That’s about to change with Korea Fest. Set to debut on Sunday, September 8, from 2pm until 9pm at the Culture Lab in Long Island City, Queens, the event’s mission is to familiarize folks with Korean culture—and they are not just talking about music and food. Korea Fest will highlight Korea’s famous skincare and beauty industries while also looking at the country’s technology offerings, K-dramas and more. Also expect dance performances and a DJ to pin K-pop tunes throughout the event.
“Korea Fest is about highlighting Korean culture [and] promoting diversity and inclusivity,” Sarah Choi, one of the event’s organizers, said. “We believe that of the few cultural festivals that currently exist, South Korea has a massive global appeal and footprint that hasn’t been properly represented.
Food-wise, 20 vendors are scheduled to participate in the festivities, serving Korean favorites like Korean barbecue, Korean fried chicken and less traditional dishes made with a local twist.
Culture Lab LIC is a 12,000 square foot converted warehouse located at 5-25 46th Avenue. The space features two fine arts galleries, an 80-seat theater, classroom space and an 18,000 square foot outdoor venue, according to their website. They have a robust calendar of events coming up, including a pop-up dog adoption event, free outdoor concerts and more.
You can get your free tickets to the first ever Korea Fest here.
“Time doesn’t exist when you’re at an airport” is something many of us have muttered to ourselves while sipping a 7 am cocktail at an airport bar. And whether you’re looking at that cocktail to offer up some liquid courage before boarding your flight or are simply just interested in getting a head start on your vacation, you may soon be cut off after two drinks.
That’s if Ryanair CEO Michael O’Leary gets his way, anyway.
O’Leary has suggested that airports implement a two-drink limit for passengers ordering alcoholic beverages in order to reduce disruptive behavior on flights. O’Leary exclusively told The Independent UK:
We and most of the airlines around Europe are seeing a spike upwards, particularly this summer, of disgruntled passengers on board. I think the real challenge is: flight delays are up at a record high this summer, so people are spending time in airports drinking before they board aircraft.
“Passengers fighting with each other is a growing trend on board aircraft,” added O’Leary at a news conference in London. He also claims that assaults by drunk passengers are occurring on an almost weekly basis now, compared to barely happening at all five to ten years ago.
Unsplash / Gary Butterfield
And this isn’t a figment of O’Leary’s imagination–the International Air Transport Association, who runs a campaign titled “One Too Many” which urges passengers to behave responsibly, reports an “increase in the rate of reported unruly passenger incidents.”
Numbers from May 2024 show that there was one unruly incident reported for every 480 flights in 2023, up from one per 568 flights in 2022 and one per 835 flights in 2021.
To combat this, O’Leary suggests requiring passengers to show their boarding pass when ordering drinks at airport bars, similar to when purchasing cigarettes or alcohol in duty free shops, and be limited to only two drinks. He has already called for governments across Europe to implement more effective fines for disruptive passengers.
Whether the drink limit will actually come into fruition or not is unknown, but who knows–you may soon have to put the cocktail sipping on hold until you reach your destination! And this isn’t the only change (potentially) heading to airports–TSA also plans to lift the 3.4-ounce liquid limit. More on this here.
The historic 82-foot Shearwater Classic Schooner provides a timeless perspective to touring the iconic New York harbor waterways. You’ll experience the lives of traditional schooners while enjoying modern-day trappings. Sign up for daily sails, private charters, specialty outings, and family programs. Enjoy good food and onboard entertainment as you sail past landmarks such as Ellis Island, the Statue of Liberty, and the Lower Manhattan Skyline.
Manhattan by Sail
Background on Shearwater Classic Schooner
After careful restoration, the 1929 Shearwater Classic Schooner has become a pinnacle of luxury in yachting experiences. Some places she has sailed include the Pacific, Panama Canal, New Zealand, and New York. Theodore Donald Wells designed the boat, while the Rice Brothers Corporation built it.
During the Second World War, the US Coast Guard used the schooner to patrol for German U-boats. Later, it hosted a research laboratory for the Institute of Environmental Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania. Manhattan by Sail, the current owners, purchased the boat in 2000. Today, the classic schooner offers unique sailing experiences with its charming combination of classic/traditional and modern amenities. Another feather in its cap is that it is the only designated floating landmark in NYC.
Manhattan by Sail
Where is the Shearwater Classic Schooner, and how do you get there?
Shearwater Classic Schooner departs from North Cove Marina at Brookfield Place, Battery Park City, New York, United States.
By Train: To get to North Cove by train, take the IRT (1, 9, 2, 3) or IND (A, C, E) to Chambers St.
By Bus: M9, M10, or M22 will get you to Battery Park City.
What to expect when you visit?
The schooner has a 48-person sitting capacity, so bookings are a good idea. Seating options are plentiful and ad-hoc, including benches, deck boxes, or on the Rangoon teak deck. Alternatively, take the spiral staircase below the deck to appreciate the Gilded Age and Gatsby-era decor while enjoying the NYC Skyline.
