Behind the Fence: Finishing Touches

Since we last updated you, the new power facility has become fully functional. On November 14, we energized our power system, enabling us to power Citi Pond, The Holiday Shops, Celsius, and all of the accompanying events through the switchgear room on-site.

Now all that's left to do is put finishing touches on the structure, return irrigation lines and pavers, and tidy up the site. Inside the power facility you can see that the switchboards have been organized and wires tucked away, since we last looked inside in October.

The ladder down into the space has been replaced with real stairs, and the hatch will soon be completed with a hydraulic lift.

Outside, above the switchgear room, we've been working to restore the area behind the fence to original conditions. If you'll remember, the new electrical facility for the park will be housed completely underground. Once the project is finished, you won't even know it's under there.

Next crews will restore bluestone pavers that were removed at the start of construction, and replace any that were damaged in the process. Once pavers are secure, we can remove the construction fence, and reopen the park space to the public.

For more information on the park's Power Facility Project, see our past blog posts: 

• May 19: Bryant Park Power Project
• July 6: A New Power Grid
• August 4: Camouflage and Excavation
• September 12: Rebar, Shore and Pour
• September 29: The Room and the Vaults
• October 18: Making Connections

Shop the Season: Miss Tea

Guest Blogger Jacob finds comfort in the wide selection of tea at Miss Tea in The Holiday Shops, and explains why organic fair trade tea is not only better tasting, but better for the world as well. 

“If you are cold, tea will warm you.  If you are too heated, it will cool you.  If you are depressed, it will cheer you.  If you are excited, it will calm you.”

- William Ewart Gladstone, 1865

Taking advantage of a beautiful late November day here in midtown, I strolled through the park and came upon the Miss Tea kiosk in front of the Bryant monument.  I was pleasantly surprised to find a rich selection of organic, fair trade, loose leaf teas.  Loose leaf tea is not easy to find in this city; it usually demands a trip to a boutique coffee shop, tea house, or specialty grocer.  As I perused the shelves of the shop, I found a rare favorite: lapsang souchong, a tea that is smoke-dried over pinewood fires, giving it a very deep smoky taste.  One sip of this tea brings you to a warm and secure place (think secluded winter campfire on a dark mountain side).

Most tea is grown and harvested using pesticides and herbicides, which jeopardize the quality of the tea and health of the workers harvesting the leaves.  The tea at Miss Tea is organic, which, according to shop owner Revital, preserves more of the taste and makes for a fuller experience.

Miss Tea features thirty-three varieties, including black, green, and herbal teas, in three different package sizes: a small glass jar, a large glass jar, and a re-sealable bag. In addition to this selection, the shop also features tea-brewing supplies, handmade soaps, and handmade incense made from real essential oils.

Whatever your tea of choice, it is likely Miss Tea will have it.  This is their first winter at Bryant Park, so stop by to see the store, or visit their online shop if you can't make it in person.  Happy sipping!

Miss Tea

Booth J13 on the Upper Terrace  (map)

The Holiday Shops at Bryant Park
Monday – Friday: 11am – 8pm
Saturday: 10am – 9pm
Sunday: 10am – 6pm

*Look for special extended hours during the holidays. Some shops may be open on Christmas Day.

The Holiday Tree Takes Center Stage

This year's Holiday Tree comes to us from Rockland County, New York courtesy of the Piperato family. John and Amy, along with their three small children, are thrilled to see the 53 foot Douglas Fir from their property grace the center stage at Citi Pond and The Holiday Shops.

We'll celebrate the holidays with a festive ceremony tomorrow before the inaugural lighting of the tree. Attendees will enjoy special music, skating and Broadway performances before the main event, when the tree's tens of thousands of blue LED lights are flipped on. 

The free show includes performances by Sarah McLachlan, the casts of Million Dollar Quartet and Mamma Mia, British figure skater Steven Cousins, synchronized skating team The Haydenettes, and The Brooklyn Youth Chorus. 

Take a look at detailed photos of the over three thousand ornaments that decorate the tree. Can't wait to see these beauties sparkle with the tree's lights. (Click photos to enlarge.)

The show runs from 7pm - 8:30pm, which means public skating will be closed from 4pm - 8pm to allow for rehearsals. Come early and grab a seat rinkside, or try to get a spot in the warmth of the skating pavilion or at Celsius, overlooking the Pond. Also take a look at the complete schedule for full performance information.


