Governors Island Alliance: Events

Coming Events

CUNY Lecture: Curbing Catastrophic Waste in your Home, Sat., Aug. 2 at 12:30. Click here for more information.
Folks on the Island Concert featuring Ronnie Cox, Sat., Aug. 2.
Civil War Reenactment Weekend, Aug. 8-10. Sponsored by the National Park Service. Click here for more information.
CUNY Lecture: PlaNYC: Toward a Greener, Greater New York, Sat., Aug. 9 at 12:30.
African Film Festival, Sat., Aug. 9. Click here for more information.
Battery Dance Company performances, Aug. 16-17. Click here for more information.
CUNY Lecture: Water Efficiency in New York, Sat., Aug. 16 at 12:30.
SAW Doctors ticketed concert, Sat. Aug. 23. Click here for more information.
CUNY Lecture: The Queensbridge Wind Power project, Sat., Aug. 23 at 12:30.
Battle of Brooklyn Reenactment, Aug. 23-24. Sponsored by the National Park Service. Click here for more information.
Shakespeare's Twelfth Night performed by Pulse Theatre, August 29-31. Click here for more information.
CUNY Lecture: Sustainable Cities Town Hall: An open forum for New Yorkers, Sat., Aug. 30 at 12:30.
Jazz Age Festival: Michael Aranella and the Dreamland Orchestra, September 13-14. Click here for more information.

Posted by Katie N. on August 4, 2008 5:32 PM | Permalink

City of Water a Big Splash

City of Water Day brought dozens of kayaks and sailboats from across the harbor on a sunny Saturday in late July to take advantage of the Island's unique location. Sponsored by the Metropolitan Waterfront Alliance and supported by the Governors Island Alliance among others, on-shore events included bird watching tours, fishing from the promenade and kayak lessons. Offshore in Buttermilk Channel there was a parade of boats with pedicabs disguised as sharks. It was a great start to what should become an annual Island tradition.

Posted by Katie N. on August 4, 2008 5:02 PM | Permalink

Folks on the Island! Round Two

Two-time Grammy Hall of Famer Janis Ian kicked off the 2008 Folks on the Island! concert series on July 5 with a program of her gutsy, introspective ballads. Slaid Cleaves, another talented singer-songwriter followed on July 12 with his Texas troubadour style.
The series, now in its second year, is co-sponsored by the Alliance and Trinity Wall Street. It features five folk stars on five consecutive Saturdays, all free and all starting at 1:30 in the afternoon.

Continue reading "Folks on the Island! Round Two" »

Posted by Elizabeth on July 18, 2008 10:33 AM | Permalink

Other Coming Events

~    Folks on the Island! Saturdays at 1:30 (see article below)
~    CUNY lecture: Water and NYC Infrastructure, Saturday, July 19 at
      12:30. See www.cunysustainablecities.org.
~    City of Water Festival, Saturday, July 26. Co-sponsored by the
    Metropolitan Waterfront Alliance, Governors Island Alliance and
      others. See www.waterwire.net.
~    CUNY lecture: Fuel from Algae, Saturday, July 26 at 12:30
~    CUNY lecture: Curbing Waste at Home, Saturday, August 2 at 12:30
~    Civil War Reenactment Weekend, August 8-10. Sponsored by the
      National Park Service. See www.nps.gov/gois.
~    African Film Festival, Saturday, August 9. See www.africanfilmny.org.

Posted by Elizabeth on July 18, 2008 10:31 AM | Permalink

Free Helmets

There will be free helmets for bikers on Saturday, August 2, as long as supplies last. New York City Department of Transportation staffers will distribute helmets from the DOT tent at the bike rental station.
Come between noon and 4 for safety instructions and a helmet--and to sign a waiver. The helmets are for keeps. For more information call 212-839-2200.

