Category: New York

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Tourism Tuesday Featuring Carnegie Hall

If you want to be treated like royalty for one night hop into a New York prom limo and catch a show at Carnegie Hall. Carnegie Hall is one of the most well-known tourist attractions in New York City. It was designed by architect William Burnet Tuthill and built by philanthropist Andrew Carnegie in 1891. Carnegie Hall is considered to be one of the most prestigious venues in the world of classical and popular music and has its own artistic programming, development, and marketing departments all on site.

Carnegie Hall has many different theatres that put on a variety of shows, different from the main stage.

The Main Hall (Isaac Stern Auditorium/Ronald O. Perelman Stage)

The Main Hall’s five levels of seating seats 2,804 people. There is no bad seat in this theatre. The highest seat available, for those who love heights, is approximately 137 steps to the top balcony.  Being one of the most famous concert stages in the United States, most of all the popular musicians and classical musicians have performed there since 1891. The last time this hall has been renovated was 1986.

Zankel Hall

Zankel Hall, better known as the Recital Hall, was the first auditorium open to the public in April of 1891. It is quite a bit smaller than the Main Hall only, seating 599 people. It, like the Main Hall, was also renovated in 1896 and renamed Carnegie Lyceum. What is so interesting about this particular hall is its flexibility, in that it can be reconfigured into several different arrangements. Most recently, it opened in the space in September of 2003.

Weill Recital Hall

Weill Recital Hall, which is named for Sanford I Weill and his wife Joan, was originally called Chamber Music Hall. This hall is still being used since it opened in 1891. It seats 268 people and has gone through many name changes until 1986 when it finally became Weill Recital Hall.

Carnegie Hall Archives

Not only does Carnegie Hall offer different rooms for your musical pleasure, it offers space for behind the scenes work as well. The Rose Museum contains working spaces for everyone from performing artists to rehearse, all the way to the architects, playwrights, and painters who design and create the shows.

Carnegie Hall is one of the last large buildings in New York that is built of masonry in its entirety. It  is unique in that there is no steel frame. The exterior of the building has Roman bricks with details done in terracotta and brownstone.

What is most interesting, is that Carnegie Hall is named after the person who financed it and not the person who actually created it like most buildings that you hear of.

Located at 57th St. and Seventh Ave. in Manhattan, Carnegie Hall must be on your list of things to experience when visiting New York City.

By Heather Wishart

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Tourism Tuesday Featuring 5Pointz Aerosol Art Center

When visiting New York, an amazing attraction that deserves a visit is the 5Pointz Aerosol Art Center. This awe-inspiring center is an outdoor attraction that is made up of spray paint and graffiti art covering a huge building that stretches almost a full block. The 200,000 square foot warehouse is used as an open canvas, attracting famous musicians and artists from all over the world to contribute to the walls. Notable celebrities have visited the amazing attraction, including Joan Jett, Joss Stone, and Grandmaster Kaz.

The basic idea for the 5Pointz Aerosol Art Center began in 1993 as an effort to stop graffiti vandalism. The idea was that, if graffitists had an area to display their work as art, vandalism would be decreased. The warehouse was called the “Phun Phactory” and in 2002, Jonathan Cohen was recruited to curate the work. Cohen, more commonly known by his tag name “Meres One”, transformed the “Phun Phactory” into what is now known as the 5Pointz Art Center. He manages and oversees the work and the walls of 5Pointz, selecting and approving artwork from specific artists, and then allocating space for their designs or tags.

The amazing outdoor art attraction has enticed people from all over the world to contribute their work to the center. The walls of the warehouse feature over 250 full color murals and images, projecting a bright, contrasting effect to the surrounding area. Jonathan Cohen views the designs and artwork of others, and then assigns the space for their work. His future plans are to convert the five story warehouse into a graffiti art museum. He also intends on opening an art school for students who appreciate the art of spray painting. New designs and names are frequently added to the warehouse, so there is always something new on this unique attraction.

