CHEAP: My Summertime Affair with Mister Softee

Don't get me wrong. There are a lot of delicious frozen dessert options in the city. You've got your Pinkberry, Red Mango, Tasti D Lite, Shake Shack, etc, etc.

But in the middle of a blistering hot work day when the urban heat is overwhelming, nothing his the spot like Mister Softee. I never have to wander more than a block or two to find a truck. (Unless that truck is out of chocolate, and then I wander a few more block). For $3 it's heaven in the middle of urban humidity hell.

CHEAP: Newsies Sing-a-long

Because it's one of the most-loved, critically derided, cultural phenomenon of my generation, it is no surprise that the awesome folks at The Bell House in Brooklyn chose to host a Newsies sing-a-long yesterday. For $8 my co-workers and I make strike signs, competed in a dance off, trivia contest, and drank drinks called "The Cowboy", "Pulitzer's Punch" and "The Weasel". And oh yes, there were definitely people in costume.

Like any good sing-a-long, this required audience participation. When Pulitzer, Weasel, or another baddie showed up on screen loud BOOing occured. When a Newsie was trying to sell a pape, we threw gold coins. When someone yelled "cheez it!", we threw, well, Cheeze-Its. Duh. When Teddy Roosevelt arrives to save the day, there were confetti poppers.

A silly, super-fun night. Here's a quick video from the dance-off.

FREE: Shakespeare in the Park

I'm ba-aaack!

So, two years of grad school pretty much killed all desire/free time to write this blog. Now that I have my degree, I'm back!

If you are one of the many New Yorkers who doesn't not know about all the free Shakespeare in the Park, first of all, shame on you! There are tons of theater companies offering free Shakespeare in the summertime, but today's post I dedicate to the grandaddy of them all- the Public Theater.

Last week I went and saw "Measure for Measure" at the beautiful Delacorte Theatre in Central Park. (Go in at 81st and Central Park West, follow the path on the right, cross the street and head up the hill. The theater will be on your right.)

I fully recommend taking a picnic blanket and either bringing vittles or purchase dinner at the theater's cafe and enjoy dinner alfresco on the Great Lawn.

Folks, this is truly a New York institution. There is something truly magical about watching excellent live theater in nice stadium seats with the water, the moon, and Belvedere Castle in the background.