Roosevelt Island Residents Association (RIRA) Meeting Tonight 8 PM - Land Use Discussion Of Proposed Korean Pavilion At Southpoint Park and Island Shakespeare Theater Home

The Roosevelt Island Residents Association (RIRA) will be meeting tonight, 8 PM, at the Good Shepherd Community Center (543 Main Street).

 Image Of September 2013 RIRA Meeting

As always, prior to the start of each monthly meeting there is a public session in which residents can come and address the Common Council Delegates on any issue of concern.

Below is the Agenda for October RIRA meeting.

RIRA Common Council Agenda

Date: Wednesday October 2 , 2013
Time: 8pm-Finish

Place: Good Shepherd Community Center, 543 Main Street

1. Public Session:

2. Roll call

3. Approval of minutes

4. Approval of agenda

5. Treasurers Report

6. Presidents Report

7. Seat Southtown representative Article III, Section 6, Vacancies "If a district has no alternate, one may be appointed pursuant to b), c), and d) above.

8. Elect RICC representatives

9. Volunteers for the Public Purpose Fund Committee

10. Rules of order proposal / bylaws review of rules of order proposal

11. Land use discussion:

Korean pavilion,

Island Shakespeare,

UNDC

12. Committee reports:

Constitution/ By laws

13. New business

During the RIRA September 11 Meeting Public Session, Roosevelt Island resident Sonia Jang made a presentation seeking the support of RIRA for building a 500 (20x25) square foot Korean Pavilion at Southpoint Park facing the United Nations. The estimated cost of the project was stated to be three hundred thousand dollars ($300,000) and would be raised by the Korean community.

Preliminary Rendering of Proposed Southpoint Park Korean Pavilion Shown At 9/11 RIRA Meeting

Ms. Jang stated that she hoped RIRA's support for the Korean Pavilion at Southpoint Park would encourage the Roosevelt Island Operating Corp (RIOC) to approve the project. When asked if another site outside of Southpoint Park would be satisfactory for the Korean Pavilion, Ms. Jang said no because it was important to the project to face the United Nations. Here's the September 11 RIRA discussion on the Korean Pavilion.



The Korean Pavilion Proposal was previously discussed (watch video) during July 13 Roosevelt Island Operating Corp (RIOC) Real Estate Committee meeting.

In addition to the land use discussion of the Korean Pavilion Proposal, tonight's RIRA meeting will also discuss a proposal by Island Shakespeare to find a more permanent home on Roosevelt Island for their theater company. Island Shakespeare produced two wonderful theatrical events on Roosevelt Island recently, Much Ado About Nothing outdoors at the Eastwood Amphitheater

 Image Of Island Shakespeare's Much Ado About Nothing At Eastwood Amphitheater

in the summer of 2012 and Measure For Measure at the Good Shepherd Community Center last January - February.

During the September 11 RIRA meeting, Island Shakespeare sought the support of RIRA for a new stage home. In response to Island Shakespeare's request, questions were raised by some regarding the condition that the Good Shepherd Community Center was left in after the Island Shakespeare production of Measure For Measure. Island Shakespeare vehemently denied that the Good Shepherd Community Center was damaged by their production. Here's video of the Island Shakespeare presentation to September 11 RIRA meeting and subsequent discussion.



The Korean Pavilion at Southpoint Park and Island Shakespeare stage land use issues are scheduled to be discussed further at the RIRA meeting tonight.

RIOC President Charlene Indelicato Appearing At Roosevelt Island Residents Association Meeting Tonight - Also, RIRA Presentation On Southpoint Park Korean Pavilion, Island Shakespeare Renovated Pier & More - Come Learn What Is Gong On

The Roosevelt Island Residents Association (RIRA) will be meeting tonight, 8 PM, at the Good Shepherd Community Center (543 Main Street).

Image of June 2011 RIRA Common Council Meeting

As always, prior to the start of each monthly meeting there is a public session in which residents can come and address the Common Council Delegates on any issue of concern.

Roosevelt Island Operating Corp (RIOC) President Charlene Indelicato will be making her first appearance at a RIRA meeting tonight during the Public Session. Also speaking during the RIRA Public Session will be:

• Sonia Jang President of the Korean Association presenting a plan to place a gazebo at Southpoint Park and
• Island Shakespear's Kristi Artinian presenting a proposal to renovate an unused pier

RIRA President Ellen Polivy invites all Roosevelt Island residents to come and attend tonight's RIRA meeting. Ms. Polivy reports:

The endless tug of war over land

As I write this, the RIRA Common Council is preparing for it’s first meeting of the year. I am urging everyone to come to the Good Shepherd Community Center on Wednesday September 11 at 8pm. RIOC President Charlene Indelicato will be there. It will also be a public session filled with organizations presenting good ideas about use of land on the Island and in Manhattan.

Land is at a premium in New York City. How it is used and how that use affects everyone else creates an endless tug of war.

