barrow Street, NYC
PEOPLE
OUT& ABOUT
W42ST PRIDE
ISSUE LAUNCH
T
he heavens opened and the monsoon fell. Not ideal weather for a party in the park. But Flaming Saddles came to the rescue at the 11th hour, and our Pride party was relocated so the show could go on. Susie Mosher hosted like the true star she is, and we were entertained by John Koladziej, Sucia, Travis Moser, Benjamin Hey, Gregory Driscoll and Fab The Duo, On The Quays, ... as well as the Flaming Saddles dancing cowboys, of course.
DIGITAL EDITION
Clockwise from top left: Sarah Brown sees double; Travis Moser screlts Linda Rondstadt; Michael Muñoz and Travis Oestreich dress for the occasion; the Pride cover by Olgun Kaşıkçı; the perfect triptych of Brianne Demmler, Susan Pazos, and Elizabeth Moss; Janet Krupin from On The Quays. Left: Tony Kitch and Korcan Cinar.
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THE
BREAK OUT ISSUE
Sleep
TIGHT There can hardly be a harsher month than December to be sleeping rough in New York … which is exactly why Josh Littlejohn wants you to do that! Words Ruth Walker
DIGITAL EDITION
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BREAK OUT ISSUE
DIGITAL EDITION
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BREAK OUT ISSUE
R
emember Live Aid? It’s the brainchild of a 31-year-old Simultaneous concerts sandwich shop owner from Scotland with taking place in London, a passion for social justice and a knack Philadelphia, and around for getting things done. “I left university the world in 1985 and set up an events company for a common cause: to fight called Capital Events.” explains hunger in Africa. Josh Littlejohn. “I caught the There has been no event bug for entrepreneurship Homelessness in New since that has made the and loved making things in York City has reached the same kind of global impact my head become a reality. highest levels since the Great or mobilized people in the But I felt a yearning to Depression of the 1930s. same way … until now. do something more than In the depths of the New chase profit, and I stumbled York winter, 1,600 people will across a book by a man named sleep out under the stars in Times Professor Muhammad Yunus, Square, joining 50,000 others around the where he described the concept of a world, in 50 other countries, in public ‘social business’ – setting up businesses spaces and private back yards. London’s to help others. Trafalgar Square. Chicago’s Lincoln "I travelled to Bangladesh to meet Park. New Delhi. Edinburgh. Santiago. Prof Yunus and toured around his social Barcelona … all to raise $50 million in a enterprises for a week in 2011.” bid to end homelessness. This was the inspiration for Social
Below: Josh starts the sleep out early.
Bite. “When we started that seven years ago, it was just a sandwich shop that we operated as a social business, giving away all profits to good causes,” he says. “We met a young man called Pete, who was homeless and selling a magazine called The Big Issue, outside the front door of the shop and he came in one day and asked us for a job. When we offered him employment, it was the beginning of our engagement with the issue of homelessness. The The United Nations ethos of the shop evolved had every country to offering employment in the world agree that, to homeless people and by 2030, every homeless allowing customers to ‘pay person will have access it forward’ to provide free to adequate, safe, and food to those in need. affordable housing. “My own passion for the issue has grown over the years as I’ve met and become close friends with many people from a homeless
There’s an average of 14,826 homeless families with 21,709 homeless children, sleeping each night in the New York City municipal shelter system.
DIGITAL EDITION
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background. When you learn about This, in turn, will provide a blueprint people's stories and the cards they for addressing homelessness that can were dealt, it really gives you a sense of be replicated either by other private empathy and understanding of how individuals, other charities or people can become homeless.” governments in Scotland or Social Bite has welcomed further afield.” George Clooney and Leo To raise money for this In New York City, nearly DiCaprio as customers, ambitious project, his first 4,000 people sleep on the and last year Prince big event was the CEO street, in the subway system, Harry and Meghan Markle Sleep Out in Scotland in or in other public spaces. paid a visit. In 2016, Josh 2016. “We got 350 of the co-founded another social UK’s business leaders to enterprise, the beer company sleep out on a cold November Brewgooder, where 100% of the night and raised over £550,000. profits go towards providing clean water. After seeing that success, we launched In 2017, he was awarded an MBE from the Sleep in the Park in 2017, which became Queen, and was named one of the 500 the focal point of our campaign to end most influential people in the UK. homelessness in Scotland. Social Bite has grown to include five “We continued building on that shops, a delivery service, a restaurant, momentum and, in 2018, our Sleep in the and an academy that trains homeless Park events, which we held in four cities in people to work or volunteer. And last Scotland, saw 10,000 people join together year he opened the Social Bite Village, to sleep out for an end to homelessness a radical solution to homelessness that and raised £8m over two years. provides safe, supported accommodation “The support and turnout we received and skills training for up to 18 months. in 2017 and in 2018 moved us to take the “The overall ambition is to create Sleep in the Park concept to the global a full circle solution to the issue of stage so that we can inspire the whole homelessness,” he says, “from housing world to act. And that’s how The World’s support to employment … swapping a Biggest Sleep Out was born.” destiny of poverty and exclusion for one In New York, on December 7, Times of compassionate support and inclusion. Square will be packed – not with
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tourists and abusive Elmos – but with hundreds of people trying to stay warm in sleeping bags. “Times Square is such an iconic and globally recognizable location,” says Josh. Sleep The large majority of outers can look forward street homeless New to being read a bedtime Yorkers are living with story by Will Smith (Helen mental illness or other Mirren does the honors severe health problems. in London) and seeing some of the world’s biggest musicians perform buskerstyle sets. “We see this as a one-time global moment to draw attention to the need to end homelessness around the world,” he says. “This moment is meant to start a conversation that the Institute of Global Homelessness and other partner organizations will continue in collaboration with city officials and agencies, as well as prioritizing global Above: Will Smith homelessness in the United Nations will read a bedtime Sustainable Development Goals story to the crowds in throughout 2020 toward a 2030 deadline.” Times Square. A full 100% of the money raised will go to the cause – 50% going to local nonprofits here in New York City, including the Robin Hood Foundation, Ali Forney Center, Coalition for the Homeless, and Breaking Ground; the other 50% going to charities that help some of the 68.5 million people who are displaced globally, who have lost their homes through war, natural disasters, or extreme poverty. “It will be incredibly symbolic to have 1,600 people from all walks of life sleep out under the stars in solidarity with homeless and The World’s Big Sleep Out campaign displaced people in what aims to raise a target is effectively the centre of of $50 million, which will the universe,” says Josh. help an estimated 1 million “In this global moment, homeless and displaced we’ll raise funds to people. tackle homelessness and displacement, while sending a message to the world’s political leaders to ensure that everyone has a safe place to call home. It’s going to be a beautiful and inspiring night, regardless of which city you’re in, but New York is one of our flagship locations, so it’s going to be extra special.” bigsleepout.com
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PEOPLE
Humans of
Hell’s Kitchen Glen Graham is a filmmaker and photographer originally from the Bronx. He comes from a family of business owners and entrepreneurs, and started his career selling framed pictures at the Ninth Avenue International Food Festival, as well as in pop-up events around Hell’s Kitchen. Today, he’s directing his first movie, 9-5 Killers, a documentary that focuses on a group of fearless individuals who left the security of their day jobs in pursuit of their passions. To find out more about Glen’s work, visit @glenshootsthecity on Instagram, or follow his 95killers podcast on Spotify and Stitcher. WORDS AND PHOTOGRAPH BY JOE DELAHUNTY
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16 WAYStobe A TOURIST We can’t all afford beach houses in P Town (or take advantage of friends who can). So for those of us spending summer in the city, here’s a crazy thought …
IMAGE: GARY HERSHORN
Words Ruth Walker
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THIS IS THE BIGGIE. Go to Times Square. See it through the eyes of someone new to the city. I dare you. The awe. The energy. It’s the most famous place on Earth, FFS. Around 330,000 people pass through its plazas every day. Drink that in for a moment. Insane, right? It kind of makes you proud. OK, now you can leave …
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site of a 2005 mafia hit, whose victim was dismembered and burned in the basement furnace. On a lighter note, you could also visit the onetime home of Alice Austen, one of America’s first female photographers, built in 1690.
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HAVE A REUBEN AT KATZ. As our favorite neighborhood diners are closing overnight, to be replaced by a Starbucks or a TD Bank, experiencing this LES gem is like stepping back in time. Sit at the When Harry Met Sally table if you can nab it. Simulated orgasm optional.
