A first look at the newly reopened Brooklyn Paramount historic theater

A first look at the newly reopened Brooklyn Paramount historic theater

It’s been a long time coming, but the Brooklyn Paramount is finally open again following millions of dollars and years of renovations led by Live Nation. Before restoration began a couple of years ago, the iconic venue—which first opened in the 1920s as a movie theater before it became a concert hall for acts like Ella Fitzgerald and Duke Ellington—was a basketball arena and classrooms for Long Island University. 

Now, for the first time in 60 years, the theater is ready to host concerts again in one of the most stunning live event settings anywhere in the city, and they already have a great lineup of artists set to perform in the coming months. We went on opening day of the theater to get a first look—and all we can say is that the wait was more than worth it. 

RECOMMENDED: Here are the best 10 concerts to see in NYC this spring

If you spend any time in Downtown Brooklyn, you’ve definitely passed the facade of the Paramount before but probably missed it. It’s pretty unassuming, especially when juxtaposed against the skyscrapers around it. When you enter, the ticketing area has the feeling of a big movie theater, which makes sense considering that the building’s past, but it’s not until you get past the second set of doors that the magic really happens.

Entering the Grand Hall, I and other people on the tour let out audible gasps—it’s that impressive. The restored rococo ceilings give the sense that you’re entering a European opera house, and the marble floors and columns are all original. The chandeliers are refurbished from the 1950s, and giant digital mapping projections on the ceiling can transform the vibe of the space depending on the event. A giant bar with locally sourced liquors gives spectators the chance to get boozed up in an elevated setting before a concert.  

a concert hall
Photograph: By Evan Joseph
a bar
Photograph: By Evan Joseph

The main theater can host up to 2,500 people standing room and 200 in the balcony. I was mesmerized by two golden fountains on either side that used to actually spew water, and it’s all definitely a remnant of a more decadent era. Everything is so grand and ornate and Baroque that it’s borderline gaudy in the best way. It’s easy to imagine how special the concert going experience is going to be, and it’s not hard to imagine this rivaling Kings Theatre in Flatbush or even Radio City Music Hall.

inside of an empty theater
Photograph: By Ian Kumamoto
side of a large theater
Photograph: By Evan Joseph
a bar
Photograph: By Ian Kumamoto

One of the main themes of the Paramount seemed to be bars: There’s no shortage of them. In the underground level—where the biggest and most beautiful bathrooms of the entire space reside, by the way—is yet another bar that we were told could potentially stay open until 4am after concerts. That space, which might take some time to really find its identity, pays homage to the legends who performed at the Paramount across its walls: Giant photos of Duke Ellington, Little Richard and other Paramount alumni decorate each corner.

a lounge
Photograph: By Ian Kumamoto

On the balcony floor, you’ll find Ella’s Lounge—named and inspired, of course, by Ella Fitzgerald—that has the feel of a classy speakeasy, with a grand piano on a small stage and walls saturated with framed black-and-white pictures of the Paramount’s heyday. The drinks on this menu, as well as all over the theater, were dreamt up by the legendary mixologist Sean Kenyan. There’s a whole section of drinks that were inspired by Ella, including a cocktail called Cheek to Cheek that features SelvaRey chocolate rum and an Owen’s Espresso Martini Mix. Anyone who buys tickets to a concert at the venue will have the option of upgrading to VIP, which gives you access to Ella’s lounge.

a bar
Photograph: By Evan Joseph
inside of a bar
Photograph: By Evan Joseph

There’s rightfully a great sense of excitement around the Brooklyn Paramount and a feeling that the venue is going to usher in a whole new era in Downtown Brooklyn’s creative scene. Live Nation did an impressive job of honoring the building’s history and architectural integrity to bring it back to its original glory. 

The Paramount already has 65 concerts lined up—upcoming shows include Pinkpantherass, Sean Paul, Norah Jones, and more. To get tickets you can check out Brooklyn Paramount’s website here.

* This article was originally published here

CUNY Medicine Students Lead Comprehensive Study On Topical Treatments For Pediatric Pain Management

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Children are often scared of the pain when they need to get a shot or have a tube inserted for a medical procedure. To help alleviate the discomfort and associated fear, doctors rub a numbing cream to the area before inserting the device. But which topical anesthetic best remains a topic of debate until a…

The post CUNY Medicine Students Lead Comprehensive Study On Topical Treatments For Pediatric Pain Management appeared first on Harlem World Magazine.

* This article was originally published here

Main Street Landing just opened with draft espresso martinis in Dumbo

Main Street Landing just opened with draft espresso martinis in Dumbo

New Yorkers love a good espresso martini, but we like it even more when we barely have to wait for it—at Main Street Landing, a new bar-bistro that debuted in Dumbo on Wednesday, March 20, the boozy pick-me-ups are available on tap. 

