The New York Motorexpo rolls into the WFC for its fourth year (Photo credit: motorexpo.com)
For the fourth year in a row, the New York Motorexpo will be rolling into the World Financial Center beginning this Sunday, September 18. Touted as the world’s “biggest free to visit motoring event”, the expo will be open daily from Sunday to Friday, September 23.
Exhibitors this year will include Aston Martin, BMW, Cadillac, Ferrari, Fiat, Jaguar, Jeep, Land Rover, Lotus, Mercedesâ€Benz, and MINI, among others. Exhibits will be set up both inside the Winter Garden and outside along the Esplanade.
According to the New York Times, a special-edition Fiat 500 by Gucci and a Gene Simmons Kiss edition MINI Countryman will be on display.
New York Motorexpo
World Financial Center
Sun, September 18 – 11am-5pm
Mon-Fri, September 20-23 – 10am-6pm
The 'best small town in the big apple' celebrates for tenth year (Photo credit: bpcblockparty.com)
Celebrating its tenth year in existence, the annual Battery Park City Block Party will take place this Saturday on the Esplanade. Born after the attacks on 9/11, organizers sought to bring the community together to celebrate and strengthen ties.
“Our party is unlike other block parties in other neighborhoods. We don’t have outside vendors. We showcase local restaurants, local vendors and local talent. It’s all about our community.â€
–Rosalie Joseph, co-organizer
The event will bring back many of the features of previous years, along with some new additions:
Restaurant and vendor tents
Local artists’ booths
Apple pie contest
Children’s rides and activities
Dog parade
Human parade, including local talent (new)
Asphalt Green sports area (new)
Organizers will be providing tables where friends and families can grab a seat. The fun starts at 11:30am this Saturday.
10th Annual Battery Park City Block Party
Battery Park City Esplanade
Saturday, September 17
11:30 — 5pm
When we first opened our digital doors to the community as Battery-Park.com, we knew that we wanted to help give a platform to our community by the time of the 10th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks. With very little money, but a lot of passion, we’ve worked hard to build the site and bring information to our neighborhood.
The core reason we launched BatteryParkCity.com was to create a digital community to connect the neighborhood that we love. In the past year, we’ve gotten to know our neighbors better through this site, Facebook, and Twitter.
Behind the scenes, we’ve been hard at work to make sure we offer better access to the growing online community at BatteryParkCity.com. Interestingly, we’ve watched a few things happen both inside and out:
A growing percentage of our readers are viewing the site through iPads and iPhones.
Our contributors and writers have experienced some speed bumps in terms of publishing posts.
Some of our favorite areas of the sites were virtual crickets — despite the personal attachment, love, and attention we gave those areas
So we went back to the lab and tried to accommodate for the growing pains and learnings. Today, as our way of honoring the community on the 10th Anniversary of September 11th, we mark the official relaunch of BatteryParkCity.com.
Some new features launched today:
BatteryParkCity.com is optimized for mobile viewing and commenting: Our site is now optimized for the growing lot of you that are viewing from tablets and mobile phones. (It’s a lot of you.)
Facebook Connect: We love all the Facebook comments we receive, and its become a huge part of what makes our site great. So we’ve enabled a way to offer seamless commenting for our FB friends.
Redesign of our Newsletter: We’ve redesigned and updated our newsletter to offer more news/alerts/events/promotions for those who want the information as fast as we get it. Please sign up if you aren’t already receiving it.
Last but not least — as our way of honoring the community at large and as our way of paying tribute to the last 10 years we have lived through together — we would like to make an announcement:
BatteryParkCity.com will be offering free advertising support for selected businesses who have served our community since September 11th, 2001.
As a community we rely on you to help serve our neighborhood. Several great and beloved businesses within our community have lost their fight to stay here. This year alone we’ve watched more than a handful of our favorite businesses shut their doors for good. We always envisioned BatteryParkCity.com as a means to help our community — residents and businesses alike — to stay committed to the resurgence of the neighborhood.
We hope to be able to lend a hand and provide support for those small business owners who share our unending commitment to Battery Park City. Interested businesses should contact us.
We were never here to make money: We’re here to make a difference. We hope that together we can do that.
The following streets will be closed to traffic and parking from Saturday, September 10 at 8:00 AM through Sunday, September 11, 8:00 PM. Pedestrian access will be very limited:
Warren Street between West Street and West Broadway
Murray Street between West and Church Streets
Barclay Street between West and Church Streets
Park Place between Greenwich Street and Broadway
Greenwich Street between Warren and Vesey Streets
West Broadway between Warren and Vesey Streets
Vesey Street between North End Avenue and West Street
Vesey, Fulton, Dey and Cortlandt Streets between Church Street and Broadway
Liberty Street between South End Avenue and West Street, and between Greenwich Street and Broadway
Albany Street between South End Avenue and Greenwich Street
Cedar Street between Greenwich Street and Broadway
Thames Street between Greenwich and Broadway
Carlisle Street between West and Greenwich Streets
South End Avenue between Liberty and Thames Street
Washington Street between Albany and Rector Streets
Greenwich Street between Liberty and Rector Streets
Please note, both the Vesey Street and Liberty Street pedestrian bridges will be closed on Sunday, September 11th. To cross West Street, pedestrians will be directed north to cross at Warren Street or south to cross at Rector Street.
No parking will be in effect on all closed streets, including official permit parking. All cars parked illegally will be towed. If you have further questions, please call 311 or visit www.nyc.gov.
12:05 p.m.:Trinity Church offers a homily, congregational singing and organ music along with prayers for healing (Trinity Church, Lower Manhattan)