TAKE A TOUR. Seriously. You think you know all about this crazy, complex city already? OK, let’s talk about Andrew Haswell Green, the Father of Greater New York (and why he deserves more than just the dog run and bar named after him). How about Jane Jacobs? Or John Randel. The Manhattan Passport tour takes four hours, and travels from Battery Park to Lincoln Center (don’t worry, there are snacks along the way), and explains how New York got to be this way. Bonus: it’s led by Hell’s Kitchen native Ina Lee Selden.
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TAKE THE STATEN ISLAND FERRY – and stay for a while. Get spooked at the abandoned Kreischer Mansion, said to be one of the most haunted places in New York and
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GAIN A NEW PERSPECTIVE on your fifth-floor walk-up by visiting the Tenement Museum. A series of apartments that were once home to working-class German, Jewish, Chinese, and Italian immigrants, it brings their stories vividly to life. You’ll never complain about not having a washer dryer again. OK, you probably will … RIDE THE CYCLONE AT CONEY ISLAND. Opened in June 1927, the rickety old wooden coaster was all set to be demolished in
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Opening photo and below: Gary Hershorn's magnificent new photo book, New York Celestial, takes a lyrical look at the city as it dances with the light and shadows of the sun and moon (newyorkcelestial. com)
the 1970s. But – huzzah! – it was fully refurbished and lives to roll another day. Don’t let the – ahem – extremely rare deaths on board put you off. This is my all-time favorite thing to do on Coney Island. Afterwards, grab a Nathan’s to steady your nerves. Take the Q all the way, baby. The journey takes around an hour.
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PLAY SHUFFS. The noble sport of shuffleboard is not just for septuagenarian Floridians. The Royal Palms Shuffleboard Club is a glorious, flamingo“We are still very bedecked destination much in love with NYC for hipsters who – here’s how we keep it fresh: shuff. You don’t we eat at a new restaurant (mostly even have to play if in Hell’s Kitchen) once a month and find you don’t want to. an adventure (tour, event, bar, food, etc) in They have tropical another borough every couple of months. drinks aplenty, We also challenge ourselves to find fun oversized board freebies (events, museums, concerts) – games, a rotating it becomes a fun game of what can we get for free!” roster of food trucks, Leanne Buckley and resident DJ. Take the R train to Union St and walk the last five minutes to the Gowanus hot spot.
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restaurants are way cheaper than Manhattan, so you can afford to splurge on a cab home.
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GO FOR GOSPEL BRUNCH. Head to Sylvia’s in Harlem. Be prepared to wait. Fill your face with the finest soul food – fried chicken, cornbread, collard greens, grits – while being serenaded by glorious gospel. The walls are lined with photographs of famous past diners, presidents and celebrities. Sylvia’s has been doing this for 55 years, so let’s just say this girl knows what she’s doing. Take the 2/3 train to 125 Street and walk the minute to Malcolm X Blvd.
the heart of Riverdale. The views across the river are spectacular – making this one of the most stunning spots in the whole of the city. Regular events include Frog and Toad Day, a celebration of pollinators, and artist talks. Take the 1 train to W242nd St and a free shuttle will take you the rest of the way.
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VISIT THE DECEASED AT GREEN-WOOD CEMETERY. Some of the most famous residents include JeanMichel Basquiat and Leonard TAKE THE Bernstein. But this PLUNGE AT Brooklyn graveyard “I like to explore the city ASTORIA is about more than using city walk cards (you can PARK POOL. It’s just the dead. A check them out on Amazon). It’s a only one of the National Historic good way to fall in love with the city because each card includes a little map largest public pools Landmark, it was of every neighborhood and guides you on in the country, founded in 1838 various points of interest in that area. I've complete with and is packed to done Chinatown, Little Italy, and have 330-foot main pool, the heavens with lots more to go. It’s cool to see all the Olympic-standard cherubs, gargoyles, people who make NY their home.” diving pool, plus and grand Victorian Lori Nelson wading pool for the mausoleums. If you get kiddies. Nestling in the a chance, check out the shadow of the RFK Bridge, it’s catacombs – they only open free to use (bring a lock so you can once a year. The R train will take you secure your belongings while you swim). there – it’s about a five-minute walk No food, glass bottles, or phones/laptops from the 25th St station. are allowed, ensuring peace and quiet for all, and plain white is the dress code. GO TO JERSEY. I know, I Sunscreen is provided. Take the N/W to know. But, face it: they have Ditmars Blvd and you have a 15-minute the best views of Manhattan walk to the pool. from across the Hudson. Take a ferry to Hoboken for a spot of shopping or a GET BACK TO NATURE quick cocktail, then pick up a CitiBike AT WAVE HILL. Gardens, and follow the river to Liberty State wild flowers, shady spots, Park for views and a picnic. End your and an elegant 19th-century mansion in day with dinner in Jersey City. The
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Above: News flash: shuffleboard is for hipsters.
BIKE TO THE LITTLE RED LIGHTHOUSE. In the shadow of the GW Bridge, this is a 40-minute cycle along the river … or a leisurely two-hour walk with the wind behind you. It was immortalized in the 1942 children's book The Little Red Lighthouse and the Great Gray Bridge, by Hildegarde Swift – which celebrates the idea that even the smallest among us can have an important role to play.
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GO TO GOVERNOR’S ISLAND. The ferry leaves Battery Park every half hour (the early ferries on the weekend are free) and, in just seven minutes, you’re in a sanctuary of undulating hills, art, and architecture. This former military outpost was closed to the public for 200 years, and was only opened to visitors in 2006. Explore by bike (you can bring your own on the ferry, or use CitiBike once you’re there), take a nap in Hammock Grove, have a picnic with a view, or go glamping! “Everyone needs a different view of their loved one from time to time and this is a beauty,” says Susan Mooney. “Lady Liberty, downtown Manhattan, Jersey City, the coming and going of the Staten Island Ferry. Oh yeah, the cushy tents and good food help a lot!”
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DISCOVER DEAD HORSE BAY – a beach covered in broken porcelain dolls, glass bottles from the 1950s, and shards of 19th-century horse bones. Also known as Bottle Beach, this is a true, freaky Brooklyn curiosity. Take the 2/5 train to Flatbush Ave, then the Q35 bus will take you the rest of the way.
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WILD CARD. Take the subway to a neighborhood you’ve never been to before. Keep your phone on silent, don’t check the map, and just … walk. Explore. Linger over a coffee. Talk to people.
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was six years old when I watched Neil Armstrong take those first steps on the moon 50 years ago,” says Mike Massimino. “I saw that happen and wanted to be an astronaut. But it wasn’t until I was in college and saw the movie The Right Stuff that my dream was rekindled and I decided to try to do something about it.” The first person to tweet from space, and holder of a team record for the number of hours spacewalking in a single space shuttle mission, Mike applied for the space program four times, and was rejected three of those. On the fourth try, he was selected. “I’m not a natural thrill seeker,” he says, “and I don’t like heights, so I had to fight through my fears to make it to space. But some things in life are worth a risk.” Waiting for lift off, he recalls a feeling of disbelief: “Is this really going to happen?” Followed by the “most awesome feeling of speed and power.” The experience taught him he has an emotional connection with our planet. And that, while overcoming obstacles isn’t easy, they should never prevent someone from pursuing their dream. Now he’s back on Earth, he’s still occasionally pushed out of his comfort zone. And: “I still don’t like heights.”
Change
MAKERS
How does it feel to break out of your comfort zone? We asked seven people – including an astronaut who's afraid of heights
Mike Massimino grew up a working class kid in Long Island with a dream of going into space. After two missions to the Hubble Telescope and four space walks to repair the telescope, he is now the Senior Space Advisor to the Intrepid Sea, Air, and Space Museum, a Columbia University professor, best-selling author, and a recurring character on The Big Bang Theory.
“I went into space.” Mike Massimino
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hether you go home and tell your family you want to make your living as a writer or an artist when you're in your teens and early twenties – or when you're over 50 – the reaction is pretty much the same. They’re not quite sure what to say and think you’ll get over it after a few rejections. In the last year, I’ve lived consistently outside of my comfort zone. I spent an extended stay in Mexico, gifted by a former boss-turned-friend and mentor. I lived in the artisan village of Teotitlan del Valle near Oaxaca. The region is known for its rich culture, delightful cuisine, and production of Mezcal. Though not proficient in the language, I embarked on the opportunity anyway. I took part in my first Dia de los Muertos and other indigenous festivals, I visited ruins, and completed my first two-act play, Under the Bridge, inspired by my adolescence in the Riverdale section of the Bronx in the late 1970s. A mother of three daughters and a grandmother of eight, I spent most of my professional career in higher education administration. I wasn’t a theater kid in the traditional sense. Born in the US Virgin Islands, I moved to the Bronx when I was four, so was well aware of the Broadway stage, but it wasn’t part of my immediate experience. But I do recall being struck by Lorraine Hansberry's A Raisin in the Sun. It changed my life to see a relatable story on stage, and I’ve always lamented losing the young, gifted, and black playwright in her prime. In summer 2017, I survived a devastating accident. While recovering and enduring extensive physical rehabilitation, I often thought about all the things I hadn’t done, and decided to pursue whatever brought me joy. One of those things was to take part in a Pithy Party – a staged reading of works in progress by the theater group Playful Substance. That ten-minute period of seeing others react to my work, watching actors be vulnerable, and experiencing the intimacy of the live stage convinced me it was the career I wanted to pursue for the foreseeable future. The accident showed me I can’t wait for other people’s approval, or ask permission to live the life I desire. I wouldn’t say it’s my year of saying yes, but I haven’t uttered a lot of no's.
