Tuesday, May 26, 2009

Commercial-Free Comedy- TODAY ONLY!

"Are you 'avin' a laugh?"

If not, then head to Hulu (your source for television & films online) TODAY for

Commercial-FREE Comedy.

~

While you're there, I suggest watching the Series Pilot of

Glee

I think it's most exciting television premiere since The Office (Coming to Fox this Fall) and we all know television has been kinda sucking in the aftermath of the Writers' Strike.

You can also chill out to some Simpsons, 30 Rock, Family Guy, or Arrested Development as well as many comedy films such as The 40 Year Old Virgin, Bring It On and Ice Age to name a few.

CLICK HERE to start laughing.

Monday, May 25, 2009

Sinatra, Kelly and Miller, On the Town & in Times Square!

After you roll out of bed today, gentle reader, head to Times Square to watch...a movie?

That's right! The Times Square Alliance is closing off Times Square to motorized traffic and opening up Times Square to you from 42nd St to 47th St. The Alliance has been setting out beach chairs all morning so you have a place to sit back and relax to watch this quintessentially New York film.

FREE MOVIE in TIMES SQUARE!



What: FREE public airing of the Oscar winning 1949 film “On the Town” starting Frank Sinatra and Gene Kelly.*

When: Memorial Day, May 25th at NOON.

Where: Broadway & 47th Street

Why: In celebration of Memorial Day Weekend, the opening of the new “Green Light for Midtown” Pedestrian Plazas and the last day of Fleet Week in NYC.


FREE RIBS!!!

Also Virgil’s Real Barbecue from Noon until 2pm in front of Times Square Information Center (7th Ave between 46th & 47th St) to enjoy a sampling of Virgil’s Ribs – while supplies last.


*Made possible by Turner Classic Movies and Clear Channel Spectacolor.

Friday, May 22, 2009

Fleeters Beware: How to Tell if your Sailor is a Real or a Fake

Ladies and Gentleman start your engines...

We are currently in the midst of

Fleet Week 2009


It is shaping up to look like a wet and wild (thunderstorms are a brewin') three-day weekend and the sailors are on the town and fleeting through all the hotspots, bars and streets that they can lay their hands on!

However, just because that lad or lassie is in a cute, little, white suit or military garb doesn't mean they're for real. It may not be widely known, but right before Fleet Week, costume stores tend to sell and rent out all their sailor gear. Let's just say that some people might be interested in getting in on the copious amount of presumed "tail" sailors can partake of this week.

But wait Fleeters!


Have no fear!

The Cheap Chic is here!

I've complied some PRACTICAL TIPS to finding out if your Sailor is the REAL DEAL (A little knowhow goes a long way...).
~
TIP #1: Actually know what a sailor looks like. I know this sounds like "Duh!," but while some sailors look like they've stepped off the set of On the Town, some don't. You don't want to question a sailor's true authenticity without some backup knowhow.
TIP #2: Order a round (and in case you're wonderin', you're buyin'. These individuals serve our country. They deserve a drink or more on you. It's your duty.) and cheers to the unofficial motto of the U.S. Navy, "Non sibi sed patriae" (Not self but country). If your sailor looks like a deer caught in the headlights, throw that fish back.

TIP #3: Say to your sailor that you heard another sailor singing a song about "Anchors or something..." If she starts singing or mentions the song "Anchors Aweigh," the unofficial service song of the Navy, she's a good fish.

TIP #4: If a sailor says he is an Admiral and looks under the age of old, dump him. That's a 4 Star rank and is attained through a life of service to our country.

TIP #5: Browse through this Glossary of U.S. Navy Slang. Yes, alot of the slang is derogatory, but this is no big surprise. However, it is useful to know. For instance, if another sailor says that the sailor you're hitting on is a "Hot Dog" (A sexually active male sailor), at least you know what you're getting into.

TIP #6:
Not to state the obvious, but if you are going to partake in some tail, WRAP IT UP! Click here for a list where you can score some FREE NYC Condoms (and lube!).

