Local Expert
Steve Mirsky
Outside of my well worn daily routine, I consider every place I visit to be a travel experience. Whether it's hunting down the best Turkish coffee a few subway stops away or taking you inside the…
Outside of my well worn daily routine, I consider every place I visit to be a travel experience. Whether it's hunting down the best Turkish coffee a few subway stops away or taking you inside the shimmering Skyscaper Museum next to Battery Park, I enjoy sharing the journey as much as the destination itself.
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Fans refer to them as "The Trocks" These all male toeshoed ballerinas bring the pleasure of ballet and modern dance along with a witty sense of humor and larger-than-life personalities to The Joyce Theater in Chelsea . Parodying the classics from Petipa to Graham, as well as dancing original works, this all-male troupe combines faithful renditions of each style with exaggerated drama and tone. Les Ballets Trockadero de Monte Carlo evolved from the glamor of the late 1960s and early '70s drag movement. Since then, they have established themselves as a major dance phenomenon worldwide. They quickly garnered accolades through combined reviews in The New Yorker, NY Times, and The Village Voice proving that men can, indeed, dance on their toes without falling flat on their faces. That alone was an accomplishment! Each member upon joining the group, takes possession of both a female and male persona. The current program begins with a twist on the second act of "Swan Lake", then moves to "La Trovatiara," a rendering of exotic moments in opera ballets set to Verdi. Then it's on to "Majisimas," a new addition to the repertory, featuring Massenet music from the opera "El Cid". Performances continue through Jan. 4. Get your tickets by calling (212) 242-0800 or visit www.joyce.org.
It just so happens that City Winery's opening night coincides with New Year's Eve. And that means a big party for you to ring in the new year! So what exactly is City Winery? Michael Dorf, founder of iconic music venue, The Knitting Factory, now brings his passion for wine and music together under one roof at this brand new urban winery. Enthusiasts participate in the entire process of making their own wine from crushing grapes on site to renting barrels for storage and aging the finished product. For those just interested in the results, private tastings and wine-making classes are set to fill the roster. Beyond vino production, this 21,000-square foot space in Tribeca will also provide the opportunity for sharing wine with friends while dining on freshly-prepared meals and listening to live music. And that's where this grand opening party comes in! If you're up for spending $250, a lavish dinner will precede a concert featuring Joan Osborne. $75 will get you in the door for the performance only. One thing's for certain....once inside, you'll get some great live music, check out a burgeoning new trend of bringing wine making from the vineyard to the City, and savor the sweet aromas of wine fermenting in the barrels as a backdrop. Seating is at 8 pm, show starts at 10 p.m..
Chelsea Lodge 318 W 20th St It's hard to find Chelsea Lodge unless you are actively looking for it. Hidden on a tree lined block in Chelsea's historic district, this turn of the century brownstone town house hotel is the perfect home base for a weekend of gallery-hopping. Offering 22 no-frills guest rooms starting at an unheard of $119 a night, your living space may be closet sized but it will be impeccably clean filled with antique photos, furniture, along with an in-room sink and shower. Shared bathrooms are on each floor. Recent renovations include restoration of the original woodwork, refinished vintage furnishings, and modern amenities like top quality bedding, fluffy pillows, TV, and ceiling fans for those sultry summers.
Personal touches courtesy of the young couple who own this B&B include personalized itineraries upon request and mounds of Hershey Kisses left under your pillow for an end-of-the-day energy boost. You won't get this at the Radisson!
Space Billiard Cafe 34 W 32nd St. - You're in Manhattan's Koreatown, it's almost 12 a.m., you had a genuine Korean dinner, Karaoke is not your thing, so now what to do? If you're up for shooting some pool but not keen on playing tables stuffed in the back of bars as an afterthought, don't like feeding quarters into substandard tables, and want to avoid the pricey billiard club scene, then head over to Space Billiard Café. Take the elevator in the same building as Seoul Garden on 34 W 32nd St. up to the 12th floor, do as the Koreans do and kick off your shoes, slip into a pair of their Croc slippers and get your game on! Since this joint is open 24 hours, the flat screen TVs hanging on the wall, shelves lined with instant Ramen noodle bowls, and free cups of tea come in handy in the wee hours. Best of all, the price is just right at $15/hr. There are dozens of tables, a snack bar, and lounge-like seating. Tables are usually crowded but rarely to capacity with each one having its own rack of scoring beads and timer so you don't exceed your hour and end up paying extra. One key consideration here is that only a few tables accommodate American style billiards. The rest are for "danggu" (four-ball). Since danggu tables don't have pockets, you can't use them for shooting your eight balls. So if you're curious and interested in learning, staff are happy to teach you. There, now you have a new nightspot as well as hobby!