Transport yourself to the verdant countryside of Sweden without ever leaving Manhattan. On the longest day of the year, soak up the extra hours of sunshine at the Swedish Midsummer Festival in honor of the summer solstice. 

This annual outdoor celebration held on June 21 at Rockefeller Park is the largest Swedish Midsummer Festival in New York City. Expect gorgeous decor making the perfect backdrop for photos. It’s free to attend and packed with fun activities, like flower crown-making and dancing around the maypole. 

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Activities kick off at 4pm with a midsummer food court where you can purchase Swedish delicacies to fuel up before the main events start at 5pm with a welcoming serenade by flugelhorn player Oskar Stenmark.

After that, stroll through a whimsical sculpture park by Tom Otterness reimagined with Swedish flare, learn how to make traditional floral crowns, listen to fiddlers from the American Swedish Institute in Minneapolis, and shop from Swedish market vendors. Kids can play classic field games on the lawn.

Be sure you’re ready at 6pm for the Maypole Procession, a nostalgic celebration of the summer solstice followed by greetings from Camilla Mellander, Consul General of Sweden in New York; Raju Mann, President and CEO Battery Park City Authority; and Edward Mermelstein, NYC’s Commissioner for International Affairs. Once their remarks finish, you’ll get a chance to dance around the Midsummer Maypole with Paul Dahlin and fiddlers from the American Swedish Institute in Minneapolis and Scandinavian folklorist Ross Sutter.

Finally, close out the longest day of the year with a special appearance by BROLLE Swedish singer and musician and a performance by Mademoiselle Carousel. Festivities will wrap up by 9pm.

The festivities are presented by the Consulate General of Sweden and New York and Battery Park City Authority.

* This article was originally published here

Hopping on a boat and cruising New York’s natural harbor is one of the best parts about summers in the city, but there is so much about the history of our waters that the majority of New Yorkers isn’t aware of—including the existence of a plethora of abandoned islands dotting the East River, many of which serve as safe havens for local wildlife.

One brand new boat tour wants to teach New Yorkers about these hidden islands by actually taking them there. 

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The Urban Naturalist Tour: Abandoned Islands of the East River is organized by Classic Harbor Line and will depart from Chelsea Pier 62 at 6:45pm on seven Sundays throughout the summer. The voyages will be guided by urban naturalist Gabriel Willow, who will help passengers identify the wildlife they might see during the explorations, including black crowned night herons, snowy and great egrets and double-crested cormorants.

There will be some time for history lessons, too: you’ll learn about Typhoid Mary and the abandoned smallpox hospital where she died, for example.

The focus of the tour will be on the North and South Brother Islands, the latter of which was once the summer getaway of Yankees owner Jacob Ruppert, before his house burned down. You’ll also learn about some of the major shipwrecks that have happened in the harbor throughout the city’s illustrious history. 

The tour itself is three hours long—but don’t worry, you’ll be pretty comfortable: all sightseeing will happen aboard a 1920s-inspired motor yacht and your ticket will include a glass of bubble or soft drink, a gourmet sandwich, and appetizers available for purchase. You can also bring your own food if you prefer. 

If this your doesn’t exactly fit your interests, the same company offers plenty of other guided cruises, including one that focuses on eco-friendly architecture around Manhattan; another one that will take you to Freshkills Park in Staten Island, a former landfill that will be converted into NYC’s biggest park; and a jazz cruise, among many others. 

Tickets to the Urban Naturalist tour start at $124 per person. Tours are scheduled for June 16, 24, 30 and July 7, 14 and 21.

* This article was originally published here

This Sunday night marks the 77th annual Tony Awards—here’s how to watch the 2024 ceremony on TV and online, as well as the complete Tony nominations list—and to celebrate Broadway’s biggest, starriest night, fine crystal retailer Baccarat and rye bourbon maker Basil Hayden are teaming up for a dazzling new speakeasy experience. 

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On Sunday, June 16 at the David H. Koch Theater at Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts, the pop-up speakeasy will welcome Tony Awards nominees, presenters, and spirits enthusiasts alike to toast New York’s theater community in a room richly decorated with lighting, decor, and barware from Baccarat, as well as the brand’s signature red and gold colors.

At the luxe immersive space, attendees will enjoy cocktails inspired by the Tony Awards, including the official quaff of the evening, the Basil Hayden 75, a spirited twist on a French 75 that was specifically crafted to be enjoyed from the Baccarat Masséna Coupe. Elsewhere on the beverage menu, you’ll find quaffs like the bourbon-forward “Baccarat Boulevardier” and several Basil Hayden permanent expressions, including Dark Rye, Malted Rye, Toast, and the brand’s original Kentucky Straight Bourbon.

Even if you’re not attending the Tony Awards this Sunday, you can still try some of the one-of-a-kind cocktails from the special night. Select serves from the Baccarat x Basil Hayden speakeasy’s cocktail menu will be available for all at the Baccarat Hotel New York’s Bar and Grand Salon through Wednesday, June 19. 

“At Basil Hayden, we celebrate those who leave an impression with their uniqueness and charisma, so it is a thrill for us to be the official bourbon of the 77th Annual Tony Awards recognizing remarkable talent who also embody these attributes,” said Regan Clarke, U.S. vice president of American Whiskey at Suntory Global Spirits. “In partnership with our impressive friends at Baccarat, we are excited for presenters and nominees to experience our bespoke, Tony Awards-inspired cocktails, further elevating this year’s celebrations and making it a night to remember.”

* This article was originally published here

You can get a great cone at any of the best ice cream shops in NYC, but if you want something with a little more intrigue—not to mention a fetching Italian accent—this gelato newcomer is just the thing. The folks behind Biddrina Gelato (who also run Brooklyn favorites Locanda Vini e Olii in Clinton Hill and Camillo in Prospect Lefferts Gardens) are popping up with a cool summertime residency out of the old Scarr’s Pizza place. 

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What was once a haven of New York pizza at 22 Orchard Street is now the home of Sushi Oku, the 17-course omakase from Scarr Pimentel. While raw fish is being served up in the back of the space, Biddrina will be scooping their signature new-wave Italian gelato from the front window. From Saturday, June 15 through the end of September, sweet tooths can get both classic milk-based and plant-based gelato ($7 each) in flavors far more exciting than basic vanilla. 

We’re talking delicious-sounding stuff like Turmeric & Amarena Cherries, Olive Oil & Toasted Breadcrumbs, Rosemary Fior di Latte & Hot Honey, Italian Crema & Hibiscus, Sheep’s Milk Ricotta & Pomegranate, Salted Sicilian Pistachio, Coffee & Anise, Chamomile & Peach, Halva & Honey and Black Sesame, among many others. Flavors will rotate throughout the season, utilizing fresh produce and seasonal offerings; there will also be collaborations to come from local partners. You can get a cone or cup offering one or two flavors.

Biddrina will be serving scoops from Sushi Oku on Mondays, Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays from 4pm to midnight, and Saturdays and Sundays from noon to midnight, with plans to extend hours as the Summer progresses. In addition to the 22 Orchard Street pop-up, the gelato brand will continue its flagship cart at Locanda Vini e Olii throughout the summer. 

Take a gander at some of the Biddrina Gelato’s rotating flavors below:

* This article was originally published here