Taking One with the Team

We’re always looking for new and interesting ways to bond teams together…mostly because that’s what we’re paid to do. So, the mission at hand - what’s new and different in the world of team building? How can you energize your team? Well, here are some ideas:

Drum Café – Delivering an unforgettable interactive experience, the Drum Café requires no words. Just the space for your guests to bang it out, and fall into perfect harmonious rhythm.

Medical Relief Teambuilding – by partnering with a medical relief agency, this activity has guests putting together useful materials discarded by US healthcare providers to redistribute to medical volunteers around the world in places of need. Without getting all “We Are the World” on you, we think it’s a great thing - inspiring your guests to promote sustainable healthcare while building cohesion. Ok…”We are the world…We are the Children”…sorry, we just couldn’t resist.

Bartending Competition – on a slightly less altruistic note, what about building your team by building the perfect cocktail? Your team of amateur mixologists must concoct a signature drink that symbolizes one of their team’s goals. Perhaps it’s the Perfect Pitch-alada or a More Marketshare Mohito. Whatever the case, we’re still reeling from the effects of the Shackman “Shaken, Not Stirred” NY Martini, and can strongly endorse this activity. We’ll be at the bar.

One Singular Sensation

It can’t just be that we think our true calling is the Broadway stage, and we think that we would look absolutely STUNNING in a gold lamé top hat. No...there’s just something about “A Chorus Line.” The way it captures the spirit of Broadway and the spirit of New York. You know what we mean – small town girl makes good on a dream, the idea that anyone can reinvent themselves in Gotham, and the idea that talent and passion have no limits if one is just given another chance to dance. Yup, “A Chorus Line” has it all. The show about the casting of a show was considered a bit revolutionary when it debuted on Broadway in 1975, and is poised to make a comeback when it opens on October 5th at the Schoenfeld Theatre. So, will the revival mark another 15-year run on Broadway? Who’s to say? But we’ve already got our tickets.

Taxi Buzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

Let’s just be honest…New York is not a “Green” city. We wish it was, and it’s better than it used to be, but it’s just not. Well, step back people, because our little yellow taxis are going green. The NYC Taxi and Limousine Commission have announced that a handful of electric taxis will be on NYC streets in the upcoming months. The downside? They will be PT Cruisers. Not that we’re judging.

Food Buzz

Sizzle, Sizzle - Don’t get us wrong – we thought the V Steakhouse was a lovely restaurant and we were sad to see Jean-Georges Vongerichten retreat from the restaurant collection at the Time Warner Center. But, we are giddy with anticipation for Michael Lomonaco's newest venture, Porter House, which takes over the space and brings a decidedly open feeling to the collection on Columbus Circle. Not that we don’t love waiting 6 months for a dinner reservation (ahem…)

Happy Birthday – The Union Square Greenmarket just turned 30 and they are still spicing up the ‘hood with chilis, fresh greens and heirloom tomatoes galore. Cheers to you, USG!

Pinkberry, Shminkberry – Ok, we’re skeptical. We LOVE Tasti D-Lite. And it’s not just because it’s located approximately 3 minutes from our front door. However, we may drag our sweet tooth down to the Flat Iron district for some Pinkberry, which has just opened on 32nd Street. Busting out of its West Hollywood roots, Pinkberry is coming to the Big Apple with its yogurty tang and slick décor. Like we said, we’re skeptical.

Country – A recent excursion brought us to the front door of Country restaurant, located in the Carlton Hotel. We forgot how lovely Geoffrey Zakarian’s ode to comfort and grace truly is, and how wonderfully the restaurant captures the vibe of a classic New York. We also forgot how fantastic the menu is, with a multi-course pre-fixe showcasing classic preparations of seasonal ingredients. We did not, however, forget how much we really enjoy when someone else picks up the check.

Art Scene to be Seen

Street Art and Sky Art: In Rockefeller Center, Anish Kapoor’s “Sky Mirror” sculpture is reflecting New York above and below. Truthfully, we don’t quite get it. But, like “The Gates” before it, sometimes it’s not about the work, but about the conversation it strikes up among everyday people on the street. We’re all about that.

Picasso in America: Some of New York’s best museums are Pablo crazy! The Whitney is kicking off a show this week celebrating Picasso’s influence on American artists, pairing up original Picassos with the work they influenced. From Willem de Kooning to Jasper Johns over 150 American works will be showcased alongside 40 Picassos. If you are a fan of Senor Picasso, you can also check out MoMA’s amazing collection, which spans the entirety of Picasso’s career and includes some of his most interesting early work.

It’s a spoon – but is it art? The Cooper Hewitt’s exhibit “Feeding Desire: Design and the Tools of the Table” remains on exhibit through the end of October. Showcasing the design of the everyday utensils of dining, this exhibit only reinforces our notion that we are true artists when we are setting a dinner table.

Have Some Sugar, Sugar

Maybe it's because we have a sweet tooth. Maybe it's because we like the idea of pink frothy goodness, atop our own personal cake, sprinkled with pastel sugary treats. Or maybe just because we like the idea that a war can be fought over...cupcakes. That's right - those little petite gateaux have moved in, captured the stomachs of even the most jaded New Yorkers, and spawned a battle for the title "Supremo Cupcake," with no clear victor in sight. Whether it's Buttercup, Magnolia, Billy's or The Cupcake Cafe, the battle rages through the streets of New York. We've learned not to ask too many NY'ers which is their favorite - just like pizza, bagels, coffee and low-rise vs. skinny leg jeans - taste is truly in the tastebud of the beholder. We have our personal favorite, but our lips are sealed...with frosting.

