Since I moved to New York, I have been dying to get to Arthur Avenue in the Bronx. According to some, it has the best Italian food in the area.

Recently, I had the opportunity to eat at one of Arthur Avenue’s landmark restaurants, Mario’s Restaurant. The Migliucci family has been cooking traditional Neopolitan dishes since 1919. The restaurant’s interior is very old school with pictures of Vesuvius and Naples scattered throughout the room with the chandeliers lend an air of old world charm.

Since there were four of us, we ordered a variety of food so we could sample the menu. We started with appetizers which included calamari, antipasti special and stuffed mushrooms followed by penne with broccoli, lasagna and veal marsala for the main courses.

So how was the food? There was just a tad bit of inconsistency across our selections, ranging from very good to fair. The anti pasti and stuffed mushrooms were very good while the
lasagna and veal marsala were fair.

Would I go back again? Yes, because the restaurant has charm, atmosphere and while the food was inconsistent, it’s worth it if you are adventurous and find yourself near Arthur avenue.

If you are planning to go, I would recommend making reservations. We arrived late Sunday afternoon which is prime family hour and had to wait for 30 minutes for a table.

Mario’s Restaurant
2342 Arthur Avenue
Bronx, NY 10458
(718)584-1188
http://www.mariosrestarthurave.com

Have you ever walked through a park early in the morning and seen a group of people in a meditative state performing slow, beautifully graceful movements in unison?  If you have, then what you were witnessing was the ancient Chinese martial arts form, Tai Chi Chuan, or Tai Chi for short.  There are Tai Chi studios in NYC, almost as ubiquitous as the yoga studio these days, as well as parks and gardens that offer classes outdoors, which tends to be the more traditional way that it is practiced.  Here is a short list of venues, both indoors and out, that offer classes if you want to learn this practice.  You could also just go to the parks and watch.  While it might not be as lovely as watching tai chi practioners on the beach at sunset, there is something very calm and soothing about seeing this beautiful art form in practice – even in a park in New York City.

Indoor Studios

Ahn Tai Chi Studio

15 East 30^th Street, #301

#212-213-1171

Chu Tai Chi

156 West 44^th Street

#212-221-7333

Tao Yoga & Tai Chi

2 Union Square West, #37

#212-691-7799

Outdoor Tai Chi Classes

Bryant Park – Thursday mornings, 7:30 to 8:30am, May through August, at the Fountain Terrace

40^th to 42^nd Streets between 5^th and 6^th Avenues

www.bryantpark.org

Central Park – Saturdays, 10 to 11:30am

North Meadow Recreation Center (mid-park at 97^th Street)

www.centralparknyc.org

Brooklyn Botanic Garden – Fridays, times vary

1000 Washington Avenue, Brooklyn

#718-623-7200

Photo credit: Rayko Swensson / Stock Xchng

Face the Music, an ensemble of 20 classically-trained musicians ranging from sixth to twelfth grade dedicated to performing today’s most compelling and creative new music, will be presented by Simone Dinnerstein’s PS 321 Neighborhood Concerts in a concert called “Beating Down the Doors” on Thursday, April 15, 2010 at 7pm at PS 321 (180 7th Avenue, Brooklyn) in Park Slope. The performance is open to the public and raises funds for the school’s Parent Teacher Association.

The centerpiece of the concert is the world premiere of Liquid Timepieces by composer and PS 321 faculty member Joseph C. Philllips, Jr. Commissioned for Face the Music by Simone Dinnerstein and PS 321 Neighborhood Concerts, Mr. Phillips’ piece is cinematic in its intensity and expansive sound. The teen members of Face the Music will also present four of their favorite works: Graham Fitkin’s sax-heavy Mesh (1992); Marcelo Zarvos’ foot-stomping “Memory” from Nepomuk’s Dances (2002); Nico Muhly’s stop-and-start How About Now (2006); and Jacob TV’s Lipstick (1998), with a playback mix based on clips from American talk shows. Face the Music’s young players will talk to the audience between pieces and take questions at the end of the concert, making this an excellent opportunity for families with children.

