New York Trivia Tuesday

During the holidays, visitors to Rockefeller Center's famed ice skating rink will glide next to the plaza's illuminated Prometheus statue, one of the most recognized public art pieces in the country.

Sculptor Paul Manship isn't the only famous artist who created works for Rockefeller Center, though. Diego Rivera created a mural for the lobby of the RCA building that sits on the plaza--but you can't see it today. That's because Nelson Rockefeller papered it over after Rivera refused to remove this famous figure from the mural:

a) Karl Marx
b) Jesus
c) Vladimir Lenin
d) Fidel Castro

Think you have the answer? Check back on Thursday for the answer to this week's trivia question!

Best of New York: Holiday Performances

The holiday season is finally here, and with it comes bright lights, shopping sales, and a wave of performances that celebrate the most wonderful time of the year. From classical music concerts to fantastical dance productions, celebrate the season with one of these New York twists on holiday classics.

The Nutcracker

Although most ballet companies recycle their productions of this classic holiday performance from year to year, the city’s preeminent company American Ballet Theatre is introducing a brand new production this season. With costumes by Tony award-winning Richard Hudson (of Lion King fame) and a focus on lavish storytelling, Alexei Ratmansky choreographs over 100 dancers in this premiere to some of Tchaikovsky’s most beloved music.

December 22-January 2, show times vary. BAM Howard Gilman Opera House, 30 Lafayette Ave, Brooklyn.
abt.org

Messiah

A staple of the holiday season, Handel’s oratorio is one of the most recognizable and most performed works of classical music in the world. Although there are several different performances in Manhattan, our favorite is at the historic Trinity Church in Lower Manhattan, built in 1696. The church’s resident choir, one of the best professional choirs in the city, is known for their performance of the Messiah, so soak up the music while enjoying the old building’s stained glass and vaulted ceilings.

December 12-13, 7:30 pm. 74 Trinity Place, Manhattan.
trinitywallstreet.org

Bargemusic

One of the most scenic concert venues in the five boroughs, Bargemusic lets you listen to classical selections while floating next to a pier on the East River, just underneath the Brooklyn Bridge. Their Christmas Eve concert will amp up the holiday magic, allowing you a view of the illuminated Manhattan skyline while providing chocolate treats and a crackling fire to go with the music: Steven Beck’s rendition of the Goldberg Variations.

December 24, 8 pm. Fulton Ferry Landing, Brooklyn.
bargemusic.org

Peter and the Wolf

Now in its fourth year, this holiday tradition, produced by Carnegie Hall at the famed Guggenheim museum, brings an all-ages musical favorite to New York for the season. Prokofiev’s classic musical story of a young boy and the animals he meets in the woods is performed by the Julliard Ensemble and narrated by celeb designer Isaac Mizrahi. This year, the production will be framed by an installation of contemporary Japanese sculptures, as well as the beautiful lines of the Frank Lloyd Wright building.

December 11-19, show times vary. 1071 Fifth Ave, Manhattan.
carnegiehall.org

Christmas Spectacular at Radio City Music Hall

The ultimate in classic New York holiday kitsch, the Rockettes are a must-see for visitors and New Yorkers alike. This precision dance troupe has been performing for 77 years, so you’ll be able to swap stories with your grandparents about the first time you saw their Christmas Spectacular, their iconic show featuring an original score, dramatic sets, and elaborate costumes. You’ll be in good company: over a million visitors see the show every year!

Show times vary through December 30. Radio City Music Hall, 50th St and 6th Ave, Manhattan.
radiocity.com


Looking for more holiday fun? Check out the Holiday Edition of our Amazing New York Race!

What Was the First Balloon in the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade?

And the answer is ...

b) Felix the Cat

Felix, the popular cartoon character of the 1920s, was the first character to be balloon-ified in the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade. The Marx Brothers, Uncle Sam, Mickey Mouse, and Superman would be introduced over the next 12 years. Bugs Bunny wasn't created until 1989. These days, several new balloons are premiered every year. In 2010, five new balloons will travel with the parade, including Kung Fu Panda and a character from the children's series Diary of a Wimpy Kid.

New York Trivia Tuesday

The Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade was started in 1924, when employees of Macy's, many of whom were immigrants, wanted to celebrate the new holiday with the type of public festival that was a European tradition. Over 250,000 people attended the first parade, making it a huge success and establishing a tradition that continues today.

