CANCELLED! Summer Stage in Harlem | August 8 – Office of General Services
CANCELLED! Summer Stage in Harlem | August 8 Office of General Services
Author: Site Adminstrator
Bronx Zoo: Get Up Close And Personal With Exotic And Endangered Animals
Big Apple’s wildlife enthusiasts have been flocking to Bronx Zoo since 1899 for an exclusive peek into the natural world. With a hardwood forest spread across 265 acres, the zoo houses over 640 species and 11,000 animals. As the flagship park of the Wildlife Conservation Society, it cares for an amazing variety of mammals, amphibians, reptiles, fishes, birds, and invertebrates.
From Nile crocodiles, leopards, anacondas, and bald eagles to Asian elephants, Caribbean flamingos, and lemurs from Madagascar, there are many wild friends to meet here. Giraffes, gorillas, grizzly bears, lions, king vultures, penguins, and zebras are some other animals that you can visit. You can also meet exotic beauties like the Okapi, Nubian ibex, Malayan Tapir, poison dart frog, and tufted puffin. Let’s learn more about the zoo so that you can plan a visit without any hitch.
Background on Bronx Zoo
In the last 125 years, the zoo has achieved many milestones and promoted environmental conservation. It saved the bison from going extinct in 1907, while in 1916, it set up an animal hospital. Hellen Keller, the famous deaf-blind author and activist, was one of it’s most famous visitors. Throughout 1981, 1990, and 2014, the zoo witnessed the birth or debut of endangered species like the gaur, the Sumatran rhino, and the flare-horned markhor.
From 1980 onwards, Bronx Zoo started setting up intriguing exhibits involving animals from different ecosystems, including the Himalayan Highlands, Congo forests, and Madagascar. It also returned over 10,000 Kihansi spray toads to Tanzania, rescued and treated 81 African gray parrots, and conducted 1000 health checks on blue iguanas before releasing them back onto the Grand Cayman Island. Premiering on Animal Planet in 2017 was a key milestone, too.
Where is Bronx Zoo and how do you get there?
The zoo has a sprawling presence on 2300 Southern Boulevard. It is easily accessible by public transportation and car.
From Manhattan:
- Take the BxM11 express bus and get off at Gate B.
From Queens:
- Take the Q44 bus to 180th Street and Boston Road, then walk north to Gate A.
From the Bronx:
- Take the Bx9 or Bx19 buses to 183rd Street and Southern Boulevard, near Gate C.
By Subway:
- Take train #2 to Pelham Parkway. Exit to the street via elevators, then walk west to Gate B.
By Train:
- Take the Harlem Line of Metro North to Fordham. From there, take the Bx9 bus to 183rd Street and Southern Boulevard.
By Car:
- If using a car service, get off at the Southern Boulevard Gate.
- Parking is available at Southern Boulevard and Bronx River Parkway.
- Additional parking is available at Fordham University.
What to expect when you visit the Bronx Zoo?
Usually, from early November to late March or early April, the zoo is open from 10 am to 4.30 pm. During warmer months, it’s open from 10 am to 5 pm (5.30 pm on weekends and holidays).
Provisions for visitors with disabilities include wheelchair-friendly buildings, a zoo shuttle, and an accessibility map. You can request personal assistance and enjoy rides like Nature Trek, Bug Carousel, and Wild Asia Monorail. Manual wheelchairs are also available for free at the South Boulevard entrance. The zoo offers strollers and electric convenience vehicles for rent as well.
To enter, you must carry a date-specific ticket. For a smooth experience inside, use the park’s interactive map and mobile app. Note that animal exhibits usually close 30 minutes before the zoo closes. Note that kids under 17 need adult supervision at all times.
Dancing Crane Café is the main restaurant opposite the Bronx Zoo Store. At 17,500 square feet, the eatery offers outdoor and indoor seating and serves various beverages and dishes.
What else can you do when you visit?
At Jungleworld, watch orange and black langurs frolic amidst lush branches and groom each other. Enjoy a ride on the Wild Asia Monorail and spot rhinos, red pandas, and elephants on the route.
To soak in panoramic views, choose the Nature Trek experience and navigate swinging bridges to admire its fantastic landscape. You can also watch zookeepers feeding penguins and sea lions and ask questions about the species, how adorable is that?
And don’t forget to check out the bug carousel, with a vibrant grasshopper, praying mantis, and dung beetle, it will also draw your little ones’s attention and is a joyful ride.
You could also book an in-person encounter with cheetahs, rhinos, giraffes, or camels to make your trip more memorable. And meet the wild celebrities featured on the ZOO (Animal Planet).
After exiting the zoo, you can go on a Harlem walking tour or head to a nearby pub with lively music.
Bronx Zoo is an exciting place to forge friendships with four-footed, feathery, and slithery beings from the wild side. You can spend hours watching them, learning about their anatomy and habits, and grabbing a bite at the nearby restaurant.
FAQs
Is the Bronx Zoo closed on any day?
The zoo is closed on holidays like Christmas Day, Thanksgiving Day, Martin Luther King Jr. Day, and New Year’s Day.
How long does it take to explore the Bronx Zoo?
