New York Gypsy Festival
The 2005 New York Gypsy Festival could become an annual event. The Festival celebrates the cultures of Bulgaria, Tyrkey, Russia and the Balkans. http://nygypsyfest.com/aboutus.htmAbout The Festival…
Pokey Award
The "Pokey Award" (a snail trophy, of course) is given out by NYPIRG's Straphangers Campaign and Transportation Alternatives to the slowest public transportation in New York City.…
The Elevated Acre
"The Elevated Acre" is the first downtown Manhattan park/private space developed since the 9-11-2001 attacks. It has cost $7 million.…
Downtown
It appears that "downtown" (or "down town") originates from New York City. A person who lives in or who frequently goes downtown is a "downtowner." "Just like…
Apple Week
Slow Food USA has run an Apple Week in New York City. Historically, and "Apple Day" or "Apple Week" has occurred around Halloween on October 31.…
Leaping Louie (Prometheus statue in Rockefeller Center)
Prometheus was the Greek god who brought fire to mankind. Paul Manship's statue of him is in Rockefeller Center, just above the skating rink. An early, 1930s-1940s nickname was "Leaping…
Bell of the Unforgotten
The "Bell of the Unforgotten" was put in place on October 16, 2005 to commemorate the unnamed victims of the September 11, 2001 attacks on the World Trade Center. The bell is supposed to…
Cathedral of the Skies (Empire State Building)
The Empire State Building (briefly nicknamed the "Empty State Building"--see above) is also called the "Cathedral of the Skies." This is a nod to the old Woolworth Building, the…
“I shop everywhere, but I buy on 14th Street”
"I shop everywhere, but I buy on 14th Street" is an old New York saying. There used to be many inexpensive stores on 14th Street (especially around Union Square), so New Yorkers could get…
“Why are New Yorkers depressed?”/“Because the light at the end of the tunnel is New Jersey!”
Question: Why are New Yorkers so depressed?Answer: Because the light at the end of the tunnel is New Jersey! This joke has been spreading around the internet and has been told since at least 1977.…
“We never stop working for you” (Verizon)
"We never stop working for you" is the new slogan of Verizon (formerly NYNEX) communications. (Trademark)Word Mark WE NEVER STOP WORKING FOR YOU Goods and Services IC 038. US 100 101 104.…
Bellbottom (9 West 57th Street)
The tower at 9 West 57th Street in Manhattan has been called the "bellbottom." The building slopes (like a ski jump) at the bottom. http://www.thecityreview.com/57w9.html9 WEST 57TH…
Tombs Prison (and the “Bridge of Sighs”)
The Tombs prison was built in 1838 and resembled Egyptian architecture. The "Bridge of Sighs" was the bridge that connected it with the Criminal Courts Building. (The name is taken from a…
StoHo (Stone House District)
StoHo is the Stone House District of Brooklyn (3rd Street and Fourth Avenue). The neighborhood nickname is a new one and has not been well established yet. It's been claimed that the Old Stone…
Big Willy, Mental Dental Building, Filling Station, Tooth Tower (Williamsburg Bank Building)
The Williamsburg Bank Building is the tallest building in Brooklyn. It is opening up to residential living, but it has been known for its dental offices. Nicknames have included Willy and Big…
Urban Harvest
Urban Harvest is Slow Food USA's new festival in New York City. http://www.slowfoodusa.org/events/urban_harvest.htmlOctober 2 URBAN HARVEST & NEW AMSTERDAM MARKETwith Spirits of the Region…
Broadway on Broadway
"Broadway on Broadway" is a free concert where Broadway displays its best. The annual event began in 1992. http://www.broadwayonbroadway.com/BROADWAY ON BROADWAY® 2005It's the…
Fish Building (1150 Grand Concourse)
The "Fish Building" the the Art Deco building with the aquarium mosaic at 1150 Grand Concourse in the Bronx. http://www.brorson.com/BronxWeb/GrandConcourse3.htmlOne of the most…
Whitney Biennial
The "Whitney Biennial" is an arts festival that has been held by the Whitney Museum of American Art since 1933. It occurs every two years, with the next scheduled for 2006.…
NYC Open Studios
NYC Open Studios (www.nycopenstudios.org, or www.isupportart.org) featured a city-wide open studios tour in October 2005. This looks to be an annual arts event. http://www.isupportart.org/The Open…