Style: Shop Erwin Pearl on Ideeli

A few pieces of Erwin Pearl jewelry are being sold on Ideeli today. You should definitely have a look at this sale in particular.  Having worked with them previously, I know a lot about their work.  The jewelry is of a very high quality and the pieces are intended to be long-lasting classic investment pieces not cheap trendy stuff. They are especially great with chains so I highly recommend the gold chain necklaces and charm bracelets that are up on Ideeli right now. Erwin Pearl owns its own chain factory in Rhode Island that produces quality work for a number of high-end designers. The sale will be going on for only 1 more day - so hurry & grab some great bargains! You can find the sale HERE.

Necklace: $49.99 (reg. $150 ), Bracelet: $39.99 (reg. $95)

Today's Featured Designer & Shop on Twitter: @ErwinPearl, @Ideeli

Events: Reports on the Roberta Freymann & Elizabeth McKay Sample Sales

Roberta Freymann: My fave prints in XS - none of them in S or M!

Roberta Freymann:

Cute Beaded Clutch for $50

I went to both sample sales this afternoon/evening. I have to say that the Roberta Freymann was a bit disappointing. Many of the sales people were very rude, some signs indicated clothes were cheaper than they actually were at check-out, and clothes' actual sizes often did not match their size tags (which is probably why they were in the sale). On top of all that, Roberta Freymann ran the sale differently than any others I've been to at 260 Fifth. They had NO dressing room and they covered up all the mirrors. A few ladies tried to uncover the mirrors to see what size top they'd wear over their clothes and a salesman ran over and screamed at them and re-covered the mirror! In the end I had some luck, grabbed 2 kurtas/tunics, 1 printed and 1 embroidered chambray for $30 each (reg. $80), a button-down shirt for $25 (reg. $75), a scarf/beach wrap for $25 (reg. $50), and a ditty bag for $15 (reg. $40). It wasn't exactly the 80% off that some advertising had boasted but decent. For their classic kurtas, unless you are a size XS or XL, it didn't look like there'd be much left for you tomorrow. The M rack was practically empty. There will still be plenty of sweaters (~$70) and evening dresses ($100). You really had to dig through massive piles of stuff to find things that you would like. Anything that was not on a rack was very disorganized. For the craftier crowd I'd highly recommend checking out the home section on the back left and snatching up some napkins, bed sheets, pillowcases, etc that you can turn into something else. The fabrics back there were some of the nicest. The jewelry is really the worst they have so not worth much of a look. I've seen nicer beaded collar necklaces in Koreatown for dirt cheap. The children's clothes were definitely worth taking a look and some of the beaded clutches ($50-75) were quite nice. Overall, I was not overly impressed with the selection.

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Elizabeth McKay: Lots of polos, turtlenecks, tunics, & silk tops!

Lovely silk dresses at bargain prices!

Elizabeth McKay: 
On the way to the Elizabeth McKay sample sale I walked by the Roberta Freymann / Roberta Roller Rabbit retail store and gawked at all of the nice things in the window...so much better than what they had at the sample sale!  The Elizabeth McKay sample sale was another story. Although there was no dressing room there either, they had a large mirror and all of the girls were trying on the clothes in the showroom.  The saleslady made sure to not allow men into the area for exactly that purpose. The designer was even walking around and other ladies were asking her questions about how to wear the pieces! You did not have to dig or search for anything really at all; it was all laid out nicely on the racks and folded neatly in bins. There was a great selection of silk tops in all sizes (0-14) for $40.  Dresses and coats were $80. There was also a nice selection of polos, turtlenecks, skirts, and shorts for $20.  These are fantastic prices for the quality you are getting! I got a wonderful silk dress for $40 (reg. $265) because of an imperfection I couldn't even find and two polos for $20 each (reg. $150).  I also got a silk top for $40 (reg. $215) and an embroidered tunic for $40 (at least reg. $215 compared to similar items online). It looked like there was still a great selection when I left today, so I highly recommend checking them out! They have really cute designs. I would recommend for some items to try a variety of different sizes. I found that the dresses & tops ran a bit big. The ones I purchased are one or two sizes smaller than what I usually wear. The polos & turtlenecks run a bit small. I'd usually wear a M and I got an XL. They had plenty of things that were suitable for all seasons and all purposes, from a night out to professional attire. The sale is located on the second floor, just above Bar & Books. The location is so peaceful and people were definitely not as frantic as they were at the Roberta Freymann sale. I highly recommend stopping by!

