Category Archives: NYC

Open House New York 2026

Politics, NYC, Museums, History, Nature, Technology
Materials Recovery Facility-Sunset Park

October in New York brings Open House weekend where hundreds of locations open their doors to the public.  On Friday, I visited the Material Recoveries Facility in Sunset Park–the largest in North America–and learned that it has the ability to recycle any solid plastic container!  Of course, we should still reduce and reuse first, but at least I feel comfortable that those numbers on plastic don’t matter in NYC, they recycle them all!

Audio-Kinetic Sculpture/ George Rhoads at Waterfront Museum-Red Hook

Saturday, I first stopped by Brooklyn Borough Hall and then headed over to Red Hook where I spent time at the Waterfront Museum, a former railroad barge that now contains artifacts from the Lighterage Era.  On certain days, they also hosts music and theater performances.  There was also art on display, including a kinetic sculpture by George Rhoads.

On Sunday, I first climbed to the roof of Brooklyn Solar Works, the largest producer of solar panels in New York City.  And finally, I ventured to the edge of Sunset Park for a tour of the magnificent Cass Gilbert designed Brooklyn Army Terminal. Three days of fun via Citibike!

Brooklyn Army Terminal-Building B

Moliere in Prospect Park

History, Music, NYC

One day on my run through Prospect Park I found a sign at the Parkside entrance announcing a free performance of Don Juan by Moliere in the Park.  A few days later, I received a text from a friend telling me that she had secured a couple seats for the sold out show.  I went last Friday to the Lefrak Rink where they had built the stage and stadium seating for a brilliant production.  Watch out Delacorte–looks like top public theater has moved into my neighborhood!

Big City Folk at Greeley Square

Music, NYC
Dan Florio with Marlene

Using the wonderful NYC Parks online guide to free events this summer, three times I went to Greeley Square where live music was scheduled.  The first two times I went, sadly, there were no musicians to be found and no notification on the website or in the square indicating the events had been canceled!  Fortunately, the third time was a charm, and last Monday I was able to see a collection of singer-songwriters presented by Big City Folk and hosted by Niall Connolly.  Warren Malone was first invited to take Connolly’s guitar for a lyrical spin, noting he was on break from a residency in Michigan.  Dan Florio next jumped on stage with his dog Marlene for a few melancholic tunes.  The featured artist for the evening was Savannah Jaine, who showcased her songwriting talent before heading up Broadway to Haswell Greens, where her band The Smokeshow backs live karaoke Mondays at 9:30pm.

Taiwanese American Arts Council on Governor’s Island

History, Museums, Music, Nature, NYC

Every summer the Trust for Governors Island invites cultural organizations to host artists and events in its historic buildings previously occupied by military officers.  Yesterday I stumbled upon a concert being performed by the duo of Shu-Wei Tseng on cello and Yu-Ting Cheng on clarinet in building 17, which was hosting the Taiwanese American Arts Council.

Mixed Media sculpture/ Sarah Walko

After the concert they invited the artists in residence to speak about the projects they had displayed throughout the old house.

They even had a little reception afterwords with chips and Guac!

Noted at The Tank

Music, NYC, Sundry Scans
The program for Noted gave instructions on how to make a paper airplane. 

Yesterday I went to The Tank--a nonprofit that provides free stage space to emerging artists–and saw a performance of The Back Pack Presents Noted.  The tag line for the show is “A Fast Pace Movement Based Comedy Extravaganza.”  It is also described as a “a live action cartoon…with over 400 hand-drawn images strapped to the performers.”

I had no idea what to expect but found the entire 90 minutes mesmerizing!  Rather than a cartoon, I would compare it more to a comic book come to life.  I was completely captivated and also impressed by the technical complexity and timing required.  The show is going on to The Edinburgh Festival Fringe for a month long residency in August.  What fun!