Restaurant Week Summer 2010 extended to Sept.! Great deal, with choice participating restaurants throughout NYC. Three-course, prix-fixe meals for lunch ($24.07), dinner ($35.00) or both. Visit www.nycgo.com/restaurantweek

August 1-August 15 LINCOLN CENTER OUT OF DOORS FREE! An amazing rainbow of talent for everyone

Sat-Sun, August 4 & 5: 9-5pm HONG KONG DRAGON BOAT FESTIVAL 2-day festival in Flushing Meadow Park. Music, food, the spectacular Dragon Boat regatta — teams battle it out for supremacy of the water. Take the 7 Train from 42nd St

August 1- 8 CELEBRATE BROOKLYN in Prospect Park www.celebratebrooklyn.org

Until September 26: Central Park Summer Stage www.summerstage.org

Until September 12: Brooklyn Museum of Art “Andy Warhol: The Last Decade” Experiments in abstraction-ever changing, still the artist at heart-very revealing.

Until August 11: River to River Festival with music, dance, theater and more http://www.rivertorivernyc.com

Sunday, August 22 2 – 9pm BluesBBQ on the Hudson Music and Food Pier 54, the Hudson & 14th St., Rain or Shine

LONG STORY SHORT August 1-14 Colin Quinn tells it all in 75 minutes, and Jerry Seinfeld directs. Bleecker Street Theatre, in Greenwich Village. www.ColinQuinnLongStoryShort.com

Also for Comedy Lovers: UPRIGHT CITIZENS BRIGADE THEATRE Every Saturday Night at 10:30pm Only $10-yes, $10.00 307 W. 26th (8-9th) www.ucbtheatre.com

IMPORTANT TRADESHOWS — JAVITS CONVENTION CENTER Chelsea Star is a few minutes walk to the Javits Center!

1-3 Aug CURVE, ACCESSORIES, FASHION MODA

14-18 Aug INTERNATIONAL GIFT SHOW

STREET FAIRS: Saturday, August 21 Great Irish Festival (6th Ave, 42nd – 56th St)

Sunday, August 29 Big Apple Performing Arts Festival (Broadway, 47th – 57th St)

Rock and Pop Concerts NYC August 2010
MADISON SQUARE GARDEN, THE BEACON THEATRE AND RADIO CITY MUSIC HALL

For Independence Day, enjoy the beach and the amusement park at Coney Island
or one of many beaches easily accessed by public transportation.
In the evening you can’t miss Macy’s Fourth of July Fireworks Display over the Hudson River

June 29th to July 17th – Midsummer Night Swing with free dance lessons
and live bands under the summer sky at Lincoln Center’s Damrosch Park
for a detailed list of events

http://new.lincolncenter.org/live/index.php/swing-2010

Free music performances Thursday nights and movies on Saturdays on El Rufo at
El Museo del Bario, NYC’s only museum devoted to Latino Art, reservations are required www.elmuseo.org

In Bryant Park at 42nd St. and 6thAve, Monday evenings at dawn HBO presents the Summer Film Festival and Thursday afternoons from 12:30-1:30 come and enjoy a live performance of Broadway’s most popular shows www.bryantpark.org

July 12th to 25th NYC Restaurant Week Summer 2010 is back with another great deal for New Yorker’s and visitors, 277 participating restaurants throughout NYC are offering
three-course, prix-fixe meals for lunch ($24.07), dinner ($35.00) or both. Visit www.nycgo.com/restaurantweek for more information and to make reservations

Here are a few other events and websites to enjoy in the city
Until August 1 “Shakespeare in the Park” http://www.publictheater.org/content/view/126/219/
Until September 26 Central Parks Summer Stage www.summerstage.org
Until August 8 Celebrate Brooklyn in Prospect Park www.celebratebrooklyn.org
Until August 30 River to River Festival with music, dance, theater and more http://www.rivertorivernyc.com

For more daily events in the City, follow us on Twitter at nycstar1999 or join
The Chelsea Star Hotel on facebook, We will also answer your questions about
the hotel or NYC, by emailing us at reservations@chelseastar.com

