4 days of Halloween in New York

by Jessica Festa on

Wondering when and where to go this Halloween to get the most out of your costume? In New York, there are events for every night you want to go out.

Friday, October 28, 2011, 9PM-3AM
Nightmare Between 17th and 18th Streets
Union Bar, 204 Park Ave. S., between 17th and 18th

After years of successful event planning, David Shapiro, who owns the leading social networking company in New York City, hosts his annual Halloween bash again this year. Union bar will be closed to the public as 300 plus party-goers come together for a night of scary fun. Guests are encouraged to get as creative as they can with their costumes, as the best will win prizes. The event is co-sponsored with Party With Shari and will include a DJ, Dancing, and 2-for1 drinks from 9PM-11PM.

Tickets are $10 in advance, $15 at the door. Click here to purchase.Saturday, October 29, 2011, 12PM-9PM
NYC’s Official Halloween Bar Crawl
Begins at McFadden’s Saloon, 800 Second Ave. at 42nd St.

Get ready for some hardcore day drinking. Hop from bar to bar in full costume and dance like crazy in front of those sober folks who’ve decided to wait until the sun goes down to begin getting inebriated. Tickets include a wristband, cup, and drink specials at each bar.

Tickets are $10. Click here to purchase.

Sunday, October 30, 2011, 10:30PM-4AM
5th Annual Halloween Masquerade Midnight Cruise
Ship leaves from Pier 10, Emmons Ave. at E. 21st

Rest up during the day, because on Sunday night you better be ready to dance all night aboard the Amberjack V Yacht. On the fully-heated charter boat guests will party to music by MGM Squad, Supa Don, Mr. Goggles, and Supa Sound while pigging out on a complimentary buffet. Just make sure you don’t eat so much that your costume doesn’t fit. Dressing up is mandatory, and prizes will be awarded to the best get-ups.

Tickets are $40. Click here to purchase.

Monday, October 31, 2011, 9PM-4AM
NYC’s Official 10th Annual Halloween Masquerade Ball
Capitale, 130 Bowery, at Bowery and Grand

After the Village parade, head over to Capitale for their annual masquerade bash to continue the festivities. Arrive by 9PM to enjoy a full hour of free vodka. Costume prizes, giveaways, and a variety of music from hip hop to rock to dance to 80’s will be blasting all night long. This event is so huge there have even been celebrity attendees in the past years, including Heidi Klum, Jay Z., Sean Diddy Combs, and Nicki Hilton, to name a few.

General admission is $15, but there are a ton of high end package choices if you want. Click here for more information and to purchase tickets.

ProjectExplorer’s Thailand Launch Party raises $8,500 for global education

by Jessica Festa on

ProjectExplorer held their Thailand Launch Party on October 17, 2011, at the Tribeca Grand Hotel in New York. The event featured an auction, cocktail hour and after party, hors d’oeuvres, and the premier of the company’s new Thailand video series, “Sawasdee, Thailand!”.

The Thailand series has 50 videos total which are all free for students, as the mission of the organization is to “foster the next generation of global citizens by encouraging awareness of the world beyond a student’s own community through the creation and distribution of engaging and free multimedia educational materials”.

Andrew McCarthy, actor, director, and travel writer, spoke at the VIP screening of the event, which was followed by mingling, drinking, and eating. Tote bags filled with magazines (which included many destination travel articles) and a baked good were given to attendees.

With 200 in attendance at the event, ProjectExplorer was able to raise $8,500 toward their next educational series.

Check out the launch video for yourself:


Introduction to ProjectExplorer.org’s Sawasdee, Thailand! series from Jenny M. Buccos on Vimeo.

Be a part of Christmas history in Weimar, Germany

by Jessica Festa on

Did you know that the first Christmas tree was erected in Weimar, Germany? Or, that one of the most famous Christmas carols, “O, Du Fröhliche” was composed there, as well? If you’re looking to have a traditional Christmas as well as be a part of the holiday’s past, then Weimar may be the perfect place for you.

In the early 1800’s, on the night before Christmas, a man named Johann Wilhelm Hoffmann decided to do something special to cheer up the poor children of the town. So, he erected a Christmas tree outside his shop in the market square for the town to enjoy.

To celebrate Hoffmann’s gesture and the holiday, the Weimar Christmas Market will take place from November 24 to December 22, 2011. During this time, the town center is illuminated by tiny lights, the air smells of roasted nuts and just-baked Stollen cake, and carolers create the background music for the cozy scene. Visitors to the market can purchase items from craftsmen and traders, such as traditional pyramids and nutcrackers, glassware, and wooden toys from different parts of Germany. An ice skating rink, mulled wine, Santa Claus and, of course, a Christmas tree, are other things to look forward to at the event.

Win a free wine tasting trip to Chile

by Kyle Ellison on

Yes, you read that right. Free wine. Free Chile. Free wine in Chile. It really doesn’t get any better than that.

Better yet, it’s easy. The folks over at The Wines of Chile Experience are currently hosting a contest that simply asks entrants to create a Facebook album that consists of 5 photos they feel best express 5 predetermined themes, those being: For the Love of Chile, Wine and Stars, Horses & Huasos, Harvest Holiday, and Urban Wine Retreat.

If the topics seem vague, you can find further clarifications over on their Facebook page where you can officially enter the contest. Dubbed Only In Chile, the contest is a means of illustrating how the country is able to provide travel experiences which are found, as you would guess, only in Chile. From the wet and rugged fjords of Patagonia to the bone-dry Atacama desert on the northern border, this narrow nation even has the tallest mountain outside of Asia.

Oh, and it’s also home to one of the best wine regions in the world, hence the buzz around the contest. Furthermore, with a prize package valued at $15,000, I have yet to come across a travel contest that has offered so much for doing relatively so little.

So here’s how it works. Create your album and officially enter the contest by November 4th. The top 6 albums based on creativity will be chosen as finalists, and online voting will commence from November 5-11. If you’re the album with the most votes at the end of the week, consider yourself strolling through vineyards in the foothills of the Andes.

Enjoy art and brunch in the same place in Berlin, Germany

by Jessica Festa on

What do you get when you mix an American editor and art curator and a French chef? Heroes, a venue in the Neukölln district of Berlin, that is equal parts food and art. In fact, there is an exhibition space in the back of the restaurant.

This small cafe has a funky, laid back vibe with flashes of bold colors against white walls. A bright red lamp sits next to a navy blue vase, while a red, green, yellow, and purple stripe pattern form rainbow-esque slants on the walls. And, the kitchen actually looks like a real home kitchen.

While the menu depends on who is working, some usual items include crepes, salads, quiches, fruity French toast, cookies and chocolate cake. Some of the specials you are likely to encounter combine American and French fare and include stewed chicken, meatloaf, or French beef stew. On Sundays, patrons can enjoy Heroes famous brunch, which includes an array of options such as eggs, toast, pancakes, French toast, and more.

In terms of art, Heroes showcases different exhibitions every month or so, with the current one being “Big Face and Friends” by Emily Ritchie, a series of unusual and abstract images that are also interesting and thought-provoking. Book exchanges, film viewings, and concerts are also part of the experience at Heroes.

To see a full list of events, click here.