Events: A Report on the Rent the Runway Sample Sale

I went to the Rent the Runway Sample Sale with a friend on the morning of the second to last day of the sale (Saturday).  I was very pleasantly surprised to see that there were still a lot of nice dresses left on the racks for all sizes.  I found some especially good finds by See by Chloe, Christian Siriano, Missoni, M Missoni, Herve Leger, Tibi, Badgley Mischka, Alice by Temperley, and Temperley.  There also seemed to be unlimited amounts of dresses from Nicole Miller, Milly, Haute Hippie, Moschino Chic and Cheap, Rebecca Taylor, and Catherine Malandrino.  I even saw a David Meister dress I bought last winter for probably 1/5 of the price I had paid!  While I tried on mainly short cocktail dresses, my friend tried on several full-length gowns.  The best she looked at were from Badgley Mischka ($50 each) and Yigal Azrouel.

Here's what I especially liked:

Find #1:  Calla Lily Cap Sleeve Dress by Tibi
Rent it on Rent the Runway HERE
Retail $378, RTR Rental $50, Sample Sale: $37
Note: Slight flaw - About 3 inches of the seam of one of the cap sleeves had been separated away from the body of the dress but nothing that five minutes of quick sewing couldn't fix.  It was right along the seam so it wasn't torn or anything like that and extremely easy to fix - anyone could do it. Trust me, I'm not an expert seamstress and just used an old travel repair kit with some white thread and a needle.
Find #2: Heartbreaker Dress by Herve Leger
Rent it on Rent the Runway HERE
Retail $1050, RTR Rental $100, Sample Sale: $167
Note: The dress was a Size S but I assume that I would normally wear a bigger size because I tried on another Leger dress in a M that fit just quite snug.  The dress was probably in the sale because it had been stretched out a bit while being rented.

The other two dresses I liked are no longer being rented on the RTR site but had been featured in a few of their blog posts (Missoni1, Missoni2, La Rok1, La Rok2).  Both were in impeccable condition with no additional notes to be made.
Find #3: Emily the Empress Dress by M Missoni 

Retail: $795, Sample Sale: $113
This gorgeous striped brown M Missoni cocktail dress pairs well with all fall/winter neutral accessories and with the tribal & animal prints that are popular right now.
Find #4: Lovely in Lace Dress by La Rok

Retail: $278, Sample Sale: $60
This very casual white frilly dress from LaRok that will be great for the summer, especially when paired with a very long dangling necklace or statement collar necklace - with the perfect sandals of course! 

The second to last day was actually an excellent day to go to the sale.  While I was disappointed that there wasn't anything left from Kate Spade or Lilly Pulitzer (as I read there had been earlier) and that the selection of Herve Leger had significantly depleted, everything was being sold at an additional 40% off.  I heard that on the last day this was increased to 50% off but I imagine not all that much was left after Saturday.  My suggestion would be to visit a sample sale like this twice, once at the beginning to grab up some of the more popular items that are going quickly and again on the morning of the second to last day to get some even better deals.  This was not my first sample sale by any means but it was definitely one of the ones where I found the best deals.  My other favorites have been the regular Diane von Furstenberg and Ralph Lauren ones.

Here are some great sites I'd recommend that make announcements about upcoming sample sales: The Vogue City & Sample Sale Avenue.

