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Where to Book Your New Year’s Eve Celebration in New York City

Las Vegas claims to have the best fireworks display this year on New Year’s and some pretty solid parties as well, but New York City is the place to be to ring in 2019.  From restaurants to hotels, the parties in the Big Apple will rock until the wee hours of the New Year.

A recent study by Lyft stated that on New Year’s Eve they have the most pickups and drop-offs in Williamsburg, Brooklyn. And we can see why – Brooklyn is synonymous with celebrations.

Welcome 2019 at Westlight, located in The William Vale hotel in the heart of Williamsburg, for a true Brooklyn-style party. Revelers can enjoy festive party favors, premium open bar from 9pm-1am, specialty cocktails, passed canapés, live music and more. When midnight hits, toast with a glass of Champagne over sweeping views of the city skyline. If you don’t feel like calling a Lyft and waiting forever for your car, The William Vale has a ‘Celebrate and Sleep’ package that gives you overnight accommodations and 10% off two party tickets.

If you’re a real party animal, you could split your time between the William Vale and The Williamsburg Hotel where a Gatsby-themed party will be shaking things up. Ring in the New Year celebrating at The Williamsburg Hotel’s lavish Gatsby-themed soiree, taking place in the hotel’s elegant ballroom. Wear your Jay Gatsby and Daisy Buchanan finest and imbibe in a one-hour vodka open bar from 9-10pm followed by live music performances throughout the evening and top-shelf bottle service. As with the Wiliam Vale, the Williamsburg Hotel has skyline-view rooms available so you can stumble up to your room at the end of the party at 4am.

A third option in Williamsburg is The Hoxton, Williamsburg, the new hotel from UK’s creative boutique hotel brand, The Hoxton. For New Year’s Eve, say hello to 2019 with dinner at Klein’s followed by a “No Sleep ’til 2019 Pajama Party” on the hotel’s Summerly rooftop, which has been enclosed for the winter. Guests are invited to don their chicest PJs, watch the sky light up at midnight, dance the night away, and drink some wonderful Champagne. Also included are an open bar, light bites, plus various surprises. Brooklyn’s all about encouraging you to stay over and stay safe, so the hotel is offering a one-night stay as well.

If you’re sticking to Manhattan, there’s no shortage of parties happening at some of the borough’s top hotels.

You’re guaranteed a swanky fireworks-filled evening at the JW Marriott Essex House New York on Central Park South. From 8pm until 1am at the hotel’s restaurant SOUTHGATE you’ll enjoy a buffet dinner, open bar with specialty cocktails and Champagne, and dancing to the tunes of a top DJ.  Plus you’ll have a view of the midnight fireworks in Central Park without dealing with the crowds and the newly installed cordoned off lanes (fun, but a bit trying at times, and claustrophobic).

Around the corner, and equally classy, The Two E Lounge At The Pierre offers an intimate and glamorous way to celebrate New Year’s Eve.  The iconic lounge turns into a speakeasy for the holiday with four hours of live music, dancing, Champagne and festive hors d’oeuvres and raw bar.

Closer to Times Square, Sofitel New York is hosting two separate New Year’s Eve parties, starting with an early event for kids 12 and under who dine free or at a reduced rate depending on which kid-friendly favorites they choose (adults get their own appropriate meal with Champagne, an antipasti buffet and a three-course meal, no worries), then gather in the private dining room for holiday movies, a candy and popcorn bar, and an early New Year’s countdown at 7:30pm. And everyone gets a goody bag. No kids? That’s even better although older kids are welcome at the hotel’s second soiree. For this round, Sofitel’s New Year’s Eve affair pairs the same elegant prix fixe menu as the early seating with a DJ starting at 10pm and screens the Times Square ball drop live starting just before midnight. After ringing in the New Year, dancing continues until 2am.

Further downtown, Arlo NoMad is holding an exclusive “Arlo Arctica” pop up party. On their 31st-story rooftop, in a heated ice hut, you’ll drink a magnum bottle of vintage Dom Perignon, enjoy caviar served in an ice sculpture from Okamoto Studios, and dine on mushroom and truffle pizza, truffle fondue while imbibing from a premium bar. Each hut can hold a maximum of eight people.