The parades of the first few years featured live animals from the Central Park Zoo, but in 1927 Macy's started to introduce balloons that would take the place of the animals. What was the first balloon created for the parade?

a) Mickey Mouse
b) Felix the Cat
c) Bugs Bunny
d) Superman

Check back on Thursday for the answer to this week's trivia question!

Best of New York: Thanksgiving Dinners

In a city of small kitchens and big restaurants, Thanksgiving is the perfect occasion to dine out. You avoid the preparation and cleaning, and can spend more time with family and friends. Plus, New York restaurants have whipped up some special meals just for the occasion. If you’re wondering where to go this Thanksgiving, or accidentally burned the turkey, here are our suggestions:

Recette

If you’d prefer to be out of the kitchen for the Thanksgiving feast, there’s no better way to spend it than at one of 2010’s best new restaurants in NYC. The updated classics of French cuisine from the restaurant’s critically-acclaimed regular menu are available for diners on Thanksgiving, as well as their special for the holiday: a prix-fixe four-course menu featuring all the familiar flavors of fall, turned haut cuisine. Pumpkin soup, rabbit ravioli, and a chocolate-pecan tart with sweet potato ice cream all add to the main event: a confit turkey roulade stuffed with chestnuts and cranberries.

328 W 12th St, Manhattan; 212-414-3000

The Farm on Adderley

What better place to celebrate Thanksgiving than down on the farm? One of Ditmas Park’s favorite neighborhood restaurants, the Farm on Adderley is known for its food as much as for its rustic and friendly atmosphere. Their Thanksgiving menu, unlike most, offers several choices for each of the three courses, so any picky eater can find something to choose from. The turkey comes with all the fixings (Brussels sprouts, potatoes, stuffings and gravy), while vegetarian and pescatarian alternatives include sweet potato ravioli and poached halibut. We’re looking forward to the root beer cake: two amazing things in one!

1108 Cortelyou Rd, Brooklyn; 718-287-3101

Zabar’s

Want to have Thanksgiving at home, without the cooking hassle? New York’s legendary Zabar’s will bring the Thanksgiving meal right to your door (You can even reheat and pretend you made it yourself!). With numerous options for the main course, including turkey, goose, and duck, and dozens of sides and desserts, you can assemble the meal you’re craving online, then sit back, relax with family, and have all the feasting without any of the fussing. And while you're ordering, why not call ahead to reserve one of these best pies in New York?

2245 Broadway, Manhattan; 212-787-2000

Devi

Give your Thanksgiving an international spin at Devi, one of the city’s most renowned Indian restaurants. Offering a five-course prix fixe menu only on Thanksgiving day, the turkey here gets a punch from a tamarind glaze, and is served with masala corn bread and a cranberry chutney. Other dishes range from the exotic (harvest stew with tandoor grilled halibut) to the familiar (banana caramel pudding). One thing’s for sure: you won’t be missing your aunt’s boring mashed potatoes.
8 E 18th St, Manhattan; 212-691-1300

Torrisi Italian Specialties

After Thanksgiving, my family makes turkey sandwiches for lunch for the rest of the weekend. If you’re still craving leftover turkey after the big T-day celebrations, head over to Torrisi. Although they’re not open on Thanksgiving day, they’re well known for the best turkey sandwich in all of New York. Called the Panama, the sandwich is simple: just a little red onion, lettuce, tomato and a spicy sauce add to the turkey. But the meat is perfectly cooked, glazed with garlic and honey and roasted to perfection. Stop eating leftovers and pick up your order here to experience what a turkey sandwich should be about.

250 Mulberry St, Manhattan; 212-965-0955

What Did New York's JFK Airport Replace?

And the answer is ...

c) a golf course

When the new airport was built in the 1940s, it displaced 1,000 acres the Idlewild Golf Course, leading many New Yorkers to call the new airport "the Idlewild airport," although that was never its official name. Now, the remaining land from the golf course remains as a park for locals and visitors to enjoy.

New York Trivia Tuesday

New Yorkers have their choice of three airports in the metropolitan area: Newark Liberty (EWR), LaGuardia (LGA) and John F. Kennedy (JFK). Of these, JFK is the newest airport, with construction starting in 1943.

Although it was intended to be named Major General Alexander E. Anderson Airport until President Kennedy's assassination in 1963, the airport was commonly called "Idlewild" by many New Yorkers, since the airport was built on top of a site formerly known as Idlewild. What was formerly located at the airport's current location?

a) a zoo
b) a country club
c) a golf course
d) a cemetery

Check back on Thursday for the answer to this week's trivia question!