Posts Tagged ‘Macy’s’

Join The Magic At Stella 34 Trattoria For A Harry Potter-Themed Drag Brunch

Are you up for a bit of wizardry along with some raucous entertainment? Commemorating the 20th anniversary of J.K. Rowlands hugely popular Harry Potter series, Stella 34 Trattoria, in Macy’s Herald Square, is hosting eight Harry Potter themed drag brunches on February 5, 6, 19 and 20 with two seatings on each date, from 11am-1pm and 2pm-4pm.

Harry Potter and the Cursed Child - © Mathew Murphy

Whether you’re a longtime fan of the wizarding world of Harry Potter’s books or the current Harry Potter and the Cursed Child musical on Broadway, all “matriculants” in the house of Hogwarts will enjoy this whimsical and thoroughly entertaining brunch and show along with a delicious brunch that includes bottomless mimosas. 

Harry Potter and the Cursed Child - © Manuel Harlan

You’re invited to dress as your favorite Harry Potter character, be it Moaning Myrtle, Harry Potter, Hermione, or even Professor Dumbledore. But, don’t worry if you’re not in costume, the performers will be, and they’ll be performing “in character” as well.

The show features iconic Shuga Cain of RuPaul’s Drag Race as emcee and performer, along with drag performers Peachez, Thee Suburbia and Androgyny.

Stella 34 Trattoria - © Meryl Pearlstein

You’re invited to come alone and sit at the bar overlooking the “runways.” Or book a table for two, four or six. The menu includes such tasty brunch items as fried calamari, everything pizza with nova and crème fraîche, a chef-curated charcuterie board, Caesar salad, and, of course, a full bar menu. Tickets are priced $22, $44, $88 and $132 depending on seating booked.

© Meryl Pearlstein

Previous drag brunches have featured performers enacting the characters from Schitt’s Creek with Suga Cain as MC and assuming the role of the indomitable Moira Rose.

Proof of full COVID-19 vaccination and a valid photo ID is required of all attendees ages 12+ upon entry. A photo I.D. is also required and  must match a state-issued Covid vaccination card or other form of vaccine proof. Additionally, children must be masked when not eating or drinking throughout the event.

Stella 34 Trattoria - © Meryl Pearlstein

Stella 34 Trattoria is an elegant Italian trattoria and is located on the sixth floor on the Seventh Avenue side of Macy’s.

Posted by Meryl Pearlstein
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How to Celebrate a Vaccinated, In-Person Thanksgiving This Year

We have a lot to be grateful for this year – vaccines allowing family get-togethers in person, the promise of maskless travel in the future, travel anywhere (soon), and more. In addition to having a traditional Thanksgiving dinner as a way to celebrate, here are some ways to enjoy this special weekend holiday.

Bank of America Winter Village at Bryant Park © Angelito Jusay

Shop, Shop, Shop

No, I’m not talking about that maniacal event known as Black Thursday nor its diabolical cousin Cyber Monday. I want you, instead, to visit the magical outdoor holiday markets that are springing up all over New York City. There you’ll find one-of-a-kind gifts, handicrafts and holiday treats to warm the spirit, all while supporting the small businesses that give character to the Big Apple. It’s worth a trip to NYC to cover off your shopping needs. While you’re there, take in a play or musical on Broadway. Broadway’s back with 39 or more shows open now for your enjoyment.

You can get a head start on your holiday shopping at these four crowd favorites:

Bank of America Winter Village at Bryant Park

Bank of America Winter Village at Bryant Park © Angelito Jusay

Shop, skate and refresh at this market curated by UrbanSpace. Already in full swing, the conveniently located market welcomes visitors of all ages. Skating is free (although you’ll need to bring your own skates or rent ones there) so you can save up to buy your gifts and hot chocolate instead.

Grand Central Holiday Fair

Courtesy Grand Central Terminal

Convenient for commuters, the booths in Vanderbilt Hall at Grand Central Terminal will again sell a mix of gift items, beginning November 15.

Union Square Holiday Market

Courtesy Union Square Holiday Market

Opening November 18 but closed on Thanksgiving Day, the market is filled with stalls selling adorable clothing, handmade candles, one-of-a-kind jewelry and more.

Grand Holiday Bazaar

Courtesy Grand Holiday Bazaar

The outdoor flea market at West 77th Street and Columbus Avenue gets decked out in its holiday finery starting November 24. Open only on Sundays, the market is the granddaddy of the city’s fleas and also features drinks and treats to keep you warm while you shop.

Hit the Parade Route

Courtesy Macy's

New York City’s annual Halloween Parade set the tone for welcoming floats and revelers back to the streets of the city after a year in absentia. Equally missing last year (except for the participants in the parade itself), Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade returns with a flourish this year. You can prepare for it by watching the Balloon Inflation by the American Museum of Natural History on Central Park West on November 24 and then make the decision whether to attend the parade in person on Thanksgiving or watch on TV in the cozy warmth of your home.

To view the balloons as they come to life, stop by the inflation fete between the hours of 12 Noon and 6pm in the vicinity of West 72nd Street and Columbus Avenue for check-in. Then head to 77th street where the event happens. Dress warmly, as the lines can be quite long, and this year you’ll need to show ID’s and proof of vaccination.

