New York Events

What’s On in New York, July 2017

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We do hope your July 4th weekend is packing a punch so far. With some luck you’ve got today off work to make it an extra long weekend, and you’ve packed up the framily (friends+family=framily) and headed beach-side, lake-side, mountain-side or city-side with a drink in one hand and a sarnie in the other.

There is something unique about long weekends in New York, probably because we get relatively few of them. And when you’ve got a quiet moment, have a squizz at AWNY’s pick of events for July in New York, this weekend and beyond.

Enjoy! – The AWNY Communications Team

Strong stomach? Then Nathan’s 2017 Hotdog Eating Contest is on July 4th at Coney Island (at Nathan’s flagship store). It runs from 10am-2pm. Last year’s winner gulped 70 hotdogs in 10 minutes. Gross, but quite something to see. Plus, one of our own AWNY Committee Members, Tanya McCaw is on the judging panel!

If you’re anywhere near the east river on the night of the 4th, then don’t miss the Macy’s Day fireworks, scheduled to kick off about 9.20PM. They will be set off along the East River, with the best viewing points between Midtown and the South Street Seaport district. As always, get there early to grab a good spot.

The annual AAA Westpac Summer Cruise is on July 20th and tickets are on sale now for this fun event. Cruise the East and Hudson Rivers, sip cocktails, nibble fare from The Australian Hotel. Purchase your tickets and get all event info here.

AWNY’s July event is ‘Greekalicious,’ an intimate book talk with award winning chef and author Maria Bernardis. Ticket price of $35 includes light refreshments and a copy of Maria’s book, ‘My Greek Family Table.’ Visit the event page on the AAA website to secure your ticket.

The New York Musical Festival runs throughout July and there’s an incredible line up of performances to see at various locations around the city. This link has a calendar of all events, dates, and locations – hopefully there’s a show near you!

Get out and see a movie during the Summer Movie Series that runs throughout July on the flight deck at the Intrepid Museum. Tickets are free (first in best dressed set up) and if you’re a member of museum you get priority admission but as you’ll be sitting atop the aircraft-carrier-turned-museum there’s good visibility from all spots.

Governors Island! Get there in July. You can visit on your own schedule for a leisurely picnic and bike ride or for one of the fun events throughout July, including City of Water Day on July 15,  Come Out & Play on July 21 and 22 or the Poetry Festival on July 29 and 30.

Tame Impala, Vance Joy, Solange, and Nine Inch Nails are just some of the highlights at the Panorama Music Festival, Randall’s Island, on July 28-30. See the line up here and view ticket package options here.

Warm Up 2017 is MoMA PS1’s outdoor music festival and runs throughout July and August, and showcases the best in live and electronic music. Melbournians Superconscious Records perform on July 29. Note MoMA PS1 is in Long Island City, directions, info, line up all here.

Pic credit: Joanna Hishon

What’s On in New York, June 2017

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Our monthly events list often leads with the fun happenings from the AWNY committee but June has quite a highlight. One of AWNY’s most popular events is the ‘Working in the USA’ careers advice evening. You’ll learn top tips for job searching, seeking out networking opportunities, optimizing your resume for the US market, and listen to the job search experiences of other New York based Aussies. The event is led by our President Belinda Jackson (Prosell international). The tickets for this event go quickly and space is limited to secure your spot!

We also have our Annual AWNY picnic on this month (June 24th in Central Park) and a great list of fun things to do in New York as we had into the steamy months of summer.

Enjoy!

June means Jazz in New York City and it’s definitely the month to get to one of the 100 performances at the Blue Note Jazz Festival (various venues). You’re guaranteed great music and performances run throughout June. Schedule, locations, tix available here.

Free Summer Movies start June 2 at various locations around the 5 boroughs. There’s mix of pics to delight all ages. A schedule of movies, dates and locations is found on the NYC Park website. All the movies are free.

The Human Rights Watch Film Festival simply has to be included on our June What’s On list. The organizers encourage the addressing of Human Rights Issues in the films selected for the festival, and unsurprisingly there is a broad list presented this year. The festival runs from June 9-18 at with showing at either the Lincoln Center or IFC Center. Details and tickets available here.

