Just in time for the fall film blockbusters such as the highly anticipated Dune,No Time to Die, and The French Dispatch, Alamo Drafthouse Cinema has just opened its third location in NYC (it’s first in Manhattan), Alamo Drafthouse Cinema Lower Manhattan. Double the size of Alamo Drafthouse in Downtown Brooklyn, this state-of-the-art, reserved seating location has 14 screens, occupying 37,000 square feet in the building’s sub-basement 2 and sub-basement 3 floors. Moviegoers are eagerly returning.
Once again, founder Tim League strikes the right balance of offering not only a selection of commercial releases but a decent choice of independent films, as well as repertory films. In addition, Alamo patrons can order directly from the comfort of their reclining seat dinner and dessert choices, all freshly prepared on the premises, from pizza to chicken sandwiches, popcorn, and other movie fares.
Cinephiles will also want to check out The Press Room, a hybrid museum/printing press area/bar, where they can choose from an inventory of retro film posters. On-site, there are also demonstrations on a working 1938 Vandercook letterpress being given. At the side is a bar where patrons can create their own cocktails, or purchase craft beer.
The opening month being October, a carefully curated selection of horror classics are being shown, including Halloween 1 and the new Halloween Kills. There will even be a Scream brunch on Halloween.
November 3 marks Godzilla’s 67th anniversary. In its honor, fans will be able to partake in Godzilla Day, where they will be able to catch the world premiere of the highly anticipated 4K remastering of Gojira, 1954 original (in Japanese with English subtitles.)
Regular moviegoers may want to take part in getting an Alamo season pass. You can also order tickets with the Alamo app. For more information, visit drafthouse.com
`What would you do if you finally got your chance to shine? Maybe it’s your first chance. Maybe it’s your last. In A Commercial Jingle for Regina Comet, two writers and a diva get that chance when the diva, Regina Comet, hires two jingle writers to create a song for her upcoming fragrance release, Relevance. The musical is goofy, charming, and tons of fun in a joke-a-minute journey through the emotions behind the creative process.
Regina is a star in decline. In an age of Instagram, she’s lost too many of the nuances of the 13-18 demographic that used to be her fanbase. Audiences don’t get an exact age, but we get the feeling the new tween fanbase is made up of the kids or even grandkids of the fans who once flocked to Comet’s concerts. Desperate to draw the spotlight again, her managers convince her that her best shot at teens catching her scent is through a fragrance, which she names Relevance. But all is not well: her commercial efforts have fallen short and, in a last bid to make things happen, she hires out a songwriting pair— the cheapest option available— to pen a jingle that will blast Regina’s career back into outer space. The show follows the efforts of the two songwriters— never named but billed as Man 2 and Other Man— and Comet as the three claw desperately at the promise of relevance and success.
The characters put their heads together to create One Hit Song
At the heart of the show beats Ben Fankhauser and Alex Wyse, who play Man 2 and Other Man and co-wrote the music, book, and lyrics for the show. Inspired by their real-life friendship and a desire to carve out their place in New York City theatre, the show is a comedy-of-errors reflection of the pair’s real search for musical success. And it is clear that the pair are in on the joke. When Fankhauser’s Man 2 is struck by musical inspiration, he pushes aside the show’s music director and keyboardist Alex Goldie Golden and takes over the music mid-song. To play bumbling, struggling versions of themselves in a musical with hit after hit is, to borrow a modern phrase, quite the flex.
Bryonha Marie Parham likewise shines as Regina Comet, commanding her scenes in a role she fills with perfection and enthusiasm that perfectly matches the show’s sometimes serious, sometimes absurd tone. Comet, who could be a plot device with a solo, comes alive under Parham’s stewardship, aided by the actress’s input in the creative process.
A Commerical Jingle for Regina Comet is a welcome return to live theater— light-hearted, fun, simple, and straightforward. It is the perfect way to venture back out into public, into theater, and head home laughing.
A Commerical Jingle for Regina Comet is playing at the DR2 Theatre. Learn more and get tickets at reginacomet.com
New York is known and respected worldwide for its love of sports which has become part of the culture in the great state. Fans of all major professional sports, including football, baseball, basketball, and soccer, come from far and wide to watch teams compete, soaking up the unique atmosphere of a NY crowd on game night. In recent years, some of the biggest boxing events have also been fought out at Madison Square Garden in New York City.
