Our volunteers arose early to meet the pumpkin delivery and setup for Oktoberfest. So head over at 1 PM start time to Dag Plaza for a fun day. Be sure to load up on raffle tickets. Prizes include seats for Broadway hit shows, summer camp tuition, restaurants, gift shops and salon vouchers. The kids will have the time of their life painting pumpkins and wielding their balloon animals and swords with faces painted for photo ops. There’s even a tennis camp for tots and teens to work off steam.
Proceeds from donations go to bringing you more community events and park beautification.
As the the 69th Session of the UN General Assembly (UNGA 69) convened at UN Headquarters on Tuesday, September 16, local residents braced for mid-town gridlock and the parade of protests aimed at UN leaders. Once again, we’re reminded of Dag Hammarskjold Plaza‘s historic role as Gateway to the UN, enshrining the Rights of Public Assembly and Peaceful Protest. Until the close on October 1, high-level security will extend to the park and surrounding neighborhood Security details are posted on roof tops while boats patrol the East River.
The Assembly’s “General Debate” presents 196 speakers over a period of six days on major issues of international concern, comprising all the 193 UN Member States, as well as the Observer State of the Holy See, the Observer State of Palestine and the delegation of the European Union. In addition, 2000 media accreditations have been processed.
This year’s theme is “Delivering on and Implementing a Transformative Post-2015 Development Agenda” but much of the discussion will focus on urgent crises arising from ongoing conflicts in Syria, Iraq, Ukraine and South Sudan.
Among the high-level meetings, President Barrack Obama chairs a Security Council Summit on Wednesday to address the growing, pervasive threat of terrorism and ISIS. UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon convenes a session on Thursday to focus on the Ebola crisis in West Africa.
Climate change is also of great concern. For the first time, at Tuesday’s Climate Change Summit , China committed to making its economy more carbon efficient. President Obama said climate change was moving faster than efforts to address it, and that the US and China had a responsibility to lead other nations. UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon hailed the collective sense of urgency, saying “never before have so many leaders gathered to commit to action on climate change”.
Corina Bartra returns with a full orchestra following her popular sextet in July, with a new take on the sensual rhythms of Peruvian-Afro Jazz. Enjoy cool breezes in Dag Plaza with a lovely garden to explore.
Corina Bartra is a singer, composer, orchestra leader and recording artist. She is widely known in jazz circles as an acclaimed pioneer of Afro-Peruvian jazz with infusions of Latin trends. Download the attached flyer and bring your friends.
Have fun, get grounded, and make new friends as we work together to beautify the park’s Katharine Hepburn Garden and nurture a green, sustainable environment. We need helping hands for a major plant installation on Friday 8/18 and Saturday 8/19. No experience necessary. Tools and gloves supplied. Wear sturdy shoes (no open toes) and bring beverage–we recommend a slicker and athletic wear if there’s showers forecast (synthetics dry fast).
Time: 9:30 am to 1 pm BOTH DAYS. We ask that volunteers serve at least 2 hours.
Meeting Place: look for garden shed behind fountain nearest vacant cafe “glass house”. Enter through gate on cobble platform with flowering trees in black planters.
Park location: East 47th Street between 1st & 2nd Aves, Manhattan.
PLEASE REGISTER WITH YOU CONTACT INFO and estimated time of arrival/departure. fdhp@hammarskjoldplaza.org
When was the last time you had a good laugh? It’s even more fun to laugh together! We teamed up with NY Laughs to bring you a great show this coming Tuesday. FREE!
Cancellation due to inclement weather will be announced one-hour before showtime, so check our website www. dagplaza.org.
JORDAN CARLOS (HEADLINER) Writer, stand-up comedian and actor, Jordan co-starred and wrote for the first season of “Everything’s Trash” (Freeform). He has also written for “Divorce” (HBO), written/performed for “The Nightly Show with Larry Wilmore” (Comedy Central), and “First Wives Club” (BET) and appeared on Black Mirror (Netflix), and the “Home Alone” reboot on Disney Plus.
VANESSA HOLLINGSHEAD Vanessa appeared in the ground-breaking Showtime Special, “Funny Women of a Certain Age,” hosted by Fran Drescher, the network’s highest-rated premiere of a stand-up special in 2019. Listed on Oxygen’s TV Special Fifty of the Funniest Women Alive, she was featured at the New York Comedy Festival and in a special on Comedy Central. She taped her fourth stand-up DVD/CD at New York Comedy Club.
PEDRO GONZALEZ Pedro is the first Colombian-born comedian to appear on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert. Arriving in the U.S. at age-19, his humor bounces off of what it’s like to date, work, and live in America when you have an accent and your name is Pedro. With rapeir wit, Pedro punctures stereotypes and challenges commonly held points of view.
