Events

Weekend Events Guide 4/4/14 edition

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Another GC Weekend Events Guide is here- just in time for the weekend! See what’s happening ’round GC.

Little League Parade- Saturday, April 5th, 9:00am. Will head south on Franklin Ave. to 7th St, ending at the Village Green. 

Catch March Madness on Saturday April 6th on BK Sweeney’s large flat screen TVs. Games at 6pm and 8:50pm. 

Salon Imperiale’s Blow Dry Bar is offering $30 blowouts! Franklin Ave. 516-747-1027

You Wrote a Book, Now What- Saturday April 5th, 1-3pm at the GC Public Library. 516-742-8405

St. Joe’s Food Drive- Saturday, April 5th. Call for more information. 516-747-3535 

EarthFest Run- Sunday, April 6th, 9am-3pm at the GC Bird Sanctuary. Timed 5K run at 10am and obstacle course geared for kids at 11:30am.

Blood Drive- Sunday April 6th, 7:45am-1pm in the St Joseph’s School gymnasium. 

LI Children’s Museum- Sunday April 6th at 3pm. Explore backyard terrariums and make your own. 

Enjoy the weekend!


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Painting and Pinot at Revel

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It has been said that “talent writes with coffee; genius writes with wine.” I was hoping the same could be said in regards to painting…

Recently, Revel on Franklin Ave hosted a ladies night painting party. $65 bought you drinks, hors d’oeuvres, paints and brushes, an easel, canvas and most importantly (for me anyway)- the instruction of the art teachers from PaintNite.- where the motto is to “drink creatively.”

Not a painter or artist in any sense of the word, but always up for something new, I gathered up a few friends and took the painting plunge. It was advertised as “No Experience Necessary” so I thought this was perfect for me. Plus, I figured a drink or two could probably only improve my painting skills. Revel looked great on this Wednesday night. The front of the restaurant was busy and there was a good bar scene too- a NYC-esque crowd, as usual. The “painters” were gathered in the back where the paints and (delish) hors d’oeuvres were freely flowing.

After some mingling, it was down to business. Tables had been set up with easels, smocks and canvases. It looked very well organized- so far so good. Then the instruction and the painting began. It started off quite well- but as the night progressed, one could start to see a difference in the talent that was in the room that night. Some of the women were quite good and others were clearly there for the social part of the evening only. I fell into the latter category. My excuse was that I could not hear the instructor very well over the din of the socializing, which was true but probably not the main reason why my painting won’t be hanging over the fireplace.

The instructors from PaintNite were very friendly and helpful. They ran a well organized event. Keep them in mind next time you’re looking for an alternative to the traditional party. They do birthdays, fundraisers, corporate events, etc… You can find them at http://www.paintnite.com.

Overall, I would definitely sign up for another painting party like this and I recommend you catch it next time if you missed this one. I made new friends, hung out with old friends and realized that painting is pretty fun. I might even take a trip to Michael’s for some art supplies and “brush up” on my painting. Next time I’ll be ready and may actually bring home a wall-worthy painting!


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5 Simple Steps to Hosting a Bunco Party

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Last week I hosted my very first “Bunco Night.” For those of you who don’t know, bunco is basically the woman’s alternative to poker night- it’s a fast paced dice game. (Actually, it’s really just a thinly-veiled excuse to go out, hang out and chill out.) Right now it’s a hot suburban trend, but it isn’t something new. Bunco has been around for years and it’s a great game that gets everyone involved- if your group actually plays, that is. 


I’d say my first time hosting bunco was a success. It didn’t take much time to plan. Below, I’ve outlined my bunco party planning in 5 simple steps:

1. Invite your group- pick a date about a month in advance and get your email invites out. 
2. Plan your Menu- my group goes with a light dinner menu, others may only do apps. Up to you. 
3. Buy some alcohol- very important.
4. Have a clean house- cleaning woman made a special trip this week : )
5. Buy some more alcohol- can never have too much!