Just as big as the teams and players is the sports betting in New York. Millions of dollars are placed in wagers every year on sports fixtures. A growing number of those bets are placed online using home computers and smartphone devices. Some of the biggest names in the betting industry cover events in the state, offering generous odds and eye-catching promotions, including free bets.
Add some spice to your sport
Residents and visitors to New York are able to gamble online, using debit cards and e-wallets to fund their bets and withdraw their winnings. It’s fast, convenient, and user-friendly. It also helps add a little extra spice to your favorite sports, whether you are watching at the stadium or following the live TV coverage.
In this article, we have enlisted the help of an online sports betting professional who explains everything you need to know about gambling in New York. The information is presented in the style of a frequently asked question which makes it easy to follow and understand.
Is online betting legal in New York?
Yes, online betting in New York was legalized in April of 2021 following drawn-out discussions. New York became one of the states that allow sports betting, alongside the likes of New Jersey and Pennsylvania. Residents are now free to create online betting accounts and wager on the top professional sports.
Vlad Alexandru Popa Pexels
Why the change?
The changes to the laws regarding online betting in New York came about following an earlier decision in Washington. The US government decided to remove the blanket ban on betting and put the decision in the hands of each state. Some moved quickly, such as New Jersey. Others refused to make changes, while the likes of New York put it to a vote before adding any amendments into law.
How can I bet online?
To place online sports bets you must have a registered account with a licensed and regulated bookmaker. You can browse the options and see what is best for you, but before you can gamble, you must register. This is quick and easy to do, and you must complete the process only once. On future visits to your betting account, you can log in with your username and password.
How do I register?
The quickest, easiest, and most secure way to register an account with a licensed online betting app is by following the steps below. This process applies to all respected bookies.
Visit the homepage of your chosen bookie and click the register button
Fill in the registration form with all required information
Create a memorable but secure username and password
Make your first deposit and place a bet
There are terms and conditions attached to all online bookies, and we advise you read the small print in full before creating your account. Doing so will ensure you understand how the site works and what is expected of you as a member.
Will I receive a welcome bonus?
Many online betting sites and apps give new customers a welcome bonus. This is a promotion used by the marketing team to encourage you to choose their site over the competition. They come in many different forms, but the most popular at present is the deposit matched free bet.
This is a free bet given to new customers upon registering and placing their first gamble. In most cases, free bets are equal in value to your first deposit and wager. For example, if you create an account, deposit $50, and bet it on an NFL match you will see a $50 free bet added to your account balance. The freebie can be used to gamble on the sports and markets of your choosing but the stake isn’t included in any winnings.
In this episode of Downtown Highlights, we visited Funny Face Bakery, where they make a variety of very detailed, hand-piped cookies.
About Funny Face Bakery
Funny Face Bakery They are located in the Seaport District at 6 Fulton St, New York, NY 10038
Funny Face Bakery was founded in 2016, Sarah Silverman opened her first bakery in East Village. She gained attention for her cupcakes, made with Swiss meringue buttercream. Silverman debuted her face cookies in August 2016 for the first time with the faces of the 2016 Presidential Candidates. These cookies quickly gained a lot of attention. As a result, Silverman hired a cookie decorating team to keep up with the demand.
Some classic cookies at Funny Face Bakery: Kim Kardashian Crying, Leonardo DiCaprio as the Great Gatsby, You’re Doing Amazing Sweetie Meme, and an Adidas Sneaker.
Each cookie is made with a laser printer cookie cutter to ensure each cookie is the exact shape needed. Cookies go through two rounds of icing, first a base coat of icing and then the detailed hand piping. The making of one cookie can take 20 to 30 minutes to make depending on how involved the design is.
Five deluxe cookies at Funny Face Bakery: Chocolate Chip, Rainbow Crumbfetti, Double Chocolate, S’mores, and Oatmeal Raisin
They also have freshly baked, 6-ounce deluxe cookies that come in flavors including double chocolate, chocolate chip, oatmeal raisin, and more.
Some of Funny Face’s best-selling cookies are the Kardashian cookies, the Harry Style Cookies, the Birthday-themed Cookies, and the Mean Girl’s themed cookies. Funny Face Bakery’s animal cookies, such as the horses and dinosaurs, are very popular among kids. They will also make personalized cookies of your face or your pet, the perfect gift for someone who loves sweets.
