Each year, the National Trust for Historic
Preservation puts out an emergency call to protect the most endangered historic
places. This year’s list of America’s 11 Most Endangered Historic Places sheds
light on important examples of our nation’s heritage that are at risk of
destruction or irreparable damage. Over 300 places have been listed in its
32-year history, and in that time, fewer than 5 percent of listed sites have
been lost.
The 2019 list includes a diverse mix of
historic places across America that face a range of challenges and threats,
from climate change to inappropriate development to neglect and disuse.
Find out what you can do to support these
irreplaceable sites:
Primarily settled by formerly enslaved
people after the Civil War, Dallas’ Tenth Street Historic District includes a
collection of buildings dating from the late 19th to early 20th century. A 2010
change to a local ordinance allowed the city to obtain demolition permits for
houses less than 3,000 square feet without Landmark Commission review, which is
substantially increasing the rate of demolition. To date, at least 70 of the
district’s 260 homes have been demolished.
Nashville’s Music Row is a world-class
musical mecca that harbors more than 200 music-related businesses, making it
unlike any other place in the world. Out of its modest homes and large
commercial buildings has emerged an unmatched canon of music recordings across
a wide variety of musical styles, which has delighted music fans for
generations.
Industrial Trust Company Building, Providence, Rhode Island
An iconic part of the Providence skyline,
the 1928 Industrial Trust Company Building is under threat due to deterioration
and deferred maintenance after six years of vacancy. While this site is located
within a qualified “Opportunity Zone” (an area eligible for capital gains tax
incentive benefits), there is no redevelopment plan for the so-called Superman
Building, and its future is in question. Read More.
Ancestral Places of Southeast Utah, Southeast Utah
Listed in the Green Book, the Excelsior
Club was a leading private African American social club in the Southeast,
hosting artists like Nat King Cole and Louis Armstrong during its heyday. The
Art Moderne building needs significant investment. The property is currently
listed for sale for $1.5 million, but even if a buyer is found, a reuse plan
and significant investments are necessary to ensure a strong future. Read more.
Hacienda Los Torres—built in 1846 during
the height of Puerto Rico’s coffee industry by Jose Maria Torres—is one of the
last historic coffee plantation houses on the island and one of the oldest
remaining structures in Puerto Rico. It’s also associated with the “Grito de
Lares” revolt and the Spanish-American War.
Long-term deterioration and the effects of
multiple hurricanes, including Hurricane Maria in 2017, threaten this historic
site. Support saving Hacienda Los Torres.
This complex, a unique example of early
Modernism with bas-reliefs depicting scenes of everyday life, was New York
State’s first housing project constructed specifically for African Americans.
Today, the site is vacant and many of its structures are open to the elements.
The Buffalo Municipal Housing Authority has proposed demolishing the complex to
construct replacement housing.
The Bismarck-Mandan Rail Bridge connects
Bismarck and Mandan, North Dakota. Constructed in 1883, it was the first rail
bridge built across the upper Missouri River. The iconic bridge has been
recognized as an International Site of Conscience for the role it played in
opening the western United States to white settlement—and the resulting
profound impacts to Native American communities—but it has been proposed for
demolition by railway company BNSF.
The Coast Guard is in consultation with
BNSF and other parties under Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation
Act. The Coast Guard has proposed a conditional permit that would require BNSF
to retain the historic bridge until after an adjacent new bridge is
constructed, in order to allow time to identify a preservation solution for the
Bismarck-Mandan Rail Bridge. Tell the Coast Guard not to allow demolition of this
iconic bridge.
For more information, follow us on Twitter and join the conversation using the
hashtag #11Most.
Report Finds 2018 Spending Supported 329,000 jobs in Hotels, Restaurants, Transportation, Recreation
WASHINGTON – It is so easy just to enjoy our national parks – our national heritage – and not realize that they are also a serious engine of economic activity, indeed a lifeline, for localities and the nation as a whole. As the summer vacation and travel seasons opens, U.S. Secretary of the Interior David Bernhardt announced today that visitor spending in communities near national parks in 2018 resulted in a $40.1 billion benefit to the nation’s economy and supported 329,000 jobs.
According to the annual
National Park Service report, 2018 National Park Visitor Spending
Effects, more than 318 million visitors spent $20.2 billion in communities
within 60 miles of a park in the National Park System. Of the 329,000 jobs
supported by visitor spending, more than 268,000 jobs exist in the park gateway
communities.
“This report emphasizes
the tremendous impact the national parks have on our nation’s economy and
underscores the need to fulfill President Trump’s plan to rebuild park
infrastructure,” said Secretary
Bernhardt. “With 419 sites, and at least one in every state, our
national parks continue to provide visitors, both local and destination, with
innumerous recreational, inspirational, and world-class experiences.”
“National parks with
their iconic natural, cultural and historic landscapes represent the heart and
soul of America,” said National
Park Service Deputy Director P. Daniel Smith. “They are also a vital
part of our nation’s economy, especially for park gateway communities where
millions of visitors each year find a place to sleep and eat, hire outfitters
and guides and make use of other local services that help drive a vibrant
tourism and outdoor recreation industry.”
Economic benefits from
visitor spending increased by $2 billion and total output increased by $4.3
billion in comparison to 2017.
As a part of the report,
visitor surveys were conducted at 19 parks with the results indicating that
people spent more time in the parks, stayed longer in gateway communities and
spent more money during their visits.