Of his new piece, Liquid Timepieces, Mr. Phillips says, “The years 2010 and 2011 are the 50th anniversaries of Gustav Mahler’s birth (1850) and death (1911). I wanted to celebrate these ‘Jubilee Years’ by writing a work that honors the profound influence Mahler’s music has had on my musical thinking. Liquid Timepieces is my homage to Mahler, but despite some subtle references to his Symphony No. 1, No. 3, and No. 9, it is not meant to sound like his music. Rather, I hope to create a similar resonance to the protean spirit of life and the world that permeates his works.”

Thursday, April 15, 2010 at 7pm
PS 321 Auditorium | 180 7th Avenue | Brooklyn, NY Tickets: $15 available at www.ps321.org after March 14 For more information, visit: http://kaufman-center.org/special-music-school/face- the-music.

About Face the Music: Face the Music is an ensemble of astonishingly talented teenagers performing works by today’s most compelling and creative new music composers. In residence at Kaufman Center, Face the Music breaks the boundaries of classical music education and performance, featuring today’s music presented by the emerging artistic voices of tomorrow.

Founded by Kaufman Center’s Special Music School Music Director Jenny Undercofler and composer Huang Ruo, Face the Music provides an unparalleled performance and education experience for the next generation of musical leaders. The group burst onto the scene in 2005, performing works by such new-music mainstays Michael Gordon, Phil Kline, and John Adams.

Since their debut, Face the Music has played throughout New York City at venues such as Le Poisson Rouge, The Queens Museum of Art, Roulette, and El Museo del Barrio. The ensemble also performed at the opening of Apple’s new West 67th Street location, on the live broadcast opening of WNYC’s Greene Space, and gave the U.S. premiere performance of Gérard Grisey’s Manifestations in Kaufman’s Merkin Concert Hall.

Face the Music’s mission is to engage talented teenage musicians from across the city to represent a diverse range of backgrounds and talents. The performers are primarily students or alumni of Kaufman Center’s own Special Music School, the only public school in New York City that integrates pre-conservatory musical training with academic education.

Other concert dates:

March 21, 2010 – Hudson View Gardens, 2 pm
116 Pinehurst Ave., NYC, hudsonviewgardens.com
Works by Marcelo Zarvos, Miguel del Aguila, Paul Desenne, Nico Muhly and JacobTV

May 9, 2010 – Look and Listen Festival, location TBA, 3 pm
Works by Marcelo Zarvos and Dan Visconti

May 12, 2010 – Brooklyn Lyceum, 8 pm
4th Ave., Park Slope, Brooklyn
Works by Joe Phillips, Nico Muhly, Graham Fitkin and Paul Desenne

May 27, 2010 – Merkin Concert Hall Upper Lobby, 6:30 pm
Works by Nico Muhly, Paul Desenne and Joe Phillips. Pre-concert performance before the SIGNAL ensemble’s gives the world premiere of a new work by Muhly and American premiere of Sir Harrison Birtwistle’s The Corridor in Merkin Hall.

Photo credit: Kaufman Center via Flick’r Photo Share

UPDATE: Grand Opening for this event has been moved to Friday, March 19th.

For the first-time-ever, New Yorkers will have the opportunity to experience some of the country’s greatest young circus artists and hip-hop talent in one spectacular variety show as The Blacktop Circus: Where The Big Top Meets The City Streets hits the stage at the legendary and newly revitalized Paradise Theater in the Bronx on March 12, 2010.

Taking place from March 12th – March 21st, the show will feature an eclectic array of acclaimed young performers, assembled from the blacktop — the asphalt pavements of city streets and playgrounds. The show is the only hip-hop variety show to provide a professional venue featuring these exceptional talents all under one roof.

The performances appeal to people of all ages and demographics, bridging cultural and racial boundaries within the arts. Audiences will recognize many of their favorite acts from appearances on television shows including America’s Got Talent, America’s Best Dance Crew and Showtime at the Apollo as well as familiar live touring shows.

The BlackTop Circus features exciting performances from aerialists, acrobats, dancers, illusionists and athletes bringing their own unique styles and techniques to the stage. Each young performer brings something contemporary, and never-before-seen, to these high-energy, awe-inspiring and gravity defying performances.

