Spring is here and as usual, wonderful events are happening all around our city.  Tomatoes Got Talent is almost here, and our Renewal Summit is chock full of experts with advice on how to live longer better. Love cabaret? There’s a fun show and panel on the Business of Cabaret.  And let’s not forget the great outdoors. We’ve got some great outdoor picks.

April 9. Tomatoes Got Talent

Our celebrity judges, Gretchen Cryer, Jana Robbins, and Laila Robins will have their work cut out for them when they judge our 5th Annual Tomatoes Got Talent Competition. It’s a thoroughly entertaining and inspiring show at The Triad in NYC.  Get your tickets.

April 28. Live Longer Better

That’s the theme of our upcoming Renewal Summit and we have an amazing line up of experts on this topic who include Dr. Dennis Goodman, Director of Integrative Medicine at NYU Langone Medical Center, Sylvie Beljanski, author of Winning the War On Cancer: The Epic Journey Towards a Natural Cure, and Dr. Thomas Romo, Director of facial, plastic and reconstructive surgery at Lenox Hill Hospital, who will be on a panel moderated by Emmy award winning journalist,  Jane Hanson.  Get the details.

Here’s what last year’s attendees had to say.

April 7.  The Transition Network Presents People and Passions

One of our Renewal Summit partners is The New York City Chapter of the Transition Network, an organization designed to enrich the lives of accomplished women over 50. Learn more about this group on April 7 from 2 to 4PM. It’s free. Get the details.

Cherry Blossom Festivals

We have the Japanese to thank for bringing their beautiful cherry blossom tress to our country. There are three wonderful Cherry Blossom Festivals in late April in our area. On April 21st, Flushing Meadows Corona Park plays host to the 14th Annual Sakura Matsuri Cherry Blossom Festival.   And on the same date, Randall’s Island has its festival.  And one of the most anticipated is the two-day festival at the Brooklyn Botanical Gardens.  Here are the details.

April 21.   14th Annual Sakura Matsuri Cherry Blossom Festival at Pavilion & Astral Fountain (in Flushing Meadows Corona Park) , Queens.  11:00 a.m. –1:00 p.m. This event features live drum performances (Taiko), a traditional Japanese chorus, a Japanese folk dance, and a tea ceremony.
Free!

April 21.   Cherry Blossom Festival at Urban Farm (in Randall’s Island Park), Manhattan , Field 62 – 63 (in Randall’s Island Park) , Manhattan.  12:00 p.m. –4:00 p.m. Celebrate the spring season and Japanese culture at our free festival at Randall’s Island Park!
Free!

April 28-29. Sakura Matsuri 2018: Brooklyn Botanic Garden Cherry Blossom Festival at Brooklyn Botanic Garden,  Brooklyn.  10:00 a.m. –6:00 p.m. Sakura Matsuri, the annual cherry blossom festival at Brooklyn Botanic Garden, offers over 60 events and performances that celebrate traditional and contemporary Japanese culture.

April 21. Culture Shock: The High Line’s Season Kick-Off

Head to the High Line and help kick off the 2018 season with a bang! Culture Shock is our annual, full-day festival of music, art, performance, horticulture, and hands-on activities. Bring your family and friends and experience the High Line in full swing. On the High Line between Gansevoort St. and West 26th St. from 1PM  to 7 PM.  Get more details.

Central Park Tours

Really one of the world’s most beautiful parks, Central Park is spectacular in the spring.  There are a host of tours you can join, (most about $15) that include bird watching, iconic views, and the nature sanctuary and pond tours. Go explore. Get details here.

April & May Dates. Cabaret: Tight Pants and Tears of Joy

Singer, Helane Blumfield, comes to the Laurie Beechman Theatre in April and May with a new solo show, “Tight Pants And Tears Of Joy, My love affair with Tom Jones and Neil Diamond!” It’s a nostalgic look at the lives and careers of 2 Music Legends, and exposes Ms. Blumfield for the Super Fan that she is! The Laurie Beechman Theatre. Reserve tickets here.

April 26. Business of Cabaret

Life is a cabaret, old chum, so if that’s how you feel, then come to our seminar and learn about the tools needed to sustain your career in this unique profession. There will be a performance and a social gathering afterward. Panelists Linda Amiel Burns, Sandi Durell, Bernie Furshpan, Lennie Watts and Sidney Myer will share the business of running your own cabaret production. Broadway and Cabaret Award Winning Artist, Mark Nadler will perform.  1:00 PM – 4:00 PM, Jerry Orbach Theater.  Get details and tickets.