Corruption, Dissent, Public and Private Morality - Come Visit Vienna of Early 1960's With Island Shakespeare Immersive Presentation Of Measure For Measure At Good Shepherd Chapel Starting January 19

Image From Island Shakespeare

Last summer, Roosevelt Island's local resident theater company Island Shakespeare took us on a trip to Garibaldi's Italy of 1860 with their wonderful outdoor production of Shakespeare's Much Ado About Nothing at the Eastwood Amphitheater. Director Thomas Kee explained the setting.



Starting this coming January 19, Island Shakespeare will again whisk us off to another time and place, this time Vienna in the 1960's, with their immersive presentation of Shakespeare's Measure for Measure at Roosevelt Island's historic Good Shepherd Chapel.

Island Shakespeare describes the performance as:

YOUR PERSONAL JOURNEY WITH SHAKESPEARE

Island Shakespeare presents an immersion exploration of "Measure for Measure" by William Shakespeare.

Vienna in the early 60's is the "IT" city of Europe, the intersection of elegant classicism and blossoming counter culture. You're a stranger, an outsider, and you are about to witness the facade crumble. Whether you follow the music, follow the story or simply explore the beautiful 19th century stone chapel, everywhere you encounter Shakespeare's tale of corruption and comic dissent.

Kristi Artinian directs a veteran cast of company members and new aspirants to Island Shakespeare's unique brand of story driven environmental theatre. Audiences familiar with their previous production of "Much Ado" will recognize their signature approach of delivering a crystal clear, utterly accessible version of the play while immersing the audience in a thoroughly  dimensional world that transports them the minute they enter the space.

"The quartet leads you into this beautiful sanctuary (the historic Chapel of the Good Shepherd on Roosevelt Island) but if you wander off you'll find yourself in a jail cell, or an illegal bar or brothel. It's full of counterpoints." says Kristi Artinian, artistic director of Island Shakespeare and graduate of RADA. The acting company features performances by Brian Keith MacDonald (The Merchant of Venice with Al Pacino) as Angelo, Carl Danielsen (Stratford Festival) as the Duke and Patrick Toon (NJ Shakes) as Barnadine.

"Measure for Measure" performs Saturdays and Sundays at 8pm beginning January 19 and closing February 10 at the Chapel of the Good Shepherd an unmissable historic site in the middle of Roosevelt Island. Just one stop out on the F train from 63d & Lex. Or take the Tram like Spiderman. Directions available

Only a limited number of people are admitted to each performance. Booking is recommended online or (866) 811-4111

These actors are appearing courtesy of Actor's Equity Association.

Equity approved showcase.

Ticket information is here and scenes from Island Shakespeare's summer performance of Much Ado About Nothing here.

Chicago's Goodman Theatre Artistic Director and director Robert Falls talks about why he thinks MEASURE FOR MEASURE is one of Shakespeare's greatest plays.



I am very much looking forward to seeing Island Shakespeare's version of Measure for Measure at the Good Shepherd Chapel here on Roosevelt Island.

Big Changes Coming To Roosevelt Island Garden Club In 2013 - Take The Survey And Tell The Garden Club What Improvements You Would Like To See

Image Of Roosevelt Island Community Garden

Incoming 2013 Roosevelt Island Garden Club (RIGC) President April Ward introduced herself to the Roosevelt Island Residents Association (RIRA) December Common Council meeting. Ms.Ward reported on some exciting new changes and programs coming up in 2013 at the Community Garden.

Image Of Roosevelt Island Community Garden Plot

I asked Ms. Ward what the new RIGC Board is planning

Image Of Roosevelt Island Community Garden Picnic Area

and she replied:

We are not in office until January 1, 2013, so the (mostly) new Board won't make statements about policy for the Club until then. We have issued a survey to Members and the Wait List seeking suggestions and requests to improve everyone's experience in the garden.

Visitors and people who would like to join the Club are welcome to fill it out. I, personally, am heading discussions to abolish the wait to join the club then let Members choose from several gardening options, according to the time and skill they have.

