May 2010
12 posts
1 tag
Dear Tumblr Community,
We’ve had a wonderful year hosting the Bryant Park Blog on Tumblr.
For design customization purposes and integration with our new website that launched last Friday, we had to switch to Blogger.
Sadly, you won’t be seeing us in your dashboard anymore, but we hope you’ll continue reading about Bryant Park at blog.bryantpark.org.
Thank you for following!
Best, Bryant Park
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Three Series Premiering This Week in the Park
As the weather gets warmer the list of things to do in Bryant Park grows longer and longer.
This week, in addition to Bryant Park Petanque Lessons, Ping Pong, Chess, Fencing, Birding Tours, Meet the Birds, After Work Music, Game Nights at The Southwest Porch, Tai Chi, and Yoga, we’re launching three more programs for you to enjoy.
After Work Music with Bill McGlaughlin & Friends...
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Bryant Park on the Web
Dr. Ruth Will Dish Love Advice to Bryant Park Love Birds from DNAinfo A special host for our June 30 event celebrating couples that met, married, or became engaged in Bryant Park
With Wolf’s Help, Bryant Park Opens the Lawn from WSJ.com Photo coverage of last week’s lawn opening stunt
Artist Struts Her Stuff in Others’ Shoes from The New York Times Roberta Smith reviews Kate...
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Notice Something New?
Our website, bryantpark.org, got a makeover today!
Created in 2002 by Moment, our original website was no longer able to support the vast amount of information we wanted to share with the public about the park. Moment returned to help us with the new site and the result is sleek, modern, and easy to navigate.
New features include an attractive isometric map to let you explore the park from...
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Monday Night Music & Porch Deals at the Park
Monday nights at Bryant Park are known for classic movies, but this season we’re adding music to the mix before the big screen is set up on the Fountain Terrace.
After Work Music with Bill McGlaughlin & Friends is a new series of free concerts by exceptional jazz and classical music performers, curated and hosted by Public Radio’s Bill McGlaughlin.
The series begins on Monday,...
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Lawn Opening, With A Twist
Bryant Park’s lawn, the crown jewel of Midtown, opened last Tuesday, May 4, for the first time this season. To add a little humor and speculation to the kick off, we teamed up with notorious Improv Everywhere prankster, Charlie Todd, and a special guest…
You can find this video and more on the Bryant Park NYC YouTube Channel
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Announcing the 2010 HBO Bryant Park Summer Film...
It’s the moment you’ve all been waiting for, the unveiling of this year’s movies in the HBO Bryant Park Summer Film Festival.
Drum roll please…
June 21 GOLDFINGER The third James Bond movie has it all: Sean Connery, a catchy theme song, ingenious gadgets, scary villains, an iconic Bond girl, and a hair-raising climax inside Fort Knox. Honor Blackman achieves...
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Bill McGlaughlin Hosts Monday Night Music at...
Peabody Award winning radio personality, Bill McGlaughlin, shifts his hosting duties to Bryant Park for a special series of jazz and classical music performances by some of his closest counterparts.
Since 2003, McGlaughlin has made learning about music fun with his daily syndicated radio program, Exploring Music with Bill McGlaughlin. On the program, McGlaughlin delves into classical music by...
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Games & Tournaments at Bryant Park
Bryant Park is a great spot for some friendly competition over games like chess, backgammon, ping pong, and petanque. To make it easy, we provide all the equipment for you and set up tournaments so you can test your skills throughout the season. Here’s a sampling of games and upcoming tournaments in the park:
Bryant Park Chess
Aficionados from the Marshall Chess Club monitor the Chess...
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Shop Bryant Park: Kinokuniya Bookstore
You know it’s not your usual bookstore when store manager John Fuller answers his phone and starts speaking Japanese. And it’s not just John: all employees who work at Kinokuniya, Japanese native or not, are fluent in the Asian language. Impressive! But you don’t need to speak Japanese to buy at Kinokuniya, because they’ve got lots of English books, too, including...
