Monday, April 17, 2017

New York City Round-Up #4


SummerStage 2017
SummerStage is New York City's largest free performing arts festival, bringing more than 100 free performances to Central Park and neighborhood parks throughout the city. Since its inception, more than six million people from New York City and around the world have enjoyed SummerStage, turning parks into vibrant destinations for the arts.

Programs like SummerStage, and other similar events such as the Lincoln Center Out Of Doors series, are why I love to visit New York over the hot summer months. There is a huge smorgasbord of free or low-cost events to select from, and to enjoy and participate in.

As in previous years, the 2017 SummerStage season features more than 100 free performances across 16 neighborhood parks. The first major free event of the summer takes place in Central Park on Saturday, June 3, with a performance from gospel legend Mavis Staples. I was delighted to see Mavis and her brilliant musicians perform as the support act for Bob Dylan last year in New York, and I would love to be at the June 3 show. Unfortunately, I don’t arrive in New York until later in the month.

Coming up later through June and the summer are alternative hip-hop trio Digable Planets, the 25th anniversary of the Charlie Parker Jazz Festival in August, featuring an expanded four days of performances including the Joshua Redman Quartet, the Anat Cohen Tentet, and many more. 

Visit the SummerStage website to get full program details & watch the official SummerStage season announce trailer below. While you are there, don't forget to become a SummerStage Member!


More Information
SummerStage is produced by City Parks Foundation

Connect with SummerStage
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Lower Manhattan Cultural Council Open Studios
{Lower Manhattan Cultural Council}Open Studios inspire local residents and workers in the neighborhood by connecting them to artists, new ideas and perspectives, and other art-lovers to demonstrate the role that artists play in creating vibrant, sustainable communities.

This initiative is a year-round series of events that brings audiences closer to the creative process and can take several forms, ranging from visits to visual artists’ studios to open rehearsals with performing artists and talks that engage artists and other creative practitioners in conversation about their work. LMCC encourages audiences of all ages and backgrounds to engage with creative work and the individuals who make it, on a personal level, leading to a deeper appreciation for the process of creativity and an understanding of the role artists play in their communities.

More Information

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NYC Ferry a Month Ahead of Schedule
New York City Mayor, Bill de Blasio announced recently that the first route in New York's eagerly-awaited and much expanded ferry system will be launching on May 1, one month ahead of its initial scheduled date. The announcement also noted that the system will be donning a new name. Rather than the Citywide Ferry Service, the network will be named "NYC Ferry," which rolls off the tongue a bit easier. The city even put together a cute new video that features the ferry's new logo and projected opening dates for each of the system's routes (give it a watch below).

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What’s On, Watson?
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Thursday, April 13, 2017

TripAdvisor: World's Top 10 Airlines

Emirates voted the best airline in the world


With all the much deserved fuss that is bedeviling United Airlines for the appalling treatment of passengers following this week's overbooking incident, I had planned to add a major post about that controversy to this blog. However, I have decided instead to add this much more positive post, which is essentially a media release from TripAdvisor, in which they announce the Top Ten best airlines as chosen by their reviewers. It is surely no surprise that United Airlines does not appear in the Top Ten.
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TripAdvisor, the world's largest travel site recently announced the 2017 Travelers' Choice Awards for Airlines, Based on Flyer Reviews

Emirates is the #1 Airline in the World; Delta and JetBlue Top North American Lists
Emirates: "Excellent Experience" Dale B > "My experience was excellent. Food was great, inflight entertainment was top notch, very modern and up to date system."
TripAdvisor, the travel planning and booking site, today announced the winners of its first annual travelers' Choice awards for airlines, recognizing travelers' favorite carriers around the globe. Emirates was named the top airline in the world, followed by Singapore Airlines and Azul.