“I decided to pursue whatever brought me joy.” Jacquline Reason
Above: After a devastating accident, Jacquline decided this would be her year of choosing joy.
In May, I performed my first storytelling gig at How to Build a Fire at Open Source, a Brooklyn Art Gallery. I’m currently volunteering as a desk exchanger at The Artist Co-op, in Hell's Kitchen, and learning the theater business from the outside in. I’m also interning as a production assistant and costumer for the new theater company HoneyVic Productions. And I recently stepped into the role of
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Priscilla for the Saturday matinee in the Off-Broadway show Accelerating Change. In the audience were the family members who have always supported me, and I celebrated my 55th birthday the day after my first stage performance since elementary school. The most important lesson I’ve learned is that age ain’t but a number, and sometimes life comes full circle.
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IMAGE: MENG JOHNSON
“I fell in love with a woman in her 90s.” Gregor Collins
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n January 30, 2008, I was eons away from my comfort zone. I was sitting in a Beverly Hills kitchen I didn’t really want to be in. Any moment a 92-year-old lady named Maria was supposed to come round the corner. All I could think about was that I didn’t belong here. If I belonged anywhere, it was a casting office. "Rewind three weeks … my friend Tom, a fellow actor, had answered an ad on Craigslist for a caregiver position. He got the job, moved into a house, and started telling me about this amazing woman he was living with. "Then one day in early January, he called me: 'We need another caregiver.' Aside from the maid once a week, Tom was pretty much the only one at the house 24/7. I tried to convince him I’d be the worst caregiver on earth – that I wasn’t certified, had no medical knowledge, and was frightened of hospitals. But soon the guilt set in. And, since starving artists have to eat, I agreed to meet her. "When she wheeled around that corner on her walker, Tom helped her into her chair, she caught her breath, and with a smile as wide as the 405 Freeway, turned to me and said: 'And you must be Gregor.' "Her voice was like a human songbird. That was it. I fell in love at first sentence.
Within the first week we were already an item – she at 92, and me at 32 – but it felt like we were both in our 20s. Even her family was astonished at how quickly 'Mom' took to me. "Maria and I started missing each other when it wasn’t my shift (I still lived in a studio in Hollywood), and I would visit her even on days off. We shared an impish wit, so we giggled all day long at each other’s jokes. "And then there was her childhood. During our sidewalk strolls, she reminisced about her upbringing as a Bloch-Bauer – one of the wealthiest, most influential families in Europe at the turn of the 19th century. Her Aunt Adele Bloch-Bauer would host salons where all the artistic luminaries of the day (Gustav Mahler, Richard Strauss, Stefan Zweig) would gather for tea and fellowship. One of the regular guests, the artist Gustav Klimt, painted a portrait of Adele in 1907, which became The Gold Portrait. "In 1938, when Maria was just 22, Adolph Hitler coasted past her window in a jeep, waving to the jubilant citizens of Vienna. Hours later, she and her husband Fritz fled the Third Reich, eventually nesting in Los Angeles, where I would meet her 68 years later. In 2015, four years after Maria’s death, they made a movie called Woman in Gold, about how, in 2006 at age 90, Maria
Above: Maria with Gregor; The Gold Portrait, Klimt's painting of her Aunt Adele. Opposite: Gregor now tours the country, talking about his book, The Accidental Caregiver.
recovered The Gold Portrait the Gestapo had stolen from her Uncle Ferdinand. Maria was played by Helen Mirren. "I remember the moment I realized she was the most important thing in my life. About a month into caring for her, my acting agent got me a last-minute audition for the TV show Sons of Anarchy. I convinced Tom to cover my shift while I sped down Olympic, waited for my name to be called, marched into the casting room, and … nailed it. After I finished, the casting director asked if I could wait around to meet the director, who was in a meeting. That shit NEVER happens. But it was Tom’s day off, and he was none too happy. As I sat tensely in the waiting room, I couldn’t bear it any longer. I leaned into the CD’s office and said: 'I have to go.' "She stared at me in disbelief, as if no actor in history had prioritized a day job over an acting job. As I strode into Maria’s vestibule, I felt … relief. I was home. My deepest love, acting, had officially been replaced with my deeper love: Maria. It was frightening as hell at first. But once I let go, I was set free. Maria died three years later, on February 7, 2011. At her funeral, her daughter Margie pulled me aside and said: 'I want you to know that you were my mother’s last great love.' Deep down I already knew it. But hearing it from her daughter, with a choked voice, I broke down and cried like a baby. "It’s funny – I was always looking for my big break. But it turns out my big break never came in a casting office. It came in a house on Danalda Drive."
July 19, Aug 16, Sept 27 DIGITAL EDITION
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OR ORDER ON
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In the city grab some Nittis
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omething very peculiar happened in my mid-thirties. I'd moved to NYC, having met my husband through a mutual Facebook friend, and, after a year of long-distance dating and a proposal, I moved to the city to see if we got along as well in person as we did from opposite sides of the country. "Uprooting and setting up a new life was in and of itself peculiar, but this was actually the third time in my adult life making such a move. The truly peculiar thing happened at a very ordinary day at work. "I had been working freelance with a company for about a year when I found out that one of my co-workers was a Rockette. This lady, let's call her Roxy to be adorable, was well-postured and beautiful and, to use a word from my commercial acting life, aspirational. In one peculiar moment, I thought: 'I could totally do that.' "Now the 'that' for me was professional ballet. To be fair to myself, in this moment of quarterlife crisis/catharsis, I did have some dance training. But at 18, after not being accepted into a handful of companies I had auditioned for, and with some other life-altering events not conducive to a ballet career, I decided to quit. "Fast forward to a week after The Moment. I was in my first ballet class post 15-year hiatus. Sure, there may have been teenagers next to me at the barre and, sure, someone may have asked if I was 'one of the moms' but I made it through … and it wasn't terrible! "Five beautiful/terrible years later, I’ve just finished my first professional contract with a company. None of it was easy. I spent three of the five years in near constant pain with a mystery injury that kept me in all the doctors’ offices and all the physical therapy. I took a significant financial loss in order to go to auditions and continue my training. My pride took a hit as, even though I was told that I was progressing, the doors seemed to stay, in general, firmly closed. "And, brace yourself because this is going to sound so trite: I would do it all again. I was happier in the moments of pursuing my peculiar mid-30s dream than I was when I finally got the result I was looking for. "I still want to do more performing. I want to dance at the Metropolitan Opera and I have fantasies of being a wrinkly-faced, grey-haired icon inspiring older dancers that it’s never too late for their particular dreams. But really, I could hang up my pointe shoes today and feel like 'I totally did that.'” jannadavis.com
“I became a professional ballerina … in my 30s!” Janna Davis
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“Taylor Swift convinced me to move to NY.” Brian Davis
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n August of 2014 I was struggling. I was living in Indianapolis, my triad was falling apart, and I couldn't seem to find clarity. “I love seeing live music, but on this night the concert was heartbreaking and I was lost. I went on a long walk across town in the wee hours of the morning. The more I walked, the more I cried, until I rounded a corner and there were no streetlights and everything was pitch black. “Then, in an instant, all around me exploded with the light of fireflies. I’m not sure how to explain what came next, but I had a spiritual experience face-down on a giant plastic turtle and ended up accepting a feeling that it was time for me to move out. Of my home, which I co-owned, of my triad, of my family, of my life. To take a break. “Six days later I had an apartment on the other side of town. I leaned into the space that move provided and soon it became clear that this was not just a break.
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Above: Brian says: "I’m not sure how to explain what came next, but I had a spiritual experience face-down on a giant plastic turtle ..."