Arts: The Armory Show in its 14th Year

Photos from www.thearmoryshow.com

The 14th Annual Armory Show is taking place next weekend in New York from Thursday, March 8th through Sunday March, 11th.  The Armory Show features some of the best of today's modern and contemporary art from living artists around the world. It takes place on Piers 92 & 94 in Manhattan.  Highlights will include: 2012 Commissioned Artist Theastre Gates, art of the Nordic countries in Armory Focus, and a re-design of the space by architect Bade Stageberg Cox.  I am particularly excited to see the Armory Focus exhibition, which will be curated by the director of Malmö Konsthall in Sweden, one of the largest exhibition halls for contemporary art in Europe.  Each year, the region in focus changes.  In the last couple years the Armory Focus has been on Berlin (2010) and Latin America (2011). The Armory Show had over 65,000 visitors last year - so be sure you don't miss out & buy your tickets this week!

Time Out New York is currently offering a deal on tickets to The Armory Show.  Tickets are available on their site for the next two days (ends 3/4) at a 25% discount.  Buy your General Admission ticket today for $22.50 here: Time Out NY Deals: The Armory Show.


To find out more about the exhibits, visit the The Armory Show Official Site and look at their 2012 Prospectus.  
Today's Featured Event on Twitter: @TheArmoryShow, @TimeOutNewYork

Events: Yelp Drinks! Starts Today

"Because EVERY hour should be a HAPPY hour!"

Yelp Drinks! Starts today and will go until Sunday, March 4th.  This year there are over 40 bars and restaurants participating in the event, each offering 3 hand-crafted cocktails, wines, or beers at 50% off their usual prices.Of the 40 participants, 15 are located in Manhattan, and the rest are in Brooklyn and Queens. Specials are offered all day, just mention "Yelp Drinks" to your server.  I have listed some of the special below ($RegularPrice / $YelpPrice) & believe you can also access the "menus" via the Yelp Mobile App & Foursquare when you check in at each location.  So, grab a colleague after work and mix things up by trying out a new tiki bar (Lani Kai) or speakeasy (The Vault at Pfaffs)! Read more on the Yelp Website HERE

Hotel Chantelle - http://www.yelp.com/bi...
Drink 1: The Ludlow ($13 / $6)
Drink 2: Writer's Vice ($13 / $6)
Drink 3: Kir Yvette ($13 / $6)

Lani Kai - http://www.yelp.com/bi...
Drink 1: The Bearded Lady ($14 / $7)
Drink 2: Kamehameha Rum Punch ($14 / $7)
Drink 3: Anchor Steam Porter (bottle) ($8 / $4)

The Vault at Pfaffs - http://www.yelp.com/bi...
Drink 1: Ada Clare ($16 / $8)
Drink 2: Leaves of Grass ($16 / $8)
Drink 3: Subway Rumbles ($16 / $8)

David Burke Kitchen - http://www.yelp.com/bi...
Drink 1: Rabbit Hunter ($14 / $7)
Drink 2: Sugar and Spice ($14 / $7)
Drink 3: The Honey Badger ($14 / $7)

Today's Featured Venues on Twitter: @YelpNYC, @HotelChantelle, @LaniKaiNY, @Pfaffs1855, @ChefDavidBurke

Events: American Express Mix-n-Match

The American Express / NYC&Co Mix-n-Match event ends on Wednesday. Check it out this weekend before it's too late. Over 400 restaurants, shops, and entertainment venues are participating in this deal. American Express card holders will receive a $50 credit on their next statement when spending $200 or more at any 2 of the participating locations. 

