Norma's Weekly Member Snapshot:
Summer Escapes   
 
Charlotte Inn - Martha's Vineyard
Summer months in Manhattan can demand an escape from the crowds and bright lights. This week I'm featuring five of my top getaways when you feel the need to take a break from the "island" of Manhattan. We could all use a change of scenery and a little adventure to take us through the hottest season.
 
 
   Norma Knows New York City

 
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GeneralGENERAL EVENTS
Now Open  Bryant Park Outdoor Activities
Bryant Park 
There is so much to do during the summer in Bryant Park - from outdoor dance and exercise classes to a live piano player... check the calendar for the full schedule.

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.   
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.

Jazz Age Lawn Party

ON THE RADAR:

August 13 & 14  Jazz Age Lawn Party 
Governor's Island 
An annual prohibition-era soiree (How very Gatsby!). The quintessential outdoor celebration of the jazz age.   
 
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.
                      
ONGOING EXHIBITS: 
  
The Secret World Inside You 
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.




Crime Stories: Photography and Foul Play
Through July 31
This exhibition explores the multifaceted intersections between photography and crime, from 19th-century "rogues' galleries" to work by contemporary artists inspired by criminal transgression.

MORGAN LIBRARY & MUSEUM
(225 Madison Avenue)
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.
Through July 10
An ongoing exhibition series featuring some of the world's greatest collections of medieval manuscripts, printed books and bindings, literary manuscripts, private letters and correspondence, and original music.
   
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.

Nan Goldin: The Ballad of Sexual Dependency
Through February 12
Almost 700 snapshot-like portraits sequenced against an evocative music soundtrack, the exhibit is formed out of the artist's own experiences.

NEW-YORK HISTORICAL SOCIETY (170 Central Park West)
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.   
 
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.    

Human Interest: Portraits from the Whitney's Collection
 
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.  
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 about the life of the famed boxer. Stars Will Smith. 

MUSIC & DANCE:

Tuesdays & Wednesdays
Jazz Nights
The Lambs Club (132 West 44th Street) 
Live jazz from new and up and coming performers.     
  
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 June 26  River to River Festival  
Various Locations
Live experiences including dance, music, visual art, and new media projects in public parks, in historic landmarks, on Governors Island, and along the waterfront. Check the schedule for events, including the Night at the Museums on June 21st with free admission to 14 museums and cultural institutions in Lower Manhattan.
 
June 26   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.
 

June 28  Washington Square Music Festival
Washington Square Park
Live music in the park from Classical to Jazz. 
 
Through June 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.


Through July 19 
Midsummer Night Swing

Lincoln Center
Tickets are on sale for one of my favorite events of the summer.  New York City's best dance party under the stars.  Whether you're a seasoned dancer or novice, you'll sample salsa, swing, and an array of other dances. 

Through August 11   Summer in the Square 

Union Square
Free music Thursday nights.
 
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
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.  Now in previews, 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.
  

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.    

 
 
Fiddler on the Roof
Through December 31
Broadway Theatre (1681 Broadway) 
The acclaimed show returns to Broadway.
    
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! 
  
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
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
Shuffle Along

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.
 
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.
 
FoodFOR THE FOODIE
ON THE RADAR EVENTS:

July 4 through 17  French Restaurant Week 
Celebrate Bastille Day's weekend festival while dining in some of the city's finest restaurants where many prix fixe menus are offered.
      
FeatureSPECIAL FEATURE: SUMMER ESCAPES 
The Inn at Windmill Lane
THE HAMPTONS: 
The Inn at Windmill Lane  
Amagansett, NY
Distance from NYC:
  106 miles 
How to get there: Drive, take Long Island Railroad or the Hampton Jitney.
  
Make yourself at home in the Hamptons. This is one of my favorite areas to visit out East... you can spend the day at the beach, go shopping in town, then come back to the inn and relax in the common room or cook a homemade meal in its gourmet kitchen. With exceptional attention to detail, the private cottages are the perfect setting for you to relax and unwind. They even come have their own private steam rooms!
 
Edgartown, MA
Distance from NYC:  265 miles
How to get there: Fly, drive, or take Amtrak to Boston or to Kingston, RI then take a ferry. Or try Seastreak with service from East 35th Street.     

Head north for a relaxing weekend at the vineyard. You'll feel like you've taken a step back in time as you enter this quaint inn...and no trip to Martha's Vineyard would be complete without a trip to the Edgartown Lighthouse and a meal at The Terrace. This hidden fine dining gem is not so hidden for inn guests - it's right on site!


Nantucket, MA  
Distance from NYC:  280 miles
How to get there: Fly, drive, or try Seastreak with service from East 35th Street.

 
White Elephant
The White Elephant is picturesque and classic Nantucket. I visit the town at least once a year and I don't even consider any other accommodations... outstanding service, attention to detail, and island convenience. For an adventure, try the Nantucket Whale Watch Cruise. You're guaranteed some amazing sightings.


Forty 1° North
 
Newport, RI   
Distance from NYC: 180 miles
How to get there:  Drive or take a bus.  
 
This spot is Newport's newest waterfront resort. It's the perfect place to enjoy marina activities, great food, and access to the city's best. Don't forget to visit the Cliff Walk and tour some of the exquisite mansions (I like  The Breakers best!)  

 
Southold, NY  
Distance from NYC:  94 miles
How to get there:  Take Long Island Railroad.  
 
For the discerning foodie, this cozy Inn will delight all your epicurean senses. The rooms offer understated elegance and the The Table offers one of the most sought-after meals on Long Island. They even have a food truck bringing delicious, seasonal fare to the residents of the East End!