Citi Pond Tree Lighting Ceremony
Tuesday, 7pm - 8:30pm
November 29

From the Archives: Gertrude Stein will Watch Over you While you Shop

In this post, BPC's archivist, Anne Kumer, shares some park history. This post also appears on NYC Circa, a history blog about New York City and its public spaces.

At this time of year, the life-sized bronze Gertrude Stein statue is somewhat buried behind The Holiday Shops in Bryant Park. She is one of ten made from a cast by friend and sculptor Jo Davidson in Paris, in 1922, and possibly the only one displayed outdoors year-round. Davidson had a long list of commissioned busts, including Charlie Chaplin, Hellen Keller, and Frank Sinatra. Many of them can be seen here. The photo below, taken by friend and surrealist photographer Man Ray, shows Davidson working in his Paris studio, with his subject Gertrude Stein looking on.

Photo: Man Ray, 1922, Getty Museum

Stein was connected to the ex-pat art and literary scene of the times, coining the term "lost generation," later used by Hemingway to refer to that generation of authors: "You are all a lost generation," epigraph, The Sun Also Rises. Though most well-known for her writing and personal relationships, Stein, along with several members of her family, amassed an impressive art collection, on display at the Grand Palais now until mid-January.Time to use up those miles!

The Bryant Park statue was donated by Dr. Maury Leibovitz, psychologist and art dealer, and unveiled in a small ceremony on November 5, 1992. In addition to the sculpture, Mr. Leibovitz owned an estate formerly belonging to Jo Davidson. Davidson has another Bryant Park connection -- for a time, he worked out of a studio at the Bryant Park Studios, on the corner of 40th Street and Sixth Avenue. So it's fitting that she found a home in the park.

Photo: BPC, Marco Castro

As for the other nine statues, I tracked down a few of them: one at The Met (they also have a beautiful Picasso portrait of her), supposedly one each at The Whitney and The Carnegie Museum of Art, and possibly one at The Smithsonian (it was on view last Spring, but could have been on loan).
  
Other Sources:
**The Parks Department has a monuments catalog available online. You can read about most every statue you've ever seen in the park system until your eyes bleed.
**Now you can settle all of those arguments about when the Post Modern ends and Contemporary begins with this handy chart.

Shop the Season: Pickle Me Pete

Sweet chipotle, bread and butter, half sour, horseradish, kosher dill, super spicy. Pickle fans will love the buckets of briny green treats at Pickle Me Pete in the park. Pete has it all at his Holiday Shop.

You can get a pickle to eat right away, or fill a quart with your choice of flavors. Prices start at $2 for a single large pickle, or you can get a whole quart for $7.

If you want to make it a gift, Pete will dress up your pickles with decorative glass jars, baskets, or Hanukkah and Christmas themed containers. This is one stop shopping for the pickle obsessed on your list. He's also selling pickle themed tee shirts and ornaments. Packages start around $30, and he can ship gifts directly to your pickle-eating friends and loved ones.

Pickle jars with Santa hats, dreidels, or candy canes.

Pickle Me Pete

Booth C07 on the Fountain Terrace  (map)

The Holiday Shops at Bryant Park
Monday – Friday: 11am – 8pm
Saturday: 10am – 9pm
Sunday: 10am – 6pm

*Look for special extended hours during the holidays. Some shops may be open on Christmas Day.

Inspiration From Around the Globe

At Bryant Park we're always on the lookout for new trends. In 2008, one of our staff members read a New York Times article about the resurgence of table tennis in New York City, and we thought it would make a perfect addition to the park. You never know where you'll find inspiration.

Photo by Katie Kritzalis

Former Bryant Park blogger Katie Kritzalis spotted this ping pong table, while trekking in Nepal. The table sits at the base of the Himalayas in Lukla, the small town that most people fly through to access the Mount Everest Base Camp on the Southeastern Ridge.

It just goes to show that ping pong was a good choice for the park. It speaks to people of all ages, backgrounds, and skill levels. Anyone can pick up a paddle and enjoy a friendly game with a stranger. There's a reason that Ping Pong Diplomacy worked.