With over 26 performers slated to appear, some of them being a:

•    Hip-hop illusionist/Elliot Zimet — renowned for his NY street-smart modern spin on magic, Elliot’s vision of using illusions, birds, dancers, special effects, lighting, and crowd-moving beats has captivated audiences everywhere with his unforgettable presence.

•    New York City’s renowned King Charles Unicycle Troupe — have been dazzling audiences for over 40 years with their high-energy game of basketball on unicycles developed and created right here in the Bronx.

•    The Kenya Safari Acrobats — a fast-paced troupe of eight highly trained athletes take the stage for gravity defying insane antics.

•    Aerialist Extraordinaire/Susan Voyticky – poetry- in-motion describes the elegance and craft of her aerial dance – a visually stunning array of physical strength, style and technique combine in a beautiful display of airs above the ground. Professionally trained in Londonat The Circus Space’s BA Theater. Susan Voyticky began training at an early and is proficient on single hoop and swing trapeze and aerial silks

•    Contortionist/Ricardo Sosa — bending his body parts past human limits, he has the uncanny ability to charm and in an unconventional body ballet, the physical strength, flexibility and grace to amaze.

•    Dance Performer/Kenichi Ebina – his incredible HipHop, Poppin’, Lockin’, Mime, House, Jazz, Contemporary and Ethnic dance styles have made him the only two-time grand champion in Apollo theater history.

NY Metropolista is offering one lucky winner a chance to win a (4) Pack of tickets to the Opening Night, March 12th, of The BlackTop Circus: Where The Big Top Meets The Street playing the landmarked Paradise Theater in NYC.

This family-friendly show, LIVE in the Bronx promises to be a fun event for all!

TO ENTER:

*Tweet about the giveaway and remember to @NYMetropolista

*Leave a comment sharing with us what you look forward to seeing the most!

Winner will be selected on Monday, March 8, 2010 by end of day.

To purchase tickets log onto www.paradisetheaterevents.com or call ticketmaster @ 212-307-7171 or The Paradise Theater box office @ 212-220-1015. Tickets prices from $13.50 for kids, $22 for adults, $20 for mezzanine and $30 for VIP seating.

Photo courtesy of Black Top Circus Facebook Fan Page

]]> http://nymetropolista.com/see-plays/the-world-premiere-of-the-blacktop-circus-arrives-in-nyc-giveaway/feed/ 6 http://nymetropolista.com/art-style/summer-musical-theater-workshop-at-lucy-moses-school-merkin-concert-hall/ http://nymetropolista.com/art-style/summer-musical-theater-workshop-at-lucy-moses-school-merkin-concert-hall/#comments Wed, 03 Mar 2010 02:45:29 +0000 Carol Cain http://nymetropolista.com/?p=1245

It seems that more and more of the younger generation is really embracing musical theater and performing arts. The excitement and success of shows like  Golden Globe winner  “Glee,” the buzz over the new “Fame” feature film, the triumphant teenage cast of Broadway’s “Bye Bye Birdie” revival, and the phenomenal success of the “High School Musical” franchise are all indications of this growing trend.

Kaufman Center is also embracing this moment in offering an abundance of opportunities for young students to pursue their passion for song, dance and drama.

Founded in 1952, Kaufman Center has grown to become one of New York City’s mainstays for performance and arts education, offering classes, workshops and concerts through its Lucy Moses School and Merkin Concert Hall.

Lucy Moses School: Summer Musical Theater Workshop

At the Summer Musical Theater Workshop, a gem in an otherwise crowded landscape of New York City summer camps, children and teenagers are provided with the unique opportunity and inspiration to live out their dream of performing on stage. For five weeks in June and July—Monday through Thursday—campers take part in comprehensive singing, acting, movement and stagecraft classes and rehearsals culminating in a full-scale performance at Merkin Hall, giving each child an opportunity to be a star. Unlike most theater camps where children perform standbys like “Annie” or “Grease,” Lucy Moses students perform original musicals, written especially for them by the faculty. More than 100 original shows have been produced through the Workshop—each year with a different theme, such as “The Little Apple,”  “Myth Mash,” “Island Treasure,” and “Appalachian Spring.” The theme for the 2010 summer session, beginning June 28, is “Classic Stories from Old England.”