To that end, over 60 new beds will be designated along the borders in the garden. Applications will be available in January, so watch the WIRE and this blog. The Wait List for the Interior Plots will remain intact, but people will be able to join the Club and start gardening instead of sitting on a wait list for years. The new Board is embarking on implementing exciting new programs and we are seeking committee leaders for composting and vermicomposting, garden design, education and events and many more.

Though it is geared mostly towards members, anyone can fill out the survey.   

We look forward to hearing from anyone interested in gardening or looking at nice landscapes. So who does that include? Well, everyone!

Here's Ms.Ward speaking at the December RIRA meeting about the new Garden Plots, composting program and urging that the FDR Four Freedoms Fence be removed from Southpoint Park property.



More on the RIGC from previous posts and click here to take their survey.

Roosevelt Island Job Available At PS/IS 217 For English Language Teacher - Start 2013 With A New Job

Image From How I Save Money

Are you looking for a job on Roosevelt Island? If so, here's a chance to begin 2013 with a new job.

According to this December 14 posting on Craigslist:

PS/IS 217 located on Roosevelt Island, is seeking a grade 6 through grade 8 English Language Arts teacher to fill a position from January 2013 to June 2013. Candidates must have New York State certification and posses a grades 7 though 12 ELA license. Candidates who wish to apply must email resume and cover letter to resume@psis217.net. 

If the job is not suitable for you, perhaps you know someone who is qualified?

Here's the listing.

Christmas Mass At Roosevelt Island's Good Shepherd Chapel - Also, A Song From Great Big Sea, Come And I Will Sing You (The Twelve Apostles)

Resident Frank Farance shares these photos of 2012 Christmas Mass at Roosevelt Island's Good Shepherd Catholic Church services. From Mr. Farance:

Father Morris and the Christmas Mass.

Homily

Eucharistic Prayer

Communion Rite

Communion

Choir

Here's a traditional Christmas song from another Island community, Newfoundland Canada, sung by Great Big Sea. The song is Come and I Will Sing You (The Twelve Apostles)

Roosevelt Island New York State Assembly Member Micah Kellner Reports On Second Avenue Subway And Hurricane Sandy Damage - He Reports Coler Hospital Patients Left Alone and Forgotten Without Power For Days

Roosevelt Island's NY State Assembly Member Micah Kellner was recently interviewed by:

Greg Floyd about the Second Avenue Subway, the new science center on Roosevelt Island and his work in the state legislature to raise the minimum wage. The series host of "Reaching Out," on NYC & Long Island cable TV and WWRL Radio, is Teamsters Local 237 President Gregory Floyd.

Mr. Kellner also reported on how Roosevelt Island was damaged by Hurricane Sandy with major flooding at the northern portions of the Island

Aerial View Of Roosevelt Island Lighthouse Park Underwater from Beauty & A Beat Tweet

as well as week long power loss at Coler Hospital and the Octagon Buildng. According to Mr. Kellner, Coler Hospital patients were left alone and forgotten in the dark without power for a few days.

Mr. Kellner indicated that designating Roosevelt Island as a Hurricane Evacuation Zone A instead of B should be reconsidered.

Here's the full interview with Mr. Kellner.

Santa's On His Way To Roosevelt Island Ho Ho Ho - Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays And A Wonderful Festivus For The Rest Of Us

Reports are coming in of Santa Claus sightings from all around the world. You can even track him with the aid of Google's Santa Tracker and a Santa Tracker from NORAD.

Santa will arrive on Roosevelt Island in a couple of hours. When he does, it may be on his specially designed, Reindeer powered, Roosevelt Island Tram sled using one of the old Tram cabins.

Roosevelt Island Reindeer Driven Tram (more info here)

Hope you've taken Bruce Springsteen's advice and were good this year.

You Tube Video of 1978 Springsteen Version of Santa Claus Is Coming To Town

Don't forget to leave some cookies out for Santa tonight. MERRY CHRISTMAS - Ho HO Ho!!!!!!!!

