NYC Life Insider’s Guide: Fleet Week, Manhattanhenge, Fairs, Free Concert
We need a lot more love in our world right now, and our roving photographer has captured love notes all around the city. Let us remember to pause this weekend and remember those who made the ultimate sacrifice to preserve our freedoms. If you’re in town this weekend, there’s lots to do. It’s wonderful to see Fleet Week return for the first time since 2019. Experience Manhattanhenge Sunday and Monday. The Hester Street Fair returns to the South Street Seaport. Legos and bugs are at the museums. And the New York Philharmonic has a free concert on Monday at Saint John the Divine! Enjoy the long weekend.
Now – May 31. Fleet Week Activities
Multiple ships and more than 2,000 members of the sea services are in town. The week-long event will include public ship visitations, a variety of military demonstrations and a mix of new events and Member favorites like the Richard & Doris Scheuing CO-XO Reception. Get details of events here.
Love Notes
Our roving photographer, Nicole Freezer Rubens says wherever she goes she finds love notes all over New York City. Small words of encouragement and reminders are posted on lampposts and painted on the buildings and sidewalks to weave cheer and support into the concrete jungle.
This graffiti, sticker art, and public artwork that abounds now more than ever, adds color and character to the streets while gently reminding city dwellers that they are not alone. New Yorkers should take the time to read the mini messages we all long to hear and be encouraged to spread good cheer. Love is everywhere!
May 29 & 30. Experience Manhattanhenge
If you’ve experienced Manhattanhenge, you know what an awesome sight it is. It happens twice a year (with a half sun and a full sun) when the sun sets and aligns with the street grid of Manhattan illuminating all of our cross streets. This Sunday experience the half sun at 8:13 PM and Monday experience the full sun at 8:12 PM.
Where to See Manhattanhenge
View the sunset from Manhattan’s main east/west thoroughfares:
- 14th Street
- 23rd Street
- 34th Street
- 42nd Street
- 57th Street
Find a spot as far east as possible that still has views of New Jersey across the Hudson River.
The sunset can also be viewed from these locations:
- Tudor City Overpass, Manhattan
- Hunter’s Point South Park in Long Island City, Queens
Want to know more? Reach this article by Neil deGrasse Tyson and watch his video below.
Hester Street Fair
Hester Street Fair is back for another full weekend on May 28th and May 29th. Since it’s a holiday enjoy your time off and support a community of small and local businesses at the open-air market and shop a special curation of everything to peak interest. You’ll meet the creators behind every business too, and you know what that means? It means you are immediately tapped into the pulse of what makes NYC buzz. Pier 17 Saturday 5/28 & Sunday 5/29, 11-6 pm, 89 South Street NYC. Get the details.
May 30. NY Philharmonic Free Memorial Day Concert
Head to St. John the Divine when the New York Philharmonic presents its 30th concert as a gift to the people of New York City and a day of musical remembrance. This year’s concert honors the people of Ukraine. In the spirit of uniting and sending aid, the NY Phil and The Cathedral are partnering with the International Rescue Committee (IRC). At the beginning of the concert, an IRC representative will provide information about how to contribute to response efforts in Ukraine and other crisis-affected countries.
Admission to this performance is free. Tickets are required and will be distributed at The Cathedral Church of Saint John the Divine beginning at 5:00 PM the evening of the concert; doors will open at 6:00 PM. Seating is on a first-come, first-served basis on the day of the performance. Get more details.
June 12. Lee Roy Reams Lifetime Achievement Award
Our favorite song and dance guy, Lee Roy Reams, will be honored by the American Popular Song Society, APSS, at a benefit co-produced by Sandi Durell at The Cutting Room. The evening will be filled with performers you know and love. Tickets are available now.
The tomato behind The Three Tomatoes.
Cheryl Benton, aka the “head tomato” is founder and publisher of The Three Tomatoes, a digital lifestyle magazine for “women who aren’t kids”. Having lived and worked for many years in New York City, the land of size zero twenty-somethings, she was truly starting to feel like an invisible woman. She created The Three Tomatoes just for the fun of it as the antidote for invisibility and sent it to 60 friends. Today she has thousands of friends and is chief cheerleader for smart, savvy women who want to live their lives fully at every age and every stage. She is the author of the novel, "Can You See Us Now?" and co-author of a humorous books of quips, "Martini Wisdom." Because she's lived a long time, her full bio won't fit here. If you want the "blah, blah, blah", read more. www.thethreetomatoes.com/about-the-head-tomato