Also called 5Pointz: The Institute of Higher Burning, this attraction is a unique and awe-inspiring experience. Simply viewing the outside walls of the warehouse are well worth the trip. For those who are interested in seeing more, though, 5Pointz offers a bi-weekly tour. For $35, guests are led on a tour throughout the warehouse by the founder and curator Jonathan Cohen, also known as “Meres One”. The tour also includes a painting demonstration, allowing guests to see how the artwork is done. The 5Pointz Aerosol Art Center is a truly amazing experience that shouldn’t be missed.

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(FlashForward Friday) Feb 16, 2013 – Feb 21, 2013

There are many fun and exciting events taking place this week off the standard New York City Grid. We are here to help provide you with ideas of what to do while you’re in NYC. If you are in New York City the week of February 16th through February 21st 2013, then read below to find some great activities from our Flash Forward Friday.

Saturday, February 16, 2013

The Anne Militello: Light Cycles stream down from the roof of the ten-story Winter Garden’s building. This beautiful lighting installation is designed by the famed lighting designer Anne Militello and is best when viewed from the exterior plaza. This beautiful light show is free of charge.

Sunday, February 17, 2013

Take part in the Chinese culture as you celebrate the Chinese New Year with this fun guided tour. After visiting 19th century secret passages, temples, and tearooms, guests then are treated to a dim sum luncheon. Dim sum is a traditional style of Chinese food in which all portions are bite-sized, adding to the fun cultural experience of the tour. Guests are then treated to the festivities of the New Year celebration, including dragon dances and traditional Asian music. Prices begin at $35.

Monday, February 18, 2013

Treat yourself to the sweet, creamy taste of hot chocolate, thanks to Maury Rubin’s hot chocolate festival. The owner of the City Bakery on 18th street, Maury Rubin’s hot chocolate festival features a different, delicious and unique hot cocoa flavor every day of February. http://www.thecitybakery.com/hot-chocolate

Tuesday, February 19, 2013

Jane’s Carousel is a carousel ride that was originally built in 1922 and was purchased by husband and wife Jane and David Walentas in 1984. Jane painstakingly worked on the carousel for years and, finally, the historically restored ride placed in Brooklyn Bridge Park for all to enjoy in 2011. The ride was damaged during the recent storm, but is now opened again for all to enjoy. http://janescarousel.com/

Wednesday, February 20, 2013

Located within the Staten Island Children’s Museum, Portia’s Playhouse is a fun area where children can fulfill their dreams of acting by dressing up and putting on various performances. Designed as a real theatre, including a real stage, there are many costumes and props to allow kids to use their imagination and perform. shows. http://statenislandkids.org/exh/portia.html

Thursday, February 21, 2013

The group The Dan Band will be performing at the famous B.B. King’s Blues Club and Grill at 8pm. First gaining popularity at a karaoke bar, The Dan Band has been featured in movies such as Starsky and Hutch and have made appearances on shows such as Jimmy Kimmel Live, The Late Late Show, and Ellen. Tickets start at $25 in advance and $30 on the day of the show. http://www.bbkingblues.com/bio.php?id=2461

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Outsider Art Fair 2013

Expect to find works by both legendary and newly discovered artists!
Location: Center 548/ 548 West 22nd Street/New York, NY 10011

Founded by Sanford Smith in 1993, the Outsider Art Fair soon became a critical and commercial success and the leading, annual event in the field of Outsider, Self-Taught and Folk Art. Recognized for its maverick spirit, the fair played a vital role in building a passionate collecting community as crowds flocked annually to New York’s Puck Building, the event’s original site during its first 15 years.
Under Wide Open Arts, a new company formed by art dealer Andrew Edlin, the Outsider Art Fair has moved to Chelsea at the site of the former Dia Foundation and will continue to provide a dynamic atmosphere for dealers to showcase compelling and unusual artworks. The 2013 fair will also add new elements, including the sponsorship of guest curatorial projects and other special events. Visitors to the fair can expect to find prime examples of works by both legendary and newly discovered artists.

