FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE PR- 295-09 June 29, 2009 MAYOR BLOOMBERG ANNOUNCES RETURN AND EXPANSION OF SUMMER STREETS AND MORE THAN 1,500 FREE SUMMER EVENTS THROUGHOUT NEW YORK CITY Expanded Summer Streets Program will Bring Car-Free Streets for Recreation to 14 Locations throughout the Five Boroughs Calendars of Free Summer Events Now Available on nyc.gov and nycgo.com Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg today announced the return and expansion of the Summer Streets program and more than 1,500 free summer events throughout New York City. Summer Streets will again bring temporary car-free streets, healthy activities and free weekend summer recreation – now to a total of 14 locations throughout the Five Boroughs – through September. The free events available to New Yorkers this summer can be easily viewed on calendars on www.nyc.gov or on NYC & Company’s website www.nycgo.com. The Mayor was joined at the announcement by Department of Transportation Commissioner Janette Sadik-Khan, Department of Parks and Recreation Commissioner Adrian Benepe, Department of Cultural Affairs Commissioner Kate D. Levin, Assemblyman Joseph R. Lentol, Def Jam record label co-founder and impresario Russell Simmons, and award winning actor and The Taking of Pelham 1-2-3 co-star Luis Guzmán. The announcement took place in McCarren Park along Bedford Avenue, where a Summer Streets event, Williamsburg Walks, is currently taking place and where free summer movies are screened at the ball fields in the park. “Today, we want to let New Yorkers from across the City know about some of the great things you can do in the City this summer without spending a dime,” said Mayor Bloomberg. “The Summer Streets initiative was such a success – for both businesses and the public with 50,000 visitors – that today I’m proud to announce that we are bringing it back. This year, we’ve expanded the Summer Streets program to bring the fun to all five boroughs. And we’ve put together a comprehensive list of more than 1,500 free summer events and activities throughout the City, so families can still enjoy what New York City has to offer during these difficult economic times.” “This is only its second year, but Summer Streets is already a New York tradition,” said Commissioner Sadik-Khan. “Last year, some 50,000 people enjoyed all the free fun that the original Summer Streets route had to offer and this year we’re bringing that open invitation for everyone across all five boroughs to enjoy the streets in their own neighborhoods in a brand-new way.” “New York City’s public parks have long been synonymous with free summertime fun and, thanks to our many partnerships, this year is no different,” said Commissioner Benepe. “Whether you are attending a performance or sports clinic organized by the City Parks Foundation, enjoying world-class concerts from the New York Philharmonic or Metropolitan Opera, attending a film screening under the stars, kayaking the NYC Water Trail, or playing in the citywide volleyball tournament at Coney Island, the abundance of events and activities in our parks make New York City a great stay-cation destination.” “New York City's cultural organizations offer free and low-cost programs all year long, in all five boroughs, for audiences of all ages,” said Commissioner Levin. “This summer is a great time to explore what makes this City one of the world's capitals of culture: our theaters, museums, galleries, botanical gardens, zoos, historic homes and more are ready to welcome you.” “New York City is offering unprecedented value and savings this year, and this summer is no exception,” said George Fertitta, CEO of NYC & Company. “Now is the time to enjoy the energy and vibrancy of the five boroughs without breaking the bank.” “Summer Streets are a great opportunity for New Yorkers to get out, be active and see the City from a different perspective,” said Assemblyman Lentol. The largest Summer Streets location will be a reprise of last year’s Manhattan event where 50,000 people enjoyed the traffic-free environment. On Saturday, August 8th, 15th and 22nd from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m., the Manhattan route will run for 6.9 miles from the Brooklyn Bridge via Lafayette/Centre Streets, 4th Avenue and Park Avenue up to 72nd street, while key cross-town streets will remain open to vehicles crossing the route. The City has partnered with local community organizations to bring similar, car-free street events to 13 additional neighborhoods in all five boroughs, ranging from one to seven blocks long. Some of the events have already begun. Summer Streets is made possible in part through the generous support of Crunch Fitness – providing fitness classes ranging from pilates to cardio kick-boxing to yoga – and from LVMH Moët Hennessy Louis Vuitton. This spring LVMH sponsored the “Bike in Style Challenge,” which asked student designers from the Fashion Institute of Technology to create stylish, practical and affordable bike clothing and gear in support of the Mayor's bicycling promotion initiatives. The winning prototypes will be presented in conjunction with the launch of this year's Summer Streets. The more than 1,500 free events, ranging from free concerts and outdoor movie screenings to sandcastle building contests and free ballroom dancing lessons, are available in locations throughout the five boroughs. Free summer events can be easily located and reviewed on an event calendar on www.nyc.gov or to view an edited list with the top free events picks of NYC & Company go to www.nycgo.com/free. NYC & Company is the official marketing, tourism and partnership organization for the City of New York, dedicated to maximizing travel and tourism opportunities throughout the five boroughs, building economic prosperity and spreading the positive image of New York City worldwide. For information on visiting and experiencing New York City, visit www.nycgo.com or the Official NYC Information Center at 810 Seventh Avenue, between 52nd and 53rd Streets in Midtown Manhattan. Summer Streets Events in all Five Boroughs Bronx
Brooklyn
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Staten Island
Free Event Listings Listed below is a sampling of the more than 1,500 free available this summer. For more information on any event, visit www.nyc.gov. Bronx 14th Annual Fordham Road Renaissance Festival Volunteer/Community Rowing with Rocking the Boat Climb Aboard the Bronx Culture Trolley O.B. Fit! at Orchard Beach Soul Legends with Cody Childs Brooklyn Jasmine Murrell: Provocative Insights Exhibition BAM Rhythm & Blues Festival at Metrotech Celebrate Brooklyn SummerScreen Series The Gowanus Canal: Brooklyn in Transition Manhattan Central Park SummerStage Free Music and Dance at Lincoln Center Out of Doors Free Performances at the Annual River to River Festival Wind-Up Your Work Week at the Whitney The Public Theater Presents Shakespeare in the Park Queens Outdoor Cinema 2009 at Socrates Sculpture Park Free Performances at Queens Theater in the Park with the Chase Latino Cultural Festival The Rockaways’ Annual Sandcastle Contest Ballroom Dancing with Jing Chen Flushing Town Hall’s Free Summer Concerts Series Staten Island Staten Island Modern History Comes to Life with the Noble Maritime Collection Evening Nature Walk at Conference House Park CityParks Kids: Jazz-A-Ma-Tazz “Inside Out” at the Alice Austen House City-Wide Everyone Into the Pool! Metropolitan Opera Summer Recital Series Art on Governor's Island Waterpod on the City’s Waterfront Paddle the NYC Water Trail MEDIA CONTACT: Stu Loeser/Marc La Vorgna (Mayor) (212) 788-2958 Seth Solomonow/Scott Gastel (Transportation) (212) 839-4850 Phil Abramson (Parks) (212) 360-1311 Kate deRosset/Danai Pointer (Cultural Affairs) (212) 513-9323 Kimberly Spell (NYC & Company) (212) 484-1270 |
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