Central Park in Fall
Above Photo from Dr. DeNo
Welcome to the first installment of Hudson/Houston’s cultural calendar. In these posts you’ll find a glimpse of the arts & cultural events that New York and our neighborhood has to offer. SaatchiNY is an ideas company, and there’s no better place in the world for inspiration than NYC.
Our goal is to post monthly updates to highlighting the coolest things to do in the city each month. We hope you have as much fun going out and exploring as we did putting this list together. If you happen to make out to one of these events, please make sure to come back and post a comment about your experience.
October 1-10
Governors Island
If you’ve never been to Governor’s Island, then you don’t know what you’re missing. Imagine a forest getaway within sight of the Manhattan skyline, but yet nearly silent and oh so relaxing. As the summer season wraps up, you’re in luck as there’s still time before the park closes for the season on October 10. The island is hosting Pig Island (Oct 2), a pork and beer fest; and Open House New York (Oct 9 and 10), the eighth annual architecture and design event. (govisland.com)
Free admission to the Guggenheim
Inside the Guggenheim
The Guggenheim is as famous for its landmark building—designed by Frank Lloyd Wright — as it is for its impressive collection and daring temporary shows. Admission is free from 5:45pm-7:45pm on Saturdays. On view this fall: “Chaos and Classicism: Art in France, Italy, and Germany” (Oct 1) and “Vox Populi: Posters of the Interwar Years” (Sept 1). 1071 Fifth Ave at 89th St (212-423-3500, guggenheim.org)
Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown on Broadway
A theatrical adaptation of the Pedro Almodovar’s 1988 classic. For fans of foreign films you may know some of his more recent works such as Volver, Matador, and Talk to Her. Composer David Yazbek (The Full Monty, Dirty Rotten Scoundrels) scores this adaptation. Bartlett Sher directs the production, which has a great cast including Patti LuPone, Sherie Rene Scott and Laura Benanti. Yazbek insists he’s going less for the funny bone and more for the heart. Read more here. Belasco Theatre, 111 W 44th St between Broadway and Sixth Ave (lct.org). Previews start Oct 2.
New York Film Festival
This year’s 48th edition of the NYFF opened with David Fincher’s Facebook dramatization, The Social Network, starring Jesse Eisenberg as site co-founder Mark Zuckerberg. The rest of the lineup includes the likes of Clint Eastwood (offering the closing night’s supernatural tale, Hereafter) and Portugal’s Manoel de Oliveira, no doubt invited for reaching the ripe age of 101.
The New York Film Festival runs Sept 24–Oct 10 (filmlinc.com/nyff).
“Abstract Expressionist New York” at MoMA
“It’s a time you think you know,” says MoMA’s chief curator, Ann Temkin, “but maybe you don’t.” The comprehensive survey organizes paintings, sculptures, drawings, prints and photos from more than 30 artists into thematic sections, detailing the artistic issues—primitivist iconography, overall composition.
Oct 3-June 2. (moma.org)
Art in Odd Places
The event describes itself as “a festival exploring the odd, ordinary and ingenious in the spectacle of daily life.” Basically, the whole stretch of 14th Street turns into a gigantic outdoor art gallery during this annual fest, at which pieces might be found on mailboxes or in the windows of buildings; this year’s theme is “chance.” Oct 1-10. 14th St between Hudson and East Rivers (artinoddplaces.org). Free.
Mike Estabrook: The Teddy Bear Market Uprising – A Revolution Squared
Food Network New York City Wine & Food Festival
Thanks to the cavalry of Food Network celebs, the festival sold out some of its marquee events—like the Blue Moon Burger Bash and Meatball Madness—before we could say “That’s money, baby” in our best Guy Fieri voice. But there are still plenty of hot tickets up for grabs. Oct 7-10 (nycwineandfoodfestival.com)
October 11-20
Spa Week
The grinding workday has done a number on your posture, but salvation is in sight. During this seven-day extravaganza more than 100 venues throughout the city will be discounting up to three select spa services.
Oct 11-17. Locations throughout the city; visit spaweek.com for info.