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Walk the Walk at Bryant Park
Bryant Park is excited to host a new performance-based public artwork by Kate Gilmore.
Presented by the Public Art Fund, Walk the Walk is a dynamic installation activated by seven women who will walk, shuffle, and stomp atop a cubic structure on the park’s Fountain Terrace for five business days in May.
Clothed in simple yellow dresses and beige pumps, Gilmore’s performers...
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The Most Peaceful Way to Start Your Day in Midtown
Master Chu leads students on World Tai Chi Day at Bryant Park, April 24, 2010
Bryant Park Tai Chi returns this summer with bi-weekly classes on Tuesday and Thursday mornings at 7:30am on the Fountain Terrace. Tai Chi is an excellent system of health and self defense, and helps students acheive the optimum degree of harmony between mind and body.
In the park you’ll practice slow, focused...
April 2010
19 posts
6 tags
Bryant Park on the Web
Inside Art: A Bryant Park Stomp from The New York Times Carol Vogel highlights an exciting performance piece by artist Kate Gilmore, to be presented in Bryant Park, May 10 through 14
Southwest Porch, An After-Work Hang Out in Midtown from Serious Eats A wonderful review of the Southwest Porch’s new spring menu by ‘wichcraft
What’s Happening at Bryant Park? from NBC New York Dan...
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Events Preview: Bryant Park After Work Music...
Maureen Andary & Sara Curtin, After Work Music Series, May 2009
There’s no better way to spend a lovely summer evening than at a concert in Bryant Park.
This summer, we have a fantastic line up of talented, New York area musicians for the Bryant Park After Work Music Series. The free concerts will take place every Wednesday evening on the Fountain Terrace, perfectly timed to help you...
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Plan a Petanque Party in the Park
For your next corporate outing, take your employees outside for some fresh air and a little bowling with a French twist.
Hold your event at the Pétanque court in beautiful Bryant Park. Pétanque, the French game of boules, is interesting, easy to learn, and anyone can play. Set up your own intra-office tournament. It’s fun, and a great way to build team spirit.
Afterward, celebrate with...
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Celebrate Poem in Your Pocket Day at Bryant Park
“Great poetry is always written by somebody straining to go beyond what he can do” - Stephen Spender
Please join us in Bryant Park for the 8th Annual Poem in Your Pocket Day, a celebration of poetry by NYC’s student poets. Every year, talented young writers from schools throughout the city converge in Bryant Park to share original poems with the public and their peers.
Date:...
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Bryant Park on the Web
Go ”Green” in Bryant Park this Spring and Summer from NBC New York NBC previews Bryant Park’s busy schedule of seasonal programming and special events
Make Merry-Go-Round: Visit NYC Carousels in Every Borough This Spring Season from Time Out New York Kids TONY Kids urges kids to get a head start on carousel season at Le Carrousel in Bryant Park, one of two carousels currently...
On This Day in History
BPC archivist and historian Anne Kumer sheds light on one of Bryant Park’s many monuments.
You may have noticed a stately looking fellow watching you as you walk by Bryant Park on 6th Avenue between 40th and 42nd Streets. His full name is José Bonifacio de Andrada e Silva, also known as the Andrada monument. Sculpted out of bronze with a granite base by artist José Otavio Correia Lima,...
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Mark Your Calendar
Over 600 FREE programs and events take place at Bryant Park during the spring and summer months.
From after work music and movies to poetry readings and writing workshops, fencing and knitting lessons to stories and games for kids with our mascot Flaubert Frog, there’s something for everyone at Bryant Park.
Visit the calendar at bryantpark.org to start planning your summer...
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Put Bryant Park on Your iPod
Did you know you can take an audio tour of Bryant Park?
Created by the talented team at Soundwalk and narrated by native New Yorker and Bryant Park fan, Matthew Broderick, the audio tour guides you from the Fountain Terrace to Le Carrousel, the Reading Room, and more, with fun stories, history, and facts about the park thrown in along the way.