Founded and directed by Sean Hartley, the Workshop started in 1990 with 14 campers and now accepts more than 100 participants annually, with more on a waiting list. In January 2010, alumni, interns and faculty from Summer Musical Theater Workshop took the stage at Kaufman Center’s Merkin Hall to celebrate 20 years of creativity and performance.

Registration is still open for 2010 for kids in grades 3-5 (closed for K-2 and 6-8). Teen internships are still available.

Lucy Moses School: Theater Classes & Workshops

Theater classes offered at Lucy Moses are an active and joyful exploration of the dramatic arts. Children develop concentration, stage presence, confidence and teamwork. In the Young People’s Division students explore the dramatic arts through an age-appropriate and sequential theater curriculum. Weekly classes during the school year and celebrated vacation programs offer something to fit everyone’s schedule.

Other theater classes for children and teens at Lucy Moses School include Theater Adventures, fall and spring Musical Theater Workshop, Teen Acting Workshop, Sketch Comedy, and Musical Theater Scene Study, among others.

One of the country’s most respected community schools for the arts, Kaufman Center’s Lucy Moses School provides a multi-faceted arts education for children and adults at all levels of skill and experience. For more information on Lucy Moses School’s classes and registration, call (212) 501-3360 or visit kaufman-center.org.

Merkin Concert Hall at Kaufman Center Presents: Broadway Playhouse

A student’s exploration of her or his artistic talents at Kaufman Center extends beyond the classroom and into the world of performing arts presentations. Broadway Playhouse concerts introduce children ages 4-11 to classic musicals through captivating medleys, rousing sing-alongs, lively games in which audience members participate, and mini-musicals. Children and their families can sing along to well-known songs and hear the stories behind the making of some of the greatest musicals of all time. Past seasons have featured Frank Loesser, Jerry Herman, Cole Porter, Ahrens & Flaherty, Bock & Harnick, Lerner & Loewe, Alan Menken and Jule Stein.

Sun 03/07/10 at 11:00 am: Leonard Bernstein
Leonard Bernstein is one of the most brilliant and innovative composers ever to write for the musical theater. His hits include two comedies written with Betty Comden and Adolph Green (On the Town and Wonderful Town), the classically inspired operetta Candide, and the immortal West Side Story, with lyrics by the young Stephen Sondheim.

For more information, visit: www.kaufman-center.org.

Photo courtesy of The Kauffman Center

Have you ever wondered why some people are great at saving money, while others can’t wait to spend it the minute they have it? I would have to say that I have.  I, like many Americans, am always looking for ways to save more money, but sometimes struggle to succeed in saving more.

According to experts at ING Direct, the answer may be in my temperament. They believe that understanding your temperament can give us a new perspective on life, as well as our finances.

ING DIRECT is offering a two-part discussion of key financial principles, such as financial planning and saving for retirement, and how your temperament influences your financial behavior.

This financial seminar that will be held at the ING DIRECT New York City Café on March 10th and March 16th and will feature speakers Jay Sanders CPA/PFS, CFP and Michael Edelstein, founder of The New Temperament. The seminar will help people to find out how their temperament can affect many areas of your life, especially personal finances.

Seminar Description:

Part I (March 10th): Your Temperament, The Curve and Flow
How much money should you save? How can you use your awareness of temperament to make better money decisions? You’ll gain a new understanding of temperament and important aspects of money and finance.

Part II (March 16th): Further explorations of Money and Temperament
What about money and relationships? Are you and your partner at odds about spending and saving? How does your temperament impact other financial decisions, like investing and managing risk? You’ll expand your understanding of temperament and develop further insight around vital financial issues.

Discover your temperament at www.thenewtemperament.com in advance of the talk.

To RSVP to the event or see more information visit www.ingdirect.com/seminars

Photo courtesy of Aaron Julius Kim Flick’r Photoshare

Now that the snow has passed and you’re able to get out and about, why not add a little Mojo to your life? You won’t go home disappointed.

Mojo is a Harlem eatery located on the corner of 119th Street and Amsterdam Avenue. Occupying a corner unit of one of the area’s condo edifices, Mojo greets its patrons as a jeweled glass structure reflecting the rich colors of purple and red within out onto the street and the night air.