Tasting the Cookies at Funny Face Bakery
These cookies taste as beautiful as they look! Since Funny Face Bakery has not yet developed gluten-free options, Sam did the tasting in this episode. First, she tries a birthday-themed decorated cookie. This cookie was absolutely beautiful and sweet. She almost felt bad for eating such a detailed piece of art. The second cookie Sam tries is the deluxe double chocolate cookie. This cookie was so gooey and soft, and of course, very chocolatey.
Funny Face Bakery is Something Really Special
This bakery is one of a kind. There are no other bakeries nearby that create as detailed and beautiful cookies as Funny Face Bakery. Also, Funny Face is in on internet culture, allowing them to relate well with people, especially younger generations, with their celebrity and meme cookies. Funny Face Bakery is definitely worth the visit!
For more Downtown Highlights episodes, click here.
Communication between teens and parents is notoriously tough. It has been fodder for hundreds of coming-of-age stories. CODA (2021), whose title is an acronym for “Child of Deaf Adult,” tells the story of a teenager whose parents and older brother are all deaf and her struggle to find her voice and be seen through her love of singing. This simple premise alone breathes new life into a coming-of-age story and infuses every moment with detail and love.
Ruby Rossi grows up in Gloucester, MA, the only hearing member of her family. All her life, she has acted as the ears and as translator for her mother, father, and brother. When her senior year comes around, she picks choir, mostly to impress a boy. There, she finds her voice through song, a talent she had never been able to share or express with her family. As Ruby starts to move toward her dream of attending a university of the arts, her family moves toward their dream, one that relies heavily on Ruby as their translator. The plot follows the tension between the two as life forces Ruby to choose between expressing her family’s voice or her own.
CODA is a remake of a 2014 French film, La Famille Bélier, which it sometimes mirrors shot for shot. It is one of those examples of what I consider to be a justified remake. They took a look at the movie and said to themselves, “No, we can do better.” The original was a comedy, played much more for laughs, with most Deaf characters played by hearing actors. Much of the humor is at the expense of the Deaf characters. The emphasis on comedy takes the impact away from some of the strongest scenes in the story.
The core story is a simple one: a family trying to get by and a girl expressing herself and getting the boy. What sets it apart, what forms its soul, is outside of language. There are two moments in this movie that, I believe, describe the experience of music better than anything else I’ve seen. The first is when Ruby’s choir teacher, Bernardo Villalobos, asks her what it feels like to sing. Unable to describe it aloud (before joining choir, nobody outside of her family had been around while she sang, so no one had ever heard it), she expresses herself through ASL. It is a moving moment, something that cannot be said out loud. The second example, equally if not more moving, is much deeper into the story, but I think you will know it when you get there.
There is something in CODA, a certain je ne sais quoi (if we want to, like CODA, borrow from the French) that transcends language. Like music, it is something that you have to feel to understand. It demonstrates a deep understanding of its subject matter, displays stunning performances throughout, complete with great chemistry in the cast, especially the Rossi family. But that doesn’t entirely cover it.
There is only one real way to understand the heart of CODA and those making it: watch it. Please. Go to a theater if it’s showing there. Hop on Apple TV, or head to your friend’s house if they have it. Watch this movie.
In 2011, magician and illusionist Matias Letelier followed the love of his life and now wife, Marlana to the United States.
Her “souvenir from Chile”, as he calls himself, Matias became a proponent of the American dream. Since then, he has been practicing magic for 23 years, professionally since 2005.
Today, Matias is known as one of the most elite magicians in the country, and you can be a part of the magic, right here in NYC.
Matias Performing at one of his “Pick Pocket” events
Magical Beginnings
Matias Letelier’s story of getting involved in magic is a divine one. It began with an inherited magic library and has manifested into his career. Matias enlightens us with the fact that the practice of magic by showing it has meaning and spirituality, with deep roots and religious ties.
He now shares his talents with New York City, as the city’s resident magician, brimming with Infectious charisma, charm, and friendliness. As a dedicated man to his craft, Matias did not stop amid the pandemic. He put smiles back on faces and put the awe back into people’s hearts with his Zoom magic sessions.
Downtown: What inspired you to become an illusionist & mentalist?
Matias Letelier: I never, ever, ever, thought about pursuing magic as a career. But while I was studying business, there were 4 elements that inspired me to become an illusionist & mentalist:
1) I inherited a magic library from my uncle who suffered an accident and passed away in 2004. He was a businessman but also an extremely talented magician (he did it as a hobby). Imagine myself getting so many magic books!
