Before the rain… More on that Monday. I’m a bit backlogged on posts but they’re coming!
All posts for the month July, 2011
Squirrel Meet Nut
Posted by cathryn on July 30, 2011
https://washingtonsquarepark.wordpress.com/2011/07/30/squirrel-meet-nut/
New Posts Coming Monday!
Check back! (Needed to take a few days break…)
Posted by cathryn on July 29, 2011
https://washingtonsquarepark.wordpress.com/2011/07/29/new-posts-coming-tomorrow/
Scene at Union Square Park
Last week — Union Square Park.
Photos: Cathryn
Posted by cathryn on July 27, 2011
https://washingtonsquarepark.wordpress.com/2011/07/27/scene-at-union-square-park/
Today: Same Sex/Gay Marriage Ceremonies Performed Under the Arch 9 a.m.-5 p.m. (Free, too)
“Gay-Friendly” NYC Wedding Officiants Rev. Annie Lawrence and Rev. Will Mercer will perform gay marriages, today, Tuesday, July 26, 2011, from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. at Washington Square Park under the Arch. This is the first week that Same-Sex Marriage is legal in New York. Free and open to all gay couples with a Marriage License.
Reverend Annie says Walk-ins are welcome! Couples who have their marriage license just show up. As long as there is room (reservations were also taken in advance), they will fit you in.
Info (slightly edited) from Time Out NY:
You need to have your marriage license for 24 hours before a ceremony can be performed. Applications were opened for Marriage Licenses at all Marriage Bureau locations in the 5 Boroughs of New York City on July 5, 2011, and for pick up on *Sunday, July 24*. You must wait 24 hours from the date and time noted on your Marriage License before your Ceremony can be legally performed. City Hall Marriage Bureau.
Then again, I keep hearing that marriage is a “dying institution.” Of course, everyone should have the right to go there. But, according to The Week, even the founder of E-Harmony advised people (straight and gay, presumably): “don’t do it.” Oh well.
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From the New York Times: New York Allows Same-Sex Marriage, June 24, 2011
New York Civil Liberties Union FAQ’s on Marriage Equality Act (2011)
Posted by cathryn on July 26, 2011
https://washingtonsquarepark.wordpress.com/2011/07/26/today-same-sexgay-marriage-ceremonies-performed-under-the-arch-9-a-m-5-p-m-free-too/
IntenSati Fitness Flash Mob Hits Washington Square Early Friday Morning
DNAInfo has the story and video — Flash Mob Brings Fitness Moves to Washington Square Park:
Searing heat failed to halt a flashmob of fitness fanatics from gathering in Washington Square Park Friday(7/22).
With temperatures already close to 90 degrees, more than 50 dancers streamed into the park at 8:30 a.m. for the impromptu intenSati cardio workout.
“I am the change I want to see!” the group chanted, as part of a sequence that was a mixture of aerobics, spoken affirmations and meditation.
“It sucks you in. The positive affirmations are great,” said Shanna Fried, 33, a personal trainer who began taking intenSati two weeks ago at Equinox Gym.
“It’s a great workout…and Patricia is very inspirational,” Fried said of intenSati creator Patricia Moreno.
Participants at the Park were encouraged to jump in.
“I have no idea what this is, but nothing surprises me anymore,” laughed [Ivo] Entchev, a Canadian native who came to New York eight months ago. “It was like power yoga.”
“On some level, I wanted to get up and join them, but I didn’t because the moves are too complicated.”
He plans to Google the practice to learn more, but he still said he’d never stand up and join.
“I’d be embarrassed,” he said. “It’s a lot of girls and they’re more coordinated.”
Here is intenSati Website.
Classes are offered at Equinox at 97 Greenwich Avenue (at West 12th).
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A little bit of history: This location (97 Greenwich Avenue) formerly housed the Art Greenwich Twin movie theater from 1936/early 1940’s to June 2000; soon after it was demolished to become an Equinox. Flaming Pablum has a photo of the theater’s former marquee. (I could not locate a photo of the old building. Anyone have one?)
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Photos of IntenSati Flash Mob: Meredith Hoffman/DNAInfo
Posted by cathryn on July 24, 2011
https://washingtonsquarepark.wordpress.com/2011/07/24/intensati-fitness-flash-mob-hits-the-park-early-friday-morning/
Seen at the Park — Friendships
There are friendships, alliances and an appreciation of all wildlife in Washington Square Park.
Photo: Cathryn
Posted by cathryn on July 22, 2011
https://washingtonsquarepark.wordpress.com/2011/07/22/seen-at-the-park-pigeon-appreciation/
Young Dancemakers Company Performance At the Arch Today, July 22nd, 6 p.m.