Free Music throughout the city’s many public spaces, here are a few of the Free Summer Concerts brought to you by 2 of the Morning News Shows, from 7-9AM, but if you want to be close to the stage, get there early.
For “Good Morning America” on ABC at Rumsey Playfield in Central Park
Fri.June 4 John Legend
Fri. June 18 Jamie Foxx
Fri. June 25 the cast of the musical “Hair”
And for “The Today Show” on the Plaza at Rockefeller Center
Fri. June 4 Justin Bieber
Tues. June 8 Christina Aguilera
Fri. June 18 James Taylor & Carole King

Free Movies in parks, on battle ships and on the piers
Here are just a few and at all venues you can bring food & beverages, but alcohol will not be permitted
June 19 “Field of Dreams” on the Intrepid-Sea-Air-Space Museum, doors open at 7:30PM, weather permitting, space is limited.
June 21 “Gold Finger” and June 28 “Carousel” is presented as part of the HBO Bryant Park Summer Film Festival
At dawn (7pm +) on the Lawn
June 31 “Grease” the Sing-Along as part of Movies under the Stars on the pier at Riverside Park South at 70th St

With so much to do in the city, we have listed some of the events and websites where to find out more
From June 9-August 1 “Shakespeare in the Park” http://www.publictheater.org/content/view/126/219/
From June 1-September 26 Central Parks Summer Stage www.summerstage.org
From June 9-August 8 Celebrate Brooklyn in Prospect Park www.celebratebrooklyn.org
June 20 – August 30 River to River Festival with music, dance, theater and more http://www.rivertorivernyc.com Sunday, June 20th part of the R2R festival presents ‘Make Music New York’s Punk Island” more than 100 punk bands take over Governors Island 11am-2am, free shows all day, free ferry until 5PM after there will be a $15.00 ferry charge. For more events this summer on Governors Island www.govisland.com

The LGBT community celebrates NYC PRIDE with a week long of events June 19-27 http://www.hopinc.org/

For more daily events in the City, follow us on Twitter at nycstar1999 or join The Chelsea Star Hotel on facebook, We will also answer your questions about the hotel or NYC, by emailing us at reservations@chelseastar.com

Saturday, May 15 – Children of The World Festival on 6th Avenue from 42nd to 56th Streets, walk around midtown and Times Square stopping at Bryant Park for a break and maybe a visit to the NY Public Library and Galleries

Ninth Avenue International Food Festival May 15 & 16 – on Ninth Avenue from 37th to 57th Streets. Food from all over the world, local bands and international dance troupes. Restaurants and shop stalls on the pavements, 100’S of merchants selling everything from jewelery to crafts and clothes.

Sunday, May 23 – Times Square Fair on Broadway from 47th to 57th Streets, while in the Times Square area try to see the Major exhibition of treasures from the Tomb of Tutankhamun on view until January 2, 2011 at the Discovery Times Square Exposition

Closer to the Chelsea Star Hotel, you can walk to and visit a few of the Chelsea Galleries, Walk the Highline Park, have something to eat or something sweet at one of the many specialty shops at the Chelsea Market, we especially love the brownies from the Fat Witch Company

On Friday, May 14th at the Chelsea Piers Sports Center,
“Fight for the Troops” Boxing Exhibition from 8:30-11:00pm

May 26-June 1, Sailors and Marines from the US Navy and Coast Guard ships, along with Sailors from around the World, participate in NYC Annual FLEET WEEK, Hosted by the Intrepid Air and Sea Museum, Entertainment, demonstrations and visits to the ships, plan ahead for enthusiastic crowds.