My picks would be:

- The 21 Club: The perfect lunch in a charming & historic setting
- 92nd Street Y: Join the May Center Gym & take one of their great classes
- Banana Republic: Refresh your work ensemble - loving their Feb. windows!
- Bloomingdale's: Shop 'til you drop w/ my favorite personal shopper, Mary Tierney (visit At Your Service); also Lord & Taylor and Macy's
- The Book of Mormon: See Broadway's most popular musical of the moment
- Brasserie: A fantastic French meal at a reasonable price (for midtown)
- The Cloisters Museum: Enjoy a breath of fresh air in the busy city
- Costco: Stock up on goodies for cold/rainy winter days
- Dave & Buster's: Have an original date night w/ dinner, drinks, & games
- French Roast or L'Express: Enjoy a very reasonably priced French meal - open 24 hours!
- The Frick Collection: View some of the best art on the Upper East Side
- H&M: Gather up all your basics & essentials without breaking the bank
- Jonathan Adler: Find fantastic home accessories for your apartment
- Mount Vernon Hotel Museum: Explore the colonial era in Midtown
- Scully & Scully: Not the cheapest for home decor & furniture but hands down the best
- Tory Burch: Pick up some ballet flats or one of her signature tunics
- Wall & Water: Have a meal at this Financial District favorite in the Andaz
- Zabar's: Find some gourmet goodies at this NYC staple

For a full list and to read more about the deal, visit:
http://www.nycgo.com/mix-n-match

Events: Two Great Charity Events Under $40

Charity events are always some of the best parties to attend - great crowds, good causes, exciting venues, and nice auction items & giveaways.  However, too many of them can be a bit painful on your wallet.  It seems like most tickets for young professionals will put you out $100-$250 at least. 

Keeping that in mind, I'll be posting regularly on my blog any great charity events I hear of that are under $100 (and in this case under $40!).  Be sure to get in touch in the comments or via Twitter (@hauteonthespot1) if you work with a charity that's putting on an event like these. I'd be delighted to help you promote them.  Today I've highlighted two events that are taking place next week, one for $12-15 and the other for $35.

Event: The R20s Group Leap Day Mixer

Where: SideBAR (118 E. 15th Street) in the Private Lounge

When: Wednesday, February 29th, 7-10pm

What: A networking mixer for alumni of over 70 universities ages 21-29 to support the Fraunces Tavern Museum with drink specials 7-8pm and giveaways. For a list of drink specials, click the "Event Tickets" tab at the top of the page.

Cost: $12 in advance, $15 at the door

Website: www.TheR20sGroup.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/events/180714468695497/

Click below to purchase tickets via PayPal:

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Event: WGirls NYC presents The 3rd Annual Ties & Tiaras

Where: Inc Lounge (224 West 29th Street)

When: Thursday, March 1st, 7-11pm

What: A cocktail party with open bar (7-8:30), DJ, & silent auction to raise money for Project G.L.a.M!

Cost: $35 for 1 ticket, $120 for 4 tickets

Website: http://wgirls.org/

Click below to purchase tickets via Charity Happenings:
http://wgirls3rdannualtiesandtiaras.charityhappenings.org/

Events: Celebrate Mardi Gras in NYC

Charity Event

If you're in Chelsea tonight, check out this charity networking event benefiting Children's Rights at The Ainsworth. There is a suggested donation of $20 & extended happy hour specials. The Ainsworth is located at 122 West 26th Street between 6th & 7th Avenues. Check out their website HERE.

Mardi Gras Party

If you're on the Upper East Side, celebrate an authentic Fat Tuesday at Southern Hospitality, one of the city's best Southern bar/restaurants!  They are offering prizes, drink specials including the traditional NOLA Hurricanes, and of course lots of beads. Admission is FREE. Southern Hospitality is located on 2nd Avenue between East 76th & 77th Streets. Check out their website HERE.

Events: Celebrate Presidents' Day at the Fraunces Tavern Museum & Restaurant

Let's get Presidential!

President's Day 
February 20th 2012

Follow in George Washington's footsteps this President's Day at The Porterhouse Fraunces Tavern in Manhattan's Financial District. Rediscover the origins of The United States of America at the Fraunces Tavern Museum. The Fraunces Tavern Museum is the oldest building in Manhattan and hosted George Washington's farewell to his officers as well as many other significant historical events. 

Only $1 admission, 12pm - 5pm.

