Weekend Events Guide: July 24th Edition

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Here comes the weekend. There’s beautiful weather ahead and here’s your weekend events guide to help you plan your days!


Friday- Christmas in July is this week’s theme at the GC Seventh St Promenade. Get ready for live music, al fresco dining, themed give-aways for the kids, face painting, balloon artists and a special real snow storm. But wait… there’s more. There will also be an appearance by two very special guests. Drumroll please…. Santa Claus AND Princess Elsa! This event surely has the makings to be your child’s best night of the summer, or maybe best night ever.  Remember to dress in holiday attire. 6pm-10pm. Garden City. 

Friday- It’s Oldies Night at Eisenhower Park featuring The Encounters and Stan Zizka. Bring chairs or blankets. 7pm at Harry Chapin Lakeside Theatre which is located near parking fields 6 and 6A. Cost: free. East Meadow. 

Friday through Sunday- The GC Pool is running it’s annual food drive. Drop items off at the pool and help fight hunger on Long Island. Suggested items: canned soups and vegetables, pasta, cereal, tea, personal care items, nutritional beverages, baby formula, soy milk, almonds or dry milk. 

Friday through Labor Day- The Cradle of Aviation Museum hosts Aviators, Poets and Dreamers where they ask the question “Why Do We Fly?” Click here for more information. 1 Davis Ave, East Garden City. 

Saturday- It’s Christmas in July at the GC Pool. The movie at the GC Pool will be “Big Hero 6” Admission is free for members and $4 for guests. 8:30pm.

Saturday- Lakeshore Learning Store’s free craft for kids. This Saturday’ craft is a sun visor. 11am-3pm. 2079 Hillside Ave, New Hyde Park. 

Saturday- 102.7 presents Fresh in the Park at Eisenhower Park’s Harry Chapin Theatre, located near parking fields 6 and 6A. Bring chairs and blankets. 7pm. East Meadow. Cost: free.

Saturday and Sunday- See Disney’s Peter Pan JR. at the Long Island Children’s Museum. Saturday and Sunday showtimes: 11:30 and 2pm each day. 11 Davis Ave, Garden City. Ages 5 and up. $12, $10 for museum members.

Sunday- It’s Mardi Gras Day at the GC Pool! Enjoy live music by Linda Impanema “The Queen of Dixieland” from 2-4pm. 

Sunday- Join the Children’s Family Day and Health Expo at Eisenhower Park. Plaza Theatrical Productions will put on a production of Shrek at the Kite Field. 1pm-5pm. East Meadow. 


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Movie Review: Trainwreck

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Hey Insiders! I recently saw the movie “Trainwreck” written/starring funny girl Amy Schumer. You may know Amy from her stand up comedy or her television show ‘Inside Amy Schumer’ on Comedy Central. If you’re not familiar with Amy, she’s known for her crude raunchy comedy and this movie is no exception.  The film was very funny and I don’t typically go for this particular style of comedy.


            ‘Trainwreck’ follows Amy (which is also the name of the character), a carefree magazine writer living in New York. From a young age, Amy was told numerous times by her nutty father, “monogamy isn’t realistic”. Now in her early 30s, she is living by those words. Amy seems to enjoy her wild, promiscuous life but that is shaken up when she’s writing a profile on a successful Doctor to the athletes, Dr. Aaron Conners (Bill Hader).  To Amy’s surprise she starts to fall for the Doctor and starts to wonder if it’s time for her to grow up and get her act together. 

            The movie was very, very funny. I LOVE watching comedies and for the first half of the flick I was belly laughing at every single scene. I was surprised when the tone of the movie changed after the characters endure a tragedy. The film gets sad out of nowhere. I personally didn’t like the drastic tone change, probably because I wasn’t expecting it at all. It was hard for me to shake the sad feeling when the movie tried to get back to funny and light hearted. I eventually did shake the bad vibes and found myself laughing again. Although I didn’t like the tone shift, I do respect the writing a lot and think the movie was excellent. 
   
Amy and Bill were fantastic in the movie. They have a great on screen chemistry and did an amazing job bringing the two hilarious characters to life. Amy’s acting range was surprising for me. I’m used to her being a funny, easy going comedian but was shocked when she brought forth real emotions. 

