Battery Park City Life

THROUGH NOVEMBER  9
New York Water Taxi: The familiar, yellow New York Water Taxis that criss-cross the harbor, show how fast they can go as they sprint up the Hudson. At Yonkers, they put in to pick up Bob Walters who grew up on the Hudson River and knows every cove and cranny. Ask him anything about the geology, the wildlife, the history, the landmarks, and he'll know the answer. New York Water Taxis go farther up the Hudson than the other cruise lines. You'll pass West Point and turn around at Bannerman's Island with its picturesque ruins. The Water Taxis carry 149 passengers, but the enclosed deck can only accommodate 99. If the weather's fine, that's no problem but it might be if it's overcast and cold. The Water Taxi serves free hot cider to take away any chill, plus free pretzels, bottled water and fruit. Cruises leave from Pier 17 in the South Street Seaport at 12:30 p.m., returning at 5:45 p.m. Oct. 26, Nov. 1, Nov. 2, Nov. 8, Nov. 9. Adults, $45; seniors, $35. www.nywatertaxi.com/tours/fallfoliage1
 

SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 2
Paintball
Paintball is an exciting game that combines strategy, quick wits, cooperation and humor to provide great fun on outdoor playing fields. Come with a group, or come by yourself and join others to form a team. Reduce your stress level with outrageous fun. Before beginning play, each person is outfitted with coveralls, face mask, and a CO2-powered marker which uses marble-sized, water-soluble paintballs. A referee will explain the safety rules, and then instruct the team. Please dress in layers. Time: 8am- 6pm, Where: Upstate NY, Cost: $79 includes transportation, private field, beer and snacks for the way back! Call for more information, 917-622-5851.

MONDAY, NOVEMBER 3
Central Park Walking Tour
Central Park was begun in 1858 and it took approximately 14 years to create. Walk through beautiful Central Park and learn about its history - why it was created, who created it, while hearing about the fascinating stories and landmarks we pass as we stroll through it. Time: 11am-12:45pm, meet at the "golden" statue of General Sherman at fifth ave 60th street, Cost: $15 per person. Plse call 212-349-7916 for more information.

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 4
Limon Dance Company
In celebration of the Jose Limon Centennial Year, the company will take the Winter Garden stage as part of the "city tour" featuring classic work by Jose Limon and his mentor Doris Humphrey, as well as new and recent work by current company members, the next generation of dance makers inspired by Limon's enduring legacy.
World Financial Center Winter Garden, 12:30pm and 7pm. FREE. Goto www.worldfinancialcenter.com for more information.

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 5
Celebracion de musica y danza
Latin American Cultural Week 2008 launches with an afternoon of music and dance in the Winter Garden. The concert will highlight the programs of this year's city-wide festival, featuring performances by National Youth Symphonic Orchestra of Uruguay "Jose Artigas", Eddy Marcano Trio Acustico, DANMAR Academy of Performing Arts and Glamour Tango. 12pm. FREE. Goto www.worldfinancialcenter.com for more information.

Manhattan Ballroom Society with Stephen Dane
Want to learn the Quickstep?, or the Viennese Waltz, hustle or International Rumba?
classes begin November 5, 6, and the 11th. Differrent locations for classes over Manhattan and prices for additional classes you sign up for. See www.manhattanballroom.net or call 917-734-4778 for more information. Let's Dance!

FRIDAY AND SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 7 & 8
Lucky Shops - The Ultimate Shopping Event
Stellar designer deals with names like Kate Spade, Milley and Tracey Reese,up to 70% off items. Enjoy cocktails, giveaways and more!
VIP Shopping Party • Thursday, November 6 • 6PM -9PM
 $250
Advance sales only: a strictly limited number of tickets will be available to the red carpet, opening night gala. Get them before they’re gone—because they’re gonna go quick! Ticket price includes a VIP giftbag ($500+ value), amazing designer deals (up to 70% off), giveaways, cocktails*, music and more. VIP ticket purchases are not tax deductible, each $250 ticket purchase will make a $125 (50%) gift possible from Lucky Magazine to Robin Hood, an organization that fights poverty in New York City.
First Dibs Friday •  Friday, November 7 • 10AM - 7PM
 $35** (while supplies last)
Fewer shoppers, more shopping, and more chances to get what you love before anyone else. Plus, you’ll get designer deals (up to 70% off), giveaways, complimentary cocktails (from 3PM – 7PM)*, music and more.

