On Thursday, November 14th, Park Terrace Hotel kicked off the holiday season in spectacular fashion with its 2024 Holiday Kickoff event. Guests were treated to a festive evening of seasonal cheer, highlighted by a special collaboration with Jesse Cooper (@lightthelights.official). Jesse worked his magic on a 12-foot Vickerman Jersey Fraser Fir Christmas Tree which sits in the spacious hotel lobby, bringing the spirit of the season to life with his signature festive flair.
The holidays are the most wonderful time of year but also the most crowded, and if you’re a native New Yorker, it’s also probably the most redundant.
Courtesy of Empire Stores Dumbo
If you’re looking to do something other than taking pictures 20 feet away from a crowded tree, Brooklyn has got you covered with their first-holiday pop-up. WINTER by Empire Stores is a holiday-themed pop-up shopping and dining experience in the Dumbo section of Brooklyn.
Courtesy of Empire Stores Dumbo
In partnership with Empire Store and CraveCart, the newly opened shop features New York City-based vendors offering unique items, making for the perfect one-stop shop if you’re still searching for that perfect gift. Vendors include Adina Eden, with high-end jewelry, men’s clothing brand Jack of Spades, CraveCart, and the most delectable treats from Buttercup Bakeshop and La Newyorkina.
“With meticulous curation around our partnership, we aspire to deliver an unparalleled experience making this holiday season truly unforgettable for all who visit Empire Stores Dumbo,” mentioned the founder of CraveCart, Christina Nicholas.
Courtesy of Empire Stores Dumbo
After you shop until you drop, take a breather in the heated lounge throughout the market. There, you can treat yourself to some sweets and bask in the glory of knowing you finally checked everything off your shopping list.
While you’re there, capturing the day you’ve had upstairs on the Time Out Market rooftop with the “Chill Moments” exhibit is only fitting. You’ll find yourself immersed in a massive snow globe, perfect for those Christmas cards you plan to send out (are those still a thing?)
If you’re courageous enough to brave through the cold, you’ll step outside and take note that you’re surrounded by the Brooklyn Bridge and the New York City skyline, which are breathtaking, especially in the evening.
Courtesy of Empire Stores Dumbo
Aside from the market are the new Glide ice skating rink and additional holiday offerings from The Dumbo Improvement District; taking the F train to Brooklyn is on our list of plans this holiday season.
Grab your tickets and experience all of the fun here; happy shopping.
All Photography taken by Brian Schutza Photography.
Amid basketball, marathons, and baseball lies one sport New York remains incomparable of: Christmas Tree Lightings. This past Tuesday, November 27, Lotte New York Palace Hotel lights up its iconic courtyard. Known widely as Gossip Girl’s “The Palace,” Lotte secures their spot in this season’s must-see spectaculars.
While scarves blew awry and the colorful garden of wool mittens filled the courtyard, Lotte had the crowd covered! While the bar was stocked with apple cider, hot toddies, and champagne, trays of hot cocoa came circling around. Chef Bill Leonard, Lotte’s Head Pastry Chef, warms the crowd with his grandmother’s hot chocolate recipe. It was the perfect remedy for a night cold enough to see your breath!
Joined by the New York Yankees Shortstop Anthony Volpe, David Shenman dedicated the Palace’s hard work and magic to the staff and partnership with the Anthony Rizzo Family Foundation. The Lotte New York Palace Hotel has been a generous supporter of the foundation, aimed at aiding pediatric cancer patients and their families. For years now, Lotte has offered their beautiful rooms for families to experience the wonder that is New York at Christmas time. Following a touching speech, Volpe and Shenman counted down the seconds revealing the glimmering tree.
After a long-awaited hold since 2018, the Lotte New York Palace returns with its classic tree lighting. Right in the heart of the city, the Lotte New York Palace’s Christmas tree is ready for all its holiday visitors!
The enchanting spirit of the holiday season came to life at Century City Mall on December 8 as Disney hosted a dazzling outdoor mixer to celebrate the launch of ‘The Santa Clauses’ Season 2 on Disney+. The event not only brought together fans of the heartwarming show but also invited guests to partake in a magical evening filled with festive attire, Toys for Tots donations, and the chance to delve into an early Christmas Spirit with a special appearance of Santas’s elves.
As the night began, the outdoor setting at Century City Mall provided the perfect backdrop for a winter wonderland, complete with twinkling lights, seasonal decorations, and a touch of Disney magic. The dress code for the evening was nothing short of enchanting, as attendees gazed through the North Pole in their most festive attire to match the holiday cheer that filled the air.