For food, I went with Capo in Floral Park (my go-to for catering and fab panini) and it was a hit. I served an assortment of bruschetta (my fave was the portobello mushroom with walnuts, goat cheese and arugula),  a variety of panini (yes, they’re better than La Bottega), grilled asparagus and a green salad with pears and gorgonzola. Yum. My guests had seconds… and thirds… and some maybe even fourths but I’m not mentioning names… always a good sign! I kept it simple with dessert- fresh baked chocolate chip cookies and strawberries with cream.




Of course, the alcohol was flowing and that always helps at any party. I had plenty of red, white and white zin on hand and also served sangria for something different. I take the fifth on how many bottles were opened, but let’s just say it was a fun night! 

This should be enough to motivate you to try your hand at bunco. If you don’t have a group to join, start one! You only need four people to start (or any number divisible by four), although the traditional number is 12. In some groups… ahem… it doesn’t even matter how many people you have because you may be having too much fun to actually play any bunco! Truth be told, I don’t even own a bunco set ; )






Inside GC Disclaimer: This article is used for informational and entertainment purposes only. Inside GC provides this information to the public and does not condone drinking and driving or excessive alcohol consumption. You must be 21 to consume alcoholic beverages.


IGC Weekend Events Guide March 21st Edition

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Our weekend events guide is up and ready! Check out the guide below to see what’s happening in and around GC:

1. Book Sale at the GC Public Library. Saturday, 3/22 from 9:30am-4:00pm. Fiction and non-fiction books available. Hard cover 25 cents, soft cover 10 cents. Can’t find bargains like that anywhere these days! Proceeds benefit the GCPL.

2. Live music at Leo’s. “His Boy Elroy” will be playing on Saturday, 3/22 at 9:30pm. 7th St., Garden City. 

3. Mussel Mania at Waterzooi. Sunday, 3/23. 3 course lunch or dinner for $21.95. Franklin Ave, Garden City.


4. WNET Thirteen and WLIW 21 present Family Day at Nassau Coliseum. Sunday, 3/23 starting at 11:30am. Come and meet Curious George and the Man with the Yellow Hat, Sid the Science Kid, Wordgirl, Buddy from Dinosaur Train and Daniel Tiger. Islanders vs. BlueJackets play at 1pm. Hempstead. 

5. MommaCon is holding their biggest event of the year. Here’s a sample of what you’ll see and do: Tiger Schulmann martial arts demo class, CrossFit class for kids, petting zoo, obstacle course, crafting fun, fastest lacrosse shot contest, Music for Aardvarks, Bricks 4 Kids, Music Together, acting and improv classes for kids, parenting tips, Bach to Rock, etc… Over 125 exhibitors will be in  one place to to show you everything kid and parent related in our area. Plus prizes and giveaways. $5 admission. http://www.mommacon.com Sunday, 3/23 from 10am-4pm. LIU Post, Brookville. 

6. LI Children’s Museum presents Messy Afternoons. Saturday and Sunday from 3:30-5pm, Age: 18 months to 4 years. 11 Davis Ave, Garden City. 

7. See a funky organ and drum duo from Oklahoma City called Sugar Free Allstars at the LI Children’s Museum. 11:30am and 2:00pm. 11 Davis Ave. Garden City.

And for Monday…

8. Feng Shui expert and owner of Feng Shui Manhattan, Laura Cerrano, begins her Feng Shui instructional course, Feng Shui for the Body, Mind and Spirit. This series starts on Monday, 3/24 in RVC. $50. Here’s the link to register and for more information: http://fengshuimanhattan.com/feng-shui-long-island-class/


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St. Patrick’s Day Weekend Events Guide

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Lots of great events going on in and around GC this weekend such as all-day bashes, live entertainment and food specials. Check them out below in the St. Patrick’s Day weekend events guide. At 57 degrees on Saturday, be sure to do something outside (even if it’s just walking from one bar or restaurant to another)! 