Hotel 50 Bowery is the place to ring in 2019 with panache. At this rooftop bar locale on the 21st floor, with views of the Midtown as well as Downtown, the party swings with a four-hour premium open bar and dancing with multiple live DJs. Times Squares’ fireworks will be completely visible from the rooftop’s 360-degree panorama roof. You’ll also get party favors and be able to watch the ball drop up close on a huge screen.

Now to the bars and restaurants:

Toast to the New Year with your closest friends and family at the Seaport District’s only rooftop cocktail bar, R17. The evening will feature a selection of savory dishes and specialty drinks. Craft cocktails and lush fur throws will keep you toasty outdoors around the hearths. R17 will be open from 4pm-1am

The Polynesian, the city’s ultimate Tiki bar, is offering an escape to Paradise in Times Square, with a Luau-themed bash from 9pm-1am. If you have any Hawaiian shirts or skirts, this is the time to dig them out of your closet.  The Polynesian’s New Year’s Eve Luau will keep you satisfied with a buffet reminiscent of Trader Vic’s past which includes an actual pig roast and throwback dishes like coconut shrimp and crab Rangoon, passed hors d’oeuvres, hip-swinging hula dancing and festive Hawaiian leis. The four-hour premium open bar includes specially curated Tiki cocktails from mixologist Brian Miller. Music is both live and DJ. At midnight, there will be a celebratory Champagne toast.

Ring in the New Year with a night of Italian food, drinks, and sultry entertainment at new hot spot Dia in the East Village. A four-course prix fixe menu includes the likes of pasta, branzino, and butterscotch budino. But the highlight is the three burlesque performances by Rox Republic scheduled throughout the evening. That’s definitely something to toast to!

From funky luau and trashy burlesque to black tie, New York City has it all.  Tavern on the Green in the middle of Central Park gives you prime fireworks viewing rights at their black tie gala.  In addition to the evening light show, you’ll enjoy a three-course dinner, live music, a premium open bar, passed desserts, a midnight toast under the fireworks, late night snacks and all-night dancing. The restaurant’s glass-enclosed Central Park Room guarantees a great view even in the coldest conditions, and the park-facing courtyard gives a front row seat to the action.

Back in Brooklyn, the hidden restaurant Blanca behind Bushwick’s acclaimed pizzeria Roberta’s is throwing two New Year’s parties for just a chosen few. Chef Carlo Mirarchi will be serving a celebratory New Year’s Eve tasting menu, which will include a special wine pairing and culinary surprises throughout the evening. The tasting menu is served at 5pm and 8pm.

Still out of ideas? Here are five more restaurants with party favors, Champagne (or tequila), music and special menus

BUDDAKAN – 75 9th Avenue

Over-the-top DJ music, Asian food, and Champagne are guaranteed at this Meatpacking District hot spot.

MORIMOTO – 88 10th Avenue

Ring in the New Year with a special seven-course omakase menu with pairings or order a la carte from Iron Chef Morimoto’s contemporary Japanese menu in the Meatpacking District. Champagne toast at midnight.

EL VEZ – 259 Vesey Street

You can pretend you’re having a fiesta Mexicana at El Vez, celebrating with Mexican food, margaritas and mariachis. Party in Battery Park with a glimpse of the Statue of Liberty with a tequila toast at midnight.

UPLAND – 345 Park Avenue South

The ever-popular Upland near the Flatiron District will be offering a special California-inspired a la carte menu along with a live performance from Antibalas, the eclectic Afro-pop collective from Brooklyn. You’ll celebrate with a Champagne toast at midnight.

THE CLOCKTOWER – 5 Madison Avenue

At the Edition Hotel on lower Madison Avenue, treat yourself to a tasting menu, along with music by Brooklyn Caravan, t in the Edition hotel between 5:30-7pm for a $155 tasting menu or from 8-10pm for a $185 tasting menu, featuring performances by Brooklyn Caravan who will serenade you with their gypsy jazz tunes.

LE COUCOU – 138 Lafayette Street

Ring in the New Year with a cocktail reception and seated six-course dinner menu from Chef Daniel Rose. Le Coucou has acquired a very special 30L bottle of Drappier champagne just for the occasion – it’s yours to enjoy the entire night.

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Christmas Dinners You can Still Book in Manhattan

Oh ye procrastinators, it’s not too late to book Christmas dinner at these six wonderful Manhattan restaurants, even at this ungodly hour. Unwrap your Christmas-Day presents, pre-game with a glass of eggnog or Champagne, and enjoy a delicious dinner with no clean-up at these varied choices that exemplify holiday coziness, tradition, and the New York City holiday spirit.