Throughout the evening, guests had the chance to mingle with fellow Disney enthusiasts, snap photos with festive photo opportunities, and enjoy holiday-themed refreshments. The atmosphere was infectious, and the sense of community and shared joy created memories that made the start of the holiday season memorable.
The winter enchantment continued with complimentary ice skating, turning the outdoor space into a frosty playground for guests of all ages.
The highlight of the evening came alive as Santa’s elves took to the ice, transforming the rink into a spectacle of joyous celebration. The elves enchanted the audience with their expertly choreographed ice-skating routines to the soundtrack of ‘The Santa Clauses’ Season 2. The crowd in attendance and mall shoppers couldn’t help but bring all focus to such a captivating performance creating a joyous atmosphere that resonated with the heartwarming essence of ‘The Santa Clauses.’
Following the mesmerizing elf ice skating performance, Disney treated attendees to the ultimate gift – a sneak peek into a series of clips from the new season of ‘The Santa Clauses’ Season 2. The crowd eagerly gathered to witness a preview that would unfold the magic of the upcoming season.
The Disney Holiday Mixer for ‘The Santa Clauses’ Season 2 Premiere became a joyous celebration in honor of the much anticipated new season to premire November 8. The night came to an end, but the magic of Disney and the warmth of the holiday season will undoubtedly endure in the hearts of all who attended.
Check out the reel here!
Amazon Studios presents Sleazyworld Go, the event gave fans a chance to get a first look at the Kansas City native presenting his music and story in his own words. After a brief interview breaking down his upbringing, Sleazyworld made it clear that those same circumstances were instrumental in the way that he developed his own sound and was able to handle all that has come with his current fame.
The intimate setting complimented Sleazyworld Go’s quiet confidence as he took his time and carefully and clearly answered each question- it was clear that he understood how big of an opportunity he was receiving as he sheaded a light on the fact that there are but a few rappers coming out of his city.
“I think what I am doing now is big- but I want to make a way for the artist’s down the line. Like, in ten years I want my city to look like Atlanta, Memphis- you know what I mean.”
Going into deep dive, Sleazyworld discussed some of the main influences that made his project “Where The Shooters At” exactly what it is.
While he is known for the hard hitting anthems, he mentioned showcasing his ability to make slower love songs- such as his single that was released in August of this year “India Me”. In the song Sleazyworld Go elaborates on his fantasy of finding a female that will stick by his side through thick and thin. A rare sight to see an artist this early into his development willing to experiment with his sound, especially when he has already developed a formula that has been successful thus far.
Shortly after the interview wrapped, Sleazyworld Go proceeded to show those in attendance as well as those live streaming exactly what they came for. His soft spoken energy disappeared almost immediately as he showcased his high energy that worked almost hand in hand with his music.
From his smash hit single-”Sleazy Flow” to the single he elaborated on “India Me” he did not hold back anything. It felt like he had an endless supply of energy once he began performing, each song carrying the energy that the previous song had held. Throughout the entirety of the performance- one thing was evident, the sky’s the limit in terms of potential.
The supermarket franchise celebrates their 2022 holiday items!
I love Christmas horror movies.
The newest Holiday EP from internationally acclaimed jazz artist Spiros Exaras is here, and The Knockturnal got the inside scoop. Exaras’s first ever original holiday single “The Magic of Christmas”, released on December 1st, brings joy to the world. Exaras is known for his impressive fusion of different musical elements, notably in his Greek- Cuban collaboration with Elio Villafranca, “Old Waters, New River” as well as in his signature Blue Note album “Phrygianics”. Along with title “The Magic of Christmas”, Spiros Exaras also released a second Christmas track titled “Christmas Wish”. In the title track, “The Magic of Christmas”, Spiros’ resonant guitar sound meets with Don Braden’s distinctive sax, and Eugene Ruffolo’s smooth vocals to create what is sure to be a future Christmas classic.
Inspiration for “The Magic of Christmas” struck when Spiros’ daughter was studying abroad and was unable to join the family in decorating the Christmas tree. With love and imagination, Spiros and Ileana decided to co-write a song expressing the holiday cheer that magically unites people, no matter the distance. A jolly journey of two solos is followed by a line in Spiros Exaras’ native language, Greek. “Ding, dong! Christou’genna pantou,’” (Christmas is everywhere), wishing happy holidays from his home to the world. Indeed, The Magic of Christmas knows no borders. The second track, Christmas Wish, is a heartfelt song about lending a hand to those less fortunate. It is a wish for a world where holiday joy is not a privilege for the few, but can spread to all people. Amanda Homi’s soulful voice along with Caryl Paisner’s stunning cello interpretation blend with Spiros’ dynamic arrangement to create a song that is both touching and hopeful. The Magic of Christmas EP is a joyful sleigh ride, a cheerful stroll through a sparkling city, and gift of heartwarming melodies that once opened, will bring smiles to all its listeners.