The Outsider Art Fair, a place to discover the Henry Dargers of the world, returns with its 21st edition. Now under the management of Wide Open Arts, a company formed by gallerist and art brut artist champion Andrew Edlin, this year’s fair takes place at the old Dia space in Chelsea and promises the same dynamic atmosphere of fairs past. Stop in to peruse art by both legendary and newly discovered self-taught artists or perhaps take in a talk or panel discussion. Also slated, is a special exhibit highlighting Renaldo Kuhler’s Rocaterrania. A preview gala kicks things off on Thursday night January 31, 2013 and the fair runs through Sunday February 3, 2013.

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Tourism Tuesday Road Trip: Brooklyn, N.Y.

Brooklyn is but one of the five boroughs of New York City, with a population of 2.5 million. Brooklyn was an independent city with a rich history of its own that became part of New York City in 1898.
It is a borough filled with the energy of diverse groups, with many neighborhoods offering authentic ethnic cuisines. While Brooklyn is one of the most densely populated areas in the United States, there are far more private homes than apartment buildings.
The Heart of Brooklyn area is a traditional example of using urban space on a grand scale, and includes the Brooklyn Museum, Brooklyn Botanic Garden and Prospect Park, which was designed by the same landscape architect who designed Manhattan‘s Central Park.
Brooklyn is undergoing a renaissance, with a major new park, a sports and entertainment center and museums — not to mention fertile areas for business development. Many arts groups have found Brooklyn a congenial home, partly because real estate is much more reasonable than in Manhattan.
Yes, when people think of New York City, they‘re mostly thinking of Manhattan. A visit to Brooklyn will change that. Brooklyn has its own powerful allure, and no single trip can explore all of it. Royal Luxury Limousines encourage you to take a road trip through Brooklyn, making many stops along the way. Just a few attraction listed below will fill your trip with many things to see, learn, and do while in Brooklyn.

Brooklyn Bridge Park
Offering an iconic view of lower Manhattan across the East River, Brooklyn Bridge Park first opened in 2010 on a site with historic resonance to the Revolutionary War.
The park‘s 85 acres include play areas for children, sports fields, a picnic peninsula for fresh-cooked meals and fishing and boating.
Jane‘s Carousel in the Fulton Ferry part of the park is a restored 1922 carousel with 48 horses and three chariots. It was the first carousel to be placed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Building 92, Brooklyn Navy Yard
The newest Brooklyn museum is Building 92 at the Brooklyn Navy Yard. The yard was established in 1801 as one of the nation‘s first five shipyards and during World War II employed 70,000 people. It was decommissioned in 1966.
After decades of neglect, the yard has acquired new life as an industrial park that is home to many small businesses. The museum offers tours of yard facilities which have been preserved. The second floor is the resource center, which houses photographs and artifacts.

Brooklyn Museum
Housed in a 560,000-square-foot, Beaux-Arts building, the Brooklyn Museum is one of the largest in the country. With roots back to the early 19th century, most of the museum‘s 1.5 million pieces were acquired in the early 20th century.
Although only a fraction of its total holdings are on view at any time, its commitment to Western and non-Western art is reflected in exhibitions of American, European, African, Asian, Islamic and Ancient Egyptian culture.
The museum offers daily guided tours and audio tours.

Brooklyn Botanic Garden
Founded in 1910, the Brooklyn Botanic Garden occupies 52 acres, with many specialty gardens and pavilions that are visited by 900,000 people annually.
The Japanese Hill and Pond Garden was constructed in 1915, renovated in 2000, and is the oldest of its kind in an American museum.
The Cranford Rose Garden is home to 1,400 kinds of roses, while the Shakespeare Garden has more than 80 plants mentioned in the Bard‘s plays. It was a gift from Henry Folger, who founded the Folger Shakespeare Library in Washington.
Other gardens are designed for children and arranged by plant families to show their evolution. There are also three-climate controlled pavilions for tropical, warm weather and desert plants.

Brooklyn Academy of Music
A multiarts center, the Brooklyn Academy of Music dates to the mid-19th century and includes an opera house, a smaller theater, and movie theater and rehearsal space.
The academy became an important center for innovative performance arts — music, dance and theater — during the tenure of executive director Harvey Lichtenstein (1967-99). Upcoming productions include operas by New York City Opera, French baroque opera conducted by William Christie, the Royal Ballet of Cambodia and Dance Africa, jazz concerts, visual arts and talks.

