Category: events

The Elusive Ganguro

Ganguro fashion is often defined by bleach blonde hair, tanned skin, and white concealer used as eyeshadow (“Panda eyes” if you will). If you are unfamiliar or just curious, Japan Society and the Museum of Arts & Design are exploring Japan’s various subcultures, with a focus on Ganguro on Thursday, May 5th.

“Ecstatic Skin: The Evolution of Subcultures in a Global World” is an event that will explore various subcultures, focusing on ganguro, and how they developed through digital and social media means.

Admission is $8, $6 for Japan Society members.

“Ecstatic Skin: The Evolution of Subcultures in a Global World”
Thursday May 5th, 7PM
Museum of Arts & Design.
2 Columbus Circle
New York, NY 10019

Celebrate the Royal Wedding in NYC

While we’re just an ocean away from London but that doesn’t stop New York City from celebrating the Royal Wedding Friday April 29th. Check out these events going on around town and celebrate with your fellow Anglophiles:

The Paley Center for Media is open bright and early for a viewing party at 5:30AM. Celebrate in style with tea, scones, and, of course, champagne. There will be wedding trivia and eventgoers are encourage to wear their best bridesmaid dress for “Most Unique Bridesmaid” contest.

The DUMBO Improvement District and the BBC America are holding a grand old party under the Manhattan Bridge, known as “The Archway.” Featuring:

  • costume contests
  • facepainting
  • retro British music
  • traditional British games
  • a photobooth for keepsake memories
  • quizzes and raffles
  • and of course food such as scones and wedding cake
The event is free, but if you would like to attend a special evening wedding reception you can purchase your tickets here. (Note: if your not an early bird, it will be replayed after the wedding takes place. 
Tea & Sympathy is also getting in on the action to and encourages restaurant goers to come in their best (or even their wedding dress if you like). There will be a raffle where ticket proceeds will go to William and Kate’s charity. They’ll be open at 10:30AM. 

Lyon will open bright and early at 6AM, and hold a viewing party where you can order breakfast and English beer.

So grab your best hat (or make your own) and set your alarms for that early wake up call. Or if your not into going out, why not throw your own wedding party? Here’s a link for some party ideas.

Royal Wedding Viewing Party
5:30AM
Paley Center for Media
25 West 52 Street
New York, NY 10019
Admission: Free (but reserve your space here)

RoyalWeddingNYC
5AM
The Archway (under Manhattan Bridge)
Admission: Free

Evening Wedding Reception
8PM – 1AM
All Day VIP Pass Only $60
Evening Pass (8pm – 1am) Only $40

Tea & Sympathy
108 Greenwich Avenue
New York, NY 10011

Lyon
118 Greenwich Ave
New York, NY 10011

Sakura Matsuri NYC 4/30 – 5/1

Are you dying for stroll in the park amongst flowers just in bloom? The Brooklyn Botanical Garden celebrates the blooming of the cherry blossoms with Sakura Matsuri this year on April 30 and May 1st.

Sakura Matsuri is an annual weekend event that lets the public get a sample of the wide spectrum of Japanese culture, such as: taiko drumming, tea ceremonies, origami and ikebana workshop, and most recent an area full of events (cosplay, comedy skits, voice acting, etc) that caters specifically to anime fans.

Whether you want to see pretty flowers, just lounge on the lawn with a bottle of sake and friends in true Japanese fashion or need an excuse to plan your first summery Lolita outfit of the season, Sakura Matsuri will be an event for you. 
Note: If you are a someone who prefers to see cherry blossoms before anyone else, pay attention to the weather as they tend to be fickle things and can bloom early (like last year).

April 30 – May 1st
11AM – 6PM
Brooklyn Bontanical Garden
900 Washington Avenue
Brooklyn, NY 11225

Admission:

Adults $15
Seniors (65 and over) $10
Students 12+ with valid ID $10
Children under 12 Free

A Culinary Wonderland April 7th!

The Knave of Hearts stole some tarts, but do you know what type of tarts, and want to learn how to make them?

Haley and Lauren Fox, co-owners of Alice’s Teacup, will be an appearance at Macy’s as part of Macy’s Towers of Flowers Festival. They’ll giving a baking demonstration in The Cellar on Thursday April 7th from 1-4PM.

If you can’t make it out, I highly recommend their recipe book that came out last year. It features recipes of food found on the menus at their various locations which you can make at home.

Also check out Macy’s other events for the Towers of Flowers Festival.

A Culinary Wonderland
April 7th, 2011
1-4PM
Macy’s
The Cellar, Lower Level
151 West 34th Street
New York, NY 10001

Shop ’til You Drop for Japan This Weekend!

via Fashion Girls for Japan

The American fashion industry did not let the tragedy of Japan go unnoticed – they were just trying to figure out what to do.

Fashion Girls for Japan mission is to help “aid aim to aid and rebuild hope for their Japanese colleagues and customers.”

As such they are holding a two-day sample sale at the Bowery Hotel from April 2nd (11AM – 7PM) to April 3rd (11AM – 5PM).

Over 60 designers have donated one rolling rack with items at least 50% off retail price. All the sales will go towards the earthquake and tsunami fund Japan Society has setup for New Yorkers who want to help.

Tickets are a minimum $5 donation and can be purchased online or at the door.

Designers featured are:

  • Alexander Wang
  • Alice + Olivia
  • Altuzarra
  • Derek Lam
  • Diane von Furstenburg
  • Helmut Lang
  • Jil Sander
  • Marc by Marc Jacobs
  • Proenza Schouler
  • Rag + Bone
  • Theory
  • Thakoon
  • Thom Browne
  • and many more

So open your wallet and do your part (and get some designer clothes, too).