June also sees the commencement of the SummerStage series, free outdoor concerts at various locations around the city, that run into September. Elvis Costello, The Metropolitan Opera, and Freedom Party are highlights for June.  This link provides a view of everything happening in June. Expand to to see the entire SummerStage series.

Fifth Avenue goes car free (well, for 23 blocks) on June 13 for the Museum Mile Evening, commencing at 6pm. All the museums along the stretch of fifth dubbed ‘Museum Mile’ are free and there will be live music to entertain you as you hop between them. Schedule and details available here.

Working in the USA Event is on June 14th at the Australian Consulate. Polish your resume, learn great networking tips, interview skills and job seeking advice. If you’re currently looking for a new role, or even thinking about starting a job search in New York, then don’t miss this event. It’s one of our most popular events each year, so make sure you secure a spot!  Tickets available through the AWNY Facebook event page.

USA Father’s Day is June 18! If you’re celebrating and need options, there’s this Jazz brunch cruise, the Father’s day scavenger hunt, Smorgasburg, or check out Open Table and book a table somewhere fancy or fun.

This month’s Generation Women event brings together Australian author and AWNY Member Georgia Clark, along with 4 other notable women from different generations to read and share their perspectives on a theme. This month’s theme: my first time saying no. The event is on June 21st and tickets are a very reasonable $25, available through this link.

Take advantage of the totally free Concerts in the Park series and listen to the New York Philharmonic orchestra on one of 5 performances between June 13-18 at various locations around the city. Information and schedules available here.

The Annual AWNY Picnic in the Park is on June 21st. We’ll be there from 2pm – 4pm for bring the whole family, plus any visitors you have in town, and enjoy a great afternoon with your Australian friends. We’ll have games and face painting to entertain the kids, please bring your own picnic lunch. For more info, visit the AWNY Facebook event page.

Photo credit: Joanna Hishon

What’s on in New York in February

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January didn’t bring much winter feel with it but as I type this the mercury is dipping toward zero degrees C and I have it on good authority that February and March could pack a cold punch. So why not grab a cuppa, sit back, and read through AWNY’s picks of the best Feb events to help get you through the chillaroo…

Curated by the AWNY Communications Team

TOP PICK! Make sure you zip on over to our Facebook page and check out the AWNY Art Auction. Two very special artists, Jacinta Stewart and Trish Callaghan have donated an art work each for the online auction, and all funds raised will go towards AWNY’s 2017 charity, The Dwelling Place. Bidding ends Feb 8 at midnight! It’s really easy to place a bid – just add your bid in the comments section under each of the art work pics on the events page. Bid here for Jacinta’s work and here for Trish’s work. Thank you for your support for this great cause!

Aussie Cabaret performer Michael Griffiths performs his ‘In Vogue’ show (Madonna tribute) at 54 Below on February 7.  The cabaret experience of 54 Below is reason enough to go but I have a hunch Michael will make this an unforgettably fun night. Tickets and info available here.

The Gondwana Choir, comprising the most accomplished choral groups in Australia, perform on February 2nd at 1pm at the Trinity Church. Additional info about the event can be found here. Entry is free (can you think of a better way to spend your lunch break tomorrow?).

TOP PICK! Join ANWY’s Love, Sex and Romance panel discussion on February 15 at Impact Hub. New York based Australian authors Rachel Hills and Skye Cleary will lead the discussion that will explore myths, fantasies, and unspoken assumptions about romance and relationships. AWNY member tix are a bargain at $15 and are available here.

Why do us grown-ups get all the fun? Kids night on Broadway, held on Feb 28th, is a great initiative that allows kids the see Broadway shows for zilcho (must be accompanied by a fee paying adult). Search the list of participating shows here (includes the Lion King and Wicked – both excellent) and BOOK NOW. Tix won’t last.

