NYCOpera: Puccini's Madame Butterfly

UPDATE 3/1: I bought tix for Sat Apr 10th, $12!!  Still lots of time to come with us!  Stop by the box office at Lincoln Center to get the tix (bldg on left, when you're facing the fountain).  We have a great group coming so far - it'll be fun!

I know it's a tragic love story, but I feel like Madame Butterfly is just one of those must see productions, and I have yet to see it!  And there's no excuse not to, because tix for this production at New York City Opera start as low as $12!  This production in particular recently won an Emmy too, which makes it even more worth seeing.

There are only 9 productions, from March 19-April 18, and I'm looking at tickets for one of these shows:

• Sun Mar 21 @ 130p
• April 4 (Sun), 10 (Sat), or 18 (Sun) @ 130p

My first choice is Saturday April 10th @ 130p, and I'm planning to purchase them at the theater to save on extra fees: ).  Let me know if you're interested ASAP, and we can find a time to meet at the theater to get tix together!

From TheaterMania.com and NYC Opera:

Madama Butterfly
Mark Lamos's Emmy Award-winning production captures the romance and pathos of this heart-wrenching tale. The radiant Shu-Ying Li reprises her role as the trusting geisha, whose love for her American naval officer ends tragically when Eastern and Western cultures collide.

New York City Opera is located at the David H. Koch Theater
Columbus Avenue at 63rd Street, New York, NY

Running time: 2 hours 55 minutes with two intermissions
Performed in Italian with English supertitles

Quick Weekender: 2/20-21

Here's a quick list for the weekend - lots of free food deals to get in on!  I guess everyone's trying to lure us out of our apartments more in this cold weather: ).  Enjoy!

DEALS

SAT 2/20

• 10a-3p - Auntie Annie's Free Pretzel Day (original or cinnamon) - LOC: 34th bet 6th and 7th.
• Last day to get free italian ice from Rita's, B'way bet 92 and 93!

SUN 2/21

• Be a Fry Tester for 4Food, focused on serving healthier junk food!  Call 718-88.4FOOD to RSVP! (Speaking of fries, thanks to NYCDailyDeals.com for giving me some Pomme Frites coupons!)
• Free Origins Red Relief Mini-Facials - RSVP at one of these NYC locs! [via CouponCravings.com post]
• Quiznos - Buy 1 sub + drink = 1 Free sub deal! 

Ongoing/Upcoming

• Free Fresco Taco from Taco Bell - print coupon HERE!
• Tues 2/23 - IHop Pancake Day - Get a FREE short stake of pancakes @ IHop - LOCS: Jackson Heights or Jersey City - a little far out, but for those in the area, you should stop by!
• Ends 2/26 - Stop by FILENE's (around 18th and 6th) store closing for some great clothing and accessory deals (I got some work out clothes for cheap!).

UPCOMING EVENTS

• 2/21 @ 1130a-4p - Chinese New Year 2010 Parade, Chinatown!
• 2/27 - Pathmark Gospel Choir Competition, FREE [WFC Winter Garden]

Ongoing

• Shaq has a new art exhibit - Size DOES Matter 

NYCatch-Up

Hello!

Sorry it has been so quiet over here lately...I took a last minute trip home to celebrate Chinese New Years with the family this weekend, and I'll be back in NYC tomorrow!  I will do my best to bring back some of the beautiful blue sky and sun: )

In general, I've been taking it low key these past few weeks to take care of a few things, so it reflects in the number of things I post about, especially since I try to narrow it down to things I can actually go to or at least find really interesting to share with you.  Maybe it's the winter weather too...in any case, Spring and Summer are on their way, and you know that's the best time for events and freebies!

For now, I'm looking forward to going to The Marriage Ref this Friday to see Tina Fey, Eva Longoria, and Jerry Seinfeld!  Thanks to Greg W. for taking me with you: ).  There are more shows posted now on the website (one taping ft. Madonna!; see this POST for details).

