Tag: New York City

creativity

Joy Today: How I helped a New York man impacted by the government shutdown

Christa Avampato

Yesterday I took the best trip to the grocery store I’ve ever taken because I had the opportunity to buy groceries for Keith Polite, a man impacted by the government shutdown. He’s been a security guard at one of the Smithsonian museums here in New York City for 4 years, and the museum is closed until the government reopens. Because he’s a contractor, he won’t receive any back pay. I heard about his story through the local CBS broadcast, and decided I had to help. Another viewer also helped and was able to meet with Keith about a possible job opportunity. I’m really hoping that works out for him.

I hope this one small act inspires all of us to help one another during this difficult time. There’s so much we can do right where we are for the people around us. We’re all walking each other home. Here’s the news piece that ran about Keith if you’d like to see it:

https://newyork.cbslocal.com/video/4009588-strangers-step-up-to-help-worker-affected-by-shutdown/

creativity

Joy Today: New York City’s Secrets & Lies returns on February 7th at 7pm

Christa Avampato

storyteller promo shot 2.7.19

My storytelling show, New York City’s Secrets and Lies, is back at Caveat on Thursday, February 7th. Can you tell the difference between a secret and a lie when it involves New York City history? This month, we’re spinning tales about “what lies beneath”: covert operations, secret lives, and the hidden goings on literally happening right now under the daily hustle and bustle of these streets.

These 4 expert storytellers will dazzle you with secrets of our shining city’s past, but one of them is telling a fake story. Separate fact from fiction and you’ll be in the running to win a fantastic prize from Untapped Cities. Sandi Marx, Marie Carter, Daniel Abse, and Jeff Baker are digging through dusty archives and the deep, dark depths of the interwebs to unearth out-of-this-world secrets just for you.

Our show also features a special guest who is a true New York City Secret. This month, we’re so lucky to have Ben Mirin, a beatboxing ecologist who’s going to tell you all about his amazing wildlife music work.

Come join us at Caveat. We can’t wait to share our love of our city with all of you! Tickets on sale now: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/new-york-citys-secrets-and-lies-what-lies-beneath-tickets-54268488510

creativity

Joy Today: American Eden and a NYC secret

Christa Avampato

Screen Shot 2019-01-02 at 8.50.31 PMDid you know that Rockefeller Center now rises on a plot of land in the middle of Manhattan that once served as the site of the country’s first public botanical garden? I had no idea about this New York City secret until yesterday when I listened to an episode of the Science Friday podcast.

Author Victoria Johnson wrote about it in her gorgeous book, American Eden: David Hosack, Botany, and Medicine in the Garden of the Early Republic. New York City will never stop amazing me because there will always be new stories to discover here, histories and achievements and inspirations literally buried underground, waiting to be unearthed by a curious soul.  What a joy! What a gift!

creativity

A Year of Yes: Trailer for NYC’s Secrets and Lies on December 6th at 7pm

Christa Avampato

It’s impossible to articulate how excited I am about our holiday edition of NYC’s Secrets & Lies at Caveat on Thursday, December 6th at 7pm so I made a trailer to show you what our storytelling show about secret NYC history is all about! This month’s cast includes all-star storytellers Vicki Eastus, Dustin Growick, Jackie Peters, and Nate Charles with Brooklyn street artist Blanco as our special guest. If you can guess the lie correctly, we have prizes from Untapped Cities, Kaitery_NYC, and a secret one from me. Grab your tickets and I’ll see you there: New York City’s Secrets and Lies on Eventbrite.

creativity

A Year of Yes: Feeling stuck in your writing? Go outside.

Christa Avampato

Despite the cold, my senior dog, Phineas, took me on a 2-hour hike through the North Woods of Central Park yesterday. The late afternoon light was just perfect. Time in nature is like a massage for the brain, heart, and spirit. It prompts my creativity. The movement jogs my imagination, restores my resolve to do work that builds a better world. If you need to be restored, get outside. Your restlessness has a purpose. It is meant to move you. Don’t fight it. Go with it. 

creativity

A Year of Yes: NYC’s Secrets and Lies returns to Caveat

Christa Avampato

It’s still a month away and I’m already bonkers excited about this A+ lineup of expert storytellers spinning wild stories about secret NYC history for NYC’s Secrets & Lies show at Caveat on December 6th, 7pm. Four are telling the truth and one is a liar. Guess the liar correctly, and you’ll be in the running for great prizes from Untapped Cities and a few secret surprises that I’m cooking up! Look, it’s the holidays and I love giving presents.

This show’s stars include Dustin Growick, Vicki Eastus, Sandi Marx, Jackie Peters, and Nate Charles. Tickets are on sale now at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/new-york-citys-secrets-and-lies-tickets-52038003068. See you there!

storytellers promo shot

creativity

A Year of Yes: A tour of the North Woods of Central Park

Christa Avampato

Last Sunday, my dog, Phineas, and I took an invited tour through the North Woods of @centralparknyc. Though I’ve walked through there dozens of times for many years and am a proud donor to the park, I didn’t know the ins and outs of the design elements and how connected the design is to spirituality, art, and literature. It takes so much work, care, and knowledge to make a manicured place wild. I’m in awe of the incredible staff who works tirelessly to make the entire park such a special place for all of us. The city wouldn’t be the same with it! Huge thanks to Jessica, social media wizard at the Conservancy, and our incredible tour guides, Marieka and Juan. Check out all the available tours at www.centralparknyc.org/tours.

creativity

A Year of Yes: NYC’s Secrets & Lies, October 9th at 7pm w/ special guest Julie Gaines of Fishs Eddy

Christa Avampato

Sea monsters, grandma gangsters, punk music, and high society fashion. Plus a secret society obsessed with hidden history for you to join and tales of activism, art, and entrepreneurship with Julie Gaines, Founder of Fishs Eddy. It’s all waiting for you at Caveat on Tuesday, October 9th at 7pm when my storytelling show New York City’s Secrets & Lies returns. Oh, and if you can separate fact from fiction when it comes to secret NYC history, there could be a big prize from UntappedCities.com with your name on it! Grab your tickets here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/new-york-citys-secrets-and-lies-tickets-49367374145

Screen Shot 2018-10-08 at 8.27.12 AM

creativity

A Year of Yes: Starting a secret society in NYC

Christa Avampato

41852145_10104544950240096_8564755427831578624_oYou’ve always wanted to be in a secret society, right? These skeleton keys are your way in and I’m saving one just for you. To claim it, grab a ticket to New York City’s Secrets & Lies storytelling show at Caveat on October 9th w/ Zak Martellucci, Alex Taylor, Michele Carlo, Erin Leafe, and Julie Gaines. Tickets are available here: https://www.caveat.nyc/event/new-york-city’s-secrets-and-lies-10-9-2018. See you there!

 

creativity

A Year of Yes: Excited to welcome Julie Gaines of Fishs Eddy to NYC’s Secrets and Lies at Caveat on Oct 9th at 7pm

Christa Avampato

43109636_10104575925001426_3294082999401840640_nThrilled that the talented, funny, and feisty Julie Gaines, founder of Fishs Eddy, will be our special guest at New York City’s Secrets & Lies storytelling show at Caveat on October 9th at 7pm. We’ll talk about design, activism, entrepreneurship, and her new book. She rarely speaks publicly so this will be a real treat for all of us. Grab your tickets at https://www.caveat.nyc/event/new-york-city’s-secrets-and-lies-10-9-2018