All the fantastic spring flower shows to go see in NYC right now

All the fantastic spring flower shows to go see in NYC right now

It’s officially spring—not just on the calendar but the weather’s starting to feel like it, too! Yellow forsythia is stretching its long tentacles through Central Park, pale pink cherry blossoms are beginning to bud on the trees, and daffodils are bursting through the soil. These outdoor flower displays coupled with indoor floral shows will make you forget all about those bleak, cold winter days. 

Here’s our round-up of all the fabulous floral experiences to see in NYC right now, plus some handy tips to make the most of each experience. 

RECOMMENDED: Best things to do in spring in NYC

Yellow and orange flowers burst from a floral display.
Photograph: By Rossilynne Skena Culgan for Time Out | Yellow and orange flowers burst from a floral display.

Macy’s Flower Show

Through April 7

Hydrangeas, orchids, and roses in intricate displays fill Macy’s Herald Square for the annual flower show. Keep an eye out for glittery strawberries, a red-and-black butterfly, and a ladybug with a kaleidoscope design on its back. Plus, don’t miss the larger-than-life watering cans with cascading pink foliage.

Since the flowers are live, this show is only around for a limited time. Go see it now through April 7 (except for Easter Sunday when the store is closed) at Macy’s Herald Square (151 West 34th Street, between Sixth and Seventh Avenues). The show is free to visit, so be prepared for crowds.

Time Out tip: Don’t skip the Dior displays on the mezzanine level, where you can smell the floral scents in Miss Dior perfume.

A mannequin with floral attire.
Photograph: By Rossilynne Skena Culgan for Time Out | Design by Kristen Alpaugh (FLWR PSTL)

The Orchid Show at the New York Botanical Garden

Through April 21

With their vibrant colors, delicate ruffles, and dramatic shapes, orchids love to show off their looks. This spring, the New York Botanical Garden is giving the divas of the plant world their moment in the spotlight as part of “The Orchid Show: Florals in Fashion.”

Three up-and-coming designers created massive installations inspired by these fashionable flowers. In one, you’ll see orchids turned into avant-garde clothing. Another features a regal orchid queen. The final section draws upon AI to create anthropomorphic creatures who don floral outfits. Florals in Fashion is on view from through April 21 at NYBG in the Bronx; adult tickets cost $35.

Time Out tip: The show dazzles anytime you visit, but we highly recommend visiting for Orchid Nights on select Fridays and Saturdays where you can enjoy the display under twinkling lights with a cocktail in hand. Tickets for Orchid Nights cost $39.

Cherry blossoms surround a grave marker.
Photograph: By Amy Nieporent

Cherry blossoms

Some blooms last until late April to early May

These pastel petals are just starting to wake up for their spring showcase. From Central Park to the Snug Harbor Cultural Center and even some hidden spots around town, we’ve rounded up the best places where you can gaze at the delicate pink flowers and snap tons of photos.

We especially recommend Brooklyn Botanic Garden’s Hanami Nights, running from Tuesday, April 23–Thursday, April 25, 2024 on the Cherry Esplanade. During this special, ticketed event, guests can sit near the cherry blossoms while listening to live performances, eating food from Sunrise Mart, and sipping Japanese beer and sake. Tickets are on sale here for $37/adult.

Time Out tip: The Central Park Conservancy launched a cherry blossom map and Brooklyn Botanic Garden maintains a CherryWatch map so you can track the buds before you head out for a walk. Be sure to treat the trees kindly and don’t disturb nature when you’re going in for that close-up video.  

people take flowers at a market
Photograph: Courtesy of Royal Anthos

Tulip Day

April 7

Though the chance to get a free bouquet of tulips is sold out, you can still enjoy the beautiful blooms on Tulip Day in Union Square on April 7. More than 200,000 tulips in a variety of colors will be on display thanks to the Dutch government. 