Name the NYC Celebrity

Alrighty - here's a little Hump Day quiz for you. Which celebrity is pictured in the NYC photo below? The first correct answer emailed to dmc@shackmanassociates.com will receive a copy of his new cd! (hint, hint) Let the guessing begin!

In Memory

Yesterday, New Yorkers, along with the rest of the world, honored the memory of those individuals who lost their lives on September 11, 2001. Shackman Associates New York pays tribute to the enduring spirit of their memory, and the families who lost their loved ones. September 11th is a part of the continuing story of New York, and one that will be memorialized in "Reflecting Absence," currently being constructed at Ground Zero in lower Manhattan.

The jury statement from the memorial competition calls the memorial a "powerful, yet simple articulation of the footprints of the Twin Towers...It is a memorial that expresses both the incalculable loss of life and its consoling renewal, a place where all of us come together to remember from generation to generation."

'Nuff said.

NYC Anniversaries

New Yorkers love nothing more than celebrating, and what better reason to celebrate than an anniversary. Here are a couple of important milestones to note in 2006:

The Empire State Building's 75th Anniversary: At over 1,200 feet tall and completed in only 2 years, the Empire State Building remains an icon of New York and one of the best ways to see the city. With new and improved waiting space, and a re-opened observation deck on the 102nd floor, the Empire State Building continues to shine in the heart of midtown.

The Tony Awards' 60th Anniversary: The Antoinette Perry Awards, or the Tony's as they are more commonly called, have proven again and again that the lights are never dim on Broadway. The 2006 Awards toasted new crowd-pleasing shoes such as Jersey Boys, The Drowsy Chaperone and The History Boys. Now that's the way to razzle dazzle!

Chez Josephine's 20th Annivesary: We don't know what we love more - that there is a restaurant dedicated to entertainer Josephine Baker, or the amazing cuisine at this theatre-district gem. Throw in ultra-fabulous host, Jean-Claude Baker (Josephine's adopted son) and any night that starts or ends at Chez Josephine is a celebration!

Take Me Out to the Ballgame

The "Bronx Bombers" broke ground yesterday on the new Yankee stadium in New York. The 51,000-seat stadium will be ready for the boys in pinstripes' 2009 season opener. As part of a larger South Bronx redevelopment plan, the new stadium will feature an exterior facade replicating the original Yankee Stadium, renovated in 1976, a retractable roof, and many of the newer hospitality and sports-related amenities found at ballparks around the country. So, line up the peanuts, cracker-jacks, beer and sushi for a rousing night with the Yankees in 2009! Or, even better, come to New York and check out the current Yankees' stadium while you can!

Touch the Sky

It is truly a right of passage in New York – searching for the best rooftop bar/lounge/restaurant. These penultimate dwellings inspire even the steamiest New Yorkers to give up access to air conditioning to breathe fresh air with a view. So, what gives? Why the fuss? Perhaps it’s a throwback to the Art Deco New York where 50 stories was a skyscraper. Or maybe it’s the perfect escape from the teeny-tiny dwellings we New Yorker’s call home. Whatever the cause, there is new buzz in the search with a great 5th Avenue penthouse and terrace.

As both a private event space and a night on the town, this midtown gem features unparalleled 360 degree views, a chic vibe and great drinks and nibbles. Perfect for a private function, you can indulge in an Arabian Nights fantasy with billowing white tents and low-slung seating. Or take advantage of the mirrored walls and resurrect classic Studio 54 with a view!In New York, it's all about the tops, so why not start your party with the best of the top!

Shackman Events Summer Clambake

Bringing the beach to Broadway, Shackman Events recently hosted an NYC cruise and beach-themed lobster and clambake for over 200 guests. The group started the night by setting sail on a cocktail cruise. Greeted by the summery sounds of a gentleman band, the staff handed out logo’d beach apparel, including sunglasses, sun visors and beach toys, and cool “Captain’s Choice” cocktails. Arriving at a private dock, the melodic sounds of steel drums helped to guide guests to an exclusive BBQ and clambake at a private venue. Featuring balconies with grills galore, the room was resplendent in white billowing sails, colored beach balls and even putting greens! The wait staff wore their “clamdiggers” and sun visors, and a lifeguard kept an eye on the fun from his life guard perch. Guests danced the night away as the band struck up summertime classics. No need for sunscreen, but plenty of fun, at this summery bash!

Why We Blog

Shackman Associates New York is launching a blog. So, here it is – our blog. TA DA. (insert trumpet blare, jazz hands and streamers).

It will be filled with bits and pieces about events, about the incentive/travel/events industry, about us, and about New York. We’ll keep our rants to a minimum (unless they are about a must-see space or one of our BRILLIANT ideas), and the praise we lavish will absolutely be well earned.

So, why do we blog? Because we love New York, and we love what we do, and we think you should hear about it.

‘nuff said.