12:30 p.m.:St. Paul’s Chapel offers daily prayers for peace which date back to the relief ministry following 9/11 (St. Paul’s Chapel, Lower Manhattan)
TUESDAY 9/6/11
 

8 a.m.: Mayor Michael Bloomberg delivers address on rebirth of Lower Manhattan since 9/11 [LIVE ON NY1]
10 a.m.: Trinity Wall Street holds public art event, including the tying of the first “Ribbons of Remembrance” onto St. Paul’s fence. (St. Paul’s Chapel. Lower Manhattan)
1 p.m: Interactive art installation and live performances celebrating 9/11 volunteerism and featuring short film on 9/11 community (Irondale Center, Ft. Greene, Brooklyn)
7:30 p.m .: National September 11 Memorial and Museum and Soulcycle co-host a tribute ride to commemorate the 9/11 tenth anniversary (103 Warren Street, Manhattan)

WEDNESDAY 9/7/11
 

10:15 a.m.: WTC developer Larry Silverstein hosts WTC rebuilding update including presentations by Mayor Michael Bloomberg and Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver
THURSDAY 9/8/11

8 a.m.: Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver delivers address on resilience and growth of Lower Manhattan over last decade
8:30 a.m.: Natural Centers for Disaster Preparedness holds public health conference looks at the next ten years (Columbia University. Manhattan)
9 a.m.: Police Commissioner Ray Kelly holds ceremony to honor NYPD families who were victims of 9/11
7:30 p.m.: Port Authority and United Community Civic Association hold 9/11 memorial candlelight vigil at McManus Memorial Park (81st Street and Grand Central Service Road, Qneens)
7:30 p.m.: The Public Theater Explores “The 9/11 Decade: New York and America After the Towers,” hosted by Alec Baldwin with a discussion to follow
7:30 p.m: Performance of Richard Nelson’s “Sweet and Sad” (425 Lafayette Street, Manhattan)
8 p.m.: 9/11 conference on “A Decade Later: Lessons Learned and Future Challenges” (Kaufmann Concert Hall, Lexington Avenue at 92nd Street, Manhattan)