Posted by Elizabeth on July 18, 2008 10:30 AM | Permalink

Cruise Harbor, Visit Offshore Island

The ferry line to the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island now offers a separate Liberty Harbor Cruise stopping at Governors Island. While it doesn't connect with the other islands--a link that could be established in the future--it is nonetheless welcome new exposure.
The new cruise loops around Lower Manhattan and the other two islands and makes just one stop--at Governors Island. It departs Gangway 3 in Battery Park on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays at 11 and 12:30, and stops at the island 45 minutes later. Passengers may return to Manhattan anytime on the free ferry.
Cruise tickets at Castle Clinton and dockside or online at www.statuecruises.com.

Posted by Elizabeth on July 18, 2008 10:07 AM | Permalink

Governors Island Alliance Cocktail Reception

June 17, 6:00pm - 8:30pm

The Governors Island Alliance requests the pleasure of your company for a cocktail reception honoring the JM Kaplan Fund & Harry Poulakakos and Family. Join us for a special tour of Governors Island from 5:00 - 6:30pm with the award winning designer, Adriaan Geuze of West 8, as he presents his vision for the Island's future parks and public spaces. Tours leave and return from the Battery Maritime Building Slip 7. Get your tickets today!

To register online, click here. For a printer friendly version, click here.

Posted by Katie N. on June 16, 2008 11:40 AM | Permalink

Folks on the Island: An American Folk Music Festival

Come and enjoy the Folks on the Island Concert Series, presented by Trinity Wall Street and the Governors Island Alliance!

This summer, you will see:
Janis Ian July 5
Slaid Cleaves July 12
Bearfoot July 19
Eric Bibb July 26
Ronny Cox August 2

All performances are free, and will be held outdoors beginning at 1:30.

Click here for more information.

Posted by Katie N. on June 16, 2008 11:21 AM | Permalink

It's FIGMENT 2008!

The group that calls itself FIGMENT will bring its eclectic mix of participatory arts and performances to the Island again for the three-day weekend of June 27-29. Their successful debut last summer drew 2,800 visitors - let's call them "enjoyers." More than 200 artists have signed up to do their thing this year.
FIGMENT invites the public to take part in extremely interactive art exhibits, live performances, fixed art installations, mixed-media presentations and workshops throughout
the island. Everything is free.

Continue reading "It's FIGMENT 2008!" »

Posted by Katie N. on June 16, 2008 10:50 AM | Permalink

Celebrate the Fourth On the Fifth - con brio

A hundred musicians are coming to the Island with seven Civil War-era cannon for a concert that ends with Tchaikovsky's exuberant 1812 Overture - and fireworks! The musicians are the New York Philharmonic, which has performed in more than 400 cities around the world but never before on Governors Island. The date: Saturday, July 5. The time: 6:30. The price of admission: It's free.
The orchestra will perform on its own stage - the one it carries around to all its summer concerts - on the newly cleared site of the Coast Guard's old Super 8 Motel at the foot of the "glacis" parade ground.

Continue reading "Celebrate the Fourth On the Fifth - con brio" »

Posted by Katie N. on June 16, 2008 10:32 AM | Permalink

Explore Governors Island with a National Park Ranger

Join a Park Ranger on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays
for free programs including walking tours, special lectures,
and other activities within areas of the historic district.

Programs are offered every hour at:
10:25, 11:25, 12:25, 1:25, 2:25, 3:25

Additional programming and events may be available as staffing permits. Check with a Park Ranger at the bookstore for the day's offerings or call the park at 212-825-3045. Also see the National Park Service website here.

Posted by Elizabeth on May 30, 2008 10:56 AM | Permalink

Governors Island Family Festival May 31st, 2008

Come celebrate opening day of Governors Island at the FREE 4th Annual Family Festival on May 31st from 12:00-4:00! The festival will feature a full range of children's activities throughout the day. Bring a picnic and spend a great day on Governors Island! Click here for a printable flyer with complete details.