Above all, HAVE FUN!

And DON'T FORGET...

Honor our Sailors

Buy them drinks
and Thank them
for their service to our county!

~

Thursday, May 21, 2009

SATURDAY GUIDE: $1 Flip Flops!

That's right, folks...

Time to stock up for the Summer!

SATURDAY ONLY
(May 23rd)

at

OLD NAVY

FLIP FLOPS
(solid color only)

are ONLY

$1


For that price you can buy red for your mother, blue for your brother and all the colors of the RAINBOW for others!

NOTE: For the best NYC location, I recommend the Old Navy by Manhattan Mall (144-150 W 34th St). Their customer service is the tops and their downstairs dressing room looks like a luau and smells like cupcakes. What could be better?!?

Wednesday, May 20, 2009

TOMORROW: FREE YOGA

Stressful day?
In meetings all day and want to work out that seat laden butt?
Just want to unwind...albeit
in the middle of a busy Metropolis during rush hour?


Then after work head over to the
Southwest Corner of the Bryant Park Lawn
for
FREE YOGA
from
6pm-7pm

~All ages, all levels~

If you don't have a mat, don't worry. One will be provided (you can also supply your own).

NOTE: If Lawn is closed, classes are held in front of the Bryant Monument, between the Bryant Park Grill and Cafe.





In case of rain
, please call 212-768-4242.





Can't make this class?
Come back next Thursday for the rest of the summer,
SAME TIME, SAME PLACE.

These classes are made possible by lululemon athletica.

Tuesday, May 19, 2009

The Philanthropist: The 2-for-1 Review

Sometimes there is a reason something is 2-for-1.

Such was the case with The Philanthropist.

When entering the American Airlines Theatre for a night of Broadway frivolities, my party of four was quite happy to join me as the tickets were cheap to begin with and two-for-one to boot. However, they were more than a bit less joyful when we left. Further, they were even less amused when they found out that my seatmate had been surreptitiously passing me M&Ms and I had been hoarding them to myself. Not only had I made this social faux pas, but when I finally was successful in secretly opening my bottle of Fuel: The 7 Hour Energy Shot (in my pocket for most of the second half of the play; I got skills...) and fake yawned to take a swig, I did not share this either, even though my guests were nodding off around me. Of course, by the time I was able to consume said bottle the play ended five minutes later, hence why I am awake now writing this musing.

But I meander....(kind of like the play).....

The Philanthropist is a play about a British English professor in the Seventies during (I guess?) a few days in his life...when things happen. If you want something deeper than that you should probably ask the playwright (or an English Professor), because that's all I got out of it.

To begin with, the characters spent far too great of time in the discussion of rhetoric, such as hyperboles and anagrams. The only time my ears perked was during a digression regarding cunnilingus and even then the subject was not dissected to my full satisfaction. The highlight of the play was when a gentleman in the audience a few rows ahead of us found something mundanely funny and chuckled so loud and boisterously that we couldn't stop our tittering for a full two minutes.

Further, I think the philanthropic thing would be for the Theatre to hand out free flasks of sherry or scotch for the audience to slowly swirl in their mouths during the play (at least it would entertain most of them). This play, like scotch, is best enjoyed after a full dinner, when one is relaxed and would rather leave the talking (and quite possibly the listening ) to someone else and quite frankly, is a bit in the bag (like the gentleman a few rows ahead of us).

Overall, it was not, how shall we say this...my cup of tea.

However, one thing I've learned from life is that the more disagreeable something is the more likely you are to encounter it. This will be the case when I accompany my tourist guests to what I advertised to them as “Ferris Bueller on Broadway” with non-refundable tickets to this play this coming Saturday. However, this time I won't worry about having that extra glass of wine at dinner and I won't forget my flask (and maybe a few more to share).