Follow on foot with your mp3 player or let...
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Summer Events Preview: Bryant Park Yoga
Everybody’s favorite free outdoor yoga lessons return to the park in May. Presented in partnership with lululemon athletica, Bryant Park Yoga is an excellent mind-body workout for students of all ages and levels.
Classes are taught twice a week by a variety of talented instructors. Tuesday morning sessions take place on the Upper Terrace, directly behind the New York Public Library and...
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Bryant Park on the Web
Arrest in Bryant Park Shoeshine Arsons & Arrested in Shoeshine Arsons, Back Out Shining Shoes from The New York Times Updates on the case of our torched shoeshine stands on 42nd Street
‘Tis Spring: Beautiful Weather Photos from NBC New York Bryant Park is featured multiple times in a slideshow of lovely spring images
Ping Pong Park from The Map Village Street Editors The park’s...
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Who We Are & What We Do
If you’ve ever wondered who manages Bryant Park, read on for all the highlights of our organization.
The Bryant Park Corporation (BPC) was founded in 1980 with a charge to reclaim Bryant Park for the people of New York City. Since then, the talent, dedication and execution of the BPC board and staff has transformed the park into the greatest public space in the world.
The ongoing mission...
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Morning Song in Midtown
Birding Tours of Bryant Park kicked off yesterday morning with a surprising event that left our expert birding guide speechless.
The hermit thrush pictured above, a migratory bird spotted among the park’s resident pigeons and house sparrows, was uncharacteristically outgoing for our Birding Tour audience. The participants listened as the hermit thrush sang loud and clear out in the open,...
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The Laying of the Lawn
Created with images taken by the park’s webcam from March 26 through April 2, this time-lapse video captures the preparation and laying of our 2010 lawn.
It begins with crews installing a new subsurface drainage system along the perimeter of the lawn, followed by the removal and leveling of sand, and finally, the installation of approximately 5,000 pieces of Kentucky Bluegrass sod from...
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Bryant Park on the Web
High BIDS from World Magazine A journalist who attended a recent Bryant Park Corporation staff meeting explains the benefits of Business Improvement Districts as cities face tough economic times
Fire at Shoeshine Stand Seemed Random, the First Time from The New York Times A report on unfortunate recent incidents at our shoeshine stand On our radar
Midtown BID May Transform Empty Lot Into Secure...
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History of Bryant Park Fencing
Did you know we have an Archivist on staff at Bryant Park Corporation? In this post, BPC’s resident historian, Anne Kumer, shares a piece of the park’s rich history. Bryant Park Fencing begins today at 1pm! Our brand new series of free fencing lessons are conducted in partnership with the Manhattan Fencing Center, and take place on the front terrace of the New York Public Library at...
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Are You A 'Bryant Park Couple'?
We constantly hear from folks who met their future spouse, became engaged, or even tied the knot beneath the beautiful London Plane trees of Bryant Park. To honor these couples, we are planning a special celebration in the park this June.
If Bryant Park played a role in your love story, we’d like to see you and your significant other at the event! Please send your “Bryant Park Love...
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Summer Reading
There’s no question that the New York Public Library is a beautiful and serene place to catch up on your reading. But who wants to be indoors when the birds are chirping, the sun is shining, and a lovely spring breeze is in the air?
The Bryant Park Reading Room is a wonderful outdoor location to read, write, and attend literary events, right in the Library’s backyard. Our Reading Room...
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Bryant Park on the Web
NY parks can save themselves from the Daily News Executive Director of Bryant Park Corporation, Dan Biederman, explains how parks can survive without public funding
Once Again, 31 NYC Restaurants Are Top Grossing in the US from Eater Our very own Bryant Park Grill makes the annual list of America’s 100 highest grossing restaurants On our radar
The Greening of the Waterfront from The New...