Visitation varies across
the National Park System, from big parks like Blue Ridge Parkway to Grant Kohrs
Ranch National Historic Site in Montana. Blue Ridge attracted 14.6 million
people who spent more than $1 billion and supported more than 15,900 jobs.
Grant Kohrs Ranch drew more than 26,000 visitors who spent more than $1.5
million in the area and supported 25 local jobs.
Lodging expenses account
for the largest share of visitor spending totaling nearly $6.8 billion in 2018.
Food expenses are the second largest spending area with visitors spending $4
billion in restaurants and bars and another $1.4 billion at grocery and
convenience stores.
The peer-reviewed
economics report was prepared by economists Catherine Cullinane Thomas and Egan
Cornachione of the U.S. Geological Survey and Lynne Koontz of the National Park
Service. It includes information by parks and by states on visitor spending,
the number of jobs supported by visitor spending and other statistics.
Report authors also
produce an interactive tool that enables users to explore visitor
spending, jobs, labor income, value added, and output effects by sector for
national, state, and local economies. Users can also view annual, trend data.
For more state-by-state
information about national parks and how the National Park Service is working
with communities, go to http://www.nps.gov/[statename], for example: http://www.nps.gov/virginia.
National Park Visitor
Spending Contributions to the U.S. Economy 2012-18
Killarney Castle, Ireland. Women Traveling the World is featuring an Ireland Emerald Island Tour, August 30-September 7, 2019.
Women Traveling the World is offering an Ireland Emerald Island Tour that includes seven days (Aug 30 – Sept 7, 2019) experiencing first-hand this beautiful country known as the Emerald Isle. (Emerald Isle is the poetic name for Ireland due to its green countryside, first referred to in print by William Drennan in his poem “When Erin first rose”).
The tour starts in Dublin, a city offering many pubs, live music, historic cathedrals, Trinity College, The Guinness Storehouse, St Stephens Green and so much more. Then, head off to the Wicklow country side and explore the breathtaking mountains and Powerscourt Estate. Traveling to Killarney you will pass through some quaint Irish villages.
You will get to stay in two different Castle Hotels and truly experience Ireland and all its heritage, Celtic history, and natural beauty.
The trip
features beautiful landscapes and lush green colors set against the Atlantic
Ocean – the cliff sides are worth the visit alone. The shorelines are trimmed
by golden sands and rocky cliffs. Inland lakes and rural idylls are varied and
tranquil. The Irish are some of friendliest people and enjoy sharing in myths
and tales of this magical place. Home, too, of many great music artists such as
U2, this is truly a gem worth exploring and taking in local Irish fare and
music.
Tour Dates: Aug 30 – Sept 7, 2019 Cost: $1841 based on double occupancy (roommates can be provided);
single supplement $750
Included:
7 nights’ hotel in 4* hotel with taxes
Daily breakfast
5 Dinners Including 1 Irish show
1 lunch
Entrance fees to all sites visited as per itinerary
Tour Leader with 6 or more clients
Private transfers to all included sites and cities visited
Shannon car ferry
Local Tour Guide/Private driver
Arrival transfers in Dublin if traveling on tour dates and at the same times as
other travelers. TBA
Departure transfers in Shannon if traveling with the group.
Pandaw, a small-ship cruising company, has announced the construction of a new 14-cabin K-class ship for Burma. The ultra-shallow twin decked K-class vessel can go where other ships cannot and is perfect for Pandaw’s style of soft adventure river expeditions.
Despite
the political situation in Burma and a decline in mainstream routings the
demand for small ship expeditions in Burma has actually increased.
“With
the recent departure of three K-class vessels to India it has proved necessary
to order one more to meet this demand, principally on the Upper Irrawaddy,
Chindwin and Delta expeditions into remoter untouristed parts of the country.
Many of these are now fully booked for the coming season and a support vessel
urgently needed,” the company said.
In the tradition of naming all K-class ships after original Irrawaddy Flotilla vessels, the new build is to be named the KANEE PANDAW, and is being built in Pandaw’s own yard in Mandalay.
These
much-loved, safari-style vessels offer outdoor or indoor dining, run-round promenades
and ample indoor and outdoor living space. The cabins are slightly smaller than
on Pandaw’s larger ships but cleverly designed and very comfortable with roomy
bathrooms.
Like
all Pandaw’s expedition ships the KANEE will carry mountain bikes and is being
aimed at a younger demographic and family travel into these remote reaches.
“We began in Burma 25 years ago and remain attached
to the country and its people,” said Pandaw Founder, Paul Strachan.“Since we started the Pandaw Charity in 2008
the company has funded the Pandaw Clinics program providing essential health
care to a whole region of the country; to me it is a personal mission to ensure
that our business in Burma, despite recent political setbacks, continues to
prosper so that we can maintain these funding commitments”
Pandaw enjoys one of
the highest repeat rates in the industry and much of the growth in remote river
cruising is coming from within the Pandaw community. Two years ago, the company
launched its Pandaw Member’s Club and now has over 10,000 members seeking new
adventures on the rivers of Asia.
Grasshopper Adventures, a leader in Asia
bike tours, launches three bike & boat
adventures for 2019 and 2020 on the Mekong in Cambodia/Vietnam, the Brahmaputra
in India and the River Kwai in Thailand.