We recently had a presentation by OEM about our evacuation zones. Did you know that our evacuation center, the Julia Richman Educational Campus on 67 Street between First and Second Avenue is a sturdy old building with excellent mini schools cooperating in the sharing of common resources. Among other resources, the school has an acoustically perfect auditorium a pool and an atrium room used as an art gallery. In 2008, it was in danger of being demolished in a land swap to make way for the badly needed updated Hunter College School of Nursing and a large science research center. This plan was halted by a vote of my class of Community Board 8.

To find alternate space, Hunter College created an alliance with Memorial Sloan Kettering to build its updated nursing school and a Cancer treatment and research center. They located the site of a long vacant former sanitation garage off the FDR Drive and 73 Street. We Roosevelt Islanders will be able to watch the construction from our windows.

The proposed construction project is working its way through the New York City land use process (ULURP) just like the one Cornell just completed. One might think it is a no-brainer to put vacant property to this good use. Think again.

The community near that project is angry over the prospect of years of construction in their back yard and then future of living with the behemoth Hunter-MSK will create. The project’s developer is asking for a larger “floor to area ratio” (FAR) than City code usually allows for that zone. In return for an allowance of this bigger, denser building, the developer has agreed to provide funds to complete a long-awaited park a mile away. The community near that park is happy. Both communities are part of Community Board 8. This vote divided our Community Board in a very close vote during our part of the ULURP.

To make everyone happy over a land use project is an impossible dream

Hope to see you at our RIRA meeting.

Best regards, Ellen

Below is the Agenda for tonight's RIRA meeting:

Common Council Meeting

Please arrive a half hour early to help set up tables and chairs

RIRA Common Council Agenda

Date: Wednesday September 11, 2013
Time: 8pm-Finish

Place: Good Shepherd Community Center, 543 Main Street

1. Public Session:
RIOC President Charlene Indelicato
UNDC-East River Greenway- Frances Huppert,

Vice-President of UNDC
Korean Association presents their gazebo proposal for Southpoint Park- Sonia Jang President
RI Shakespeare presents proposal to renovate unused pier
Kristi Artinian

2. Roll call

3. Nomination for open seat

4. Approval of minutes

5. Approval of agenda

6. Treasurers Report

7. Presidents Report:

Request for approval as in report

9. Committee reports:
Public safety

By laws
Island services
Government relations
Social cultural educational
Housing
Planning

10. Old business
Rules of order proposal / bylaws review of rules of order proposal

11. New business

Disposition of items from public session and president's report

and here is discussion on the proposed Korean Gazebo at Southpoint Park during July 16 RIOC Real Estate Advisory Committee meeting.



Come learn what is happening on Roosevelt Island at tonight's RIRA meeting.

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 Tomorrow Night And Next 3 Weekends

Island Shakespeare's production of Measure For Measure opens tomorrow night at the Good Shepherd Chapel and will continue for the next 3 weekends. According to Island Shakespeare:

Showtimes for Measure for Measure

Saturday January 19th 8:00 PM
Sunday January 20th 8:00 PM

Saturday January 26th 8:00 PM
Sunday January 27th 8:00 PM

Saturday February 2nd 8:00 PM
Sunday February 3rd 8:00 PM

Saturday February 9th 8:00 PM
Sunday February 10th 8:00 PM

Tickets Are Available Now!

Click here to purchase tickets!

As reported in this previous post:

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.

Hope to see you at Island Shakespeare's Measure For Measure.

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.

Roosevelt Island Job Available As Technical Director For Island Shakespear's Production Of Measure For Measure

Image From How I Save Money

Are you looking for a job on Roosevelt Island? How about a job in the Theater. How about combining the two with a job in the Theater on Roosevelt Island? If interested, this Craigslist posting may be for you:

Island Shakespeare, a non-profit theatre located on Roosevelt Island, is seeking a Part/Full-Time Technical Director for upcoming production of "Measure for Measure." We are looking for an industrious, hard-working person who is a self-starter. The ideal candidate must be willing to get their hands dirty to get the job done, be an inventive problem solver, be deadline oriented, and be willing to shoulder responsibility. This is a great opportunity to become a valuable member of a successful new theatre organization located in the heart of NYC. Experience solving technical problems on your own is the primary qualification.

DUTIES INCLUDE BUT ARE NOT LIMITED TO:

- ALL ASPECTS OF TECHNICAL PREP FOR SHOW
-DAILY RUNNER DUTIES - TRAIN OR CAR TRAVEL. PLUS LOTS OF WALKING ON ROOSEVELT ISLAND
-SOME SET CONSTRUCTION AND LITE ELECTRIC RIGGING. ACCESS TO HAND TOOLS A PLUS.
-PROP ORGANIZATION AND RUNNING CREW MANAGEMENT, ALSO ORGANIZING VENDING SUPPLIES
- SOME LIFTING MAY BE REQUIRED...

More information on the position including contact address available at Craiglist.

Good Luck.

Last summer, Island Shakespeare performed Much Ado About Nothing outdoors at the Eastwood Amphitheater to excellent reviews. I am looking forward to their upcoming production of Measure For Measure.