At The Flying Fisherman, an updated take on Christmas Eve’s traditional Italian Feast of the Seven Fishes is served on Christmas Day as well, highlighting international seafood dishes while also offering traditional Christmas meal options like lamb and yams for non-seafood eaters. The appropriately named Feast of the Seven Fishes special is served in two dishes. The first includes baked clams, head-on shrimp and New Zealand mussels; the second dish is a cioppino-style fish stew with cod, scallops, salmon, red snapper, saffron Yukon potatoes and garlic croutons. A special holiday dessert is the pretty vanilla Napoleon with red berries. 269 Columbus Avenue, theflyingfishermannyc.com

Legasea Seafood

One of my new favorites, the TAO Group’s Legasea Seafood Brasserie in the Moxy Hotel Times Square, will be especially buzzy on Christmas with their own take on the Feast of the Seven Fishes. Served along with the restaurant’s varied menu of seafood mains and appetizers, Legasea’s Seven Fish Cioppino offers Chef Jason Hall’s bespoke combination of seven fishes, a richly seasoned stew of mussels, clams, king crab claws, head-on prawns, octopus, calamari and bacalao (cod). As at the Flying Fisherman, non-seafood lovers are not left out – they can share Legasea’s fried chicken with biscuits and Mike’s hot honey, served in a fun takeout box and create a new Christmas Day tradition of your own. 485 Seventh Ave., The Moxy Hotel, http://moxy-hotels.marriott.com/nyc/timessquare/dining/legasea-seafood-brasserie/

At equally trendy Industry Kitchen, Christmas will be celebrated in style with the new American-cuisine restaurant decked out to resemble a holiday chalet. Diners will be greeted by a trio of Christmas trees and reindeer in the entryway along with twinkling lights, wreaths and holly, transforming the Seaport setting into a winter wonderland. On Christmas Day, Industry Kitchen’s winter menu features warm comfort dishes like the Squash Pot with mushroom ragout, and pumpkin tagliatelle with shaved truffles. Indulge in festive dishes and libations like the gingernut pizza made with a gingerbread crust, eggnog frosting, spicy pecans and sprinkles; or the Frozen Peppermint Slide, a giant shareable cocktail with Baileys, candy canes, peppermint bark and pretzel rods for a true Christmas in a cup. An added plus:  if you forgot to buy a Christmas gift, you could make a gift statement for your entire party by ordering the restaurant’s decadent white-cheese 24K pizza that comes with osetra caviar, 24K gold leaves and foie gras. 70 South St.  http://industry-kitchen.com/

Industry Kitchen

Dining with a view of the skating rink and Christmas tree at Rockefeller Center is another tradition that will please the entire family. Choose to dine at the seafood-oriented Sea Grill, which will be serving a special three-course meal as well as a holiday menu just for kids. At this upscale seafood restaurant, treat your loved ones to a menu of salmon tartare with American caviar, house-made linguine with black truffles, butter-poached Maine lobster and dark chocolate baked ganache at this upscale seafood restaurant. 19 West 49th Street, https://www.patinagroup.com/the-sea-grill Or book a table at the adjacent Rock Center Café which will delight the family with a varied Yuletide prix fixe menu including Barolo-braised short ribs, magret duck breast with bacon Brussels sprouts, sautéed spaghetti squash, and spiced apple tart with cider reduction. As with its sister restaurant The Sea Grill, the Rock Center Café caters to the little ones with their own holiday menu. 20 West 50th Street, https://www.patinagroup.com/rock-center-cafe

Seafire Grill

If you don’t want to stay in the middle of Rockefeller Center madness or push your way among the throngs milling along Fifth Avenue or Lexington Avenue to look at the Christmas windows at Bloomingdale’s, Saks Fifth Avenue or Bergdorf Goodman, you can walk just a few blocks East to The Sea Fire Grill, where the cozy bistro has one of the city’s best prix fixe deals for Christmas Day with dishes like Truffle Burrata, Lobster Risotto and Roasted Mediterranean Branzino for a mere $79 per person. Finish your meal as you began at home with a holiday eggnog.158 East 48th St., https://theseafiregrill.com/

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Seven Places to Enjoy a New York City Hotel Stay at Cyber Monday Prices

Whether you’re a visitor to New York City, or you’re a resident looking for a fun way to spice up your nights, perhaps with a staycation at a great price, Cyber Monday gives you a chance to be a tourist in the most exciting city in the US. Don’t hesitate – Monday’s prices and deals last only until midnight, so take a look at these wonderful ideas, and hit that “reserve” button. As with many specials, blackout dates apply, and most cannot be combined with previous reservations. Some requirement pre-payment and are non-cancellable, so read the fine print very carefully.