Grasshopper Adventures is partnering up with colonial and intimate
river vessels on Asia’s great rivers. Cycling off-the-beaten-path, cruising
along storied rivers, meeting villagers at the river banks and enjoying some
scenic pedalling mixed with culture and delicious local food.
With these new itineraries unpacking is only needed once. The ships
are under private charter to Grasshopper Adventures and are escorted by a
Grasshopper tour leader.
Single travelers are welcome. Grasshopper Adventures is matching guest with another same sex single traveler or guest can decide to pay the single supplement for a private cabin.
“With these new, exciting and unique tours we are able to welcome non-cycling partners or friends and will have special activities planned for them each day while the riders are out on the bikes,” Adam Platt-Hepworth, Grasshopper Adventures’ founder, said. “ It’s like having a portable hotel!”
Mekong Bike & Boat Adventure, from Vietnam to Cambodia, 9 days / 8 nights (from $4,990 per person sharing) This epic journey on the Mekong starts at colonial Saigon in Vietnam and finishes at breath-taking Angkor in Cambodia’s Siem Reap. The RV Toum Tiou with its shallow draft can reach river arms inaccessible to other cruise lines. Guests will be cycling through Vietnam’s scenic and busy Mekong delta and exploring Cambodia’s remote and rural corners before reaching the bustling capital Phnom Penh with its colonial and Art Deco architecture. The trip ends in Siem Reap with off-the-beaten-track cycling excursions to the Angkorian temples.
6 nights on board RV Toum Tiou
2 nights at Jaya House River Park, Siem Reap
India: Bike & Boat Brahmaputra, 9 days / 8 nights (from $4,900 per person sharing)
The Brahmaputra, one of the world’s most storied rivers, flows through Assam, India’s most north-eastern region. Guests will start exploring charming and colonial Kolkata before flying to Jorhat to embark the elegant Grand Dame of the river, the RV Charaidew. The polished brass engine room, telegraph and enormous ship’s wheel bear witness to her heritage. We cycle on the world’s largest river island, Majuli and explore rural villages which have not often see foreigners. There will be national parks with plenty of wildlife from rhinos, to elephants and birds – with a bit of luck maybe a tiger spotting.
1 night at the Oberoi Grand, Kolkata 7 nights on the RV Charaidew
Thailand Bike, Boat & Beach, 8 days / 7 nights (from $3,950 per person sharing)
Guests
will be cruising the scenic River Kwai and immerse into the history of the
infamous Death Railway, built during
WWII. The colonial RV River Kwai will take passengers on a trip back in
time. This tour combines cycling Bangkok by night, with a river cruise and the
extension to the paradise in Southern Thailand, Koh Yao. Guests can take part
on our included cycling, kayaking or hiking activities down south, or enjoy the
stunning beach and island resort.
1 night at the Riva Surya Hotel, Bangkok
3 nights on the RV River Kwai
3 nights at Paradise Koh Yao Resort, Island of Koh Yao
Grasshopper Adventures is approaching its 15-year anniversary. Grasshopper multi day tours across Asia feature great guides and bikes, off-the-beaten-track itineraries, unique escapes and genuine experiences and fine-tuned details. Grasshopper Adventures operates tours in Bhutan, Cambodia, India, Japan, Laos, Mongolia, Myanmar, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Taiwan, Thailand, Uzbekistan and Vietnam. Choose from scheduled group departures, bike & boat, private tours, family tours or self-guided trips.
Grasshopper Adventures is introducing a cycling tour exploring the back roads of Rajasthan, India’s quintessential land of maharajas, majestic forts, lavish palaces and tigers.
(Bangkok, Thailand) — Grasshopper Adventures is introducing a cycling tour exploring the back roads of Rajasthan, India’s quintessential land of maharajas, majestic forts, lavish palaces and tigers. Starting in Delhi and finishing in Udaipur, guests will ride through rural farmlands, deserts, and mountains, while exploring the “Land of Kings”. The eight-day trip starts at $3,300 USD per person double and is scheduled for October 26-November 2, 2019.
The remnants of a rich and romantic past have earned Rajasthan a place on most travelers’ bucket lists. It is a land of deserts, jungle, camel trains, tigers, jewels, art and vibrant culture. The festivals and cuisine are nothing short of spectacular. It is the must-see state of India, brimming with history and unique attractions.
“We will pedal 230 km through fascinating towns, ancient desert hamlets, and an oasis of Rajasthani forts,” said Grasshopper Adventures CEO Adam Platt-Hepworth. “Rajasthan is one of India’s most captivating states, famed for its historic forts and palaces, desert villages, spice markets, and the warmth of its people. This tour definitely discovers the real Rajasthan.”
The cycling follows predominantly flat, country roads and lanes with little traffic. There is some hill riding, but it is broadly achievable at a moderate level of fitness. A support vehicle is always on hand throughout the entire trip to give guests a lift if they need a break from the riding. Distances covered are between 40 km and 60 km a day.
“Rather than the popular tourist sites, guests may well find that the highlight of this bike tour is a chance encounter with a pink-turbaned man in the middle of nowhere, or maybe a shared Rajasthani family meal,” said Platt-Hepworth. “That is the beauty of this trip!”