I liked the movie and recommend seeing it, if raunchy comedy is your thing. It’s not my most favorite movie but it was enjoyable. Keep in mind it gets a little sad in the middle but maybe it won’t bother you as much as it did for me, since you have a warning. If you’ve seen the movie let me know your thoughts by leaving a comment below. Did you hate it? Did you love it? Do you think it was alright? Let me know! 

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Weekend Events Guide: July 17th Edition

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Even though weekends tend to be a bit quieter in the summer, there’s a lot happening in and around Garden City. So if you’re spending this weekend around town {and not battling Hamptons/NoFo traffic}, don’t despair. It’s going to be a great weekend. Enjoy!


Friday, Saturday, Sunday- Love Bacon? Love Beer? Don’t miss bacon and beer at the Baconfest at Plattduetsche Restaurant. 1132 hempstead Tpke. Cost: free. Friday from 3pm, Sat and Sun beginning at noon. Enjoy special bacon menu items, live music and bacon beer!

Friday- The Promenade on Seventh St will have a St Patrick’s Day theme tonight. Come for live music, al fresco dining, face painting, balloon artistry and more. Wear something green!

Friday- Enjoy an evening of chamber music at the 34th LIU Post Chamber Music Festival in conjunction with Tilles Center, the School of Visual and Performing Arts and the Department of Music at LIU Post. Hillwood Recital Hall. 8pm. Tickets: $20, seniors and students $10. For further information about the LIU Post Chamber Music Festival, visit the Festival’s website at www.liu.edu/post/chambermusic

Friday- Eisenhower Park will hold a ballet showcase with American Balleet Theatre Dancers.  Lakeside Theatre. 7:30pm. Cost: free.

Saturday- Enjoy the Taylor Dayne and Alisha concert at Eisenhower Park. Lakeside Theatre. 7pm. Cost: free.

Saturday- Head to the Madison Theater at Molloy College for the LI Comedy Festival. Cost: $35. 1000 Hempstead Tpke, Rockville Centre. Click here for the deets. 

Saturday- Free craft for kids at the Lakeshore Learning Store. 11am-3pm. 2079 Hillside Ave., New Hyde Park.

Saturday and Sunday- Catch the exhibit, Enduring Images, at Hofstra University. Hofstra University’s Museum David Filderman Gallery. Sat 9am-4pm, Sun noon-4pm

Sunday- The Garden City Pool hosts live music by “Copy Cat Band” starting at 2pm. 

Sunday- Enjoy some authentic Greek food and music at Greek American Night at Eisenhower Park. Lakeside Theatre. 7pm. Cost: free. 


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Farewell FAO

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New York City’s most iconic toy store, FAO Schwarz, officially closed its doors today. Although not in Garden City (obv), I thought this event deserved some local recognition. I’m sure almost all of us have been to FAO at one time or other. 

I headed to FAO for some shopping on Tuesday, the store’s second to last day of business. It wasn’t especially crowded and it looked as if a good portion of the store was still in tact, but it was a bit sad to see certain sections blocked off, bare, or broken down and packed up. I have many happy memories over the years inside the store’s legendary red and gold entryway. 


The toy soldiers stationed out front were taking loads of pictures with visitors- even more than usual.  Although there was no line to enter the store on Tuesday, this was the first time I’ve ever seen a line of people waiting for a photo op with a toy soldier. 


I guess I could (or should) be proud to say that I was one of the last people shopping in FAO Schwarz before it closed, but I’d rather be saying that it’s still a viable business in NYC and that I’ll be heading back soon.

This closure clearly marks the end of an era and the end of a special NYC landmark that I will never forget. I hope we see FAO Schwarz again in Times Square in the future, but will it ever be quite the same? 


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Weekend Events Guide: July 10th Edition

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The weekend is finally here and our guide to what’s happening in and around Garden City is at the ready! There are a few events listed which are not exactly “around” Garden City, but we thought they deserved mention. 


Friday- Head to the GC Seventh St. Promenade and wear your red, white and blue! Enjoy dining al fresco, face painting, balloon animals and live music. Remember to support your local businesses while there. Events start at 6pm and Seventh St. will be closed to street traffic for the duration.  

