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The National Dominican Day Parade 2024 is back this weekend in NYC: here’s everything you need to know
A sea of dancers, maracas, and Dominican flags will fill Sixth Avenue in Manhattan this weekend for the National Dominican Day Parade. This massive cultural celebration typically welcomes more than a million people, and organizers said it’ll be even bigger and better this year. It’s one of the best things to do in August, so don’t miss it. Here’s what to expect if you’re attending the parade or just looking to avoid traffic delays this weekend.
When is the Dominican Day Parade in New York City?
The Dominican Day Parade is on Sunday, August 11 starting at noon.
What is the parade route?
The parade route is on Sixth Avenue (Avenue of the Americas), running from 37th Street to 55th Street.
What’s the theme this year?
This year’s theme is “Merengue Nuestro Ritmo (Merengue Our Rhythm).”
“This theme recognizes Merengue as more than just music—it’s a vital part of our cultural fabric, embodying joy, resilience, and the community spirit deeply rooted in Dominican identity,” event organizers said.
Who is the grand marshal?
In keeping with the theme, this year’s grand marshal is the legendary merengue band Los Hermanos Rosario.
What is the history of the Dominican Day Parade?
This is the 42nd year for the parade, which seeks to “celebrate the richness of the Dominican culture, folklore, and popular traditions,” per the event’s website. “The parade highlights promote and acknowledge the heritage and contributions of the Dominican community in the United States and throughout the world.”
Will there be any street closures from the parade?
Yes, definitely. Expect traffic jams around the parade route near Sixth Avenue from from 37th Street to 55th Street. Here’s the full list of closures, per the city.
Formation:
- 6th Avenue between 37th Street and 38th Street
- 36th Street between Broadway and 5th Avenue
- 38th, 37th Street between 5th Avenue and 7th Avenue
Route:
- 6th Avenue between 36th Street and 55th Street
Dispersal:
- 55th Street between 6th Avenue and 5th Avenue
- 55th Street between 7th Avenue and 6th Avenue
Four things to know about Fort Greene’s newest tasting counter
It’s easy to miss Ikigai (87 Lafayette Avenue) if you’re passing through Fort Greene. Located down a small set of concrete stairs, the only indication of Ikigai’s existence is a small wooden sign framed on a brick wall. Once you pass that threshold, you’ll find Brooklyn’s latest tasting counter. You may assume this 12–14 coursed menu, priced at $165, only adds to the list of fine dining restaurants in NYC, but when it comes to Ikigai, the heart of the venture lies with the community. Looking to book a table? Here are four things to know about this new spot before you go.
RECOMMENDED: The 10 best fine dining restaurants in NYC
1. Minimalism meets tranquil vibes
A kaiseki-inspired restaurant, Ikigai draws influence from Japan. This is immediately seen in the back garden, where the experience begins. A transitional space intended to shake off the daily dealings of New York, the Japanese tea garden exudes tranquility. Decorated with greenery and shoji screens made of paper and wood, the outdoor space is made even more cozy thanks to a retractable roof.
The main event, however, lies inside at the curved dining counter. The woodwork here is immaculate, with a ceiling crafted from shou sugi ban wood, sourced from Japan and charred in Oregon. Shaped like the curl of a wave, the 12-seater bar welcomes guests with forest green tufted chairs, pulled up and ready for the show. While taking pictures of the affair is tempting, under the counter sits a shelf for each seat, encouraging snap-happy users to take a break and be present for the meal.
2. Fort Greene is on the menu here
Behind the counter, you’ll find chef Rafal Maslankiewicz. With a pedigree that spans the likes of MASA, Eleven Madison Park and most recently Wildflower Farms, Maslankiewicz brings together his fine dining acumen and his seasonality know-how. Here, the menu rotates frequently as Maslankiewicz leans on local and global suppliers and regularly trips to Fort Greene’s Greenmarket for ingredients and inspiration.
This time around, the first bite started with a puffed round of milk bread with a sprinkle of sea salt. With it, a side salad made up of arugula, impossibly thin shavings of lotus root, and bright pops of currants. A knife is given but not needed, as breaking apart the pieces and swiping it through the togarashi butter smeared on the side of the bowl felt natural. While it’s evident the chef knows what to do when it comes to proteins, letting plump scallops shine with a touch of sweet vinegar while braised duck gets a tart kiss from plout jam, Maslankiewicz’s vegetable preparations are something to be admired. The Okinawa Potatoes come caramelized in black garlic, dusted with puffed quinoa and chives while the carrots are served with slices of sansho pepper making for a buzzing, numbing sensation in each bite. And while Maslankiewicz’s menu mainly steers through Japanese influences, he always incorporates a nod to his Polish roots. Reminiscing on his childhood memories of eating knedle, a Polish dumpling filled with fruit, with his grandmother, at Ikigai, Maslankiewicz stirs in mochiko flour to the potato flour for an even chewier bite. And for a New York spin, the inside is filled with a warm cheesecake, complemented with fruit and sour cream on the side.