Highlights:
Touring the 15th century Mehrangarh fortress
Riding through the desert to Rohet
Taking a Jeep tour to visit the Bishnoi tribes
Visiting a traditional haveli for a tasty lunch
Boarding a train for a scenic ride from Khambli Ghat to
Phulad
Overnighting in the lush, wooded valley of Ranakpur
Touring Kumbhalgarh and the world’s second largest
man-made wall
Bellevue, WA —Imagine a trip that combines the exotic and colorful country of India with the Himalayan nation of Nepal to the north. All for only $135 a day—including includes deluxe hotels like Marriott, Hilton and Crowne Plaza and air fare. World Spree Travel makes that happen with its Exotic India and Kathmandu Tour in the fall, when the 14-day trip costs $1,899.
That price includes not only round-trip international airfare from San Francisco, Los Angeles or New York, but also 5-star hotel accommodations, daily buffet breakfasts, three lunches, four dinners, all transportation in India and Nepal, comprehensive sightseeing tours with entrance fees, wonderful English-speaking tour guides, baggage handling and audio earphones. A mind-blowing flight to Mount Everest for a close-up view is optional and extra.
The tour starts in the capital, Delhi, with (cycle rickshaw) sightseeing in Mughal Old Delhi’s narrow alleys, mosques and bazaars, and monumental New Delhi’s colonial architecture reminiscent of the British Raj. There’s also a visit to Mahatma Gandhi’s former residence. Then it’s on to Agra, the second city of India’s famed Golden Triangle, and that legendary symbol of love, the beautiful white marble Taj Mahal, considered the finest monument of Mughal architecture.
On the way to Jaipur, the 10th-century Chand Baori (Stepwell), merits a stop. (This incredible well, with 13 floors and 3,500 steps, inspired the centerpiece sculpture in New York City’s new Hudson Yards.) Jaipur, the third city in the Golden Triangle, is the capital of Rajastan, the “pink city” that starred in “The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel.” Here there’s a tuk-tuk ride to see historic mansions, palaces and temples, as well as a jeep ride up to the famous Amber Fort, and a visit to a home for underprivileged children. Then it’s back to Delhi for an overnight and the flight to Nepal’s capital, Kathmandu, which is surrounded by the high peaks of the Himalayas..
In Kathmandu, sightseeing includes the array of temples and Nepali royal palaces in Durbar Square, and the “Monkey Temple” with its impressive stupa. Other UNESCO World Heritage Sites in the Kathmandu Valley include Bhaktapur, the nation’s cultural gem with its appealing crafts, ornate palaces, temples galore and 19 Buddhist monasteries, and Patan, full of old charm, traditional brick houses. temples and monuments. Then there’s Pashupatinath, Nepal’s most important Hindu temple on the holy Bagmati River. And, of course, that thrilling flight to Mount Everest, which is optional and costs $220. After a short flight to Delhi, there’s a farewell dinner and then the flight back home.
For additional information about the Exotic India and Kathmandu Tour visit www.worldspree.com, and click India, or call toll-free 1-800-652-5656.
How fitting that during May, National Biking Month, Rails-to-Trails
Conservancy (RTC) has just unveiled its preferred route for its visionary Great
American Rail-Trail™—or the “Great American”— a 3,700-mile biking trail that
would link Washington DC with Washington State.
The proposal underscores the organization’s long-time
commitment to creating an iconic piece of American infrastructure that connects
more than 125 existing trails and fills 90 trail gaps to create the
cross-continental recreational trail.
“Since the 1980s, RTC has understood the potential of a
trail like the Great American Rail-Trail that could connect the nation. That
vision has been a guidepost for the organization for 30 years. Now, we have the
chance to create from that vision a national treasure that unites millions of
people over thousands of miles of trail,” said Ryan Chao, president of RTC.
“This trail is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to provide—together—an enduring
gift to the nation that will bring joy for generations to come.”
The preferred route of the nation’s first cross-country
multiuse trail is detailed in a comprehensive report released by RTC today. The
Great American Rail-Trail Route Assessment Report outlines RTC’s recommendation
for the route, developed in close partnership with states and local trail
planners and managers.
“When defining the preferred route of the Great American Rail-Trail, we sought a cross-country route that would provide the highest-quality experience while delivering significant economic and social benefits to the communities it connects,” said Liz Thorstensen, vice president of trail development at RTC. “This route achieves those things and more, in large part thanks to the input, support and leadership of state agencies and local partners who have built the existing trails that will make the Great American Rail-Trail possible, and whose ongoing collaboration is vital to its completion.”
The route assessment was developed over 12 months with input
from RTC’s GIS analysis of more than 34,000 miles of multiuse trails; review of
state and local trail plans; and discussions with hundreds of local trail
partners and state agencies representing the trails along the route. The
preferred route aligns with RTC’s and its partners’ criteria that specify the
Great American be one contiguous route that is initially more than 80 percent,
and ultimately entirely, off street and separated from vehicle traffic;
comprises existing trails to the extent possible; is the most direct route
possible between Washington, D.C., and Washington State; is amenable to the state
and local jurisdictions that will host it; and will serve as a catalyst for
local economic development, including providing services for long-distance
trail travelers.
Traveling through 12 states and the District of Columbia,
RTC and its partners have defined the Great American Rail-Trail as more than
3,700 miles, comprising more than 1,900 miles of existing trails—those trails
already developed that will help carry the route across the country—and more
than 1,700 miles of “trail gaps,”—sections of trail in need of development to
fully connect the Great American into one contiguous route.
