Sound Off

Renowned artist David Byrne is sounding off. After teaming up with the public art organization Creative Time, Byrne has created quite a stir with his latest bizarre installment. Titled “Playing the Building”, the sound-based interactive exhibit has been sending tingles up the spines of all who come into contact with it. The exhibit is simple – a single wooden organ situated on the cavernous 2nd floor of the Battery Maritime Building. The organ is attached by wires to the building's windows, columns, walls and pipes, which when ‘played’ creates one eerie sounding performance. But don’t expect this organ at your local worship – the howls, squeals, and rattles of the organ are best left for Halloween, not holy hour.

I Love New York

46 million people visited New York City last year, drawn in by the bright lights, Broadway shows, and of course, the weakened US Dollar. Check out the stats:

Ranking as the top 5 markets where NYC is the #1 destination –
#1 United Kingdom, #2 Germany, #3France, #4 Scandinavia, #5 Italy.

Top 5 Broadway shows that we can’t get enough of –
#1 Wicked, #2 Jersey Boys, #3 The Lion King, #4 Mary Poppins, #5 Mamma Mia.


The influx of tourists has also brought in increase in spending, up 34% from last year to nearly 28 billion dollars at the close of 2007.


Who says old age has to come with a price tag? According to Crain’s New York annual NYC statistic guide, they’ve concluded that New Yorker’s 19.7 million residents are healthier than the average American. So much healthier, in fact, that we live a full year longer than our fellow American. Just good genes? Doubtful. Reports show that our City’s superb hospitals, avid anti-smoking campaigns, and amount of walking have all added up to one healthy bod.


New Yorker’s also have a creative edge that no one else can match. A whopping 91% of registered voters in NY reported that they’ve been to a cultural or sporting event in the past year. Over 50% said they’ve been to an art museum. With New York also ranking as the #1 most diverse city in the world, it’s no wonder that New Yorker’s have a cultural outlet like no other.


Just a few reasons why I Love New York.

Freedom for Lady Liberty

7 years after the Statue of Liberty’s crown officially closed for business, the federal government is entertaining the idea of reopening Lady Liberty’s crown to the public. While the pedestal of the statue has remained open since 2004, the crown and narrow staircase leading up to it has been closed after the September 11 attacks, for what we have been told, indefinitely.

But things are finally looking up! The Park Service is currently taking bids from engineering firms to have the structure comply with current safety codes. Although the process could take longer than we hope for, with the bid time taking up to a year, New Yorker’s and visitors alike are excited at the prospect of once again climbing to the top of Lady Liberty and seeing what she has been keeping an eye on for over 100 years.

Central Park Pizza Party

It’s like any other Saturday. You’re stranded in Manhattan (because you are too broke to go to the Hampton’s), and you head over to Central Park to get some sun on your pasty skin (because your cubicle is in the deepest darkest corner of the office, guaranteeing 0% sunlight 100% of the time). You grab your book and blanket, and sit down in the Park for some quality R&R. Then it hits you. You are starving, but you are trapped in the middle of Sheep’s Meadow, and the only way out involves dodging 3 Frisbee games, 2 kite flyers, a crying baby, and a dog off his leash.

Fear no more, park dwelling junkies! Slice, the trendy pizzeria offering deliciously healthy pizzas, now delivers to Central Park! So go on, enjoy your day off, and let Slice do the work. Check it out here!

Happy Independence Day USA!

Rough Riders

Looking for a place to cool off this summer? Why not take it underground? No, I’m not recommending a late night rendezvous in the local subway car, but I am telling you to get off your butt and watch some girls kick butt at New York’s only all-female roller derby league.

Gotham Girls Roller Derby, comprised of a mash up of rocker / model / athlete chicks, gathered from all across the city’s tough streets to create one mean team. So if you’re cruising for a bruising, roll over to this month’s derby matchup which is sure to be a fierce fight to the end.