Today, Young Dancemakers Company, a dance ensemble comprised of New York City public high school students who create and perform their own choreographed work at free concerts throughout the city, will perform at the Arch at 6 p.m.
Selected by audition, the teenage members of Young Dancemakers each year present their own works and one by a well-known choreographer: in this case an excerpt from José Limón’s “Psalm.” Even audience members get in on the act: directed by Alice Teirstein, every show ends with “Dance With Us,” an opportunity to go onstage and improvise with the company.
Friday, July 22nd at 6 p.m. (rain date, Saturday), Washington Square Park, the Arch.
It’s unlikely it will rain as the forecast is sunny and expected to reach 100° in the city today.
They may want to improvise and leap from the Arch right into the fountain!
Posted by cathryn on July 22, 2011
https://washingtonsquarepark.wordpress.com/2011/07/22/young-dancemakers-company-performance-at-the-arch-today-july-22nd-6-p-m/
In the News: Washington Square Music Festival
Today’s New York Times features a review, Unusual Sounds to Play in a Park,” of this week’s concert by the Washington Square Music Festival (it was the second performance of the season):
The programming at free outdoor summer events often favors standard repertory, but the Washington Square Music Festival veered far off the beaten path with a concert called “The Joy of Unfamiliar Music” on Tuesday evening. A large crowd braved sweltering weather to hear the Festival Chamber Ensemble play works by Berio, Emmanuel Séjourné, Corrado Maria Saglietti and Vincenzo Gambaro.
Bach’s Keyboard Concerto in D minor (BWV 1052) was the only chestnut in the lineup, and it was offered with an unusual twist. The marimba player Pius Cheung, who has transcribed Bach’s “Goldberg” Variations for his instrument, played the solo part with flair, although the softer passages were sometimes barely audible despite amplification, and there was some shaky ensemble work.
More at the New York Times.
Of course, braving the “sweltering weather” was not easy for those in the audience because the amazing two trees that previously surrounded that location amidst the walkway were chopped down. I was told people were complaining at the premiere performance July 12th that there are no trees and therefore no shade to absorb some of the heat. The designer told me personally that those two trees would not be axed – but they were. If they still remained, the stage would have some shade. (There’s a lot of tree issues going on at the park right now.)
There’s no mention in the review of the low stage (which was 36″ high and is now 28″) and how this affected sight lines. (Previous WSP Blog coverage here.) I have not attended a performance this year so I cannot report personally yet.
There are two more concerts of the Washington Square Music Festival Tuesday, July 26th and Tuesday, August 2nd. All shows begin at 8 p.m.
Posted by cathryn on July 21, 2011
https://washingtonsquarepark.wordpress.com/2011/07/21/in-the-news-washington-square-music-festival/
Squirrel Meet Hawk
That’s a squirrel box in the Park (erected by the Parks Department) and, yes, there’s a squirrel in there! Who, apparently, survived — at least, that day.
Last week, I posted commenter Drew’s thoughts as to how to help the Washington Square Park squirrels. He wrote:
I entered WSP again today shortly after 2pm and immediately came upon one of the hawks, just west of the arch. The hawk was sitting directly on top of one of the squirrel houses. Just inside the squirrel house was one terrified occupant. The hawk sat there for quite some time, at least 20 minutes, before finally flying off.
It seems like the squirrels are easy pickings for the hawks. Perhaps the Parks Department might consider a modification of the squirrel houses (to make the tops less like attractive as a perch) and/or a relocation of some of the houses.
The hawks are a sight to behold – but it would be a shame to lose the playful squirrels that have been a fixture of the park for, well, ever.
The hawks are going to eat squirrels or rats or pigeons but we don’t have to make it quite so easy! It seems like modifying the top of the boxes would be the easier thing to do and contemplating better locations.
Roger_Paw Blog has been documenting newest Red-tailed Hawk Pip’s exploration of Washington Square Park with some amazing footage. Pip is still being assisted with food from parents Bobby and Violet and Bobby is still looking out for her around the Park.
One of the hawk blogs said, within a few days of fledging (leaving the nest), Pip would be on her own and she might not make it if she didn’t figure how to survive quickly. But, like a lot I’ve read about the hawks that seems to be stated as fact and then seems to be a bit off, she is still acting like a young bird who needs her parents.
Pip isn’t quite in killing mode yet it seems. Here is footage of Pip taunting and being taunted by the squirrels. If this was Bobby or Violet tho’, this would not be the case!
More on Violet, Bobby and Pip on WSP Blog.
Previous WSP Blog Post: With 3 Hawks in the hood, Can we give the Washington Square Park squirrels a little assistance?
Photo: Drew O.
Posted by cathryn on July 19, 2011
https://washingtonsquarepark.wordpress.com/2011/07/19/squirrel-meet-hawk/