As the nation’s first cross-country multiuse trail, the
Great American will connect people of all ages and abilities with America’s
diverse landscapes and communities. Nearly 50 million people living within 50
miles of its route will be able to call this iconic American infrastructure
their own as the trail delivers new access to the outdoors and new
opportunities for physical activity and recreation. Hundreds of communities
along the route will experience new opportunities for business development and
tourism thanks to the Great American Rail-Trail, all while contributing to the
growth of the country’s burgeoning outdoor economy—one of the largest sectors
in the United States.
“We believe the Great American Rail-Trail will be a
transformative project for the nation, as it magnifies on a grand scale the
benefits that trails have delivered to communities for decades,” said Chao.
“Whether bridging gaps within and between communities, creating safe walking
and biking access to jobs, transit, shopping and green space; or serving as
recreation for cyclists, runners and casual daily explorers, this will be
America’s trail.”
While completion of the Great American Rail-Trail is a
significant undertaking and several decades away, 52% of the path is already
complete and available for public use, with plans for RTC to work in
partnership with states and local jurisdictions and organizations to bring new
segments online year after year.
RTC and its partners view the route assessment as a
blueprint for the trail’s development that is based in the reality of existing
plans and priorities. To spur trail completion, RTC has identified initial
catalyst initiatives—projects or challenges that would most benefit from RTC’s
national breadth of resources. Through these initiatives, RTC will directly
support local and state partners, investing time, expertise and organizational
resources in specific projects that are critical to catalyzing the completion
of the Great American Rail-Trail. RTC is also enlisting the support of trail
lovers across the country to demonstrate national enthusiasm for the Great
American’s development.
Setting a goal to reach 1 million pledges in support of the cross-country trail, RTC is asking the public to pledge at greatamericanrailtrail.org.
“We know that it will take a significant investment of time,
resources and energy to complete the Great American Rail-Trail—but it will be
worth it. It will take the help of trail lovers and leaders to bring this
vision to life,” said Kevin Mills, RTC’s vice president of policy. “Federal,
state, local and private investment will all be needed to complete this
project. To support the ongoing advocacy necessary to secure critical public
resources, we hope everyone will be inspired to proudly pledge to show the
widespread desire that exists for this trail.”
The Great American Rail-Trail is a signature project of RTC
and the most ambitious in its portfolio of TrailNation™ projects—the
organization’s initiative to encourage the rapid replication of regional trail
networks across the country. The Great American was first envisioned at RTC in
the late 1980s, and for decades has been an underpinning of the organization’s
strategy to create a nationwide network of public trails.
Separately, New York State, which already offers a 353-mile
long Erie Canalway from Buffalo to Albany, is in the process of filling the
gaps for a bikeway that will extend the entire north-south expanse, from New
York City to the Canadian border.
To learn more about the Great American Rail-Trail and RTC and to view the preferred route, visit greatamericanrailtrail.org and follow @greatamericanrailtrail on Facebook and Instagram.
It will take public and private support to complete the
Great American Rail-Trail. To learn more about how you can support the project
and RTC’s national leadership to plan, organize and advocate for the trail,
contact Alisa Borland, vice president of development at RTC, at
[email protected] or 202.974.5126.
Rails-to-Trails Conservancy is the nation’s largest trails organization—with a grassroots community more than 1 million strong— dedicated to connecting people and communities by creating a nationwide network of public trails, many from former rail lines. Connect with RTC at railstotrails.org and @railstotrails on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
NEW YORK—The Shed, New York City’s new arts center that commissions, develops, and presents original works of art, across all disciplines, for all audiences, will open to the public on April 5 with the world premiere of Soundtrack of America. The five-night concert series, conceived and directed by Steve McQueen with a creative team led by Quincy Jones and Maureen Mahon, celebrates the unrivaled impact of African American music on contemporary culture with performances by a new generation of artists. A free live stream of the April 5 concert will be available on The Shed’s website, TheShed.org, and its social media channels.
The
opening commissions continue on April 6 with new work by artist Trisha
Donnelly and the world premiere of Reich Richter Pärt, an
immersive live performance installation from iconic artists Steve Reich,
Gerhard Richter, and Arvo Pärt, featuring new works by Richter
and a new composition by Reich. The world premiere of Norma Jeane Baker
of Troy, a specially commissioned spoken and sung dramatic work by poet
and scholar Anne Carson, starring Ben Whishaw and Renée
Fleming, directed by Katie Mitchell, will be performed on April 9
(with previews on April 6 and 7).
In
development for more than a decade, The Shed is a nonprofit cultural
institution located on city-owned land on West 30th Street between 10th and
11th Avenues on Manhattan’s west side, where the High Line meets Hudson Yards.
It is housed in The Bloomberg Building—designed by Diller Scofidio + Renfro,
Lead Architect, and Rockwell Group, Collaborating Architect–an innovative, movable structure that adapts to support new
work of all kinds. The Shed’s primary program spaces include two floors of
expansive galleries, the versatile 500-seat Griffin Theater, and The McCourt, a
multiuse hall for large-scale performances, installations, and events for
audiences ranging from 1,250 seated to more than 2,000 standing. A rehearsal
space, lab for local artists, and event space are located in The Tisch
Skylights on the top floor.
