Norma's Weekly Member Snapshot:
Al Fresco Cocktails
Garden at David Burke Kitchen

It's warming up in the city and we ca
n finally enjoy the fresh air without heat lamps or coats. Sipping a refreshing cocktail makes the outdoors even more inviting, and a stunning view adds to the appeal.

This week, I've included my top 10 outdoor bars so you can find your perfect oasis.  No matter what neighborhood you visit, an outdoor cocktail awaits you as you take in the summer surroundings. 

Enjoy your Memorial Day Weekend - visit last week's Snapshot for things to do in the city if you're staying local.
 
 
   Norma Knows New York City   
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GeneralGENERAL EVENTS
Brooklyn Botanic Garden
The blossoms are in bloom! Visit on a Wednesday and take a tour. Or on Saturdays and Sundays, take a tour of the seasonal highlights of the garden.                  
 
Saturdays 
Hester Street Fair 
Corner of Hester & Essex Streets
One of the best street fairs opens for the season!  A collection of NYC's best vendors, from the finest foods to vintage clothing to jewelry and home goods. Open Saturdays through October. 
 
Saturdays & Sundays 
Smorgasburg
Brooklyn
Saturdays at East River State Park, Sundays in Prospect Park 
Artisanal outdoor market featuring over 100 food vendors. 
  
The High Line (West 13th & Washington Streets)
Every Tuesday until October you can peek into high powered telescopes on the High Line and chat with the experts.
 
May 28  Governors Island Opens
So many great events occur during the summertime at Governors Island!


Through October 31 
Metropolitan Museum of Art (1000 Fifth Avenue)
The perfect time to visit the Met's Roof Garden; beautiful view and delicious drinks and now Cornelia Parke's PsychoBarn
   
ON THE RADAR:
Veuve Clicquot Polo Classic 
June 4  Veuve Clicquot Polo Classic 
Liberty State Park (Jersey City, NJ)
In its 9th year... polo match, champagne bars, food trucks... polo and champagne, how much more civilized can you get?

June 4 & 5  Rose Garden Weekend
New York Botanical Garden
Two days of live music, tours with rose experts, and refreshments.

June 4 & 5  American Crafts Festival
Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts
380 craft displays selected from every region of the United States. Continuous entertainment and craft demonstrations. Also June 11th & 12th.


June 6 through 10  Daybreaker Week
Various Locations
A week-long festival of morning experiences with DJs and music to support social and environmental causes.
 
CutluralCULTURAL PURSUITS
Looking for a new way to see a museum?  Check out Museum Hack, guided tours (up to 9 people) of the MET and the American Museum of Natural History. Led by experienced guides well-versed in art history, it's a way to see the works through a new lens. 
                         
CLOSING SOON:  

HARLEM'S HISTORIC CORN EXCHANGE BUILDING
(125th Street & Park Avenue)
FLUX Art Fair
Through May 31
Art fair brings together works from over 50 artists representing over a dozen countries.

THEATER FOR THE NEW CITY
(155 First Avenue)
May 27 through 29
The Theme of this year's festival is: ART KNOWS NO WALLS OR BARRIERS. The festival is an art party celebrating the Lower East Side's diversity in the Arts


ONGOING EXHIBITS: 
  
AMERICAN MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY (Central Park West at 79th Street)
The Secret World Inside You 
 
Through August 14
The exhibit takes visitors on a tour of the human body.  
Ongoing
View the cast of a 122-foot-long dinosaur. This species is so new that it has not yet been formally named by the paleontologists who discovered it!

CENTER FOR ITALIAN MODERN ART (421 Broome Street)
Giorgio Morandi
Through June 25
Dedicated to one of the best known Italian artists of the 20th century, the exhibit focuses on his rarely seen 1930s works.
        
Pixar: The Design of Story 

COOPER HEWITT
  (2 East 91st Street)
Through August 7
Pixar fans will enjoy this exhibit, tracing the creation of the rarely seen sketches, paintings, and sculptures of Pixar's characters. 