Saturday Shop-a-thon • Saturday, November 8 • 10AM - 5PM
 $20**
Think you’ve got the stamina? Come in early and shop all day. Prices will be dropping, and we’ll be refreshing stock throughout the event (really!), so you won’t miss a thing. There’s no better way to spend a Saturday: designer deals (up to 70% off), giveaways, complimentary cocktails (from 1PM – 5PM)*, music and more!
for information goto www.luckyshops.com.

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 14
60 x 60 Dance
Modern dance and contemporary composition take on the energetic excitement of a sporting event in the electrifying 60 x 60 Dance. This one of a kinf performance, where each minute of the hour features a new composer and choreographer, is the result of the artistic vision of Robert Voisey and Jeramy Zimmerman. World Financial Center. Free. Time: 12:30- 1:30 pm and 7-8pm.

MONDAY, NOVEMBER 17 and WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 19
International Chinese Culinary Competition
Showcase the traditional Chinese cooking skills and techniques through 5 styles of Chinese cuisine (Cantonese, Szechuan, Shandong, Huaiyang, and Northeastern). Watch great Chinese master chefs from more than 10 countries in action! All passes to the preliminaries and finals include sampling of competition dishes. The followed award ceremony banquet features all five styles of Chinese cuisines. A lifetime opportunity to taste all five major Chinese cuisines by celebrity chefs at one time.
Time: Monday: 10am, Wednesday: 8 pm, Place: Peking Park Restaurant 100 Park Avenue @40th street. Price: $50, $70. For more information please call 877-683-7469.

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 18
Musica Sacra
Formed in 1954, Musica Sacra performs from a choral repertoire spanning five centuries, singing works both familiar and rare. For this New Sounds Live concert, the ensemble, conducted by Kent Tritle, presents two contemporary classics: Morton Feldman's nearly-mystical choral piece Rothko Chapel, and Arvo Part's genuinely mystical interpretation of the Stabat Mater. World Financial Center. FREE. 7pm. Goto www.worldfinancialcenter.com for more information.

Peanut Butter Paradise
What's smooth & creamy and goes perfectly with drinks and dessert?
PEANUT BUTTER! Join us at the Tasting Room at Vintage Irving for a night of Peanut Butter Paradise. Indulge in a peanut butter cocktail tasting paired with desserts. Taste the Coco Cure paired with a coconut dessert, the Crushed Velvet paired with a Chocolate Truffle, the Nuts & Berries with a Berry Tart, and finish off the evening with Castries Coffee and a Chocolate Covered Biscotti. Time: 7pm - 8:30 pm, Place: Tasting Room at Vintage Irving, 118A East 15th Street at Irving Place Price: $30. Call 212-228-4200 x 8008 for more information.

Free Seminar - How to Get Into A Top MBA Program
If you started to consider pursuing your MBA degree now, you have taken an important first step. But what about the next step? Which schools? How do you market yourself to really present that strong drive and fit? Tom Kania, our lead admissions expert at Manhattan Review, will share with you his over 7 years of admissions experience. He has helped over 500 people from all over the world gain admissions to business school. Mr. Kania holds an MBA from Wharton and a BA from Columbia University. Time: 7 pm - 8:30 pm Place: the Manhattan Review, The Graybar Building, 420 Lexington, suite 2310, FREE, call 212-997-1660.

