DOWN TO EARTH FARMERS MARKET RETURNS
It doesn’t quite balance out the relentless loss of local mom and pop shops — but at least one good thing that went away has come back to Chelsea. Last year’s introduction of a weekly Down to Earth Farmers Market on 23rd St. (btw. Eighth & Ninth Aves.) put all manner of fresh, good food within easy walking distance for those without the time, inclination or mobility to visit the Union Square Greenmarket. The market’s second season begins on June 6 and continues on a weekly basis, Saturdays, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. through December 19. EBT (Electronic Benefit Transfer) available for shoppers with SNAP Benefits. For more info, call 917-923-4837 or visit DowntoEarthMarkets.com.
ART CONNECTS NEW YORK SPRING BENEFIT
Art Connects New York — a nonprofit which unites artists and curators with social service agencies to create museum-quality permanent exhibitions of contemporary artwork — is kicking off Gay Pride Month with an event that offers the chance to preview their first-ever exhibition of all-commissioned art, before the mixed media pieces are installed at Harlem’s True Colors Residence (permanent, supportive housing for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender youth with a history of homelessness). Additional work by the commissioned artists will be on sale, with proceeds benefiting True Colors’ educational and outreach programs and the continuation of Art Connects’ work.
Curator Peter “Souleo” Wright, who will be in attendance along with his artists and the True Colors residents who inspired their work, notes that this pairing resulted in portraits that “reaffirm the subjects’ confidence as they raise greater awareness about LGBT homelessness. As these individuals draw strength from a supportive community, we hope the art helps them to dig deeper and discover their own inner beauty.”
Tues., June 9, 6–8 p.m. at Kathryn Markel Fine Arts (529 W. 20th St., #6W, btw. 10th & 11th Aves.). Tickets start at $100. To purchase, visit artconnectsnewyork.org/spring-benefit-2015. Also visit westendres.org/true-colors-residence-2 and souleouniverse.com.
THE GEEK SHALL INHERIT GOOGLE EARTH
Held so close to their Chelsea headquarters that you didn’t need the company’s mapping system to find it, Google’s May 28 Geek Street Fair filled Gansevoort Plaza with virtual games, robotics, educational demonstrations and electronic tinkering activities. The annual event, which launched in 2013, is open to all ages — but has a special focus on inspiring the tech entrepreneurs of tomorrow in the fields of science, technology, engineering and math. Vendors on hand included the American Society of Mechanical Engineers, the Kid Cool Theremin School (Google them!), Harlem Biospace, Cornell Tech and YouTube. Social media hashtag #geekstreetfair.
HUDSON RIVER PARK GAMES
The longest waterfront park in the country goes global, with the premiere of an annual event taking its cue from the Olympics. On June 13, competitors from around the corner and around the world will gather to compete in the Hudson River Park Games. Held as a fundraiser for the wonderfully worthy Friends of Hudson River Park (a nonprofit), this sprawling event has something for athletes of all levels, along with kid-friendly programming and endless photo ops for sports-oriented shutterbugs.
There’s still time for your corporate or community group to join the ranks of those competing in the Pentathlon — whose winning team will walk (perhaps crawl) away with the Hudson River Park Cup after besting the competition in heats of dodgeball, beach volleyball, kayaking, flag football and a grueling obstacle course. Individuals who register in advance can take part in the 5-K Fun Run/Walk for kids and adults, sports clinics, multiple yoga activities, Cardio Kickboxing and a Six-Pack Abs Boot Camp taught by top Chelsea Piers trainers and experts.
At the Games Village and Expo on Pier 26, skilled sideline warriors can chill in the beer garden, chow at numerous food booths and shop for the latest outdoor sports gear. Set against the scenic backdrop of the Hudson, the Closing Ceremony will send you away exhausted, inspired and ready to train for next year.
Free and low-cost. Sat., June 13, rain or shine, from 7:30 a.m.–8 p.m. at Piers 25, 26 and 40 in Hudson River Park. For the complete schedule, and to register for certain events, visit hudsonriverpark.org/thegames. On Twitter and Instagram: @HudsonRiverPark, and LIKE on Facebook at facebook.com/HudsonRiverPark.
THE LEAGUE OF PROFESSIONAL THEATRE WOMEN: EQUALITY MARCH THROUGH TIMES SQUARE
The League of Professional Theatre Women (LPTW) takes their mission to the heart of New York City’s theatre industry, during June 9’s awareness event. Marching past the marquees of numerous Broadway theaters, “Women Stage The World” will see hundreds of women parading and advocating for equal representation in theatre — many wearing costumes that pay tribute to those who set the stage for this spirited flash street theater. You may spot Dorothy Parker, Katharine Cornell, Aphra Behn, Margo Jones or Lady Gregory holding signs with slogans such as “More Women Producers,” “Hire Women” and “Support Our Voices.” Others will wear garb recalling the suffragettes who paved the way for so many other human rights efforts to follow.
“In a field that is influenced by existing networks and long-standing relationships, artistic directors and literary managers need to find ways to remain open to work by women artists,” says the LPTW’s Karen Eterovich, who offers the example of symphony orchestras that have “blind auditions,” where women and men audition behind screens — a move that has more than doubled the number of female concert musicians employed professionally around the country.
Tues., June 9, 6 p.m. throughout Times Square. For the parade route, visit womenstagetheworld.org.
–BY SCOTT STIFFLER