You can bring your food, but not liquor.
If you suffer from seasickness, please take the necessary precautions.
The type of cruise you are on will determine how you dress. But generally, dress comfortably and be mindful of the weather. The company encourages wearing soft-soled shoes because boots and heels can scuff the deck.
The Schooner sets sail no matter the weather. Cancellations are only allowed if the captain feels the conditions are unsafe.
Manhattan by Sail
What else can you do when you visit?
There’s a lot more to experience around the area. Once you finish your sail, take some time to enjoy nearby events and venues, including:
Once you buy the tickets, there are no refunds. Please refer to the company’s terms and conditions for more information.
Are there special rates for kids?
Child rates apply to kids aged 12 and below. Those under two do not pay. However, you must still make ticket reservations to accommodate everyone on board. With a reservation, the child can accompany you on the sail.
Can I take the cruise with my pet?
Small dogs on a leash are acceptable, but only with advance notice.
Is the vessel handicap accessible?
Yes, it is.
Shearwater Classic Schooner provides a fantastic way to explore the NYC waterways. You enjoy luxurious sailing in a boat that clings to the traditional schooner heritage while incorporating modern amenities.
The sailing tours have no age limit, so you can go alone or bring family or friends. You can spend the whole time on the deck, enjoying the fresh air. Alternatively, head down below the deck and enjoy the beauty of the comfortable interior.
Charge your camera because you will be, without a doubt, taking plenty of photos of the stunning Manhattan skyline, Statue of Liberty, Ellis Island, and other city landmarks.
And beyond the harbor is a vibrant neighborhood with plenty to do and see.
Art comes in many forms, and Mr. Flower Fantastic’s medium is beautiful blooms.
The anonymous creator, who just so happens to be allergic to flowers, continues to dazzle us with gorgeous sculptures created entirely by our favorite garden features. His latest, TAXI!!!, is an ode to the city’s iconic yellow cabs and represents diversity, tenacity, imagination, and brilliance. But like the cars themselves, this Queens Botanical Garden feature won’t be around for long.
All about Mr. Flower Fantastic’s ‘TAXI!!!’
Courtesy: Mr. Flower Fantastic and Queens Botanical Garden
Until September 8, those wandering the verdant 39-acre retreat will be able to catch a glimpse of the lifelike piece, which is included in general admission. Since we are all for Instagrammable attractions in NYC and some one-on-one time with Mother Nature, there’s no reason not to venture to the gardens. Plus, if you haven’t heard, sculptures are kind of having a moment. (We’re looking at you, Dinosaur, a.k.a. the ginormous pigeon sculpture on the High Line.)
More than just a photo opp, Mr. Flower Fantastic aims for his work to serve a purpose: fostering cultural impact through floristry, according to Queens Botanical Garden. He advocates for sustainability, assisting underserved communities, and protecting the planet by way of floral pieces, set designs, and ceramics. You’ve likely seen his creations before, whether it’d be his previous partnership with Louis Vuitton or inclusion in a new Brooklyn Museum attraction: Spike Lee Exhibit: Creative Sources.
To add to your reasons to visit, TAXI!!!, the Queens Botanical Garden will be open on Labor Day and admission is free, courtesy of the MTV Video Music Awards.
Courtesy: Mr. Flower Fantastic and Queens Botanical Garden
For more photo-worthy moments, be on the lookout for Steve Wasterval’s community-wide scavenger hunt across Greenpoint, which allows searchers to possibly come across one of his 200+ miniature paintings of our favorite city.
“I started the mini hunt because I had always had this idea that I wanted to paint full sized paintings and hang them up on the sides of buildings — like my own version of street art but paintings,” Wasterval told Secret NYC’s Justine Golata. “That morphed into a size that I could give away to the neighborhood.”
One thing’s for sure, creativity flourishes in New York — blooms and beyond.
Any New York City dweller would agree that finding an apartment in the city is close to impossible–even though many NYC apartments are actually sitting vacant. The good news is, though, that our apartment search woes may be coming to an end as more than 500,000 apartments are expected to be completed in 2024 in the U.S., and 33,000 of those are heading to NY.
According to a study by RentCafe this is the the third year in a row the United States’ apartment count will reach new heights, though 2024 is the first year in the history of the U.S. in which the number of apartment completions will surpass the 500,000-unit threshold.
Source / RentCafe
This year, developers are on track to complete a staggering 518,108 rental units in the U.S. This marks a 9% increase compared to 2023 and a staggering 30% increase compared to 2022. And New York metro is leading the pack for the third consecutive year–of those 518,108 units 32,935 of them will be constructed in New York. This construction boom stems from the Northeast’s persistent housing shortage.
Majority of those new apartments will open in Brooklyn alone–9,379 units, to be exact–followed by Manhattan, where 2,979 apartments will be built. Local developers will also build 2,412 units in Jersey City.