Barclays Center
A multipurpose sports and entertainment arena, the Barclays Center opened in September with a concert by Jay-Z and is home to the Brooklyn Nets NBA team.
The indoor arena is the first built in New York City since 1969 and cost $1 billion. It was designed for basketball, seats more than 17,000 and offers a close connection to the action.

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The Best Way To Go About Renting A Limousine Company In NYC

If you’re not an experienced party planner, then renting a limousine can be a highly frustrating experience. You have to find a company that accommodates to the entire party’s needs, that’s well within your budget range and a company that offers services that everyone can enjoy. So how do you go about renting out a limousine company and how do you look for a service that incorporates all of those necessary things?

Your Budget

One of the first things you need to figure out is just how many people are going to need picked up and budget out all of those details accordingly. Your budget will determine just about every level of the experience that can be given to the party or event guests. From how many amenities are in the limousine or how many stops the limousine can make (travel distance wise), all of this will incorporate into your budget as to what you can afford or not. Map out your budget and work with the party planner to make sure you can afford it.

Find out just how many people are going and find out exactly what you want to include inside of the limousine when planning out your budget.

Services Rendered

Does the company you’re looking into even offer half of the services and amenities that all of your party guests want? You have to make sure all of the services offered match up with not only your budget but your needs as well. Some limousine companies offer basic services such as a one-two way shuttle and some of them offer endless amounts of stops as long as they’re paid extra. Some of them will also offer stretch hummer limousines which can be quite costly compared to a normal limousine and are usually better off saved for special occasions.

The Hunt

When you’re looking for a limousine company or any kind of company for that matter to purchase services from, it’s usually a good idea NOT to go with the very first company you find. Some of these companies might be overcharging you or offering poor quality services so if you don’t do your research into the companies, you might be being taken advantage of. Doing proper adequate research on a company will save you time, money and frustration in the long run and your guests will be happier knowing you’ve picked the best limousine service.

You can search on the internet, you can ask a friend for a personal refer or you can go by word of mouth of others, but still don’t take their word for it. Do your research on the internet and look for reviews on these companies and if anyone has actually used these services and what these people think of them.

Calling Them

Remember, when you find a service you like, talk to them so you can get an idea of what kind of service they offer beforehand before you make any purchasing decisions.

Be precise and clear about what you want, your requirements and what you expect of them. Make sure they understand what your budget is and don’t be afraid to tell them that you’re currently interviewing other companies and services so that they’ll be in the sales mentality to offer you the best deal possible.

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Important Last Year Events In NYC You Don’t Want To Miss

If you’re not prepared for some of the upcoming events in NYC, you don’t want to miss them because they’re going to end our New Year and kick off the New Year with a bang. The best way to experience these events is to hire a Limousine rental service to get you from point A to point B whether you’re a native New Yorker or someone brand new to the city looking to experience the nightlife.

Lasting Until Sunday December 30 – You’re not going to want to miss the ever popular New York City Ballet, performed by the George Balanchine’s popular Nutcracker. Whether you’ve heard about this or seen this as a kid, the show has been a magical experience from 1954 that the whole family can enjoy. It’ll take place at the David H. Koch Theatre (At the Lincoln Center) on 20 Lincoln Center Plaza at 63rd street.

November 25 – December 31 – Looking to do a little exploring while in New York City? Arrive at the scene of 424 Fifth Avenue between 38 and 39 streets and do some Holiday Windows exploring with the Lord and Taylor Holiday Windows. If you’re lucky, you might even catch the popular globetrotting Santa while you’re out there.

December 1 – December 24 – If you’re looking to do some shopping and explore the local market, then you’re going to want to check out the 14 street to 17 street in between Broadway and Park Avenue South because there will be the famous Union Square Holiday Market. There are nearly 100 vendors at this outdoor bazaar so bring a jacket, bundle up and keep warm because you’re going to find everything you could ever want to find here. Arrive by Limousine and shop until you’re tired.