Stop at Doc O’Grady’s in Garden City South for live music at 9pm on Friday. If you (and your waistband) are up for it, they’ll be serving traditional Irish breakfast at noon on Sat, Sun & Mon. Think bacon… ham… sausage… etc. On the big day~ St Patrick’s Day~ don’t miss the Irish sing-a-long at 3pm and live Irish band from 6-9pm.  
BK Sweeney’s Uptown Grille on Franklin Ave is bringing you some fun events for St Patrick’s Day this weekend. Fueled by corned beef and cabbage, you may want a break from Irish music by Saturday night. If so, come over for some live classic rock (while enjoying a Guinness, Harp or Smithwick’s) by Mike Tessler at 10pm. On Monday they’ll have beer specials all day/night, bag pipers, some heavy green decor and employees decked out in their finest Irish costumes!  Try a Sweeney’s “Famous” Irish coffee which I’ve heard is quite tasty.  

 

Head over to Jack Walsh’s Irish Pub on Saturday at 3pm for their pre-St Patrick’s Day bash. They’re serving up corned beef and cabbage, shepard pie, bagpipers and dancers. The St Patrick’s Day feast on Monday begins at 4pm. 108 Covert Ave in Stewart Manor.  

Leo’s will be in the spirit with live music on Monday, St. Patrick’s Day, starting at 5:30pm.
On Sunday from 11am-6pm come out to Hofstra’s Annual Irish Experience Festival. Celebrate with live music, Irish dancing, authentic Irish food and lots of vendors. Mack Sports Complex. 

 

Don’t feel much like going out? You can still celebrate by stopping at Town Meat Market on 7th Street to pick up a delicious cooked corned beef dinner- complete with cabbage, potatoes and carrots. Now that’s Irish!   

If you’re ready for a little non-Irish entertainment, check out the Ruth Harley Gallery at Adelphi University for the “Outdoor Sculpture Biennial” featuring 10 sculptors. Now through May 31. Mondays-Fridays, 11-7; Saturdays & Sundays, 11-5. 

What will you be doing this weekend? 

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Disclaimer: This article is used for information only. InsideGardenCity.com provides this information to the public and it does not condone drinking and driving or excessive alcohol consumption. You must be 21 to consume alcoholic beverages.

Events Guide for Your MLK Weekend

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Who doesn’t love a 3 day weekend? Inside Garden City has got you covered with some local and some not-so-local holiday weekend events:

Central Park Ice Fest- Celebrate the cold in Central Park on Sat 1/18 from noon to 3pm. Enter mid-park at 72nd St. Pack your thermos of hot chocolate (or buy some there) and see some very talented ice sculptors at work on the most amazing NYC sculptures.
http://www.centralparknyc.org/about/news/central-park-news/ice-festival.html

Broad Hollow Theatre Company 700 Hempstead Turnpike, Elmont. (516) 775-4420
Don’t miss Shrek the Musical on Sat., 1/18 at 8pm and Sun., 1/19 at 2:30pm. Price: $14-$25

GC Public Library: I Have a Dream African American Stories in Art.
Dream it! Create it! Live it!  On Martin Luther King, Jr Day discover how dreams come true in artworks by famous African American artists. Create your own American dream collage under the guidance of Joyce Raimondo. 6:30PM-8:00PM Contact Marge Kelly: 742-8405 ext. 242. mkelly@gardencitypl.org 

Romeo & Juliet at Molloy College. Tel: 516-323-4444. Jan 18th. Show times: 2PM & 8PM. Enjoy the classic “Romeo & Juliet” with the International Touring Company!

Skating at Iceland in New Hyde Park. MLK Day Public Sessions: Ages 10 and under 11:30am-1pm. All ages 1:15-3:15, All ages 3:45-5:45.