Time Out tip: Get there early to see the best array of blooms. They’ll be on view between 11:30am and 3pm on Sunday, April 7. 

inside Rose Room at Hudson Yards
Photograph: courtesy of Rose Room

Rose Room

Open Tuesdays-Saturdays

This new bar at Hudson Yards is packed with rose decor and has an excellent drink menu. Rose Room, located on Level 4 of The Shops & Restaurants at Hudson Yards, is home to 4,000 real preserved roses from Flux de Fleur. Toast to spring by sipping a Cherry Blossom Bliss with vodka, cassis, honey, espresso.

Time Out tip: The bar specializes in espresso martinis—cheers to that.

* This article was originally published here

ATL: NBAF And Neiman Marcus Team Up For Fabulous ‘Art + Fashion Benefit’ Honoring Keith And Marilyn Nance

The #1 source in the world for all things Harlem.

By HWM In a dazzling uptown style at the historic Atlanta History Center, the National Black Arts Festival (NBAF) celebrated its philanthropic18th Annual ‘Fine Art + Fashion Benefit.’ The philanthropic evening unfolded with a delightful blend of culinary delights, Haute showcases, scholarship awards, and rhythmic beats, all in homage to the richness of black artistic…

The post ATL: NBAF And Neiman Marcus Team Up For Fabulous ‘Art + Fashion Benefit’ Honoring Keith And Marilyn Nance appeared first on Harlem World Magazine.

* This article was originally published here

The NYPD is installing gun detectors at some subway stations

The NYPD is installing gun detectors at some subway stations

In a joint appearance earlier this week, Mayor Eric Adams and New York City Police Department (NYPD) Commissioner Edward A. Caban announced that officials will install several gun detectors/scanners throughout the city’s subway system.

For the next 90 days, per the Public Oversight of Surveillance Technology Act, the NYPD will explore “emerging technologies” for weapon detection in the transit system. Once the 90 days are up, a pilot program will start across several subway stations and the NYPD will monitor its effectiveness. Details regarding how many and which hubs will be part of the program have yet to be released. 

During the joint press conference, the mayor also announced that the city will hire clinicians to help “connect people with untreated severe mental illness in the subways to mental health treatment and care.”

Given recent unprovoked and, in some cases, fatal attacks underground, Governor Kathy Hochul has already sent 1,000 National Guard members and police officers to conduct bag checks. These new efforts aim to complement that measure.

“Riders have to feel safe when riding the subways and that requires innovation—new weapons detection technology, but also increased deployments of police, tougher handling of repeat offenders by the criminal justice system, and expanded resources for mental health,” said MTA Chair and CEO Janno Lieber in an official statement.

Here’s to hoping that things will soon change for the better.

* This article was originally published here

ATL: NBAF And Neiman Marcus Team Up For Fabulous ‘Art + Fashion Benefit’ Honoring Keith And Nance

The #1 source in the world for all things Harlem.

By HWM In a dazzling uptown style at the historic Atlanta History Center, the National Black Arts Festival (NBAF) celebrated its philanthropic18th Annual ‘Fine Art + Fashion Benefit.’ The philanthropic evening unfolded with a delightful blend of culinary delights, Haute showcases, scholarship awards, and rhythmic beats, all in homage to the richness of black artistic…

The post ATL: NBAF And Neiman Marcus Team Up For Fabulous ‘Art + Fashion Benefit’ Honoring Keith And Nance appeared first on Harlem World Magazine.

* This article was originally published here

Joy of Sake will be pouring an insane 578 sake varieties this year

Joy of Sake will be pouring an insane 578 sake varieties this year

The Joy of Sake is already the world’s largest sake tasting outside of the rice wine’s native Japan, and this year they’re taking that title very seriously. This year’s edition, which will be coming to Manhattan’s Metropolitan Pavilion on Thursday, April 11, from 6:30 to 9:30pm, will feature a record 578 competition-level sakes available to taste alongside sake-inspired appetizers from some of the city’s top Japanese restaurants. That’s up from last year’s sprawling 576-bottle selection—that is a lot of sake, and we are not complaining. 

RECOMMENDED: Experience the best of Japan without leaving NYC (because flights to Tokyo ain’t cheap!)

