Filming of "Blood Ties" Starring Clive Owen Outside Grand Central Terminal

Some scenes from the new movie called "Blood Ties" were filmed outside Grand Central terminal last week. Film star Clive Owen was on the set of the crime thriller that centers around two brothers on both sides of the law who face off over organized crime during the 1970s. The movie is a remake of 2008 French thriller "Les Liens Du Sang." Directed by Guillaume Canet, the movie also stars Mila Kunis, Marion Cotillard, Zoe Saldana, James Caan, Noah Emmerich, Matthias Schoenaerts, Lili Taylor and Domenick Lombardozzi. It was fun to watch the NY police cars from the '70s and as well as the extras in outfits and styles from that era.

Fifty Shades Of Gay

American Apparel, 125th Street

Armani Exchange, Fifth Avenue

Bloomingdale's

Rainbow colors and rainbow flags were quite visible last week for gay pride week in the city. Originally designed by San Francisco artist, Gilbert Baker, the rainbow flag represents gay pride, and is often used to mark gay friendly  establishments such as American Apparel, Bloomingdale's, and Armani Exchange. The rainbow colors also symbolize plurality and love of life. It is estimated that New York City has the largest self-identifying gay and bisexual community in the United States.

Blooms and Foliage at Brooklyn Botanic Garden

The Brooklyn Botanic Garden is a small but beautiful botanical garden near the Brooklyn Museum of Art. The garden features a Japanese hill and pond garden, as well as the Cranford Rose Garden, herb garden, the Children's Garden, Steinhard Conservatory of indoor flowers and plants, and the new visitor center, a model of energy-efficient design. Above are some photos of gorgeous spring blooms and foliage at the garden, including clematis, grape hyacinth, tulips, roses and daisies.

The New York Grand Opera Stages a Free Performance of “Tosca” at Central Park’s Naumburg Bandshell

The New York Grand Opera Company presented a free outdoor performance of "Tosca" earlier this evening at Central Park's Naumburg Bandshell. Tosca is an opera in three acts by Giacomo Puccini. It is a melodramatic piece set in Rome in 1800, with the Kingdom of Naples' control of Rome threatened by Napoleon's invasion of Italy. It contains depictions of torture, murder and suicide, yet also includes some of Puccini's best-known lyrical arias. Another Puccini performance (Madama Butterfly) will be offered at the same venue on July 18. The Bandshell is located south of Bethesda Terrace near 72nd Street. 

The Unisphere of Flushing Meadows - Corona Park in Queens

The Unisphere is a giant stainless steel globe perched in Flushing Meadows-Corona Park in Queens, New York. The US Steel Corporation built it as a symbol of world peace for the 1964-1965 World's Fair. The Unisphere is 140 feet high and 120 feet in diameter. It weighs 900,000 pounds. Since the continents are the heaviest parts of the all-steel sculpture and they aren't evenly distributed, the Unisphere is top heavy. It was carefully engineered to account for the unbalanced mass. The Unisphere has remained popular among visitors, soccer players, museum and theater goers, Mets fans, and locals.

"Survival of Serena" on Display at Petrosino Square

Video by Alvaro Corzo - corzo360.com

Carole Feuerman’s new painted bronze sculpture, "Survival of Serena," measuring 38"h x 84"l x 32"w, was first unveiled in Petrosino Square on May 20, 2012 located at the lively intersection of SoHo, Little Italy, and Chinatown (Lafayette Street, Kenmare Street, Cleveland Pl.). The beautiful piece is displayed in the northern corner of the park facing Spring Street, and will be on view through September 26, 2012. This exhibition was made possible through NYC Parks and Recreation and the sculpture is on loan courtesy of Jim Kempner Fine Art where another Feuerman sculpture has been exhibited (see previous post here.)

Heritage of Pride March NYC 2012

The annual Heritage of Pride Parade took place today one year after New York's same-sex marriage law passed. Over the years, the gay pride parade's purpose has broadened to include recognition of the fight against AIDS and to remember those we have lost to the illness, violence and neglect. Each year since 1970, the parade has had a different theme. This year, the theme is "Share the Love." Organizers say they want other states to pass legislation that allows same-sex marriage in six states and the District of Columbia. This year marked another first for the movement, with a float carrying active members of the U.S. military who can now openly declare their sexuality while being allowed to still serve. There were other political groups that also marched including Occupy Wall Street movement. New York political figures joined the march including Governor Andrew Cuomo, Senator Chick Schumer, Mayor Michael Bloomberg and City Council Speaker Christine Quinn. Cyndi Lauper was one of the grand marshals.