It was one of the hardest things I’ve ever done. But I got divorced and began a new life of sorts on my own. In this new life I learned a lot about myself and grew until, a year later, I got a new call. A call that, if I wanted to keep growing, I would have to go further, give up more … would have to leave my city and my friends and the only state I’d ever called home. “One night while visiting Nashville, through a strange sequence of events, I obtained floor seats to a Taylor Swift concert. Somewhere in the middle of her belting ‘Welcome To New York’ I got another spiritual call and just knew ... New York it is. As soon as I got home I started making plans to move when my lease ended. (I still wear a TS1989 bracelet to remind me that the spirit moved me here.) A few months later I sold my car and took a plane here. No job, no apartment, knowing no one. I stayed that first month in 18 square feet at a hostel run by the Hare Krishnas. It was amazing being here. Every day I took the train to a different
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public library in a different neighborhood and would walk around to explore and try to see if it felt right to live there. “I saw two men I didn't know kiss on the street for the first time. I'm queer and I'd spent so much time in queer spaces and with queer people I didn't realize I'd never seen that in public involving strangers before. Beautiful. “I went to see nude Shakespeare in the park. I went to a drag/punk show. I embraced all the things that would never have happened in Indiana. I went to every queer/poly event I could. I came to love the city quickly and moved into a tiny 150 sq ft studio that felt absolutely enormous after my time in the hostel. I'm still not sure what I'm here to do, but I know I'm here to grow … and I have. “Every time I'm confronted with a choice between comfort and growth, I try to choose growth. Growing is hard but amazing and keeps my heart open so that I don't miss my next call. Who knows where I'll end up next or who I will become?”
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s an entrepreneur, I’m definitely classed as a risk taker. However, like the extrovert/introvert question, everyone has a
little bit of both. “At a time when I felt my life was falling apart, a friend asked whether I would be happier being on a carousel or a rollercoaster. It was an easy choice – rollercoaster. I stopped my pity party and got back on the more thrilling ride. “However, the choice can be more difficult when it’s literal. My kids had taken the Cyclone at Coney Island and wanted dad to join for a second ride. I was terrified – but did it. When I went with my girlfriend to the same place for her birthday, her key wish was to go on the Cyclone, but I got scared and said no. Shame! “I’m from a background where Mum wouldn’t let me cross the road on my own until I was 11 years old. I didn’t have a passport until I was 25. My risk taking is probably in reaction to that cosseting and lack of adventure. “So landing in New York six years ago was out of my comfort zone – but I was open to new adventures. Exploring. This I did with relish. I re-read the first three days of my journal from that arrival recently (I stopped journaling after that) and there was an immediate and conscious effort to do new things, meet new people. I’d never lived in a big city before. “Last year, I realized that I’d settled into a life that could resemble a carousel. It’s so easy to not go that extra mile (or that extra block). Hell’s Kitchen was defining my life – but in some way was confining it. What could I do? My work is here – but should that restrict me? “Then my lease came through for renewal. Much like New Year’s Resolutions, this can be the New Yorker’s opportunity for self-examination. Questions, options, consolidation – all focusing the mind on change. “After five years in one place, it was time to try something new. I’ve been living a gypsy life since the fall, staying
“I climbed back on the rollercoaster.” Phil O’Brien
Above: The ride is very different when the rollercoaster is literal.
no more than two months in one place, sometimes through the generosity of friends, sometimes when co-workers are traveling, sometimes through an app. I’ve stayed in the Upper West Side, Sunnyside, Scarsdale, Ditmars Astoria, and Hamilton Heights. I love the ride, but it is a roller coaster, with successes followed by a crisis of confidence. Is this a responsible thing for a 56-year-old guy to be doing? I’ve been out of my comfort zone. “The wonderful thing is that it’s made me explore the city again, has let me see
different cultures and lifestyles, and given me the drive to push further. I’ve spent the weekends exploring totally new places, from Staten Island to The Bronx to Bushwick. “Researchers looked at emergency records and found that roller coasters accounted for 10% of all injuries to children at amusement parks, while carousels accounted for 20.9%. “Playing safe may not always be the best bet – you can fall anywhere. Ditch the carousel and get out of your comfort zone.”
July 19, Aug 16, Sept 27 DIGITAL EDITION
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thef laneur
group• show
noun: fla neur | flâneur •
Coined by 19th-century French poet and critic Charles Baudelaire, the term flâneur describes a person who walks the city in order to experience it.
June 20 - August 7, 2019 Curated by Adam Yokell MORE THAN A GALLERY. A MOVEMENT. 702 NINTH AVE. AT 48TH ST. NY, NY 10019 212.262.2756 | TUE-SAT 11-7, SUN 1-5 FOUNTAINHOUSEGALLERY.ORG @FOUNTAINHOUSEGALLERY FOUNTAIN HOUSE GALLERY AND STUDIO PROVIDES AN ENVIRONMENT WHERE ARTISTS LIVING WITH MENTAL ILLNESS CAN EXPRESS THEIR CREATIVE VISIONS AND EXHIBIT THEIR WORK. This program is funded, in part, by generous support from the Hearst Foundation, Inc., the Renate, Hans and Maria Hofmann Trust, the Robert Rauschenberg Foundation, the David Rockefeller Fund, and the Laurie M. Tisch Illumination Fund.
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6/4/19 11:12 AM
THE
BREAK OUT ISSUE
“I quit the comfortable job that was killing me.” Thomas Hutchings
I
was hospitalized for a week over the 2015 Christmas holiday with flu symptoms and abdominal pain. My fever was a little over 104F, and each day was a medical wake-up call for me to stop waiting around for someone else to make my life better. There's really nothing more clarifying than five nights of fasting in severe pain while living on an IV drip of constant antibiotics, sugar/salt water, and morphine to wake up a sense of mindfulness and duty about your true impact on the world. “I was consistently told by each doctor I saw over these five days that I had made it just in time. Another day and I may have had an abscess from a serious colon infection. It was a very severe diverticulitis attack that would require me to have the damaged portion of my colon removed a few months later, in February 2016.
Above: A week in hospital clarified Thomas's vision of following his dream.
“I’d been living a double life, burning the proverbial candle at both ends, with a day job at a tech company that put me in a comfortable place financially, while pursuing my passion of music and saxophone at night and on weekends. I wasn’t fulfilled at my job and the stress of it is likely what made me sick. “I had some stock equity, so I worked there until about June 2016, then launched my own business around music production and digital distribution, with a focus on building and supporting a community of artists with the same collaborative vision. “The people I worked with at the time probably thought I was crazy to leave such a secure job with great benefits, but they’ve never been on a Grammynominated album or national television, or performed for thousands of people at Lincoln Center, so I didn’t really expect them to understand.
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“It felt exhilarating and terrifying all at once. I had no idea whether or not I could really make music a full-time sustainable career. But I have no regrets; just anxiety of what's next. “The most surprising thing is how serendipitous my life has become now that I’m spending most of my time being creative and spending more time around creative people. It’s been amazing seeing how the universe kind of guides you along when you show up and do what you are passionate about. “Would I do anything differently? My only regret is not doing it sooner. Sometimes I lie awake at night thinking about how I could have spent 18 years focusing on a music career. But I also feel like it was all preparation to become a better entrepreneur. I needed the experience of surviving first in order to really know when the time came that I could strike out on my own.”
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EAT
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DIGITAL EDITION
EAT
Eaters of
HABIT
I
Always going to the same old Thai? Or ordering from your favorite burger place? Michael Muñoz has a challenge for you
n a world where our options have become endless, and our attention spans have allegedly shortened, are we really taking advantage of all that life has to offer? One would think I’d be more inclined to do something out of my comfort zone than others. I mean, I’m a born and raised New Yorker. Sometimes just walking down the street or getting on the smelly subway car is a risk! But even this foodstagrammer can struggle to find new places to eat, great bars that aren’t my normal haunts, places to take a date, or just even a new cafe with WiFi. I end up defaulting to what I know and what is comfortable – which is crazy. I’m the goto food guy. Maybe the new NYC slogan should be “Welcome to New York, where even the locals won’t leave the comforts of their neighborhood to explore.” It also always amazes me when I meet tourists – and, living in Times Square, I meet many – who are excited to go to the Olive Garden or the Hard Rock Cafe, or even stand in the longest line ever at a Starbucks. They’ve come so far and spent so much money just to do the same things they can do at home? Then there are the “foodie” tourists to whom Yelp is god. Whatever happened to strolling through a neighborhood and falling into a cute hole in the wall where the drinks are cheap and the food is epic? But then I look inward and discover I’m no different. I have my favorite coffee
shop (St Kilda, on W44th St - 8th/9th Ave) and my friends and I are always at the same restaurants/bars (El Centro, 9th Ave - 54th St/anywhere with a Pride flag). Why? Could it be that we have too many options? Is it a fear of the unknown? Pure laziness? Or maybe all of the above? Well, this always hungry New Yorker is about to break that habit, and maybe yours too. In the span from W34th St to W59th St between 8th and 12th Avenue there is an entire food scene to explore. One that it’s time we all fell in love with again. For example, I often say that I haven’t found great Italian food in the neighborhood, which is not true … I’m really just watching my figure. In fact, Mercato (W39th St - 8th/9th Ave) and Nittis (W39th St - 9th Ave) both have solid menus. Just walking a few more blocks to have dinner will not only introduce a world of flavor, but is also great for the waistline. Don’t get me wrong, I love an unlimited soup, salad, and breadsticks moment, but you’re in the greatest city in the world, so why
DIGITAL EDITION
Above: Michael’s goto’s include Pam Real Thai, El Centro, and St Kilta for coffee. Left: Yum! Mac & cheese!