It is the festival’s 20th anniversary, so it makes sense why the sake-pouring powers that be want to do it up big this year. The walkaround tasting showcases the full spectrum of sake styles in the premium daiginjo, ginjo and junmai categories, including many selections that are not normally available in the U.S. The sakes are conveniently grouped by category so attendees can explore each in-depth, including award winners from the U.S. National Sake Appraisal, a rigorous blind tasting conducted by 10 judges from the U.S. and Japan. 

And you can’t have that much alcohol flowing without food: on the restaurant front, exciting newcomers include ILIS (serving a scallop crudo with almond milk in gray birch oil), Mishik (a sliced Hokkaido scallop with Asian pear, ponzu truffle and shiitake emulsion) and Sake No Hana (a hamachi tataki with mandarin, ponzu and hearts of palm). Those rookies will join returning culinary favorites such as Bond St, Sakagura, Gugu Room, Juban, Rule of Thirds, Cha An, Sen Sakana, Taru, Sen Sag Harbor, Amami Bar & Restaurant, Towa, Yopparai and Zuma. You can taste your way through dishes like a springy chilled mazemen with yuzu ricotta, steamed duck breast with umami sauce, salmon tartare with prawn chips, and a matcha tiramisu with sake sauce for dessert. 

The $130 admission fee includes appetizers from the participating restaurants and unlimited samplings of sake. You can snag a ticket now at the Joy of Sake website

Joy of Sake
Photograph: courtesy of Joy of Sake

* This article was originally published here

You can order specific scenes from a menu at this new Off Broadway show

You can order specific scenes from a menu at this new Off Broadway show

While there are a ton of Broadway shows to choose from this season, going off the beaten path is sometimes well worth it.

The Worst Cafe in the World, a new, creatively interactive Off Broadway production, is one such show. The show actually gives audience members a menu of theatrical moments to choose from, and based on their selections, the cast will piece together the show. Menu items include an inspiring monologue, an improvisation calling for audience involvement and a digital experience focusing on the power of technology. 

According to a press release, ticket holders should also expect different nightly specials to define their experience: think pop-up guests, delectable food and more. Even better, every guest will receive a complimentary beverage and snack upon entry—treats that sound even more exciting given that tickets only cost $25.

The Worst Cafe in the World
Photograph: Courtesy of The Worst Cafe in the World
The Worst Cafe in the World
Photograph: Peter Nash

The unique show will make its North American premiere at Ryan’s Daughter at 350 East 85th Street by First Avenue on the Upper East Side on April 17 as part of Origin Theatre Company’s 1st Irish Festival

Performances will be held through April 21 from Wednesday to Friday at 6:30pm, and at 2pm on Sunday.

The show sounds a bit like a choose-your-own-patch adventure, a form that remains relatively unexplored even when it comes to Broadway’s crowded April schedule. For what it’s worth, the production feels very much New York, although it premiered in Belfast and will move to Philadelphia after its run here.

We’re using all these words to tell you that we’re enthralled by the proposition of The Worst Cafe in the World and suggest you consider venturing out to the Off Broadway creation when it comes to town next month. There’s just something about theater in New York, right?

* This article was originally published here

NYC wants to install four different statues to honor women across the boroughs

NYC wants to install four different statues to honor women across the boroughs

Back in 2019, the then-newly announced She Built NYC initiative sought to honor influential women by commissioning five public monuments, one per borough, in the liking of pioneers in their own fields.

Unfortunately, because of the pandemic, plans for the structures stalled until July 2023, when Mayor Eric Adams’ administration received unanimous approval from the city’s Public Design Commission to honor Shirley Chisholm, a former United States Representative, in Brooklyn’s Prospect Park. 

The other four monuments, however, have since been in limbo—until this week.

RECOMMENDED: These famous animal statues are getting their own exhibit in Chelsea

Artists of New York, the city is officially launching an open call for you to design sculptures to honor Dr. Helen Rodriguez Trías, a renowned Latina women’s rights activist, in the Bronx; African American schoolteacher Elizabeth Jennings Graham in Manhattan; famous singer Billie Holiday in Queens; and Katherine Walker, the beloved lighthouse keeper in Staten Island.