Don’t be surprised when you enter the tight confines of the restaurant. Real estate is at a premium in this area and Mojo’s floor plan is no different than any of its siblings in the area (despite appearing quite spacious in NBC’s American Express commercial that features the establishment).

The proximity issues that Mojo presents has its pros and cons. The cons being, if you’re uncomfortable sitting and eating next to strangers then this isn’t the place for you. On the flipside, if you don’t have these qualms, it’s easy to make friends (most who are area locals) while breaking bread.

The bread at Mojo, dubbed “New Harlem Cuisine” is a fusion of Mediterranean/Southern flavor and represents the diversity of Harlem. Impressive sounding and tasting menu items from the creative kitchen of Executive Chef Julio Sanchez’ include Buckwheat Fried Oysters, Harlem Fried Chicken Sliders, Moroccan Grilled Baby Lamb Chops, and Grilled Skirt Steak with Chimichurri. The restaurant’s website touts their Sexy Grits as being the crowd favorite. I won’t say why they’re so sexy. You’ll have to find out on your own if the dish lives up to its claims. And if you’re the type who does desert, you can finish off a meal that pops with flavor with a tasty delight for your sweet tooth. How does Strawberry Tiramisu and Chocolate Mousse sound?

Owner, Mounir Jabrane’s grew up in both Belgium and Morocco before settling down and setting up shop in Harlem. One only needs to take a glance at the interior or peruse the menu to see the influences of these two countries. Mr. Jabrane, an affable restaurateur who takes the time to meet and greet his patrons, considers himself a throwback to the explosively creative times of the Harlem Renaissance. He’s doing his part to continue the tradition by featuring live music by unknowns and local favorites alike. You can call or check the website for performance dates and times. But what you can’t do is make a reservation unless your party is six or more. And on heavy nights, service can be spotty. Despite these minor inconveniences this writer’s humble opinion is that it is better to experience Mojo than not to.

Mojo
mojo-harlem.com
185 Saint Nicholas Avenue (at the corner of 119th Street)
New York, NY 10026-1200
(212) 280-1924

Photo courtesy of Mojo

Looking at the straws and cups made from corn (entirely recyclable and compostable), the natural pebble flooring, and minimalist white décor flooded with natural light, it can be easy to wonder if the unassuming new pizza place in Wyckoff, NJ is more about eco-style over substance: it’s not. Open since December 2009, The Flatz Company makes a tasty and healthful pizza pie, and is one of my favorite new lunch spots.

The “flatz” are thin as tortillas, and crispy as crackers with creative pizza toppings on the menu like “The BLT” complete with chopped lettuce sprinkled on top; “Swimming with the Fishes” for the anchovy lovers out there; the “Jammin’  Banana Fruit” topped pizza flat, or even “The Prestige” with white truffle oil and shaved parmigiano reggiano.

The Flatz Co boasts their ingredients are “better than organic,” abiding by stricter standards than required for organic certification. For instance, the wheat flour used in the base of the flats is free from chemicals with nothing added and nothing removed. Which makes this mom’s heart go pit-a-pat – in a good, healthy way.  Served simply over paper on a reusable plastic tray, my kiddo actually likes to take care of the small amount of waste to use the  automated bin doors for recyclables or trash on our way out.

With each “flat” measuring about 12 inches in diameter, they’re more than enough for one person and easy for two small kids to share, and to that end The Flatz Co has a “Buy Two Flats, Get One Free” special on Mondays and Tuesdays. The three pizza flats should be about right for a family with two small children, as the three of us order three and end up taking about the equivalent of ¾ of one home. I also like their natural drink offerings like Boylan’s fountain soda, Mash sodas or Harney & Sons ice tea.

The Flatz Co plans to expand with four new locations in Manhattan and California over the next year. I suggest you keep your eyes peeled for one near you, but in the meantime, try it out the next time you make the journey over the GW Bridge into Bergen County.

The Flatz Co

314 Franklin Ave

Wyckoff, NJ 07481

201-560-0150

As a native New Yorker (Bronx-raised), much of my childhood centered on family picnics in Pelham Bay Park and playing sports as a teenager in Central Park. I loved the time spent outside enjoying the fresh air. In fact, my love of nature inspired me to move to rural Oneonta, NY for college and after having lived there for six years, I became dependent on the fresh air for piece of mind and balance.

