Naked Cowboy versus Naked Cowgirl

The Naked Cowboy, a Times Square icon, has filed a cease-and-desist order against a fellow public performer for infringing on his trademark. The Naked Cowgirl, a former stripper, has been performing in the cowboy’s territory lately and isn’t budging. Both performers wear limited clothing, a cowboy hat, and play a guitar for tourists visiting Times Square.

The Naked Cowboy, Robert Burck, is reportedly seeking $150,000 from the Cowgirl and has asked that she sign a franchise agreement which would require her to pay $500 each month to use the name and likeness. When asked how she felt about the situation, she replied, “Why doesn’t he sue the people that make the Naked drink.” There has been no comment yet from the Naked Juice camp.

Burck, who has been performing in Times Square for years, last made headlines when he decided to run for mayor against Michael Bloomberg.

The InterContinental Times Square to open July 12

Times Square’s newest hotel is set to open its doors on July 12. The InterContinental New York Times Square will offer 607 guestrooms overlooking the Manhattan skyline, Hudson River or Broadway district.

The InterContinental New York Times Square was designed to capture the essence of chic Manhattan residence, complete with floor-to-ceiling windows, oversized bathrooms with walk-in rain showers, a work station complete with touch screen computers, a 42″ HDTV and wired and wireless Internet. A 24 hour business center and fitness facility offer convenience and comfort. The hotel is located at 44th Street and 8th Avenue, two blocks from Radio City Music Hall and within steps from some of Broadways best theaters.

The InterContinental New York Times Square will also open the French inspired bistro Ça Va, created by celebrity chef Todd English. The restaurant and bar overlooks Broadway, giving patrons a stellar view while dining and drinking.

For those wanting to try out the new digs, The Intercontinental Times Square has introduced a special grand opening offer of 25 percent off the best available rate for stays from July 12 – September 8, 2010. Act fast: this promo is only good if you book by June 15, 2010.

Staybridge Suites Times Square giving one guest a spot on Broadway

Admit it, you’ve always wanted to see your name in lights. Well, you just might get the chance to live out your Broadway dreams, thanks to Staybridge Suites.

Staybridge Suites Times Square, New York City, is hosting a “Big Broadway Break” contest that invites wanna-be stars to express their talent for a chance at getting their name in lights.

Aspiring Broadway stars simply need to submit a video of themselves performing one of two classic Broadway songs, “Give My Regards to Broadway” and “I’m Always Chasing Rainbows” to the Staybridge Suites Times Square Facebook page. The entries will be narrowed down to 10 finalists by public vote, and the winner will be selected by a panel of Broadway industry judges including Seth Rudetsky from Sirius/XM Broadway radio; Adam Feldman, the associate theater and cabaret editor from Time Out New York and award winning Broadway casting director, Stephanie Klapper.

The winner will receive:

  • A six-month hotel stay at Staybridge Suites NYC
  • A series of personalized Broadway Classroom workshops from Broadway.com
  • A session with noted Broadway casting director, Stephanie Klapper
  • An interview with Time Out New York theater and cabaret editor Adam Feldman
  • An interview on the weekly show, Seth’s Broadway Chatterbox on broadwayworld.com
  • $5,000 for living expenses and Staybridge Suites’ signature complimentary services and amenities throughout the length of their stay.

Videos can be entered on Staybridge Suites Times Square’s Facebook page (www.facebook.com/staybridgesuitestimessquare) from May 10 – June 18, 2010. From June 19 – 25, a public vote will determine the final 10 contestants. The winner will be announced on July 1.

Car bomb defused in Times Square

A car bomb was discovered shortly after 6pm yesterday in Times Square, the busiest tourist destination in New York City.

A street vendor spotted an SUV parked at the corner of 45th Street and 7th Avenue with its hazard lights on and smoke issuing out of some of its vents. Police evacuated the area and called in a bomb squad. The vehicle contained three propane tanks, two five-gallon containers filled with gas, fireworks, two clocks with batteries, wiring, and a locked metal box. The bomb was defused and forensic experts are studying it.

A large area from 43rd Street to 48th Street, and from Sixth to Eighth Avenues, was evacuated for most of the evening.

Times Square attracts nearly 40 million tourists a year and its hotels alone make $1.6 billion annually. Saturday evenings are one of its busiest times, with tens of thousands of people out for a night on the town or visiting one of the area’s 39 theaters. Even a brief closure for one evening could have an economic impact in the millions of dollars. Numerous businesses and theaters were closed but outside of the evacuation area activity mostly continued as normal.

The Department of Homeland Security has not yet called the incident a terrorist action and has maintained the national threat level at yellow (elevated) while the threat level for domestic and international flights remains at orange (high). In a statement to the press, Mayor Michael Bloomberg said the device “looked amateurish.”

At the time of this writing there have been no arrests and no suspects named. It has yet to be determined whether the bomb would have exploded or how much damage it might have caused.

Memorable in Manhattan: Package for first-timers

You’ll never forget your first time. It may have been thrilling or awkward, but it was memorable. Many are still waiting for their first … their first trip to New York City. If you’re only exposure to this city is what you’ve seen on television or the big screen, this is your chance to experience it for yourself. The Crowne Plaza Times Square‘s First Time in New York Package will make it easy to give up your city virginity.

I don’t remember my first time in the city (let’s just say I was young), but I do remember my first stay at the Crowne Plaza Times Square. It was only a few weeks after Y2K – and the world didn’t end, in case you were wondering. I remember the feeling that came with stepping onto the sidewalk: the rush of energy was incredible. And then, I got sick – probably a combination of weekly travel, 80-hour work weeks and a diet that looked strangely like a menu at a baseball stadium. So, I really saw little more than the inside of my room, from which I stumbled when I was finally able to handle travel again, and grabbed the 1/9 train down to Penn Station for the ride back to Boston.Hopefully, your first time will be more pleasant! Doubtless, it will be. While the Crowne Plaza can’t immunize you from the nagging diseases that could screw up your trip, it can be all the protection you need when it comes to boredom. As part of the First Time in New York package, you’ll receive two 48-hour passes for the Classic New York Double Decker Bus Tour; tickets to the Empire State Building’s Observation Deck, ferry to the Statue of Liberty and the Natural history Museum; a detailed New York City sightseeing map; a New York City’s Official Visitor Guide; and a commemorative picture frame. At $598 for two nights, this is an absolute steal.

Your first time should be a memory to cherish and a story to tell. Treat yourself to two nights in Manhattan, and you won’t be stuck wondering what it feels like when you watch it on TV.