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In the new concept album Warriors by Lin-Manuel Miranda and Eisa Davis, there’s an oft-repeated line, “Warriors, come out to play.” Last night, Miranda, Davis and their crew of family, friends and fans came out to play during an epic album release party hosted at Time Out Market with Atlantic Records. The newly unveiled Time Out magazine digital cover served as a backdrop for the festivities.

During the packed event, Miranda, Davis and producer Mike Elizondo spoke about their vision for the fierce, feminist, gritty album and offered thanks to the many people who made it possible. Party guests got a sneak peek at the record—played on vinyl—before it went public. As the album officially went live at midnight (listen here), guests clinked mini champagne bottles before departing to neighborhoods across the city, much like the cast of The Warriors themselves. The concept album, Warriors, is inspired by the 1979 cult classic film The Warriors.

RECOMMENDED: Lin-Manuel Miranda and Eisa Davis bring The Warriors to musical life

Music and entertainment royalty descended upon Brooklyn’s Time Out Market, which brings the best of the city together under one roof, for the evening event. Guests included Nas, Jasmine Cephas Jones, Frank Marshall, Christopher Jackson, Flaco Navaja, Kenita Miller, Amber Gray, Mykal Kilgore, Sasha Hutchings, Kim Dracula, Timothy Hughes, Bernie Wagenblast, Andrew Chappelle, Daniel Yearwood, David Korns, Luis Miranda, Alex Boniello and more.

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Many of those in the crowd performed on the album, along with additional artists including Ms. Lauryn Hill, Sasha Hutchings, Phillipa Soo, Gizel Jiménez, Billy Porter, Michaela Jaé, Luis Figueroa, Busta Rhymes, Ghostface Killah, RZA, Chris Rivers, Cam’ron and more.

“The dream team of Warriors and all the artists you hear on this album is actually unreal,” Miranda said at the event. “You are not going to believe the voices you hear when we play this album.”

The dream team of Warriors and all the artists you hear on this album is actually unreal.

Miranda first saw the film four decades ago, and it has stayed with him ever since. 

“I saw this movie when I was four years old on Jason Diaz’s VHS cassette. I do not recommend showing this to four year olds. It fucked me up so bad that here we are listening to an album of it 40 years later,” he said with a laugh.

In Miranda and Davis’s re-creation of the story, the Warriors are all women. They turned the movie’s seductive female gang the Lizzies into the all-male Bizzies.

“Women taking care of each other and our world, taking risks for peace, becoming more courageous in the struggle to survive, taking hard losses, discovering the possibility of love, keeping a dream of coming home alive, alive. That is the story of Warriors, and that is the sound being born tonight. And that’s what we get to dance to. That’s what we get to laugh to, to thrill to,” Davis said in remarks at the event to applause.

Time Out’s Theater Critic Adam Feldman dug into the concept album in a detailed cover story. As he welcomed the crowd at the event, he offered a peek behind the scenes at the creation of the digital cover, which brought Miranda and Davis to the New York Transit Museum for a photoshoot in a vintage 1970s subway car. 

“It was a treat to watch Lin and Eisa get styled and shot in ways that capture the crowded grit and humor and a dash of retro glamor that is the city,” Feldman said.

It takes a movie that is already a New York classic, and it pushes it into a new space. 

“Warriors is exactly the kind of work that we are thrilled to champion, not just because it is truly excellent, as you’re going to hear,” he continued. “But because it is excellent in fresh and exciting ways. It takes a movie that is already a New York classic, and it pushes it into a new space to a bold combination of two of the things that New York has given to the world through New York’s signal cultural innovations: hip-hop and the Broadway musical. … Warriors is not just about fear. This is about overcoming fear through solidarity and community.” 

* This article was originally published here

If there’s one thing we know about a “best restaurants” list, it’s that New York City is certainly going to find its way on to it, whether it’s the 50 best restaurants in the U.S. according to the NYT, the World’s 50 Best Restaurants list, or  Tripadvisor’s Travelers’ Choice Awards. And the case isn’t any different for the annual World Culinary Awards 2024.

The sister event of World Travel Awards, the World Culinary Awards serves to “celebrate and reward excellence in the culinary industry through [their] annual awards [program].” Each year the World Culinary Awards encourages the culinary industry to enter one of the many available categories for nomination–categories are broken into World, Regional, and Subregional levels. Votes are then cast by the culinary community, industry experts, and consumers.

And in their 5th iteration, a Brooklyn restaurant was named the North America’s Best New Restaurant 2024! The title went to Greenpoint’s wood-fired kitchen and restaurant ILIS, which opened right around this time last year.