Hipsters, Hustlers, and Handball Players: Leon Levinstein’s New York Photographs, 1950–1980 @ The Metropolitan Museum of Art
Leon Levinstein: Street Scene: Man in Boots Walking and Adjusting His Collar, New York City (1960’s- 70’s)
A master of classic American street photography, Leon Levinstein (American, 1910–1988) is best known for his candid and unsentimental black-and-white figure studies made in New York City neighborhoods; from Times Square and the Lower East Side to Coney Island. The exhibition Hipsters, Hustlers, and Handball Players: Leon Levinstein’s New York Photographs, 1950-1980, on view through October 17, drawn exclusively from the Met’s collection, features some 45 photographs that reflect Levinstein’s fearless approach to the medium. Levinstein’s graphic creativity—seen in raw, expressive gestures and seemingly monumental bodies—is balanced by an unusual compassion for his off-beat subjects from the demimonde. June 8 – Oct 17
For more info, go here.
Greater New York @ MoMA PS1
MoMA PS1 says: “Greater New York is the third iteration of the quinquennial exhibition organized by MoMA PS1 and The Museum of Modern Art, showcasing 68 artists and collectives living and working in the metropolitan New York area. Covering a full range of practices and mediums, the artists in Greater New York are inspired by living in one of the most diverse and provocative centers of cultural activity in the world. A number of artists are being commissioned to work in residence in MoMA PS1′s gallery space to shoot photographs and video, rehearse and realize performances, and stretch the notions of sculpture, painting, photography, film, and video-making.” $5 suggested admission. May 23 – October 18. For additional info visit their site.
Oct. 21-31
New York Cares Day ***EVENT of the MONTH***
Join New York Cares and 7,000 volunteers to paint murals and classrooms, organize libraries, and brighten up playgrounds at 100 public schools. The work you’ll put in is worth well over $1 million in service to the New York City public school system. New York Cares Day is an incredible day of service that supports the 11,000 volunteer projects New York Cares runs year-round.
Paint playgrounds — Encourage purposeful play, increase motor skills, and get kids moving with line games like hopscotch.
Paint murals, classrooms, and school exteriors — Transform drab spaces into bright, colorful, inviting places for children and community members to enjoy.
Organize libraries — Encourage a love of learning by making it easy for students to access books.
Plant flowers — Make outside spaces more welcoming and teach children about nature and the environment.
We have registered a SaatchiNY team page for New York Cares Day, Saturday October 23rd from 10-1PM. Sign up at www.newyorkcaresday.org/saatchicares
Pumpkins sail @ Central Park
Pumpkin Sail in Central Park
In addition to freaky tales, crafts and a costume parade, this annual park celebration features a plethora of bright orange jack o’ lanterns bobbing about in the Harlem Meer at sundown. Bring your own pumpkin if you want to launch your own creation into the fray. Sun Oct 24 3-6pm. Charles A. Dana Discovery Center, Central Park, enter park from Fifth Ave at 110th St (212-860-1370,centralpark.org).
Nightmare: Superstitions Haunted House
If you’re going to go to one haunted house event this year, make it this one. According to Time Out New York, “In one room, you violate a superstition; in the next, you learn why you shouldn’t have.” Noho Event Center, 623 Broadway between Bleecker and W Houston (212-929-2963, hauntedhousenyc.com) Opens 10/24 through 11/6.
Village Halloween Parade
Have you ever been to this event? If so, then you know the mayhem that ensues. Join the expected 2 million spectators, and more than 60,000 marchers for the 37th annual parade. Those wishing to march must line up on 6th Avenue, south of Spring Street and north of Canal between 6:30 and 8:30 p.m. October 31st at 7pm; Sixth Ave from Spring to 21st St.
The Pee-wee Herman Show on Broadway
The man-child who corrupted us on Saturday mornings is back, a little older and live. The show is directed by Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson’s Alex Timbers. Opens Oct 26. $67–$122. Stephen Sondheim Theatre,124 W 43rd St between Broadway and Sixth Ave
