December 6, 2013


In this Edition:
  



  


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Weekly Snapshot 

 
Over the holidays, NYC is the city of lights and a top destination for tourists all around the world.  Christmas trees, vibrant department store windows, and the grandest decorations line the streets, unfolding holiday magic at every turn.  My Special Feature highlights this year's best holiday windows and all of the brightest of lights throughout the city.    

Next week I will unveil "Norma's Holiday Gift Guide" that will feature unique finds for the host, that special someone, and more.
 
 
 
  
  


Norma Knows New York City 
 
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See the below categories for my event picks for the  
 
 
General & Holiday Events...Calendar            
  


 

RECENT SEASONAL SPECIAL FEATURES:

City Ice Rinks 

 

Through December 30

Cocoa and Carols or Holiday Jazz Cruise

90 minute festive cruise on the Hudson to see all of NYC lights. Live music, beautiful views, and warm treats. 

   

December St. Jude Winter Gala
This is an event that is near and dear to me. The St. Jude Winter Gala exists through the funding of all of its supporters.  Reasonably priced at $125 per ticket, there will be music, dancing, cocktails, and tastings from many of the city's finest restaurants.
 

  

December 6  Adriana Trigiani Holiday Walking Tour

Part tour and part shopping experience as you explore some of the hidden wonders to get into the spirit and excitement of the season. Also December 8 and 13.    

 

December 6   Gingerbread Extravaganza

Annual event at Le Parker Meridien Hotel (119 West 56th Street), this year's theme is "Quintessential New York" featuring works from local bakeries. Benefits City Harvest.

 

December 7    

27th Annual Miracle on Madison Avenue

This Sunday's Miracle on Madison Avenue (Madison Avenue from 57th Street to 86th Street) is near and dear to my heart. Visit the website for all of the participating stores.  A portion of all the proceeds will be directed to Memorial Sloan Kettering.  From 10am to 5pm, shop 'til you drop.

 

 

December 9 Babes in Toyland

The Southwest Porch at Bryant Park (41 West 40th Street) will screen this holiday classic as part of their Holiday Movies at the Porch. December 16th is one of my favorites... Miracle on 34th Street

 

More Pop Ups:

 

December 6 to 8  Provisions Holiday Market 

Head to Old Bowery Station (168 Bowery) for delicious food and great kitchen and home gifts. 

 

December 7 Red Hook Maker's Market Holiday Pop Up

A holiday popup market at Atelier Roquette (63 Commerce Street, Brooklyn).   Amazing local artists and vendors.

 

December 7 & 8  Wythe Hotel Holiday Pop Up

A 2-day bazaar in Williamsburg showcasing jewelry, apparel, accessories, and home goods. At the Wythe Hotel (80 Wythe Avenue, Brooklyn). 

   

Through December 24 

Bronson van Wyck and Celerie Kemble Holiday Workshop 

A holiday popup workshop on the Upper East Side (19 East 75th Street) featuring their furniture lines and holiday wares.   A perfect way to get you in the spirit! 

 

Through December 28  Holiday House   

Tour holiday-inspired rooms at The Academy Mansion (2 East 63rd Street), created by some of the city's top designers.  Proceeds benefit The Breast Cancer Research Foundation®.

Thursday evenings will offer wine tastings and music.  

 

CulturalCultural Pursuits...    
 

Dec 7 & 8  Peter & the Wolf with Isaac Mizrahi

Although this weekend's performances are sold out, order your tickets for the events on the 13th, 14th, or 15th. I went last year and it was well worth it!

 

Through January 11  

Intimate Portraits of Elizabeth Taylor & Other Hollywood Legends

Fine art photography at the Keith de Lellis Gallery. Up Close and Personal photographs by Roddy McDowell.  I was mesmerized by the one of Paul Newman!

 

Through January 12   

"Lose not heart": J. D. Salinger's Letters to an Aspiring Writer

At the Morgan Library & Museum, the letters shed light on the stages of Salinger's career. Also at the Morgan is one of my favorite yearly exhibits, Charles Dickens's A Christmas Carol.  A popular "Between the Lines Tour" will be offered on the 7th at 11am. And, don't miss Winter Family Day on the 8th, with wonderful events for the whole family.  Next week I'll list all their upcoming caroling concerts to keep the holiday spirits bright!

 

Through January 19    

Vermeer, Rembrandt, and Hals: 

Masterpieces of Dutch Painting from the Mauritshuis 

The final American stop of the global tour of paintings from the Royal Picture Gallery Mauritshuis (The Hague, the Netherlands). While the prestigious Dutch museum undergoes a 2-year renovation, it is lending masterpieces that haven't traveled in 30 years. A selection of 15 paintings on display at the Frick Collection (1 East 70th Street) includes the iconic Girl with a Pearl Earring.

 

Through February 17  Isaac Julien: 10,000 Waves

A 50 minute moving image film installation at MoMA (11 West 53rd Street) that projects onto 9 enlarged screens, depicting the drama of Chinese immigration.  Quite compelling.

 

CurtainCurtain Up...    
 
Through December 31  Steve Tyrell
One of my favorite entertainers performs at Cafe Carlyle through New Years Eve. I have tickets on December 14th!