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Bryant Park's Poetry Expert
Paul Romero (right) introduces the speakers at a Word for Word event last summer
Like many of us at Bryant Park Corporation, Paul Romero, our Director of Tourism & Visitor Services, wears many different hats. In addition to managing a staff of visitor services representatives for Bryant Park and the 34th Street Partnership district, Paul oversees Bryant Park’s famous Reading Room and...
March 2010
19 posts
5 tags
Spring Events Preview: Bryant Park Ping Pong
Some have been playing all winter, but if you prefer your outdoor ping pong accompanied by warm weather and sun, you’ll be able to play at Bryant Park all summer long.
Staffed hours will resume at the Bryant Park Ping Pong Area on April 12. Our attendant will monitor a sign up sheet for games at our two state of the art outdoor tables, and provide paddles and balls free of charge to...
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Tea Time Specials All Week at 'wichcraft!
Photo via Midtown Lunch on Flickr
To celebrate the arrival of Mighty Leaf Tea at their NYC locations, including the kiosks at Bryant Park, our friends at ‘wichcraft are offering a “tea time” special all week.
When you visit ‘wichcraft from 3pm to 6pm every day through Sunday, April 4, you’ll pay half price for any tea AND receive a complimentary cream’wich...
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Celebrate at Le Carrousel in Bryant Park
Did you know that Le Carrousel, one of Bryant Park’s most celebrated amenities, is available for parties? With 14 colorful animals rotating to peppy French cabaret music, Le Carrousel is a beautiful centerpiece for any special occasion.
We all know party planning can be stressful, so why not let us do the work for you? Three different party packages are available to choose from, the Fete...
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The Award Winning Southwest Porch at Bryant Park
This week we were thrilled to learn that the Southwest Porch at Bryant Park won not one, but two Reggie awards.
Distributed by the Promotion Marketing Association, Reggie awards are the highest honor in integrated marketing and celebrate innovation in the field. Award judges include senior industry leaders in sports, entertainment, academic, dining, and retail marketing.
The Southwest Porch...
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Bryant Park on the Web
Our announcement of Bryant Park Fencing picked up some great press this week!
Free Fencing Lessons at Bryant Park in April from DNA Info
Fencing Is Coming to NYC’s Famous and Trendy Bryant Park! from Olympic Fencer Tim Morehouse’s blog
Ready to take a stab at fencing? Queue up outside the New York Public Library from the Daily News On our radar
Bryant Park Hotel Twitter Contest...
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Spring Events Preview: Bryant Park Pétanque
Perhaps you’ve passed by the 6th Avenue side of Bryant Park and noticed small groups of people tossing metal balls toward each other in one of our gravel areas? Well, those balls are known as ‘boules’ and the game is called pétanque.
Usually grouped together in teams, each pétanque player strives to throw his or her boules as close as possible to a smaller wooden ball, the...
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Bryant Park Shoeshiners Relocate
After an incident that occurred yesterday morning, the Bryant Park Shoeshine Stand on 42nd Street and 5th Avenue is temporarily out of service.
Over the years, the wonderful managers of the Bryant Park stand have gained an impressive following of midtown businessmen and women seeking a sleek and shiny finish to their shoes.
Beginning tomorrow, our operators will temporarily relocate their...
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Spring Events Preview: Bryant Park Fencing
At Bryant Park Corporation, we’re constantly at work to make the park a place where you can not only come to kick back and relax, but also see a classic movie, hear your favorite poet or author speak, or take a class to learn a new skill, completely free of charge.
On that note, we’ve added a brand new program to our roster of classes this spring. In partnership with the Manhattan...
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Bryant Park on the Web
4 Places to Write in Peace in NYC from Cuaderno Inedito Blogger ranks Bryant Park among her favorite locations to write in NYC due to our convenient and comfortable amenities On our radar
Thin ice! Park skater out for two years as rink rehab begins from The Brooklyn Paper To the dismay of skaters, Wollman Rink at Prospect Park closes for two years in order for two new rinks to be built in its...