“As we close out Women’s History Month, we remember that every day is an opportunity to celebrate the women who have led and built New York City into the greatest city in the world,” said Mayor Adams in an official statement. “These extraordinary women saved lives, challenged racial and gender barriers, and overcame all odds to become leaders in each of their respective fields. Today, I’m proud that their legacy will forever be enshrined through public monuments across the five boroughs—open to all New Yorkers to see, learn, and understand their impact on our city.”

Those interested can submit their application on the city’s Cultural Affairs website right here.

Exciting at face value, the $10 million initiative gains even more momentum when measured against a pretty staggering figure: there are 150 monuments throughout the five boroughs of New York, but only eight of them feature women. 

In case location impacts your design plans, here is a bit more detail: the statue of Dr. Trías will be set up by NYC Health + Hospitals/Lincoln while Graham’s monument will be installed next to Grand Central Terminal. The sculpture of Holiday already claims space at the Jamaica Performing Arts Center and Walker’s monument will join Staten Island’s North Shore.

* This article was originally published here

Mayor Adams Appoints Nathifa Forde As Executive Director Of NYC’s HER Future

The #1 source in the world for all things Harlem.

New York City Mayor Eric Adams today announced the appointment of Nathifa Forde as the executive director of the newly-created “NYC Her Future.” Forde currently serves as the acting executive director of the New York City Young Men’s Initiative (YMI). Situated within the Mayor’s Office of Equity and Racial Justice (MOERJ), NYC Her Future will foster positive change and create a brighter future for all young people as…

The post Mayor Adams Appoints Nathifa Forde As Executive Director Of NYC’s HER Future appeared first on Harlem World Magazine.

* This article was originally published here

Take a tropical cruise this summer through Jamaica (Queens, that is)

Take a tropical cruise this summer through Jamaica (Queens, that is)

If you want to feel like you’re in a tropical paradise, head to Jamaica—the one in Queens, that is. Yacht Rock Charters is offering rides on their schooner, a sailing vessel that looks like it was plucked straight out of a history documentary, as well as their Tiki Boat called the RockTiki.

According to captain Jarad Astin, RockTiki is NYC’s first-ever tiki boat. As temperatures finally start to warm up, it’s ready to take you on one of the most unique experiences you can have in NYC.

RECOMMENDED: The 11 best boat tours in NYC

RockTiki and the schooner sail out of Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge, which is a much chiller experience than what you might find sailing along the city’s river or beaches. Jamaica Bay offers plenty of opportunities to see wildlife, and it’s an important stop on the migration path for many birds along the Eastern seaboard. If you get lucky, you’ll be able to see osprey, white ibis, peregrine falcons, and more. 

A passenger on RockTiki boat.
Photograph: Courtesy of Jarad Astin

The whole sailing experience takes a couple of hours, but there’s the opportunity to rent the boat for a full day, too. Astin says tiki boats started trending in the charter industry ever since COVID. “It’s fun and it’s goofy to dress up, but I also think people are looking to get away from it all,” Astin tells Time Out.  “It helps people get out of their element for a minute. You’re separating yourself from your land-based life.”

It helps people get out of their element for a minute. You’re separating yourself from your land-based life.

If you don’t know what a tiki boat is, it’s essentially a floating tiki bar with barstools. It’s like you’re at your local watering hold except you’ll be in the middle of a wildlife refuge relaxing and appreciating nature. The 24-foot aluminum pontoon boat can accommodate six passengers. 

It is BYOB, so make sure you bring enough booze to last a couple hours if you’re planning to drink. You won’t have to worry about driving, either—RockTiki is going to be steered by a licensed captain. RockTiki also includes oversize beanbag chairs, loungers, speakers for your music, tons of cooler space, a full-size toilet, and more.

“Pontoons are fantastic for cruising the shallow waters of the bay’s many secrets,” RockTiki’s website explains. “She can creep up to any of the sandbars and uninhabited islands within the refuge. Nothing beats life at 5 knots.”

Pricing for RockTiki begins at $490. Astin says RockTiki, which began operating last May, was the first tiki boat in NYC, and that makes the experience all the more unique. You can book your own ride on RockTiki here.

* This article was originally published here