FRIDAY 9/9/11
 

8:30 a.m.: Unified Court Systems Officials hold 9/11 memorial mass
9:30 a.m – Court Officers holds salute for the three court officers who died on 9/11
3:30 p.m.: Manhattan College holds “We Remember” service to commemorate 9/11 attacks, featuring former mayor Rudolph Giuliani (Riverdale, Bronx)
4 p.m.: Young People’s Chorus of NY gives free performances to commemorate 9/11 tenth anniversary (St. Paul’s, Manhattan)
4 p.m.: Broadway community holds tribute to mark the 9/11 tenth anniversary (Times Square)
5 p.m.: Young People’s Chorus of NY gives free performances to commemorate 9/11 tenth anniversary (Columbus Circle, Manhattan)
5:30 p.m.: Peace of Heart Choir sings at 9/11 anniversary event (Central Park South and West 59th Street, Manhattan)
6 p.m.: Imam Feisal Rauf hosts Muslim event honoring years of interfaith work to recognize various groups and individuals since 9/11 (Interchurch Center, 475 Riverside Drive, Manhattan)
8 p.m.: Stephen Siller Tunnel to Towers Foundation holds “A Tribute to Our Heroes” fundraising concert (St. George Theater, Staten Island)
8:30 p.m.: Young People’s Chorus of NY gives free performances to commemorate 9/11 tenth anniversary (Trinity Church, Manhattan)
SATURDAY 9/10/11
 