Yes, along with the Nitro Espresso Martini ($16), you can also find cocktails like the Main Street (gin, dry vermouth, salted cucumber shrub, green apple and lime; $17) and the Brooklyn Double Rocks (rye and bourbon, house dry vermouth and Bigallet China-China; $17) on draft at the 12-seat bar. Helmed by beverage director Vincent Bolognini, the drinks program also includes composed, seasonal cocktails that take inspiration from the coast (the absinthe-and-strawberry Hades Crossing, the aquavit-and-apricot Nordic Tide) and a beer list that honors the venue’s home borough (Wild East Brewing Co., Industrial Arts).

Those bevs can be enjoyed either downstairs, which features a 30-seat dining room as well as the bar, or in the upstairs lounge, where you can enjoy mirrored TVs playing the latest game if you’re a sports fan and breathtaking views of Dumbo if you’re not. (An outdoor patio also takes advantage of the restaurant/bar’s scenic proximity to the Manhattan Bridge.) 

The New American food menu from executive chef Justin Slojkowski (Bruno) plays up that proximity to the water, with an array of raw bar offerings including local oysters, Cape Cod littlenecks and seabass crudo. Heartier plates include the Heritage Chicken Share Board with chanterelles and a black garlic jus, a patty melt with slow-cooked onions and acidic slaw on buttered, caraway-seasoned sourdough, and a grilled steak with foie gras and celery au gratin. 

Check out photos of some of Main Street Landing’s cocktails below, as well as the bar space and some food offerings. (That cheesy patty melt looks good.)

Copper & Sea at Main Street Landing
Photograph: Vincent Bolognini | Copper & Sea at Main Street Landing
Regal Bearing at Main Street Landing
Photograph: Vincent Bolognini | Regal Bearing at Main Street Landing
Main Street Landing
Photograph: Rikki Snyder | Main Street Landing
Main Street Landing
Photograph: Rikki Snyder | Main Street Landing
Patty melt at Main Street Landing
Photograph: Rikki Snyder | Patty melt at Main Street Landing

* This article was originally published here

Precious Dreams Foundation Teams Up With NYC ACS To Launch ‘Comfort Shop’ For Foster Youth

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Precious Dreams Foundation— the organization which provides sleep support, teaches healthy coping mechanisms, and helps youth in foster care and homeless shelters uncover paths to fostering their dreams. In addition, the NYC Administration for Children’s Services (ACS) announced a new “Comfort Shop” for youth in foster care at the Nicholas Scoppetta Children’s Center.  The Nicholas…

The post Precious Dreams Foundation Teams Up With NYC ACS To Launch ‘Comfort Shop’ For Foster Youth appeared first on Harlem World Magazine.

* This article was originally published here

Mayor Adams Flips The Script: Tons Of Affordable Homes In Hotspots. Still Banging The Housing Drum

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New York City Mayor Eric Adams today unveiled a new initiative as part of his administration’s historic “City of Yes for Housing Opportunity” proposal. The proposal will create tens of thousands of affordable homes in areas of the city that many working-class New Yorkers are unable to afford. An outdated restriction on new residential construction…

The post Mayor Adams Flips The Script: Tons Of Affordable Homes In Hotspots. Still Banging The Housing Drum appeared first on Harlem World Magazine.

* This article was originally published here

Here are the new vendors coming to Smorgasburg this year

Here are the new vendors coming to Smorgasburg this year

Despite what the forecasts this week may say, warm weather is (eventually) coming to New York and visiting Smorgasburg NYC is one of our favorite ways to celebrate the return of outdoor dining season.

All three locations of the foodie fair—Manhattan’s Oculus and Brooklyn’s Marsha P. Johnson State Park and Breeze Hill in Prospect Park—will be officially reopening for Smorg’s 14th season between Friday, April 5, through Sunday, April 7. And along with some tried-and-true favorites, this year’s edition has plenty of yummy new vendors padding out its biggest lineup in years (a whopping 70-plus vendors, overall). 

RECOMMENDED: This new night market will kick off Asian Pacific American Heritage Month

Of the nearly 20 newcomers joining Smorgasburg’s returning roster of 60 vendors, six are first-generation immigrant-owned businesses and 11 are husband-and-wife- or family-run. And the new kids on the block will be serving up stuff to satisfy every craving, from fragrant Ethiopian stews (Emeye Ethiopian Cuisine) to Hawaii-style street comforts (Kalihi), from India’s snacky pani puri (Bom Bae) to Montreal-style potato puff poutine (Poutine Dauphine).

