Debuts this Week: Authors and Dancers

This week marks the return of Authors and Dancers to the park. Word for Word Author debuts at the Reading Room tomorrow with a very funny line-up. And then Bryant Park Moves takes over the lawn on Saturday for bouncing, jumping and stretching with Limon Dance.

Michael Showalter and Jenny Slate at the Reading Room in June 2011

Authors  Tomorrow, Ali Wentworth, Justin Halpern, and Sara Barron will kick-off our very impressive list of celebrity authors visiting the park this summer. You know Ms. Wentworth from In Living Color and Seinfeld, and now this very funny lady is breaking down the news for parents in Daily Shot with Ali Wentworth. She'll be talking about her new book Ali in Wonderland: And Other Tall Tales tomorrow in the Reading Room with Justin Halpern, who's best known for the Shit his Dad Says (sic). Mr. Halpern's will discuss his second book, sure to bring the same self-depricating, bittersweet humor, I Suck at Girls. Sara Barron will serve as host, wrangling these two comedians, while adding a little humor of her own. Ms. Barron's book of essays is called People are Unappealing: Even Me.

While you're there, be sure to check-in to the Bryant Park Reading Room on Foursquare. Tomorrow, the first three lucky attendees to check-in at the event will receive a book by one of our featured authors. We'll be giving away books all summer long, so come early, enjoy the talk and you may just go home with a free book!

Dancers  And then this weekend, you can take off your shoes, and spend your Saturday morning barefoot in the grass with Bryant Park Moves. This class from the Jose Limon Dance Company is energetic and freeing, a class that's truly accessible for all ages, and abilities. If you don't remember Limon Dance from last summer, take a peek at the video from our 2011 classes.

2012 Summer Film Festival and Kick-Off Contest

The HBO Bryant Park Summer Film Festival, Now with Pepsi and presented with Ralph Lauren begins on June 18. Get your blankets and picnics ready, and start eyeing your favorite place on the lawn.

You may recognize a few titles in the list below. As we celebrate the 20th Anniversary of the reopening of the park and the Film Festival, we're highlighting some of our favorite films from the last twenty years. Nine of the films have screened before in the park, and one is brand new for 2012.

JUNE 18  

PSYCHO 

Screened in 2007

JUNE 25  

BUTCH CASSIDY AND THE SUNDANCE KID

Screened in 2003

JULY 2  

THE WIZARD OF OZ 

Screened in 1997

JULY 9  

ON THE WATERFRONT 

Screened in 1996

JULY 16  

ROMAN HOLIDAY 

Screened in 1999

JULY 23  

THE MALTESE FALCON 

Screened in 2000

JULY 30  

REBEL WITHOUT A CAUSE 

Screened  in 1993

AUGUST 6  

THE ADVENTURES OF ROBIN HOOD 

Screened in 1996

AUGUST 13  

ALL ABOUT EVE 

Screened in 1999

AUGUST 20  

RAIDERS OF THE LOST ARK 

Film Festival Kick-off Contest

Now that you’ve checked out the line-up, enter to win one of four Film Festival prize packages featuring

• Pair of reserved seats at the movie of your choice in the park


• Limited Edition Bryant Park 20th Anniversary Tote Bag


• HBO-themed swag including DVD sets, t-shirts, and drinking glasses from Game of Thrones, True Blood, Boardwalk Empire, or Curb Your Enthusiasm


• Big Pony Fragrance Collection for Women by Ralph Lauren gift set containing four 15ml bottles in four distinct scents will be included in 3 of the prize packages. 

To enter, leave a comment here and tell us your favorite accompaniment to a night at the movies in Bryant Park. Please include your email address in your comment, so we can notify winners. For extra entries do one or both of the following and tell us about it in your comment below:

- Like BryantParkNYC on Facebook
- Follow us on Twitter @BryantParkNYC (tweet @ us with #BPFilmFest and we'll follow you back!)

You'll get an extra entry per item. We believe in the honor code!

The contest will close at 11:59pm on Sunday, May 20 and four winners will be announced Monday, May 21 via email. A valid email address is required for entry. Prizes will be mailed by Friday, May 25. Entrants must have valid mailing address within the continental United States.

See you at the movies!

Piano in the Park Returns with Roy Eaton

Roy Eaton has been a mainstay at our lunchtime piano series over the years. Mr. Eaton is a gifted classical pianist, with a strong history in playing Chopin and Joplin. His interest in music started young. Mr. Eaton was a child piano prodigy, who played at Carnegie Hall when he was just six years old! For more on Mr. Eaton's childhood, see this NY Times article.

