BY SCOTT STIFFLER
| COLLABORATIVE GRAFFITI AT CHELSEA MARKET
It was drink, schmooze and draw on May 7, when vintage market Artists & Fleas celebrated its one-year anniversary as a Chelsea Market store. The event, “Colab by Erni Vales,” presented a collaborative art installation by Erni Vales. The prolific graffiti artist, whose work spans over three decades, was one of the first NYC graffiti artists to transition from subway cars to canvas (and, later, to his own clothing line). Vales created work of his own and provided encouragement to all who picked up a marker and approached the blank white walls. For info on the artist and the store, visit evlworld.com and artistsandfleas.com, respectively.
FLASH MOB KICKS BUTTS IN TIMES SQUARE
He busts a move so we won’t burst our blood vessels. Designed to invoke a cancerous organ as well as the three Marlboro Men who died from cancer, Jeff the Diseased Lung (#JeffWeCan) — scourge of the tobacco industry and satirical mascot known from his appearances on HBO’s “Last Week Tonight with John Oliver” — took part in a protest and awareness action. Sponsored by ASH (Action on Smoking & Health) in collaboration with the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids, dozens of anti-smoking advocates met at the TKTS steps in Times Square on the morning of May 6. The flash mob coincided with Philip Morris International Inc.’s annual shareholders meeting — where, ASH points out, PMI would “discuss their sales of the only consumer product that kills when used exactly as intended.” For info on why you shouldn’t smoke, see the grotesque spots on Jeff. For info on the event organizers, visit ash.org and tobacccofreekids.org.
WEST 25th STREET GOES GREEN
The West 25th Street Project is hosting a series of free events to beautify the block and bring neighbors together. They’ve already screened the Helen Mirren movie “Greenfingers,” at 127 W. 25th St.’s Senior Planet (a tech-themed resource space for people 60-plus). The small tree in front of Senior Planet is the meeting place for two upcoming events.
On Wed., May 20, at 5:30 p.m., there will be a workshop on tree stewardship led by representatives from the One Million Trees initiative. On Sat., June 6, a Cleanup and Planting Celebration does just that — beginning at 1p.m. The greening project is being funded with a grant from Citizens Committee for New York City. Sponsors include the Bowery Residents’ Committee, Senior Planet, Alan’s Alley and Curb Allure.
For more info, send an email to west25thstreetproject@gmail.com. Check them out, and like them, on facebook.com/west25project.
DANCE PARADE NEW YORK
Everybody dance now! There are plenty of colorful and coordinated troupes on display in the street — but sidewalk spectators are just invested in the hip-shaking action, when Dance Parade New York snakes its way down Broadway, through Union Square, past the Grandstand on Eighth St. and University Place, all the way to five stages in Tompkins Square Park.
On a moveable mission to inspire dance through the celebration of diversity, over 10,000 dancers will showcase dozens of dance styles — making this event the world’s largest display of cultural diversity. The Grand Marshals are choreographer/dancer Carmen de Lavallade and Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater Artistic Director Robert Battle, as well as Dancing Wheels founder Verdi-Fletcher and DJ Rekha (pioneers of Indian bhangra dance in North America). This year’s Dance Parade will celebrate the 25th anniversary of the civil rights legislation embodied in the Americans with Disabilities Act. Verdi-Fletcher, whose physically integrated troupe was the first professional company in the U.S. to bring the talents of dancers with and without disabilities to the stage, will lead the parade while dancing in her wheelchair.
The Ninth Annual Parade and Festival will kick off on 21st St. & Broadway at 1 p.m. on Sat., May 16th. Visit danceparade.org for details.
MANHATTAN BOROUGH PRESIDENT’S OPEN HOUSE
You are invited to the Grand Opening of Manhattan Borough President Gale Brewer’s new storefront office: Mon., May 18, 4–8 p.m. at 431 W. 125th St. The Ribbon-cutting happens at 5 p.m., followed by small group tours every 15 minutes. For more info, visit manhattanbp.nyc.gov, call 212-669-8300 or send an email to info@manhattanbp.nyc.gov.
FLEET WEEK at THE INTREPID SEA, AIR & SPACE MUSEUM
The Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum will host week of activities and interactive displays, to coincide with the 27th Annual Fleet Week (May 20–May 26) — America’s premier tribute and “thank you” to the men and women who serve in the armed forces.
The celebration kicks off on Wed., May 20, as Naval and Coast Guard ships with men and women manning the rails sail up the Hudson River into New York City, traveling past Intrepid’s Pier 86 before docking at Pier 92. Four U.S. Naval Academy Yard Patrol boats will dock at the Intrepid Museum’s Pier 86. They will be open for free public tours until 5 p.m. Throughout the day, live demonstrations, scavenger hunts and a family aviation gallery walk will be presented by Intrepid Museum educators, and Fleet Week themed Tour Guide Talks will take place on the hangar deck (these activities also take place on other days throughout Fleet Week).
On Fri., May 22, the Intrepid kicks off its Summer Movie Series with the most appropriate film possible, given the screening’s flight deck setting: “Top Gun.” Scott D. Altman — a former NASA astronaut who, in 1986 was a young Navy F-14 pilot serving as the flying double for Maverick (Tom Cruise) — will introduce the film. This event is free. Lawn chairs, picnic baskets and blankets are permitted (and highly recommended). Doors open at 7 p.m. and the film begins at sunset, weather permitting. Space is limited. Seating is on a first come, first served basis, and there is no admission after 8:30 p.m.
On Sat., May 23 at 12:30 p.m., meet pilots Scott D. Altman, Ron Garan and Greg C. Johnson at a panel discussion moderated by their friend and former NASA colleague Mike Massimino, now Senior Advisor, Space Programs at Intrepid and Professor, Mechanical Engineering Department, Columbia University. This program is free with museum admission.
Throughout the day on Sat. and Sun., Pier 86 will host displays and hands-on activities from NASA, the Office of Naval Research, U.S. Coast Guard, U.S. Fleet Forces Command, the American Legion and the American Red Cross. Four U.S. Naval Academy Yard Patrol boats will be open for free public tours. Live demonstrations, scavenger hunts and a family aviation gallery walk will be presented by Intrepid Museum educators, and free Fleet Week themed Tour Guide Talks will take place on the hangar deck. On Memorial Day, Mon. May 25, an 11 a.m. ceremony honors the men and women who have made the ultimate sacrifice while serving in the United States Armed Forces.
All activities take place at the Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum and on Pier 86 (46th St. & 12th Ave.). Events on the pier are free and open to the public. Events in the Museum are free with Museum admission. For Fleet Week info, visit fleetweeknewyork.com. For Museum info, visit intrepidmuseum.org. Regular Museum Hours: Mon.–Fri., 10 a.m.–5 p.m. and Sat./Sun., 10 a.m.–6 p.m. Admission: $24 ($20 for students/seniors; $19 for youth 7-17; $17 for veterans; $12 for children 3-6; and free for active military, retired military and children under 3).
