Buddhist Treasures in New York

Maggie Nimkin

Hakuin Ekaku, Seated Daruma, Seen from the Side (detail). Ink on paper, 42.5 x 14.7 in. Ginshu Collection

by Camila Viegas-Lee

The Fall season brings the best cultural events of the year and two exhibitions about Buddhism are a must. The Japan Society shows The Sound of One Hand: Paintings and Caligraphy by Zen Master Hakuin until January 9th. And The Rubin Museum of Art shows the Alice S. Kandell Tibetan Shrine and Embodying the Holy: Icons in Eastern Orthodox Christianity and Tibetan Buddhism through 2012.

Hakuin Ekaku (1685-1768) is widely acknowledged as the leading Zen master of the last five centuries and this is the first exhibition in the West devoted to him. According to the curators Audrey Yoshiko Seo and Professor Stephen Addiss, Hakuin was also the most significant Zen artist of his time. “He not only expressed the mind and heart of Zen for monks and lay followers – it was he who first asked "What is the sound of one hand clapping?" – but also reached out to the entire population with his painting and calligraphy. You will be able to see 78 of his scrolls gathered from collections in the United States and Japan.

The Rubin Museum of Art

Folding Iconostasis with Jesus and the Twelve Apostles; Russian; ca. 1780; Tempera on wood; 15 x 60 x 1 1/12 in.; Museum of Russian Icons, Clinton, MA

The Alice S. Kandell Tibetan Shrine Room has been tucked away in a New York City apartment for decades until last year when it debut at the Sackler in Washington, DC, to rave reviews. The Shrine Room will found a home at the Rubin Museum of Art as part of the Gateway to Himalayan Art exhibition. More than 150 sacred objects are packed into the room and allow the visitor a rare glimpse of how these works would be found in a private Tibetan shrine.

The Rubin Museum of Art examines intriguing correspondences and differences between Eastern Orthodox icons and Tibetan Buddhist thangkas (paintings on cloth) in Embodying the Holy: Icons in Eastern Orthodox Christianity and Tibetan Buddhism. The exhibition establishes parallels between the Western and Eastern sacred traditions in function, subject matter, composition, and storytelling strategies, pairing some 63 icons from The Museum of Russian Icons, Clinton, Massachusetts, and private collections, with 26 from the Rubin Museum of Art and other collections.

The Japan Society, 333 East 47th Street (between 1st and 2nd Avenues). Tuesday through Friday 11am to 6pm; Saturday and Sunday 11am to 5pm. Closed Mondays and major holidays.

The Rubin Museum of Art, 150 West 17th Street (between 6th and 7th Avenues). Monday 11am to 5pm; Tuesday closed; Wednesday 11am to 7pm; Thursday 11 am to 5pm; Friday 11am to 10pm; Saturday and Sunday 11am to 6 pm. The museum is closed on Christmas, Thanksgiving, and New Year's Day.

Haunted Hunts for Halloween

Camila Viegas-Lee

by Camila Viegas-Lee

If you are looking for something beyond trick or treating, something that both you and your kid can enjoy this Halloween, check out the Watson Adventures Scavenger Hunts. The group organizes guided tours with funky narratives all over the city – from Central Park to Chinatown, Greenwich Village, Grand Central Station, the Museum of Natural History, you name it. An extra benefit is that you won’t have to deal with your kid in a sugar high.

Armed with a flashlight, you’ll visit ghost-plagued buildings and secret cemeteries while learning the stories of the restless souls you might disturb. According the website, The Ghosts of Greenwich Village, for instance includes the spirits of Mark Twain, Aaron Burr, Edgar Allen Poe, Washington Irving, Thomas Paine, artist John LaFarge, The Shadow, Clement Clarke Moore, Mayor Jimmy Walker, Lee Chumley, Patrolman Schwartz, a few skeletons and various other apparitions, sudden chills, rustlings and knockings.

There is a version of this hunt for adults only and another for families. They were all recommended by Time Out New York, the New York Times, The Daily News and NY1 and require advance purchase. Tickets cost between US$ 24.50 and US$ 18 depending on the program.

Flickr/Tomas Fano

If you want to try another theme, and enjoyed Ben Stiller’s Night at the Museum, try the Fright at the Museum Family Scavenger Hunt. It features exhibits in the American Museum of Natural History that inspired scenes in the hit movie.

