Garden in Transit: New York City in Full Bloom

by Justin Glow on

New York City, get ready for some color.

Garden in Transit is a city art project organized to paint colorful flowers on weatherproof panels that will be placed on tops of approximately 12,000 taxis in the New York City area.

Non-profit organization Portraits for Hope are organizing this “groundbreaking motivational art, education, and creative therapy project” which will use the artistic talents of kids in the pediatrics department at America’s oldest hospital, Bellevue. “Beginning in September 2007 and until year’s end, New York City will be visually transformed, as the ubiquitous yellow icon becomes a mobile artistic canvas.”

This is all being done in conjunction with Taxi ’07, celebrating 100 years of metered taxi service in New York City, which Gadling covered last month. More photos after the jump.

Coney Island Mermaid Parade, June 23

by Willy Volk on

Founded in 1983, the Mermaid Parade is an annual event that only New Yorkers could stage. Simultaneously honoring Coney Island’s historic Mardi Gras (that lasted from 1903 to 1954), while celebrating the sand, sea, salt air, and the beginning of summer, all kinds of participants dress in hand-made costumes as Mermaids, Neptunes, sea creatures, lighthouses, Coney Island post cards, amusement rides, antique cars, yachts, and more. Apparently, the primary reason for the fun is the goofy costumes — or lack thereof.

Don’t get too tired from all the parade excitement, because the parade is followed by the Mermaid Parade Ball, featuring live music, sideshow acts, and burlesque shows.

This year’s Memaid Parade is scheduled for June 23. It might be enough of a reason to head to NYC during the summer. If you need some nudging, check out NPR’s coverage of the 2004 event, in which 250,000 people attended.

A Renovated Coney Island??

by Iva Skoch on

Well, I’m surprised I read this first in a UK newspaper, but, apparently, there are some big changes headed for Brooklyn’s Coney Island. Most Americans probably know the park more for its past than its present: either its heyday 60 or so years ago, or its cameo in the movie The Warriors. But its future might be looking up–depending on who you ask.

A developer named Thor Equities has bought up large chunks of the area and is cleaning house. Apparently, the famous 80-year-old, Cyclone wooden roller coaster will stay, but much of the kitsch, old shops, junk vendors, and t-shirt shops will be torn down. Astroland will probably close. And, in its place? Twenty-one new theme park rides, costing $250m, to be opened by 2011.

And that’s not all: expect a Vegas-style megahotel, an indoor water park, and new luxury apartment developments as part of the project.

First Skating, Now Golfing

by Iva Skoch on

Spring is desperately trying to come to NYC…once this weekend’s record water (7.81 inches of rain through this morning in Central Park) drains away, that is.

The folks at the Rockefeller Center ice rink are planning on it happening. That’s why they’re putting in a golf green. That’s right, they’re making a one-quarter-scale replica of the famous 17th hole island green from TPC Sawgrass (see pic at right), right there at the Center, from May 4-13.

It’s part of an exhibit for The Players Championship in Florida. They’re shipping in 1 mile of railroad ties, 40,000 pounds of fill dirt, and 3,500 square feet of sod.

Travel to NYC With Grand Theft Auto?

by Jonathon Morgan on

The upcoming version of Grand Theft Auto (GTA) — the popular video game known for it’s morally ambiguous stance on violence — will be set in New York City.

Not surprisingly, NYC Mayor Michael Bloomberg is a little upset — particularly because you can earn points in the game by killing police officers.

While the new GTA technically takes place in the fictional “Liberty City,” you’ll recognize plenty of famous landmarks and tourist destinations — including the Statue of Liberty, Coney Island’s Cyclone and the Brooklyn Bridge.

GTA supporters point out that countless violent movies are set in the city, including those that feature the gritty reality of murderers, prostitutes, organized crime — even corrupt police officers. They don’t see the difference between these films, and the game — which they call an art form.

I actually haven’t played GTA since the very first version came out years ago, and didn’t realize the game’s fantasy environments were based on real locations. Who knows — it might be a fun way to get a feel for the city without leaving your house.

That is, if you don’t mind stealing cars and shooting people in the process.