Saturday, April 3rd Annual International Pillow Fight Day 3:00 PM Union Square Website: Newmindspace.com Facebook: tinyurl.com/pillowfight2010

At the Javits Convention Center located a few minutes walk away, make the Chelsea Star Hotel an ideal place to stay for both exhibitor and attendee
April 2-11 International Auto Show
April 19-21 International Cloud Computing Conference and Expo
April 25 College Fair

Some NYC Entertainment & Event Ideas:

Radio City Music Hall
April 8 Trans Siberian Orchestra
April 27 Gipsy Kings

NYC OPERA presents Puccini’s Mme.Butterfly April 4,10,18 1:30 matinees;
April 2,8,16 8pm
PILAR RIOJA Queen of Flamenco Thru April 11 Repertorio Espanol www.repertorio.org 138 West 27the Street

BASEBALL OPENING DAYS! METS: MONDAY, APRIL 5 and YANKEES: TUESDAY, APRIL 13

Wednesday, April 7: WHISKEY LIVE NEW YORK returns to Pier Sixty for an evening of great whiskey, fine food and wonderful entertainment. Chelsea Piers 23rd St on the Hudson.

Saturday, April 10: http://www.tartanweek.com/
Join 2,000 pipers and drummers, the 12th Annual NYC Tartan Day Parade – Scottish music and single malt whiskey. Grand Marshal -Alex Fergusson, Presiding Officer of the Scottish Parliament. Then off to: STOUT NYC, 133 West 33rd Street is where the after-parade parties into the late night!

Saturday, April 10: THE JAPAN SOCIETY FREE!
Feast on everything the Japan Society has to offer at J-CATION, day-long event taking over the theater, gallery, lounge, and classrooms.

Saturday, April 24 – EARTH AWARENESS DAY FESTIVAL 46th St. Broadway – 8th Ave

Friday & Saturday, April 23rd and 24th : METROPOLITAN PAVILLION
MANHATTAN VINTAGE CLOTHING AND ANTIQUE TEXTILE SHOW AND SALE
125 West 18th Street (Between 6th & 7th Aves) Admission $ 20.00

Friday April 23rd: KING TUT HAS ARRIVED! Tutankhamun and the Golden Age of the Pharaohs returns to NYC after more than 30 years! at DISCOVERY Times Square Exposition 226 W 44th Street (between 7th & 8th Avenues) Tickets start at $27.50 and best bought in advance these early months. A second exhibit at the Metropolitan Museum partners with this.

CHARLES ADDAMS MUSEUM OF THE CITY OF NEW YORK Museum Mile Fifth Avenue. The iconic cartoonist at his best, from The New Yorker Magazine, one uber-funny cartoon after another

TRACES OF MEMORY CONTEMPORARY LOOK AT THE JEWISH PAST IN POLAND
MUSEUM OF JEWISH HERITAGE Battery Place

CURIOUS GEORGE SAVES THE DAY THE JEWISH MUSEUM Museum Mile Fifth Avenue. Nearly 80 original drawings from the beloved children’s book authors, the couple who fled Nazi-occupied Europe.

TIM BURTON remains through April at MoMA.
GORGEOUS, SMALL FUNERARY FIGURES FROM FRANCE glow and seem alive in the Medieval Hall at the METROPOLITAN MUSEUM.
And the WHITNEY BIENNIAL continues.

OPENING APRIL 27: METROPOLITAN MUSEUM The Iris and B. Gerald Cantor Roof Garden
Doug + Mike Starn on the Roof: Big Bambú
Monumental bamboo structure ultimately measuring 100 feet long X 50 feet wide X 50 feet high in the form of a cresting wave bridging the realms of sculpture, architecture, and performance. Visitors will witness the creation and evolving incarnations of Big Bambú as it is constructed through the spring, summer and fall by the artists and a team of rock climbers. (weather permitting)

If you have any questions which we can help in planning your NYC trip, do not hesitate to email our concierge desk at reservations@chelseastar.com or follow us on Twitter at nycstar1999, you can also become a fan of the Chelsea Star Hotel on Facebook

MARCH HIGHLIGHTS:
IMPORTANT TRADESHOWS — JAVITS CONVENTION CENTER Chelsea Star is a few minutes walk to the Javits Center! Perfect for both exhibitor and attendee.
INTERNATIONAL BEAUTY SHOW March 7-9
INTERNATIONAL VISION EXPO March 19-21
GLBT EXPO March 20-21
SHOWBIZ EXPO at the Hilton Hotel March 28 Highlighting every phase of Show Business