Then relax and dine at the Tavern Bar, as our First President may have, with a tasty brew and some colonial style fare. Drink specials include George Washington's favorite tipple, hot buttered rum! 

For more information visit the sites for Fraunces Tavern Museum & Porterhouse Bar and Restaurant at Fraunces Tavern or their Twitter account (@frauncestavern).

Events: Social Media Week 2012 Starts TODAY!

Social Media Week 2012 starts TODAY and goes until February 17th.  The event is headquartered in New York but there will also be a full schedule of events in Hamburg, Hong Kong, London, Miami, Paris, San Francisco, Sao Paulo, Singapore, Tokyo, Toronto, and Washington DC. If you're not located in any of these cities or an event you are interested in is sold out, you can still participate through their online and mobile platforms. Events include a full day of (mostly FREE) lectures - either panels on pertinent topics in social media or remarks from keynote speakers.  There are also several strictly social networking events in the evenings.

For a full list of events & to register, check out: http://socialmediaweek.org/schedule/

My top picks are listed below - hope to see you at some of them!

Monday 13 Feb "Social Media Club NYC: Social Media and Serious Business" Panel hosted by Social Media Club of New York at Connolly's Pub & Restaurant 6-8pm, Networking Cocktail Reception hosted by Johnson & Johnson at Health & Wellness Content Hub at Saatchi & Saatchi Wellness 6:30-8:30pm, Social Media Week Party at WeWork Soho 8-10pm

Tuesday 14 Feb "Digital Voyeurism: How Sharing Real Homes in Real Times is Changing the Way We Decorate" Lecture hosted by Hearst Magazines at Art & Culture Content Hub at Hearst Magazines 10-11am, "Beyond the Like: Using Real People's Stories to Drive Brand Awareness" Lecture hosted by Microsoft Advertising at Advertising & Marketing Content Hub at JWT 12-2pm, "Socializing the News" Lecture hosted by Publicity Club of New York at Three West Club 12-2pm, "Insights and Predictions on Women's Buying Behavior" (SOLD OUT) Lecture hosted by Total Beauty Media Group at The Empire Hotel 12-2pm, "Social Syndication in 2012: Experiences First, Networks Second" Lecture hosted by Buddy Media at Art & Culture Content Hub at Hearst Magazines 4:30-5:30pm, "Communicating with Customers Beyond Facebook & Twitter: How Brands are Accessing Start-ups to Collaborate and Communicate" Lecture hosted by Big Fuel Social Labs at Fenton 5-6pm

Wednesday 15 Feb "Corporate Responsibility + Social Media - Are They Aligned in Your Organization" (SOLD OUT) Lecture hosted by Fenton at Fenton 9-10:30am, "Who Runs the World A Virtual Panel on Women & Global Entrepreneurship" Lecture hosted by Digitas at Digitas 10-11am, "How Street Style Blogs Affect Retail and Design" (SOLD OUT) hosted by Hearst Magazines at Art & Culture Content Hub at Hearst Magazines 12-2pm, "What's Your Secret Weapon in Social: A Panel and Luncheon Discussion" (SOLD OUT) hosted by Digitas at Digitas 12-2pm, "Reflecting on the 54th Grammy Awards - Digital Partnerships, Social Media and Innovation" Lecture hosted by SoundCtrl at Arts & Culture Content Hub at Hearst Magazines 1:30-2:30pm, "How to Create Facebook Custom Pages" Workshop hosted by NYC Webgrrls at AXA Advisors 6:15-9pm (Ticketed Event), Instagram NYC Community Party at the Tribeca Grand Hotel 8-11pm