Check out our interview with guitarist, composer, producer Spiros Exaras below and don’t forget to check out the music video for “The Magic of Christmas” along with “Christmas Wish” now on YouTube and Spotify.
Tell us about your new song
In my family, we have a tradition of decorating the Christmas tree together while listening to Christmas songs- jazzy Christmas songs. One year my daughter, Ileana, was studying abroad and couldn’t join us for this annual tradition, so we decided to unite in a different way: by writing a song that we could look forward to listening the next holiday season we’d get to spend together as a family.
It had to be Christmas song- a jazzy Christmas song. If you listen to the lyrics, you’ll get to hear holiday spirit from four cities, all of which Ileana and myself have travelled to: Paris, London, Moscow, and of course, New York. “The Magic of Christmas” is about the joy- bearing holiday energy that knows no borders, and that brings us together no matter the distance.
It’s available on all streaming services, but Apple subscribers exclusively can also listen to the Atmos mix for a more cinematic and immersive experience.
What was the creative process behind it?
You would think that after being exposed to so many holiday songs in one’s life, writing them would be second nature, but its not so! If it’s a Christmas song, you want it to “sound” like Christmas. The challenge then, is trying to think about the song rationally- as in trying to come up with festive harmonies and thinking about traditional instruments like bells, while also trying to make it come from the heart- and that’s when all the thinking you’ve put in finally translates into emotion. After weeks of thinking and writing nothing, my daughter, Ileana, sent me a picture of herself in front of Saint Basil’s Church in Moscow, a historic landmark. As if by magic, memories came back to mind and the first lyrics landed: “Christmas in Moscow’s Saint Basil, Ding Dong, Saint Patrick’s in New York”. I sent the draft to the ‘master’ to finish it brilliantly. This is the first time Ileana and I wrote lyrics together.
What are some of your favorite holiday songs?
Holiday songs are more than just melody: they are memory, they are hope, and they can inspire comfort even in not so comforting times. Some songs that are timeless for me are “I’ll be Home for Christmas” “Chestnuts Roasting on an Open Fire”, and “Carol of the Bells”. I believe these songs have the power to bring moments of heartwarming unity. Joni Mitchell’s “River” is also an important and beautiful song, showing the angst that can be hidden behind the lights and ornaments of the season.
How was collaborating with your daughter?
Being able to work with Ileana is a blessing. I trust her and take her opinion very seriously. She is in touch with her generation, and her academic and experiential knowledge from living in different countries ensures that I stay up-to-date with the times, and reconsider any ideas that may be old fashioned, both in the music industry and in life. It is important to build a relationship of honest communication and respect with your children. You grow together, and most importantly, these are values that your children will export to society. It all starts in the family. Of course, at times we are both “stubborn Greeks” but that’s because we set the bar high. She has a great gift for translating the emotion I want to communicate into lyrics.
What’s next for you?
Next up, I’m working on a concept album with 11 songs inspired by ancient Greek mythology. You’ll be able to hear exotic rhythms, ethnic instruments, and progressive harmonies mixed with cool electronic sounds. It’ll be performed with my band, World-Jazz Ensemble. If you’re into myths, heroes, gods, and goddesses, stay tuned for a “mythical” jazz twist!
In the meantime, you can get an acoustic glimpse of a Greek-folklore fusion, featuring santurist Loukia Valasi (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vz63BOf0frk). Finally you can check out another very important project from this past year: a video for “La Ruta”, a song co-written with Jeremy Ryan dedicated to refugees who risk their lives for a better future, with original images from the Syria- Turkey Border, Greece, Serbia, and the United States, by acclaimed photographer Craig Ruttle and original text from NYU psychoanalyst Dr. Spyros Orfanos. (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y3-68KxF-bY)
What about “Christmas Wish”, the second holiday song you released this season?
The holiday season in New York City is a gift in itself, bringing in a rush of love, compassion, and gratitude. Not everybody, however, receives this love and compassion. “Christmas Wish” is a reminder not to lose sight of our consideration for others amidst the shopping and the sparkling spectacles. It’s a song that I hope will inspire those with a big enough hand, to lend it to those who do not have their basic needs met, physical and emotional. I hope that everyone will have something to feel grateful for this season. That is my wish.
Cover art by Pau Yaniz Gonzalez
We as world have never felt more universally connected.