Marco Lombardini » Feature3

~Mermaid Parade 2009~

Marco Lombardini — Wed, 18 Jun 2008 23:39:27 +0000

The Mermaid Parade celebrates the sand, the sea, the salt air and the beginning of summer, as well as the history and mythology of Coney Island, Coney Island pride, and artistic self-expression.

The Parade is characterized by participants dressed in hand-made costumes as Mermaids, Neptunes, various sea creatures, the occasional wandering lighthouse, Coney Island post card or amusement ride, as well as antique cars, marching bands, drill teams, and the odd yacht pulled on flatbed.

Each year, a different celebrity King Neptune and Queen Mermaid rule over the proceedings, riding in the Parade and assisting in the opening of the Ocean for the summer swimming season by marching down the Beach from the Boardwalk, cutting through Ribbons representing the seasons, and tossing fruit into the Atlantic to appease the Sea Gods.

In the past, David Byrne, Queen Latifah, Ron Kuby, Curtis Sliwa, Moby, and David Johansen have graced our shores, presiding over the assembled masses.

Get all the poop here

And don’t forget the Mermaid Ball

Big Apple BBQ Block Party is Baby Back!

Marco Lombardini — Thu, 29 May 2008 14:09:52 +0000

The Sixth Annual Snapple Big Apple Barbecue Block Party returns to Madison Square Park June 7–8, 2008, from Noon–6PM. The weekend-long event takes place every June and brings together the country’s top pitmasters who cook up their award-winning food for over a hundred thousand barbecue enthusiasts. Set against the beautiful backdrop of Madison Square Park, the Snapple Big Apple Barbecue Block Party attracts people from near and far to sustain and celebrate America’s authentic culinary and musical traditions.

Admission to the event is free. Take in the sights, sounds and smells of the event – from great live music to engaging seminars and cooking demonstrations – without ever dropping a dollar. The country’s best barbecue is available from top pitmasters for only $8 per plate.

Now if you don’t get there early you can pretty much forget tasting anything remotely grilled. This event is always jammed pack with carnivores who fast for days before to make the necessary room in their digestive system.

Mad Cow disease has new cogitations at this block party which has nothing to do with the fare just the crowd.

Get all the info here and enjoy all that finger licking love!

And if you want to try your hand at getting some free passes (Warning: You have to write haiku’s, poetry, and other crazy stuff) try going to Serious Eats contest here

Brooklyn Bridge Turns 125

Marco Lombardini — Tue, 13 May 2008 16:43:42 +0000

Happy Birthday to the Brooklyn bridge! If you have never walked over the bridge this would be a great time to experience history, majestic views, and take part of a great New York event.

A weekend of cultural programs in honor of the Brooklyn Bridge 125th Birthday Celebration continues with a Brooklyn Bridge Film Series, a bicycle Tour de Brooklyn, enlightening lectures, guided tours and more. Some of the featured events include:

The Brooklyn Bridge Film Series: The series will take place at several venues in Brooklyn and Manhattan and will kick off at 6:00 pm on Friday, May 23 at the Empire- Fulton Ferry State Park with Enchanted and It Happened in Brooklyn, with the support of the Brooklyn Bridge Park Conservancy. Both feature films will be preceded by Panorama from the Tower of the Brooklyn Bridge and Manhatta, two historical shorts with live musical accompaniment by Donald Sosin and Joanna Seaton. Across the bridge on Friday night at 7:00 pm, Tribeca Cinemas will feature Mo’ Better Blues while the Brooklyn Academy of Music (BAM) will host a viewing of the 1980 Ken Burns’ documentary Brooklyn Bridge on Saturday, May 24 at 4:30 pm.
Lectures and Readings: The Brooklyn Historical Society and Manhattan’s Surrogate’s Court will host a series of lectures and children’s readings throughout the day on Saturday and Sunday starting at 1:00 pm. Sponsored by several New York City cultural institutions, including the American Society of Civil Engineers, Brooklyn Book Festival, the Roebling Chapter of the Society for Industrial Archaeology (RCSIA), and the Aesthetic Realism Foundation, the lectures will explore the history of the Brooklyn Bridge and the genius behind its design.
New Pedestrian Entrance: To prepare for its birthday bash, the Brooklyn pedestrian entrance will get a makeover from the Dumbo Business Improvement District, including newly designed signage and energy efficient lighting.
Telectroscope Connection: The Telectroscope will be on the Fulton Ferry Pier allowing people in London – 3,500 miles away – to help fete the Bridge, thanks to Tiscali UK and the Garfield Weston Foundation.
Tours: Volunteers with The American Society of Civil Engineers and RCSIA will provide information about the Bridge. They will be located on the Bridge from 10:00 am to 6:00 pm on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Several guided tours will also be given.
Bike “Tour de Brooklyn”: The morning of Sunday, May 25, the Tour de Brooklyn bike ride, will lead hundreds of bicyclists around several of Brooklyn’s diverse neighborhoods.
Various Special Events: Dozens of participating cultural institutions and attractions throughout Brooklyn and Manhattan will also offer special rates, programs, and packages to commemorate this milestone anniversary.