Broadway Theater has something for everyone, with all the new dramas, musicals, comedy and Off-Broadway is alive and well in the city

MUSEUMS
The Mourners: Medieval Tomb Sculptures from the Court of Burgundy Metropolitan Museum of Art Opens March 2
The Frick Collection: Masterpieces of European Painting from Dulwich Picture Gallery3 Mar – 30 May On loan of nine Old Master paintings arrive from London.
MOMA — Picasso: Themes and Variations: Opens 28 Mar – 6 Sep Featuring around 100 Picasso prints, the exhibition at MoMA looks at decades of experimentation by the artist in etching, lithography and linoleum cut.
Gramercy Park Armory Arts of Pacific Asia Show 25 – 28 Mar Features exquisite items from over 65 leading international galleries specializing in Asian art. Both rare and ancient artefacts and contemporary art are on sale.
The Museum of the American Gangster (MAOG) will have a pre-opening schedule starting March 7, part of the Lower East Side History Project. An opportunity to gain insight into the hidden, inside world.The museum’s website offers a sneak peak of the exhibits including The Early Life of “Lucky” Luciano, Gangster Lingo and Tools of the Trade. The niche museum is located at 80 St. Marks Place, map, inside the Theater 80 building. During previews, while not all exhibits will be in place, admssion will be $10.

ONLY-IN-NEW YORK HAPPENINGS (We’ll Tweet update right through the month)
ARTISINAL BEERS OF BELGIUM Friday, Mar 5, 6:30pm Artisanal Premium Cheese Center 500 W 37th Street

DATE NIGHT AT CHELSEA PIERS GOLF CLUB March 5, 12, 19 $30 PP Open wine and beer bar, light snacks and instruction from the Golf Academy’s top Teaching Professionals

Get ready for St. Patrick’s Day: Saturday, March 13 Big Onion Tours THE IRISH IN NEW YORK HISTORY
ST. PATRICK’S DAY PARADE Wednesday, March 17 THE parade! Everyone is Irish today, marching from 11am to 5pm, up Fifth Avenue from 44th to 86th Street. Pub Crawling till…whenever!
RIVER DANCE March 17-21: Radio City Music Hall 8pm
THE IRISH ARTS CENTER ALL-DAY FREE CELEBRATION
And some best-pubs and restaurant recommendations for Tuesday evening…until late, and St. Patrick’s Day:
The 11th annual Luck of the Irish St. Patrick’s Day Pub Crawl, a lineup to smash a Guinness World Record. More than 100 bars in the East Village, Murray Hill and the Upper East Side offer friendly- drink specials, including $1 Buds and $4 shots of Jameson. A team of paparazzi leprechauns hopping from bar to bar. Various times and locations (212-724-3900, saintpattys.com). Sat 13, Sun 14, Tue 16; $20–$35.

GREAT CUPCAKE CHALLENGE Fri, Mar 26 Amy’s Bread 250 Bleecker St 1-4pm
Cupcake Challenge

Green… The World Wildlife Fund’s Earth Hour will take place around the world on Saturday, March 27th, 8:30-9:30pm. During that time, people will shut off non-essential lights to call for action on climate change.

At Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts the much-awaited addition,
David Rubenstein Atrium, worth your personal stop for tickets, free entertainment on Thursday evenings at 8:30pm, fun dining, people watching.
At The Whitney Biennial Museum until May 30, 2010
The 75th Whitney Biennial. 55 artists as selected by the curatorial staff. Important for all who love and want to love contemporary American art. www.whitney.org

Continue to follow us Twitter at nycstar1999 or become a fan on Facebook
at the Chelsea Star Hotel

The Winter Special continues into February, book 2 nights and the 3^rd is FREE, for online bookings only and if available for the dates.

Winter Restaurant Week in New York City Jan. 25 – Feb. 7 All around the town.

Some of our best restaurants offer lunches and dinners at great discounts.

WORLD YACHT: Valentines Day Cruise. Sail around Manhattan, with superb cuisine, fine wines, romantic ballads. Steal a kiss under the moonlight. http://www.worldyacht.com.

