I haven't posted in a while...

I have a new work (yes!!!) and a new routine; that means a lot less time to write new content for my blog. I am also working on a new project. I'll keep you updated!

Street art week: Collective wall on West 22nd Street

This visibly old collective wall featuring collage and painting works from diverse contributors was found on West 22nd Street in Chelsea. It is constantly changing. At the top of the second picture, you can see a space invader.

Street art week: The Water Street Mural in Dumbo

When you visit the neighborhood of DUMBO, the Water Street mural can't be missed. This gorgeous giant piece of urban art is situated on Water Street between Jay and Pearl Streets and was created by a group called 303 collective.

More DUMBO pictures here, here and here.

Street art week: Graffiti container in the East Village

This piece was found corner Bowery and East 5th Street.

Street market in the Lower East side

Corner store in the West village

More Manhattan Mini Storage ads

Previously published ads are available here. I still think that the shoes billboard is the coolest. Which one is your favorite?

Rainbow over the Washington Square Park fountain

 

This was yesterday around 6 pm.

The West Village... at night

Mile End Delicatessen

Here's another piece of home.

Mile End Delicatessen is a Montreal-style deli. It has a store in Boerum Hill, Brooklyn,  and one in NoHo, Manhattan, where it also serves Montreal bagels (a must; they are 100 times better than New York's). 

I recently tried the the Ruth Wilensky sandwich, featuring fried beef salami and mustard in an flatten onion bun toped with onion seasoning. It was very good! Comfort food at its best...

 

Pieces of home: Patrick Watson in New York

Friday two weeks ago was a really bad day for me. I had to go the Department of motor vehicles to exchange my Quebec driver’s license for a New York one; a seemingly simple thing. I ended up waiting there for five long hours: a first line to get information and forms, a second, which I thought was the real one, but that was only to get a number, and finally the third – and official – one. What a waste of time… and those who know me well are aware that I am not the “car type”.

Anyway… at least, there was Patrick Watson to save my day. The 32 years old Canadian singer-songwriter from Montreal was giving a free intimate performance at the South Street Seaport during the evening, participating in the River to River Festival. 

Liquor store illuminated sign - West village

Fire alarm at the south Street Seaport

Faulty wiring underneath a pier is believed to have caused a smoky fire at the South Street Seaport on Saturday afternoon. Martin and I were there for the The 4Knots Music Festival. The three-alarm fire, which was quite impressive, was apparently brought under control in about an hour. 

Here's some pictures:

La “Belle époque” by Michael Kalish along the Hudon River

This glorious 14-foot tall three dimensional sculpture, unveiled in the Hudson River Park a few weeks ago, has for name la “Belle époque” and was created by the American artist Michael Kalish for Perrier-Jouet.
 

Here’s a nice video showing the creation of the artwork. I also suggest you take a look at the artist’s website as it shows his work very well. Finally, I’ve found this CBS report explaining how Kalish, who mainly works with metal, has been using old license plates to create portraits – including a series of presidents – and other artworks picturing his own take on the United States' culture.

Star on 18 Diner

I've never been to this place, which is situated right off the Meatpacking District. I just love the color of the building as well as the local and unpretentious ambiance around it.

Hot dog graffiti

This piece was found in the Gallery District of Chelsea, around 22nd Street and 11th Avenue.

Jazz on the Hudson River

The Hudson River Park is home to several summer events from June to August. Among them, Stars of tomorrow features students from both the New School for Jazz and Contemporary Music and from Mannes College The New School for Music performing on the lawn of Pier 45 on Tuesday nights. 

The last show we attended was a jazz performance. It is nice to finish a weekday with a picnic along the river, with a cool breeze and a pink sunset light reflecting on the buildings of the City. Moreover, these events are surprisingly not crowded.

Manhattan Mini Storage's ads

It's moving day in Québec! Yes, we really have a special date for that. I can't imagine everyone moving at the same time here in Manhattan; it would simply be a disaster...

Here's a special post for you my friends from Québec, especially those who are moving today or have moved this past weekend.

As you walk in the streets of the New York, Manhattan Mini Storage's ads are pure entertainment. The family-owned and operated self-storage and moving company is known for its controversial, political, and pop culture-related advertisements that speak to the people of New York City. 

Here's some pictures showing their last campaign – not my best work as a photographer but I still wanted to share them with you:

Sunsets over the Hudson River

Rainbow Sunday: New York Gay Pride March

After 7 months living in New York, last weekend I finally got to see famous people and paparazzi for the first time. Saturday, I came across the model Heidi Klum while she was preparing to shoot a hair spray commercial at the Flatiron building, then Cyndi Lauper opened the Gay Pride March on Sunday, followed by New York State’s Governor.