2) After his accident, every time I performed for his daughter (who was 3 by then) she would “see” her dad and invited him to join the show. It was crazy, and my grandmother and mom (who are fervent Christians) told me it was almost like a miracle! So I started doing a trick in his memory in every show… and thought about continuing his legacy.
3) Along with my friends at the Business school, spending 2 weeks each summer and winter in lower-income areas of our country helping them fix their houses, and then in the afternoon, we would teach them about marketing, finance, accountability, and other business skills. Then in the late afternoon, we would have some fun activities and I was in charge of the entertainment for being a magician. The shows were very simple but with so much heart that people were super excited. This is where I learned that I had a way to connect with people which made them feel happy.
4) Finally, at the business school one of my teachers told me “you should mix your passion/hobby with marketing… then you’ll have a unique business”. I thought to myself “I have the passion, the magic skills, and marketing knowledge, and most importantly, I have the story of my uncle… maybe I should do magic for a living”… 16 years after, here I am. I’m so happy and thankful for all the many blessings I’ve received so far.
DT: What is the difference between magic, and illusionism?
ML: For me, there are magicians and illusionists. Magicians were the real deal in ancient times. But they have nothing to do with the modern illusionist. While magicians were pursuing the enlightenment or spiritual connection with the divinity (God, samadhi, Heaven, etc), the illusionist tried to create the “illusion” that they were able to do the same as these magicians. For example, an ancient magician would have the ability to “read” someone’s mind and body and know exactly what was happening with them. Then they will recommend a course of action. On the other side, mentalists (which is an area in illusionism), do a few tricks to pretend they can read someone’s mind, just to reveal the number you were thinking of or the name of a loved one. In other words, magic was meant to achieve a higher state of consciousness associated with your spiritual life, while illusionists just try to entertain you.
DT: Can you tell us a bit about your performance styles and what kind of events you cover?
ML: My performance style includes strolling close-up magic and stage performances with big illusions. Although in recent years I’ve started incorporating many elements from mentalism. And I’ve done it all: private yachts in the Caribbean, cruise ships, big theaters, small theaters, clubs, hotels, private events, and corporate events all over the world.
DT: What do your performances entail? Which “trick” is the biggest crowd-pleaser?
ML: I focus on high energy and interactions. For me, the most important part is to connect with the audience. I usually become friends with my audience (even in a 10 min routine), and then it feels like I’m a friend showing them some secret skills. I have a very warm approach to the audience, more so than other magicians, this is a great benefit.
DT: It appears that you can speak four languages: native Spanish, fluent English, medium Portuguese, and basic French. Does that ever come in handy when practicing magic?
ML: Not so much when practicing, but definitely when performing. Many times I have international audiences, clients will book me because they know that I can speak different languages. People feel much more comfortable when I speak their language. Besides, it’s fun for me and they enjoy the extra effort, when I pronounce the words correctly. Even though I might not be able to do a full show in French, the fact that I can do a few tricks and communicate with them, shows them I care. People care about you when you show them that you truly care about them and make the effort.
DT: What gets you the most excited about performing?
ML: I don’t smoke, I don’t do drugs, I don’t drink. Seriously. But when I’m out performing I get a “magicians’ high”. My wife says it is because I perform with passion. I’m not focusing on the clock. I’m just out there enjoying myself, getting to know new people, learning from their stories, and sharing some magic. It makes me so happy, and I feel my audience feed off of that energy the same way I feed on their reactions and energy. To experience that is one of my favorite and exciting things during my preformance.
DT: You base your work mostly out of New York City. Where is your favorite spot to perform?
ML: Even though I’ve been lucky to bring my magic all over the world, my favorite spot in NY is Speakeasy Magick at the famous McKittrick Hotel. Todd Robbins invited me to be part of this along with the best magicians in NYC – and I’m not telling you this because I’m part of the show – but this is without a doubt, the best magic show in NYC. Why? Because we created a unique experience that happens right in front of you, in the club car at the McKittrick Hotel, a place that is so cool that you have to experience it to see what everyone is talking about. This show always puts a smile on my face, plus everyone behind the show, including all the amazing performers, and staff, are simply the best.
DT: What do you love most about NYC?
ML: Do we have time? (laugh). So many things. The diversity of cultures, all the entertainment options, the great restaurants, the social life, the fact that the different social classes mix in every block, all the activities happening in every corner no matter where you are, Speakeasy Magick, and, of course, from here you can travel anywhere in the world. I mean, how can you not love this city?
For more on entertainment from Downtown, click here.
To read our Downtown Q&A with musician Seth Kessel, click here.