3. Spirit-forward or spirit-free? Why not both?
Ikigiai’s alcoholic options can be ordered à la carte or you can opt for a full pairing for $100 more. While lively spirits here include aged sakes and cocktails stirred with Laphroaig 10-year single malt scotch whisky, the non-alcoholic pairing menu is just as thoughtful with aperitifs and playful spirit-free sippers, including the Kumoyo Island with tomato water, shisho and Seedlip. Even more exciting, diners can opt for a moderate tasting and toggle between both menus throughout the evening. And if you decide halfway through the meal that maybe, just maybe, you could indulge in a bit, the attentive beverage manager is always close by, quick to assess your needs.
4. A restaurant with a mission
The restaurant’s name translates to “reason for being” in Japanese. And for Ikigai, their reason is fighting food waste and food insecurity. The not-for-profit restaurant benefits Rescuing Leftover Cuisine, a local organization that redistributes excess food to those experiencing food insecurity. After paying the cost of goods, salaries and the various costs that comes with running a restaurant, Ikigai donates the rest of its profits to the organization.
It’s going to rain a whole lot tonight and tomorrow as Debby moves into the area
It is so hot outside, we can hardly think straight while heading out for a much-needed iced coffee. Hopefully, though, respite is on the horizon.
According to the National Weather Service, New York City will likely have to deal with very intense rainstorms starting tonight through tomorrow at noon, courtesy of tropical cyclone Debby. Here’s to hoping the water will help cool temperatures down.
We could get three inches of water per hour in these parts of town, NWS says. That’s a lot.
“Flooding could be locally significant, causing major disruptions to transportation, flooding basements, first floors of residences and businesses, underground infrastructure and posing an elevated threat to life,” warns the agency.
Although strong winds and severe storms are mostly expected through tomorrow, officials are also concerned about the potential for additional heavy rainfall through Saturday. We can’t wait for the fun weekend ahead (not!).
Geographically speaking, the extreme weather is going to develop “in the vicinity of the tristate area,” likely in the southern portion of the territory—but, as you know, things are constantly shifting when it comes to meteorological patterns.
Regardless of how much, how long and where it will rain, one thing is for sure: it’s gross out there and all we want to do right now is stay indoors and blast the air conditioning straight into our faces. But if you do want to venture out when the weather starts to turn, feel free to consult our list of best things to do on a rainy day in NYC.
These 9 NYC Restaurants & Bars Were Nominated As The Most Beautiful In The World
Us New Yorkers know that NYC’s food and bar scene is absolutely unmatched, but there are some restaurants and bars that stand out more than others by not only serving absolutely delicious food and drinks but doing so in a stunning space. So we weren’t surprised to find that nine NYC restaurants and bars were nominated in the Restaurant & Bar Design Awards.
The Restaurant & Bar Design Awards is the most important and influential design competition for food and beverage spaces worldwide.
This year, nine NYC restaurants and bars were nominated, including:
- Moono (29 E 32nd St)
- Meduza Mediterrania (657 Hudson St)
- Little Maven (30 W 18th St)
- Four Twenty Five (425 Park Ave)
- Metropolis by Marcus Samuelsson (251 Fulton St)
- Beefbar (105 Hudson St)
- Coqodaq (12 E 22nd St)
- Agency of Record (118 E 40th St)
- ZZ’s Club (37 Hudson Yards)
Now in its 16th year the Restaurant & Bar Design Awards recognizes and celebrates the world’s most creative spaces as well as the people behind them.
There are five categories to cover each of the following regions:
- Americas
- Asia
- Australia and Pacific
- Europe
- Middle East and Africa.
There are also 13 additional global categories open to everyone. All entries are automatically considered for the best restaurant/bar award for their region as well as for the ultimate global awards of Best Overall Restaurant and Best Overall Bar.
A team of industry leading figures working across design, architecture, hospitality, and lifestyle media will cast their votes ahead of an award ceremony announcing the winners in Barcelona, Spain on October 31st 2024.
More info about the Restaurant & Bar Design Awards can be found here.
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