not walk an extra avenue and see what you stumble upon? Even for those adventurous diners, Ethiopian food may not be a cuisine that pops right into your head. Myself included. It’s always Mexican, Asian, and mac & cheese. But two of the best Ethiopian restaurants in the city are right in this neighborhood – Meske, on W47th St - 10th Ave, and Queen of Sheba, 10th Ave - 45th/46th St. These are places that make their own bread, where the food is rich in flavor, and is built for sharing. Hello, date night! Talk about going out of our mac & cheese comfort zone. So let’s suppose you agree with me. Right now, you’re thinking: “Michael, I accept the challenge and I’m moving out of my comfort zone. Here I am walking down 9th Ave, but I really just want that juicy burger from Hard Rock, or Room Service for Thai.” You’re in luck. Walk a few more blocks and you’ll find a neighborhood staple, since 1996 – Island Burgers & Shakes (9th Ave - 51st/52nd St) where the burgers are juicier than Pam Anderson in a wet bathing suit. Or try the unassuming Pam Real Thai (W49th St - 9th Ave) which, in my opinion, has some of the best and most authentic Thai in midtown. The point is that, unless we’re eating balut, that tasty Filipino duck egg with the embryo in it, nothing we stumble upon will be that unfamiliar to us. So how do we get motivated to actually step into the unknown? Are we to forever stay under our security blanket of warm breadsticks and bowls of pasta as large as our heads? In a world with endless options and alleged short attention spans, let’s instead take full advantage of our options, move past those not paying attention, and gorge on those special finds. Jimmy Carter once said: “Go out on a limb. That’s where the fruit is.” I bet that’s where you’ll run into me.
About MICHAEL
A home-trained cook and university trained performer, Michael makes food fun and accessible through his blog, The Kitchen Gaily. And things get downright saucy in his podcast In Yo Mouth, with longtime friend, Marie Cecile Anderson.
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A musician’s
PEOPLE
Playlist 1. International Grocery
9th Ave - 40th/41st St This shop has been tucked away under the Port Authority overpass since the 1960s and has such offerings as authentic Italian prosciutto, Greek yogurt, barrels full of every possible spice, and a wall full of coffee beans from around the globe. It’s a staple on our weekly grocery run.
2. Sullivan Street Bakery
W47th St - 10th/11th Ave This bakery has quickly made itself indispensable. On Sunday morning (that’s 1pm for night owl musicians like us) we trek across 10th Ave for dark roast Italian coffee and bomboloni (that’s delicate Italian donuts filled with chocolate or raspberry jam – yowza, delicious!).
3. On The Rocks
10th Ave - 48th/49th St My absolute favorite HK watering hole: tiny, dimly lit, exclusively soundtracked by the Rat Pack, and stocked with a daunting number of whiskeys. You’ll get a damn fine Manhattan with real Luxardo cherries, and a welcome from Howard, the honorable purveyor himself, a lovable scamp and a true blue Brooklyn original.
4. Valentino & Jet Hair Salon
10th Ave - 54th/55th St When I found Eve, I knew she was The One. Eight years later, she and the amazing staff at this salon are the only people who touch my hair unless I’m on set. Lovely ambiance, warm and capable staff, coffee/tea/cucumber water while you wait, this is where I go to get zen ... and gorgeous locks.
5. Manhattan Plaza Health Club
W43rd St - 9th/10th Ave This HK institution serves the strangest mixed bag of clientele to ever break a sweat in the same place. It’s a major source of stress relief and serotonin. And there’s a pool with a glass roof. And cycling studio. And a climbing gym. Did I mention the pool? Oh, good. Pool!
Playlist
IMAGE: XANTHE ELBRICK
Sunday Kind Of Love by Etta James You’ve Really Got A Hold On Me by Smokey Robinson & The Miracles Fire Away by Chris Stapleton Groove Me by King Floyd Bad Baby by West Side Waltz Stefanie Londino is a proud Jersey-girl-turned-New-Yorker. She is an actor and musician, most notably as the front woman for folk rock band West Side Waltz, and from that Virgin Casino commercial where she says the line about balls. She has been a happy HK native for eight years, where she lives with her partner Paul, seven instruments, and an evergrowing horde of houseplants. westsidewaltz.com
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$10 lunch special: burger, hand cut fries and select draught beer Mon-Fri 12-4pm Midtown and Hell’s Kitchen’s only upscale 401 west 50th street • 212.969.9703 plant-based restaurant and craft-cocktail bar. www.hiberniabar.com Brunch, Lunch, Dinner and Late Night menu available Daily happy hours from 3pm-6:30pm, and 10pm till close
246 West 48th 212-651-7247 ps-kitchen.com
$10 lunch special: burger, hand cut fries and select draught beer
$10 lunch special: burger, hand cut fries and select12-4pm draught beer $10 lunch special: Mon-Fri
burger, cut Mon-Frihand 12-4pm 401 west 50th street •select 212.969.9703 fries and www.hiberniabar.com draught beer Mon-Fri 12-4pm 401 west 50th street • 212.969.9703 www.hiberniabar.com
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PEOPLE
Off-Broadway producer’s
Daylist 8am
The Piano Factory, W46th St - 9th/10th Ave On my way to work, I love walking down W46th St. The Piano Factory is unlike any apartment complex I’ve ever seen. You get to walk by the Mathews-Palmer playground, with its perfectly fading mural, and then I pass Clinton Court and always wonder who lives in there. It’s like a little New York City fairy tale.
1pm
Vintner Wine Market, 9th Ave - 46th/47th St For lunch, I’m a huge fan of the sandwiches and salads here. The 4C Caesar is to die for. It’s simultaneously light and richly decadent. Or, if I’m in a rush, I’ll grab a slice from Patzeria on W46th St - 7th/8th Ave. The Runyonesque owner, Pat Robustelli, may he rest, was such a character and his establishment feels as NY as the Chrysler Building.
7pm
The Green Room 42, 10th Ave - 41st/42nd St Daniel Dunlow is making cabaret accessible and affordable with The Green Room 42. Have you seen Kenn Boisinger in residence here yet? Get over NOW for the funniest and most perverse show in Manhattan (one song includes the lyrics “someone’s always dying at Manhattan Plaza”). Or, head over to Birdland to check out the legendary Jim Caruso or gut-busting Susie Mosher and see some of the most bombastic talent in the city. And Kenny, at the Laurie Beechman/ West Bank Cafe, definitely needs a special shout-out for simply being the best.
9.30pm
Bar Centrale, W46th St -8th/9th Ave Most of my evenings involve being at one of our shows. Currently, A Musical About Star Wars is playing at St Luke’s on Restaurant Row, right by my favorites – Bar Centrale and Joe Allen’s (best banana cream pie in the city).
2am
IMAGE: PHIL O’BRIEN
Galaxy Diner, 9th Ave - 46th St I’ve found that most great New York nights seem to end up being slightly drunk and having a very late (early) breakfast at a classic diner, and Galaxy’s pancakes are out-of-this-world. Plus, it’s on theme with Star Wars, which seems to be consuming my life these days. Michael D’Angora has lived in Hell’s Kitchen and worked in Times Square for 15 years. He and his husband have been producing Off-Broadway shows in the neighborhood for the past decade (NEWSical, Naked Boys Singing, Marvelous Wonderettes, and now, A Musical About Star Wars) and he runs a promotions company that represents Broadway shows at the TKTS booth.
DIGITAL EDITION
OUT
If you’re comfortable, you’re not
DOING IT RIGHT Your definitive summer guide to surviving a fascist future, finding magic in Midtown, and BDSM
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Words Elizabeth Durand Streisand Illustration Samia Fakih
ew York City isn’t built for comfort. It’s built for excitement and surprise and pushing the boundaries. But even as New Yorkers, it’s all too easy to fall into a Netflix and chill routine – which is a shame, since you can do that just about anywhere. This summer, we challenge you to embrace the unknown. So we’ve rounded up some of the best boundarypushing shows all around the city that will help you justify your rent.
