Spanish-American Institute

Student Club Newsletter

215 West 43 Street Times Square Manhattan, New York 10036-3913

voice: 212.840.7111 fax: 212.719.5922  www.sai.nyc  info@sai.nyc  VoIP internet phone: 166.84.191.135 student news groups:  news://166.84.191.133  library catalog:  http://166.84.191.133/m3    NEW! http://www.myspace.com/studentclubnews

April, 2008

Vol. 4, No. 4

 

An old English saying—April showers bring May flowers.  Enjoy NYC in the Spring and celebrate Earth Day on April 22 (and every day). 

 

FREE Vaccinations

You can get free vaccinations (immunizations or inoculations) for flu, hepatitis B, tetanus, pneumonia, etc. at New York City Department of Health walk-in clinics. Get a free flu shot (through June 29).  Check out the School Bulletin Boards for clinic Spring schedules, locations (one in each borough), and directions. 

 

Go West!  Explore Our Other Neighborhood

The Spanish-American Institute is between two distinct areas.  One is the super-busy impersonal business and tourist area of Times Square and Midtown West.  The other is Hell’s Kitchen, now called Clinton.  Clinton is roughly between 8th Ave. and the Hudson River and between 40th and 59th Streets.  Turn right when leaving the school and cross 8th Avenue.  Walk the blocks between 8th and 10th Avenues to explore a real neighborhood with small shops, restaurants, bakeries, galleries, schools, parks, and homes where people live (and tourists seldom go).

 

Map

     Clinton has been home to many different populations.  The Irish and German were succeeded by Italians, Greeks, Eastern Europeans, Puerto Ricans, Peruvians, and Ecuadorians, among others.  Today’s neighborhood is more gentrified [process by which a poor area changes to one with people who have more money].  Its historic diversity is still reflected in many local businesses, especially restaurants like those on “Restaurant Row” on West 46th St. 

     Some of our favorite spots: 

 West African Grocery, 535 Ninth Ave. near 40th St.  Hot peppers, cassava, couscous, thick peanut butter, etc.   

 International Grocery, 543 Ninth Ave. near 40th St.  Greek cheeses and pastries, spices of all kinds, and olives, olives, olives.   

  Cupcake Café, 545 Ninth Ave. between 40/41st St.  Wonderful coffee, home made doughnuts, muffins, cakes, and, of course, cupcakes.

  Pizza for 99 cents, no kidding.  NW Corner of 41st. St. and 9th Ave.   

  Midtown Comics, 200 W. 40th St. near 7th Ave.  Back issues of famous comic books and recent editions in print and on DVD.  

  Empire Coffee & Tea, 568 Ninth Ave. near 42nd St.  A nice alternative to that “other” coffee place.  A huge selection of coffees and teas from all over the world to drink or buy.

  Columbus Branch of the New York Public Library, 742 Tenth Ave. near 50th St.  A real neighborhood library!  Stop in to browse, to study, to get a library card, or to borrow books.  (If you live, work, or study in New York City, you are entitled to a free public library card.)

  New Dance Group Arts Center, 254 West 47th St. at Eight Ave.  11 studios, performance space, recording studio, etc. 

  Recreation Center 59, West 59th between 10th and 11th Ave.  Run by the NYC Parks Department, the Center offers free and membership programs and services.  Indoor pool, weight room, boxing rings, dance and art studios, classes, etc.  (Currently closed for renovation.)

 

Computer Donation Arranged By Institute Faculty Member Enrique Nibeyro. 

The Spanish-American Institute thanks Computer Department Chairperson Enrique Nibeyro for arranging computer hardware donations to the school. 

Future Student and Alumni Shows:  Submit Your Request to President Ferraro. 

The Spanish-American Institute invites students, alumni, and faculty to exhibit or perform in the Founders Special Events Center (room 13).  If you would like to be considered for future exhibits or programs, please submit your proposal to President Ferraro.      