EMAN EL-HUSSEINI A Canadian-Palestinian comedian currently living in NYC, Eman has performed at festivals in Montreal Toronto and Australia ” She and her female partner Jess, “The El-Salomons, ” have appearted at the “Just for Laughs” Festival and the “Boston Women in Comedy Festival.” Eman has recorded two comedy albums, “Unveiled” and “Handsome Daughter.”
JESS SALOMON Comedian Jess Salomon is a former U.N. war crimes lawyer who has appeared on The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon and handles dark, sometimes off-color and often political topics with a light touch.
YOUR HOSTS: FRIENDS OF DAG HAMMARSKJOLD PLAZA AND THE TURTLE BAY ASSOCATION
We are excited to present this program by New York Laughs, a nonprofit 501c3 organization that brings live stand-up comics to NYC public venues. By connecting New Yorkers through humor with free performances, the organization strives to deepen an appreciation of comedy as a cultural asset unique to this city and to foster a happier, healthier NYC. NYLaughs.org
Volunteers join in the citywide It’s My Parks Day in Dag Plaza on Friday, May 19, from 9:30 AM to 1 PM to clean and plant, but there will be no garden meetup on Saturday, May 20, when thousands of Turkish Americans gather in Hammarskjold Plaza to celebrate the 40th edition of the Turkish Day Parade. Barricades will be erected early to protect the landscaping.
One of the largest cultural events to be staged on the 1.5 acre Plaza, the parade starts at 12:00 noon at 53rd street and Madison Avenue New York and culinates at 47th Street and 2nd Avenue with great ceremony.
Enjoy Turkish food, shop at Turkish gift vendors and watch musical and dance performances. Organized by the Federation of Turkish American Association, Inc. (TADF), the year’s celebration marks the 100th anniversary of the founding of the Republic of Turkey. The parade traditionally promotes Turkish culture and heritage in the United States.
Did you know the tulip orignated in Turkey, formerly known as Persia? The tulip is widely depicted in the decorative arts and ceremonial dress. Nobody knows for sure who brought tulips from the Ottoman Empire to Western Europe, but it is credited to an ambassador of the Habsburg Empire in Constantinople (Istanbul) who brought some tulip bulbs to Vienna. Botanist Carolus Clusius increased the popularity of tulips in the late 16th century.
Once again, in the merry month of May, our midtown east community comes together to celebrate Katharine Hepburn’s birthday with a garden party in Dag Hammarskjold Plaza featuring FREE music, birthday cake and garden tours. Meet your neighbors, greet city officials and enjoy the unfolding flower parade. (Rain date May 28, same time).
The long-standing tradition dates back to 1997 and the park’s reconstruction when the community dedicated the newly designed garden to the celebrated actress and good neighbor who fought to save the trees, sunlight and charming character of Turtle Bay. Ever since, Friends of DHP has organized the event, co-hosted with the Turtle Bay Association.
Note: NYC Parks denied permit request for Saturday so the date was switched to Sunday with rain date the following Sunday.
ENTERTAINMENT: Award-winning vocalist Kimberly Hawkey makes a return appearance with favorites from the Great American Songbook and the Golden Age of Hollywood. Winner of the NYC Cabaret Showdown and recipient of the prestigious Johnny Mercer Award, her performance style and musical virtuosity continues to wow fans and earn plaudits. BroadwayWorld.com calls her “a delightfully fresh-voiced treat,” while Cabaret Scenes notes Kimberly’s “exceptional musicality”. New York Music Daily praises “an irrepressibly cheery update on 30s and 40s sounds,” while the Observer promises “a smile on your face.”
YOUR TURN: This event kicks off FDHP’s spring fund-raisng campaign and volunteer drive. “We need helping hands and generous donors. Our Garden Party in May signals the start of peak season in city parks,” notes FDHP President Sherrill Kazan. “Stay tuned for park news and community announcements.”
Join Friends of Dag Hammarskjold Plaza on Sunday, April 23, 1 PM to 3 PM, to celebrate Earth Day featuring Funikijam World Music and family fun. Learn what you can do to help Planet Earth in our parks and green spaces. Discover “Earthing” for health, our urban forest, the role of pollinators and composting. Visit the kids/adults coloring table and play earth-wise games. Enjoy the flower parade in the Katharine Hepburn Garden. Find out how you can make a difference.
At 2 PM, a special ceremony will celebrate the legacy of “Tree Spirit”, William (Bill) Huxley, who served as president of the Turtle Bay Tree Fund, a member of CB6 Parks Committee, a founding officer of FDHP and board member of the Turtle Bay Association. For many years, he organized our Oktoberfest in Dag Plaza, engaging his niece, Haley, who will share remembrances along with the Huxley family and friends as we dedicate “Bill’s bench” and recognize our Volunteer Heroes.