Just For Kids:

Long Island Children’s Museum, Garden City, 1:30 and 3PM. $3 with museum admission, LICM members $2.
Dreaming with Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Artwork has long been used to record historical events. Draw inspiration from the life and works of Dr. Martin Luther King and create your own inspired artwork to take home.

Lil’ Athletes Sports Academy in West Hempstead is holding a sports camp for kids on Monday, Jan. 20th. Drop off your children for some sports fun!
Ages 3-5 9:30am-12pm, ages 6-10 1pm-3:30pm. Only $15 per child. 
**Remember to mention Inside Garden City for 10% off class packages and birthday parties!**

Broad Hollow Theatre Company 700 Hempstead Turnpike, Elmont. (516) 775-4420 Winnie the Pooh is being shown on Sat., 1/18 at 2:00pm. Price: $10-$12.


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Holidays Gangnam Style in GC

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A fellow GC resident passed on some great inside information last week- the light show in Garden City. I hadn’t heard of this before and certainly never observed when living in the city, so I definitely wanted to check it out. I went that night and it is definitely not to be missed. If you are able to drive by 4 Lincoln Ave before their last night on Jan 4, please do it. These are no amateurs. They’ve been doing this for seven years and their experience shows. It’s simple- drive up, tune your radio to 105.5 and enjoy the show. You will hear traditional holiday tunes as well as more recent hit music, such as Gangnam Style. It’s a pretty great show and I’m planning to stop by again before the 4th. 

Here’s a more comprehensive list of their songs: 
The Fox – Ylvis
Wake Me Up – Avicii
Gangnam Style – Psy
Party Rock Anthem – LMFAO
Wizards in Winter – Trans-Siberian Orchestra
Christmas Eve Sarajevo – Trans-Siberian Orchestra
Jingle Bells – Barbra Streisand

Carol of the Bells – David Foster
Amazing Grace – Yule
Music Box Dancer – DJ Schwede

HOURS: 

Fri and Sat: 5-11 pm
Sun thru Thur 5-10 pm

If you visit their facebook page https://www.facebook.com/lightstoabeat or their website, http://www.lightstoabeat.com, you will politely be advised to keep the neighbors in mind by keeping your music low while in the car. There is also a notification that Lights to a Beat is accepting donations for the Make-A-Wish foundation. There is a Make-A-Wish sign and donation box at the sidewalk. The night I was there, many people were getting out of their cars and donating. That’s the holiday spirit!


For me, this live show was at least as entertaining as the Guinness Book of World Records original Gangnam Style video (1.8 billion YouTube views- Wow!).


I hear this type of experience can be found in other towns across America and it’s one trend of suburban entertainment that I hope continues. It’s not exactly something you would find in a Norman Rockwell painting, but it does put a smile on your face and therefore, in the “Christmas spirit.” 


If you don’t get a chance to drive by, check out the link below:




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The Newcomer’s Cocktail

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Since I never pledged a sorority in college, I finally got my opportunity to attend a sorority-like event. It was the Welcoming Club of Garden City’s Newcomer’s Cocktail at Tiffany’s in Manhasset- just the excuse my fellow suburbanites and I needed to “swank-it-up” a bit on a Thursday night.

The Welcoming Club certainly checked all the boxes on this night. They served delicious cocktails and appetizers. A good number of Tiffany’s employees were on-hand in case anyone got the urge to shop during the evening (and shop they did). 


When we first entered we were given name tags- the GC newcomers wore tags with a crystal embedded in them to indicate that we were the newbies while pre-exisitng Club members wore tags sans crystal. Cute idea. This was not followed by initiation rituals but instead by flowing champagne. Also a nice idea. There were raffles for Tiffany’s gifts and a few speeches. Mostly, there was a lot of mingling and socializing, which I’m happily realizing are common themes in this town. 