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 18-NOVEMBER 22
European Riesling Tastings NYC
Starting Tuesday the 18th, several wine shops in Manhattan will host free Riesling tastings where you can sample German Riesling as well as Alsace and Austrian Rieslings. European Rieslings are known for their delicious balance and taste, the perfect match for the upcoming Thanksgiving holiday menu. The following NYC wine shops are participating in these free tastings:
67 Wine & Spirits, Acker Merrall & Condit, Best Cellars, Broadway, Best Cellars, Lexington, Chelsea Wine Vault, Crush Wine & Spirits, Discovery Wines, Landmark Wines, Morrell & Co. , Union Square Wine & Spirits, Zachys (Scarsdale)
For more information go to www.destinationriesling.com

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 19
The Loco Love Music of Eric Alabaster with Jazz Greats Duane Eubanks and Roy Nathanson
"Compositions veer delightfully from the Indian subcontinent to Arabia, and display Alabasters' ability to write compellingly in the modern American Jazz vein - should please adventurous listeners." JazzChicago Trumpet virtuoso Duane Eubanks is esteemed as one of the most gifted trumpet players in jazz today, he states "[Eric's] music opened a side of my playing I did not know existed!" Saxophonist Roy Nathanson leads the the internationally acclaimed "Jazz Passengers."Time: 9pm - 11:59pm, Place: the Tea Lounge, 837 Union Street, Park Slope Brooklyn. Please call 718-789-2762 for more information. FREE

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 20
IMAGINE: An exhibition of International Children's Art
Others Are Us (OAU) presents "Imagine"-- a selection of children's art created over the past six years by students participating in OAU programs. OAU connects students from New York City schools with students in the Middle East, North Africa and China. Through OAU, over 1,000 children have exchanged art that speaks about their lives and cultures. This event is being presented in association with the Fordham University Graduate School of Social Service as part of International Education Week.
 Time: 6:30pm - 8:30 pm, Place: Fordham University South Lounge, 113 West 60th Street  Please call 212-595-6814 for more information. FREE

Gourmet Pre-Thanksgiving Dinner and Beer Pairing
Love Thanksgiving so much that you wish it happened more than once a year?
Join us for a Gourmet Thanksgiving Dinner and Beer Pairing that you are sure to remember. This pre-fixe menu includes:
Cream of Turkey Bisque, cornbread stuffing croutons
Winter vegetable Sheppheards Pie topped with pureed candied yams
Rosemary braised Pork Chop, brussel sprouts, turkey gravy and cranberry jam
Chocolate Pumpkin Pie Smores with a Graham Cracker Crust and Marshmallow
Time: 7pm - 9pm, Place: Tasting Room at Vintage Irving, 118A East 15th Street at Irving Place. Price: $49. Call 212-228-4200 ext 8008

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 22
Connecting to Your Spirit
"Discover the Keys to Changing Your Unconscious Energy and Creating the Life You Truly Desire" Presented by Joe Nunziata. The Only Way to Achieve and Sustain Long-term Success, in Business and Life, is by Clearing the Unconscious Negative Energy and Beliefs that are Holding You Back. Time: 9am-5:30pm, Where: Fashion Institute of Technology, Cost: $299.00, plse call 516-616-3914 for more information.

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 27
Thanksgiving Dinner Cruise Aboard Yacht Manhattan
Join us in your finest formalwear for a wonderful traditional Thanksgiving Holiday Dinner aboard the Yacht Manhattan, and experience a comfortable and unique round-Manhattan cruise through the Hudson, East and Harlem Rivers. Sit back and enjoy the gorgeous 360-degree view of the island from the heated and enclosed back-deck observatory of this 1920's style motor yacht. Time: 2pm - 6pm Place: Classic Harbor Line - Yacht Manhattan, Chelsea Piers, Pier 59, West 18th Street and the Hudson River Price: $150 pp. Call 212-627-1825 for more information.

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 28
Seaport Ice Skating
Through February 28, 2009, ice-skating lovers can ice-skate on an 8,000 square foot rink at this wonderful location. Think of skating while taking in the views of tall ships,  skyscraper buildings and the views of the harbor. The first 150 guests on opening day will receive free admission and skate rentals. Opening day will include seaport trolley rides as well as the holiday lighting celebration. Weekends will have the Big Apple Chorus and check out Santa Claus strolls tuesdays thru saturdays, 12 pm - 7:30 pm, sundays, 12pm - 5:30 pm Christmas eve, 12pm - 5 pm. Cost: $5 admission, $7 skate rentals. Times of operation: 10am - 10pm. Visit www.thenewseaport.com/icerink for more information. Let's skate!