NOTE: There is no notice in the theater, but within the first ten minutes something quite violent happens that includes brain/blood splatter on the white wall behind one of the actors (you can let your mind meander). Therefore, anyone who cares not to see this, should turn their head away.

Monday, May 18, 2009

TOMORROW MORNING: Tai Chi at Bryant Park

Rise and shine you sleepy head!


Why don't you roll out of bed tomorrow morning and center your mind before the start of your day with...

Tai Chi in Bryant Park

Class begins at 7:30AM, lasts an hour and is held at the Fountain Terrace.

Classes are for all ages and experience levels,
so there is no excuse not to start pushing hands.


Best of all, it's FREE!

NOTE: Classes are held rain or shine.


Can't make it tomorrow?
  • FREE Tai Chi is held in Bryant Park every Tuesday and Thursday morning for the rest of the summer.

Tai Chi and Eternal Spring are instructed by members of the Tai Chi Chuan Center.

Saturday, May 16, 2009

TODAY: 9th Ave International Food Festival


Since the days of old (well, actually in this instance 1973) street fairs have been a way for local vendors to hock their wares everything from a fresh chicken (with it's head just cut off) to a pint of Mead.

Nowadays things are a bit different, but not completely so. You can still get street meat (fully cooked, of course), but there are also offerings of suckling pig and quail stuffed with fresh Greek spices and feta cheese, mango barbecue wings, and jambalaya. Well, at least at this delectable street fair.

Welcome to a day of amazing food, fun and frivolity
(and of course, the regular funnel cake and I LOVE NY T-Shirt vendors). There will also be live music and performances scattered throughout the festival (from Irish maidens to belly dancers).

9th Ave International Food Festival
9th Ave from 37th to 57th St
FREE to attend
(food prices from $1 UP)
9:30AM-6:30PM


For more information click here.

Tuesday, May 12, 2009

FREE Häagen-Dazs® Bee-Built Ice Cream! TODAY!

Häagen-Dazs® loves bees!

Why?

Because bees pollenate many of the ingredients that go into their delicious ice cream (and 1/3 of our food supply)!

So in honor of the bees from 4PM-8PM TODAY you can get a FREE Single Scoop of ANY Bee-Built Ice Cream Flavors.

Click here to find your local Häagen-Dazs® shop.

NOTE: For the NYC area, make sure you call first to make sure they are participating in the promotion.


For MORE information on the HONEY BEE CRISIS, Click here.

Monday, May 11, 2009

Bryant Park Summer Movies in the Park: Films Just Announced!

For all of you following bryantparknyc on Twitter, you not only got clues to guess the films for the 2009 HBO Bryant Park Summer Film Festival the last few days, but found out hours ago what the new films were before the titles were released on the Bryant Park Website.

So what is the Bryant Park Summer Film Festival?


The BPFilm Fest is FREE Outdoor Classic Movie Screenings in Bryant Park every Monday night during the summer (starting June 15th and ending August 17th). The lawn opens at 5PM for picnicking and the films start at dusk (usually 8 or 9pm).

So dust off your blanket and your picnic basket, rouse up some friends (and a couple of bottles of 3 Buck Chuck, even though technically alcohol isn't allowed in the Park) and make sure to spend your Monday Evenings this Summer watching FREE Movies in the middle of Manhattan. Trust me. It's an experience you will never forget!

2009 Bryant Park Movie Schedule

June
~Mon 15~

The Sting
~Mon 22~
Breaking Away
~Mon 29~
Gold Diggers of 1933

July
~Mon 6~
Dog Day Afternoon
~Mon 13~
How Green Was My Valley
~Mon 20~
Harold and Maude
~Mon 27~
The Defiant Ones

August
~Mon 3~

Kramer vs. Kramer
~Mon 10~
The Magnificent Seven
~Mon 17~
Close Encounters of the Third Kind

Postage Stamps Increased! NOW 44c for a Stamp!

Yes, it's true.
United States Postal Service has increased the price of postage stamps AGAIN.