The 95th annual Macy’s Thanksgiving Day parade itself happens on November 25 from 9am-noon. You can watch the floats, bands and performances at home if you’re not in NYC.  Click here for full details.

Bone Up on Your Mixology Savvy (or Cooking)

Courtesy Sur La Table

Are you a budding mixologist? It’s time to perfect your skills for Thanksgiving and for the holiday season to come. In preparation for your in-person parties, Sur La Table invites you to a virtual class to teach you libation creations that will wow as well as refresh. You’ll learn to make a holiday-inspired Negroni, a seasonal Holiday Punch and a fruity-peppery shrub that’s certain to impress. You’ll receive all the ingredients you need prior to the class you’ll be sampling as you go. How fun is that!

If you’d prefer to show off your cooking prowess, they also offer a full range of food classes to complement your liquid talents.

Learn Candy Crafting

Courtesy Cricket’s Candy Creations

Cricket’s Candy Creations makes sure that kids are well entertained on Thanksgiving weekend. Also worthy of a trip to Manhattan, the TriBeCa craft studio invites all ages to learn how to make inventive and sometimes crazy candy creations. Some of the fun activities include making your own delicious edible slime at the Slime Studio, creating candy versions of sushi and hamburgers in the Candy Kitchen or fingerpainting your way to edible creations at the Lickable Fingerpaint Gallery.

Posted by Meryl Pearlstein
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Where to See the Holiday Displays in NYC This Year

Of course the department stores rock when it comes to showing off the best displays of holiday (and commercial) cheer, but there’s also a fun way to see the light displays that take non-commercial venues almost as much time to put up.  Here’s how and where to see both:

Tony Muia’s Christmas Lights and Cannoli Tour

Tony Muia’s Christmas Lights and Cannoli Tour (yes…. Cannoli as well as lights!)

After you’ve exhausted Rockefeller Center and the displays listed below, this 3 1/2 hour holiday tour takes you to Dyker Heights, the Italian-American section of Brooklyn that acquires the nickname “Dyker Lights” every December. Here you’ll see over-the-top Christmas decorations that even a department store “dresser” couldn’t imagine. Think 15-foot-tall animated Santa’s, animatronic figures, life-sized Nativity Scenes and millions of lights. And the cannoli part? You can’t go to Brooklyn without a stop at an authentic neighborhood pastry shop for dessert and hot chocolate.

You’ll even be entertained on the bus with a multimedia presentation of vintage Christmas variety specials with Andy Williams, Frank Sinatra, Bing Crosby and more.  Three or four busses leave nightly through December 31 (excluding December 24 and 25) from Union Square.  For more information, www.asliceofbrooklyn.com

And, the best when it comes to department store displays:

Bloomingdale's

Bloomingdale’s – Catch this one soon, as it ends on New Year’s Day. Bloomie’s windows depict shopping around the globe, with music from each country along with recognizable icons.  1000 Third Avenue at 59th Street.

Barneys New York

Barneys New York – Certainly the wildest of the windows, with a behind-the-curtains video fairyland, light shows, live models, and an interactive window-video game set, Barneys in collaboration with Jay Z have outdone themselves.  Through January 3. 660 Madison Avenue at 61st Street.

Bergdorf Goodman

Bergdorf Goodman – Save this one for last as the breakdown date is January 6.  Bergdorf’s doesn’t disappoint with its always-glam windows, this year’s showing the holidays of the year, done up in icy and fashionable renditions.  754 Fifth Ave., btw 57th and 58th sts.

Henri Bendel

Henri Bendel – If you love illustrator Al Hirschfeld, you’ll love these windows on display through January 2.  All the classic celebs are there: look for Liza Minnelli, Marilyn Monroe, Audrey Hepburn, and Carol Channing among others. 712 Fifth Ave., btw 55th and 56th sts.

Lord & Taylor

Lord & Taylor – Ending the soonest of all of the displays, on December 29, Lord & Taylor remains true to its traditional holiday windows with scenes from vintage New York City.  424 Fifth Avenue, btw 38th and 39th sts.

Macy's

Macy’s – The story of a boy’s dreams on Christmas Eve, the windows also feature an interactive display where you create the movement in the background and break icicles.  151 W. 34th St., at Seventh Avenue. Ends January 2.

Saks Fith Avenue

Saks Fifth Avenue – Through January 2, enjoy the 3-D light show on the building as well as the story of the SFA Yeti, a fluffy white creature that creates holiday snow.  611 Fifth Ave., btw 51st and 52nd sts.

Posted by Meryl Pearlstein
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Holiday Activities from Trains to Dining — For the Whole Family

The New York Botanical Garden Holiday Train Show If your kids love trains or any type of transportation, this show is an absolute don’t-miss.  Model trains and trolleys travel along a landscape of scale models of more than 140 New York landmarks instantly recognizable to any NYC fan.  The kick is that these buildings are made of fruits, twigs, seeds and other materials.  You’ll see the Empire State Building, Yankee Stadium, Penn Station, among others, all in this twinkling wonderland. The New York Botanical Garden,  200th Street and Kazimiroff Boulevard, The Bronx. 718-817-8700. NYBG.org/Holiday-Train-Show.  Through January 13.  Tickets online or at the park.
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