Lotte New York Palace

Luxury hotel Lotte New York Palace is offering guests a Cyber Monday sale rate on bookings for a special time only. The hotel’s premier location on Madison Avenue provides a quintessential New York experience for all guests. Visitors will recognize the iconic hotel the Palace courtyard featured in Gossip Girl and from its many famous visitors and restaurants over the years. The hotel incorporates the former Villard Mansion. The Cyber sale pricing offers 30% off from Thursday-Sunday, and 50% off suites for dates through August 31, 2019. https://www.lottenypalace.com/ 455 Madison Avenue, Midtown East

The Lexington Hotel

The Lexington Hotel, Autograph Collection is offering their first-ever Cyber Monday Deal. The historic midtown hotel, which was once home to Marilyn Monroe and Joe DiMaggio, is offering up to 30% off when you book your stay between Monday, November 26 and Wednesday, November 28. You can even stay in the Norma Jeane suite where Marilyn and Joe enjoyed some private time during their brief marriage in New York. Explore all that New York City has to offer from the centrally located hotel, just steps away from iconic New York attractions such as Rockefeller Center, Times Square and Grand Central Station. Rates starting at $129. A two-night minimum stay is required.  https://www.lexingtonhotelnyc.com/ 511 Lexington Avenue, Midtown East

Gansevoort Meatpacking NYC

Save up to 30% off your future stay at always-lively Gansevoort Meatpacking NYC on Cyber Monday for discounts for travel dates through March 31, 2019. You’ll get savings of 30% for Sunday night stays and 15% off Monday-Saturday. Valid for stays between November 23, 2018 and March 31, 2019. Reservations can only be booked online. It’s a perfect location for visiting the Whitney Museum and the Highline. https://www.gansevoorthotelgroup.com/hotels/gansevoort-meatpacking-nyc/ 18 Ninth Avenue, Meatpacking District

The Redbury New York

At The Redbury New York, a hotel located in Manhattan’s NoMad district, a playful and soulful approach pays tribute to the worlds of art, music, fashion and media. The Redbury New York is adjacent to New York’s center of pop music creation – once known as ‘Tin Pan Alley,’ and elements of this narrative are incorporated into the property’s design and guest experience. Even the rooms have gramophone Bluetooth speakers to play your modern tunes in a vintage style. The Redbury is home to Marta, a Roman-inspired pizzeria from Danny Meyer’s Union Square Hospitality Group (USHG), and Bar Marta, a cozy lobby bar. Additional Danny Meyer culinary offerings include Roman-style, Caffe Marchio, a traditional stand-up coffee bar serving a full food menu and drinks made from an exclusive single blend created by Joe Coffee, as well as Vini e Fritti, an aperitivi bar that celebrates the marriage of bubbles and salty, crispy antipasti.

For Cyber Monday, book dates through March 2019, with an offer of 50% off weekend stays (Thursday-Sunday). Rate Code: DSCYB   Website Promo Code: Cyber https://theredbury.com/newyork/ 20 East 29th Street, NoMad

Arlo SoHo

Arlo Soho, one of Manhattan’s liveliest micro-hotels, is situated in the heart of SoHo. The hotel’s courtyard will be transformed into a winter pop-up called Arlo-Arctica (designed to embody 1900s Antarctica) just in time for the holidays. Comfort-food specialist Harold’s is the resident restaurant, a worthy stop during your stay. For Cyber Monday, the hotel is announcing 50% off all rates for any hotel stay. A portion of proceeds will go to The Rainforest Alliance as part of the hotel’s Arlo Cares initiative. *Deals are also valid at Arlo NoMad. https://www.arlohotels.com/arlo-soho/ 231 Hudson Street.