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Spring Events Preview: Birding Tours of Bryant...
A new and exciting program that debuted in 2009, Birding Tours of Bryant Park will begin on April 12 this year, with sessions held twice a week.
Midtown may seem like an unusual spot for bird watching, but last year’s participants were able to identify 11 different migratory species hanging out in Bryant Park…and that excludes the park’s resident pigeons and three kinds of...
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Bryant Park Benchmarks: Yoko Ono
Beneath Patience and Fortitude, the regal lions of the New York Public Library, are two marble benches that frame the iconic building (which is currently undergoing a cleaning and renovation of its facade).
The benches, popular rest spots for passengers awaiting the buses that travel down Fifth Avenue, were claimed by Yoko Ono during the Bryant Park Benchmarks Fundraising Campaign in 1995....
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Summer Events Preview: HBO Bryant Park Film...
Grey, dreary days like this one make us yearn for summer. People flood the park searching for a seat in the sun and fun events to enjoy with friends. Luckily the park has more than enough of both to go around!
The following video from our YouTube channel (youtube.com/bryantparknyc) captures the atmosphere of one such event, the HBO Bryant Park Summer Film Festival.
This camera-savvy moviegoer...
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Bryant Park on the Web
Filling in City Holes with Legos from Gothamist Artist Jan Vormann patches up the city, including a crack in the side of Bryant Park’s restroom, with colorful blocks
Bryant Park in Motion from the MTA The subway station at 42nd St and 6th Ave hosts viewer-activated digital art during the month of March, inspired by the park and its amenities On our radar
Surface Improvements from...
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Shop Bryant Park: Liberty of London for Target...
Shop Bryant Park guest posts are written by Fashion Herald, resident retail blogger for Bryant Park Corporation’s sister company, the 34th Street Partnership.
What’s every girl’s ideal harbinger of spring? A pop-up store awash in color and flowery print dresses, of course. But don’t wait for the tulips to bloom to enjoy this Liberty of London pop-up store for Target,...
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Bryant Park Benchmarks: Nick Ashford
On a bench nestled in Bryant Park’s gardens bordering the south side of the lawn, is a plaque reading “Nick Ashford Slept Here”. Purchased by his wife in 1996, the plaque symbolizes Nick Ashford’s incredible rags to riches story.
Before becoming one half of Ashford & Simpson, a dynamic songwriting, producing, and performing duo, Ashford was just another New York...
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Coming Soon to Bryant Park: Earth From Above
Here’s a sneak peak at Earth From Above, the exciting outdoor photography exhibit coming to Bryant Park in just four weeks.
115 large scale aerial images by renowned photographer Yann Arthus-Bertrand will be on display in Bryant Park, accompanied by educational information on important environmental and social issues we face today.
Earth From Above has already visited 120...
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Bryant Park on the Web
Good Taste That Outlives the Tents from The New York Times Reviews of food (including Irish chocolate!) and fashion found on West 40th Street, adjacent to Bryant Park On our radar
Got a Ride? Share It from the WNYC News Blog An experimental taxi ride share program from the Taxi and Limousine Commission began this week in Manhattan
Clash Over Plans for a Brooklyn Park from The New York Times...
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Signs of Spring at Bryant Park
Look out for these signs of spring over the next few weeks in Bryant Park:
Daffodils poking their yellow heads through the gardens…
…people lingering in the park a little longer during lunch breaks…
…and a green lawn establishing roots at the center of the park.
We are currently leveling the soil in the lawn area to prepare for sod installation. In approximately...
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Bryant Park Benchmarks
In 1995 (the days when Bryant Park Corporation was the “Bryant Park Restoration Corporation”), we launched a creative program to help raise funds for continued improvements on the park. If you’ve ever noticed the engraved bronze plaques adorning our wood and cement benches throughout the park, then you’ve seen the products of the Benchmarks Campaign.
The program allowed...