Spanish-American Institute

Student Club Newsletter

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April, 2011		Vol. 7,  No. 3
	Easter:  One of Many Spring Celebrations Throughout history, people have celebrated Spring as a time of renewal and rebirth. For example, Christians observe Easter to celebrate the death and rebirth of Christ.  However, they also follow some of the old customs of pagan (pre-Christian) Europe.              In ancient Europe, eggs symbolized new life and rabbits fertility (reproduction).  Eggs and bunnies (baby rabbits) continue to play an important role in Western non-religious Easter celebrations.  American children often color hard-boiled eggs for Easter, a custom that probably arrived with German and Dutch immigrants.  The most famous Easter Parade in the USA is in NYC. Bryant Park Bryant Park is nestled in a canyon of skyscrapers in back of the New York Public Library between  5^th-6^th Ave. and 41^st-42^nd Sts. The Park is an oasis of calm--a place to meet, eat lunch, chat, listen to music, play chess, lie on the grass, or sit at small tables under old leafy trees.  Or people-watch from the front terrace of  the Library on 5^th Ave.  Go West!  Explore Our Other Neighborhood The Spanish-American Institute is between two distinct areas.  One is the super-busy, impersonal business and tourist area of Times Square and Midtown West.  The other is Hell’s Kitchen, now called Clinton.  Clinton falls roughly between 8^th Ave. and the Hudson River and between 40^th and 59^th Streets.  Turn right when leaving the school and cross 8th Avenue.  Walk the blocks between 8th and 10th Avenues to explore a real neighborhood with small shops, restaurants, bakeries, galleries, schools, parks, and homes where people live (and tourists seldom go). Clinton has been home to many different populations.  The Irish and German were succeeded by Italians, Greeks, Eastern Europeans, Puerto Ricans, Peruvians, and Ecuadorians, among others.  Today’s neighborhood is more gentrified [process by which a poor area changes to one with people who have more money].  Its historic diversity is still reflected in many local businesses, especially restaurants like those on “Restaurant Row” on West 46^th St.       Some of our favorite spots include:  West African Grocery, 535 Ninth Ave. near 40^th St.  Hot peppers, cassava, couscous, thick peanut butter, etc.    International Grocery, 543 Ninth Ave. near 40^th St.  Greek cheeses and pastries, spices of all kinds, and olives, olives, olives.    Cupcake Café, 545 Ninth Ave. between 40/41st St.  Wonderful coffee, home made doughnuts, muffins, cakes, and, of course, cupcakes.   Pizza for 99 cents, no kidding.  NW corner of 41^st and 9^th Ave.   Midtown Comics, 200 W. 40^th St. near 7^th Ave.  Famous old comic books and recent editions in print and on DVD.   Empire Coffee & Tea, 568 9^th Ave. near 42^nd St.  A nice alternative to that “other” coffee place.  A huge selection of coffees and teas from all over the world to drink or buy.   New York Times Building Lobby and Garden,  enter on W. 41^st between 7^th/8^th Ave. and enjoy a public street-level glass enclosed garden of moss and birch trees open to the sky.  New York Public Libraries Near the Institute: If you live, work, or study in New York City, you are entitled to a free public library card.  Brooklyn and Queens have their own public library systems.  However, their library cards can also be used in the New York Public Libraries.    Grand Central Branch, 135 E. 46^th between. Lexington and Third Ave.  New, lots of public computers, laptop stations, and comfortable seating.  Browse, study, get a library card, or borrow books. Columbus Branch, 742 Tenth Ave. near 50^th St.  A newly renovated real neighborhood library!  Science, Business, Industry Research Library, 5^th Ave.@34th St. For specialized research in the library and for personal job searching services.  Humanities and Social Science Research Library, 5^th Ave@40^th-42^nd St.   The one with the two famous Lions in front named Patience and Fortitude.  For serious graduate level research in the Library only, not for studying or borrowing books.	Enjoy New York City in Spring Walking From the Spanish-American Institute:  This newsletter issue emphasizes FREE activities, events, and locations mainly within walking distance of the Spanish-American Institute. Explore and enjoy! Easter Parade and Easter Bonnet Festival, New York City  (April 24): New York City will hold its famous Easter Parade and Easter Bonnet Festival on Sunday, April 24.  The parade marches up 5^th Ave. between 49^th and 57^th St. from 10am to 4pm.  Participants often wear beautiful Spring clothes and, of course, colorful Easter bonnets (hats), often decorated with incredible floral displays or live animals. Also expect to see live rabbits, flowers, clowns, and more.  First Fridays and First Saturdays—Many NYC museums have First Fridays or First Saturday programs with free admission and entertainment.  See listings on the School Bulletin Boards and selected museums below.  Concerts at Julliard, Mannes, Manhattan School of Music, etc.  See school Bulletin Boards for free concerts.  April in NYC-- for FREE Brooklyn Museum First Saturday, Apr 2, 5-11pm.  Free art, live music, and dancing 2, 3 trains to Eastern Parkway/Brooklyn Museum at Museum entrance. His and Hers,  Museum at FIT (Fashion Institute of Technology). Explore the relationship of gender and fashion over the past 250 years.   Daily except Sun. to 5pm.  7^th Ave. @27^th St. Walk from the Spanish-American Institute or take 1,C,E,F,V,N,R trains to 23^rd or 28^th St. Thunderbird Indian Dancers and Singers, National Museum of the American Indian, Sat, Apr 16, 7-10pm, join them in an evening of traditional social dancing.  One Bowling Green in the US Customs House across from Battery Park.  4/5 trains to Bowling Green, N/R to Whitehall, 1 to So. Ferry. EarthFair, April 21-23, For EarthDay, Grand Central Station, E. 42^nd St. will illuminate the Main Concourse with environmentally themed images. A short walk from the Spanish-American Institute, it is worth going to see the interior of the Station itself—a recently restored 19^th C. tribute to the great age of the railroads in the USA Essentially Ellington, Lincoln Center Rubenstein Atrium,Thurs. Apr 28, 8:30 pm, a tribute to the music of the jazz  great “Duke.”   Broadway between. 66^th and 67^th.  Sony Wonder Technology Lab, 4 floors of interactive technology and entertainment.  To 5pm, closed Mon. 550 Madison Ave. at 56^th St. Onassis Cultural Center.  Ancient and modern Greek art.  T-Sa to 5pm.  654 5th Ave., suite 304, Olympic Towers Building, enter on 51^st or 52^nd St. between. 5^th and Madison Aves. The Road to Mistra is a site-specific work in neon by Stephen Antonakos.   Bye Bye Kitty:  Between Heaven and Hell in Conptemporary Japanese Art at Japan Society.  Free admission Fridays 6-9. The exhibit has special unintended significance in light of recent natural and man-made disasters in Japan.  333 E. 47^th St. near 1^st Ave. 4,5,6,7,S to Grand Central and walk east. Student and Alumni Shows Proposals Requested.  The Institute invites students, alumni, and faculty to exhibit or perform in the Special Events Center and its Special Gallery Space.  If you would like to be considered for future exhibits or programs, please submit your proposal to Room One. Thank you.