8:46 a.m.: Hand in Hand/Remembering 9/11 event along Manhattan’s West Side waterfront (Greenwich Street and Battery Place, Manhattan)
1 p.m.: National Lighthouse Museum hosts multimedia exhibit commemorating the 9/11 tenth anniversary (Staten Island)
1 p.m.: Peace of Heart choir sings at 9/11 anniversary event (278 Spring Street, Manhattan)
2 p.m.: FDNY holds 9/11 memorial service at for firefighters and their families (St. Patrick’s Cathedral, Manhattan)
3:30 p.m.: Trinity Church holds reunion BBQ for 9/11 first responders, recovery workers and volunteers (St. Paul’s Chapel, Lower Manhattan)
6 p.m.: St. Paul’s Chapel remains open for all-night vigil, prayer, meditation and labyrinth (St. Paul’s Chapel, Lower Manhattan)
7:30 p.m.: Lincoln Center holds concert for 9/11 (Lincoln Center, Manhattan)
Since 2002, The River To River Festival has been bring music, film, dance, art, theatre and play to downtown Manhattan, and at a very attractice price; free! All the festivities are hosted at venues ranging from the Seaport to Battery Park to Governors Island. And with so many events, you’re bound to find something that’s worth putting on your calander a few weeks in advance!
On June 25th watch American Ballroom Theater, where local 5th and 8th grade students will compete in Rumba, Swing and Tango. Punk icon Patti Smith will be performing Castle Clinton on July 14th. The lovely Shara Worden of My Brightest Diamond will be playing on July 7th, as well.
Scroll through the the full River to River 2011 listing below for all the events!
June 19th kicks off the annual River to River Festival. This is Lower Manhattan’s summer festival loaded with music, art, theater and dance – all for free! Bringing all of these events together is what makes the River to River Festival so great, year in and year our.
This week there’s indie-pop, art exhibits, a mass man-hunt game and more!
Sunday, June 19
On Governors Island, the ‘No One is an Island‘ exhibition kicks off, running through July 4th. This is a group exhibit, “that considers the various ways we currently use the word “nature.â€
At the World Financial Center Winter Garden, starting at 11am, the ‘Bang on a Can Marathon‘ kicks off. With over 150 musicians and composers from all over the world, this is a 12 hour medley of music, culture and sound.
In Foley Square at 1pm is The Commons, a real-world game meant to help the city in a fun and game-like adventure.
At St Paul’s Chapel, at 8pm, will be the weekly ‘Sundays at St Pauls.’ The Trinity Choir will be performing, led by Trinity’s Director of Music and the Arts, Julian Wachner.
Monday, June 20
Enjoy After Sol LeWitt; an evening of poetry and music led by Ann Lauterbach and a performance by youth ensemble Face The Music.
The 1985 flick ‘Desperately Seeking Susan‘ will be screened at the The Elevated Acre at 55 Water Street. Free tickets will be available online and at the gate.
Tuesday, June 21
Take in an acoustic performance by Seattle-based Ivan & Alyosha, as they play their “soulful folk tunes” at One New York Plaza.
Download the Group app from the Apple App Store and meet at the corner of Broad St. and Wall St. in front of Federal Hall at 12:30pm for the Group “collective sound work,” led by Aaron Siegel and Larry Legend.
Soon after, at 1pm, experience Hoketus, which is a 25 minute performance of two groups of musicians. They’re spaced apart, and never play at the same time, “but creating melodies through the interactions between them.”
At 7pm in Rockefeller Park, enjoy New York on my Mind, hosted by Meg Griffin and presented by The Bottom Line. The evening will feature Rosanne Cash, Marshall Crenshaw, The GrooveBarbers, Garland Jeffreys, Willie Nile and more.
Thursday, June 23
At the World Financial Center at 12:30pm, check out The Poetry of Food as Poet Elaine Equi reads food-inspired works amidst delicious food from WFC Greenmarket.
If you saw them earlier in the week, come back and check out Ivan & Alyosha, as they’ll be performing at the World Financial Center at 5:30pm.
At the Castle Clinton, enjoy the jazz stylings of the Vijay Iyer Sextet at 7pm. There’s limited seating, so get your tickets online and get their early!
Friday, June 23rd
At the Seaport, at 7pm, catch the NY debut of The Ghost Of A Saber Tooth Tiger, featuring Sean Lennon and Charlotte Kemp Muhl.
Take part in ‘Cowgirl Cowhunt,’ A man-hunt inspired game will take place at the Staten Island Ferry Terminal at 1pm.
Take in Future Quest & Fula Flute as they “perform ‘re-imaginings’ of Meredith Monk’s music.” Free tickets to this event at the Michael Schimmel Center for the Arts at 7:30pm will be available at the gate and online.
As part of Sundays at St. Paul’s, Satoshi Takeishi performs ‘Whirlpools’ and Bora Yoon performs ‘The Body Electric’ at the St. Paul’s Chapel at 8pm.
Are you planning on attending any of these events?
Battery Park City Esplanade (Credit: saitowitz/Flickr)
It looks like the “best kept secret” of Battery Park City is becoming less of a secret each day. Judging by this story in the NYPost about the recent real estate activity, it looks like the area if about to get even hotter.
According to the article, One Rector Park has started closings, Liberty Green and Liberty Luxe are renting out units and Centurion Real Estate Partners have “sold about 75 percent of the remaining 76 units.” Popular eatery Shake Shack has already moved into the area, and more restaurants are moving into the area throughout the summer and into the fall.
The vibe of the area, as well as a resurgence in the visits to lower Manhattan, seem to be major factors in the resurgence. Zak Pelaccio, the owner of popular Fatty Crab and Fatty ’Cue food stops, is expanding into the area with three locations. Says Pelaccio, “The parks are so nice, and you have the water.” Harvanit Gahunia and her husband, Rohit Kumar discovered the area on their bikes. “We came down in the evenings,” said Gahunia, “There would be families on the lawns and people biking and walking. I didn’t even realize that there was a part of New York like this.”
Are you seeing signs of growth in your part of Battery Park City?
Rufus Wainwright Plays Free NYC Concert at Winter Garder
Canadian-American singer-songwriter Rufus Wainwright will be performing a free show at the World Financial Center Winter Garden on June 28th at 7 PM ET. According to Billboard, Wainwright will perform with the New York City Opera and with pianist Kevin Murphy.
As if the fact that the show is free wasn’t enough reason to attend, Wainwright will premiere excerpts from ‘Prima Donna,’ his original opera. He will also perform some of his favorite operas.
‘Prima Donna’ is scheduled to performed in its entirety by the New York City Opera in the Spring of 2012.
Are you planning to attend Rufus Wainwright’s free show? Are you interested in his opera?