Shop the Season: SOVL

Guest blogger Jerome enjoys the convenience of working in close proximity to The Holiday Shops, where he can get inspiration for gifts and pick up stocking stuffers.

I set my heart on SOVL to find a few gifts for people this holiday season. These are either acquaintances or people I want to show I care about but am not too sure what they might like.

SOVL has a good message to me. They recycle old Vinyls into funky products. The atmosphere of the store gave me a good vibe right away, clear lines, no clutter, lots of colorful and varied items on display. Plus Maya, the manager, is a real charmer, and was informative and nice without being pushy with me.

Here she is with the item that was the most fun for me. I will end up getting this for two or three people: a power outlet or switch cover, made out of a recycled vinyl. There are many different ones, all one of a kind, and very, very cool. I might even get one for my office wall as well. It is art to replace a mundane object that everyone has to live with.

They also have bags, pendants, note books and other jewelry:

The other item I know I will go for are their bracelets. They come in 3 sizes, starting at $12, and I think they will be a great stocking stuffer. It is those cheaper ones I will get. Perfect for the kids, very colorful. I might also get a couple for artsy male friends as a more edgy present. They seem to me a better alternative to the cloth bracelets I see a lot of them wear. Let me know if you think they will be well received!

SOVL

Booth C02 near 6th Avenue  (map)

The Holiday Shops at Bryant Park
Monday – Friday: 11am – 8pm
Saturday: 10am – 9pm
Sunday: 10am – 6pm

*Look for special extended hours during the holidays. Some shops may be open on Christmas Day.

News from the MidCity: Transportation Design

Bryant Park shares a design team with our sister BID, the 34th Street Partnership. The same team that brought you petal inspired litter receptacles, and custom jewel box Holiday Shop kiosks has been hard at work on design improvements for the fare collection machines at NYC's new Select Bus Service stops. You can hear from the designers on how the new graphics make the machines easier to use, and see more pictures after the jump.

BEFORE

AFTER

Stay Later at Bryant Park

The holidays arrive when the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade rolls down Avenue of the Americas, past Bryant Park next Thursday. And with all of the special occasions, we're giving you more chances to skate, shop, and enjoy the Holiday Season at Bryant Park with extended hours at Citi Pond, Celsius, and participating Holiday Shops.

And if you don't take our word for it, see what Ms. Kelly Ripa had to say about Bryant Park during LIVE! with Regis and Kelly last week. Fast forward to 4:10 for the Bryant Park plug!

Thanksgiving Thursday, November 24
Citi Pond: 8am-10pm
Celsius: Noon-Midnight
The Holiday Shops: 11am-8pm

The Sixth Avenue entrance to the park may be closed on Thanksgiving morning. Please use the 40th Street or 42nd Street entrances.

Holiday Season December 15 to December 30
Citi Pond: 8am-Midnight
Celsius: Noon-Midnight
Holiday Shops: Some may extend hours at their own discretion.

Christmas Sunday, December 25
Citi Pond: 8am-Midnight
Celsius: Noon-Midnight
The Holiday Shops: 10am-6pm

New Year's Eve Saturday, December 31
Citi Pond: 8am-8pm
Celsius: Noon-8pm
The Holiday Shops: 10am-8pm

Shop the Season: Naughty & Nice

I was enchanted by the devilishly cute and irreverent pieces at Naughty & Nice in The Holiday Shops.

When artist Mauro Baioco named his shop Naughty & Nice, he wasn't talking about Santa's list. Baioco creates modern riffs on classic works of art by adding a bit of kitsch with cartoon animals, southwestern flare, and buttons.

Some are on the nicer side. Animal portraits with button eyes, mixed media street scenes, and one that looks like a depiction of The Last Supper meets Noah's Ark.

While other pieces on the naughty side are decidedly darker. A cartoon bear being abducted by an alien spaceship in a picturesque mountain landscape, or faux skull mounts with animal horns.

With varying scenes, animals, and price ranges ($10-$1200), there's something for a variety of budgets and styles at Naughty & Nice.  

Naughty & Nice

Booth F11 on the 42nd Street side of the park between The Tables and 'wichcraft (map)

The Holiday Shops at Bryant Park  Official hours*
Monday – Friday: 11am – 8pm
Saturday: 10am – 9pm
Sunday: 10am – 6pm

*Look for special extended hours during the holidays. Some shops may be open on Christmas Day.