 April in NYC for Free. Check out the Spanish-American Institute Bulletin Boards in the Student and Founders’ Rooms for more listings. 

 

  “I in the Sky” High Above Times Square . . . It’s You???   Until April 27th, see yourself larger and brighter than life 48 stories above Times Square. Visit the street-level photo-booth at the chashama gallery, 112 W. 44th St. between 6th/7th Ave.  Your digital animated portrait will be broadcast free of charge. 

 

Concerts at Julliard, Mannes, Manhattan School of Music, etc.  See the school Bulletin Boards for listings of free concerts at Julliard and Mannes Colleges of Music, Manhattan School of  Music, St. Peters Church, and other places

 

Chelsea Market Weekends—Tango and Salsa Dancing, free dance lessons, and live music every weekend with different bands--Dixie, Blues, Jazz, Folk, Afro-Cuban, Latin, etc. in the 800 foot Market Concourse (hallway, large space).  Enter through the 8th Ave. or 9th Ave. entrances between W. 15th and W. 16th Sts.

 

 First Fridays and First Saturdays—Many NYC museums have begun First Fridays or First Saturday programs with free admission and entertainment.  See listings on the School Bulletin Boards and selected museums below.

    

Brooklyn Museum First Saturdays, Apr 5, May 3, etc., 5-11pm.  Free art, music, dancing, etc.   www.brooklynmuseum.org/visit/first_saturdays.php.  2, 3 trains to Eastern Parkway/Brooklyn Museum at Museum entrance.

 

American Museum of Natural History First Fridays, Starry Nights Live Jazz Performances, Apr 4, May 2, etc, 6 & 7:30 pm. Free with pay-as-you-wish Museum admission.  Some of the world’s greatest jazz musicians play one-hour sets at 6:00 and 7:30 p.m. Enter through the Rose Planetarium on W. 81st St. off Central Park West.  C to 81 St., 1 to 79th St. and Broadway and walk east.

   

 Jazz Museum of Harlem Jazz Concerts, Apr 3 (Tu) 7-8:30 pm; Apr 3(Th), 6:30-8:30pm; Apr 8(Tu) 7-8:30pm;  Apr 15(Tu) 7-8:30pm; Apr 22(Tu) 7-8:30pm; Apr 29(Tu) 7-8:30pm.  Free, reservations (212)348-8300.  Harlem School of the Arts, 645 St. Nicholas Ave. near 141st , A,B,C,D to 145th St.

 

Barge Music, Apr 7 (Sa) 1pm.  Free concerts on the East River.  See directions on School Bulletin Boards. 

 

Museum of the City of NY, Androcles and the Lion Puppet Theatre, Apr 12 (Sa), 3pm.  Free with pay as you wish admission.  5th Ave.@103 St., 6 train to 103 St. and walk west.   

 

Julliard Jazz Ensembles, Apr 15 (Tu), 8pm.  Free tickets beginning 4/1 at Julliard Box Office.  See directions to Julliard on School Bulletin Boards.

 

 EarthDay and EarthFair, Apr 18-19&14-22, free public events with live music and exhibits in historic Grand Central Station, E. 42nd St. and Vanderbilt Ave. a short walk from the Institute. 

 

  Fashion Exhibits, to Apr 19, Sole Desire, contemporary luxury shoe designer C. Louboutin, and to May 7, Exoticism.  Fashion Institute of Technology, Tu.-Fr, noon to 8pm and Sa. 10am-5pm.  Seventh Ave. at 27th St.

 

Julliard Dance—Apr 24-27 (Th-Su), 8pm, limited free tickets.  Reserve by phone (212)799-7139. Clark Theater, Rose Bldg., 7th fl. 70 Lincoln Center Plaza near Amsterdam Ave.   

 

Bronx Museum of Arts First Fridays, May 2, 6-10pm, live bands and DJs.  D or B to 167 St./Grand Concourse, exit rear of station and walk south along Grand Concourse 2 blocks.