6/11/10

2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa in NYC




The 2010 FIFA World Cup kicks off today in South Africa and New York has "soccer, football, futbol, footy and footie" fever! Everywhere is a buzz about the games as people schedule meetings around the matches, have a few pints with breakfast, and walk around showing off their favorite team jersey and colors all around the city. Here are a few places we'll be enjoying the festivities. Please add your must-go-to choices too!







ESPN MATCH TRUCK Get a bite on the sidewalk but don't miss a kick! ESPN Match Truck in NYC area from June 11-29, broadcasting FIFA 2010 World Cup matches, live in HD, and serving global street food created by the team at Kogi BBQ. Twitter: @ESPNWCTruckNYC

THE SHOPS AT COLUMBUS CIRCLE TIME WARNER CENTER 2010 FIFA World Cup Exhibit. ESPN is proud to showcase its national team murals in support of the 2010 FIFA World Cup. The artwork is inspired by the hand-painted style found in the streets and townships of South Africa. Each piece tells the story of one of the 32 teams that will compete in the World Cup. It was created by Cape Town, South Africa based Am I Collective and curated by Wieden+Kennedy NY. Location: Second Floor. Until June 27. Here's a few pics I took of the art.


PlayBeautiful NYC's pop-up match-viewing hub. Launching off-site on June 11th, PlayBeautiful will "pop-up" at local bars, restaurants, and soccer fields to build buzz for the soccer-industry's most celebrated event. Then, on June 20, PlayBeautiful pops-up a match watching arena at Openhouse Gallery (201 Mulberry Street) and remains open to the public for the duration of the tournament. It's FREE but get your tickets!

NIKETOWN Pick you team, write your name and "POST-IT" on the Nike World Cup Wall at the NYC Nike Store (57th Street btwn 5th & Madison Ave.)

BRAAI & XIE XIE Watch the matches in South Africa style in Manhattan! This well known South African Restaurant and South African Wine Bar will be serving-up the World Cup and delicious traditional South African food and drinks. Ostrich Eggs Benedict and Peri Peri Mary... anyone?

Nevada Smiths "Where Football is Religion" Chairs have been removed and space emptied out in anticipation of the 100,000 spectators expected will watch matches throughout the World Cup at this East Village institution dubbed "The Church" by hardcore football fans; just don't call it soccer. (74 Third Avenue / Btwn 11th & 12th ST)

The Breslin & The Ace Hotel World Cup + Pints + Full English Breakfast of fried egg, pork sausage, bacon, tomato, mushrooms (add a side of Beans in Pork Fat too). Afterall, breakfast is the most important meal of the day. The Ace Hotel will host a viewing party in an event room downstairs fit with projectors showing the matches to Stumptown coffee sipping New Yorkers. Cocktails, beer, and special Breslin menu items also available.

Bourbon Street Bar & Grill Watch sports on 18 flat screen TV's in a fun crowded atmosphere, with plenty of room to sit, drink and eat New Orleans fare like Alligator burgers when available. 346 West 46th Street (Restaurant Row) (212) 245-2030

2010 FIFA World Cup™: Upcoming Matches: 
http://www.fifa.com/worldcup/matches/index.html

Gooooooooooooooooooooal USA!

6/9/10

Shakespeare in the Park


SHAKESPEARE IN THE PARK 2010
June 9 - August 1
Performances begin at 8PM
Performed in repertory for 8 continuous weeks

THE WINTER'S TALE
Directed by Michael Greif
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With Happy Anderson, Gerry Bamman, Francois Battiste, Liza J. Bennett, Tyler Caffall, Cary Donaldson, Linda Emond, Jesse Tyler Ferguson, Luke Forbes, Shalita Grant, Bill Heck, Bethany Heinrich, Tia James, Marianne Jean-Baptiste, Byron Jennings, Heather Lind, Hamish Linklater, Alexander Maier, Jesse L. Martin, Nyambi Nyambi, Matthew Rauch, Ruben Santiago-Hudson, Richard Topol and Max Wright.


THE MERCHANT OF VENICE
Directed by Daniel Sullivan
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With Happy Anderson, Gerry Bamman, Francois Battiste, Liza J. Bennett, Tyler Caffall, Cary Donaldson, Jesse Tyler Ferguson, Luke Forbes, Bryce Gill, Shalita Grant, Jade Hawk, Bill Heck, Tia James, Marianne Jean-Baptiste, Byron Jennings, Kelsey Kurz, Heather Lind, Hamish Linklater, Brian MacDonald, Dorien Makhloghi, Jesse L. Martin, Nyambi Nyambi, Al Pacino, Lily Rabe, Matthew Rauch, Joe Short, Richard Topol and Max Wright.
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The Public Theater of New York puts on Shakesperean productions in Central Park every summer as Shakespeare in the Park. Tickets are free and are distributed via the line outside the Delacorte Theater in Central Park. Another option and my method of choice is a daily log-in to the virtual line on the Public Theater website which allows you to win 2 tickets for same day performances. You are encouraged by the theater to bring snacks, wine, even an entire picnic basket that you can enjoy right from your theater seat. If you prefer instead, you can purchase gourmet yummies at the upscale concession stand Public Fare by Danny Meyer. You can get everything from Beaujolais wine and yellow fin tuna salad to whoopie pies, to name a few. If the weather is not cooperating, raining on and off don't worry, the show must go on and starts promptly at 8:00pm. The actors perform their best while getting rained on and the audience wears ponchos WooHoo.. It's great fun to be surrounded by the beauty of Central Park while experiencing Shakespeare, regardless of the weather.

http://www.shakespeareinthepark.org/
http://twitter.com/PublicTheaterNY

6/8/10

WORLD OCEANS DAY 2010

The United Nations General Assembly decided in 2008 that, as from 2009, June 8th would be designated as “World Oceans Day” (resolution 63/111, paragraph 171).

"The oceans are essential to food security and the health and survival of all life, power our climate and are a critical part of the biosphere. The official designation of World Oceans Day is an opportunity to raise global awareness of the current challenges faced by the international community in connection with the oceans."
The symbolic nature of today's date observing World Oceans Day in concurrence with the tragedy in the Gulf of Mexico brings with it the opportunity for the United Nations to take a stand on this critical situation. It is being called the worst oil spill in history, even though it has yet to be contained. Thousands of barrels of oil continue to gush into the Gulf on a daily basis, now on day 49. We as a generation may be witnessing the biggest ecological and environmental disaster in history. The stretch and magnitude of the devastation and its affects on our planet may be immeasurable at this time, but as the Gulf continues to bleed and it's wildlife suffer, the ramifications of a no-action approach in a global perspective may be regrettable. So, on this day my hope is that the United Nations use it's influence not to place blame or play politics, but to unite. To create an International Emergency Response Team comprised of the best minds, professionals, specialists, communicators, allies and friends in the international communitiny in order to openly examine the crisis that plagues our waters, shores and sealife. Leadership efforts of this type could create opportunities for other people to join and help save our ocean before it's too late.


CONTACTS: http://www.un.org/Depts/los/settlement_of_disputes/experts_special_arb.htm
http://www.un.org/Depts/los/index.htm

WORLD OCEANS DAY PROGRAM AT THE UNITED NATIONS http://www.un.org/Depts/los/reference_files/oceansday2010programme.pdf