When my husband and I moved to Yonkers we did not know much about the area. From my trips to Cross County Mall and Central Avenue, I believed that it was not a place to experience the beauty of the environment. Ultimately, in much the same way that people are shocked to learn that more than one tree grows in Brooklyn, I was amazed to find Tibbetts Brook Park in the middle of Yonkers.

We heard a lot about Tibbetts from our neighbor and babysitter. She often told us that she took our daughter to the playground there and that during the summer her boys enjoyed swimming in the pool. But we weren’t convinced. After all, we had been living in Yonkers for two years and never even saw this so-called Tibbets Park.  But, my husband refused to give up and decided that we would find it no matter how long it took. And find it we did.

Tibbetts Brook Park is hidden off of Midland Avenue, nestled between the Saw Mill River Parkway and The Cross County Parkway.  At 161-acres it provides its visitors with a place to gather for miniature golf, swimming (the pool is currently under-reconstruction), ice skating, geese watching, hiking, tennis, picnicking, and so much more. The park is dog friendly as long as your four-legged companion remains leashed and away from the picnic areas. And to ensure that the park remains dog-waste free, the County provides dog walkers with waste bags to aide in cleaning up after their pets.

The highlight of Tibbetts Brook Park, for my three-year-old daughter is the beautiful playground loaded with slides, swings and other climbing structures. My husband and I spend countless hours watching her from nearby benches as she explores with and chases  after the many children taking advantage of all that Tibbetts has to offer. And when she tires of the playground, we head over to the pond where we observe the numerous species of wildlife that call Tibbetts home. She is also fascinated with the gazebo and waterfall and we try to visit these spots at least twice a week. Because of the amazing scenic views we have recently started walking the paths weekly as a part of our exercise routine. While a park pass is required during the spring and summer seasons, Tibbets is free to explore during the winter months. It is open seven days a week from dawn until dusk.

For my family, Tibbetts offers us a getaway from the insanity of city life. It helps to remind us that while the conveniences of city living are often enticing, getting back to the beauty of nature is never too far away.

Growing up in NYC, a school trip to the Museum of Natural History is a staple in your grammer school days- and you don’t just visit once- the museum is way too big for that. So you visit 2, 3 sometimes 4 times to visit different areas depending on what you are studying at the time.

Today I got to relive those days by visiting the Museum with my family. I expected to see a lot of changes, however to my surprise- it hadn’t changed much at all. The dinosaur bones were still tremendous, the evolution exhibit were still naked apes, and the space hall still held tons of  ’space rocks’.

The thing that did change? Experiencing it through my 4 year old sons eyes. He didn’t care about the scientific or historical facts. To him this trip was an adventure- an adventure he had seen in the movies- literally.

The movie “Night at the Museum” really set the pace for my son. So instead just walking around looking at items in glass cases and having no idea what they were or what any one was talking about- my 4 year old  walked into the the Dinosaur hall in amazement trying to find the exact Dinosaur that chased the bone in the movie and then ran excitedly to the the Indian exhibits to see the little men who were fighting the cowboys.

His highlight was the Easter Island Head, who in the movie repeatedly said “Dum, Dum… you give me Gum,Gum”.  He looked up and said in wonderment “Gum, Gum”. His face was priceless. He talked about it the whole way home. It is amazing what influence a movie can have, and how beneficial it can for a learning experience like this one.

There are many great shows and exhibits you can see at The Museum of Natural History Year round, but if you have a movie lover like my son, perhaps the most unique and thrilling experience you can attend “A night at the museum“.

The experience gives you the opportunity to explore the museum after dark with a group and flashlights- just like the movie. The experience will give memories for a life time.

The experience cost is $129 and includes the following:

• Evening snack and light breakfast
• Cots for all participants
• Fossil fact finding mission by flashlight
• IMAX film or space show
• Take-home activities
• Live animal special exhibition (seasonal)

Participants need to be between the ages of 7-13 yrs old, so my son has  few more years to go- but I look forward to letting him experience his very own night at the museum when he is able to attend.

Photo credit: Carol Cain