Through January 4th  Alvin Alley American Dance 

Performances at New York City Center (131 West 55th Street).

  

Through January 4  G. Balanchine's The Nutcracker
The yearly anticipated Nutcracker by Tschaikovsky opens at the David H. Koch Theater (20 Lincoln Center). I see the New York City Ballet's performance each year and this one will be no exception!

December 6  Falstaff

Verdi's comedic opera, Falstaff opens at the Metropolitan Opera with performances through January 11th.

 

December 8  3rd Annual Holiday Sing-A-Long with Dan Zanes & Friends
I'll be going to City Winery's (155 Varick Street) annual event at 11am this Sunday... a great way to get into the holiday spirit.

December 8  
Holiday Pops with Boston Pops Esplanade Orchestra with Keith Lockhart
Keith Lockhart is the legendary conductor of the Boston Pops. Performance is at the Colden Auditorium at Kupferberg Center for the Arts (65-30 Kissena Boulevard - Flushing) in Queens.

December 8 & 15  A Christmas Carol & A Christmas Story
Actor Dikran Tulaine (The Blacklist, Sleepy Hollow) gives a solo performance of 2 Christmas classics at Stage Left Studios (214 West 30th Street).

December 8 to 16 
ON THE RECORD
Tributes to the great vocal groups of the 20th century at Stage 72 (158 West 72nd Street).  From the Beatles to the Beach Boys, you'll be singing along to familiar songs.

 

December 9  Rod Stewart 

One of my top performers will perform at Madison Square Garden (4 Pennsylvania Plaza). There are still tickets available.

 

December 9  Vienna Boys Choir

Performing at the Metropolitan Museum of Art (1000 5th Avenue), these gifted young musicians will make your hearts sing.

   

December 10  Dust to Dust 

Elizabeth Hess performs Dust to Dust to commemorate Human Rights Day, and the last day of 16 Days of Activism Against Gender Violence. A fundraiser for UN Women, it includes a wine reception and performance.   

 

December 11 to 29   A Christmas Story, The Musical

From Red Ryder BB Guns to pink bunny costumes and Ovaltine, the movie was iconic and the stage version promises to be just as good!

 

December 13 to 22 American Ballet Theatre's The Nutcracker

At the BAM Howard Gilman Opera House (30 Lafayette Avenue - Brooklyn), a beautiful annual performance with David H. Koch as the Lead Underwriter.


FoodFor the Foodie..    
 

December 6  Second Annual Rooftop Tree Lighting & Caroling Party 

Rosemary's (18 Greenwich Avenue), one of my favorite restaurants, is hosting a special event at 7:30pm. Homemade cookies, home pressed cider, and zabaglione will be served.  

 

December 8  3rd Annual Slow Food Show 

Purveyors of local food and artisanal products will be featured at The Astor Center (399 Lafayette Street) from 1pm-5pm.

 

Special Holiday Feature...Feature
Holiday Windows &
Dazzling Lights  
 

UPCOMING TREE LIGHTINGS

 

December 6   

Second Annual Tree Lighting & Caroling Party

Rosemary's (18 Greenwich Avenue)

  

December 8  

The Park Avenue Tree Lighting

Brick Presbyterian Church - Park Avenue @ 91st Street   

  

December 8  Carl Schurz Park Holiday Tree Lighting

East 86th Street & East End Avenue

  

December 10  Madison Square Holiday

23rd Street & Madison Avenue

 

December 11  Washington Square Park Tree Lighting 

The Washington Arch - Washington Square Park 

 

 

HOLIDAY WINDOWS

 

 

Barneys New York: Interactive Light Show 

660 Madison Avenue

 

Bergdorf Goodman:  Holiday on Ice

754 5th Avenue

 
Bloomingdales: Around the World

1000 Third Avenue

 

 

Henri Bendel: Late Celebrity Caricaturist Al Hirschfield - "Stars He Knew"

712 5th Avenue  

 

Lord & Taylor:  Vintage NYC 
424 5th Avenue

Macy's:  Dream... and Believe
151 West 34th Street


Saks Fifth Avenue:  Snowflake Spectacular

611 5th Avenue

  

Tiffany's New York:   

Elegance of NYC Town Homes 

5th Avenue & 57th Street

  

Stop by the dazzling design in the window which inspired George Balanchine to choreograph his great work, Jewels for the New York City Ballet.    


West Village
Bleecker Street - 6th Avenue to Bank Street

Stroll along Bleecker Street to view beautifully decorated store windows.

 

  

DAZZLING LIGHTS

 

 

 

Christmas Lights & Cannoli Tour

Dyker Heights & Bay Ridge Brooklyn Tour - Starts at 4th Avenue between 13th and 14th Street in Brooklyn

 

Holiday Under the Stars - The Shops at Columbus Circle 

Time Warner Center - Columbus Circle at 59th Street

 

The Holiday Train Show® 

New York Botanical Garden - 2900 Southern Blvd, The Bronx 

 
Holiday Lights Spectacular, Brooklyn
Park Slope - 310A 22nd Street, Brooklyn
    
Origami Holiday Tree
American Museum of Natural History (Central Park West at 79th Street)

 

 

The Holiday Lights at Grand Central Terminal
89 East 42nd Street (at Park Ave)   
 
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