Fashion Girls for Japan Sample Sale
April 2nd – 3rd, 2011
Bowery Hotel
335 Bowery
New York, NY

Step into Hogwarts April 5th

via Daily Lolita

Need somewhere to kill time before that summer vacation to Florida for a weeklong adventure at Wizarding World of Harry Potter?

Starting April 5th, the Times Square Discovery Center is housing original props and costumes from all of the Harry Potter movies as part of the Harry Potter: the Exhibition.

Thanks to all you Potter fans, the exhibition was extended, and New York City became a last minute stop of its U.S. tour before going international.

New Yorkers and tourists alike will get a chance to see Hagrid’s hut, all the Quidditch team uniforms, face Death Eaters. But it’s not just for show: you’ll be able to be a part of Herbology and pull mandrakes from their pots just like in The Chamber of Secrets!

I suggest getting tickets in advance, since this is Harry Potter we are talking about. Need I say more?

Harry Potter: The Exhibition
April 5th – Sept 5th, 2011
Discovery Times Square
226 West 44th Street
New York, NY 10036

Art for the Plush Lovers

Tired of visiting the same old gallery opening? Want to feel fancy while wearing an Usakumya bag? On Friday March 18th, MyPlasticHeart is having an exhibit opening for Soft*: A Plush Art Show.

But the question is why an art exhibition on plushies?

Making a plush is like giving life to something that will keep you company and won’t judge when you cry during the end of The Little Princess. It shares your mess and covers for you when a scoop of ice cream falls off the cone. It protects you from the monsters in the closet with its mental super powers.

All in all, a plush is the best friend you will ever have, and what better way to commemorate than in an art exhibition.

Soft* features pieces by Steff Bomb, Danita, Kelly Denato, Heidi Kenney, Amanda Louise Spayd, and Mariangela Tan. So cuddle and critic the immense soft power of the plush animal with the artists and art lovers alike.

Soft*: an Art Show
March 18 – April 3, 2011
myplasticheartnyc
210 Forsyth St.
Lower East Side
New York, NY

646-290-6866

Meet the Queen of Kawaii March 16th!

If there was ever an icon of kawaii, Hello Kitty would be it and she would be front and center.

As a fan of anything Hello Kitty, I was ecstatic to learn Sephora was going to release a collection centered around the fabulously cute feline. It was a hard decision what item to buy first, especially with so many options to choose from.

Blush sticks, lip gloss, perfume, a makeup holder in the shape of Hello Kitty, and so much more. 
Sephora is in full swing of advertising the collection with all of its female staff wearing pink Chubby Bunny headbows. If you are in the SoHo area or just need an excuse to shop, Sephora has invited Yuko Yamaguchi, the creator of Hello Kitty, to their flagship store on Wednesday, March 16th at 5PM!
In honor of this exclusive collection she’ll be signing autographs and taking pictures. 
There is a catch though. Stop by the Soho location between 10AM and 5PM next Wednesday and purchase at least $35 worth of Hello Kitty collection. The first 200 customers will receive a wristband which guarantees your place in line. Yamaguchi will also only autograph two items per person.
Looks like I know what I’m doing during my lunch break next Wednesday – how about you?
Tip courtesy of geeky glamorous and Sephora.
Meet the creator of Hello Kitty
Sephora (Soho)

555 Broadway

New York, NY 10012
212=625-1309

The Next Andy Warhol : Armory Show

Anyone pass by Times Square recently and noticed any new additions? I’m not talking about the tourists or latest brand name store that opened up. Or the guy begging for money for weed.

I’m referring to the flock of sheep that seems to have lost their Bo-Peep.

As part of the Armory Show at Piers 92 and 94, Kyu Seok Oh created a sculpture of a flock of sheep as part of the show at the Park Armory

The Art Show brings thousands of pieces ranging from 19th-20th century to more modern art, including a sculpture of meat made out of wood.

So bring your sketchbook, camera, or journal and be inspired to create! Or if you prefer to stay in the more central areas, check out sculptures at Duffy Square, between 46th and 47th Street, and, of course Times Square. And while you are allowed to take pictures, pet, and hug the sheep – please do not practice your kickboxing moves on the sheep.

The Armory Show
March 3 – 6, 2011
12 Avenue at 55th Street
New York, NY

Hours:
Thursday, March 3 – Saturday, March 5 Noon to 8 pm
Sunday, March 6 Noon to 7 pm

Admission
General: $30
Students: $10
Groups (10+) US$15
Purchase online or at the show.

Gotta Catch ‘Em All

If you’re heading to New York City and are a hardcore gamer, then your #1 stop has to be at Nintendo World at Rockefellar, Nintendo’s official retail store.

Not only can you play and buy games, but you can see thier mini-museum corner. They have relics of Nintendo’s past, including a classic Nintendo system to special edition Gameboys to a handheld Gameboy Color that survived the war.

However that’s not all. The store also holds exclusive launch parties and events, where you can also buy games before their official release.

And if your in the area tomorrow, the Nintendo World is having a launch party for the release of Pokemon Black and White. From 3-6PM, you’ll get to participate in trivia contests, battle with other Pokemon trainers, admire Pokemon art, take a picture with Pikachu, and the real reason why you’re going: to buy Pokemon Black or Pokemon White (or both if you are that hardcore).

You’ll even get a shot at getting the legendary Victini.  If you are a fan of getting swag, Nintendo will be giving out Pokemon Black and White t-shirts for those early birds who simply can’t wait.

Are video games not your thing? Don’t be an idler and stuck on the bench while your other half is fawning over all the Pokemon cosplayers – go ice skating at famous Rockefellar Rink.

Pokemon Black and White Launch Party
March 5th, 2011
3-6PM
Nintendo World
10 Rockefellar Center
New York, NY 10020