Island Shakespeare Performance of Much Ado About Nothing At Roosevelt Island's Eastwood Amphitheater - Don't Miss It, This Is The Final Weekend

Island Shakespeare Performance of Much Ado About Nothing At Eastwood Amphitheater

This weekend is your last chance to see local resident theater company Island Shakespeare"s outdoor production of Much Ado About Nothing at the Eastwood/Roosevelt Landings Amphitheater. I saw a Sunday matinee performance and can highly recommend it as an experience not to be missed. It begins with Roosevelt Island resident and the production's director Thomas Kee welcoming visitors to 1861 Messina Italy explaining what you will see.



Island Shakespeare describes the production as:

... an immersive celebration of Shakespeare’s “Much Ado.”

You enter a raucous celebration of Italian Unification (circa 1861), invited to drink and dance with the red-shirted soldiers of Garibaldi’s “Expedition of 1000.” Revelers can follow the story, follow a character, or follow their own desire to explore the piazza...

It certainly was that and more. A Yelp reviewer from Astoria who saw the show adds:

... For $15, you're taken to Messina, Italy where you'll meet a pair of lovers, Claudio & Hero (lovesick couple) and Benedick & Beatrice (bickering pair who are too proud to admit their love for each other). Like "Sleep No More" this is an interactive play where the actors go around the ampitheater, so the play takes place on the stage, in the seats with the audience, out on the lawns, and anywhere else there was open space. Although you could spend your time following the main play by following the speaking actors, there was plenty of action to watch with the minor characters. Indeed, I spent some amusing minutes watching Dogberry, the drunk constable, wrestle and roll around the grass with knaves who lied about Hero's virtue....

Here are some scenes. Marching soldiers, stirring songs, flag unfurling,



 joyful dancing,



swashbuckling sword fighting,



eating and drinking,

woman with knives strapped to their side,

quiet romantic dalliances

confessions with clergy,

plus much more.

I highly recommend the production. Give it a try and you will have a good time.

Tickets are $15 for adults and $10 for seniors, students and children.

Performances are:

Friday June 29th 7:30 PM
Saturday June 30th 2:00PM and 7:30 PM
Sunday July 1st 2:00 PM

Hope to see more productions from Island Shakespeare in the future.

Island Shakespeare Brings Immersive Celebration Of Much Ado About Nothing To Roosevelt Island's Eastwood Amphitheater This Weekend- Come See, Don't Be Just A Witness To The Debauchery

Outdoor Shakespeare comes to Roosevelt Island at the Eastwood Amphitheater starting Friday Night June 15 and continues on consecutive weekends thru July 1. As previously reported:

Image From Island Shakespeare

Summer Shakespeare in Central Park has more New York City competition this year from a new Roosevelt Island Theater Company - Island Shakespeare. According to Island Shakespeare:

THE SHAKESPEARE ALL AROUND YOU

Island Shakespeare presents an immersive celebration of Shakespeare’s “Much Ado.”

You enter a raucous celebration of Italian Unification (circa 1861), invited to drink and dance with the red-shirted soldiers of Garibaldi’s “Expedition of 1000.” Revelers can follow the story, follow a character, or follow their own desire to explore the piazza.

“Tom and I came across the Eastwood Amphitheater on Roosevelt Island

 Eastwood Amphitheater Image From Island Shakespeare

as we were out walking on a warm March day in 2011. We knew we wanted to break out and create our kind of Shakespeare somewhere and it was an ‘ah ha’ moment. We both kind of looked at each other like, this is IT.” says Kristi Artinian, island resident and artistic director of Island Shakespeare.

Director Thomas Kee, an original American cast member of “Sleep No More” now running in Chelsea, brings those sensibilities to “Much Ado.” “People used to think of Tony and Tina’s Wedding or a Ren. Faire when we said interactive theatre. It’s fun like those kinds of shows, but with the added element of a superbly acted play happening all around you.”

The company is made up of a diverse group of classically trained actors and veteran immersive theatre performers such as: Brian Keith MacDonald** (The Merchant of Venice with Al Pacino) as Leonato, shock comic Ashley Strand** (Shakespeare Theatre Co. D.C. veteran) as Dogberry, and Lindsay Tanner (Co-Artistic Director of the Accidental Shakespeare Company) as Margaret.

June 15-July 1 with 7:30pm shows Fridays & Saturdays and 2pm matinees Saturdays and Sundays at the Eastwood Amphitheater. Just one stop out on the F train from 63 & Lex. at 516 Main Street, Roosevelt Island. Or take the Tram like Spiderman. Directions available http://islandshakespeare.com/location

Only a limited number of people are admitted to each performance. Booking is recommended online https://web.ovationtix.com/trs/pe/9672936 or (866) 811-4111.

**These Actors are appearing courtesy of Actors' Equity Association

Equity Approved Showcase.

More on Island Shakespeare from previous post

Tickets are $15 for adults and $10 for seniors, students and children.

Here's a small snippet from a Island Shakespeare's Much Ado About Nothing rehearsal last week.



I am very much looking forward to Island Shakepeare's version of Much Ado About Nothing.