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Oscar at the Crown
Didn’t quite make it through The Importance of Being Earnest back in high school? Head to Brooklyn’s 3 Dollar Bill for a peek into a secret bunker in the not-too-distant fascist future. Turns out all that survived the political apocalypse were sequins, reality TV, and the complete works of Oscar Wilde. Oscar at the Crown falls somewhere between an immersive theater experience and, well, a rave. And once you go you might never come back. 21+
DIGITAL EDITION
Below: Netflix and chill? Or go back in time? You decide.
Say Something Bunny
Part detective story, part tragicomedy, Say Something Bunny is an immersive (but not participatory!) theater experience based on a wire recording of a man named David and his family hanging out in their Long Island living room roughly 60 years ago. Interdisciplinary artist Alison SM Kobayashi discovered this bizarre time capsule back in 2011 and proceeded to research every single part of the recorded conversation. The result is this show. A max of 24 people are allowed in for each performance in the
OUT UNDO Project Space in Chelsea. To tell you more than that would ruin it.
Never Sleep Alone
Only sit in the front if you are willing to come on stage and kiss strangers! That’s the first line of the show’s online description, which should give you a pretty good sense of what we’re dealing with here. A mainstay at Joe’s Pub downtown, Never Sleep Alone (based on the book of the same name) is a highly interactive show led by bestselling author Dr Alex Schiller that comes packed with advice about fulfilling your socio-sexual potential. All we have to say here is, you’re welcome.
Musical lets you do just that. Each night, a talented ensemble takes to the stage (currently that stage is at The Green Room 42, a hidden gem inside Yotel on 10th Ave - 42nd St) with no script, no rehearsal, and no plan. That’s where you come in. Better yet, The Green Room 42 serves food and drinks, but there’s no minimum. It’s a whole new world out there, folks.
“Only sit in the front if you are willing to come on stage and kiss strangers! All we have to say: you’re welcome.”
Blank! The Musical
Don’t feel like playing tonsil hockey with strangers? How about watching a bunch of strangers create a brand-new hit musical … with your help? Blank! The
Safeword
The headline here is this is a play about BDSM culture and what it would be like to have a professional dom living in the apartment right above you (well, kinda). Penned by S Asher Gelman, of Afterglow fame, Safeword focuses on two interracial couples who live in the same New York City apartment building. Spoiler alert: there’s a lot of bondage happening. The one-act play takes place at the American Theater of Actors in the heart of Hell’s Kitchen, so you officially have no excuse not to go.
DIGITAL EDITION
Magic After Hours
About
ELIZABETH
Elizabeth Durand Streisand is the CEO and cofounder of Broadway Roulette. Pick a date, give some info about what you like (and don’t like!) and spin the wheel for tickets to a surprise show – all for only $49 weekdays and $59 weekends! For even more adventure, try Beyond Broadway, a new, curated roulette of the best bets off-Broadway, for just $25. broadwayroulette. com
ICYMI, magic is hot right now, and this magic show takes it to another level – the 6th floor of a rather unimpressive-looking office building in Herald Square. It turns out that’s the home of Louis Tannen’s, the oldest magic shop in New York City (who knew?!). Magic After Hours is one part magic show and one part history lesson, as professional magician Noah Levine performs a mix of tricks and shares historical anecdotes while the audience enjoys drinks. Oh yeah, drinks are served at this one too. We’re feeling the magic already. 16+
Then She Fell
If you loved Sleep No More, Then She Fell needs to be on your to-do list. Situated inside The Kingsland Ward at St John’s, a century-old institutional facility, this immersive, multi-sensory experience allows audience members to explore a sinister Wonderland. Only 15 people are admitted per night, making this a distinctly intimate event where you get up close and personal with the dark side of the life and writings of Lewis Carroll. Discover hidden scenes, encounter performers one-on-one, and enjoy drinks designed by one of the city’s top mixologists. 21+
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Ch ch ch ch -
-
-
-
CHANGES DIGITAL EDITION
LIVING The Power Station recording studio is making way for the next generation of legends Words Ruth Walker Photographs Phil O’Brien
O
n a quiet block of W53rd St, shrouded in scaffolding, there’s a building that is almost mythical in the music business. Nile Rogers produced the first session there, and it became a recording home for artists from Springsteen to the Stones, McCartney to Madonna. The albums produced there are legendary – Brothers in Arms, Bowie’s Changes. Born in the USA. Sting’s 2016 album 57th & 9th is named after the intersection he crossed every day to get there. We’re talking about the Power Station. And the construction taking place behind that scaffolding might have been turning this iconic building into luxury condos, had Berklee college not bought it in 2017 – preserving its musical heritage and bringing the historic studio into the new millennium (official moniker: Power Station at BerkleeNYC). “This whole area used to be full of studios like this,” says Stephen Webber, executive director of BerkleeNYC. “There was Clinton Studios, and Columbia, which became Sony, and The Hit Factory.” Gavin Berger, director of advancement
DIGITAL EDITION
at BerkleeNYC, actually worked at the Power Station 36 years ago, making this quite the homecoming. “Yeah, same neighborhood different world,” he says. “That was when Hit Factory and Power Station had a big rivalry going on,” says Stephen. “The Hit Factory was the more chichi, upscale kind of place. Power Station was more working class.” The plan for the Power Station 2.0 is one of preservation through transformation. “When Power Station was built in 1977, it was the most hightech thing for 10 blocks. Now it’s a bit of museum piece. We’re not going to change the way that any of the studios look because they’re iconic and people would freak out. But we’re hoping to redefine what it means to capture live musical performances, so one of the things we’re doing is putting high-end video capability throughout all of the studios. The idea is that we could do a super high-end video shoot without even setting up a camera.” They’re installing the highest spec lighting, and a video control room on the lower level. “You’ll be able to have a director and multiple camera ops, and the color correction person all
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Secrets of the Dead: Galileo's Moon A copy of Galileo's revolutionary "Sidereus Nuncius" was discovered in 2005 ...but was it genuine?
TUNE IN or STREAM TUES JULY 2 8PM | PBS.ORG/SECRETS (check local listings)
#SecretsDeadPBS
LIVING
Above: Stephen’s collection of guitars lines one wall. Below: A photograph of Bruce Springsteen recording at Power Station; a banjo signed by Earl Scruggs and Bela Fleck; The Safehouse.
POWER STATION TIMELINE:
working in real time, so you could live stream it on social media. Or it will be broadcast quality, so if CBS or somebody wanted to do something live from there, they could. “We’re also delving very deeply into capturing live performance in 360 virtual reality with ambisonic spacial audio. I feel like virtual reality is going to be much more of a reality in the next 10 years, and we’re committed to trying to push the envelope there.” Meanwhile, all the vintage equipment – currently being stored safe and sound off site – will be restored to perfect working order. Which all comes at a cost. Ballpark: between $10m and $20m. And when it reopens next spring, it will remain a commercial studio, “because New York really needs that,” says Stephen. “New York is this wonderful music town, and if you’re going to call yourself a music capital, you have to have some great recording studios. That’s especially difficult here because of the real estate prices.” But while the financial climate is challenging, there’s still a lot of work to be done. “Especially right here. Every Broadway show needs a cast album. Even aspiring plays want to make cast albums, as a way to share the music and hopefully build up an audience.” A perfect example is Be More Chill. “Ian [Kagey], our new director of operations, engineered their album way back in the day. If it wasn’t for that album, they never would have made it to Broadway because it wound up blowing up on Spotify.” They’re in demand for film and TV scores too, including Ocean’s 8 and
1981: The Rolling Stones
1984: Bruce Springsteen
1984: Madonna releases
1977: Formerly a
release their studio album,
releases his seventh studio
her second studio album,
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album, Born in the USA,
Like a Virgin, recorded at
power plant, Power Station
Station. The album is
which was recorded at
Power Station. The album
is founded and rebuilt by
certified 4x platinum in the
Power Station. The album
is certified diamond and
Tony Bongiovi and Bob
US alone.
is certified 15x platinum
sold worldwide.
Walters.
and sold worldwide.
DIGITAL EDITION
51
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The Marvelous Mrs Maisel. “New York is starting to see some film score work again, because of the tax incentives.” Back in the day, few people knew what went on behind that anonymous front door on W53rd St. But that’s all set to change too. “In the past, it was very secretive, because celebs tried to be private instead of being on social media all the time. But we want to open the place up to nurture deserving artists,” says Stephen. “So we’ve been doing a lot of sessions for the Department of Education. We’ve been recording all the city jazz bands. We’ve been recording after-school programs. We’ve done teacher training sessions, professional development for teachers, and a bunch of free educational programs for the community. “We’re also going to be adding an educational mission when we reopen.