Stay tuned, and stay warm!
NYChar

Happy Chinese New Year 2010!

We have quite the weekend coming up!  Make it easier on yourself when planning your wardrobe - just wear red, it'll work all weekend haha.

For CHINESE NEW YEAR - Year of the Tigerrrr!  All FREE too, nice: )

• Thurs 2/11 - "Year of the Tiger" Celebration - 830p, David Rubenstein Atrium, Lincoln Center - performances from Peking Opera and traditional folk dancing, from Alan Chow from the Chinese American Arts Council (Target Free Thursdays).
• Fri 2/12 - Lunar New Year Flower Festival - 10a-10p, Sara D. Roosevelt Park - flowers have meaning too!  This festival features the many lucky flowers, along with other CNY goodies - lanterns, snacks, and more!

Floral Decor	Meaning
Plum Blossom	symbolizes luck
Kumquat	symbolizes prosperity
Narcissus	symbolizes prosperity
Chrysanthemum	symbolizes longevity
Bamboo	a plant used for any time of year
Sunflower	means to have a good year
Eggplant	a plant to heal all of your sickness
Chom Mon Plant	a plant which gives you tranquility

 (From wikipedia.com)

• Sun 2/14 - Firecracker Ceremony & Cultural Festival - 11a-3p, Chinatown NY - boom!  See and hear Chinese fireworks go off as cultural performances take place throughout the day.  Lions and Dragons will for sure be present too.  Finish off the afternoon with dim sum and bubble tea!
• Sun 2/21 - 11th Annual Chinatown Lunar New Year Parade & Festival - 1130a-4p, Chinatown NY - This is a fun parade that many local performing organizations participate in...from the drumming grandmas to the Shaolin kung-fu academy, and everything in between.

Check out a few more CNY Picks from TimeOut, like a martial arts demo, music, and more parades (Flushing)!

新年快樂!

Wed 2/10 - Open House: Cirque's Banana Shpeel + Win Tix!

Cirque du Soleil is opening a new show called Banana Shpeel, and tomorrow Wed 2/10 you can get a preview...plus be one of the first 100 to win tix to the show (bring a banana: ) - see below!!

Wednesday, Feb 10, 2010 • 4:30-7pm

The special Open House event features a sneak peek at the creative process, meet and greet opportunities with artists, and tastings from surrounding restaurants and bakeries.

The first 100 people to bring a banana to the Banana Shpeel Open House will receive a pair of tickets to the show!

The Beacon Theatre is located at 2124 Broadway between West 74th and 75th.

[Thanks, FreeNYC.net!]

NYRewind: 2/7 Super Bowl - Go Saints!

Amazing hot chili, Louisiana style fried chicken, banana pudding, friends, and an awesome game - I had a blast!  Mardi Gras is definitely going to be crazy this year.   Good job, Saints!

Happy Super Bowl Sunday!

Bring out the wings, chips, beer...I enjoy this all-American day not just because it's the pinnacle of good (and bad) football games of this past season, but more so that it gathers people together in their local bars or homes to enjoy a couple of solid hours together.  Friendly rivalry.  To some, it's history in the making (possibly in this game, if the Saints go all the way...!); to me, I just like hanging out and throwing up some high 5s here and there, while trying not to stir things up too much since I'm not for or against one team or another (though, I do have more of a tie to NO b/c of my Katrina Relief trip...and ok, it's definitely more southern than Indianapolis: ).  I just hope for a good game, no big injuries - and may the best team win!  But in any case, I'm waiting until college football season starts up again: ).

There are tons of places to watch in the city, if you aren't hosting your own watch party at your place (check out TimeOut NY's Game Day picks), and while you're at it, get some free food:

[via TheSkint.com]
Sun 2/7

• 5:30-6:30pm: delmonico's restaurant wins our hearts while clogging our arteries with free buttermilk fried chicken, double-fried french fries and stella pints before the game. yes, all free. >>

Have a great day!!