Friday- Neil Berg 100 Years of Broadway is the main event tonight at Eisenhower Park’s Lakeside Theatre. 7pm. Cost: free. 

Friday, Saturday and Sunday- The City of Long Beach will hold its Fireworks Extravaganza. Enjoy a variety of food vendors, fireworks, live music, arts and crafts and more! Bring picnic baskets, chairs and blankets for the fireworks show. Click here for more information. 

Saturday- Enjoy a performance by the Dark Lady- a Cher Tribute Band and Disco Unlimited. Harry Chapin Lakeside Theatre located near parking fields 6 and 6A. 7pm. Cost: free. 

Saturday- Head to Rockville Centre for food, music and fireworks at Mill River Centennial Park Complex. 295 S Park Ave. 6pm-10:30pm

Saturday and Sunday- The Big Apple Circus is at the Tilles Center. Click here for available showtimes and tickets. 720 Northern Blvd., Greenvale

Saturday- Free craft for kids at Lakeshore Learning Store. 2079 Hillside Ave, New Hyde Park. 11am-3pm

Sunday- Take part in the Columbian Festival at Eisenhower Park starting at 2pm. Lakeside Theatre. Cost: free. 


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Weekend Events Guide: July 3rd Edition

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If you’re having a staycation this Fourth of July weekend, not to worry- there’s enough happening in and around Garden City that’s sure to keep you having fun and feeling patriotic!

Friday- Eisenhower Park will host an outdoor Tribute to Billy Joel at Harry Chapin Lakeside Theatre, located near Parking Fields 6 and 6A. Bring blankets and chairs. 7pm. Cost: free.

Saturday- The Garden City Pool will hold Family Fun Day from 1-4pm. Celebrate the Fourth with live music by “Squeaky Clean” and lots of fun and games!

Saturday- The Stewart Manor Fire Department will host their annual 4th of July parade starting at 10:30am. If you haven’t experience this yet, you may want to give it a try. But don’t show up unprepared. Bring plenty of water blasters and water balloons and maybe even a raincoat?

Saturday- Catch the Jones Beach Firework Show at 9:30pm. Admission cost: free. $10 to park. Ocean Pkwy, Wantagh.

Saturday- The Stars and Stripes Festival takes place at Belmont Park Racetrack. There will be a lot happening here such as live music by alternative rock band Switchfoot, the Blue Man Food Truck Festival with an array of food trucks, petting zoo, pony rides, bouncy houses and more! Hempstead Tpke, Elmont. Gates open at 11am. Cost: $5

Saturday- Free craft for kids at Lakeshore Learning Store 11am-3pm. Cost: free. 2079 Hillside Ave, New Hyde Park


Happy Fourth of July weekend! Thank you for reading InsideGardenCity.com. Please follow us on Facebook and Instagram.

Inside Out- A Review

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Our movie and entertainment correspondent, Carly Hampton, is here with a review of the latest and greatest from Disney Pixar, “Inside Out”. If you haven’t heard any of the buzz yet about this movie, read on…


Inside Out

Pixar has done it again! They have a knack for storytelling and touching on all of our emotions- like the time we cried when Andy gave away his toys in “Toy Story 3” or laughed at the things that Dory said in “Finding Nemo” or even when we were a little afraid of Randall in “Monsters Inc”. The summer smash “Inside Out” is no exception. In fact, Pixar very literally brings to life all of our emotions.  

With a comedy cast of voice actors, we meet Joy (Amy Pohler), Disgust (Mindy Kaling), Fear (Bill Hader), Anger (Lewis Black) and Sadness (Phyllis Smith) in this amazing movie. Riley is a happy-go lucky hockey playing 11-year-old girl from the Midwest. Her emotions – Joy, Fear, Anger, Disgust and Sadness work in the “headquarters” of her brain to keep her safe and happy, but when her family moves to San Francisco her world is turned upside down. 

The move causes a little trouble in headquarters when Sadness is brought to the forefront of Riley’s mind. Joy tries to stop Sadness from upsetting Riley and the two emotions are accidentally sucked out of headquarters, leaving only Fear, Disgust and Anger in control. It is Joy’s mission to get back to headquarters with Sadness and help Riley in this difficult transition in her life.