“As a commissioning home for artists from the worlds of
performance, visual arts, and pop, The Shed is a place for all artists and all
audiences to meet,” said Artistic Director and CEO Alex Poots.
Dan Doctoroff,
Chair of The Shed’s Board of Directors said, “The Shed is doing something very
different: a new idea of a cultural institution; an unprecedented building in a
new part of the city; a new team commissioning all new work. It is uniquely of
New York, dedicated to the pursuit of boundless artistic ambitions across all
art forms for all audiences.”
Elizabeth Diller,
of Diller Scofidio + Renfro, said, “Eleven years in the making, The Shed is
opening its doors to the public as a perpetual work-in-progress. I see the
building as an ‘architecture of infrastructure,’ all muscle, no fat, and
responsive to the ever-changing needs of artists into a future we cannot
predict. Success for me would mean that the building would stand up to
challenges presented by artists, while challenging them back in a fruitful
dialogue.”
David Rockwell,
of Rockwell Group, said, “The Shed was conceived as an adaptable and structural
palette that will allow an extraordinarily diverse group of creators and
artists to incorporate the building into their work. After what has been a
wildly satisfying collaboration, we are thrilled to hand The Shed over to the
artists and audiences who will carry it forward. I couldn’t be prouder. It’s an
exciting addition to the long lineage of institutions that have kept our city
on the cutting
edge of the arts. Ultimately, it is a testament to the energy of New York
City.”
In recognition of a $25 million gift from Kenneth C.
Griffin, The Shed announced earlier this week that its 11,700-square-foot,
500-seat theater has been named The Kenneth C. Griffin Theater. “The Shed will
create new opportunities for artists and audiences to join together in unique
experiences. Over a decade in the making, this space reflects New York’s
determined commitment to fostering artistic expression and the idea that the
arts should be accessible to everyone,” said Griffin. Including this gift, The
Shed has raised $529 million toward its capital campaign goal of $550 million,
which includes building costs, organizational start-up expenses, and support
for the creation of new work.
Opening Commissions
Soundtrack of America,
April 5–14, The McCourtConceived and directed by Turner Prize-winning artist
and Oscar-winning filmmaker Steve McQueen and developed with music visionaries
and academic experts including Quincy Jones, Maureen Mahon, Dion ‘No I.D.’
Wilson, Tunji Balogun, and Greg Phillinganes, Soundtrack of America is a
five-night concert series celebrating the unrivaled impact of African American
music on contemporary
culture with performances by today’s most exciting emerging musicians.
The
headline performers for Soundtrack of America are:
April
5 at 8 pm: PJ Morton, Rapsody, Sheléa, and Victory, featuring special guest Jon
Batiste
April
7 at 8 pm: Braxton Cook, Kelsey Lu, Jade Novah, Smino, and Tank and The Bangas
April
9 at 8:30 pm: Samm Henshaw, Judith Hill, ill Camille, Emily King, Fantastic
Negrito, and serpentwithfeet
April
12 at 8:30 pm: Cory Henry, Melanie Faye, Terrace Martin, Oshun, and Sy Smith
April
14 at 8 pm: Keyon Harrold, Eryn Allen Kane, Phony Ppl, Moses Sumney, and
Tamar-kali, featuring special guests Richard Bona and Natasha Diggs, plus and
appearance by Aja Money.
Special
guest performers include: Natasha Diggs, resident DJ for all five nights, tap
dancer Michaela Marino Lerman (April 5), and jazz harpist Brandee Younger
(April 7), banjoist Dom Flemons (April 9), Vy Higginsen’s Sing Harlem Choir
(April 12), Cameroonian Grammy-winning bassist Richard Bona (April 14), and
poet Aja Monet (April 14).
A
free live stream of the April 5 concert will be available on The Shed’s
website, TheShed.org, and its social media channels. Major support for Soundtrack
of America is provided by the Ford Foundation.
Reich
Richter Pärt, April 6–June 2, Level 2 Gallery
An immersive live performance installation in The Shed’s galleries, Reich Richter Pärt explores the shared sensory language of visual art and music. Composer Steve Reich and artist Gerhard Richter will debut a world premiere commission, as two New York groups—Ensemble Signal and International Contemporary Ensemble—will alternate performances of Reich’s new score in counterpoint with Richter’s new work, including a new moving picture work created by Richter and filmmaker Corinna Belz. Each presentation of Reich Richter begins with a performance of Richter Pärt, a collaboration between Richter and Estonian composer Arvo Pärt. Two New York-based choirs—the Brooklyn Youth Chorus and the Choir of Trinity Wall Street—will sing Pärt’s music within an installation of Richter’s new work, in the form of tapestries and wallpaper. The Richter Pärt partnership builds on a concept originally developed by Alex Poots and The Shed’s senior program adviser Hans Ulrich Obrist for the Manchester International Festival in 2015. The Reich Richter composition and film were newly commissioned by The Shed as part of Reich Richter Pärt, and co-commissioned for a concert setting by The Los Angeles Philharmonic Association, Gustavo Dudamel, Music and Artistic Director; Cal Performances, University of California, Berkeley; Barbican Centre and Britten Sinfonia; Philharmonie de Paris; and Oslo Philharmonic.
