Opening Tonight! Twelfth Night!

There are few things more traditional to a NY summer than The Public Theater's Shakespeare in the Park. Two shows over the summer take place in the magnificence of the delecorte theater in central park and it's truly always a magical experience.

First up, technically opening tonight and running through July 12th, is 12th night. One of Shakespeare's comedies about a cross dressing woman and the faults of love and gender (how appropriate for gay pride week!) it's a fun show with an allstar cast. (Anne Hathaway for the general population, Raul Esparza, Julie White and Audra MacDonald for theater geeks like me.)

I went this past Tuesday and the show was lovely lovely lovely. Not stand out (read my post about romeo and juliet from a few years ago) but there are a ton of laughs and it's overall delightful. The rolling hillside side sets the scene perfectly and everyone holds up their parts quite well, the singing parts are a total delight and keep your ears peeled for a See You Next Tuesday joke! And honestly, I swoon just sitting in that theater under the stars with the castle in the background, you just can't beat it!

You can also bring anything you like to munch or drink upon in the theater (provided no glass bottles are there!) I highly recommend a nice spread of wine and cheese (Thanks Ben's friend Gerrit with nice eyes!) Shakespeare would appreciate.

So, you may be asking, but LA, how do I get to experience this wonder? Well my friends, there are three ways.

1) buy expensive tickets and become a member (ha! not free and cheap!)
2) wait in line

This is the traditional way folks. Every day when there is a show (Tue-Sunday, 8pm) hundreds upon hundreds are given out for free to those able and willing to wait for hours upon hours to be bestowed with a golden ticket into the gates. Tickets are given out at 1pm at both the delecorte theater (which I love because you get to wait in the park) a short five minute walk into the park from the 82nd street path entrance or at the public theater in greenwich village. I got there at 8 30 am on a Tuesday and was fine but once press picks up I would recommend getting there by 7am for weekends and 8am for weekdays to be safe. Brings blankets and cushions (they blocked off the grass so sadly Ben, my partner in crime, and my butts were quite sore) and food and drink. They have finally opened up a cafe for food but you can always order from the amazing Andy's, the guys guarding the line has the number!

NOTE: If you are waiting in line, people are CRAZY! You can't have friends join you, you can't really leave. Even if the people around you seem cool someone in the back once told on me because my friend showed up 1/2 hour I got there. So you never know

BUT you do get 2 tkts per person, so that is fun!

3. Virtual Line!

Stuck in work all day or can't muster the energy to wake up early? Here is the solution for you! Sign up, cross your fingers and if you win, you get a ticket!

Now go out and enjoy!!!!

PS. This picture isn't of the current set (no photos allowed!) but of the theater with the castle. It coincidentally also looks like it was taken right where I was sitting!

Highline update

Now you can hear free music at night from the renegade cabaret!

I want to be this lady when I grow up

On facebook too!

Jewels, free booze and food!

This was passed along to me via facebook. I admit, I like jewelry, but what I like even more is a free open bar!!! The details are below, email

info@mrmrdesigns.com with questions

Date:	Thursday, June 25, 2009
Time:	5:00pm - 10:00pm
Location:	3 Form Showroom
Street:	520 8th Ave., 20th Flr
City/Town:	New York, NY

3 Form, purveyors of gorgeous architectural panels, is graciously opening their doors to host a jewelry extravaganza.

The highlights:

1. A portion of the proceeds will go to charity.
2. Its is FULLY CATERED.
3. THERE IS OPEN BAR.
4. YES, I SAID OPEN BAR.
5. AND ITS FREE!!!


I will be presenting my jewelry (and there are some new pieces you haven’t seen yet, for those of you who came to the February party), along with 4 other designers.

Feel free to pass this invitation along to friends, family, colleagues, random strangers, etc...

If you can, please rsvp by June 23rd so I can give the caterers a head count.

Hope to see you all there!!

OBSESSED: High Line Park

Words cannot express how in love I am with the brand-spankin new High Line park running along an elevated railroad track from Gansevort to 20th street (and getting expanded this summer and in the future). Here are the reasons

1) It's in the sky! As you walk the paths you feel like you're discovering a magical hidden world. Peeking into broken windows, watching cars fly below you, with amazing views of the hudson, it's a whole new way to see the incredible NYC!

2) It's beyond gorgeous. I want to kiss all the architects and landscapers who designed this place. It is the perfect blend of modern twists and old school park fun. The sleek lines of the benches combined with flowers growing from the preserved tracks and lovely old school stones that remind me of the type I would find back home in MA

3) the sundeck chairs. brilliant! Though I am sure they will most always be snagged, I can't think of a better place to soak in the sun (well, besides grass and sand of course)

Just go already! It's nutso during the weekends now but on a weekday afternoon? Perfect!

This one picture is from their website but it doesn't capture the beauty. Go and take some of your own!

Free events for Summer interns

Just got this email from the fantastic listserve, drinking liberally! Sadly, I am no longer an intern (I'll actually be PAID starting in September, AMAZING) but for any of you progressive poor kids out there this looks like a pretty sweet deal:

Attention All Summer Interns!

Living Liberally will be having weekly events -- comedy, music, picnics, parties and more -- and we'll have special discounts and deals for people working for progressive organizations this summer. If you are an intern, know an intern, have an intern, email contact info to livingliberally@gmail.com to be added to a special summer list.

A listserve to get you in the know.

There are millions of listserves giving you the lowdown on everything to do in the city but lately I've been digging the male-focused "Urban Daddy". Aside from their often sexist images (which may be reason enough to boycott, but then I'd boycott practically everything in the city) they actually have a good range of interesting activities, restaurants, and shops in the city.

They don't specifically let you know about cheap events, however if you become a member you get "perks" which include discount codes at zipcar, massage packages, and free drinks. For example, if you head to the frying pan on Saturday the first 100 people to mention Urban Daddy at 3pm get a free round of Coronas.

Not bad, not bad at all.

Sign up here.

Mermaid Parade!

Probably one of the craziest parades in NYC, this hours long fest taking place on Coney island features hundreds and hundreds of mermaids and other sea-folk. Child mermaids, painted mermaids, naked mermaids, it's just amazing! If the weather clears up I will most definitely be there, see some pictures from a few years ago attached.

Hint: Bring water and food and sit down below the barriers to get a good spot. The parade lasts sooo long (more mermaids join every year!) so you may want to bring something to sit on as well. PLUS after the parade you can enjoy the crazy/beautiful shores of coney island beach.

Here are the details!