Here are a couple of Romantic Dining options near the Chelsea Star Hotel: Reservations are a must! Bottino 246 10th Ave @ 25th St, Gascogne 158 8th Ave @ 18th St or Tillman’s 165 W 26th St @ 7^th Ave.

CARMINA BURANA @ Carnegie Hall, Sunday, Fed 14, 2:00 pm, Tickets start at $20.00

The Chelsea Star Hotel is a 10 minute walk from the JAVITS CONVENTION CENTER Perfect for both exhibitor and attendee. American International Toy Fair – Feb 14-17, JA NY Winter Show (Annual Jewelry Show) Feb 28-Mar 4,

International Restaurant & Food service Exhibit Feb 28 – Mar 2

Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show BEST IN SHOW, Feb. 15 &16 at Madison Square Garden

Outsider Art Fair Feb. 5 – 7 @ 7 West 34^th St. featuring the work of visionary and intuitive artists and showcasing an incredible range of work.

Mercedes Benz Fashion Week, February 12-19 & Couture Week February 12-14

Chinese New Year Spectacular, Radio City Music Hall February 13-20 Brings together world-class Asian and Western performers.

Coffee & Tea Festival: NYC February 20 – 21 Lots of samples, lectures, art, music, entertainment.

SPEAKING OF ENTERTAINMENT: Led Zeppelin @ Gramercy Theatre, Feb.5 8PM Marsalis, Chestnut, Porter Jazz @ Lincoln Center, Feb. 11,12,13 Eric Clapton, Jeff Beck @ MSG Feb.18 & 19, John Mayer @ MSG Feb.25 & 26

The 75th Whitney Biennial: Feb 25 – May 30 55 artists as selected by the curatorial staff. Important for all who love and want to love contemporary American art. www.whitney.org IN/SIGHT 2010 @ THE CHELSEA ART MUSEUM 556 West 22nd Street, Group show of contemporary art by American Indian Artists

BRINGING THE KIDS TO THE CITY, Think of our Apartment Suites, which are ideal for families and Groups. Roomy, Comfortable and a Great Value. Two important events that will surely enhance their NYC experience  KID’S WEEK: Feb 13-21 www.intrepidmuseum.org At the Intrepid Sea-Air-Space, introducing the joys and wonders of science and space. Art projects for children of all ages, to reiterate that science is fascinating, challenging and fun. Past attendees include NASA, Sony Wonder Technology Lab, Puppetry Arts Theater and the American Society of Civil Engineers. INT’L KIDS FILM FESTIVAL: Feb 26-Mar 14 the IFC Center IN Greenwich Village Ages 3-18

A Very Happy New Year to all.

January is a good time to visit NYC, after the holiday crowds have gone, you can enjoy some space and great bargains. Here are some events this month, to make your visit to the city even more enjoyable.

January 8-10, professional Bull Riders at Madison Sq. Garden, this is not for everybody, but it is dangerous and thrilling, Tickets from $20.00

Chinese New Year Spectacular at Radio City Music Hall January 30, 31 and into early February, Beautiful music, extraordinary acrobatics and dance, great for winter’s experience.

Annual Winter Restaurant Week, starting January 25-February 7.  Prix-Fixe menus galore, lunch always, dinner very often included.  Try to reserve early.  Full list of participating restaurants available online at the NY Convention & Visitors Bureau or if your in the city, visit the office on 7th Ave. and 53rd St.  Beverages are not included, and tax and gratuity are additional.  Some participating restaurants offer more than one choice in the prix fixe.

If you have any questions which we can help in planning your NYC trip, do not hesitate to email our concierge desk at reservations@chelseastar.com or follow us on Twitter at nycstar1999, you can also become a fan on Facebook

Wishing all our guests and NYC visitors, the very best through the New Year

LIGHTS & WINDOWS at every corner, every turn, some of the best places to feel the Holiday Spirit are: Rockefeller Center and its neighbors, Saks 5th Avenue, St. Patrick’s Cathedral,
Fifth Avenue, from 59th Street and straight down 34th Street, Madison Avenue, from 79th Street straight down to 57th Street, Park Avenue’s annual Christmas Tree Parade, at the Metropolitan Museum & American Museum of Natural History, Annual Christmas Tree displays, and the Time Warner Center at Columbus Circle, inside and out, upstairs and downstairs the decor is amazing.