Above: Stephen Webber at the piano ... and on the decks.
Right now, the first and third floors of Power Station are where the main studios are. The second floor and the basement were underutilized spaces, so we’re reclaiming more space in the building and adding rehearsal rooms, classrooms, and a black box theater. There will be a little green room and a couple of dressing rooms. “The whole ecosystem will be professional music but also education. On the higher end, we’re going to be
offering three different masters programs. One in live experience design, one in an integrated approach to production and songwriting, and one in writing and design for musical theater.” And while all that heavy lifting takes place, they’ve found a temporary home just a block away, in an old piano factory on W52nd St owned by Clinton Housing. “The space is awesome,” says Stephen. “We’d been looking like crazy to figure out where we were going to go once we had to leave the building.” Gavin says: “I’ve done a lot of work for the 52nd Street Project and I know all about all the non-profits. I know Joe [Restuccia] so I reached out, met at this place ….” Next thing you know, the walls are painted, a new floor is laid, and The Safehouse is open for business. “We basically just brought stuff over from the recording studio,” says Stephen. “We haven’t done that much to it. We bought bistro lights for $20 a strand and they do a lot just to brighten things up.” The grand piano where Freddy Mercury played ‘Under Pressure’ is there. And Stephen’s own collection of guitars lines the walls. The battered leather sofas – the tales they could tell! – are all from the original Power Station. Their future remains to be written. powerstation.nyc
1991: Power Station
1996: Chieko and Kirk
2012: Bruno Mars releases
2017: The studio is
Station at BerkleeNYC
becomes the first
Imamura purchase and
Unorthodox Jukebox,
sold and renamed back
is scheduled
recipient of the Les Paul
operate the facility as
which was recorded at
to Power Station, by
to re-open in the spring,
Award from Mix Magazine
Avatar Studios.
Avatar Studios. The album
special arrangement with
after extensive
receives a Grammy Award.
BerkleeNYC.
for audio excellence and creativity.
2003: John Mayer releases
renovations on the W53rd St - 9th/10th Ave
Heavier Things, which was
The album is certified 3x
2015: Avatar Studios
2020: A newly modernized
recorded at Avatar Studios.
platinum in the US.
is placed on the market.
and high-tech Power
site are completed. VANESSA ETIENNE
July 19, Aug 16, Sept 27 DIGITAL EDITION
53
To think, the first time Matisse met Picasso, they had little in common.
Original art, Acrylic on canvas by Pablo Matisse, 2018. 16” x 20” “Mirror, Mirror” $1250. pablomatisse.com | @pablo_matisse
A lyrical look at New York’s romantic relationship with the sun and moon as captured in page after page of mesmerizing photographs. Pre order now for special discounts! Books ship in mid-July.
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Hey
neighbor! A neighborhood is more than just a collection of buildings, it’s the people who live there. Which is how Jesus Gutierrez knew he’d found home
Jesus Gutierrez
Profession: Marketing and e-commerce entrepreneur. Budget: $1,500 total for my boyfriend and myself. Moving from: Prospect Park, Brooklyn To: 9th Ave - 48th/49th St Why: To be surrounded by like-minded queer people to help my boyfriend, Sergio, and I expand our business of LGBTQ+ clothing and accessories (gayprideapparel.com). The company came to fruition when realized we wanted to wear our identity in a fresh
Above: Jesus and Sergio found their people in Hell’s Kitchen.
way. We designed a couple of shirts, created some tanks, and suddenly became the premier online LGBTQ+ apparel store. We now have over 10,000+ followers on social media and are on our way to donate over $2,000 to local LGBTQ+ organizations. Why 9th Ave: We fell in love with 9th Ave when we first moved to NYC last spring. We stumbled upon the 9th Avenue International Food Festival while exploring our new city and immediately knew this was where we belonged. The culture, the people, the food. It was our place. It took us a year, but we finally found a lovely fourth-
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floor walk-up, above a great Mexican restaurant that reminds us of our southwest roots. The broker experience: We found our roommates on Reddit. On the tick list: I didn’t want more than two roommates. What I learned along the way: To not be too picky and just go with the flow. We had to make some sacrifices and had to let go of our strict list. We quickly learned that we wouldn’t be able to live alone on our budget, so we decided to find a place with one or two roommates. We got lucky and the found the perfect situation. We are living with another queer couple and sharing a two-bed/onebath with brand new hardwood floors and ... A DISHWASHER! What sealed the deal: Being close our favorite bars. My new favorite thing about living in Hell’s Kitchen: Tasty Hand Pulled Noodles on 9th Ave - 45th/46th St has won my heart
VITAL STATS 9th Ave - 48th/49th St # of floors Five # of units 12 Amenities - not many lol
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LIVING
Neon state of mind
Show your love for New York with this neon silhouette with an illuminated heart in the middle. The wall art comes with a choice of state: New York, California, or Florida. $225, uncommongoods.com
Shape of water This dark blue, teardrop-shaped ottoman on wheels gives your place a comfy pop of color. $59.99, athome.com
Step outside of
THE BOX
Who says you can’t make some stylish changes while keeping your favorite place nice and cozy?
Morning motivation
These handcrafted, porcelain mugs come in a variety of colors and phrases to start off your day with a smile. $5.99, target.com
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Time cycle
The farmhouse collection from The Accent Shop offers this cute green bicycle clock, perfect for a nightstand. $74.95, theaccentshopinc.com
Hello sunshine
These bamboo decorative mirrors can be bought in a set of different sizes to add a little sun-shaped fun. $79.90, zarahome.com
LIVING
Chevron delight
A vibrant graphic yellow accent pillow can bring your room to life. Modani has a ton of patterns and sizes to keep things modern. $29.99, modani.com
What they said!
This motivational wall décor speaks for itself! $13.99, sincerelynot.com
Over the rainbow
Good vibes
Why not have a rainbow in your room? These handmade heavy crystal bowls come in two sizes and can double as ashtrays. $59, beambk.com
Tapestries are all the rage now. This colorful abstract Music & Rhythm piece comes in three sizes and can turn a plain wall into an art display. $84, wayfair.com
Comfort of strangers
Society6 is home to hundreds of artists who sell their work printed on a variety of consumer goods – and your purchase of this spring marble comforter helps support the artist who created its design. $119.99, society6.com
Do the twist COMPILED BY VANESSA ETIENNE
This giant twisted floor lamp has a curved design, bottom to top, and is filled with a colorful cocoa leaf pattern. The lamp stands 72” tall and is the perfect way to literally give your room a twist. $522.90, wayfair.com
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GALLERY
#W42ST Hashtag your Instagram pics and they could star in the mag!
Let's go outside. Whether it's the street, your stoop, a balcony, or your fire escape, this is the season for summer sunsets and brightly colored cocktails. Join us, won't you? Happy July! Remember, anyone can be featured on these pages. Just tag your images #W42ST and you could be the one whose photograph ends up in the next issue.
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GALLERY
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Get your
STYLE
HOT ON
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STYLE You want great abs? Well, right here’s where you start paying … in sweat. Sophia Strawser shells out
Y
ou know that feeling that is every underground subway station in NYC in the summer? Well, try paying for that heat, but add in a bit of yoga. Surprisingly much more enjoyable than my daily commute, Balance Yoga Barre is a studio in the Herald Square area, and Lauren, the owner, was nice enough to have me try it out. Crazy Core is a sweet little halfhour class which, would make it the perfect lunchtime workout. And trust me, when they say “crazy” they mean it. My core was fighting just about as hard as I do to get the last piece of cherry pie on July 4. Life or death kind of hard. Lauren is extremely docile and seems like the type of person I’d want as my workout fairy godmother: whimsical, toned, and trying to make dream(body)s come true. It was a lot of what you would expect: a lot of mat work, twisting and crunching, but it all flowed nicely so you never popped out of the poses, dreading getting back into them. Next, I dabbled with Barre Flow. I’m the queen of a barre class, having tried out quite a few around the city, but this was different to anything I’m used to. Half yoga, half barre, it’s the class you want when regular yoga doesn’t give quite enough toning, but full barre doesn’t give you enough lengthening. I do a lot of lifting, so to have this kind of class on my active rest day is a dream. And who doesn’t like feeling like a ballerina for an hour or so? I came back a few days later to round out my week with some hot yoga. Now,
I’ve taken hot yoga before, but it’s been a while (and that’s been on purpose). I had no other option than to go home right away for a shower. But this is also NYC, so I had to mentally prepare being on my 30-minute subway ride with baby hairs flying up from my curls as if screaming due to the heat, while my face stayed a perfect shade of tomato. No soulmates were met on the subway ride home, although a few may have been scared away. However, I’m happy to say that the class wasn’t quite as hot as some others I’ve been to. I’m not sure why, but I refuse to fight the ability to breathe during class. What a concept! Breathing during a workout? So progressive. All the instructors have a kindness to them that makes you want to do what they tell you, not because they’re screaming at you, as some other instructors around the city are inclined to do (gives a little side eye). It’s similar to that feeling of doing something because you don’t want to disappoint your parents. For a few hours that week, the Balance Yoga Barre instructors were my parents. (You’re still number one Mom, don’t worry). Overall, I highly recommend the Crazy Core and BarreFlow two-class combo. It’s a solid hour and a half but, with the yoga incorporated, you won’t leave feeling like you’re going to collapse on the subway steps. Go meet your workout fairy godmother, go sweat somewhere else other than the subway, and go make your (temporary) parents proud. See you all next month. Till then @SophieStrawser.