Kids and adults work together to take on Dexter’s capuchin monkey cousin, a not-so-woolly mammoth with tooth trouble, personal items that belonged to Teddy Roosevelt, a dance that Sacagawea would have done, a scary Easter Island statue, an attack by a monster whale, a slice of a giant tree, humongous warring mooses, Aztec and Incan warriors, dangerous dinosaurs and more. Tickets cost US$ 31.50 for adults and US$ 27.50 for children and teenagers ages 7 to 17.

Happy Halloween!

TOP FIVE: best things to do on Columbus Day Weekend in New York City

By Camila Viegas-Lee

I love holidays in the city. The stressed-out New Yorkers tend to travel upstate and the streets become calmer and joyful. Even the cab drivers seem to be in a better mood and drive slower. The fall brings a romantic, invigorating chill in the air. Here are my five recommendations for a playful, off the beaten track holiday in the city:

Park Avenue Armory Carnival

The Park Avenue Armory hosts a fantastic carnival anchored by an impressive 50-foot ferris wheel. Go for rides, performances in a specially-designed theater, magicians from the Bindlestiff Family Cirkus (no typo—that’s how the Germans spell it), stilt-walkers, jugglers and contortionists, traditional carnival concessions and a lesson in the "circus arts" (feel like twisting yourself into a pretzel?). Park Avenue Armory, 643 Park Ave. Through Monday Oct. 11, from 11:00 AM - 7:00 PM. General Admission is $5 for adults (14 and up) and free for kids. Rides and games are $1.25 per ticket (each ride or game requires 3-5 tickets). $20 unlimited ride wristband also available.

Openhousenewyork

This is one of my favorite activities in the city—you get to walk through buildings and structures all over New York City that are normally closed or hidden to the public. Many of these are real hidden treasures. This is the largest architecture and design event in the US and it includes talks, tours, performances and workshops - all free of charge! Check their website for a full listing of places, but here is just a tantalizing sample:

Central Park's Arsenal, the Federal Hall National Memorial, the Residences at 36 Gramercy Park East (the apartment building with the knights in shining armor stationed in front), the Mount Vernon Hotel Museum & Garden, Marble Cemetery, the 69th Regiment Armory, the Salmagundi Club, Frederick P. Rose Hall, the Center for Architecture, the Islamic Cultural Center, and the American Irish Historical Society. Some workshops and tours require advance registration, so do check the official website for details.

Randall's Island Golf & Sports Center Fall Festival

The Fall Festival, held only one weekend every year, is worth a day trip to Randall's Island. If you think you’re too grown up for a pumpkin patch, pony rides, hay rides, haunted mini golf, batting cages, gags, a pumpkin and craft station, carnival games, Halloween puppet shows, at least you can eat from carnival food concessions selling popcorn, pretzels, cookies, cupcakes, caramel apples, jelly apples, a variety of old fashioned pies, apple cider, hot chocolate, pizza, chicken fingers, hamburgers, and hot dogs… I have a thing for carnival as you can tell. Randall's Island Golf Center. Take a shuttle bus ($11 round trip) departing from various stops along 3rd Avenue or take the M35 bus from 125th St. & Lexington Ave. Through Sunday, October 10, 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM. $9 per person.

Boo at the Zoo

The Bronx Zoo organizes "spooktacular" activities inspired by Halloween every weekend until the end of the month. There are hay mazes, hayrides, pumpkin carving demonstrations, puppet shows, animal-themed magic shows and live music. Don’t miss the six tiger mountain cubs that were just born – three from Malayan tiger family and three from the Siberian tiger branch. Bronx Zoo, 2300 Southern Blvd. The best ride from Manhattan is via the BxM11 express bus, which makes stops along Madison Avenue between 26th and 99th Streets. Through Sunday, October 10, from 10:00 AM - 5:30 PM.

New York Comic Con

Everything Comic and Pop Culture – and a chance to get more miles from your Halloween costume. I’ve been to the mother of all Comic Cons in San Diego, and still the NYCC is formidable. It’s over the top, perfect to indulge your inner superhero and to hang with your favorite characters. Jacob K. Javits Convention Center, 655 W. 34th St. at 11th Ave. Through Sunday, October 10, from 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM. $30 for adults.

NYC Wine & Food Festival October 7th-10th

To get into the fall mood, what better program then to eat and drink super well from the best New York has to offer? Spend the long weekend enjoying several events showcasing culinary celebs cooking for YOU.