After the 1cent increase in 2008 from 41c to 42c, the price of stamps has risen again. However, this time it is a 2c increase from 42c to
44¢.



From here on out, I recommend ONLY buying the Forever Stamps. These stamps are valid, well, FOREVER. That way you will never send out a bill or letter and have it sent back for insufficient postage. Plus, it looks like there will be another postage increase next year.

NEW PRICES
  • First-class letter (1 oz.) 44¢
  • Postcard is now 28¢
  • Large first-class envelope (1 oz.) 88¢
Click here to find out the new mailing prices for all services.

And for all of you triva junkies, I found a few stories from mental_floss, one of my favorite magazines EVER, to share with you:

Sunday, May 10, 2009

FREE BBQ, Ice Cream, Mini-Golf & Music TODAY!

It's a beautiful day, so why not head over to Bushwick Country Club (which really isn't a Country Club or located in Bushwick) with the rest of the cheap hipsters and enjoy a mellow sunny afternoon in their back garden. Play a round of FREE Mini-Golf and enjoy FREE Stuff!

2PM-7PM TODAY
(and for the rest of the summer)

they are serving up
FREE BBQ
,
FREE Music,
FREE Mini-Golf

and the best is
FREE Maker's Mark Vanilla Ice Cream Milkshakes
.



Bushwick Country Club

618 Grand St @ Leonard
Williamsburg
Take the L or G trains
to Lorimer / Metropolitan

88c Soft Serve @ Baskin Robbins!

For a limited time, Baskin Robbins is offering 88cent Soft Serve. Sure, its only vanilla (I tried to order a twist cone & they had no idea what I was talking about), but its a great summer treat and why not treat yourself? It comes to 95cents with tax in NYC. Less than a buck for soft serve? I'm down.


Click here to find the store nearest you.

Hedda Lettuce Needs Our Help! Vote Now!

Our dear friend Hedda Lettuce, the fabulous hostess with the most-ess of Chelsea Cinema Classics needs our help. She has decided to run for RuPaul's Drag Race.



Please read her plea below and vote for her. Then you will be able to catch her sassaliciousness every week for FREE on Logo! Sure, we will miss her at the cinema for a while, but we don't want to be greedy. She needs to share her greenie fabulousness with the world!

Click here to VOTE NOW!


You can vote
ONCE EVERY 24 HOURS

so don't forget to put it on your calendar everyday!!

~

Hello gentle Americans. Since I have decided to run for RuPaul’s DRAG RACE I have had so much lovely support and the occasional reaction of bewilderment. “Why Hedda with your fame and notoriety would enter the competition? Can’t you leave it for the less well known gals?” I understand where they are coming from and I have actually asked myself the same question. Though I have asked it while soaking in tub of bubbles, my green hair wrapped in an Egyptian cotton towel, while sipping on a glass of champagne as some young stud paints my toenails. And do you know the answer I came up with? “I love drag and all it has offered me over the years and why not celebrate my love for drag with the rest of the world?” Show the skeptics, the naysayers, the perverts, the fans, the enemies and the chaste that Hedda’s still got it.” Not the clap assholes, I’ve got what it takes to be household name. And frankly I don’t want to do it by being on COPS so Drag Race is a natural choice. Though now that I think about it being thrown over the warm hood of a cop car by a burly man in blue sounds quite appetizing. Hmm, what crime could I commit that would cause a stir? I could smuggle drugs in my ass and try to cross the boarder? Instead of drug mule I would be a drag mule, now ain’t that a kick?

Stay fresh,










Click here
to VOTE NOW!

Saturday, May 9, 2009

TODAY: FREE reasons to be pretty at BORDERS. 5PM.

If you are out and about TODAY, then swing by BORDERS at Columbus Circle (in the Time Warner Center) and meet writer Neil LaBute, director Terry Kinney and the cast of reasons to be pretty at 5PM. They will be performing and discussing the play. Plus there will be a play signing too!



