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.

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.

• Uniforms of the U.S. Navy
  
• Uniforms of the U.S. Marine Corps

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!

~

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.

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.

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.

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

HighLine Ballroom

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.

Free Red Mango Fro-Yo this Saturday!

This morning in AMNY there was a COUPON for a FREE Small Tangomonium Fro-Yo with 1 Topping at red mango.

If you didn't grab the coupon, don't you fret! You can still...

TRY IT FREE

on

Saturday May 2nd, 2009 from 12PM-4PM.

Click here for the COUPON!

Click here for red mango locations.

NOTE: At participating red mango locations. Best to call first to make sure your local fro-yo shop is participating!

See you there!

New NYP Library Branch at Grand Central!

GRAND OPENING at Grand Central!

Are you a commuter who doesn't have time in the hustle and bustle of the City to go to the library? How about a professional who wants to finally join the masses and read Twilight? Or how about a NYPL patron who needs to return that overdue DVD before your 9am meeting that lasts all day?

Well, now whether before work, after work or when you pop out to Grand Central Market to grab your lunch you can also quick pop over to the NEW Grand Central New York Public Library Branch to grab a book, dvd, CD, etc!

The branch is already open and TODAY they are having a Grand Opening Celebration at 4:30pm with music, light refreshments and more!

NYPL Grand Central Branch

135 East 46th Street [btwn Lex & 3rd Aves]

Monday-Thursday: 8-7

Friday: 8-5

Saturday: 10-5

For more information click here.

J Crew Sample Sale! 70% OFF!

Want to look tres posh like Michelle Obama,

Cheap Chic style?

Then head to the J. Crew Sample Sale going on this week!

Yes, you did miss going yesterday, but all this week from 10AM-7PM, TODAY through FRIDAY April 17th, you can shop for J.Crew stock & sample clothing & accessories. It's up to 70% OFF Retail Prices! Plus if you have a little one, Crewcuts is hosting their sample sale as well.

This sale is hosted by Clothingline at:

261 W 36th Street

(between 7th & 8th Ave)

2nd Floor

New York, NY 10018

NOTE: Dressing room will be CLOSED for the duration of this sale.

UPDATE: NOT FREE- Museum of the City of New York

This morning the Cheap Chic took Lexisworks (who is visiting from CO and a cheap chic herself) all the way up to East Harlem (on a Sunday morning, at 10am) to the Museum of the City of New York. As I stated in a previous post, on Sundays from 10am-12pm, the Museum has FREE admission. Plus, it's a fabulous museum to share with out-of-town visitors as it has some great exhibitions on NYC and really just in general.

However, when we went to collect our tickets this morning we were informed that...

The Museum of the City of New York

NO LONGER HAS FREE ADMISSION ON SUNDAYS.

When I asked the Admissions employee when this change took affect and he said he just found out THIS MORNING when he came on his shift.

Now I know times are hard, especially for museums in this economy, but not having free admission for (a measly) 2 HOURS a week (on a Sunday, no less) AND not updating this information on their website (especially since I checked the website right before leaving to catch the subway)??

Additionally, ADULT ADMISSION INCREASED to $10 per adult
(also not updated on their website).

NOT COOL. SO NOT COOL.

Shame on the Museum of the City of New York. At least they should have updated their website before making the change. And maybe switching the policy to Pay-What-You-Wish on Sundays??? Just a thought...

Here's a Cheap Chic tip for you. Information on a website or from personal experience is not always accurate. Call ahead of time (especially in this economy).


Also don't forget The Frick Collection is Pay-What-You-Wish from 11AM-1PM on EVERY SUNDAY.

Snuggie Pub Crawl...FREE!

Snuggie in the bar....Snuggie in the park....Snuggie on the subway....

Yes, it's true!
You can now take your Snuggie ANYWHERE!

And best of all, today there is a FREE Snuggie Pub Crawl with other Snuggie Lovers through through Manhattan. Now your Snuggie obsession can be shared with the World!

It kicks off today at the bar called (you guessed it) The Snug @ 1pm.

For more information on the pub crawl, go to Snuggiefest.com.

For more information on "The Snuggie" go to getsnuggie.com.

Live Theater for ONLY 10 BUCKS! Tartuffe!

Breadline News:

"All over the City, New Yorkers are being swindled by high theater prices. More and more theater seats are left vacant as New Yorkers stand up and say "We're not gonna take it...Anymore!" and head downtown to the Seaport to see
Tartuffe at the Dog Run Rep."