OUTDOOR HOLIDAY MARKETS at Bryant Park, Madison Square Park, Union Square Park, South Street Seaport, Columbus Circle, and at Grand Central Station the most beautiful holiday market and the Kaleidoscope Light Show.

Options for ICE SKATING in the City, the most famous is Rockefeller Center, with music & celebrities until Spring, you will have more space at Bryant Park with FREE skating, rentals available until January 25th and Wollman Rink in Central Park, rentals available, cash only till spring.

If your visiting the City this month you must experience one of the many HOLIDAY SHOWS in the City, The Annual Christmas Show with the Rockettes at Radio City Music Hall, White Christmas at the Marquis Theater, the Nut Cracker performed by the NYC Ballet at Lincoln Center and Wintuk at the WaMU Theater across the street from the Chelsea Star Hotel at Madison Square Garden.
You can also catch a Broadway show or join the Big Apple Circus in Damrosch Park at Lincoln Center.

Walking on the Avenues, you will be hit by the undeniable aroma of Roasted Chestnuts and Candied nuts, It’s a small luxury with a big taste.

Visiting Chinatown is a MUST, especially in cold weather. Great bargain shopping means you can do it all quickly and then concentrate on food! The choices are mind-boggling, but here’s a start: the tiny “hole in the wall” dumpling shop located at 106 Mosco St. Five sizzling fresh, dumplings for $1. Clean and bare bones, but a treasure on a winter’s day. Choose one or two types of soup, bags of frozen dumplings to take home on the plane! Pay-Up first, no credit cards, just open the Styrofoam container, sip the hot stock and glow. Please forgive us for not listing at least another dozen small dining and shopping finds. Part of the fun is to discover them yourself.

We are still tweeting NYC events and Hotel promotions at nycstar1999 on Twitter, You can also become a fan on Facebook and Myspace by joining the Chelsea Star Hotel. I would like to hear
your comments and suggestions about our property and about the City, email me directly at jclermont@chelseastar.com

Seasons Greetings and a Happy New Year to all

Sunday,  November 1.  The ING New York Marathon.  This year 38,000 will run all five boroughs, with the exciting finish in Central Park.  Manhattan’s streets are alive with foreign languages coming from very slim visitors in fun sports outfits. A great place to join in with cheers and support is in Central Park, the West Drive,  between 86th and 90th Streets. If the weather cooperates, be part of the crowd anywhere along the 26.5 miles. If not, find a very friendly pub near Chelsea Star and enjoy!

Also on November 1, if your taste in marathons doesn’t include running shoes and pain, we found another challenge. Take advantage of the extra hour with an all-night disco walk. This is quite the undertaking, but here is everything outlined  for you.  Party On, Garth!

November is the first full month after the reopening of EL MUSEO DEL BARRIO   http://elmuseo.org . It was a great unknown even before this two-year redesign project, but now, everyone’s talking.  Way Uptown East, well worth it!  The very best of extravagant expressions from Latin America, the Caribbean and Central America.  November  1 is “Day of the Dead,” so there’s  traditional music and foods.  EL CAFÉ is the new designer-chef eatery.

November’s chill is perfect “outdoor dining.”  Weekdays mean you can stop at the  Mexican-food cart Calexico , gourmet Cal-Mex street food. Loyal Downtown fans know this 2008 Vendy Award winner.  Street food in New York City is no longer just a hot dog and dripping covers. This is  next-generation street-food food, and the devil’s in the details: secret recipe seasoning  flavorful meat cooked to order, and portions of quantity and quality. Try the Calexico carne asada burrito ($8) and the chipotle pork taco ($3). Full menu served at the corner of Prince and Wooster Sts (Mon-Fri 11:30am-3:30pm); burrito menu served at the corner of Broadway and Broome St (Mon-Fri 11:30am-3:30pm); calexicocart.com, twitter.com/calexicocart

Wednesday, November 11, starting at 10:00 a.m. , and a delightful walk from the Chelsea Star to Madison Square Park.  It’s  the annual Veterans Day Parade, and this is the 90th anniversary.