It was the first time I attended a Gay Pride parade; I wanted to share with you my experience as it was a festive, colorful and truly touching event. And you know how I love parades...

Welcoming hundreds of thousands of spectators crowded along Fifth Avenue, 8 th Street and Christopher Street in the West Village, this year’s March was celebrating the first anniversary of the state's same-sex marriage law. It was an important one.

Having for a theme “Share the Love” – which aims to encourage other states to pass similar legislation –, the parade began with motorcycles and a giant double arch of multicolored balloons floating above the streets of Manhattan.

Street of DUMBO

DUMBO (Down Under the Manhattan Bridge Overpass) is a tiny neighborhood of Brooklyn located close to the water, between the Manhattan and Brooklyn Bridges. Home to many modern condo buildings as well as some art galleries, the area still have an industrial feel to it – which is obvious on this picture. Dumbo is also a great place to see street art; and it has a lovely park featuring a vintage carousel.

Colorful mural in Chelsea

 

The Andy Monument in Union Square

Did you know Andy Warhol’s Factory was situated in Union Square from 1968 to 1984? I didn’t; until I discovered this beautiful silver monument picturing the artist in one of my favorite public spaces.

The area was the location where Warhol and his collaborators reinvented the conventional artist’s studio, producing, among other things, silkscreen paintings, films and magazines. 

“Like so many other artists and performers and people who don’t fit in because they’re gay or otherwise different, Andy moved here to become who he was, to fulfill his dreams and make it big. He still represents that courage and that possibility. That’s why I came to New York, and that’s what my Andy Monument is about.”

- Rob Pruitt, the artist who created the monument

The Andy Monument will be in Union Square until September 4th, 2012.

Smoky Madison Square Park

These past weeks have been very important for me with respect to immerging myself in America’s summer food culture. First there was the Governor Island Five Boro PicNYC, then my vacation in St-Maarten, where I surprisingly got to eat more American than Caribbean dishes (!!!), and finally, this past weekend, the very smoky Madison Square Park Big Apple Barbecue Block Party.

It was a quiet weekend for us; back from a vacation, Martin and I were a little disconnected from Manhattan’s schedule of summer events and didn’t know what to do on Sunday. Partly intrigued and partly attracted by the strong smell of ribs, sausage and pulled pork that was haunting the city – nevermind that email we received promoting the Block Party –, we decided, with enthusiasm, to attend the urban barbecue.

Space shuttle Enterprise sailing the Hudson River

I was lucky enough to be along the water last Wednesday when the space shuttle Enterprise sailed the Hudson River to get to the Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum. It was really impressive!

The Space Shuttle Pavilion of the museum, where Enterprise will be housed, is due to open on July 19th. You can visit the page of the exhibition for more photos of the shuttle.

Nice building in Soho

Basketball Player at West 4th Street

Few months ago, I wrote about West 4th Street basketball courts in Greenwich Village. This is where I took the picture; this talented player was resting between two very tough physical plays.

Chess players in Washington Square Park

Street of Chelsea

Sometimes I feel like I should rename this blog "Landed in Chelsea"; at least 25 % of my pictures were taken in this neighborhood. Chelsea is big and very diverse. It is also where I spend the most of my time. I have a special attachment to it!

Under the Williamsburg bridge

A recent post about Williamsburg is available here. Have a lovely week!

Manhattan views from Top of the Rock

A few weeks ago, my parents came to New York; it was the perfect occasion for me to visit with them some touristic attractions that I've never took the time to visit before. It was a lot of fun: for the first time I was like a real tourist in my own city - I can even honestly say that I unexpectedly enjoyed Madame Tussauds Museum! 

These following two pictures were taken from Top of the Rock. I truly recommend this activity for people who visit New York for the first time; it gives you a global portrait of the hugeness of the city - after that you soon forget it because New York taken neighborhood by neighborhood doesn't feel that big. Some people will prefer going to the top of the Empire State Building but personally, I find that the Empire State adds a lot to the landscape; and of course you can't see it when you are in it.

Free Yoga in Bryant Park

Isn't it beautiful? The new yoga fan that I am is crazy about this idea: Lululemon Athletica provides free yoga classes all summer in NYC. These classes take place every Tuesday and Thursday in Bryant Park in Midtown; all levels are welcomed.