It usually takes 2 to 2.5 hours to explore the zoo. However, depending on the activities or exhibits you have signed up for, you might need more time.
Is admission free on any day at Bronx Zoo?
On Wednesdays, a limited number of visitors are admitted for free. That’s why you must make an advanced reservation for your tickets. Booking facilities open at 5 pm on Mondays.
So, if you are ready for a rendezvous with quirky-looking giant anteaters, deadly king cobras, colorful Cuban Amazon parrots, or cheeky white-cheeked gibbons, a visit to Bronx Zoo is what you need.
Are you looking for more? Get an eagle’s eye view on a helicopter ride to admire all the gems peppering New York—from the Bronx Zoo and Central Park to the Empire State Building, Times Square, Chrysler Building, and more.
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NYC’s Highly Anticipated Floating +POOL Will Be Installed At Pier 35
Sure NYC has beaches, rooftop pools and even public pools, but what’s coming to the East River to cool off New Yorkers in year’s to come is more epic than what you can even imagine.
NYC’s first filtered floating pool, dubbed the +POOL, has been an ongoing project for many years that will now be a joint effort from both the city and state. At the start of this year, Mayor Eric Adams and Governor Kathy Hochul announced that the installation process will begin this summer, with an expected opening date by summer 2025. More recently, the local leaders have announced their final location selection which is Pier 35.
According the press release, the three month water filtration demonstration project will kick off this month to make certain the future swimmers will be in safe and healthy conditions. It has been confirmed that the +POOL is on track to open for final testing by 2025.
So what makes the pool so special? The plus-shaped pool will filter more than 1,000,000 gallons of river water each day, using no additives or chemicals. It’s unique design will allow for reconfigurations to suit lap swimming, water sports, children’s activities, and lounging.
The project is part of the Governor’s $150 Million NY SWIMS Investment to aid pools in underserved communities. “Through innovative solutions like + POOL, we are providing children and their families with safe spaces to swim in New York City. NY SWIMS is the largest statewide investment in swimming since the New Deal, and we’re increasing access to pools while helping our kids learn how to stay safe in the water,” added Governor Hochul.
A 110 ft. x 36 ft. floating barge will bolster the filtration system consisting of an intake pump, pre-filtration, membrane filtration, UV disinfection, test pool, and cleaning system. Following its three month demonstration, data results will be used to show the public how the system will meet city and state water quality standards.
“With growing awareness of the need to protect our waterways, we welcome + POOL as a resource to reconnect our environmental justice community with the East River to address climate change. + POOL will be an accessible world class option for our neighborhood to cool off in the summer and will simultaneously connect vulnerable populations with swimming lessons and programming so future generations become water stewards in the greatest city in the world,” added local resident and swimmer Frank Avila-Goldman.
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Meet Eli Manning, Jalen Brunson & More Iconic Athletes At This Massive Sports Convention In NYC Next Weekend
Calling all sports fans! A brand new mega-sports convention is set to debut in New York City and we’re spilling all of the details about this once-in-a-lifetime event! For the very first time, Fanatics Events, the live and special event division of digital sports platform Fanatics is hosting a flagship event called Fanatics Fest NYC “where sports, culture, and collecting collide.”
Bringing fans from across sports together for one special weekend, this milestone multi-day event will welcome interactive features, multiple stages and theaters, exclusive merchandise, products drops, major announcements, live podcasts and more to celebrate and elevate modern sports fandom in all its forms.
Some of sports’ largest names are going to be in attendance, being panelists during special talks, taking photos with fans, and so much more. Check out just some of the lineup below:
- Seven-time Super Bowl Champion Tom Brady
- Two-time NBA Champion Kevin Durant
- NFL Hall of Fame quarterback Peyton Manning
- Two-time Super Bowl MVP Eli Manning
- MLB Hall of Famer Derek Jeter
- WNBA superstar Sabrina Ionescu
- WWE Legend Hulk Hogan
As mentioned, there will be tons of activations and activities happening throughout the 400,000 square foot show floor, all which are meant to immersive fans into a world of the globe’s most iconic leagues, teams, and brands (NFL, NBA, WNBA, MLB, NHL, MLS, UFC, WWE, Fanatics, Topps, Mitchell & Ness, Lids, PWCC, Fanatics Sportsbook and Professional Sports Authenticator (PSA)).
Here’s just some activations fans can expect:
- Autograph and Photo Ops Zone: Sports fans can meet their favorite athletes face to face, get an autograph, or both for an additional cost. Athletes (including the ones above plus many more), will be hosting specific M&G hours throughout the weekend, which you can find along with the entire list of athletes here.
- League & Brand Activations: Sports’ biggest leagues and brands come to life with special immersive activations and exhibits across the show floor. You can see all 58 Super Bowl rings with the NFL, step into the octagon with UFC, and so much more.
- The Theatre: A 2,500-seat main stage that will host themed panel discussions featuring some of the game’s biggest names. Some panels include “Bing Bong” (Spike Lee, Jalen Brunson, Josh Hart, Walt Frazier), “One of One” (Kevin Durant and Anthony Edwards), and “Butterfly Effect” (Travis Scott and Michael Rubin). See the full list of talks here.
