The summer is winding down and to be honest my fair Irish skin is sort of happy. I absolutely love autumn in New York (the season…not the movie!). Besides cooler temps, less humidity, and all of those colorful leaves, this time of the year offers some pretty cool things to the city that never sleeps. Below is a run down of some events that might be of interest to you, whether you call NYC home or are just planning to stop by for a few days.
New York Craft Beer Week: September 11-20, 2009
This is the 2nd annual event dedicated to something I hold dear to my adult beverage drinking heart…beer! Now being a self professed “brewski braggart,” I have been known to pass on the Coors Light and Budweiser in favor of a locally made micro-brew. To me it just taste fresher, tastier, and I personally love supporting local businesses. Craft beer is just that, instead of producing one taste for the mass market, these artisans of ale and pilsner perfectionists use traditional brewing methods.
The week will be chock full of events to make any booze lover smile. Purchase a $35 “NYC Beer Passport” and you will be granted access to $2 pints at over 80 beer bars throughout New York’s five boroughs! Plus you will also get exclusive access and deals all week long. Talk about a sweet deal! For a full listing of events, deals, and where you can throw back a cold one click here…cheers!
New York City Wine & Food Festival: October 8-11, 2009
If you are anything like me, then two channels take up most of your DVR’s memory…the Travel Channel and Food Network. Well my foodie friends, be sure to clear your calendar for Columbus Day weekend in order to hang with the likes of Alton Brown, Guy Fieri and Bobby Flay at the annual New York City Wine & Food Festival. One event happening that weekend which caught my eye is the “Must Eat Now: New York” discussion with the writers of Travel + Leisure. Food editor Nilou Motamed and a panel of experts will go borough-by-borough to reveal some of the tastiest places to dine in New York. After the event you will even get to enjoy a glass of wine in the library at Bumble and bumble.
In addition to that particular discussion, you will have a plethora of events to check out. From a chance to enjoy a home-cooked meal by Paula Deen to wine seminars to culinary demos by Martha Stewart, you will surely be stuffed and letting out your belt buckle a notch or two after attending this flavorsome festival. For more information and a full listing of edible events, click here. Bonjour!
New York Comedy Festival: November 4-8, 2009
Times are tough. Job losses are at an all time high, gas prices are creeping back up, people are ready to go to war over health care reform, and the New York Mets continue to suck. So what better way to release some stress than with some good old fashion stand-up comedy. In early November, comedians will take over the Big Apple in the annual New York Comedy Festival. The idea is simple, you show up, they come out, and you leave holding your stomach in pain from laughing too hard.
The list reads off like a who’s who of comedy. Big-name funnymen like Bill Maher, Dane Cook, Ricky Gervais, Andy Samberg, and Tracy Morgan will have you rolling on the floor laughing (or at least laughing out loud). This is the sixth year that this event has taken place and it seems to get better every November. Ten venues throughout New York City will host hours upon hours of laughter. In addition to the chuckles, the festival will also feature of discussion panel by some of the greats in comedy at the Paley Center for Media. To purchase tickets and get the full laughter line-up, click here.