It was also an opportunity for the Newcomer’s Club to explain their intra-clubs to all of us newbies. In a nutshell, a club exists for almost anything you could want to do in a happenin’ suburb- gourmet cooking, progressive dinner, ladies night out, couples night out, playdates, book club, running, movies, tennis, bowling, golf, bunko, etc, etc. You get the point. If you want to get on the inside of GC, it seems like the Welcoming Club can get you on the fast track. This club may just be a newcomer’s dream. I think I’ll be pledging… oops… I mean joining.  



Fall Fun in GC

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It’s that time of year again: days are shorter, weather is colder, the windows close, the heat goes on, noses sniffle (particularly in the seat next to me when I’m on mass transit)… Oh the glories of fall! As I try to get into the fall spirit, I have to admit that it’s a real effort for me. I just can’t feel genuinely excited and happy about cold weather, jackets, no more days at the beach- especially when the only season worse than fall (winter) is right around the corner. I do get a small amount of pleasure from some fall-related indulgences though (leather boots for instance). However, the season is upon us and I am putting in a good effort to find and enjoy a few fall things in my new digs. Let’s face it. it’s either that or start looking at Florida real estate. Here’s my list of 5 ways to enjoy fall in GC:


Visit the pumpkin patch on Stewart Ave and Nassau Blvd. In addition to tons of pumpkins, there are flowers, scarecrows, pies, breads, lots of halloween decorations- all for sale. You can also catch live music on the weekends and activities for kids like “storytime in the patch”. The pumpkins are driven all the way from Navajo reservations in New Mexico. Each pumpkin purchased helps provide education and medical services to Navajo families. And you thought you were just buying a pumpkin!

Take a short drive to Hicks Nursery for lots of fall related fun. You can take a hay ride, feed the animals at the petting zoo or even buy a 10 foot inflatable black cat for a lawn ornament. Thankfully, it doesn’t look like any of my new neighbors own one of these!  

Have a fall-inspired cupcake (or any of the yummy flavors) from Honestly Delicious- Garden City’s newest bakery cafe.

Hang out at A New Leaf on Seventh St. and drink a cinnamon almond spice. Lots of delicious, warm drinks for the fall season are brewing at the tea emporium. Not to be missed. 

And the one must-have that I enjoy every fall: a pumpkin spice latte from… anywhere. This always makes me a little happy about fall!

How will you be celebrating the season?

City Fix: Coney Island

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Woke up on Saturday morning and needed a city fix. The sun was out, mid 80s in August– a perfect Long Island beach day. After some quick math: City + Beach = Coney Island. The drive was a quick 35 minutes from Garden City w/o traffic and plenty of parking at the NY Aquarium, which has made a nice recovery from Sandy. I hear it will be fully reopened and remodeled in 2016. You can see the Cyclone from the Aquarium parking lot, which sets a nice backdrop for the day. 
After the Aquarium (no need for more than an hour there), you’re right in the middle of the boardwalk action. We caught an awesome sandcastle contest on the beach. My friend Kenny, who is also a fantastic photographer, captured the artists with his lens and gave us an insider’s view of Coney Island. The kids loved the rides at Luna Park (definitely get the 20 ticket pack for 2 kids) and of course we stopped at Nathan’s for hot dogs and lemonade. I wouldn’t wait in that line again, but I would hit the original Nathan’s next time. It’s a little bit more than a block off the beach. Yes, this is the site where Joey Chestnut ate 73 hot dogs on July 4th to roaring crowds. 
An easy walk to the southern end of the boardwalk is a much less crowded scene and has a few cool things to offer: the impressively restored original carousel, the Brooklyn Cyclones baseball stadium, water fountains shooting out from underground (which attracted lots of kids) in addition to a few crazier rides. I may need a drink before I submit to those. The live bands and huge kites overhead made for a great beach  scene.
You really can’t find this all of this at the Jersey Shore, the Hamptons or any other beach for that matter. It’s a one of a kind, quintessential NYC place with a quirky vibe. I highly recommend taking a day trip when you want that beachy/city kind of day, with a hot dog on the side.