LUMA Hotel Times Square

LUMA Hotel Times Square is offering 35% off of all room types, for any length of stay, for bookings through October 2019. Additionally, bookings come with complimentary amenities including evening sangria, access to Blink Fitness and more. Jose Garces’ acclaimed Basque restaurant, Ortzi, sits adjacent to the lively bar on the first floor and pays homage the chef’s Spanish heritage. https://www.lumahotels.com/, 120 West 41st Street, Theater District, Times Square

The William Vale

The William Vale, a 183-room luxury boutique hotel located in the heart of Williamsburg, Brooklyn is offering up to 40% off the best available rates using the promo code CYBER18 for all stays booked through March 31, 2019. The hotel is located just minutes from downtown Manhattan and offers a nice change-of-pace if you’d like to explore Brooklyn as well as Manhattan. https://www.thewilliamvale.com/ 112 N. 12th Street, Brooklyn, Williamsburg

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Where to Celebrate Thanksgiving: Dine, Stay and Watch

If you’re like many of us, you might still not know where you’re celebrating Thanksgiving.  Procrastinators can relax – there are plenty of restaurants in New York City where you can enjoy a full celebration with or without turkey. And, because it’s New York City, there are many non-traditional versions to sample as well.  So, don’t worry if you haven’t bought a turkey to cook yourself or if you missed the deadline to order from a catering house. Just watch the Thanksgiving Parade and chill; your Thanksgiving dinner awaits you at one of these wonderful restaurants.

MIFUNE New York, the progressive Japanese restaurant in Midtown East, is offering a very special Thanksgiving menu. Think turkey and sweet potatoes, of course, but with a Japanese/French spin to it.

Crafted by Head Chef Yuu Shimano (previously of Guy Savoy’s eponymous three Michelin-starred restaurant in Paris), the menu is available on Thanksgiving Day with dinner seatings at 5pm and 8pm, and is priced at $90 per person. Add a wine or sake pairing for an additional $60 per person.

The Thanksgiving menu is an exciting Japanese feast with kabocha pumpkin soup with bacon cream espuma, six varied amuse bouches, sashimi, Saikyo miso sea bass en croute with vin blanc yuzu sauce, organic turkey truffle pie with turkey foie gras gravy, turkey soboro ginger rice and Okinawa kibito caramel ice cream. I’m not sure you’ll want to eat plain turkey, stuffing and gravy ever again!  45 East 44th St.  212-986-2800. www.mifune-restaurant.com

There’s still foliage to be seen at The Pandering Pig located in Upper Manhattan in Hudson Heights, overlooking the Hudson River. So hop the B train to 181 Street and explore a new part of the city as you enjoy a Thanksgiving dinner for the heart.

Chef/Owner Nicole O’Brien will be serving a prix fixe dinner from 4-9pm with main courses such as dindon au vin (turkey braised in wine sauce) or wild pan-seared salmon with Cointreau gastrique, cranberries and toasted walnuts. Each is served with sides including garlic mashed potatoes, roasted Brussels sprouts, dried apricot and herb stuffing.  Dinner starts with a velvety butternut squash soup. The three-course $56 prix fixe menu also includes coffee, tea, root beer and pumpkin pie or pecan pie for dessert.

To accompany the meal, The Pandering Pig offers an expertly curated rotating wine program as well as a single malt whiskey collection and artisanal beer list.  And, in this very private, cozy restaurant, kids eat for half price on Thanksgiving. 209 Pinehurst Avenue, 212-781-3124, https://www.thepanderingpig.com/

Katz’s Deli on the Lower East Side celebrates the holiday with their annual Thanksgiving dinner. From 5:30-8pm, it’s an all-you-can-eat-and-drink dinner that mixes American favorites with traditional deli treats. The turkey and mashed potatoes are a given. But have you ever thought to add Jewish specialties like tsimmes (carrots, dried fruits and root vegetables) or latkes (potato pancakes)?