 
 
DISCOVERY TIMES SQUARE
(226 West 44th Street)
Through September 5
With all of the craze about Star Wars, it's the perfect time to see the exhibit of memorable costumes from this iconic film series
 
ELLIS ISLAND
Ongoing
Life-size historic photographs of Ellis Island immigrants are displayed on the south side of Ellis Island. 

Ongoing
Tells the story of immigration to America before the processing station opened. 
    
INTREPID SEA, AIR & SPACE MUSEUM   
(
Pier 86 - West 46th Street & 12th Avenue)   
On the Line: Intrepid and the Vietnam War

Now open
A major exhibition exploring the events and impact of the Vietnam War through the lens of the Intrepid.  
 
Isaac Mizrahi: An Unruly History
Through August 7
The first museum survey devoted to the American designer who makes clothing, hosted a television show, and performed his own cabaret act.
    
 
THE MET BREUER (Madison Avenue & 75th Street)
Unfinished: Thoughts Left Visible
Through September 4 
197 works from the Renaissance to the present. The exhibition examines a subject critical to artistic practice: the question of when a work of art is finished.   

Manus x Machina: Fashion in an Age of Technology 
METROPOLITAN MUSEUM OF ART
(1000 Fifth Avenue)
Manus x Machina: Fashion in an Age of Technology
Through August 14
The exhibit explores the differences between fashion made by hand vs. by machines in the modern age.




MORGAN LIBRARY & MUSEUM
(225 Madison Avenue)
June 3 through September 18
 
Completed when he was just twenty-three years old, this piece has long been recognized as the artist's first mature work, his first masterpiece.  
MUSEUM OF MODERN ART
 (11 West 53rd Street)
Edgar Degas: A Strange New Beauty
Through July 24
The exhibition includes approximately 120 rarely seen monotypes, 60 related paintings, drawings, pastels, sketchbooks, and prints-that show Degas at his most modern.
   
NEUE GALERIE NEW YORK MUSEUM FOR GERMAN AND AUSTRIAN ART (1048 Fifth Avenue)
Munch and Expressionism
Through June 13
 
Exhibit focuses on Edward Munch's influence on his German colleagues. 

The Art and Whimsy of Mo Willems
Through September 25
Brings together original art, sketches, and inspirational drawings from Willem's most popular series (Sesame Street) and stand-alone classics.   
 
FLOW.16
RANDALL'S ISLAND PARK   
FLOW.16
Through November
Annual summer art exhibitions, aimed at fostering appreciation of the shoreline through artistic expression. 
 
SOCIETY OF ILLUSTRATORS
(128 East 63rd Street) 
Tuesdays & Thursdays
For those that have a talent for sketching, stop by Tuesday or Thursday evenings for sketch night and see the latest exhibit.    

Washington Square Outdoor Exhibit 


WASHINGTON SQUARE PARK
Washington Square Outdoor Art Exhibit
May 28 through 30
Local artists showcase their works in this twice annual exhibit. Also June 4th & 5th. 




WHITNEY MUSEUM OF AMERICAN ART (99 Gansevoort Street) 
Human Interest: Portraits from the Whitney's Collection
Through February 12 
Offers new perspectives on one of art's oldest genres. Drawn entirely from the Museum's holdings, 100+ works reveal how artists have reinvented portraiture during the last sixty years.  

ON THE RADAR: 
 
FIFTH AVENUE
Museum Mile Festival
June 14
New York's biggest block party.  All museums from 82nd to 105th are free and open to the public... with no cars in sight!


Metropolitan Museum of Art 
CurtainCURTAIN UP
FILM:
            
Crosby Street Hotel (79 Crosby Street)
For $55 per person, enjoy dinner and a movie. A 3-course meal is followed by a viewing of this movie surrounding a Marvel superhero.

June 2 through 8  Open Roads: New Italian Cinema
The Film Society of Lincoln Center
The most diverse and extensive lineup of contemporary Italian film. 
 

MUSIC & DANCE:


Tuesdays & Wednesdays Jazz Nights
The Lambs Club (132 West 44th Street) 
Live jazz from new and up and coming performers.     
  
 
New York Philharmonic

Spring Season  
New York Philharmonic   
Avery Fisher Hall
(10 Lincoln Center Plaza)   
Visit the schedule for upcoming concerts through the remainder of the season.   