- Fanatics Superstore: A massive store selling gear from every league, including NFL, MLB, NBA, NHL, and NCAA, and even exclusive apparel collaborations.
- Topps Hobby Hall & Stage: A sports card collector’s dream…a dedicated area and stage featuring card dealers from around the world, trading areas, breaking experiences, exclusive products from Topps, and more.
Where is Fanatics Fest NYC?
The inaugural Fanatics Fest will be taking place at the Javits Center in Hell’s Kitchen (429 11th Ave).
When is Fanatics Fest NYC?
Fanatics Fest is happening in NYC from August 16 – 18. Hours for the convention are Friday (9:30 am – 7 pm), Saturday (10 am – 7 pm), and Sunday (10 am – 4 pm).
How can I get Fanatics Fest NYC tickets?
Tickets are available on Fanatics Fest’s website, and are available in single passes per day (both adult or kids), 3 Day GA passes, and 3 Day VIP passes. Tickets start at just $50 for single day passes!
Do note that Photo ops & Autographs are not included in the purchase of a GA or VIP ticket. Photo op & Autographs must be purchased separately!
For more information on this year’s Fanatics Fest, head here!
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The WheelVeeta is rolling up to Montauk this summer
Have you ever looked at a dish and thought, “This needs more cheese?” I have these passing thoughts almost everyday—mostly at dinner, always at an Olive Garden. And the answer is always an enthusiastic “yes.” Yes to more cheese, be it sprinkled, shaved or thrown directly in my mouth (unless it is of the whizzed. Sorry, it’s gross).
Well, Velveeta is here to answer the call, bringing big cheese energy to your summer.
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Just in time for the end of the world, Velveeta has unveiled the monstrosity that is the “WheelVeeta.” The limited-time special takes note from the Italian Pasta alla Ruota, a dish of freshly made pasta coated in a hollowed-out Parmesan cheese wheel. Rolled out on a roving golden tray, because of course it is, the Wheelveeta takes its iconic noodles, cooked al dente, and folds them inside the well of a Velveeta cheese wheel. Stirred tableside, the resulting shells are coated in all the cheesy goodness you can handle. But if somehow, you still find yourself whispering ‘more,’ Velveeta is here to up the indulgence, thanks to a finishing topper of fresh lobster, black truffle or fried shallots.
“We created the WheelVeeta to illustrate the big, bold energy of our brand,” said brand manager Stephanie Vance in a press release. “From its large size to the extraordinary tableside service, it aims to hit the bullseye of pleasure.”
This isn’t the first time the brand has gone overindulgent for the sake of the hell not. In 2022, BLT Restaurants featured a $15 Velveeta Martini crafted with a Velveeta cheese sauce-infused vodka, garnished with a toothpick of pasta shells and olives stuffed with, you guessed it, cheese. Meanwhile last year, Compartés Chocolatier partnered with the brand for the first-ever truffles filled with cheese, aptly named TruffVels.
Available now until August 15, cheeseheads can find their fix at Bounce Sporting Club in Montauk. If you don’t find yourself comatose after the final bite, snap a photo and tag #LaDolceVelveeta and let us know you survived.
Afribembé Festival, by the CCCADI, Joins Harlem Week’s A Great Day in Harlem – New York Latin Culture Magazine®
Afribembé Festival, by the CCCADI, Joins Harlem Week’s A Great Day in Harlem New York Latin Culture Magazine®
Zedd Is Throwing A Free Pop-Up Rave Inside An NYC Bodega This August
From Post Malone to Shakira to Dua Lipa artists seem to love surprising us New Yorkers with a free show–and we’re definitely not complaining–and next up on the schedule: Zedd.
This month on Thursday, August 22nd, Grammy award-winning artist Zedd will host an exclusive, first-of-its-kind rave inside one of New York City’s bodegas. The best part: the performance will be completely free!
There is a catch though–only 25 (extremely lucky) fans will make it onto the guest list, and to do so you must first find the rave’s secret location. And this is one show you won’t want to miss as Zedd will be throwing down new tracks from his upcoming album TELOS, his first album in nearly a decade, which is set to drop on August 30.
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In order to score an invite to the rave, which is being put on in partnership with 5 gum, fans will have to follow a series of hints dropped on both 5 gum and Zedd’s social media channels and decipher clues that unlock the secret location.
But that’s not all!
Once figuring out the secret location you must then be one of the first 25 fans to visit the bodega the day of the show and secure a glow-in-the-dark 5 gum x Zedd pack which will serve as your ticket into the rave that evening.
Zedd stated:
I love to deliver the unexpected at my shows, and performing at what will be one of my most intimate and unique venues yet – an actual New York City bodega – certainly aligns with that…I cannot wait for this unforgettable night and to play some of my new music for fans!
If you aren’t able to secure a spot on the guest list the good news is not all hope is lost in hearing Zedd perform–you can still enter for a chance to win $500 for tickets to Zedd’s upcoming tour or exclusive event merch online here. This contest will run August 26 through September 6th.
Sending you all positive vibes and good juju!
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