The awards honor 50 airlines overall, including top lists for the World, Europe, North America, the Middle East and Africa; as well as 16 regional winners. The awards also highlight top airlines by level of service, covering First Class, Business Class, Premium Economy and Economy. Award winners were determined using an algorithm that took into account the quantity and quality of airline reviews and ratings submitted by travelers worldwide, over a 12-month period. The hallmarks of Travelers' Choice award winners are outstanding service, quality and value.

"We are proud to announce the inaugural Travelers' Choice awards for airlines, to help travelers make the most well-informed air travel decisions, based on the experiences of the global TripAdvisor community," said Bryan Saltzburg, senior vice president and general manager for TripAdvisor Flights. 

"The airline industry is investing billions of dollars in new aircraft and service enhancements to differentiate the flying experience and these awards recognize the carriers offering the very best experiences and value to the traveling public."

"We are honored to be named the Best Airline in the World in the TripAdvisor Travelers' Choice Awards for Airlines 2017," said Sir Tim Clark, President, Emirates Airlines. "The fact that the awards are a result of unbiased reviews and feedback speaks to our commitment to deliver a superior travel experience for our customers. We want travelers to continue making Emirates their first choice whenever they think to travel. That is why we continue to invest in products and services across all classes, and why our service teams work hard and put their hearts into providing the very best experience for our customers both onboard and on the ground every day."

"Our mission of inspiring humanity sets us apart from every other airline," said Joanna Geraghty, JetBlue executive vice president of customer experience. "This recognition by TripAdvisor and our customers demonstrates once again, that we are on the right path.  Thanks to our 20,000 crewmembers who live and breathe our unique values every day. It's our culture that inspires us to provide exceptional service, while we continue to build upon the product our customers love."

Singapore Airlines came in at the number two spot



Among the top 10 global list, Asia holds the highest number of individual winners, with total of five (Singapore Airlines, Korean Air, Japan Airlines, Thai Smile and Garuda Indonesia); followed by the United States, with two airlines in the top rankings: JetBlue and Alaska Airlines, in fourth and ninth places, respectively.

Top 10 Airlines in the World:
1.      Emirates, United Arab Emirates
2.      Singapore Airlines, Singapore
3.      Azul, Brazil
4.      JetBlue, United States
5.      Air New Zealand, New Zealand
6.      Korean Air, South Korea
7.      Japan Airlines, Japan
8.      Thai Smile, Thailand
9.      Alaska Airlines, United States

10.  Garuda Indonesia, Indonesia
2 Singapore Airlines: "My preferred airlines. Great food, really helpful flight crew. The best." Anne B > "I love travelling with Singapore airline. It is a real pleasure. The flight crew are always caring and courteous. The in flight food excellent. Good leg room. Definitely my preferred airline."
Class of Service Global Winners:
Best First Class: Emirates, United Arab Emirates
Best Business Class: Aeroflot, Russia
Best Premium Economy Class in the World: Air New Zealand, New Zealand

Best Economy Class in the World: Emirates, United Arab Emirates

Jet Blue was named the best of the American airlines


North America Awards:
Top Major Airline in North America:
Delta Air Lines, United States

Top Mid-Size & Low Cost Airlines in North America:
1.      JetBlue, United States
2.      Alaska Airlines, United States
3.      Southwest, United States
4.      Virgin America, United States

5.      Westjet, Canada
4 JetBlue: "Awesome!" Cheryl T. B > "The crew was just awesome. From their greeting to their smiles. The flight was smooth and the seats were amazingly comfortable."
For the complete list of winners from the 2017 Travelers' Choice awards for airlines, visit  www.tripadvisor.com/TravelersChoice-Airlines. Travelers can also follow the conversation on Twitter at #TravelersChoice.

TripAdvisor is the world's largest travel site**. Travelers can read millions of reviews and opinions and book their next trip at: www.tripadvisor.com.

Methodology: Winners were based on airline reviews submitted on TripAdvisor Flights from February 2016 to February 2017.

Because In The End...

"Because in the end, you won't remember the time you spent working in the office or mowing your lawn."
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