~

Dear Sassalicious, Cheap (but chic) Readers of mine,

Pockets nearly empty? Need a cheap date idea that doesn't include digging up your old, dirty student I.D. and dawning what you think are "hipsterish" clothes so you get a discount at the movies? Well, don't you fret. Dawn that "top hat, white tie and tails" & show a little class by taking your latest guy or doll to some old-fashioned, high-falutin' theater on the cheap!


Use this CODE: TT410 to get 10 BUCK tickets (Reg. $18) on select performances of this comic romp! Then watch ditzy socialites get duped by a Con-Man in Depression-Era New York City, while you lean back knowing you got the hottest deal in town!

I'll be there in my Sunday best....will you?

Cordially,

Elle* a.k.a. The Cheap Chic

212-868-4444

@ Seaport! 210 Front Street South Street Seaport New York, NY 10038 (30 minutes before curtain)

www.SmartTix.com Click Here

Terms and Limitations: This offer is only valid for March 18th at 8:00pm, March 21st at 2:00pm, March 22nd at 7:00pm and March 25th at 8:00pm. This offer is valid for new purchases only and is subject to availability. This offer may be revoked at any time and may not be combined with other offers. Limit 8 tickets per order and normal service charges apply.

Seamless Lunch

Last Monday, I had a dentist appointment. I loathe the dentist to the point that I have to consciously restrain myself from not biting the hygienist's fingers off by very politely gripping my hands on my lap and mantra-ing "I will not bite the hygienist. I will not bite the hygienist. I will not bite the hygienist even a little bit..."

Well, I ended up not biting the hygienist and with my "goodie" bag of flosses, toothbrushes and a gum stimulator (Kid you not! There is actually a product called a "gum stimulator" on the market.) in hand, I trudged to work.

As I was walking down Lex, I thought about a pick-me-up lunch that would sooth my battered mouth. The problem always is that in the Midtown Manhattan area, lunch averages around $8-10. That, of course, is way too much for the Cheap Chic.

And that's when I had an idea! After seeing adverts all over the City for the website, I went back to my office and logged on to Seamlessweb.com.

Seamlessweb.com is a website where one can order sustenance for delivery or pick-up from a variety of restaurants & delis in 14 metro areas across the US and the UK ONLINE! That's right, folks. I didn't have to leave my desk to order lunch. Also I chose what time I wanted to pick up my lunch, showed up to the restaurant & there was my lunch, waiting just for me. Quick signature (I paid for my lunch online with my Bank card & since I picked it up there was no delivery tip) and I was eating lunch within 5 minutes.

"Seamless, eh?"


BEST OF ALL, after some Cheap Chic internet searching, I found a COUPON CODE that offered me $5 OFF my order on Seamlessweb. Therefore, my original $8.13 lunch (hot, fully cooked & non poisonous lunch, a vast departure from my usual lunch) ended up being only $3.13, which is even cheaper than the food cart!!!!!

"What a deal!!"

Now I want to share this deal with you, gentle reader:

Just sign up for Seamlessweb.com, make an order and in the

Promo Code box at the Checkout type in:
SEAMLESS123456.

Other cheap peeps claim that this COUPON CODE:

SEAMLESS1234

will get you 30% off of your order

all the time, anytime (unless the restaurant already offers a discount). I'm going to try it soon and I'll let ya'll know how it works!

So, if one day you forget your brown bag, don't fret. Just head to Seamlessweb for a Cheap Chic type of lunch deal. And, of course, share your comments on the blog!

NOTE: Pick-up is only available in Murray Hill, Midtown Manhattan, and the Financial District. Therefore, most ordering on Seamless is for delivery, so make sure you factor in the cost of the delivery tip.

Belly Up to the Cheap Bar!

Economic woes got you down? Want to go to a place "where everybody knows your name and their always glad you came"? Well, this ain't Boston- Buddy, but there is one think New Yorkers have perfected: Happy Hour with Strangers.

That's right. At the end of a long workday, nothing is better than bellying up to the bar and kickin' back a few (or four or more) with the drunk and drunker of New York's working masses. However, also with these economic times may come the urge to save, save, save (even on drinking!)!

Well have I got the site for you.

Drink Deal is the real deal.

Separated by Neighborhood in Manhattan and including Brooklyn (sadly there are no drink deals for Queenies at this time), not only do they showcase Happy Hour deals, but also other Specials such as: All-You-Can-Drink/Open Bar Specials, Wine/Margaritas/Mojitos/Fancy Drink Specials, Entertainment Specials (can anyone say Karaoke?), and Food Specials (to vom up later). The site also directs you to Gay Bars, Hooka Bars, Ladies Night Bars, and Smoking Bars to name a few...

Searching the site itself is *intoxicating*. Imagine what will happen when you actually gallivant to one of these fine establishments.....