       
 
Through May 29 
New York City Ballet Spring Season   
Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts
(20 Lincoln Center Plaza)

Visit the website for the full schedule.   
  
May 29   Sondheim Unplugged
54 Below (254 West 54th Street)
Annual event features some of Broadway and cabaret's most dynamic voices, accompanied by piano only, honoring the work of Broadway's master composer.

Through May  La Boheme  
The Metropolitan Opera House (Lincoln Center Plaza)
Puccini's immortal tale of tragic young love set amidst the rooftops of bohemian Paris. 

June 1 through 30   Blue Note Jazz Festival 
Various Locations
Festival showcases over 150 premier artists at more than 15 venues throughout the city. Visit their website to find your favorite artist. Some highlights include Al Jarreau and the Music of Edith Piaf.


June 3  Stars in the Alley
Shubert Alley, west of Seventh Avenue between 44th & 45th Streets
Experience the magic of Broadway!  An annual 90-minute concert featuring the best snapshot of Broadway theater from this season and from ongoing shows.

June 3 through 5   The Governors Ball Music Festival
Randall's Island Park
Tickets are selling out for this annual 3-day festival, so book yours now. Performers include Beck, Kanye West, and The Killers.  Food vendors include by CHLOE, Momofuku Milk Bar, and Van Leeuwen Artisan Ice Cream. 

Through June 11  New York Philharmonic Biennial
Lincoln Center
Visit the website for upcoming performances.  From Oscar Wilde in opera to Shared Madness in Williamsburg, from electroacoustic music to a marimba concerto... new music and the city.  

Through June 16  LIVE from the NYPL
New York Public Library (11 West 40th Street) 
Annual Spring Speaker Series... check out the calendar. 

Through August 31  Summerstage
Central Park
Opens for the summer season... free concerts all summer.  Check the schedule for upcoming performances.
 



THEATER:

An Act of God
May 28 through September 4
Booth Theatre
  (222 West 45th Street)
Last year starred Jim Parsons and this year will be even better when it stars Sean Hayes! Hayes (as God himself) reveals the mysteries of the Bible and answers the questions that have plagued mankind since the beginning of time.  Previews start May 28th, opens June 6th through September 4th.

American Psycho
Through September 25
Schoenfeld Theatre
(236 West 45th Street)
American Psycho returns to Broadway as a musical... a carnal carnival of song and dance.

An American in Paris
Through January 1, 2017
Palace Theater (1564 Broadway) 
American Stage debut of the story about a young artist who discovers life and love after returning from the war.    

Through January 8, 2017
Stephen Sondheim Theatre (124 West 43rd Street)
This musical follows the legendary songwriter from her early days as a Brooklyn teenager to well-known hits as a top recording artist.
  
Blackbird 
Through June 11
Belasco Theatre (111 West 44th Street)
The star-studded cast includes Michele Williams and Jeff Daniels; they will perform one of the most powerful dramas of the century.  An uncomfortable relationship reunites between an older man and a younger woman.      

Bright Star

Through October 9

Cort Theatre (138 West 48th Street)
I have followed Steve Martin's career as an actor and banjo player for many years. I'm delighted that he has expanded his talents as the songwriter of this musical (with Edie Brickell's talents at work also).  As he said in an interview, he wanted to create music that would be an anthem to optimism, writing songs that would bring joy to the audience.
 


Cagney
Through September 25
Westside Theatre
(407 West 43rd Street)
How exciting - this musical follows the life of James Cagney from the streets of New York to vaudeville, then to a Hollywood tough guy.  
 
The Color Purple
The Color Purple
Through October 2
Bernard B Jacobs Theatre
(242 West 45th Street)
Broadway revival starring Jennifer Hudson.  
  
The Crucible
Through July 17
Walter Kerr Theatre
(219 West 48th Street)
Arthur Miller's famed production of the timeless parable of morality returns to Broadway... starring Academy Award Nominee Saoirse Ronan
(Brooklyn).    
   