Beyond New York 60% of the new apartments expected to open in 2024 are clustered in the ranking’s top 20 metros. Most notably, Dallas, Texas is extremely close to taking the top spot with developers on track to complete 32,932 rentals here. In third place is Austin, Texas where developers are working to complete 21,506 new rentals before the end of 2024.
Source / RentCafe
Rounding out the top ten are as follows:
1. New York, NY
2. Dallas, TX
3. Austin, TX
4. Phoenix, AZ
5. Atlanta, GA
6. Houston, TX
7. Washington, D.C.
8. Charlotte, NC
9. Miami, FL
10. Denver, CO
Source / RentCafe
Looking ahead, over two million new units are expected to be built by 2028.
To compile this report, RentCafe’s research team analyzed new apartment construction data across 369 U.S. metropolitan areas. They only looked at buildings containing 50 or more units, and metros with fewer than 300 units or fewer than two properties/buildings weren’t included.
The Bronx and Staten Island were not included in the New York metro data set. You can find the full report here.
A massive new piece of public art will be installed in Times Square on September 15: a large-scale adaptation of Dominican Surrealist Ivan Tovar’s well-known “La Chaise Adulte (The Adult Chair).” Dubbed “TOVAR The Chair,” the piece will be on display at the Broadway Plaza between 45th and 46th Streets by Seventh Avenue through November 15.
The 13-foot-tall sculpture “features a nude female and male form intertwined creating a throne-like monumental chair,” according to an official press release, and really functions as a “stage upon which global desires and universal emotions are displayed.”
A representation of the artist’s Surrealist craft, the piece also asks the public to reflect on Tovar’s legacy and the importance of art within the global cultural canon.
“Iván Tovar made art to externalize his concerns and obsessions,” said Dominican art collector and member of the Iván Tovar Foundation Board of Directors, one of the organizations behind the installment, Héctor José Rizek. “Each of his works is unique yet simultaneously part of a transcendent visual language, a poem full of emotions. ‘TOVAR The Chair’ is a deeply impactful means to share Tovar’s collective vision in a large-scale public art exhibition to a greater audience beyond the confines of museums and private collections.”
The monument joins an already awesome lineup of outdoor artworks currently on display all around the city, including “Attrition,” the 10-foot-long sculpture of a bison skeleton that now sits in Lower Manhattan, the string of colorful lanterns hanging in the Garment District as part of the “New Stars, New Hope” installation and “Travelers” in Murray Hill, a series of figurative pieces by renowned artist Bruno Catalano.
Sometimes, it really feels like the city is just one big outdoor museum.
The West Indian Day Parade is hands down one of the most lit parties held in New York City each year.
On Monday, September 2, thousands of people will march, eat and party along Eastern Parkway and the surrounding neighborhoods in Brooklyn. The parade is organized by the West Indian American Day Carnival Association to promote Caribbean culture, also celebrating the strong presence of Trinidadians, Haitians, Jamaicans and other West Indian communities in Crown Heights.
You’re just as likely to spot colorful costumes from different Caribbean nations, though, as you are to run into headache-inducing traffic jams. Here’s what you should anticipate.
The West Indian Day Parade will kick off at 11am on Monday, September 2. However, the pre-parade party J’ouvert, which is French for “daybreak,” will begin as early as 6am at Grand Army Plaza on that same day.
What is the West Indian Day Parade’s route?
The route moves along Eastern Parkway from Utica Avenue to Grand Army Plaza for approximately two miles.
What streets will be closed during the West Indian Day Parade?
Many people will be driving back to the city on Monday following Labor Day weekend—so you can expect even more traffic than you previously thought you might encounter.
Here are all the street closures related to the upcoming West Indian Day Parade:
Grand Army Plaza (Entire Circle)
Buffalo Avenue between Eastern Parkway and East New York Avenue
Rochester Avenue between East New York Avenue and Sterling Place
Ralph Avenue between Eastern Parkway and East New York Avenue
East New York Avenue between Howard Avenue and Utica Avenue
Eastern Parkway between Howard Avenue and Grand Army Plaza
Washington Avenue between Sterling Place and Lincoln Road
Flatbush Avenue between Grand Army Plaza and Caton Avenue
Ocean Avenue between Empire Boulevard and Parkside Avenue
Butler Place between Grand Army Plaza and Sterling Place
St. Johns Place between Underhill Avenue and Grand Army Plaza
Rockaway Parkway between East New York Avenue and Rutland Road
Parkside Avenue between Park Circle and Flatbush Avenue
Bedford Avenue between Eastern Parkway and Empire Boulevard
Empire Boulevard between Flatbush Avenue and Nostrand Avenue
Nostrand Avenue between Empire Boulevard and Linden Boulevard
Lincoln Place between Eastern Parkway and East New York Avenue
If you’re going to be taking public transportation, you should keep in mind that there are going to be disruptions on several subway lines, the LIRR and Metro North. Check the MTA’s website for the latest details.
