On Tuesday, May 18 we celebrated another year of serving the Lincoln Square neighborhood at our Thirteenth Annual Meeting. Guests were treated to a delicious breakfast served by Mike O'Neal of O'Neals' and learned about some of the exciting things in store for the coming year. Comptroller John Liu, SBS Commissioner Robert Walsh, and Council Member Gale Brewer all had positive things to say about the Lincoln Square BID and the Upper West Side. Rebecca Campbell, President and General Manager of WABC-TV (who was promoted the next day to President of the ABC Owned Television Stations Group) talked about the history of Channel 7 and ABC in Lincoln Square and showed a short video featuring Regis Philbin and our neighborhood news anchors extolling the virtues of Lincoln Square. And, Stephanie Winston Wolkoff, Director of Fashion for Lincoln Center, gave us a sneak peak of what's in store as IMG Fashion Week comes to the neighborhood this fall.

We conducted business as well, including the nomination of new directors, approval of the FY 2011 budget and the presentation of our latest annual report. Click here to download a pdf version of our annual report. For a hard copy call 212.581.3774 or email info@lincolnsquarebid.org.

Sadly, we learned that this marks our last Annual Meeting at O'Neals'. After 46 years, Mike O'Neal, neighborhood champion and generous host, will be closing his restaurant at the end of June. Don't miss the hearty food at this legendary restaurant... make reservations now by calling 212.787.4663 or visit O'Neals' on the web at www.onealsny.com. And remember, you can always find Mike at the 79th Street Boat Basin. Thank you Mike for your incredible generosity.

On Saturday, June 12 at 11:00am, Borders in Time Warner Center will host the Toy Story 3 movie release party. Celebrate with stories, games, giveaways and more at this very special party for kids ages 4 to 9. For details, call Borders at 212.823.9775.

Toy Story 3 is the latest film from Disney Pixar and features Buzz and Woody and the whole gang of toys that come to life for a variety of wacky adventures. The movie will open Friday, June 18 at theaters everywhere and is sure to be one of this summer's blockbusters. Take your whole family to the IMAX or 3D screening of Toy Story 3 at the AMC Loews Lincoln Square at Broadway and 68th Street!

Kaufman Center's Lucy Moses School located at 129 West 67th Street will open its doors to the public on Wednesday, June 16 from 4:00 - 7:00pm, for its second annual Discovery Day. At this FREE event, children ages four and up can try out a wide range of instruments under the guidance of Lucy Moses School's dedicated and experienced faculty members. This is a great opportunity for beginners as well as students thinking about starting a second instrument to see what it's like to play the violin, cello, flute, clarinet, recorder, saxophone, piano, oboe, bassoon and trumpet.

In addition to exploring musical instruments, kids ages three to seven and their caregivers can participate in a sample 20-minute Dalcroze Eurhythmics class in which they'll explore musical concepts through active rhythm games, creative movement, songs and stories. Space is limited: To guarantee a spot in a Dalcroze sample class, please call 212.501.3360. Throughout the evening, families can step into Kaufman Center's Merkin Concert Hall to enjoy short performances by talented young Lucy Moses School students. Snacks will be available.

Founded in 1952 as a community school for pre-conservatory music training, Kaufman Center provides entertainment, education and inspiration for more than 75,000 New Yorkers each year. In addition to Merkin Concert Hall, it is home to Lucy Moses School, New York's largest community arts school, and the Special Music School, New York's only public school for musically gifted children. For information about classes in music, dance and theater at Kaufman Center's Lucy Moses School, visit kaufman-center.org or call 212.501.3360.

Image: Discovery Day at Lucy Moses School by Joan Jastrebski

On Monday, June 21 from 11:00am until 10:00pm, Lincoln Square will transform into one giant block party to take part in Make Music New York. There will be performances all around Lincoln Square, including Dante Park, Richard Tucker Park, the Apple Store, and One Lincoln Plaza. Musicians of all ages, creeds, and musical persuasions - from hip hop to opera, Latin jazz to punk rock - will perform on the streets, sidewalks, plazas, and parks throughout the neighborhood. One of this year's highlights includes a New Orleans second line parade that will march down Broadway from Kaufman Center on 67th Street to Columbus Circle.

Now in its fourth year, Make Music New York, "the largest music event ever to grace Gotham" (Metro New York), is a unique festival of free concerts in public spaces throughout the five boroughs of New York City, all on Monday, June 21, the first day of summer. MMNY takes place simultaneously with similar festivities in more than 327 cities around the world - a global celebration of music making.

For a complete list of events taking place, click here.

Midsummer Night Swing in Lincoln Center's Damrosch Park on West 62nd Street between Columbus and Amsterdam Avenues will run from Tuesday, June 29 through Saturday, July 17. Tango to two-step, swing to salsa, Midsummer Night Swing has something for everyone - everyone who likes to dance, that is. Midsummer Night Swing kicks off with a Battle of the Bands between East Coast swing-meisters, The George Gee Orchestra, versus West Coast swingers, The Bill Elliott Swing Orchestra. The Time Jumpers from Nashville will bring rollicking Western Swing, then the mood shifts to the island sounds of Orchestre Septentrional d'Haiti.

This year Midsummer Night Swing will feature a new dance floor, new lighting and new space design. Decorative arches ring a dance floor that accommodates 1,200 dancers, and etched plexiglass railings provide attractive safety fences along the sidelines. Globe lights atop the arches change color and give the dance floor a Tivoli Gardens look - fanciful and summery, enhancing the mood on midsummer nights.