For more information about this Broadway comedy, click here to visit the website.

SUNDAY GUIDE: Tofu Takedown! $10!

The brilliant foodie organizer behind events such as the infamous Chili Takedown, Bacon Takedown and Fondue Takedown, Matt Timms, is back! His latest takedown has the Foodie Gladiators tackling their most challenging food yet...

TOFU!


$10 lets you sample tofu masterpieces from 30 chefs vying for the $100 People's Choice Award and title of Grandmaster of Tofu (or some such title).

This event takes place TOMORROW, May 10, 2009 at
431 West 16th Street, Manhattan

Doors open @ 4:30PM

AVOID THE LONG TICKET LINES (and the potential for the food to be all gone):
Order your tickets Online!
Click here.


NOTE: The artist behind this Glad-tastic advert is Matthew Langland.

Cheap Chic Updates!

Starting TODAY, the Cheap Chic is going to boldly go where she has never gone before...

No, not to see the new Star Trek movie (It's opening weekend and got Amazing reviews. See it, if you can get tickets...).

The Cheap Chic is going to post at least,

2 POSTS A DAY

in honor of the start of Summer in the City 2009.

It's true. The start of the Summer in the City is almost upon us. Everywhere you look the slow creep of THE TOURISTS is upon us. They are starting to stand in the middle of our sidewalks snapping photos with their Cannons and Nixons. They are deftly squeezing (like that is even possible) into our trains with their X-large maps and fannypacks. And Times Square is officially off limits if you want to retain your sanity (and deter acquiring even more NYC-jadedness).

However, if you avoid the big touristy spots, you can have an enjoyable and CHEAP summer in what I like to call off-the-tourist-path. If you don't mind big crowds of New Yorkers (and if you don't, you probably shouldn't be living here) then there are many CHEAP and FREE events that are starting in the City.

So stay tuned!

DON'T FORGET!
  1. Friend the Elle Cheap Chic on FACEBOOK!
  2. Follow cheapchicsguide on TWITTER! Also, sometimes I post TWITTER ONLY updates (especially if they are time sensitive), so follow TODAY!

Tuesday, May 5, 2009

FREE Spa Services for Cinco de Mayo!

Before heading out for some cervazas and tequila why not treat your feet to a Margarita...foot scrub that is! Or how about your face to an organic Pomegrante Martini.....mask!

Then head over to Vada Spa for their FREE Spa Party TODAY from 12pm to 7pm in honor of Cinco de Mayo! First come, first served. Try any one of the spa services listed below for FREE!

  • FREE- Laser hair removal- for the Lip OR Chin OR Underarm

  • FREE- Eyebrow wax OR Lip wax
  • FREE- Organic Face Mask- Pomegranate Martini OR Strawberry Coconut

  • FREE- Mini Acupuncture

  • FREE- Margarita Foot Scrub- Coconut/Lime OR Papaya/Mango

And while you're there if you are interested in booking future services or buying gift certificates (possibly for Mom's Day?) either are 30% OFF.


~

Vada Spa

387 6th Avenue, Manhattan

(212.206.1572)

Monday, May 4, 2009

FREE Margaritas for Cinco de Mayo!



Tomorrow is Cinco de Mayo!

Time to throw back some tequila shots, cervezas and celebrate the amazing culture of Mexico (and to all you Germaphobics, I say to you swine flu be damned!)!

So why not head over to Whistlin' Dixie's Tavern for amazing specials including...

$3 Coronas ALL DAY!

Plus from 6-8pm enjoy FREE Chips & Salsa, $4 MONSTER Margaritas & $3 shots of Cabo Wabo Tequila!

And the best deal of them all...

R.S.V.P. to KatieJ@gmail.com
for

FREE Margaritas

from 5:30-7pm!

Click here for more details.

Check out the cowgirl gallery! View our menu!

Whistlin' Dixie's Texas Tavern
714 West 11th Ave
New York, NY 10019