Until January 3 2013 – If you’re tired of shopping and if you want to view a beautiful light display like no other, then you’re going to want to make your way down to the Holiday Under The Stars event. This is a unique event that only happens once a year at Columbus Circle right at Broadway and 59 streets. This is a highly state of the art light display show that’s free to attend and you’ll see more than 16.7 million colors being flashed before your very eyes.

If spectacular shows like the Holiday Under The Stars show is something you’re interested in, you’ll find tons of lighting and spectacular event like those listed in New York right before the Holidays and new year come in. You’re not going to want to miss the festivities hitting New York City this year because they’re going to be bigger than ever. Renting a Limousine ensures you’ll be in the hands of a professional driver who knows the roads and you’ll be sure to arrive in style, which not a lot of people get to experience, so it’s something you definitely want to at least try out.

During these times, limousine companies become awfully busy so you want to make sure you can get there early and stay late, and one of the best ways to ensure that this can happen is to find out how early you can book a limousine rental company to ensure that you can get one because they become quite swamped with customers and orders around this time of the year.

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Are You Prepared For Early 2013 NYC Events And Do You Have A Limousine Service Prepared

Early 2013 is going to bring about some of the greatest events as we kick off into the new year. Are you prepared for the New Year and all the festivities that are going to be going on in downtown NYC with a limousine service? If you’re not ready, I would be calling ahead, checking in with your event and renting one early, because when these events do hit, you’re going to be struggling to find one if you waited too long.

February 2 – Just a mere one month after the new year hits, the nationally known music group Fun is going to be making an appearance at the Radio City Music Hall. If you’ve never heard of this mega group, they’re behind the super hit “We Are Young” that has taken billboards and the nation by storm. Showing up in a limousine service will just add to the hype and the “fun” that can be experienced by attending a live event by this pop group. This is a one day event only so you better get tickets and a limousine service fast.

January 13 – If you’re looking for a more laid back show that’s not as main stream but still on the subject of Rock, then you’re going to want to check out the Highline Ballroom on January 13 only because David Joansen will be performing. He mostly performs Rock songs and Country Blue songs and has performed at several local venues with great success and everyone has a great time.

There are also a wide variety of farmer markets, historical shows and a lot of museums that are going to be hosting things at various times of the month and the year in downtown NYC as well. If you’re looking to attend a farmer’s market or historical event, while it isn’t commonly known to rent out a limousine service for this kind of event, it can still be fun and provide as a luxurious and comfortable way to get there and mark your territory.

Such famous events as the Greenmarket event which hosts a wide variety of Farmer’s Market events downtown will be hosted there and museum events such as the Brooklyn Museum will be hosting a wide variety of events throughout the year as well. You are going to want to be sure not to miss any of these events and why not rent a limousine service provider to come to these events? It’s a great way to show up in style and to make the most of the events. Also, the Alvin Ailey American Dancer Theater that was a huge hit in 2012 will be making their mark in 2013 as they host multiple events in downtown NYC as well.

NYC is one of those cities that never sleeps and there are always things going on and something to do. You’ll be sure to have plenty of events to attend and things to do because no matter what your interest is or even if the event isn’t the greatest time, you’ll be sure to have fun experiencing the New York life in a limousine rental service. You might want to call today or relatively soon though once you figure out what you’re doing because these rental companies are always on call and some of them have limited limousines for rental on these event dates.

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The Top 5 Essential Tips For Renting Out a Limousine Company In NYC

When hiring a limousine company, there are a lot of things you need to consider because it’s not as simple as calling them up and hiring one from the get go. NYC is a very busy and very large place that has multiple events on a daily basis. You have concerts, media events, sporting events, wrestling events, boxing events and much more.

1)      What kind of event are you planning or attending?

This actually makes a big difference when it comes to renting out a limousine company because the kind of event you’re attending will require different services rendered. While it’s true you can get just about any of service or even theme installed in your limousine custom, you want the theme to somewhat match the event you’re attending. For example, a Halloween theme party while fun wouldn’t make much sense if you’re attending a Christmas party.

2)      How much money are you working with and are you willing to spend?