The evenings are ticketed events, and they begin with a dance lesson at 6:30pm for all levels with some of New York's foremost instructors. Live music and dancing is from 7:30pm until 10:00pm.Tickets and passes are on sale now. Multi-evening Swing Passes are priced at $90 for six nights, and $160 for the full season. Tickets for individual evening events are $17. The Swing box office is located in the lobby of Avery Fisher Hall, Broadway and 65th Street. Tickets for individual events and passes can be purchased in advance or on the night of the event at a box office in Damrosch Park. Tickets and passes can also be purchased through CenterCharge, 212.721.6500, or by logging on to www.MidsummerNightSwing.org.

Image: Midsummer Night Swing, Lincoln Center

Now open on the Plaza of Lincoln Center is Restaurant Associates' Arpeggio Outdoors - just in time for the start of summer performing arts programming. The popular Avery Fisher Hall restaurant now offers al fresco dining featuring a "farm to table" inspired summer seasonal menu and the new "Picnic To Go" created by Chef Stephen Cardello. Arpeggio Outdoors is located on the Plaza, adjacent to Arpeggio Food & Wine in Avery Fisher Hall, on Columbus Avenue and 64th Street, and will be open through July 30, Tuesdays - Fridays, 5:00pm to 8:00pm and Saturdays, 11:30am to 8:00pm.

Guests can enjoy the season's bounties with Heirloom Tomato Gazpacho, Green Market Chopped Salad, Organic Watermelon Salad with Feta Cheese & Mint Vinaigrette, and lively, fresh summer fruit drinks, wines and cocktails such as Strawberry Lemonade, Rhubarb Coolers and Peach Mojitos. Rounding out the menu are fresh renditions of summer favorites, such as Maine Lobster Rolls, Rock Shrimp Cocktail with Lemon Cucumber, the Arpeggio Burger, crispy Soft Shell Crabs with Quinoa Olive Tomato Salad, and summer ripe melons and berries, gelato and sorbetti.

To encourage dining outside at Lincoln Center and throughout Lincoln Square, Arpeggio Outdoors has a "Picnic To Go," which includes a choice of sandwich or salad (such as Grilled Chicken Breast or a Mezze Salad of Marinated Eggplant) with an Heirloom Tomato Salad, Tumbador Artisanal Dark Chocolate Toffee Crisp and San Pellegrino Water. Picnic goers may also choose an Artisanal Cheese or Charcuterie Board "Picnic."

For reservations or more information call 212.874.7000 or visit www.arpeggiofoodandwine.com.

Since 1940, American Ballet Theatre (ABT) has performed in the greatest theatres around the world, creating a tradition of passion, innovation, and athleticism that transcends cultural boundaries and touches the soul of ballet lovers old and new. ABT continues this tradition with performances at the Metropolitan Opera House.

Starting Monday, June 14, ABT will present The Sleeping Beauty - the timeless fairy tale of the beautiful Princess Aurora, the evil sorceress Carabosse, over a century of sleep and the awakening kiss of a handsome prince. Whether this ballet is your perennial favorite or a first-time discovery, The Sleeping Beauty brings together all of the appeal of classical ballet in one remarkable work, set to Tchaikovsky's ravishing score with a wealth of dazzling dance.

On Monday, June 21, Swan Lake, set to another glorious Tchaikovsky score, will take the stage. This romantic tale of love and forgiveness is often considered the world's most beloved ballet. With breathtaking choreography, lavish costumes and visually spectacular sets evoking a lakeside Renaissance court, ABT's production "glides to the forefront of stagings all over the world. The fabled lake of the swans has risen into view, inspiring awe for its mystery and magic." - The Wall Street Journal. ABT's spring season at the Met closes on Saturday, July 10 with Sir Kenneth MacMillan's masterful interpretation of Shakespeare's Romeo & Juliet.

For tickets and more information call 212.362.6000 or visit www.abt.org.

Image: Kevin McKenzie's Swan Lake by MIRA

Sidewalk construction is complete and outdoor dining is back! With summer only a few days away, Lincoln Square's restaurants have rolled out their outdoor sidewalk seating. Enjoy the sunshine and soft breezes by dining al fresco!

Eat outdoors at Lincoln Square's very own restaurant row along Broadway between 63rd and 64th Streets where you'll find: Bar Boulud, Café Fiorello, Josephina, and Sushi a-go- go! Just a block south, tables and chairs are set up in front of Breadsoul and Lincoln Cafe. On Columbus Avenue, you'll discover Rosa Mexicano (62nd Street), P.J. Clarke's (63rd Street), Europan Bakery Café (66th Street) and Arpeggio Outdoors (Lincoln Center Plaza). Nick & Toni's Café on 67th Street between Broadway and Columbus Avenue and Nougatine at Trump International Hotel and Tower also offer outdoor tables. And, sprinkled all along Broadway, open-air seating can be found at: Barcibo Enoteca (69th Street), Luce Restaurant & Enoteca and Nanoosh (between 68th and 69th Streets).

If table service isn't your cup of tea, pick up something and bring your own feast to Richard Tucker Park at Broadway and 66th Street or Dante Park at Broadway and 64th Street where you'll find café tables, chairs and umbrellas!

Happy dining!