This Monday, Mr. Eaton will inaugurate the 2012 season of Piano in Bryant Park with an extra special performance. Monday is not only the season debut of Piano, but it's also Roy Eaton's 82nd Birthday! Here's what he has to say about his residence this week in the park...

"I will be performing Joplin, Chopin, Gershwin, Mozart and some suprises from my latest album "I Play for Peace". Come enjoy the park, the sun, a good lunch and some joyful music making. Hope you can make it."

Drop by Monday and wish him a Happy Birthday! You should also be sure to mention this photo for a real conversation starter. It's Mr. Eaton on the right, during that first Carnegie Hall performance back in 1937:

Piano in Bryant Park runs all summer with a very impressive lineup of musicians taking the seat at our piano on the Upper Terrace every weekday at lunchtime. Tune in for the full schedule. 

Monday's Big Announcement

The HBO Bryant Park Summer Film Festival, Now with Pepsi returns to the park on Mondays beginning June 18. As always, the schedule is a highly anticipated announcement in our summer lineup. But don't worry, the wait is almost over. We will announce the full 2012 film schedule on Monday morning right here on the blog. Be sure to check back for a chance to win one of several prize packages that include reserved seats at the film of your choice. Last year's prizes also included DVD sets from HBO's critically acclaimed shows.

Prepare to set your calendars for Monday movies in Bryant Park!

Painter in Residence

Over the years, we've been honored to see the park depicted in daily sketches, impressionistic watercolors, and stunning photographs. These works come to us almost by chance... the artist emails us, or we stumble upon it online. You can see a small collection of them on our Pinterest Board. This summer however, we're trying something new.

Bonnie Steinsnyder

Put your paintbrush to the Park. This summer, we're commissioning 3 painters to create representational images to serve as a visual record of Bryant Park. Each painter will spend two weeks in the park capturing landscapes, iconic architecture, and daily happenings.

Interested in taking up residence in the park? We're accepting submissions now through May 31, 2012. For information about eligibility, requirements, and the process please visit our website:

Painter in Residence Application

Frank Hanavan

Employee of the Month

We keep the park in excellent condition thanks to the hard work of many people. Our staff represents expertise in horticulture, sanitation, industrial design, security... the list really goes on and on. Each month, we single out an individual for superior performance on our sanitation team.

Richie Zinnermon was elected April's employee of the month for the second time. He's reliable, sets a good example for others on the crew, and frequently goes above and beyond what is required of him. What's even more incredible about Mr. Zinnermon is that he's been working for Bryant Park for over 22 years! He says the biggest change from then to now has been in the uniforms. The park staff used to wear white pants with simple green shirts.

Our new uniforms were reinvented in 2006 by Stan Herman, who also designed uniforms for FedEx and Jet Blue. We now sell the Bryant Park Vest and Jacket on the Bryant Park Shop. Did you know the design of the Bryant Park uniforms was inspired by the variegated colors in the bark of the London plane trees in the park?

You'll usually find Mr. Zinnermon on his route along the 42nd Street Allee. Say congratulations if you see him! 

20 Years of Bryant Park, The Exhibit

The last twenty years have marked a dramatic change in the condition and perception of Bryant Park. In the late 1980's the park was dangerous, rundown and under used. Today it is home to lush gardens, a carousel, a world class restaurant, as well as hundreds of events and programs. As we celebrate the transformation of the park from neglected to beloved, we're looking back on the park's history through photos, stories, and more. You may have been following our 20th Anniversary series on the blog, and now many of these elements come to life in a custom photo exhibit on the park's perimeter fence.

You'll see images from the park's storied past as the home of the Crystal Palace, pictures from the dark times, from our blockbuster events today, and then images that transcend generations like the simple act of enjoying your lunch break in the park's shady allees.

20 Years of Bryant Park will be on display around the park's fence through June 29. It can also be viewed virtually on Flickr at bryantpark.org/20thphotos.


Share your Bryant Park.
In celebration of our 20th Anniversary, we’re collecting your favorite images, stories and memories from your experiences in the park. We want to know if you were there in 1983... or even 1934.

Tell us your interactions with the park from then and now.
Tweet us @BryantParkNYC. Post on our Facebook. Email or write us a letter. Comment below.