It's Spring. It really is Spring.....really....I promise....that's what the calendar says.  So on this cloudy, drizzly New York City "spring" day where the temperature dares hover near 60 degrees,  I'm beginning my little blog about some fun and inexpensive places to enjoy in NYC and beyond. Since I'm a Brooklyn girl I tend to get a bit lazy and hang in my 'hood on the weekends.  So I'll be challenging myself the next couple of seasons to reach out even further than the city itself.  Let's get started. 

DATE/TIME: Saturday, April 4 @ 6:14am

LOCATION:  The Sky (specifically The Moon)

COST:         FREE

You only have 5 minutes for this one folks! The Lunar Eclipse Blood Moon. The Eastern part of the U.S. should have a great view of the eclipse but I guess it's going to be all about our weather forecast.No telescope needed. As long as the sky is clear you'll be able to witness the red haze of the moon with the naked eye. 

Since the moon doesn't have it's own website, and Neil DeGrasse Tyson was unavailable,  you can watch this 2 1/2 minute video from NASA that will explain how the eclipse works.

DATE/TIME: Saturday, April 4 @ 4pm

LOCATION:  Fulton Ferry Landing near the Brooklyn Bridge, just north of Brooklyn Bridge Park 

COST:           FREE (It wouldn't hurt you to put a couple of bucks in the donation jar) 

A great musical gem I discovered last summer is a quick 20 minute walk from my apartment.
Bargemusic is just what it says - Music on a barge! Each Saturday in April & May (a schedule continues throughout the summer) you can partake in a beautiful one hour concert of chamber music selections featuring fantastic local and visiting musicians. 
Ok so it's on a floating barge that is tethered to a dock and yes, you WILL experience some rocking motion in the wake of assorted ferry boats passing by. (Bring your Dramamine if you must.)
Occasionally you might spot a  family strolling in late with the noisy kids in tow and invariably will leave 10 minutes later because of said noisy kids. Just "roll" with it...along with the barge. You won't be disappointed.
http://bargemusic.org/calendar.html

DATE/TIME:  Sunday, APRIL 5,  9am & 11am  - Easter Sunday Worship

LOCATION:   Marble Collegiate Church, 276 Fifth Avenue @ 29th Street

COST:           FREE 

Full disclosure. I'm a member of Marble Collegiate Church and therefore completely partial. You're always invited to come as you are into this welcoming community of New Yorkers on their faith journey. Even if you're not a regular church goer you will be inspired by the message, the beautiful music (I sing in the choir part time...just sayin') and you can pay a little homage to Dr. Norman Vincent Peale, the author of "The Power of Positive Thinking" and who was Marble's minister for fifty-two years. You can even livestream the service every Sunday at 11am 
http://www.marblechurch.org

This week's Good Friday service was stunning with full choir and orchestra!  (scroll to the  47 minute mark for the choir and  start of the service)
http://new.livestream.com/marblecollegiate/events/3939916