ILIS highlights seasonal plants, seafood, and game of North America, though bison and venison are the only four-legged animals you’ll find on the menu. You can’t view the menu online so you do have to be an adventurous eater, but some past dishes have included Shigoku Oysters with green almond and cucumber, a Surf Clam fashioned into a flask and filled with a chilled clam drink, and BBQ Eel “On The Cob,” wild caught and brought to chefs live, brined for 48 hours, then smoked.

They offer two menus in their dining room: the Market Menu, priced at $225 per guest, which allows you to select your main courses from baskets of fresh ingredients and includes snacks and desserts, or the Field Guide Menu, priced at $325 per guest, which most closely resembles an “omakase” tasting menu and includes twelve+ courses with snacks and desserts.

Beyond the main dinner menus a special a la carte food menu is also available at the bar, which seats 14 guests and is held for walk-ins, and a five course cocktail tasting paired with dishes inspired by each drink is available in the lounge.

As for the space itself, there’s no front or back of house; rather chefs cook and serve the entire meal from the central kitchen, crafting a service style they refer to as “One House.” This service style allows for a more unique dining experience, making guests feel like they’re at a dinner party rather than a restaurant.

Beyond ILIS, additional nominees for the title of North America’s Best New Restaurant 2024 (many of which are our friends!) included the following:

• AMAR at Raffles, Boston
• Kiln, San Francisco
• Yess Restaurant, Los Angeles
• Maty’s, Miami
• Pascual, Washington D.C.
• Mnimes Restaurant & Bar, Canada
• Oncle Lee, Canada

The full list of the 5th annual World Culinary Awards 2024 winners can be found here.

150 Green Street, Brooklyn

The post This Greenpoint Restaurant Serving Drinks Out Of Clam Shells Was Named North America’s Best New Restaurant For 2024 appeared first on Secret NYC.

* This article was originally published here

After more than a decade and a $47.5 million price tag, the Hudson River Park Trust officially celebrated the opening of The Pier 97 Park, a 2.5 acre public open green space featuring a large playground, athletic field, sloping lawn, sunset deck with tables and chairs, walking promenades, and gathering space.

And you’ll truly feel as if you’ve been transported to a whole new world, as the barriers and fences that had surrounded the park for the past few years have been replaced with 16,000 square feet of flowers and plants.

New Yorkers had been waiting over a decade for the park to open–it had been empty since 2013 before planning for the design of the park began in 2018. Renderings were released back in 2019 with an initial 2022 opening date, though it wasn’t until December 2023 that portions of the pier began opening to the public. The opening date was then pushed back to the spring of this year, though it didn’t open until earlier this week, Tuesday, October 15th, 2024.

The Pier 97 Park is located opposite West 57th Street in Hell’s Kitchen. Comprised of a unique mix of recreational and lounging space for visitors to enjoy, including:

• A playground with a 26-foot-high rope climbing structure, ship’s hull, and seasonal water spray features
• A 120-foot-long synthetic turf field that can host a variety of sports and activities
• A 7,600-square-foot sloping sun lawn offering lush green space for relaxing and sculptural structures for shade
• An all-ages granite slide connecting the elevated overlook and shaded belvedere on the pier’s northern edge
• A sunset deck complete with bistro tables, chaise lounges, two-tiered walls with seating, and stunning views
• Flexible gathering areas surrounded by flowers and plants
• A walking promenade along the southern edge of the pier

A new park building immediately north of Pier 97 is also expected to open this winter, with construction nearly complete. The building will house public restrooms, a concession, and a small park maintenance area.

Manhattan Borough President Mark Levine stated, “Pier 97 is a dream come true for Hell’s Kitchen, Hudson River Park, and anyone who enjoys spending time along the river. There’s something for everyone at Pier 97,” while Congressman Jerrold Nadler added:

With new open public spaces for New Yorkers and visitors alike to gather and play on the river, complete with concessions, playgrounds and restrooms, Pier 97 will be a premier destination here in New York.

Beyond the park, the Trust is working with the NYS DOT to improve the existing bicycle and pedestrian paths between W 57th Street and W 59th Street. Once complete, these improvements will create a seamless link to the Empire State Trail between Hudson River Park and Riverside Park South.

More information about Pier 97 can be found here.

The post The 2.5 Acre Pier 97 Park Finally Opens After More Than A Decade In The Making appeared first on Secret NYC.

* This article was originally published here

One of New York City’s most popular neighborhoods on the West side of town (just blocks away from Times Square, Hell’s Kitchen, is a lovely area. Just steps away from the waterfront and the West Side Highway, the area’s culture is rich in both history and current things to do. It’s a hub for entertainment, popular nightlife (including a number of LGBTQ+ bars and clubs), its location near Broadway, and thriving culinary options.