This year’s parade is a special commemoration marking the 90th Anniversary of Veteran’s Day (1919-2009). Hosted by the United War Veterans Council, the parade is the largest of its kind in the nation, providing an opportunity for New Yorkers and visitors to honor those who have preserved our freedoms.

November 1-21:  ARS NOVA   511 West 54th St. at 10th Ave.  ANT FEST, a way for new talent to get a foot in the door. 6 Nights a week, every night—new!  http://arsnovanyc.com/antfest/  $10 each performance.

November 1-30: THE WHITNEY MUSEUM  945 Madison Ave at 75th St. “WHITNEY LIVE.”  Rockers, Fun, bold and unpredictable,  showcases an eclectic variety of cutting-edge performers. FREE with museum pay-as-you-wish admission Fridays, 6-9pm . First come,first served, show at 7pm

Opening November 15,   the Jewish Museum opens its awaited exhibit,  Alias Man Ray: The Art of Reinvention    www.thejewishmuseum.org/exhibitions/manray.  The exhibition explains how the artist’s assimilation, his emergence from an immigrant world of stereotype, ethnicity, and fixed identity, produced a dynamic polarity of revelation and concealment.   This museum often presents exhibits that surprise or emotionally move its audience.  The 6 train is your best bet, and you can combine this visit with several others close by: it’s Museum Mile!

November 18 through 22– The New York City Horror Film Festival, the premier scary film festival, held at Tribeca Cinemas in lower Manhattan .Special screenings, parties, celebrity guests and free giveaways, This is fright-freak paradise!  Presentation of awards for best film, best short, best special effects and best actor. Two screens will run concurrently, with an in-house bar and lounge for recovering your wits between the films.    www.nychorrorfest.com/

Thursday, November 19, the annual Big-Fuss-Over-Very-Little… but lots of fun!  Arrival of the latest vintage of Beaujolais Nouveau brings wine-lovers to the French Institute-Alliance Francaise for a special evening of tasting and celebration in the French tradition.  It’s an occasion to mingle while sampling vintages from various companies, and indulging in French delicacies such as pâtés, cheeses, charcuterie, and more.  Tickets are $55 and Tinker Auditorium is at 33 East 59th Street (Madison and Park).  It’s always a sell-out, and Ticketmaster or direct,    http://www.fiaf.org/events/fall2009/2009-11-19-beaujolais-nouveau.shtml  where there’s help.  If you can’t make it, just look around—the bars and restaurants around the city have all kinds of signs and enticements.

Wednesday,  November 25, make sure you can be Uptown on Central Park West and 77th Street (B, C trains) From 3pm to 10 pm, thousands of New Yorkers and visitors converge to watch the helium inflation of the giant balloons. This event has grown bigger and more exciting over the years, Lots of locals and.world visitors, great photo ops.  Tons of restaurants and bars are close by, so it becomes a whole evening and, for some, late-into-the-night fun.

Thursday, November 26—that’s the day of the Big Macy’s Thanksgiving Parade.  Starts from right where the inflation was the night before, winds down Central Park West, Columbus Circle, Seventh Avenue to Macy’s.  9am star, takes about three hours.  Then…traditional Thanksgiving Dinner everywhere.  Probably America’s favorite holiday!

Victorian Christmas Walking Tour   Sunday November 29, at 2:00pm Tickets: $18

NYC Discovery Walking Tours 1120 Avenue Of The Americas       Get Directions

Go off the beaten path this holiday season with this walking tour through three Victorian districts; Gramercy Park, Ladies Mile, and Chelsea exploring the historic Christmas connections that emerged from each. Stops include where Clement Clarke Moore wrote, ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas,’ O. Henry wrote ‘The Gift of the Magi’ and the Christmas shopping area of the 1880s.