If you're interested in the history of Santa, here you go:



Roosevelt Island photographer Olya Turcihin (Olya's Urban Journal) shares this recent scene of Christmas and Hanukah Lights in front of Blackwell House

Image From Olya Turcihin

adding:

happy holidays from Roosevelt Island ...

and then there's Festivus for the rest of us.

Roosevelt Island Motorgate Renovation Project Starting Wednesday December 26 - Work Includes Waterproofing, Installing New LED Lights and Restriping Parking Spaces

Image of Confusing Motorgate Garage Parking Stripes

According to the Roosevelt Island Operating Corp (RIOC):

Please be advised an extensive renovation project will commence at the Motorgate Parking Garage beginning on Wednesday, December 26th. The renovation will require some disruption to the current parking arrangements on several levels.

Expected Start Date - 12/26/2012

Scope of Work - In order to prevent water from leaking onto the lower levels, waterproofing the 3rd and part of 4th floor of Motorgate Parking Garage will be necessary. In addition, replacement of deteriorated lighting will be upgraded to LED light fixtures which are brighter and more durable than the current lighting.

Area's of Work- South Portion of the Motorgate Parking Garage
3rd Floor over Gristedes and Bus Garage
3rd Floor - Sections 3B, 3C, 3D and 4A part
4th Floor - 4C only

Striping- Existing parking lines will be removed during the preparation work for waterproofing. New lines will be stripped after the waterproofing is complete.

Lighting- All lighting throughout Motorgate will be replaced with new LED light fixtures.

Expected Completion Dates-

- Waterproofing, striping and lighting upgrade on Level 3 - April 1, 2013
- Lighting upgrade throughout Motorgate - August 31, 2013

We appreciate your cooperation and patience during this project.

Sincerely,

Roosevelt Island Operating Corp Advisories Group

In November 2011, former RIOC Vice President of Operations Fernando Martinez took me on a tour of the Motorgate garage and explained the Motorgate Waterproofing Project and making the parking spaces uniform with straight lines. Here's what happened.

You Tube Video of Motorgate Parking Garage Improvements

More on the Motorgate Waterproofing project and uniform parking spaces here and here.

Geese Visiting Roosevelt Island's Southpoint Park

Dmitri Aleevski visited Roosevelt Island's Southpoint Park a few days ago and shares this photo of other visitors - the Geese, enjoying the grass and view

Image From Dmitri Aleevski

like everybody else.

Roosevelt Island 10 Year Old Boy Missing Since Friday Afternoon - Last Seen At PS/IS 217, Please Call 911 If You Have Any Information

According to Notify NYC:

12/22/2012 5:49:00 PM
Missing Child Alert - Reginald Matthews
Alert issued 12/22/12 at 5:30 PM. New York State has issued a Missing Child Alert for a 10 year old black male, Reginald Matthews. He was last seen at P.S. 217 in Queens. He has black hair with corn-rows and a mole behind his right ear, 5'01" tall and 150 lbs. Reginald was last wearing a red polo shirt, blue jeans, neon green Adidas sneakers, a black jacket, and a blue winter hat. He wears black and green glasses. Please find a photo attached. If you have any information, please dial 9-1-1.

Notify NYC mistakenly locates PS/IS 217 in Queens. It is in Roosevelt Island.

Image From Pix 11

More information, including video from Pix 11.

Roosevelt Island Free Holiday Concert Today 7 PM Presented By R&R Concerts - 3 Bradenburg Bach Concertos and 12 Players

The folks from our local R&R Concerts are presenting their biggest concert ever tonight, 7 PM, at the Good Shepherd Community Center with a Holiday Concert featuring three of Bach's Bradenburg Concertos and 12 players. According to R&R Concerts:

7pm Sunday, December 23 at Good Shepherd Center.
12 players. 3 Brandenburg Concertos. 1 great evening.

Image From R&R Concerts

In the meantime, enjoy Bach's Brandenburg Concertos No.3