Trisha
Donnelly, April 6–May 30, Level 4 Gallery
New
work by artist Trisha Donnelly. Norma Jeane Baker of Troy, April
6–May 19, The Griffin TheaterIn 1964, an office manager has hired one of his
stenographers to type out his translation of Euripides’s Helen but his
obsession with the recently dead Marilyn Monroe kidnaps the translation. Ben
Whishaw and Renée Fleming star in this spoken and sung performance piece by poet, essayist,
and scholar Anne Carson, directed by Katie Mitchell with music composed by Paul
Clark. (Preview performances April 6 and 7; opens April 9).
IN FRONT OF ITSELF,
ongoing, The Plaza
A large-scale, site-specific work by artist Lawrence Weiner
is embedded in The Shed’s plaza, serving as a walkable outdoor area when the
movable shell is nested over the fixed building, or as the base of The McCourt
when the shell is extended to the east. The 20,000-square-foot work is titled IN
FRONT OF ITSELF and features the phrase in 12-foot-high letters fabricated
with custom paving stones.
The Bloomberg Building
Designed by Diller Scofidio + Renfro, Lead Architect, and
Rockwell Group, Collaborating Architect, The Shed’s Bloomberg Building is an
innovative 200,000-square-foot (18,500 m2) structure that can physically
transform to support artists’ most ambitious ideas.
When deployed, The Shed’s telescoping outer shell creates a
17,000-square-foot (1,600 m2), light-, sound-, and temperature-controlled
space, The McCourt, named in recognition of Shed Board Member Frank
McCourt, Jr., and his family. The space can accommodate an audience of
approximately 1,250 seated or more than 2,000 standing. Large operable doors on
its north and east sides allow The McCourt to function as an open-air pavilion.
When the shell is nested over the base building, the 20,000-square-foot (1860 m2)
Plaza will be open public space that also can be used for outdoor exhibitions
and events.
The Shed features two expansive and flexible, column-free
galleries on Levels 2 and 4 of the base building, totaling more than 25,000
square feet (2,340 m2) of museum-quality space with 19-foot-high (6 m)
ceilings. Operable east-side walls can conjoin the galleries with The McCourt
to accommodate space or seating needs for large-scale installations and
performances.
An 11,700-square-foot (1,080 m2), sound-isolated black box
space on Level 6, The Kenneth C. Griffin Theater, can be used as a
single large theater with 500
seats or subdivided into two smaller theaters that can host concurrent events.
The Lizzie and Jonathan Tisch Skylights and The Tisch Lab (Level 8) feature a 1,700-square-foot (160 m2) creative lab
for local artists, a 3,300-square-foot (305 m2) rehearsal space, and a
9,500-square-foot (880 m2) flexible, multipurpose space for events.
Additional 2019 Opening Season Commissions
Björk’s Cornucopia, the multidisciplinary artist’s most elaborate staged concert to date, directed by Lucrecia Martel (May 6–June 1, The McCourt).
Art and Civil Disobedience with Boots Riley, a one-night-only lecture by the director of Sorry to Bother You in conjunction with The Shed’s DIS OBEY program (May 10, The McCourt).
POWERPLAY, a women-centered celebration of radical art and healing, created by multimedia artist LATASHÁ in collaboration with special guest artists including Nona Hendryx and Ashley August and participants in The Shed’s DIS OBEY program for NYC high school students, which explores themes of civil disobedience through poetry (May 18 and 19, The McCourt).
Open Call, an unprecedented opportunity for 52 New York City-based emerging artists and collectives to develop and showcase their work throughout The Shed’s primary spaces, free to the public (May 30–August 25, and continuing in 2020, Level 2 Gallery, The Griffin Theater, The Plaza).
Collision/Coalition, a series of three distinct commissions with intersecting themes on the nature of historic, present, and future collaborations between antithetical forces. Artist Oscar Murillo will create a new body of work using Diego Rivera’s famed, and destroyed, murals at Rockefeller Center as his starting point. Tony Cokes will explore the relationship between artist, studio, and gentrification. And the third, a new documentary by Yanina Valdivieso and Vanessa Bergonzoli on Beatriz González’s monumental public artwork Auras Anonimas—now under threat of being demolished by Bogotá’s city administration. Organized by Emma Enderby, Senior Curator (June 19–August 25, Level 4 Gallery).
Dragon Spring Phoenix Rise, a futuristic kung fu musical co-conceived by Chen Shi-Zheng and Kung Fu Panda screenwriters Jonathan Aibel and Glenn Berger, with songs by Sia remixed by Arca and The Haxan Cloak, choreography by Akram Khan, martial arts direction by Zhang Jun, and production design and costumes by Tim Yip (June 22–July 27, The McCourt).
Maze, a new production from street dance pioneer Reggie ‘Regg Roc’ Gray, co-directed by Kaneza Schaal (July 23–August 17, The Griffin Theater).Mutant;Faith, a premiere of the first act of an experimental performance cycle created by Venezuelan artist, singer, and electronic music composer Arca (opens September 25, The Griffin Theater).
Agnes Denes: Absolutes and Intermediates, the most comprehensive survey of the artist in New York to date, featuring more than 130 works on paper, sculptures, and newly commissioned works for the exhibition. Organized by Emma Enderby, Senior Curator (October 9–January 2020, Level 2 and 4 Galleries).
William Forsythe: A Quiet Evening of Dance, featuring new and existing work by the inventive choreographer set to the sounds of music and the dancers’ breath (October 11–25, The Griffin Theater).
