Entertainment sights in New York City
- Sort by:
- Popular
-
A
Marjorie Eliot
Contrary to popular belief, the island of Manhattan does not end at 125th St (or 59th or 14th St, for that matter). Nope, it extends all the way to 215th St, and the treasures that lie in wait for you up in those nether regions are truly worth the journey north – especially if you take advantage of the recently completed bike path along Hudson River and pedal your way here. In addition to better-known destinations such as the amazing Cloisters and beautiful Inwood Hill Park, there are pockets of culture not on many people’s radar that you’ll be happy were on yours. Part of a cultural renaissance in Inwood, not far from the Morris-Jumel Mansion, is 555 Edgecombe Ave, at th…
reviewed
-
B
Coney Island USA
The heart of Coney Island in many ways is this two-part, nonprofit complex. Best is the Sideshows by the Seashore, where you can see glass-walking, a face-tattooed fire-eater, a Mormon sword-swallower and nostril nailers. During the summer, Sideshows hosts Burlesque at the Beach, a tongue-in-cheek program featuring ‘girlie revues’ and bubble machines; sideshow freaks and vaudeville acts add to the mayhem.
Upstairs is the small Coney Island Museum, featuring local memorabilia. It also hosts a goofball Saturday night film series, with such campy ‘classics’ as cult alien romp Forbidden Planet and anything by John Waters.
reviewed
-
C
Mother African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church
Treating Harlem Sunday services, which are mostly Baptist, like a theatrical tourist event is a bit of an odd pastime. Still, the music is electrifying, and folks with any desire to feel immersed in such soulfulness will have a hard time staying away. Just behave respectfully and logically – no photos of worshipers in action, for example – and the experience should be a great one. An old saying says that in Harlem ‘there’s a bar on every corner and a church on every block.’ Sunday services usually start at 11am. The Abyssinian Baptist Church (132 Odell Clark Pl (138th St) btwn Adam Clayton Powell Jr & Malcolm X Blvds) is quite welcoming to outsiders, as is the M…
reviewed
-
D
Canaan Baptist Church
Treating Harlem Sunday services, which are mostly Baptist, like a theatrical tourist event is a bit of an odd pastime. Still, the music is electrifying, and folks with any desire to feel immersed in such soulfulness will have a hard time staying away. Just behave respectfully and logically – no photos of worshipers in action, for example – and the experience should be a great one. An old saying says that in Harlem ‘there’s a bar on every corner and a church on every block.’ Most church marquees proclaim ‘all are welcome.’ Sunday services usually start at 11am. Canaan Baptist Church, near St Nicholas Ave, is an extremely friendly church.
reviewed
-
E
Apollo Theater
The Apollo Theater has been Harlem’s leading space for concerts and political rallies since 1914. Virtually every major black artist of note in the 1930s and ’40s performed here, including Duke Ellington and Charlie Parker. After a desultory spell as a movie theater and several years of darkness, the Apollo was bought in 1983 and revived as a live venue. It eventually fell into disrepair again, but now, after the completion of an extensive renovation, the Apollo is more beautiful than ever, as it finally has a restored facade, marquee, glass-and-steel storefront and brand-new box office. Its famous weekly Amateur Night – ‘where stars are born and legends are made’ – still…
reviewed
-
F
Rucker Park
The legendary Rucker Park is home to some of the most exciting street-ball games in the city (along with the W 4th St courts in the Village). Die-hard basketball fans will want to check out the place where actual NBA stars have stopped in for some hoops. Sweet, right? And how appropriate, considering that Sugar Hill got its name by being considered the place to live the ‘sweet life’ during the Harlem Renaissance. (And playing hoops, to many, is high culture for sure.)
reviewed
-
G
Sideshows by the Seashore
The heart of Coney Island in many ways is the two-part, nonprofit complex Coney Island USA. Best is the Sideshows by the Seashore, where you can see glass-walking, a face-tattooed fire-eater, a Mormon sword-swallower and nostril nailers. During the summer, Sideshows hosts Burlesque at the Beach (admission $15; 9pm Thu, 10pm Sat May-Sep), a tongue-in-cheek program featuring ‘girlie revues’ and bubble machines; sideshow freaks and vaudeville acts add to the mayhem.
reviewed
-
H
Coney Island Boardwalk
Change is on the horizon for Coney Island. At the time of research, a major developer was preparing to start the first phase of a sweeping overhaul of the boardwalk area, but just exactly when it will begin (and how much of the historic area will be included) was still being worked out with the city. Until then, the kitschy and somewhat dissolute charm of Coney Island remains intact, along with the stunning Atlantic views and surrounding Russian community.
reviewed
-
I
Waterfront Museum
The red barge you see (marked ‘Lehigh 79’) is the kid-oriented, floating Waterfront Museum, which stages various events (including Sunday circuses in June) aboard an old barge that a former juggler dug up from under the George Washington Bridge.
reviewed
-
J
Carousel
Inside Prospect Park, just north of the Audubon Center Boathouse is the Children’s Corner. Here, you’ll find a terrific 1912 carousel, originally from Coney Island, and a small zoo.
reviewed
Advertisement
-
K
Horoscopo
Just east of 87th St, and right out of the Amazon, Horoscopo is the lively base of the ‘Amazon Indian’ who tells fortunes amid colored tonics, tarot cards and hanging chicken feet.
reviewed
-
L
Greater Hood Memorial AME Zion Church
Treating Harlem Sunday services, which are mostly Baptist, like a theatrical tourist event is a bit of an odd pastime. Still, the music is electrifying, and folks with any desire to feel immersed in such soulfulness will have a hard time staying away. Just behave respectfully and logically – no photos of worshipers in action, for example – and the experience should be a great one. An old saying says that in Harlem ‘there’s a bar on every corner and a church on every block.’ Sunday services usually start at 11am. For a truly unique experience, check out one of the Thursday-night hip-hop services, held at various churches including the Greater Hood Memorial AME Zi…
reviewed