If you’re in the area, we put together a starter list of some of the best things to check out if you’re strolling the neighborhood (and some FAQ)!

Where is Hell’s Kitchen in NYC?

Hell’s Kitchen is located on the west side of Manhattan, spanning from the Hudson River to 8th Avenue, and between W 34th and W 59th Streets.

Why is it called Hell’s Kitchen?

There a few theories as to why this neighborhood is called this, but one major one is that its name came from the Hell’s Kitchen Gang, a group known for their criminal activities in the late 19th century.

Years ago, the neighborhood used to be a bit “gritty” … becoming synonymous with notorious violence and chaos. However now, Hell’s Kitchen has revamped into one of the most bustling neighborhoods in Midtown Manhattan!

1. Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum

By far one of the coolest museums in NYC, this destination is literally a floating museum! The Intrepid is quite literally located on top of an aircraft carrier in the water of Pier 86, and features all kinds of cool exhibits about space exploration, military history, and aviation. You can get up close and personal with the space shuttle Enterprise, marvel at nuclear-weapons-carrying submarines, and so much more.

It’s particularly awesome for kids because it’s super educational, but it’s really fascinating for all ages to see military aircraft and artifacts up close. They even host free movie nights during the summer.

Where: Pier 86, W 46th St

2. Circle Line Cruises

There’s nothing quite like a boat cruise around NYC, and Circle Line Cruises headquarters in Hell’s Kitchen makes for ~smooth sailing! The iconic boat company invites New Yorkers from all across the city to climb aboard and embark on a sightseeing tour of our beloved city. They breeze through the rivers, offering breathtaking views of Manhattan’s skyline, the Statue of Liberty, and Ellis Island…making for the ultimate main character moment!

Plus, they occasionally host special events like fall foliage cruises, New Year’s Eve excursions, July 4th firework routes, and much more!

Where: Pier 83, W 43rd St

3. Jazz at Lincoln Center

One of the best jazz insitutions operates out of Hell’s Kitchen at the world-famous Lincoln Center! The Jazz at Lincoln Center program is home to a wide range of concerts, educational programs, and international tours that play a crucial role in promoting and growing jazz in America. Its main headquarters is Frederick P. Rose Hall, which includes performance spaces like the Rose Theater, The Appel Room, and Dizzy’s Club, all designed specifically for jazz (from seating to acoustics!).

Performances are happening basically every night and showcase the premier talent in the jazz industry today.

Where: 10 Columbus Cir

4. Hudson River Park

If you’re looking for some green space in Hell’s Kitchen, venture westward to Hudson River Park that runs along the water and is perfect for walking, jogging, and cycling! This NYC park technically runs from Chambers Street to 59th Street, so the end of it basically right in the neighborhood! All year round it’s great to get some views, fresh air, and even check out events that happen there!

Where: West side waterfront from Chambers Street to 59th Street

5. Al Hirschfeld Theatre

Hell’s Kitchen sits right on the borderline of The Theater District, so it’s naturale that a Broadway play or two should be on your Hell’s Kitchen bucket list. We highly recommend checking out Al Hirschfeld Theatre, which is currently running Moulin Rouge! The theater itself is full of beautiful architecture and history, dating all the way back to  1924 and hosting iconic shows like Kinky Boots and Into the Woods through the years.

Now, it’s hosting one of Broadway’s hottest tickets right now, with tickets starting at $98!

Where: 302 W 45th St

Grab your tickets to Moulin Rouge here!

6. Rudy’s Bar & Grill

Rudy’s Bar & Grill is by far one of our favorite dive bars in NYC, and it’s been a staple in Hell’s Kitchen since 1933! The local spot is well known for some of the cheapest beers in the city (we’re talking $3 pints) and complimentary hot dogs with every beer purchase. It’s a great spot to meet up with friends, watch some sports in their backroom area, or just grab a cheap drink!

If there’s one bar you should bookmark in the area it’s definitely this!

Where: 627 9th Ave

7. Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater

The Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater dates back to 1958, and continues to be one of NYC’s most prestigious dance companies exploring African-American cultural themes! They’re based in Hell’s Kitchen and host hundreds of modern dance performances per year.

They’re most known for their blend of modern dance, ballet, jazz, and African dance styles…as well as their signature piece Revelations.

Where: 405 W 55th St

The post 7 Best Things To Do In Hell’s Kitchen, NYC appeared first on Secret NYC.

* This article was originally published here