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Winter 2008
The Manhattan Club wishes all our Owners a very happy and healthy Holiday
Season filled with fond memories and good cheer.
We wish you continued enjoyment of New York City throughout the coming year
and look forward to welcoming you to The Manhattan Club upon each visit.
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Inside New York City Contents
Sightseeing
Performing Arts
Visual Arts
Holiday Shopping
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| Sightseeing |
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New York City is, by far, still the nation's greatest melting pot. For decades numerous waves of immigrant groups have allowed us to weave a colorful blend of cultures, which affords us a deep wealth of art, music, literature and traditions that expand our understanding of the world around us and enrich our lives. These immigrant groups, through hard work and assimilation, have embraced life in America while continuing to hold close to heart the unique qualities of their native cultures. In order to promote a better understanding of, and to keep alive their culture and traditions, many cultural organizations have been founded. Several of these prolific organizations are scattered throughout midtown and make for an interesting alternative to your more conventional museum and performance venue. Here are just a few of the many that are worth considering.
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Institute of Italy
686 Park Avenue
New York, New York 10065
212-879-4242
www.iicnewyork.esteri.it
The New York City seat of the Institute of Italy serves as one of nine locations worldwide in which art, literature, photography and design relating to Italian culture are showcased. Housed in a beautiful Park Avenue town house, the institute promotes Italy as a source of design, fashion, theatre and music. Additionally, it offers language instruction and other educational programs. A library of more than 30,000 books and DVDs is available for circulation among students, scholars and the general public. The library's reading room is open M-F, 1-4. Due to limited hours and limited space the library suggests that you call before stopping by.
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Currently on display:
Photography by Luigi Ghirri Nov. 7, 2008- Jan. 2, 2009. Born in Sciandiano, Italy in 1943 Ghirri is said to have changed the face of Italian photography in the mid 70s with his contemporary style.
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Goethe Institut NYC
1014 Fifth Avenue
New York, NY 10028
212-439-8700
Tues, Thur 12-7, Wed, Fri, 12-5
Housed in a stylish town house just across the street from the Metropolitan Museum of Art, this tiny museum exhibits paintings and other forms of visual arts. The public is welcome to view its exhibits free of charge. In addition to art exhibits, the center maintains a library and offers language classes.
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Queen Sofia Spanish Institute
684 Park Avenue (@64th Street)
New York, NY 10065
212-628-0420
Open Mon-Thur, 10-6, Fri 10-8 & Sat 10-5
Founded in 1954 to promote the understanding of Spanish culture, the institute is housed in a landmark neo-federal town house designed in 1927 by the famed twentieth century architectural team of McKim, Meade & White and built as a private home. In 1965, the building was donated by Margaret Rockefeller Strong de Lorrain the Marquesa de Cuevas.
The institute maintains a full schedule of lectures and exhibits that are open to the public.
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China Institute
125 East 65th Street
New York, NY 10065
212-744-8181
Open daily 10-5, Tues & Thurs 'till 8pm
Established in 1926 at a time when China was closed off to much of the Western world, the China Institute offers exhibits, seminars, classes and performances that foment a deeper understanding of Chinese culture. The institute's art gallery displays changing exhibits ranging from traditional Chinese paintings, calligraphy, textiles folk art and architecture, many of which are accompanied by guided tours.
Currently on exhibit through Dec. 14 is "The Last Emperor's Collection: Masterpieces of Painting and Calligraphy from the Liaoning Provincial Museum." This exhibit will be followed by "Noble Tombs at Mawangdui: Art and Life in the Changsha Dynasty" (Feb. 12 - Jun. 7, 2009).
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Photo by Jacqueline Chambord
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The French Institute Alliance Francaise
22 East 60th Street (between Park & Madison)
New York, NY 10022
212-355-6100
Founded in the late 1900s, the French Institute established as its mission to promote the understanding of French culture and language among Americans. Later, in 1971, when it merged with The Alliance Francaise, it took on the additional mission of teaching the French language. Its current home on east 60th Street is another perfect example of Beaux Arts architecture that is so popular in Paris. Comprising a language center, the largest private French language library in the US, a 400- seat auditorium and a newly opened gallery, The French Institute remains very active providing a diverse series of events that promote French language, film, music, cuisine, art and other programs that define its culture. The language school teaches over 3,000 students each year while the library provides access to more than 35,000 books for adults and children.