Katz’s also lets you bring the meal home if you prefer to watch a football game indoors while you eat. Their take-out menu enhances the festivities with the likes of pastrami, noodle kugel and matzoh ball soup. The traditional turkey dinner (gravy, sides, stuffing, and more) is a given. But, in my opinion, it’s probably more fun to eat at the deli and look at the photos of all the notables who have visited there over years (in addition to Meg Ryan).  205 East Houston Street, 212-254-2246, https://www.katzsdelicatessen.com

Also downtown, Harold’s is all about tradition and comfort with a prix fixe family-style dinner for $62 per person. The first course features a holiday antipasto followed by roasted turkey, Italian sausage, ham steak, green bean casserole, mashed potatoes, traditional stuffing and more. For dessert, Harold’s will be serving traditional pumpkin and pecan pies as well as apple cobbler and cranberry cheesecake. You may not be staying at the Arlo SoHo hotel where Harold’s is located, but you should definitely explore its public spaces before you leave: the courtyard has been transformed to mimic an apple orchard in the city with pick-your-own apples, hay bales, corn stalks and pumpkins for sale. 2 Renwick St., 212-390-8484, https://www.arlohotels.com/arlo-soho/eat-and-drink/harolds/.

But if international is more your thing, Boqueria still has reservations available for their Spanish-influenced Thanksgiving feast. For $70 per person, the Barcelona-inspired tapas bar will serve Thanksgiving dinner family-style in true Catalonian fashion, offering Iberian twists on the classics like turkey with mushroom stuffing and olive oil mashed potatoes as well as traditional Spanish favorites like pan con tomate (grilled Stirato bread rubbed with tomato, garlic and olive oil), fideua negra (squid ink noodle pasta, shrimp, Manila clams, garlic aioli), and Turrón (almond and hazelnut cake, honey, dulce de leche ice cream, chantilly). Book now at the three Boqueria locations, 171 Spring Street, 646.760.3867; 1460 2nd Avenue , 646.845.9726; 260 West 40th St, 646.233.4078, https://boqueriarestaurant.com

Feeling decadent? You don’t have to go to a restaurant or stay at home to enjoy the holiday. Instead, a staycation at The Plaza brings with it reserved-seat viewing of the Macy’s Thanksgiving Parade. Between November 21 and November 23, celebrate a quintessential New York Thanksgiving with two iconic institutions when you book the Carnegie Suite at this storied hotel. You won’t be “home alone” for long!

You’ll begin your day of decadence with breakfast in the Palm Court (or in your room, if you prefer) before joining the throngs with a Plaza thermos and blanket to keep you nice and warm (it’s supposed to be very very cold this year). You won’t have to worry about standing up among thousands of people watching the floats; The Plaza has two confirmed seats at the Central Park South bleachers for you. 768 5th Ave, 212-759-3000, http://www.Fairmont.com/ThePlaza

Dinner after the parade?  Well, you’re on your own for that. But first, take a holiday-inspired stroll from The Plaza down Fifth Avenue to look at the Christmas windows at Bergdorf Goodman and Saks Fifth Avenue and to check out the skaters at Rockefeller Plaza (the tree’s not up until Wednesday, November 28 so plan to return for the tree lighting and live performances from 7-9pm). https://www.rockefellercenter.com/whats-happening/2018/11/28/2018-rockefeller-center-christmas-tree).

Happy Turkey Day!

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Community Groups to Commemorate the “Harlem Hellfighters”

The Coast Guard Auxiliary Flotilla 05-11: Upper Manhattan is honored to partner with other Harlem community groups for a WWI Centennial Armistice Observance at PFC Dorrance Brooks Square beginning at 10:45 AM on November 10, 2018.

Coffee and pastries will be served starting at 10:00 AM at the Eagle Academy on Edgecombe Avenue and West 136th Street. The main observance will follow at 10:45 AM and be located across the street at PFC Dorrance Brooks Square. This event has been organized by Dr. Keith Taylor, president of the PFC Dorrance Brooks Property Owners and Residents Association, and former assistant commissioner for the NYC Department of Correction; and Colonel Terrance Holliday, USAF (Ret.), the former commissioner for NYC Mayor’s Office of Veterans’ Affairs, now the NYC Department of Veterans’ Services.

The Armistice, cessation of hostilities, for World War I took effect on November 11, 1918 at 11:00 AM. This event will observe that moment in history, acknowledging the national and global suffering and heroism of the men and women who served. Special remembrances of the 369th Infantry Regiment, the “Harlem Hellfighters,” and Eugene Bullard, a WWI Ace, will be held. These men, like those before and after, served their nation with dignity, overcoming racial discrimination at home and throughout their service.

“As they fade into history, Harlem and the world should take a moment to reflect on their sacrifices 100 years ago by honoring their service,” said Colonel Holliday. “We, as a community, must highlight the 369th’s achievements and recognize their cultural contributions to Harlem.”

