Affordable Events This Spring!
Words by Bella Palaguachi
Image Courtesy of centralpark.org
It’s about that time in spring. The time when we shed our coats and our skin slowly begins to show itself once again. The time that naked trees and bare dirt turn the lively green we all know. Mostly, it’s the time when students get lost in a world of study and planning. Below are events taking place in NYC this spring that will put a pause to your spinning world.
Image courtesy of ninthavenuefoodfestival.com
Food Festival
Have you been treating your gut right? According to the American Psychological Association, eating an unhealthy balance of food will affect your mood and result in negative changes in your behavior, including your perception of pain and the ability to cope with stress. This is why it’s time to switch to a healthier take-out option, and there is no better opportunity to do so than at the 9th Avenue Food Festival.
The purpose of this festival is to build community and promote individual merchants with good quality food. Hundreds of cuisines, street food, and beverages will be there. Your choices include grilled, fried, baked, dried, cooled foods and beverages. The Ninth Avenue Association states that they are “committed to working together with our clients and merchants, to make that event unique, high quality, and profitable”.
When? Saturday 5/14 and Sunday 5/15, from 10am-6pm
Where? 9th Avenue (42nd-57th street) in Manhattan
For more information, visit their website.
Shakespeare in the Park
Literature has been greatly influenced by the exalting British writer, William Shakespeare. If you enjoy any type of literary courses or know anybody that does, then you might want to check out the play at Shakespeare in the Park, “Richard III” by William Shakespeare.
Shakespeare Birthplace Trust summarizes Richard III as “Jealous and crippled, Richard of Gloucester wants to be King of England and uses manipulation and deceit to achieve his goal. He murders his brothers, nephews, and any opposition to become King Richard III. In the end, Henry of Richmond raises an army, kills Richard in battle, and becomes King Henry VII”. The play will be directed by Robert O’Hara. American playwright and actress Danai Gurira, best known for her portrayal of Okoye in Black Panther, will be playing the role of Richard III.
Cost? FREE
When? Tuesday 5/10, at 7-10pm
Where? The Delacorte Theater, 81 Central Park West, New York, NY 10024
For more information, visit their website.
Image courtesy of nycgovparks.org
Cherry Blossom Season
Need a change in scenery? Then you might want to check out the mesmerizing cherry blossoms at Brooklyn Botanic Garden (BBG). Known for its rosey pink color and appearances in anime, cherry blossoms in Japan are a symbol of renewal and duration in life. BBG’s Japanese Hill and Pond Garden are one of the first public Japanese Gardens in the United States. What started as 39 acres of dirt and rubble in 1897 turned into 52 acres of healthy flourishing plants for all to see. BBG’s mission statement is “Brooklyn Botanic Garden is an urban botanic garden that connects people to the world of plants, fostering delight and curiosity while inspiring an appreciation and sense of stewardship of the environment.”
Hours?
Monday Closed
Tuesday 8am-7:45pm
Wednesday 8am-7:30pm
Thursday 8am-7:30pm
Friday 8am-6pm
Saturday 8am-6pm
Sunday 8am-7:45pm
Where? 990 Washington Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11225
Tickets? Advanced pay:
Members free
Adults $18
Seniors (65+) $12
Students 12+ with ID $12
Children under 12 free
Community tickets free
*No pets allowed
For more information, visit their website.
Even if you don’t attend any of these events, I encourage you to visit your local park. A simple change in environment can change your mood which will result in more efficient work in the future. Take a walk, exercise, chat with a friend, or simply sit back on a bench and enjoy nature's beauty. The weather is looking up from here on out, so enjoy it and live in the moment.
“You can cut all the flowers, but you cannot keep spring from coming”-Pablo Neruda
