“Harlem of the West” (San Diego, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Chicago)
Various western cities have claimed the title of "Harlem of the West" for their African-American communities. San Diego's and San Francisco's claims stand out. Some people have…
Only the little people pay taxes (attributed to Leona Helmsley)
Leona Helmsley (wife of Harry Helmsley, the real estate manager) was convicted of tax evasion. Her Connecticut housekeeper testified that, in 1983, Leona Helmsley told her that "only the…
The Little Chapel That Could (St. Paul’s); The Little Church That Could (St. Nicholas)
St. Paul's was still standing after September 11, 2001, helping the victims in that tragedy. It quickly earned the nickname "Little Church That Could" or "Little Chapel That…
City Bakery’s Hot Chocolate Festival
City Bakery (3 West 18th Street) has held an annual "Hot Chocolate Festival" since the early 1990s. http://www.hot-chocolate-festival.com/directions.phpThe City Bakery is located at 3…
Queen of Soul Food (Sylvia’s)
Sylvia's restaurant at 328 Lenox Avenue (127th Street) has become a Harlem institution. It was started in 1962 by Sylvia Woods (1926-2012). Sylvia's has used the trademarked slogan…
New York Salsa Festival; New York Salsa Congress
New York has had an annual Salsa Festival for over 30 years. There is also a much-newer annual Salsa Congress. http://www.radiocity.com/eventcalendar/eventprofile2?event_id=5919&category=2 The…
Forty-Ninth State
Before the United States had 50 states (and before the "51st state" idea for New York City), there were 48 states and the "49th state" idea. This idea has been proposed both for…
Next Wave Festival (BAM)
The Brooklyn Academy of Art's (BAM) "Next Wave Festival" features avant-garde works. It's been a popular program for over two decades.…
Brooklyn Eats!
"Brooklyn Eats!" began in 1997 with a borough dining guide and a few restaurants providing samples. It's now become a large annual event.…
Flatbush Frolic
The annual "Flatbush Frolic" is a street festival that takes place in the Flatbush section of Brooklyn. http://www.clearviewfestival.com/eventforms/050918_con2005fdc.pdf…
Atlantic Antic
"Atlantic Antic" is one of the city's longest-running street fairs. It takes place on Atlantic Avenue in Brooklyn. http://www.atlanticave.org/antic2005.htm31st Anniversary…
Fifty-First State
Many people have suggested that New York City become the Fifty-First State. 21 March 1959, New York Times, "Can City Secede? Well - Yes and No," pg. 12:Can this city of 8,000,000, beset…
American Crafts Festival; Autumn Crafts Festival
Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts has hosted an American Crafts Festival since the 1970s. The Autumn Crafts Festival at Lincoln Center is ten years' younger.…
Two Bridges
"Two Bridges" is the area in Manhattan between the Brooklyn Bridge and the Manhattan Bridge. Or, it could also mean the area in Manhattan between the Manhattan Bridge and the Williamsburg…
New York Television Festival (NYTVF)
The first New York Television Festival (NYTVF) was announced in late August 2005. http://www.newyorktelevisionfestival.com/festival.htmWhat is the NYTVF? The New York Television Festival will…
Blues, Barbecue and Fireworks Festival
The Blues, Barbecue and Fireworks Festival was started by the Hudson River Park Trust in 2000. http://www.nycgovparks.org/sub_things_to_do/upcoming_events/events.php?id=24819Sunday, Aug 28th,…
SoFo (South of Fourth Street)
"SoFo" is "South of Fourth Street" in Brooklyn. The term - a new one - is also the name of a bar there. http://www.papermag.com/guide/bars/brooklyn.htmlSOFO 550 Court St.,…
VENDEX (Vendor Information Exchange System)
VENDEX (or Vendex) is New York City's Vendor Information Exchange System. It's meant to prevent mob-related city contracts, or influence-peddled city contracts. (Official VENDEX…
Egg Rolls and Egg Creams Block Party
The Eldridge Street Project celebrates both the Jewish culture of the Lower East Side and the Chinese culture of Chinatown with an annual "Egg Rolls and Egg Creams Block Party." Nice…
Capital of Everything
New York is sometimes called the "Fashion Capital of the World," or the "Financial Capital of the World," or just the "Capital of the World." The New Yorker writer E.…