If you’re not a super bowl fan but need to at least know the who and when, then this info is for you: The New England Patriots and the Atlanta Falcons will battle it out on Feb 5. If you’re more of a die-hard fan, here’s some additional specs: kick off for the main game is at 6.30PM Eastern. It’s being played in Houston, Texas, and Lady Gaga is scheduled to perform the half time show. Seriously, if you’ve never experienced a New York City pub on super bowl night, do it. Get in early though to grab a seat near the telly.

There a many great things about New York in Winter and Fashion Week is definitely one of them (I’m always reminded of one of my favourite Sex and the City scenes when Samantha gets fake blood squirted over her beautiful white mink coat while coming out of Bryant Park. “God I miss love New York!’ was her completely awesome response). It runs from Feb 9-16. This link will tell you who’s show is on and where. Most events are industry-only (but hey, great celeb spotting). This link will give you events open to the public.

Time Out have put together a great list of events around Mardi Gras (Feb 28) this year. In NYC, Mardi Gras is not celebrated in quite the same way it is in Australia. The event is actually a religious celebration (eating richer foods on Shrove Tuesday before the fasting of Lent). But in New York (and New Orleans, if you happen to be down there) it’s celebrated with a lot of Jazz. Check out Time Out’s list of some of the amazing events taking place in the city to celebrate it.

Photo credit: Joanna Hishon

AWNY Interview with Author & Adopted Aussie – Anna Akbari

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2015-12-07-14-35-19-1Anna Akbari is a sociologist, writer, and entrepreneur and she is presenting at our next AWNY event on January 24 (more information on the event is listed below). Anna has lived in both Australia and NYC and we caught up with her recently to talk about her recently published book and what she misses about Australia.

Where are you from? How long have you been here?

I grew up in Iowa, but I’ve lived a lot different places since leaving there in high school to go to a performing arts boarding school in Michigan (I studied theater there). I spent most of my adult life in NYC (the Village and Hell’s Kitchen), with chunks of time spent on Nantucket, and most recently California. I’ve also lived in the Dominican Republic, Ireland, Spain and Australia! I was in Australia for most of 2016: Byron Bay, Margaret River, Bondi, Avalon and the Sydney northern beaches — I now consider it my second home and can’t wait to go back next year 🙂

Where do you currently live? 

I’m currently in Los Angeles, in Venice. I love Venice; it’s quirky, diverse, creative, and beachy — everything I look for in a place! But I’m fortunate enough to travel regularly, so Venice is a great launching off point (particularly to Australia!).

What do you do?

This has never been a simple question for me to answer! I’ve taken a rather nontraditional career path. I usually try to sum it up by saying I’m a sociologist (that’s what my PhD is in), and I formerly taught at NYU and Parsons, but now focus on entrepreneurial ventures (Sociology of Style and HVCK), writing, and speaking.  My new book, Startup Your Life: Hustle and Hack Your Way to Happiness is out this month.

How did you get in to your work?

A lot of school, an experimental path, and non-stop hustle! A lot of the work I’ve done has centered around a search for identity, which has always been a personal quest of mine. I think we do our best work when we are personally invested — there’s more at stake.

What are the differences to working in Australia?

One interesting difference I’ve noticed is that Australians are more like to pick up the phone and call. Americans shy away from phone calls, but I love the directness of just picking up the phone and engaging directly — without having a set time, scheduling, etc. It’s refreshingly old school. I want to integrate back in the American culture.

Anything you miss about Australia?

So much! Love the food, the international/cosmopolitan population, the embrace of travel, the great surf spots (and the surfers!), WA in general! I want to take a road trip around the entire perimeter of WA, and possibly the southern coast, around the Great Australian Bight. So much left to explore there!

What’s your ‘only in New York’ moment/s?

Oh goodness – so many!! I used to host some pretty wild karaoke parties. Some were pants-optional (for Valentine’s Day), we had an annual Santaoke holiday karaoke party, and we had various taxidermy mascots (a deer, a wild boar) that accompanied the singers. They were classic, colorful New York events.