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The Ukrainian Institute
2 East 79th Street
New York, NY 10075
212-288-8660
www.ukrainianinstitute.org
For fifty-three years the Ukrainian Institute of America has stood on the corner of Fifth Avenue and Seventy-Ninth Street nearby the Metropolitan Museum of Art in a magnificent turn-of-the-century mansion known as the Fletcher-Sinclair House. The house, which dates back to 1898 was built for Isaac Fletcher a banker who wanted to mimic Vanderbilt's home one half mile away (now the Cooper Hewitt Museum). The home has known many illustrious owners including the Metropolitan Museum of Art and descendants of Peter Stuyvesant. It was purchased in 1955 by the Ukrainian Institute of America who had outgrown its original Long Island location.
The Ukrainian Institute serves to promote the understanding of both traditional and contemporary art, music and literature of the Ukraine through exhibits, concerts and educational programs. For a complete listing of events visit their web site, www.ukrainianinstitute.org.
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The Mexican Cultural Institute
27 East 39th Street
New York, NY 10016
212-217-6478
www.lavitrina.com
In 1991 members of the Mexican community founded the Mexican Cultural Institute of New York in order to create a sense of unity and national identity among Mexican Americans living in New York and in other parts of the United States. The institute through various efforts, in some cases in collaboration with other organizations, supports a series of exhibits, performances, films and other events that help identify the diverse cultures of the peoples of Mexico. For a listing of current and up-coming events visit www.lavitrina.com.
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| Performing Arts |
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Flamenco Invades NYC
This winter there will be plenty of opportunities to get a taste of Spain by attending some of several flamenco dance performances taking place in New York City.
Noche de Sevilla
February 7th @ 8pm
Town Hall
123 West 42nd Street
Ticketmaster: 212-307-4100
Tickets $35, $45 & $55
Isabel Bayon Company
with guest vocalist Terremoto
February 14 & 15 @ 8:00pm
Skirball Center @ NYU
566 LaGuardia Place (Washington Sq. South)
www.skirballcenter.nyu.edu
Tkts: $40, $50
212-352-3101
Antonio Gades Company
Carmen
Feb.19 @ 7:30pm & Feb. 20 @ 8:00pm
City Center
West 55th (between 6th & 7th)
Tkts: $35-$80
212-581-1212
Los Farruco
Feb. 21 @ 8:00pm & 22 @ 3:00pm
City Center
West 55th (between 6th & 7th)
Tkts: $35-$80
212-581-1212
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| Visual Arts |
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The Philippe de Montebello Years:
Three Decades of Acquisitions
The Metropolitan Museum of Art
1000 Fifth Avenue (@ 82nd Street)
New York, NY 10028
through February 1, 2009
After a thirty-year tenure, Philippe de Montebello will soon retire as Director and Head Curator of one of the world's largest and most prestigious art institutions, The Metropolitan Museum of Art. New Yorkers and those who, for years, have enjoyed countless trips to "the Met" have witnessed its constant evolution through historic acquisitions, tedious renovations and physical expansions. In celebration of his illustrious career and to highlight the permanent effects of his outstanding contribution to the quality of the museum's holdings, the Met has mounted this extensive exhibit. Of the eighty-four thousand pieces of art acquired during his tenure, approximately 300 have been selected for the exhibit.
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Chagall and the Artists of The Russian Jewish Theater
1919-1949
The Jewish Museum
Fifth Avenue @ 92nd Street
212-423-3200
November 9, 2008 - March 22, 2009
In the early years of the Soviet Union, following the revolution, many artists collaborated with actors and playwrights to develop innovative theater productions. Among the contributing artists of the day was Marc Chagall. In this exhibit you will see large murals designed by Chagall to transition Moscow's jewish theater in a largely experimental era, which was to blossom into Russia's golden age of theater. Accompanying Chagall's murals are stage costumes, programs and other theater parafanalia of the time; many of which have never before been seen. All items on exhibit are on loan from Russia, Europe and Israel. In an audioguide narrated by Liev Schreiber and other members of today's art and theater community visitors get a fuller understanding of the exhibit.
