We don’t know about you, but we haven’t even started our holiday shopping yet. We plan on stopping at all the Holiday Boutiques and pop-up shops around town (Bryant Park, Union Square, Columbus Circle, Grand Central Terminal). Historic Wave Hill is hosting a holiday boutique and we also plan to stop by the gift shop at the Metropolitan Museum of Art for those gorgeous silk ties and scarves and the beautiful holiday snow globes.
For those of you who are more organized than we are, there are two fantastic shows at BB Kings Blues Club and Grill, a few road races for fitness buffs, HD Opera, some winter bird watching and several Winter Solstice festivals. There is also an appearance from Santa, in case you haven’t finished your shopping and need to ask him to drop something off for you next week.
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 18
Solstice Celebration; 2:00 p.m.–4:00 p.m.
Well, you probably can’t make it to Stonehenge, but you can help light up Central Park on the darkest day of the year! Join the Central Park Conservancy’s award-winning storyteller Regina Ress at the darkest time of year for candle-making from 2:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. and stories about the many beautiful mid-winter holidays that celebrate the light in the darkness from 3:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. The approaching Winter Solstice, Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, and the New Year are all celebrated with captivating stories and brilliant light. Bring your whole family to the Dana Discovery Center for this multi-cultural program that culminates with a candle-lit procession in which we invite the light to return, and with it, a sweet new year. (If you can’t make it to candle-making, we encourage you to still come. Drop in anytime before 3:00 p.m. to enjoy Regina’s performance; candles will be provided for the procession).
This program is part of the Central Park Conservancy’s Winter Holiday Program series. For more information and to view the complete Winter Holiday Programs schedule, please visit www.centralparknyc.org/winterholidays. Solstice Celebration takes place at the Charles A. Dana Discovery Center (located inside Central Park at 110th Street between Lenox and Fifth avenues). Call (212) 860-1370 for more information.
A TRIUTE TO THE RAT PACK With SINATRA & FRIENDS
BB Kings Blues Club and Grill; 237 West 42nd Street; 8pm
In the early 60’s, Frank Sinatra, Sammy Davis Jr., and Dean Martin made history when they teamed up in Las Vegas. Their carefree antics on stage became legendary and earned them the nickname “The Rat Pack!” To this day, audiences can’t get enough of these performers.
“SINATRA & FRIENDS” brings it all to life! The show runs for 90 minutes with no intermission and features classic Rat Pack favorites like; “That’s Amore,” “Diamonds are a Girl’s Best Friend,” “New York, New York,” “Mr. Bojangles,” “My Way” and much more. The outstanding performers will transport you back to a time of smoky Vegas Lounges as you sing along to these timeless classics. When they take the stage, they not only capture the sound of Frank, Sammy and Dean, and Marilyn but their charisma, charm, and chemistry as well. When this happens, it’s magic. Be a part of it! For ticket information visit www.bbkingblues.com.
SATURDAY, DECEMBER 19
New York Road Runners: Ted Corbitt 15K Race; 8:00 a.m.
Please join us for this 15K race celebrating the life of NYRR founding president Ted Corbitt. Race is at Central Park. Call 212-860-4455 or visit www.nyrr.org for more information.
Holiday Sale in the Shop at Wave Hill; 10:00 a.m.–4:30 p.m.
The sale features a wide assortment of gifts, bath and body items, toys for children, gourmet food, candles, apparel, stationery and Wave Hill logo items, at 30% to 50% off. Limited quantities and all sales final.
Historic Wave Hill is located in the Bronx at West 249th Street and Independence Avenue. For more information call (718) 549-3200 or visit www.wavehill.org.
Santa in Central Park
12:00 p.m.–3:00 p.m. Saturday and Sunday (Rain or shine)
Visit Santa’s Winter Wonderland in the heart of Manhattan at Belvedere Castle! Don’t forget to bring your wish list to share with longtime Central Park Conservancy volunteer, Ed Bobrow, who will be dressed in full Santa Claus garb. Drop in anytime between 12:00 p.m. and 2:45 p.m. No advance registration. For more information, please call (212) 772-0210.
This program is part of the Central Park Conservancy’s Winter Holiday Program series. For more information and to view the complete Winter Holiday Programs schedule, please visit www.centralparknyc.org/winterholidays. Belvedere Castle in Central park is located mid-park at 79th Street.
Cooking Demonstration at Wave Hill: Stollen, A Holiday Sweet Bread; 1:00 p.m.