The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time 
Through September 4
Barrymore Theatre (243 West 47th Street) 
A Tony Award Winning play! The lead actor is brilliant; the set design is mesmerizing. The story unfolds with a mathematically precocious adolescent with behavioral problems uncovering truths and secrets.

Daddy Long Legs
Through January 8, 2017
Davenport Theatre (354 West 45th Street) 
An upbeat musical that tells the tale of an orphan and her anonymous benefactor.    

Eclipsed
Through June 19
John Golden Theatre
(252 West 45th Street)
After a limited run at The Public Theater, this show starring Academy Award Winner
Lupita Nyong'o, hits Broadway!   

The Father
The Father
Through June 12
Samuel J. Friedman Theatre (
261 West 47th Street)
The infamous Frank Langella stars in Florian Zeller's new play. I've been mesmerized by him since his role as Dracula.
 

Fid
dler on the Roof
Through December 31
Broadway Theatre (1681 Broadway) 
The acclaimed show returns to Broadway, a favorite of mine.
 
  
Through August 21
Lunt-Fontanne Theatre (205 West 46th Street)
The amazing story of how Peter became Pan.
     

Through October 9
Circle in the Square Theatre (235 West 50th Street)
Performance brings the actors and audience within close proximity. Tony Award Winning play about seeing your parents through adult eyes.              
  
Hamilton
Through January 29, 2017
Richard Rodgers Theatre
(226 West 46th Street)
An inventive musical about a young immigrant who changed America... Alexander Hamilton.  Tickets are in high demand!            
Through September 4
Lincoln Center Theater (150 West 65th Street)
The revival of Rodgers and Hammerstein's play, starring Daniel Dae Kim of the TV shows Lost and Hawaii Five-0.

Long Day's Journey into Night
Through June 26
American Airlines Theatre (227 West 42nd Street)
The tale of an ordinary summer's day with extraordinary consequences... stars the incredible Jessica Lange, who wows in American Horror Story. Plus Gabriel Byrne and Michael Shannon! 

Mike Birbiglia: "Thank God for Jokes"
Through May 29
Lynn Redgrave Theater (49 Bleecker Street)
Comedian, writer, and actor, Mike Birbiglia stars in a one-man-show of modern day joke telling

Through January 1, 2017
Marquis Theatre (1535 Broadway)
High-energy performance about Emilio and Gloria Estefan.          

 
Paramour

Paramour
Through February 19, 2017
Lyric Theatre (213 West 42nd Street)
Set in the world of Golden Age Hollywood, Cirque du Soleil makes its Broadway debut! Now in previews, opens May 25th through February 19th.




Ruthless
Through September 10
St. Luke's Theatre (308 West 46th Street)
Called "the mother of all musicals," I've seen it and can attest... it's a hilarious show starring 10-year old Tori Murray.                      

School of Rock
Through February 5, 2017
I'm a fan of Andrew Lloyd Weber and I'm sure there will no exception to the quality of his newest musical based on the film starring Jack Black.

Shakespeare in the Park: The Taming of the Shrew
May 24 through June 26
The Delacorte Theater (81 Central Park)
It's worth standing in line for the free performances of Shakespeare's classic tale in a magical setting.  

Shuffle Along
A Streetcar Named Desire 

Through October 9
Music Box Theatre (239 West 45th Street)
Six-time award winner Audra McDonald returns to Broadway.  Note: Audra McDonald will not appear in performances from June 19th through September 12th.

A Streetcar Named Desire

Through June 4
St. Ann's Warehouse (Brooklyn Bridge Park)
The iconic production stars X-Files' own Gillian Anderson!
 
Tuck Everlasting The Musical
Through January 1
Broadhurst Theatre (235 West 44th Street)
If you could live forever, would you? Take a journey you'll never forget in this new musical about love, family, and living life to the fullest!       
   
Waitress
Through January 1, 2017
Brooks Atkinson Theatre (256 West 47th Street)
Based on the 2007 film, Tony Award Winner Jessie Mueller stars in this new musical with music by Sara Bareilles.

 
The Woodsman
Through May 29
New World Stages (340 West 50th Street)
It's the origin story of the Wizard of Oz's Tin Man! 
 