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Chagall's Bible: Mystical Storytelling
through January 18, 2009
Tues & Wed 10-6
Thurs 10-8
Fri-Sun 10-6
MoBia
1865 Broadway (@ 61st Street)
212-408-1500
www.MoBia.org
The deep influence of his own religion, the orthodox Christianity of his native Russia and the Christianity of France where he chose to live and work can be found in much of the works of Marc Chagall. Currently on display at MoBia (the Museum of the Bible in America) are a series of dramatic paintings of biblical figures including heroes and prophets. In conjunction with the Chagall exhibit currently at the Jewish Museum (see above) art patrons have a rare opportunity to get a double dose of works by this famed artist all on exhibit at the same time. For a complete Chagall experience, walk from MoBia to Lincoln Center to see the two large murals on permanent exhibit in the front of the Opera House.
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| Holiday Shopping |
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This season there's plenty of opportunity to purchase fun and unique gifts at one of several holiday markets located throughout the City. Hats, scarves, mittens and gloves, great jewelry, pottery, home accessories and more. Don't be a last minute Santa, visit one of these great fairs during your next trip to New York City.
Union Square Holiday Market
14th Street @ Broadway
Nov. 24 - Dec. 24, 2008
Daily 11:00am - midnight
New York City locals and visitors alike have come to enjoy the ever-growing shopping and dining opportunities available in the Union Square area. This popular destination is anchored by the farmer's market held each week throughout most of the year. Starting in late November and running through December the square is taken over by New York City's largest holiday market. Rows and rows of vendors fill their stalls with unique holiday ornaments, beauty items, wearables, home accents and consumables. Neighboring department stores and restaurants make for a busy day of serious shopping.
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Fêtes de Noël
Bryant Park
Sixth Avenue (between 40th and 42nd Streets)
Nov. 22 - Jan 1, 2007
Mon-Fri: 9am - 7pm
Sat-Sun: 9am - 10pm
(866) 221-5157
www.fetesdenoel.com
Bryant Park, located directly behind the main branch of the New York Public Library, is one of New York City's largest holiday markets. 125 vendors in tented stalls surround the seasonal ice skating rink. The combination of free ice skating, quaint shopping booths and holiday lights makes this European style winter wonderland an experience worth venturing out for. While in the area, stop into the library. The lobby architecture and painted ceiling in the main reading room are quite beautiful. Bryant Park is within easy walking distance of the Grand Central market described below. For a full day of shopping combine these two venues.
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Columbus Circle Holiday Market
59th Street & Columbus Circle
The fifth annual Columbus Circle holiday market opens December 3 and remains open daily from 10:00 am to 8:00 pm though December 24. One hundred vendor stalls line the area around Central Park's Merchant's Gate.
This market is the uptown version of the Union Square market. Organized by the same producers, the Columbus Circle holiday market is similar in design and merchandise selection but somewhat smaller due to available space. Its smaller size is more than compensated for by its easily accessible location - right at the main entrance to Central Park and across the street from the Time Warner complex. For a day of brisk walking and shopping set out early. Give yourself enough time to spend time in the Time Warner complex. You'll enjoy the chance to warm up in the many indoor shops before heading back out for a stroll through Central Park. Whole Foods market on the lower level is a good place to grab a self service bite to eat. Its a bit pricey but wholesome and tasty, and seating is provided.
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Grand Central Terminal Holiday Fair
Grand Central Station
42nd Street at Park Avenue
November 21 - Dec 24, 2006
Mon - Fri: 10am - 8pm
Sat - Sun: Noon - 6pm
See Vanderbilt Hall transformed into a bustling market with 75 vendors carrying jewelry, linens, apparel, art and decorative items for the season.
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Kaleidoscope Light Show
Grand Central Station
42nd Street at Park Avenue
Dec. 1, 2008 through Jan. 1, 2009
While at Grand Central Station, also enjoy the new Kaleidoscope light show. Every 30 minutes from 11:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m., this new spectacular light show held in the main concourse creates a dancing effect of light and color that turns the building's interior into an incredible prismatic kaleidoscope image.
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