Exciting activities and performances include:

* The Mercantillers
* The Hudson River Ramblers
* Drum Zone's interactive musical demonstration
* Literally Alive Children's Theater
* Two Man Gentleman Band
* Puppet making with Lisa Abbatomarco
* Arts and Crafts
* The Waterfront Museum and Showboat Barge CIRCUSunday Performers, Karen Gersch, Ringmistress
* Kristin McArdle Dance
* Walkabout Clearwater Chorus
* Jeff and Vida Band's musical performance
* Face Painting
* Free Helmet Fitting
* Bike Parade with Bike New York

For more information about the free helmet fitting, see the NY Department of Transportation's flyer.

Brought to you by the Governors Island Alliance, GIPEC, and the National Park Service, This festival is made possible by funding from City Council Member Alan Gerson and the generous donation of time by Goldman Sachs volunteers.

Posted by Rob P. on May 21, 2008 12:02 PM | Permalink

Summer Events: 2008

Bring your family and friends out to beautiful Governors Island. Rent a bike and enjoy a car-free spin, hear great music, catch a striper, see New York's history come alive, or just relax on the shady green waterfront. It's your Island getaway right here at home.

Click here to see the summer calendar and a full description of activities available.

Posted by Katie N. on May 19, 2008 7:19 PM | Permalink

Fest o' FIGMENTS

Photo by Mollyn Karnofsky

FIGMENT, the gang that put together a hugely successful one-day arts festival on the Island last summer, is planning to do it again - in triplicate. FIGMENT '08 is scheduled for three days, June 27-29. The call for talent is posted online.
Anyone can play. Offer an art installation, a performance, an activity or anything else that's imaginative. Last year's figments included inflatable structures, group dance lessons, tree-based art installations, roving samba bands, medieval swordplay. Get the idea? It's basically an outdoor event. There may be some indoor space, too, but not much. Apply soonest if your project is large or has specific requirements. Projects for Fort Jay, Castle Williams or the Parade Grounds must be submitted by April 10; everything else by June 1. Click here for full details.
In addition to all of the above, FIGMENT plans to set up a fully functional 9-hole minigolf course with holes designed and built by local artists. It seeks imaginative input for each hole, using the theme "City of Dreams." Query minigolf@figmentnyc.org for details. Proposals are due by April 5.

Posted by Katie N. on March 31, 2008 11:12 AM | Permalink

Park Service Open House February 27

The National Park Service has scheduled an Open House in Federal Hall on Wall Street on Wednesday, February 27, to showcase its ideas for Fort Jay and Castle Williams - the Governors Island National Monument. NPS staff will be on hand from 2 until 4 in the afternoon and from 6 to 8 in the evening to talk with members of the public, answer questions and take comments.
The General Management Plan is available for public review and comment on NPS's website until March 18. It offers four approaches to the Monument's future, ranging from modest modification of current restoration work to a radical upgrade of the Monument's role as a center for New York Harbor. Regardless of which approach is selected, a key next step will be to address safety issues at Castle Williams, where visitors cannot yet explore its old prison cells or climb to the roof for sweeping views of the harbor and the skyline.
There will also be a public hearing for the new NPS plan with an opportunity for formal public testimony on March 10, 2008. The even will be at Federal Hall, at 26 Wall Street, from 5-7 p.m.