Governors Island: New York’s silent oasis, only a 5 minutes ferry ride away

New York is boiling hot these days. I was told a few months ago that the temperature can reach terrible highs in the City but I wasn’t expecting it so early. Anyway, I am glad I recommended to my family not to visit us from May to August. Forget that this weather is unbearable when visiting a urban area; they would probably think Martin and I are crazy to have moved here. 

Enough complaining; at least the heat makes me want to escape the city and leads me to unexpected places like Governors Island. 

Beautiful abandoned houses
on the island

Governors Island is a public park situated only a five minutes ferry ride away from Downtown Manhattan. New Yorkers go there during the summer to enjoy a quiet countryside atmosphere; on the island they can appreciate great and green outdoor spaces as well as a car-free environment. They can picnic, bicycle (with their own vehicle or using the bike rental shop) or simply walk along the water to absorb splendid views of New York City.  They can also visit – for free – the Castle Williams, a circular fortification that was built in the early 19th century to protect New York City from naval attacks. 

For my friends from Quebec or for those of you who had the chance to visit this wonderful land where I come from, Governors Island feels like the Plains of Abraham in Quebec city. It is totally sensible as the Island was used as a military facility by British and American forces for more than 200 years. In fact, it served an important military function until the 1960s; it was used for recruitment and as a prison for captured Confederate soldiers during the American Civil War, and throughout World War I and II, it was an important supply base for Army ground and air forces.

Memorial day in Central Park

 
This weekend was hot sticky in New York. I went to Central Park yesterday and while I was reading my magazine in the shade, sweating on every page I was turning, I couldn't help wondering what all these New yorkers where doing in the sun with no water to cool down. Will I get used to this heat?

Psychic readings

One of my favorites New York idiosyncrasies is the fact that there's a psychic reading shop at every street corner. I've always wonder who use these services; New Yorkers? Tourists? If fortune tellers can afford a place in the most famous areas of the city, they must get a lot of business everyday.

This picture was taken in the neighborhood of Gramercy Park.

Street market at night

My love letter to Coney Island

Coney Island's large and golden beach

When the weather begins to be nice and warm in May, New Yorkers desert the city and rush to the beaches on every weekend. They go to the well-known Hamptons, but likewise in Queens, the Bronx, Brooklyn as well as Staten Island where there a number of options to relax, put your feet in the sand and gaze into the sea.

I always wondered why we don’t see many pools in the suburban landscapes around Mahnattan when looking down from the plane while leaving or landing in New York (pools are an important aspect of suburban life in Montreal); who needs a pool when you can access the ocean so easily?

You all know I love Brooklyn. Obviously, Coney Island was another place I was looking forward to visit. I remember watching a video entitled “Love letter to Coney Island” a few months ago on the Internet; this short film left me seduced by the very rich history of the place. Think about it: Coney Island has been welcoming New Yorkers since the 1830’s.

Cookies n Cream truck

The Bitter End facade on Bleeker Street

The Bitter End is a famous bar situated in Greenwich Village; it has been on Bleeker Street since 1961. Among the numerous artists who performed there during their early career are Tori Amos, Tracy Chapman, Neil Diamond, Bob Dylan, Janis Joplin, Lady Gaga and Marvin Gaye. Discover the entire list here.

Monday morning in the Flower District

 

Did you know that New York has a Flower District? Situated in the neighborhood of Chelsea around 28th Street between 6th and 7th avenues, this quite unique “green space” in the middle of the city is home to a community of plant wholesalers and retailers; I suggest you take a peak if you have the chance to pass close to the area someday.

Who said New York was a concrete jungle?

As soon as you leave the avenues and the main streets of NYC, you can end up in some quite beautiful and green areas. Among my favorite residential streets are those of Chelsea (particularly 13^th to 22^nd streets between 8^th and 10^th avenues) as well as ALL parts of the West Village.

This picture was taken in Chelsea.

Have a great weekend!

Wednesday afternoon at the Union Square Greenmarket

 

 

I was at the Union Square Greenmarket yesterday afternoon to take a look at what the farmers have to offer. This place is amazing; it is my tiny Jean-Talon Market in the middle of the City – for those who don’t know Montreal’s Jean-Talon Market, it is a famous and HUGE farmers market that is really worth the detour. 

The Union Square Greenmarket is usually open Monday, Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday from 8 am to 6 pm. In peak season, 140 regional farmers, fishermen, and bakers come to the public space to sell their products.

For more information about Union Square, I suggest you read my post about this important and fascinating historic intersection of Manhattan.

Have a great day!