ON THE RADAR:  
 
  June 7  Washington Square Music Festival
Washington Square Park
Live music in the park from Classical to Jazz.  Also June 14th, 21st, and 28th. 


June 8 through 21  
Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater
David H. Koch Theatre (20 Lincoln Center Plaza)
The weeks of performance kick off with The Ailey Spirit Gala
benefit, a one-night-only performance featuring Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, Ailey II, The Ailey School, and AileyCamp. Check the schedule for performances. 
 
FoodFOR THE FOODIE
EVENTS  
      
Through May 27  Madison Square Eats
Madison Square Park
Annual event featuring some of NYC's most popular restaurants and food vendors
.   

June 3 & 4  Taste of the Upper West Side - Summer in the City: Surf & Turf
Columbus Ave between West 76th and 77th Streets
Hosted by Anne Burrell (host of Food Network's Worst Cooks in America) and Alex Guarnaschelli (Chef/owner of Butter and judge on Food Network's Chopped). Ticket includes tastes from 45 restaurants, wine, beer, and cocktails. And check out Best of the West VIP Reception.

ON THE RADAR:

June 6  Taste of Times Square
46th Street from Broadway to 10th Avenue
Over 50 restaurants share their finest tastes from around the globe.
Taste of Summer

June 8   Taste of Summer
Bethesda Terrace - Central Park
Our city's renowned chefs will serve their finest cuisine, amidst the iconic setting of the Bethesda Terrace, with music from one the city's best DJs. Proceeds benefit the restoration and maintenance of Central Park.

FeatureSPECIAL FEATURE: AL FRESCO COCKTAILS  
Bookmarks Lounge
Midtown East: The Library Hotel - 299 Madison Avenue
Rooftop Lounge and Terrace with cityscape views from its wrap-around terrace... Added feature is a glass-enclosed greenhouse. 
 
Garden at David Burke
SoHo: The James New York Hotel - 23 Grand Street  
Grab a small bite and a delicious cocktail while in a majestic setting in the middle of SoHo. Another slice of heaven from David Burke.

La Birreria 
    
La Birreria
Flatiron District:  Eataly - 200 5th Avenue   
After stocking up on Italian specialties, head up to the massive rooftop brewery and restaurant with breathtaking views.   






La Piscine
Chelsea:  Hôtel Americano - 518 West 27th Street   
Located in Chelsea, you'll feel like you're at a resort in Mexico. Terrific décor. 

Loopy Doopy
Battery Park: Conrad New York Hotel - 102 North End Avenue
Top-floor terrace bar at the hip Conrad Hotel. Located on the 16th floor, this stylish hot spot has incredible views of the Hudson River and delectable signature cocktails.     

Roof Garden Cafe and Martini Bar  
Upper East Side:  Metropolitan Museum of Art  - 1000 5th Avenue  
Lite fare and cocktails in a breathtaking outdoor setting on the Upper East Side. I enjoy visiting the café after I tour the European sculptures and decorative arts galleria on the floor that houses the entrance to the rooftop. 
  
Salon de Ning
 
Upper East Side:
The  Peninsula Hotel - 700 5th Avenue
Rooftop bar with décor reminiscent of Shanghai in the 1930s. Stylishly chic! The Ning Sling is their signature drink.     

St. Cloud
Times Square:
The Knickerbocker Hotel - 6 Times Square  
A legendary NYC landmark reborn... The Knickerbocker Hotel. Visit this rooftop hot spot with three plush corner Sky Pods overlooking Times Square complemented by an open-air cigar lounge. A perfect mix of biergarten and speakeasy.

 
Terrace at SixtyFive 
Terrace at SixtyFive 
Midtown West:  Rainbow Room -
30 Rockefeller Plaza, 65th Floor
Lounge and wraparound outdoor terrace at the top of 30 Rock. With panoramic views of Manhattan, it's classic New York with a modern twist. 
 


Upstairs at the Kimberly 
Midtown East:  The Kimberly Hotel - 145 East 50th Street  
Located on the 30th floor of The Kimberly Hotel, sweeping views of the Manhattan skyline and twinkles at night to set the mood. The drinks are superb.  


Norma Knows NYC | 76th Street | New York | NY | 10021