Not only is your budget going to be a contributing factor but you’re also going to have to ask yourself how much you’re willing to spend. Certain limousine companies will offer you different services at different prices and the level of experienced drivers will differ from companies as well. The more money you’re willing or have available to spend, the more professional services you’ll be able to obtain and afford.

3)      What is the size of your party?

Do you have a few people (a private and small party) attending an event or do you have more than 20? Whether you’re a small party or a large party, you’ll need to make sure you’re going to have adequate transportation for everyone. A limousine without a lot of decorations or anything crazy inside of it will have room for roughly 20 guests accordingly. If you start adding things, the amount of people that a limousine can carry will ultimately go down and you’ll need to rent out more limousines.

4)      What all do you want inside of your limousine?

This is one of the most important details of event planning and limousine service provider shopping because what you want inside of a limousine will determine just what you’re going to end up paying and how many people each limousine will be able to hold. If you have a hot tub or anything on that scale put inside of your shuttles, you’re going to want more taxis and limousines to provide adequate transportation.

5)      Plan everything out accordingly

Event and party planners tend to miss small details every once in a while so everyone knows it happens. No one is perfect so when you’re planning out your event or your limousine service, you need to make sure you have every single detail mapped out. Obviously, the budget and all of the other contributing factors we’ve discussed already will come into play but you need to have a map or strategy planned out to avoid mistakes.

It would be mighty embarrassing if on the day of the event you couldn’t provide transportation for a few guests or you accidentally scheduled for the wrong time. NYC is a busy city and re-scheduling things on short notice will be near next to impossible so make sure you do everything right the first time and plan it out.

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Best Time to Rent a Limousine in New York City

While 2012 is nearly coming to a close, 2013 is just around the corner. Are you prepared for all of the events and all of the parties headed towards NYC? It’s not too late to rent a limousine for any of the Christmas parties or events that may be going on but it’s best to rent out a limousine companies weeks or a couple of months in advance when it’s a national holiday as the main reason for renting one.

So while these events are just around the horizon, here are some 2013 events that you don’t want to miss out on your opportunity to rent a limousine in NYC.

December 31/January 1 – There are obviously going to be a load of New Year parties going on, and you don’t want to be left behind if you’re planning out a mega party to bring in the new year. That’s why the best time to call and rent a limousine company before-hand is right now. You’ve got at least a month’s notice (as of the time this was written) and you have a good chance of beating everyone else to renting one.

Upcoming Shows/Musicals

January (Every Day/All Month) – There is some musicals and events you don’t want to miss and what’s a better way to arrive to them than in style? Here is a list of some of the events in January in NYC alone.

Mamma Mia! – This is the story of a mother who’s in her 40s that is sure to keep you entertained while she’s planning her daughter’s wedding.

Phantom of the Opera – The story focuses on a Paris Opera house that’s being haunted by a mysterious figure. It’s an unforgettable experience and tale to experience live.

Stomp – If you’ve never witnessed or seen Stomp live, then you’re definitely not going to want to miss this event. Showing up in a limousine just adds to the fun and the excitement that you’ll be sure to experience when you see a group of people who use everyday objects like brooms and trash cans to create amazing sounds and music.

Spider Man: Turn off the Dark – This story focuses on the ever popular story of a science geek who’s continually bullied by his classmates and he’s forever taunted by his crush Mary Jane Watson.

Why Do I Need A Limousine For Any Of This?

In NYC, you don’t “NEED” a limousine or even a vehicle to get to these events, but if there’s one way to plan an unforgettable experience or trip, you should rent a limousine.

Also in the coming New Year, there will be a barrage of expos, events, major television hosted events and parties. There is no better way or classier way to show up to any of these events than in a limousine. Not only will you be sure to impress everyone there when you arrive, but it adds to the fun and makes the experience an unforgettable one.

In NYC, there are tons of taxis and limo companies so finding one should be no problem. However, you’re going to want to try to book one at least two weeks in advance because when these events come around, they tend to be quiet popular and busy.

What Can I Get In A Limousine Rental?

Anything you want! If you want a Jacuzzi, you can get it (you can’t carry as many passengers with this), you can have a themed party or just a smooth luxurious ride. You can literally get anything you want with a limousine rental.