When you need retail therapy, you run to…

I do most of my shopping online, but I love small boutiques – there are some great ones in Australia and nice local designers: Magali Pascal (Parisian designer but with a flagship boutique in Sydney), Viktoria & Woods, Jac + Jack.

Join AWNY for this presentation where Anna Akbari, PhD demonstrates how to reach personal fulfillment in all areas of life by using the same strategies that power Silicon Valley’s greatest startups. Let her help you game the system as you hustle and hack your way to happiness.

Event details:

Date: Tuesday, January 24, 2017
Time: 6pm arrival for a 6:30pm start
Location: WeWork Times Square, 1460 Broadway, New York, NY, 10034
Tickets: $25 for members | $35 for non-members
(Price includes a copy of Anna’s book)
RSVP for the event here

What is an AWNY/AAA Member? Find out more about membership and benefits.

 

ANNA AKBARI, PHD is a sociologist, writer, and entrepreneur. She is the founder of Sociology of Style and a partner in HVCK innovation consultancy. She holds a PhD in sociology and has taught at NYU and Parsons. She is a frequent public speaker, contributor, and media personality on CNN, The Atlantic, The Financial Times, New York Observer, New York Daily News, DailyWorth, Above the Law, and The Huffington Post.

“You can be the startup CEO of your own life, and Anna Akbari teaches you how in this indispensable guide. Her personal tales and time-tested advice inspire and motivate – it’s the extra push you need for living your best life.”

—Alexa von Tobel, founder and CEO of LearnVest and New York Times bestselling author of Financially Fearless

“If you’re looking for a reset – professional or personal – Anna Akbari is the guru for you. Embracing the revise-as-you-go ethos of the tech world, she’ll help you find the right fit, even if it means a misfire or two first. Even better, you’ll enjoy the ride.”
—Amanda Steinberg, founder of DailyWorth

Startup Your Life: Hustle and Hack Your Way to Happiness

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Living your life like a startup is about maximizing flexibility and measuring ongoing results, not avoiding failure or reaching one particular end goal. It’s about embracing defeat, analyzing it, and failing up. Using the Startup Your Life principles, you actively create the life you want, regardless of the stage you’re in or the hurdles you face. It’s not about “happiness someday,” but now. This approach is not just a bunch of philosophical fluff— rather, it offers realistic, actionable strategies that allow you to implement and live each of the lessons from day one. Personal fulfillment is created, not inherited or earned. And outside forces feel a lot less overwhelming when tackled systematically, with a little guidance.

Join AWNY for this presentation where Anna Akbari, PhD demonstrates how to reach personal fulfillment in all areas of life by using the same strategies that power Silicon Valley’s greatest startups. Let her help you game the system as you hustle and hack your way to happiness.

Event details:

Date: Tuesday, January 24, 2017
Time: 6pm arrival for a 6:30pm start
Location: WeWork Times Square, 1460 Broadway, New York, NY, 10034
Tickets: $25 for members | $35 for non-members
(Price includes a copy of Anna’s book)
RSVP for the event here

What is an AWNY/AAA Member? Find out more about membership and benefits.

ANNA AKBARI, PHD is a sociologist, writer, and entrepreneur. She is the founder of Sociology of Style and a partner in HVCK innovation consultancy. She holds a PhD in sociology and has taught at NYU and Parsons. She is a frequent public speaker, contributor, and media personality on CNN, The Atlantic, The Financial Times, New York Observer, New York Daily News, DailyWorth, Above the Law, and The Huffington Post.

“You can be the startup CEO of your own life, and Anna Akbari teaches you how in this indispensable guide. Her personal tales and time-tested advice inspire and motivate – it’s the extra push you need for living your best life.”
—Alexa von Tobel, founder and CEO of LearnVest and New York Times bestselling author of Financially Fearless

“If you’re looking for a reset – professional or personal – Anna Akbari is the guru for you. Embracing the revise-as-you-go ethos of the tech world, she’ll help you find the right fit, even if it means a misfire or two first. Even better, you’ll enjoy the ride.”
—Amanda Steinberg, founder of DailyWorth