The Columbia Freezer Tour

In one of the craziest stunts we've seen, Columbia Sportswear gives you a reason to be in the cold. They've set up a human-sized freezer on the skate deck next to Citi Pond that is specially outfitted for karaoke with video screens, mics and cameras.

The very cool Karaoke Freezer

Stop by the Columbia tent anytime between noon and 8pm, now through November 29, where the Columbia folks will protect you against the extreme conditions inside the cooler, with an opportunity to test-drive one of their new Omni-Heat Jackets. Suit up, and choose your favorite HOT song. Think Hot N Cold by Katy Perry, Snoop Dog's Drop it Like It's Hot, or Van Halen's Hot for Teacher.

Two willing participants suit up

Once inside, there's a quick photo booth style shoot before the lyrics start scrolling. As you keep up with the words and fight the cold, it's probably best to forget that the cameras are rolling, while everyone in line watches the performance.

Yes, that thermometer says it's -11 degrees in the freezer!

When you leave the freezer, they'll print those photobooth shots, and give you a scratchoff card with a chance to win discounts on Columbia apparel. If you really want to cringe, you can log on later to view the video of your performance.

Shop the Season: TopArepa

Today's guest blogger Sarah visited TopArepa at The Holiday Shops, where she went a little Forrest Gump over the corn arepa dough in these traditional Venezuelan patties. 

Being a New York City transplant, I am on a mission to try all of the classic street foods in this city.
I have yet to try arepas myself, despite their regular appearances at summer street fairs on Lexington Avenue.  I love anything made with corn; you can barbecue it, boil it, broil it, bake it, sauté it…pan fried, deep fried, stir-fried, the possibilities are endless.

There are two kiosks selling arepas at The Holiday Shops this season, but I was drawn to Toparepa (H09) because of its attractive décor and brightly lit store front, and who could resist a free sample offered by the friendly Moti?

I chose the ham and mozzarella arepa for $6.00. I was pleasantly surprised with the combination of slightly sweet corn patties and its melted salty center. It was not heavy or greasy at all like most street foods, and definitely satisfied my cravings for something both sweet and savory.



You can be more adventurous than me and choose your own toppings (or toparepas). I imagine an arepa topped with strawberry, roasted almonds and condensed milk would taste heavenly. Buy two arepas and you can get a free drink.

Next up on my NYC street food tour: roasted chestnuts.

TopArepa

Booth H09 on the 42nd Street side of the park behind Celsius (map)

 
The Holiday Shops at Bryant Park  Official hours*
Monday – Friday: 11am – 8pm
Saturday: 10am – 9pm
Sunday: 10am – 6pm

*Look for special extended hours during the holidays. Some shops may be open on Christmas Day.

Dylan's Candy Bar Pop-Up

You may have seen that something sweet is coming to the corner of 42nd Street and 6th Avenue, just across the street from Bryant Park. Last Friday, we got a sneak peek inside the Dylan's Candy Bar Holiday Pop-Up Shop, as the team was in the midst of stocking shelves with sweets and erecting candy displays. We saw an unbelievable variety of candy in all shapes and sizes... and they had only stocked a third of the shelves! Click through the images below to start dreaming of what's in store at their Bryant Park Pop-Up. Movie and character themed treats for the kids, gift sets, throwback sweets, Wii candy dispensers, marshmallow shooters, and even indulgent options for those watching their waistlines.

Don't miss their non-edible selections like candy coated pajama sets, and the adorable Dylan's Candy Bar Maclaren Buggy.

Click for larger images

PEZ dispensers and Star Wars themed candy

Dylan's classics, cookies'n'cream popcorn, sour candies, and Wii Klik-on candy dispenser

Astronaut ice cream, cotton candy, buttons and necklaces, candy themed PJs, retro candy capsules

Marshmallow Shooter, Plush Puffs, Skinny Cow treats, and pre-packaged gift tins

Personalized mints and Smurfs galore

This delicious work in progress wraps up over the next week, and opens to the public on Monday, November 21. We can't wait to see the life-sized gingerbread house and candy filled Christmas tree. The pop-up shop location will remain open for seven weeks, so drop by their midtown location for treats, candy and toys for all of your holiday occasions.

Dylan's Candy Bar

1095 Sixth Avenue at 42nd Street