Inside Out is a great movie for kids. It teaches them to communicate and not to let their Joy get lost. Personifying the emotions that we have can help children understand what’s going on inside themselves and in others. The movie sends a good message to youngsters while not being preachy or boring so they will enjoy themselves while watching.  

I was really blown away by the film’s creativity and writing. The story itself is so unique and very unpredictable. Throughout the film, we are taken on a journey through Riley’s mind. We see how dreams are made, what’s in her subconscious, where memories go and we also get to take a ride on the “train of thought”. There are different islands in Riley’s mind that make up her personality such as Family Island, Hockey Island, Goofball Island and a few others. The way Pixar showed everything that goes on in our mind was really fun. 

The movie deals with emotions and how people react to different things but it isn’t heavy or draining. Pixar does an awesome job of keeping the story funny and light. Sadness sounds like it could be a bummer of a character but she is actually doofy and very funny throughout the film. Anger is also funny and is only upset by things he thinks are “unfair” like no dessert. Inside Out does have a few sad moments but that’s Pixar for ya.
            Visually the movie was very bright, colorful and cute. The best part about any Pixar movie is finding  “Easter Eggs” which are hidden things that the animators leave in the background for the audience to spot, such as objects and characters from previous films. You might see Lightning McQueen or a Pizza Planet truck or something from a new upcoming Pixar movie.  

            I recommend seeing Inside Out. It would be a fun movie to see with the family on a rainy afternoon or you could be one of the weird adults that goes and sees it alone because she loves Pixar so much (I’m not talking about me, I swear). Anyway, I hope you see it and enjoy it as much as I did. If you have seen it or go to see it, tell me what you think. Did you find any “Easter eggs”? Did you love it? Did you hate it? Let me know. Until next time GC. Thanks for reading!


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Party Party

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So you want to have some friends over for some drinks, but you don’t want the stress of putting it all together? Or you don’t want to have the same old thing at your house that everyone else has at theirs? At a party recently, I spied some pretty cool ideas that were pretty simple, yet fun and different. I thought I’d share them with you. 

First, the drinks…

 Make your own mimosa instructions.

Very simple, right? 

 Use any fresh fruit you like for garnish.

I thought the make-your-own mimosa bar was a cute idea and so easy. Also, you don’t have to deal with making drinks during the party. It’s completely self serve yet something a little bit different than the standard line-up of wine bottles. Set this up and you’re done. 

Onto the next idea… Jenga anyone?

Jenga in a jar

I loved the Jenga in a jar idea as well. Sitting on a table at the party was a jar of Jenga pieces and some markers. Guests took a wooden piece of the Jenga puzzle and wrote a message on it for the honoree. The message could be a piece of advice, something funny or just a good wish. Then the personalized Jenga game becomes  a gift and also a great memory for the party’s honoree. This is a great idea for an anniversary or birthday party, as well as a shower/engagement or retirement party. 

Last but not least, and my personal favorite, was the wine basket gift idea. See below:

A wine basket like no other!

If you’re in need of a gift to bring to a party but want to give something different, this is a fantastic idea that proves you are a guest who goes the extra mile! Purchase an attractive basket or container and fill it with wine bottles but (and here’s the thoughtful part) mark each bottle with a tag or label stating when the recipient is to drink that particular bottle. You could make the messages funny (To drink if you ever get a hole-in-one) or thoughtful (To enjoy on your next anniversary or Open on Valentine’s Day). You could put as many or as few bottles in as you’d like. The basket I saw had a year’s worth of wine in it (12 bottles- one per month) with a cute message written on each bottle. Who wouldn’t love to receive this gift?

Hope I’ve given you some new and interesting ideas for your next gathering. Cheers!


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Weekend Events Guide: June 26th Edition

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Hooray! It’s officially summer and the last weekend of June. There’s a lot to do this weekend before July 4th celebrations begin! Here’s your guide to what’s happening in and around Garden City.


Friday- Woo hoo! It’s Mardi Gras Night at the GC Friday Night Promenade. Hang out with your friends and neighbors while supporting our local businesses. Enjoy face painters, balloon animals, live music, outdoor dining, shopping and socializing. Wear your mardi gras beads! 6pm-10pm on Seventh St.

