On January 3, 1924, 25-year-old George Gershwin was shooting pool in a Manhattan billiard hall when his brother Ira read aloud a shocking newspaper article: “George Gershwin is at work on a jazz concerto.” There was just one problem—George had never agreed to write any such piece. What happened next would change American music forever.… Read More The post Gershwin’s “Rhapsody in Blue”: A Jazz-Age Drama appeared first on The Bowery Boys: New York City History.| The Bowery Boys: New York City History
Since its launch in 2011, NYC Broadway Week has become a beloved tradition for theater lovers, offering a rare opportunity to experience world-class productions at a fraction of the cost. Held twice a year, Broadway Week allows theatergoers to purchase 2-for-1 tickets to many of Broadway’s top shows—making it easy to bring along a friend,… Read More The post Broadway Week: The Best Theater Value in Town Returns in September appeared first on The Bowery Boys: New York City History.| The Bowery Boys: New York City History
PODCAST The fascinating story of the Public Theater and Joseph Papp’s efforts to bring Shakespeare to the people. (Episode #88) What started in a tiny East Village basement grew to become one of New York’s most enduring summer traditions, Shakespeare in the Park, featuring world class actors performing the greatest dramas of the age. But… Read More The post Joseph Papp vs. Robert Moses: The saga of Shakespeare in the Park appeared first on The Bowery Boys: New York City History.| The Bowery Boys: New York City History
Ever since the premiere episode of HBO’s “The Gilded Age”, viewers and historians have discussed just how close the fictitious character of Bertha Russell (played by Carrie Coon) may be to the real-life socialite steamroller Alva Vanderbilt. She’s the subject of this week’s episode of The Gilded Gentleman podcast. There certainly seems to be similarities from Bertha and Alva’s mutual unrelenting drive to claw a place in… Read More| The Bowery Boys: New York City History
On the evening of December 5, 1876, the glorious Brooklyn Theatre caught fire, trapping its audience in a nightmare of flame and smoke. The theater sat near Brooklyn City Hall (today’s Brooklyn Borough Hall), and the blaze which destroyed it could be seen as far away as Prospect Park. The horrible truth was revealed in… Read More The post The Terrible Brooklyn Theater Fire: The Forgotten Gilded Age Tragedy appeared first on The Bowery Boys: New York City History.| The Bowery Boys: New York City History
The ultimate bar crawl of Old New York continues through a survey of classic bars and taverns that trace their origins from the 1850s through the 1880s. And this time we’re recording within two of America’s most famous establishments, joined by the people who know that history the best. In Part One, we introduced you… Read More The post Pete’s Tavern and McSorley’s Old Ale House: The Oldest Bars in New York City appeared first on The Bowery Boys: New York City History.| The Bowery Boys: New York City History
On the latest episode of The Gilded Gentleman, meet the man who helped create New York’s Gilded Age high society, a fussy and imperious Southerner who eventually found himself on the receiving end of snobbish scorn. The famous Mrs. Caroline Astor was credited with building and shaping the Gilded Age elite. But at her side and… Read More The post How Ward McAllister Helped Engineer Gilded Age High Society appeared first on The Bowery Boys: New York City History.| The Bowery Boys: New York City History
To get you in the mood for the weekend, every other Friday we’ll be celebrating ‘FRIDAY NIGHT FEVER’, featuring an old New York nightlife haunt, from the dance halls of 19th Century Bowery, to the massive warehouse spaces of the mid-90s. Past entries can be found HERE, including articles on New York’s oldest continuously operating… Read More The post Welcome to the Haymarket, New York’s scandalous Moulin Rouge appeared first on The Bowery Boys: New York City History.| The Bowery Boys: New York City History
Once upon a time New York City oysters were not only plentiful and healthy in the harbor, they were an everyday, common food source. The original fast food! For that reason, the oyster could be an official New York City mascot. Oyster farming was a major occupation. Oyster houses were an incredibly common place for… Read More The post New York used to be the City of Oysters. Can it be again? appeared first on The Bowery Boys: New York City History.| The Bowery Boys: New York City History
Who do you think picked up the tab: Paul Morrissey, Andy Warhol, Janis Joplin or Tim Buckley? To get you in the mood for the weekend, every other Friday we’ll be celebrating ‘FRIDAY NIGHT FEVER’, featuring an old New York nightlife haunt, from the dance halls of 19th Century Bowery, to the massive warehouse spaces… Read More| The Bowery Boys: New York City History
So we don’t know if you’ve heard, but New York City is an expensive place to live these days. So we thought it might be time to revisit the tale of the city’s most famous district of luxury — Fifth Avenue. For about a hundred years, this avenue was mostly residential— but residences of the most… Read More| The Bowery Boys: New York City History
Listen to our podcast on the General Slocum Disaster: The General Slocum Memorial Fountain is one of the sole reminders of one of New York City’s darkest days, and it’s not a very awe-inspiring memorial. This is no dig at the custodians of Tompkins Square Park, where the memorial has been on display since 1906, nor at Bruno Louis… Read More| The Bowery Boys: New York City History
In 1886, during a miles-long parade celebrating the dedication of the Statue of Liberty, office workers in lower Manhattan began heaving ticker tape out the windows, creating a magical, blizzard-like landscape. That tradition stuck. Today that particular corridor of Broadway — connecting Battery Park to City Hall — is known as the “Canyon of Heroes”… Read More| The Bowery Boys: New York City History