Posted by Katie N. on February 29, 2008 10:35 AM | Permalink

2009: Multi-Centennial Year

The Wright Brothers taking off from Governors Island

Henry Hudson set out from Holland 400 years ago to find an easterly passage to Asia. Instead he found America - and New York. Governors Island is one of the possible legacy sites for the quadricentennial celebration in 2009.
    Hudson explored today's Hudson River up as far as Albany before realizing that it was not a shortcut to the Pacific. He did, however, establish the Dutch presence in the New World, trading furs, beads and wampum with the natives. Fifteen years later, in 1624, the Dutch West India Company established a settlement on Governors Island, before moving to the larger Island of Manhattan.
    Next year is also an anniversary for "Fulton's Folly" - Robert Fulton's wrongly scorned steamboat. He built his first commercial boat - the North River Steamboat, later known as the Clermont - in a Manhattan shipyard, launched it on the Hudson in 2007, and two years later, in 1809, presented the city with an improved version, the Car of Neptune, that was put into service as a ferry between the city and Albany. Fulton is buried in the Trinity Church graveyard.
    While neither Hudson 400 years ago, nor Fulton 200 years ago, landed on Governors Island, Wilbur Wright did 100 years ago, during the Hudson-Fulton celebrations in 1909. With a canoe strapped to his plane as a pontoon, Wright flew from the Island across the harbor around the Statue of Liberty and back again. It was the world's first flight over water. Months later he returned to claim a $10,000 prize by flying five miles up the west side of Manhattan to Grant's Tomb.

Continue reading "2009: Multi-Centennial Year" »

Posted by Katie N. on February 29, 2008 9:44 AM | Permalink

Summer 2008: A Sneak Peak

Spectators at the Richie Havens concert in July 2007

The Island will be open to the public for three days every week this summer - Friday, Saturday and Sunday. The Alliance opens the season on Saturday, May 31, with its second annual Family Festival - games, performances, exhibits and surprises yet to be concocted. As before, there will be free ferries from the Battery Maritime Building in Lower Manhattan and a Water Taxi from several points in Brooklyn.
    The popularity of last summer's concerts guarantees that there will be more this year, and likely a repeat of last year's successful Figment Arts Festival, a full day of 72 - count'em 72 - performances and displays by clowns, artists, dancers, musicians, face-painters and you-name-it. The Island is also happy to welcome back the folk concert series sponsored by Trinity Church - Wall Street and the Governors Island Alliance.
    In addition, Governors Island is one of four sites for mechanical waterfalls that will be installed in New York harbor this summer. Commissioned by the Public Art Fund and designed by Danish artist Olafur Eliasson, they will rise more than 90 feet and fall from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. from mid-July to mid-October. It is estimated that they will cost $15 million in private funds and generate $55 million in tourism. The other three sites are the Brooklyn side of the Brooklyn Bridge, Piers 4 and 5 in Brooklyn and Pier 35 in Lower Manhattan. The Island waterfall will be next to the Soissons ferry dock, at the seawall behind Building 110.
    GIPEC is still shaping the rest of the summer program. Groups interested in presenting a program of arts or performances should get in touch with Elizabeth Rapuano at GIPEC headquarters: (212) 440-2200.

Posted by Katie N. on February 5, 2008 11:02 AM | Permalink

A Day on the Island, on Film

Need your Governors Island fix? Or want to check out what to expect for your first visit? All the fun and festivities from opening day 2007 was captured on film by Trob Productions and the Governors Island Alliance. Check out the Alliance's Family Festival, the first day of public bicycle riding, free historic tours and picnicking at Streetfilms

Online Offshore Number 2.5

Posted by Jen Steinberg on November 20, 2007 11:07 AM | Permalink

Visitors Comment on Island Experience

This summer on Governors Island marked the true beginning of the Island's next stage as a great new park at the heart of New York's harbor:

· Approximately 55,000 people - a record - made the ferry crossing from Manhattan during the three months the Island was open to the public.

· Singer Richie Havens attracted the largest turnout for 3,656 fans for his concert on July 21, one of the four 'Folks on the Island' sponsored by Trinity-Wall Street and the Governors Island Alliance..

· For the first time, visitors could walk through the entire National Historic Landmark District (the northern half of the Island). This was also the first summer that the Island was open for visits on both Saturday and Sunday. Free ferry transportation was expanded with service by N Y Waterway to and from Manhattan. Water Taxi also added a stop at the Island on its ticketed route around the harbor, thus offering a connection between the Island and Brooklyn. The media caught on to the fact that the new Governors Island is news!