Friday- The Salute to Motown concert takes place in Eisenhower Park. Lakeside Theatre. Cost: free. 7pm.

Friday- Live music at Doc O’Grady’s. The fun starts at 9pm. 273 Nassau Blvd South, garden City South. 

Friday and Saturday- Enjoy live music at the Patio Bar at the Garden City Hotel. Seventh St. 4pm until closing. 

 Saturday- The Cradle of Aviation Museum is holding it’s “Saturday Space Lab” in their Jet Blue Sky Theater Planetarium. This interactive experience will teach you about space, science and astronomy. Call 516-572-4066 for reservations. Cost: Adult $8. Child, Senior $712pm-1pm

Saturday- Get in on a little pre-4th of July action with the “Celebrate America” Fireworks and Show at Eisenhower Park’s Lakeside Theatre. Cost: free. 5pm.

Saturday- Free craft for kids at Lakeshore Learning Store. 11am-3pm. 

Sunday- If you’re a bug lover, don’t miss the Bug Bonanza at the LI Children’s Museum. There will be bug scientists, bug face painting, bug crafts and more! Cost: free with museum admission. 12noon-4pm. 11 Davis Ave, Garden City. 

Sunday- It’s Ukrainian American night at Eisenhower Park. Lakeside Theatre. Cost: free. 7pm.


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A Review- MAD MAX: FURY ROAD

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Back on the blog today is Carly Hampton, our resident movie and TV expert. Below, she gives us a movie review of Mad Max: Fury Road. Read on and enjoy!

MAD MAX: FURY ROAD


It’s got chills! It’s got thrills! It’s got cliché opening lines. It’s my review on Mad Max. Let’s dive in! 

‘Mad Max: Fury Road’ starring Tom Hardy (Max) and Charlize Theron (Furiosa) was an amazing action packed film. It was so good that I felt the need to see it a few times. I typically don’t go for action movies but this was amazing. The movie has nonstop action, great acting and epic visuals.  

‘Mad Max: Fury Road’ is the 4th and newest installment of the Mad Max films. The film takes place in a post apocalyptic society set in a desert wasteland. Max is a lone warrior captured by a band of “War Boys”, the army of warlord, Immotan Joe’s Citadel. 

Furiosa drives a war rig for Joe used for picking up fuel. When she unexpectedly changes course, Joe discovers she has taken his slave wives. Joe and his War Boys set out to get them back. Furiosa is bringing the girls to the “Green Place”, a place where Furiosa grew up before being taken by Joe herself. 

Nux, a sick War Boy, brings Max, a universal donor, into battle as his blood bag. I know. Super gross. Finally crossing paths, Max teams up with Furiosa and the chase begins.

The film focuses more on Furiosa and the wives than it does Max, despite the title of the film. I loved that the women in the movie weren’t depicted as “damsels in distress” which action movies often do with women. These ladies didn’t just sit around hoping they would make it to the “Green Place”. They would gear up and battle. Some might not like the fact that the movie doesn’t focus totally on Max but if that’s what you’re looking for, then watch the original film “Mad Max”. I think the movie is forward and wasn’t buying into cliché tropes. Everyone in the movie was human and acted and reacted as such.

 Remember when I told you earlier that this movie has nonstop action? I wasn’t kidding. From the moment Max is captured to the very end of the movie, we are given maybe 3 times to take a breath. This film gives credit to it’s audience which I personally love. Nothing about this film was clunky or expositional. We catch on as we watch, leaving a ton of room for action. Even when there wasn’t much action, the War Boys were right on their tales leaving me in suspense the entire time.

Visual choices the director made really helped this movie pop. Some action sequences were very theatrical and although intense, very mesmerizing. The movie would get a little bit graphic but nothing I couldn’t stomach. The opening sequence, when Max is captured, was awesome. They made the scene more intense by pulling frames out of the shots and using quick cuts. They do a lot of these things during the entire movie.

I think this movie is definitely worth seeing. Maybe on a rainy summer day you can head to the theater or wait until it’s released on DVD- either way I think it’s a must see. If you love action movies, this is the film for you.  

If you’ve seen it or go to see it, let me know what you think by leaving a comment below. Thanks for reading!