You can still get tickets for the following highlight moments during Columbus Day weekend: closely watch Masaharu Morimoto doing his sushi magic at Whole Foods Culinary Demonstration, learn with Blue Hill’s Dan Barber how to bring the principles of good farming to the your table, or if you are eager to become a better wine connoisseur, join the masters at the first ever Sommelier Showdown. Still hungry for even more culinary star power? For only $30 I suggest watching Frank Bruni interview three of the city’s most celebrated 3- and 4-star chefs Daniel Boulud (Daniel, DB), Jean-Georges Vongerichten (Jean Georges, Perry St., Mercer Kitchen, Spice Market, Mark and more) and Michael White (Convivo, Alto, Marea) on getting to the top and staying there.

And much more: there are 200 chefs and 100 wineries participating of this indulgence fest.

For tickets and info go here

TOP FIVE: Bars for the UN General Assembly

Lexbar: dark and intimate

By Camila Viegas-Lee

The 65^th United Nations General Assembly opens this Thursday, September 23^rd. It is a pretty exciting week for everyone who cares about the millennium development goals and what not. But if you couldn’t care less, avoid the stretch between Midtown East and Murray Hill. There will be security checks, barricades and protests everyday of the week… and the traffic will be impossible.

For those who are visiting and want a little taste of the brouhaha or those who love the irresistible hustle and bustle of the international delegations, here are the five best places to hang out, have a drink and try to figure out what language the exotic cutie next to you is speaking:

Asia de Cuba at the Morgans Hotel – the theatrical Philippe Starck-designed space includes a 15-foot tall holographic photo lightbox featuring a running waterfall. Go directly upstairs and order the famous Asia de Cuba mojito ($14). 237 Madison Ave. (between 37^th and 38^th Streets)

Rare View at the Shelburne Hotel – don’t miss the blood orange cosmopolitan ($12) in this cozy imbibery. Too bad the rooftop is closed already but it reopens in April. There’s plenty of space and plenty of clever cocktails. 303 Lexington Avenue (with 37^th Street)

Lexbar at the St. Giles Court Hotel – reopening tonight, this is the famous WetBar refurshed with crescent-shaped banquettes, leather chairs, and fatty couches. Don’t miss the Guava Sin made with tequila, triple sec, and guava purée ($15). So dark that you can drop 10 years of your age when introducing yourself to the exotic cutie mentioned above. 130 E 39^th Street (between Lexington and Park Avenues)

Sakagura – basement space hidden under a business lobby that will make you feel in a small Japanese village. Try the tasting set of sakes and get a lesson on supai and amae before talking about Japan’s new prime minister. He is a hot new celebrity at the Assembly. 211 E 43^rd Street (between 2^nd and 3^rd Avenues)

The World Bar – ground floor of the Trump World Tower condominium. Long, white, backlit marble bar, big windows and 23-karat liquid gold drinks for $50 to indulge your delusions of grandeur. 845 United Nations Plaza (with E 47^th Street)

Don’t miss Thursday: BrazilFoundation’s Annual Gala After Party at the Boom Boom Room!

Amazingly, tickets are still available for this happening event. Imagine Brazilian specialty caipirinhas by Leblon, music by The Misshapes, and a hip crowd at the hottest club in town, the Boom Boom Room at the Top of the Standard. On top of that, rest assured that every penny you pay on your tax deductable ticket will go towards social projects in Brazil. And that’s a fact. I’ve been a volunteer with this wonderful institution, and pretty involved in the preparations of this year’s 8th benefit dinner which will be held at The Metropolitan Museum of Art (sorry, that one is sold out). But who knows, maybe Gisele might decide to join the Après-Met fete as well.

Hurry and secure your spot at the top of the world to make a difference in your planet.

INFO AND TICKETS

Harvest in the Square: Enjoy a gourmet feast under a tent in Union Square

Looking for a different restaurant experience? How about a choice of sixty dishes in one night? Join the “Harvest in the Square” event. For the past 15 years, and a larger tent each year, this gourmet fall opener is a real treat. Sixty chefs of the Union Square neighborhood will be cooking up their signatures dishes for the community, and you are invited to join the banquette.

Among the restaurants that will be represented: Aleo, Blue Water Grill, Rosa Mexicano, SushiSamba Park, Union Square Cafe, ABC Kitchen, Aldea, Bocca, Hill Country Chicken, Kellari Parae and The House.

General Admission tickets for 7:30 PM are $125. VIP tickets are $400 and include early admission, mingling with special guests, hors d'oeuvres and champagne toast. Proceeds benefit the Union Square Partnership's ongoing beautification and maintenance of Union Square Park. For tickets, visit harvestinthesquare.org.