Continue reading "Visitors Comment on Island Experience" »

Posted by Jen Steinberg on October 13, 2007 11:20 AM | Permalink

A Secret No Longer: More and More Island Visitors

Record numbers of visitors are coming out to the Island this summer, as many as 5,000 on an average weekend. The largest one-day crowd so far - more than 3,500 -- turned out for the Richie Havens concert on July 21. http://www.governorsislandalliance.com/pdf/OnlineOffshorevol2_6.pdf

Posted by Jen Steinberg on August 6, 2007 1:01 PM | Permalink

A Day in the Life of The Governors Island Garrison

The National Park Service hosts a Civil War Weekend on August 11 and 12. Re-enactors will take you through daily routine beginning with morning exercises, a War Rally to recruit new troops and a crackling display of historic weapons. A contingent of confederate prisoners

of war will add to the reality and a recreated Governors Island Music School will liven the air.

Please see http://www.nps.gov/gois/ for more information on the day's events.

http://www.governorsislandalliance.org/pdf/OnlineOffshorevol2_6.pdf

Posted by Jen Steinberg on August 6, 2007 10:41 AM | Permalink

Come Join the Fun, Every Weekend Through September 2

In the Pocket: New World Music on the Island On Saturdays in August, the Lower Manhattan Cultural Council presents a new world music series. Concerts are free and begin at 1 pm. Visit lmcc.net/inthepocket for more information.

August 4: Antibalas with Ogans

August 11: Sweet Micky

August 18: Si*Se with Toubab Krewe

August 25: Bhangra vs. Reggae

Inna Soundclash

http://www.governorsislandalliance.com/pdf/OnlineOffshorevol2_6.pdf

Posted by Jen Steinberg on August 6, 2007 10:39 AM | Permalink

Folks on the Island Opening Draws Crowd

This summer, New York's harbor is filled with music, thanks to Trinity Wall Street and the Alliance. The Folks on the Island series, every Saturday in July, attracted almost 2,900 people to the opening on July 7- the most visitors since the Island was opened to the public three years ago. This free festival of American folk music greats is presented with additional support from WFUV radio and the Village Voice.

The Festival began with Odetta, a musician essential to the American songbook. The audience picnicked on the grass of Colonels Row while listening to her soulful renditions of folk classics "He's got the Whole World in His Hands," "This Little Light of Mine" and "The House of the Rising Sun."

The festival continues this Saturday, July 14, with Harry Chapin, a Celebration in Song. The Chapin Family and Harry Chapin's original band perform his classic songs "Cats in the Cradle," "Taxi," "Mr. Tanner" and others, while sharing stories and remembrances of Harry Chapin by those who knew him and his music.

Continue reading "Folks on the Island Opening Draws Crowd" »

Posted by Jen Steinberg on July 13, 2007 11:08 AM | Permalink

Record Turnout for Opening Day Family Festival

The summer season kicked off with the Alliance's Family Festival on June 2nd. Some 2,300 people explored the Island on bicycles (for the first time) and on foot to participate in the day's activities. You can see all the action at http://www.streetfilms.org/archives/go-togovernors-island.

The day started with an FDNY fireboat water show, jugglers, and serenades by the Two Man Gentleman Band to greet the crowds. Children (and their parents) were also entertained by songs by the Mercantillers and the Hudson River Ramblers, a special appearance by Herman Melville, and a performance by Literally Alive Children's Theater. A "Design Your Dream Park" table led by the City Lore, Hester Street Collaborative, and the Alliance let kids add their input to the design competition for parks and open spaces. This scavenger
hunt will be available all summer long. Some of the standout ideas from Saturday's workshop included the world's biggest slide, pony rides and George, a green island mascot standing 7 feet tall.

http://www.governorsislandalliance.com/pdf/OnlineOffshorevol2_4.pdf

Posted by Jen Steinberg on June 20, 2007 3:11 PM | Permalink

Saturday, June 2nd Opening Day Events

Welcome to the Opening Day of Governors Island Summer 2007 Season!