Mirrors and Memory, a collaboration on a new live production about memory between Joan Jonas and pianist Hélène Grimaud (November 2–9, The McCourt).
Manual Override, a group exhibition with artists Lynn Hershman Leeson, Sondra Perry, Simon Fujiwara, Martine Syms, and Morehshin Allahyari. Organized by Nora N. Khan, Guest Curator (November 13–January 2020, The Griffin Theater).
Requiem, a performance of Verdi’s Messa da Requiem by Teodor Currentzis and his orchestra and chorus musicAeterna, from Perm, Russia, in their North American debut, accompanied by a specially commissioned cinematic artwork of moving image by the late avant-garde filmmaker Jonas Mekas (November 19–24, The McCourt).
The Wells Fargo Foundation is the leading sponsor of Maze and FlexNYC. William Forsythe: A Quiet Evening of Dance is a Sadler’s Wells London Production co-commissioned by The Shed; Théâtre de la Ville-Paris, Théâtre du Châtelet ,and Festival d’Automne à Paris; Festival Montpellier Danse 2019; Les Théâtres de la Ville de Luxembourg; Onassis Cultural Centre-Athens; and deSingel international arts campus (Antwerp). Winner of the FEDORA – VAN CLEEF & ARPELS Prize for Ballet 2018.
Cedric’s at The Shed
Opening to the public in mid-April, Cedric’s at The Shed is a
new bar from Danny Meyer’s Union Square Hospitality Group. Located in the
street-level Lobby at the West 30th Street entrance, Cedric’s serves a menu of
daytime and evening fare including cocktails, craft beer, wine, and coffee,
accompanied by shareable bites, sandwiches, and salads. Open Tuesday through
Sunday from 11 am to midnight, Cedric’s draws on the creativity and inventive
spirit of The Shed, offering a welcoming and casual experience for locals and
visitors alike.
Tickets
and Operating HoursAdmission to
exhibitions at The Shed is $10, which includes entry to all exhibitions on view
that day (admission is free for children and teens 18 years and under, and for
Shed Members at the Builder level and above). Ticket prices for live
productions vary by show. Tickets for the first half of the opening season
(April–August 2019) are available now at TheShed.org and via phone at (646)
455-3494. Tickets for fall-winter programs will go on sale later this year.
Exhibition hours are Sunday, Tuesday, and Wednesday from 11 am to 6 pm;
Thursday, Friday, and Saturday from 11 am to 8 pm. Times for live productions
vary by show.
The Shed, The
Bloomberg Building, 545 W 30th Street, New York, NY 10001
The Kensington is celebrating the new Royal Baby with parenting sessions over Afternoon Tea with with Sarajane Ambrose, founder of leading UK nanny and maternity nurse agencies, Kensington-based Imperial Nannies and Maternally Yours.
In honor of the pending arrival of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s first baby, due in April, The Kensington has once again partnered with Sarajane Ambrose, founder of leading UK nanny and maternity nurse agencies, Kensington-based Imperial Nannies and Maternally Yours. New or expectant parents can now book a two-hour, one-on-one session with Sarajane, where she will guide them through everything they can expect when it comes to parenthood. Sarajane will offer her expert tips over The Kensington’s new ‘London Landmarks’ Afternoon Tea.
Sarajane has encountered
countless parents since she founded her agencies back in 1996 and is an
expert at pairing high caliber nannies and maternity nurses with discerning
families. The two-hour session is available to hotel guests of The
Kensington and prospective parents alike. As a mother of four, Sarajane can
offer tips on everything from furnishing a nursery to adjusting to life with a
new baby.
The package is
exclusively available at The Kensington and sessions will include the
hotel’s new Afternoon
Tea, which takes inspiration from London’s most recognizable and
historic landmarks. The new Afternoon Tea is presented on a London Eye-inspired
tea stand and is served alongside a bespoke map of London,
illustrated by Eleni Sofroniou, highlighting the landmarks featured in the tea.
Afternoon Tea sessions
with Sarajane are exclusively available at The Kensington and prices start from
£200 (approx. $265.63) for two-hours. Sessions are subject to availability and
can be booked between 12:00pm – 4:00pm, Monday – Friday. To book, please call
020 7 795 6299 or email: [email protected].
Family ownership imbues
the Doyle Collection properties with the familiarity of a member’s club and the
intimacy of a private home. Each of its eight hotels – landmark buildings in
unrivalled city locations, has its own distinct personality that is rooted in,
and authentic to, its neighborhood. Innovation and ongoing investment ensure a
boutique, cosmopolitan yet local feel – as seen in cool destination
restaurants, bars and event spaces – while the Collection’s heritage lends
character to its vision of informal luxury, timeless style and the very best
guest experience.
Sister agencies Imperial Nannies and Maternally Yours have been placing high caliber nannies and maternity nurses with discerning families since 1996. With offices located in Kensington, London and Bath, the agencies provide live-in, daily, temporary and overseas nannies, governesses and maternity nurses for private homes worldwide. Their expert Consultants provide a personal and professional service according to each client’s individual requirements. Only candidates with a minimum of three years’ private household experience are accepted. All candidates are personally interviewed. Each is scrupulously background and reference checked with up to date CRB checks and all are qualified First Aiders. Further details at www.imperialnannies.com and www.maternallyyours.co.uk.