Participating groups include: the 369th Historical Society; 369th Sustainment Brigade; 369th Veterans’ Association; American Legion Post 422; VFW Post 528; Boy Scouts of America, Big Apple District; PFC Dorrance Brooks Property Owners and Residents Association; Kappa Alpha Psi, New York and Omicron Chapters; and the Federation of French War Veterans.

For more information about the event, please reach out to Colonel Holliday at (516) 538-6538 or Dr. Taylor at (917) 524-9996.

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The Coast Guard Auxiliary is the uniformed civilian component of the U.S. Coast Guard and supports the Coast Guard in nearly all mission areas. The Auxiliary was created by Congress in 1939. For more information, please visit www.cgaux.org

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It’s Your Last Chance to See Smokey Joe’s Cafe at Stage 42 — Closing November 4

It’s your last chance to catch the joyous off-Broadway revival of Smokey Joe’s Cafe: The Songs of Leiber & Stoller, the all-new incarnation of the record-breaking Broadway hit. The revue, which was originally produced on Broadway in 1995 and was the longest-running musical revue in Broadway history, closes Sunday, November 4. Information at www.smokeyjoescafemusical.com,  Stage 42, 422 West 42nd Street.

John Edwards, Jelani Remy, Dwayne Cooper and Kyle Taylor Parker Photo credit: Julia Russell

You know the bluesy rock ‘n roll songs and ballads, and I defy you not to tap your feet as the nine-member ensemble led by director choreographer Joshua Bergasse sing more than 30 classic songs like “Stand by Me,” “I’m a Woman,” “Hound Dog,” “Fools Fall In Love,” “On Broadway,” “Yakety Yak,” “Pearl’s a Singer,” “Treat Me Nice,” “There Goes My Baby,” “Love Potion #9,” “Jailhouse Rock,” and “Spanish Harlem.”

Emma Degerstedt with Jelani Remy, Shavey Brown, Dwayne Cooper and Max Sangerman Photo credit: Joan Marcus

The show’s stars bring a mix of Broadway and Off-Broadway musical expertise to Smokey Joe’s Café. Dwayne Cooper (Motown, Hairspray), Emma Degerstedt (Desperate Measures Off-Broadway), John Edwards (Jersey Boys), Dionne D. Figgins (Hot Feet, Memphis), Nicole Vanessa Ortiz (Spamilton Off-Broadway), Kyle Taylor Parker (Kinky Boots, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory), Jelani Remy (Disney’s The Lion King), Max Sangerman (Blue Man Group Off-Broadway), and Alysha Umphress (On The Town, American Idiot) stand out with their renditions of the classic Leiber & Stoller tunes. Music fans will also recognize the duo as the writers of songs for such legends as Elvis Presley, Ben E. King, The Coasters and The Drifters.

Kyle Taylor Parker, Dwayne Cooper, John Edwards and Jelani Remy Photo credit: Gary Ng

Smokey Joe’s Café has a playlist that keeps the audience rocking, with a wide range of tunes from joyous anthems (“Saved”) to comedic romps (“Charlie Brown”) to songs of yearning (“I Who Have Nothing”). The storytelling and community-building aspects of the songs celebrate the humor, passion, and heartbreak that infuse everyday lives. Bringing to life moments of friendship and unity, the revue is just what we need to bring our very-divided country together. The songs’ messages and emotions resonate today, perhaps with more power than ever.

Dionne D. Figgins and Dwayne Cooper Photo credit: Joan Marcus

Smokey Joe’s Cafe is directed and choreographed by Joshua Bergasse and features scenic design by Beowulf Boritt, costume design by Alejo Vietti, lighting design by Jeff Croiter, sound design by Peter Fitzgerald, wig design by Charles G. LaPointe, original vocal arrangements by Chapman Roberts, additional original vocal arrangements by Louis St. Louis, music direction by Matt Oestreicher and orchestrations by Sonny Paladino and Steve Margoshes. Music Supervision and new arrangements are also by Mr. Paladino. Casting is by Tara Rubin Casting. The show was co-conceived by Stephen Helper and Jack Viertel. It is produced by Steven Baruch, Marc Routh, Richard Frankel and Tom Viertel, who also produced the show’s original Broadway engagement.

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