Savor delicious recipes featuring winter herbs and spices that will warm your body and comfort your soul. Innovative chefs from Wave Hill’s exclusive caterer Great Performances share tasty recipes and tips for the home cook in this seasonal cooking series. In this session, sample stollen, a traditional holiday sweet bread jam-packed with nuts, dried fruit and spices, with Great Performances pastry chef Newton Pryce. Free with admission to the grounds. Saturday morning admission is free until noon. Historic Wave Hill is located in the Bronx at West 249th Street and Independence Avenue.
Free with admission. Admission is free until 12 noon. After noon, admission is $8 for adults, $4 for students and seniors 65+, $2 children ages 6–18. Wave Hill Members and children 6 and younger admitted free. Call 718-549-3200 or visit www.wavehill.org for more information.
The Metropolitan Opera in HD
Les Contes d’Hoffmann; 1:00pm at a movie theater near you
Don’t miss the Live in HD presentation of Offenbach’s masterpiece, Les Contes d’Hoffmann (The Tales of Hoffmann). Offenbach’s fictionalized take on the life and loves of the German Romantic writer E.T.A. Hoffmann is a fascinating psychological journey. The New York Times calls Bartlett Sher’s new production “musically gratifying and vividly theatrical.” Met Music Director James Levine leads an extraordinary cast, including Joseph Calleja in the tour-de-force title role, Anna Netrebko as the doomed Antonia, and Alan Held as the four villains. Les Contes d’Hoffmann will be shown live in HD this Saturday, December 19, at 1:00 PM, ET. Visit www.metoperafamily.org for theaters.
Ronnie Spector XMAS PARTY at BB Kings
237 West 42nd Street; 9pm.
Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductee Ronnie Spector returns to BB Kings for the 9th consecutive year with her Xmas party, which has become a New York holiday tradition. The beehived bad girl combines her Christmas classics, cult classics and her own timeless hits such as “Be My Baby”, “Baby I Love You” and “Walking in The Rain” along with her off the cuff patter and holiday cheer to create what the Daily News has called, “the ultimate sonic stocking stuffer.” Ronnie’s catalogue of holiday hits include the definitive rock & roll versions of “I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus”, “Sleigh Ride” and “Frosty The Snowman”; the last 2 recordings being the top 15 most played holiday songs on the radio for the past 5 years according to Ascap. Joel Selvin of the San Francisco chronicle said it best, “If it takes Christmas to bring Ronnie Spector out to play, let it snow, let it snow, let it snow”. $30 in advance. $35 night of show.
SUNDAY, DECEMBER 20
Early Morning Speed Hike!; 8:00 a.m.
Get moving with a very brisk walk through Manhattan’s last remaining natural forest! You’ll find that forest in Inwood Hill Park’s Inwood Hill Nature Center. Enter the park at West 218th Street and Indian Road. Call (212) 304-2365 for more information.
110th Annual Central Park Christmas Bird Count; 8:00 a.m.–2:00 p.m.
Keep track of our fine feathered friends and take part in this annual citizen-science tradition started by ornithologist Frank Chapman on December 25, 1900. The collected data will be added to an ever growing database that provides valuable information to research scientists who study early winter bird populations across North America.
8 a.m.: Meet at the South Pump Station of the Central Park Reservoir (85th Street & 5th Avenue). All counting groups will be escorted by the Urban Park Rangers.
12:30 p.m.: Data tally and refreshment at the Arsenal Gallery (3rd floor of the Arsenal at 64th Street & 5th Avenue).
Dress warmly and don’t forget your binoculars! For more information, contact NYC Audubon at (212)-691-7483 or email ChristmasBirdCount@nycaudubon.org. RSVP: Call (212) 360-1324 or email rsvp@parks.nyc.gov. There is a $5 registration fee payable the day of the event (children under 18 are FREE).
Solstice Stargazing; 6:00 p.m.–8:00 p.m.
Join the Central Park Conservancy, Urban Park Rangers, and Amateur Astronomers Association at Belvedere Castle for a special stargazing program in celebration of the Winter Solstice. View the waning moon, winter constellations, and the city skyline. No advance registration. For more information, please call (212) 772-0210.
This program is part of the Central Park Conservancy’s Winter Holiday Program series. For more information and to view the complete Winter Holiday Programs schedule, please visit www.centralparknyc.org/winterholidays.