Thursday 16 Feb "The Evolving Role of Digital in the Purchase"  (SOLD OUT) Lecture hosted by Advertising Research Foundation at Advertising Research Foundation 1:30-5:30pm, "Social Commerce Is Here, Is Your Brand Ready?" (SOLD OUT) Lecture hosted by Buddy Media at Business & Innovation Content Hub at Ogilvy 3-5pm, "Using Social Media in the Fashion Industry: Fashion #560chat" (SOLD OUT) Lecture hosted by Parsons The New School for Design at Parsons The School of Fashion 4-5pm, Buddy Media Cocktail Mixer at Business & Innovation Content Hub at Ogilvy 5-7pm, Obliterati Party at Sweet & Vicious 6-11pm, "The Interplay of Sports, Business, and Social Media" Lecture hosted by Wix.com at Wix Lounge 6-8pm, "Creative Diaries: Why You Should Be Blogging" (Ticketed Event) hosted by NY Creative Interns at Getty Images HQ 6:30-8:30pm, "Nets of Social Networks: Minimizing Legal Risk in Social Media" (SOLD OUT) hosted by & at Cowan DeBaets Abrahams & Sheppard 6:30-7:30pm, "Pining Over Pintrest" (SOLD OUT) hosted by Definition 6 and Sociality Squared at Definition 6 6:30-8pm

Friday 17 Feb "Social Media, Sports, and Gaming" Lecture hosted by Bloomberg L.P. at Business & Innovation Content Hub at Bloomberg 10:30am-12:30pm, "Social Media for Managers: The Very Basics" (SOLD OUT) Lecture hosted by Tekserve at Tekserve 1-2:30pm, "Left Brain Meets Right Brain - The Blueprints for a Sophisticated Social Marketing Campaign" Lecture hosted by Shoutlet at Advertising & Marketing Content Hub at JWT 3-5pm, "Beyond Broadcasting and Into Community Building" (SOLD OUT) Lecture hosted by Baang and Burne Contemporary at Wix Lounge 6-8pm

Style: NY Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Starts TODAY!

New York Fashion Week starts TODAY!!!  While it can be very hard to snag a ticket for one of NYFW's elite events, that's no excuse to hide your enthusiasm.  Be sure to follow your favorite designers' Twitter accounts, blogs, and Facebook pages to get up-to-the-minute details on the new collections they're presenting this week.  Later this week I'll add some of the key pages to follow.

"How to Dress for NYFW" on RueLaLa

One of my favorite Fashion Week posts so far has been RueLaLa's section on "How to Dress for NYFW" curated by Lauren David Peden.  I love all the variations on the seasonal color choices - grey, taupe, eggplant, and navy.  You can view the collection HERE.  If you don't have a RueLaLa account and have trouble viewing the page, post your e-mail address in my comment box, or PM me your e-mail address on Twitter (@hauteonthespot1) and I'll send you an invitation to join.  It's a really great site with daily deals that maintains a great inventory of high-quality products and brands at a slightly lower price point than Gilt Groupe.

I also love Harper's Bazaar's Editors' Fashion Week Game Changes feature. My friend Lauren, Fashion & Retail Credits Editor for the magazine, selected the new Victoria Beckham bag collection with lots of new vibrant colors. Lauren says, "I've got my eye on the turquoise and yellow for fun pops of color amid the sea of black coats." Check out all of the editors' picks HERE.

Events: NY Giants Superbowl Parade of Heroes

Of course the biggest free event in New York City today was the victory parade for the New York Football Giants.  Congratulations on winning Superbowl XLVI!  I've heard from many people who made it to the parade downtown this morning that it was quite a show.

(photos courtesy of abcnews.go.com)

Here are some of my picks for best victory gear:

Left: Reebok, $25.95 (Buy it HERE), Right: Vineyard Vines, $75 (Buy it HERE)