“No soulmates were met on the subway ride home, although a few may have been scared away.”
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balanceyogabarre.com
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“
INGENIOUS BUBBLE ” WIZARDRY. -THE NEW YORKER
Telecharge.com or 212.239.6200
For groups or birthdays call 866.642.9849
New World Stages 340 W 50th St.
GazillionBubbleShow.com
STYLE
Make that
CHANGE
I
It won’t be easy, says Claudia Chung, but it’ll be worth it
n order to quit smoking, I regularly drank until I got too drunk to hold a cigarette. To stop consuming sugar, I replaced it with stevia. And to curb my spending, I went old school. I pay for everything in cold, hard cash. Have you ever tried paying your dentist in cash after some mold work? I have and it’s super uncomfortable. I once heard someone say: “Big changes first come slowly and poorly.” And not only do I find this to be absolutely true, all kinds of funky things happen to me when I want to change. For instance, I expect to lose seven pounds in one week if I cut out all carbohydrates. Then I expect to find the man of my dreams because I’m seven pounds lighter. And, of course, l’ll move into his apartment on Central Park West and we’ll live a happy, carbfree life together. Forever. This never happens. Instead, I eat way too much to compensate for all the carbs I can’t eat. I’ll eat four eggs with six sausages. But no toast. I’ll order a case of Lily’s chocolate bars and eat
an entire bar every single day. Fruit is forbidden, so I’ll replace it with sugarfree chocolate pudding — the same ones Bill Cosby use to hawk. And in one week’s time, I am fatter, epically single, and still living in a tiny, wheelfree NYC Winnebago. Sometimes, it’s the things we don’t do that are the bad habit. For example, I procrastinate. I get lazy and brush off adult responsibilities like cooking, cleaning, and paying bills. And when I start slacking off on the big ticket items like writing and meditating every day – that’s when things can become hairy. They’re the two cornerstones that keep me on the beam. After I became a widow, I got addicted to TV. I couldn’t be alone in my home without having it on. I would be on a schedule depending on what was coming on and at what time. If the TV wasn’t on, I felt anxious, lonely, and sad. I also got addicted to reading the news and
IMAGE: ILONA LIEBERMAN
“All I knew was I couldn’t handle silence. I was in a coma — away from life.”
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About
CLAUDIA
Claudia Chung is a writer who moonlights as a school teacher. She is currently working on a book of essays and stories on the trials, tribulations, and the funny in being a young widow.
browsing the internet on my phone. And I did this while the TV was on. All I knew was I couldn’t handle silence. I was in a coma — away from life. But at some point I woke up and an opportunity came my way. A path to change. For me, I had to move home. I no longer own a TV. I still read the news, but with purpose. And never, ever on my phone. I’ve changed everything about my relationship with digital entertainment. I was – and still am – all in. Will I ever own a TV again? Probably not (unless I meet someone and it’s a dealbreaker for him, like smoking is for me). I just know that if I have one in my home, I’ll simply binge watch some crap on Netflix. And before I know it, I’ll have it on a 24-hour rotation. Instead, I’m committed to the change I made. I’ve learned that, if you truly want to break your bad habits, you have to go extreme on yourself. Take it seriously. Be in the no-matter-what club. And get ready to fail like nobody’s business. Why? Because it’ll be worth it. If it isn’t, why bother in the first place?
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PETS
Wagging Quarterly
Human’s name: Ryan Brodsky. Age: Four. Breed: Boxer Pit mix (or, for the haters and landlords, an American White Tipped Boxit). What makes me bark: When Dad says he’s going to pick me up and extends his arms. I don’t like to be picked up. He also has a bunch of drones and toy helicopters I bark at, chase, and down with nearly a 100% success rate. Three words that me best: Loving, friendly, chill. Confession: I love to stalk and hunt birds and rats. I caught a pigeon once. Instadog: @quartersruffhouse
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Little Cat Human’s name: Damian. Age: Ten years old. Breed: Mackerel tabby. What makes me meow: When someone gets out of the shower, I meow at them until I get a snuggle on the bed. Three words that describe me best: Snuggly, loveable, and I purr easily. Confession: I will eat anything ... even things cats won’t eat, like pancakes.
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Zayn Human’s name: Eric. Age: Three. Breed: Miniature Pinscher. What makes me bark: Horses! Are they just giant dogs? Three words that describe me best: Cuddler, silly, loving. Confession: I’ve eaten a few sandals. Instadog: @zayntheminpin
SUPPORTED BY
tales
These camera-happy cuties took a time out for a quick Q&A with W42ST
Amanda Jackson Human’s name: Christine. Age: 10. Breed: Boston Terrier, Cairn Terrier, and Golden Retriever mix (I did the DNA test!) What makes me bark: Skateboards. Three words that describe me best: Zen (except around skateboards!), handsome, and smart. Confession: I like burping in my mom’s face.
Humans’ names: Jamie and Aunt Cindy. Age: I’m threeish. Breed: Staffie mix. What makes me bark: I’m a well-trained service/support dog for my human with significant autism, so I’ll bark when an unsafe person tries to approach Jamie. Or if my new best friend (aka a dog or person I’ve never met) is not noticing me or rubbing my belly. But that’s rare – I’m popular!! Three words that describe me best: Lover, loyal, goofy. Confession: Jamie is a pushover for treats.
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Dog day care
FOR FREE
Be featured in Wagging Tales – and get a FREE week of dog day care at AKC Canine Retreat.* Your dog will experience a new level of care tailored to their individual needs and temperament. AKC Canine Retreat welcomes dogs of all backgrounds, shapes, and sizes, and offers a full range of services including day care, overnight care, grooming, training, walking, and jogging. Our professional staff are trained in the most up-to-date methods recognized by the American Kennel Club, and each location features a range of play and rest spaces. Come visit our locations at W72nd St, W42nd St, SKY, Chelsea, and Tribeca – we’ve got the West Side covered! Email the pictures of your dog to waggingtales@w42st.com with the answers to our questions, and one lucky dog will get a FREE week of care.* Your name: Pet’s name: How old? Breed: What makes your pet bark? Three words that describe them best: Naughty confession: Are you an Instadog? *Dog must pass interview to enter day care
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LAST WORD
“What would happen if you gave yourself permission to do something you’ve never done before? There’s only one way to find out.”
Gina Greenlee
G
ina Greenlee, author of Postcards and Pearls, is a native New Yorker-turned-world traveler. She’s found a home in seven states, two countries, and in two continents. Combining her favorite form of self-expression – writing – and the adventures from each of her trips, she decided to pick up a pen and write over a dozen books about
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her experiences. Her sole purpose: creating lessons from her travels that are relevant and can be shared among a broad spectrum of readers. Greenlee says she wants people to walk away with the belief that they can do something they’ve always dreamed about, that they can live their best lives, however they might define that. “Power is about who I am, not about what I have,” she says. “It’s about how nothing can be taken away from me if
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I’m engaging my life in a completely integrated, authentic way.” Greenlee was recognized on The Oprah Winfrey Show in 2014. She has contributed to The New York Times Magazine, Essence, and other publications. Her next move, she says, is teaching others to “progress onward” with their lives, while doing the same with her own. VANESSA ETIENNE
Foster a kitten. Or two ‌ or four.
Open your home as a foster volunteer and help save the lives of kittens. We give you everything you need to care for them; you just provide the love. And did we mention ‌ kittens! Become a foster volunteer and help Save Them All.
Best Friends Lifesaving Center 307 West Broadway | New York, NY 10013
bestfriendsanimalsocietyNYC
bfas_ny
Learn more: ny.bestfriends.org/foster
Three concerts of chamber music classics Fea�g beloved chamber music repertoire by Brahms, Mozart, Dvorak, and more in Alice Tully Hall.
•
of Lincoln ..,enter
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212-875-5788 • www.ChamberMusicSociety.org