Lisbonata at Smorgasburg
Photograph: courtesy of Smorgasburg | Lisbonata at Smorgasburg
Bagel Joint at Smorgasburg
Photograph: courtesy of Smorgasburg | Bagel Joint at Smorgasburg

Eat and explore your way through international delicacies like classic Trinidadian doubles (Double(s) or Nothin’), Portugal’s pastéis de nata tarts (Lisbonata), Korea’s honey-sweet yakgwa cookies, and Colombian hot dogs piled high with caramelized pineapple and shoestring potatoes (Perro Slang Food). Or, if you want a taste of something closer to home, try out the different bagels and unconventional schmear combinations from Brooklyn’s own Bagel Joint. (Wasabi cream cheese? We’re intrigued!) And there will be great beverages to wash it all down with, including 88 Coffee Company’s Viet iced creations and Fat Choy’s Hong Kong-inspired tea blends. 

Along with those Smorg rookies, attendees will also be able to enjoy the delicious wares of returning vendors like mozzarella stick purveyor Big Mozz, okonomiyaki spot Oconomi, madcap doughnuttery Dough and many more. See the full scope of this year’s food-and-drink offerings at the Smorgasburg website

Check out the new Smorgasburg 2024 vendors below:

88 Coffee Company
Bagel Joint NYC
Bom Bae
Double(s) or Nothin’
Emeye Ethiopian Cuisine
Fat Choy
Gotcha Focaccia
Je T’aime Patisserie
Kalihi
Lisbonata
Ole & Steen
Perro Slang Food
Poutine Dauphine
Tosh’s Patties
Twig’m
Virginia Smashburginia

Emeye Ethiopian Cuisine at Smorgasburg
Photograph: courtesy of Smorgasburg | Emeye Ethiopian Cuisine at Smorgasburg
Je T'aime Patisserie at Smorgasburg
Photograph: courtesy of Smorgasburg | Je T’aime Patisserie at Smorgasburg

* This article was originally published here

Sponsored Love: How To Choose The Perfect William Yeoward Crystal Bar Drinkware For Your Home

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Enhancing your home drinking experience goes beyond just the liquid in the glass; it’s about the vessel itself. William Yeoward Crystal epitomizes timeless elegance and unparalleled craftsmanship, offering a wide array of exquisite bar drinkware options for your home bar. From classic highballs exuding understated refinement to intricately designed cocktail glasses that captivate with their artistic…

The post Sponsored Love: How To Choose The Perfect William Yeoward Crystal Bar Drinkware For Your Home appeared first on Harlem World Magazine.

* This article was originally published here

This insanely decadent Kinder croissant will be available in NYC this weekend only

This insanely decadent Kinder croissant will be available in NYC this weekend only

The newest focus of Internet fame is the “crookie,” a croissant-cookie dough combination that may remind you of Dominique Ansel’s famous Cronut but is, indeed, so much more decadent.

TikTok and Instagram are filled with clips of folks creating their own versions of the treat, but NYC restaurants are all-in on the trend as well. Settepani Bakery at the Time Out Market New York, for example, is offering a unique rainbow cookie croissant until the end of the month that people are going gaga over. 

The eatery also serves a more traditional version of the baked good, featuring chocolate chip cookie dough baked inside a regular croissant. Yum.

Given the success of both Crookie iterations, the bakery has created yet another treat, this one made with delicious Kinder chocolate and served this weekend only at all three Settepani locations in Brooklyn and Harlem: 196 Lenox Avenue, 601 Lorimer Street and the Time Out Market.

Settepani Crookie
Photograph: Courtesy of Settepani

As made apparent in the photos, the Crookie oozes soft chocolate that pairs perfectly with the crunchiness of the croissant. Yes, we’re perennially on a health-focused diet, but if you’re going to have a cheat day, it should include this sweet delicacy that is actually deserving of all the viral attention it is getting. 

If it’s more traditional post-meal fare that you’re after, check out our list of the best desserts in NYC right now, a guide that includes the green tea mille cake at Lady M Cake Boutique, the pistachio cake at Burrow, the Marzipan fruit at Fortunato Brothers and the classic banana pudding served at Magnolia.

Yes, all the above-mentioned desserts are also worthy of indulgence. We only live once, after all.

* This article was originally published here

Mayor Adams Announces Criteria And Opens Applications For Autonomous Vehicle Testing In NYC

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NYC Mayor Eric Adams and NYC Department of Transportation (DOT) Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez today released robust safety requirements for responsible and safe autonomous vehicle (AV) testing in NYC. As well as announced the opening of applications for a new permit program. DOT has established a rigorous permitting program to ensure approved applicants are ready to test their technology in the country’s most challenging urban environment safely…

The post Mayor Adams Announces Criteria And Opens Applications For Autonomous Vehicle Testing In NYC appeared first on Harlem World Magazine.

* This article was originally published here