Arts: Diego Rivera Exhibit & MOMA New York Tips

Over the next couple months the Museum of Modern Art is doing a spotlight on the work of Mexican painter Diego Rivera (ends May 12th).  If you are not familiar with Rivera, I would suggest that you first look up the story about his paintings originally commissioned for Rockefeller Center in 1932.  Although a famous artist in his own right, he is also well known as the husband of another famous Mexican artist, Frida Kahlo.  Perhaps you've even seen the 2002 film Frida starring Salma Hayek and Alfred Molina and have already learned something about his personal life.
The MOMA will have a series of murals that Rivera painted in 1931 for his solo show at the Museum which have not been shown to the public in 80 years.  In conjunction with the exhibition, MOMA will also be hosting one free lecture and a lecture series.  The free lecture that will be running regularly is entitled "Diego Rivera: Murals for the Museum of Modern Art" (Feb. 3rd at 3:30pm, Feb. 9th at 11:30am, and Feb. 10th at 3:30pm) [FREE with museum admission].  There is also a paid 3-part lecture series entitled "Diego Rivera: From Mexico to Manhattan" that includes:  "Rivera at Rockefeller Center" (Feb. 8th at 6pm; Daniel Okrent, Writer), "Rivera and Mexico" (Mar. 22nd at 6pm; Elena Poniatowska, Writer/Journalist), and "The Revolutionary Life and Times of Diego Rivera" (April 23rd at 6pm; Alan Knight, Oxford University). [$10 regular ticket/$8 members/$5 students & seniors].

You can enjoy this work at a cheaper rate by exploring the many discounted ticket and membership offers that MOMA has available.  General admission tickets can be purchased at a discount if you are a Senior 65+ ($18), hold a valid Student ID ($14), or are a Guest of a Member ($5).  The full rate is $25.  Memberships are available at a discount if you are an Artist ($50), National/International Visitor ($70), or if you hold a valid Student ID ($50).  The full rate for membership is $85 for an Individual, $140 for a Dual, and $175 for a Family.  All memberships are tax deductible.  So, if you only want to visit once with your family of 3+ or just a few times during the year, it might make the most sense to have one of you purchase a discounted membership and the rest to buy the $5 member guest tickets.  Membership also provides discounts on lectures & other special events.  The MOMA is my personal favorite art museum in New York and a definite must-have on any "New York in 24 Hours" list.

To find out more, visit MOMA and Time Out NY:
http://www.moma.org/visit/calendar/exhibitions/1168
http://newyork.timeout.com/arts-culture/art/1922415/diego-rivera-murals-for-the-museum-of-modern-art

Arts: Broadway & Off-Broadway Week in NYC

Many may not realize that this is the perfect time of year to suggest that relatives & friends come visit you in New York.  After the rush of the holidays in New York, many hotels do not expect copious amounts of tourists in January and February.  So, this works to your benefit if you're looking for some great hotel deals. In addition, not only do we have Restaurant Week going on January 16th-February 12th, but also Broadway Week January 17th-February 4th and Off-Broadway Week January 30th-February 12th.  What more could you ask for in a New York vacation? All of the participating shows offer 2-for-1 tickets during this time.  Highlights of Broadway Week include some very popular shows: Wicked, The Lion King, and Spider-Man: Turn Off the Dark, for example.  Highlights of Off-Broadway Week include: Rent, Avenue Q, and The Fantasticks.  I personally went to see Wicked this week and it was truly fantastic - one of the best shows I have ever seen! You just can't beat $60 each for orchestra seats at one of the hottest shows in town.

Can't make it during Broadway Week?  Don't worry!  There are several ways to get half price tickets to shows.  You can always wait in line the day of one of the shows at the TKTS Booths located in Times Square, South Street Seaport, or Downtown Brooklyn.  Many theaters also release "rush tickets" on the day of the show if you show up at the show of your choice's box office.  To find out more on that, visit the website of the particular show you are interested in seeing.  For those of you who aren't too thrilled at the idea of waiting in line on a cold February day, there is also a 2for1 promotion going on to see Rock of Ages.  Every Tuesday night you can purchase 2for1 tickets and will receive 2 free tequila drinks, courtesy of Avión Tequila.  Simply call 212-947-8844 and mention the code "RATEQ241" (as advertised in Time Out Magazine).  The movie version of Rock of Ages will be coming out this spring with Tom Cruise, Alec Baldwin, Russell Brand, Catherine Zeta-Jones, and Paul Giamatti - so this is sure to be a hot ticket!