Family Festival

Please join us in celebrating the opening day of Governors Island for our FREE third annual Family Festival! The festival will feature children's theater, sea-shanties, puppet-making workshops, Yo-Yo artists, musicians and more!

Performers include:

*The Mercantillers

*The Hudson River Ramblers

*The Waterfront Museum's CIRCUSunday acrobat entertainers

*Drum Zone

*Herman Mellville of the South Street Seaport Museum

*Literally Alive Children's Theater

*The Two Man Gentleman Band

*Children's Park Charette

*City Lore's Place Matters Program

*Juggler Josh Weiner

*Arts & Crafts with Lisa Abbatomarco

*Performer Adam Auslander

"Acrobrats" Entertainment provided by Red Hook's Waterfront Museum and Showboat Barge under the artistic direction of Karen E. Gersch, Ringmistress. For a more in-depth glimpse at of possible future programming which could bring visiting historic ships to dock at Governor's Island, visit www.waterfrontmuseum.org/circus.htm

CUNY Climate Change Lecture Series For the second year in a row, CUNY presents an environmental lecture series every Saturday during the summer season. Lectures are held in historic Pershing Hall and will begin at 12:30. Please check back closer to the event date for a more detailed description.

The lecture will begin at 12:30 and is FREE and open to the public.

Continue reading "Saturday, June 2nd Opening Day Events" »

Posted by Jen Steinberg on June 2, 2007 9:35 AM | Permalink

Governors Island will Open on Sundays!

Governors Island willbe open to visitors on Sundays this year for the first time, starting the first weekend in June. In the past few years it has been open on Fridays and Saturdays. Now it will be open Saturdays and Sundays, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Long advocated by public officials and theAlliance, the new schedule opens the island to even more visitors. Concerts, workshops and festivals, starting with the Alliance's Family Festival on Saturday, June 2, are scheduled throughout the summer. See you then!

http://www.governorsislandalliance.com/pdf/OnlineOffshorevol2_2.pdf

Posted by Jen Steinberg on April 20, 2007 3:00 PM | Permalink

Directions and Tours

Hours of Operation:
Governors Island will be open Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays from Saturday, May 31, through Sunday,October 5. Friday hours are 10 to 5; weekends 10 to 7.

National Park Service Tours:
On Wednesdays and Thursdays there will be tours of the 92-acre historic district guided by the National Park Service Rangers. Tickets are required for NPS tours (60 people per tour) and are available at the Battery Maritime Building one hour before the tour; tours depart from there at 10 and 1. For tour details call 212-825-3045 or visit www.nps.gov.gois.

How to Get There:
Just minutes from lower Manhattan, Governors Island is accessible by ferry only. Ferries depart from Slip 7 at the Battery Maritime Building on South Street between Whitehall and Broad Streets, adjacent to the Staten Island ferry terminal.

Subway: R to Whitehall Station/South Ferry 4/5 to Bowling Green 2/3 to Wall Street
Bus: M1, M6, M15 to South Ferry M9 to Battery Park City
Access by car: Note - There is no parking at the Battery Maritime Building and automobiles are not permitted on Governors Island. Parking is available along South Street near the South Street Seaport. From the East Side: Take the FDR Drive South to Exit 1 (Battery Park/Staten Island Ferry exit). Make a u-turn at the end of South Street. The Battery Maritime Building will be on the right, adjacent to the Staten Island ferry terminal. From the West Side: Take the West Side Highway/West Street to the FDR Drive and exit at South Steet as you emerge from the Battery Park Tunnel. Proceed east on South Street, turning left as you go under the FDR overpass. Now heading west, make a u-turn at the end of South Street. The Battery Maritime Building will be on the right, adjacent to the Staten Island ferry terminal.

Continue reading "Directions and Tours" »

Posted by Jen Steinberg on May 12, 2006 2:01 PM | Permalink

Governors Island Alliance

Search

Archives

Events