Sign up to lend a hand in Friends’ many park activities.
The Earth Day program is presented with the support of our good neighbors: The Turtle Bay Association, the Haley Foundation, the Turtle Bay Tree Fund, the Vanderbilt YMCA and The Family School in cooperation with NYC Parks & Recreation.
Make your Weekend an Earth Day Exploration
According to the Parks Permit office, another organization is holding an Earth Day Celebration in Dag Plaza on Saturday, April 22. In addition, Sutton Parks Conservancy holds their Earth Day Celebration on Saturday. Enjoy our outdoor spaces and become an agent of change for the environment and Planet Earth.
Support the environment and our Spring Green-up Campaign with your generous, tax-deductible donation.
Ladies of Steel, an installation of four sculptures by Judith Peck, is now on display at Dag Hammarskjold Plaza, highlighting International Women’s Day (March 8) and Women’s History Month. The exhibit remains through August 2023. The park is located on East 47th Street between 2nd Avenue and UN Plaza (1st Ave), Manhattan.
(l-R) Reclining Woman, River Flow, Joyful Company, Women’s Nature–Landscape of Hills and Valleys Photography by Jon Scarlet
“Steel is strong but malleable; it can bend,” states the artist. First she sketches, then cuts and shapes steel sheets with a welding torch.
Of her piece “River Flow,” Peck notes,“I like to think of the sculpture like a woman, relaxed in its soft curves but confident, even with its internal divisions, to make the journey, go with the flow. ”
She sees whimsy in all four “ladies.” The figure with her arm extended walks a dog on a leash. Peck left the dog out to be imagined or filled by real pets. Photographer Jon Scarlet captured the first pooches to pose in Dag Plaza.
Peck’s work is wide-ranging in its diversity and use of mediums, which include bronze, stone and wood. A Professor Emeritus of Art at Ramapo (State) College, during her 42 year tenure, Dr. Peck instituted an on-going program training college students to conduct art workshops in jails, homes for abused children, psychiatric centers, domestic violence shelters and nursing homes. A prolific author, Art and Social Interaction was recently released by Routledge Publishers along with a second book for parents and elementary school teachers, Dynamic Play and Creative Movement: Powering Body and Brain.
Sherrill Kazan, president of Friends of Dag Hammarskjold Plaza, worked with NYC Parks Senior Public Arts Coordinator Elizabeth Masella and Shamina de Gonzaga, executive editor of Centerpoint Now for World Council of Peoples for the United Nations (WCPUN), to bring the exhibit to Dag Hammarskjold Plaza under the Art in the Parks program of NYC Parks & Recreation.
Rain is forecast to start at 1 PM, continuing through Friday. The show will go on, mostly indoors, for the Hammarskjold Plaza Tree Lighting Ceremony, Thursday, December 15, featuring the Manhattan Holiday Carolers.
SANTA LEADS THE WAY!
We’re setting up a tent for Santa, who will conduct the official countdown to Tree Lighting between 5:45 and 6 PM, near the big tree at 2nd Ave/47th St entrance dome, then lead the procession to the Vanderbilt Y gym for festivities.
The carolers, clad in Victorian costumes, await you indoors to kindle our hearts with holiday favorites while children visit with Santa. Enjoy cookies, cocoa and fellowship. Regardless of weather, our light will shine with LED candles, lifted in the spirit of peace, brother-sisterhood and good cheer.
Join the party atthe Vanderbilt YMCA, 224 East 47th Street, 2nd floor gymnasium. Enter through doors to Membership.
SANTA SAYS, MASK UP! Ward off the COVID grinch and stay healthy during flu season.
For preview of the Manhattan Holiday Carolers, click here
Join your neighbors on Thursday, Dec. 15 (rain date 12/16), at 5:45 at the entrance dome (47th St and 2nd Ave) to officially light the Holiday Tree and Menorah when Santa leads the children in a count-down. Festivities continue till 7PM.
Clad in Victorian costumes, the Manhattan Holiday Carolers perform a capella harmonies, spreading the joy with traditional favorites plus a sing-along. A dad from The Family School joins the celebration, playing the oud and singing a Hannukah-inspired songin Turkish.
Let your light shine with a FREE LED safe-flame candle. Enjoy hot chocolate and cookies at our hospitality tent.
IN CASE OF RAIN: Think English Christmas with umbrellas. The weather forecast for Thursday 12/15 and Friday 12/16 (rain date) predict off-on showers. Check FDHP and TBA websites for updates.
