In order to make the site more accessible and easier to follow, I’ve decided to move the Explore website to Tumblr. Our new domain is http://cuexplore.tumblr.com/ You’ll be able to follow the Explore Tumblr like any other Tumblr subscription. To read about an event, click on the photo! There’s also a message option at the top along with a shorter about page and a directory of trips.
Thanks!
❤ Amanda
Explore’s Trip to the Harry Potter Exhibit!
Yesterday, a few of us went to the Harry Potter exhibit at the Discovery Center in Times Square. In short, it’s awesome. If you can make it before the end of the school year, definitely check the exhibit out – New York is the last stop before the exhibit goes on an international tour. You walk through the exhibit which consists of several galleries of props, costumes, and sets from the movies. HD television screens hang on walls in every room, showing relevant movie scenes for each area. The Dolores Umbridge section is ridiculously pink and adorned with china plates of cats. Hagrid’s chair is ginormous – Jonah and I sat comfortably on it. Marissa shrieked when she pulled up a mandrake (just as ugly as it was in the movie) while Taylor was happily throwing quaffles through Quidditch hoops. The exhibit truly appealed to the Harry Potter fanatic. You enter past the actual Hogwarts express (foggy and epic), the dementor room was creepy (if you stand in one particular spot, you can hear Voldemort whispering) and the Great Hall room contains all of the characters’ outfits from the infamous Yule Ball. All in all, the exhibit was a lot of fun and we were all able to uncover the excitement from our youth. Additionally, we eventually came to the conclusion that we were all Ravenclaws (nerds). The best quote of the day also came with house selection when we witnessed “house sorting.” A girl walked to the front of the room, and the “witch” asked, “Ah, what’s your favorite house?” The girl answered, “Slytherin!” And Marissa turned to us and whispered, “There’s always one.”
Jonah, Taylor, and Marissa – thanks for coming with me. So much fun, and I’m so glad that we went. Here’s the video that I made…but warning, I had way too much fun playing with the random iMovie trailer formats. Since we weren’t allowed to film inside the exhibit (which was AWESOME), we just went over the top in the gift shop. And then I played with my plastic time turner a while (unfortunately, I didn’t actually go back in time at all), but I did have fun making this. For kicks, I used one of iMovie’s “trailer” formats. I don’t know why, but I just found it really entertaining. I’ve also included the Discovery Center’s advertisement video. (:
Also, I had to change the date for the Avenue Q trip – it’ll be on Sunday, May 1!
Hey everybody! Sorry that this has been so long coming, but I’m finally putting together the final trips for the year. This semester has been really crazy. Last night I went to Sleep No More which is this incredible, immersive show experience. A theater group has bought out this old hotel downtown and has renovated it and meticulously decorated the entire building to become one giant set. Actors take part in their own scenes throughout the huge set and audience members (who wear creepy masks) are allowed to roam freely, pick up objects and rifle through drawers, and take part in scenes. It is an amazing experience that makes you glad you’re in New York, def check it out! Also, trips for the rest of the year:
Sunday, April 24 – Harry Potter Exhibit! The Discovery Center in Times Square has a giant exhibit of all things Potter and I am being a good teenager and making the trip there. Let me know by this Friday if you want to go – thinking of getting group tickets.
Sunday, May 1 – Avenue Q! We can get student rush tickets for only $26! This show is amazing and really funny – I saw it in January with a friend. To get rush tickets, we have to be at the box office between 1 and 3pm. I’m going to be heading there on the early side to make sure I can get some. The tickets are limited 2 per person, so if you want to come, you’ll have to come out to the theater as well. Rush tickets are sold the day of during the first 2 hours of the box office being open.
Monday, May 9 – Dim Sum Crawl! While we take a break from actually reading the books that we’re supposed to be reviewing for finals week, we’re going to do a dim sum crawl through Flushing, Queens! There’s supposed to be some fantastic places, and I know that I’ll be desirous of dim sum. If we don’t get to this trip because of finals, we’ll definitely do it in the fall!
Wednesday/Thursday, May 11/12 – Brooklyn Bridge at Midnight! (depends on weather/how exhausted we are) I know there are still some finals after this date, but it’ll be a nice way to see New York at night before we leave for the summer (unless you’re lucky and get to stay). If we don’t get to this trip because of finals, we’ll definitely do it in the fall!
Hope to see you there!
After exploring several of the locations below, four of us went for dessert at the wonderful cafe featured in You’ve Got Mail when Tom Hanks’s character spies on Meg Ryan. Great movie, so I’ll try not to spoil the ending. In any case, a few new members joined us for heart-shaped Crème brûlée (thanks for the spelling lessons, Wikipedia), fluffy tiramusu, delicious coffee, and decadent Oreo cheesecake at Cafe Lalo. In the future, I’d love to re-do this trip. If you’re interested in checking out locations from You’ve Got Mail, here’s a list of a few:
Zabar’s – Grocery store – between 80th and 81st on Broadway – scene hint: “this is a cash only line”
H&H Bagels – …a bagel store – on 80th and Broadway – scene hint: “flour that never seems to land”
Ocean Grill – outdoor seating restaurant – 79th and Columbus – scene hint: “152 people that think he looks like Clark Gable”
Verdi Square – park – 72nd and Broadway, the start of the Upper West Side – scene hint: “want to bump into me on Saturday?”
Gray’s Papaya – “the best hot dog in New York” – 72nd and Amsterdam – scene hint: “those flowers could be for you!”
91st Street Garden – a garden… – 91st and Riverside Park – scene hint: “I wanted it to be you”
Starbucks is prominently featured in You’ve Got Mail. Of course, what this means is that I’m constantly looking out Taxi windows and stopping in the middle of a sidewalk to examine Starbucks, wondering if I’ll ever find the ones that seem to be in the film. For all I know, they’re not even real Starbucks location. As long as I get my Peppermint Mocha, I think I’ll be okay. Also, for When Harry Met Sally, try Katz’s Deli.
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Bebe Neuwirth!
Recently, a friend and I just went to “The Addams Family” on Broadway. Great show! And, for just $36.50 a piece via the student rush initiative on Broadway, we got front mezzanine tickets (I actually prefer sitting above, you can see the full set better!) and enjoyed a really amazing play. Wonderful actors (yeaaaah Nathan Lane) and a set that changed at least twenty times. Added bonus, it’s funny. Christina and I are thinking of going to another play by doing student rush. I’m planning on opening up our trip to the rest of Explore, so keep a look out.
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What can you tell from this image? (Other than the fact that I apparently like movies with Meg Ryan and men with dark hair…) The post title might’ve given it away, but we’re going to have a double feature film night and then the next day, visit places that were featured in the films!
I’m particularly excited about this event because I’m a potential Film Studies major. One thing I love about movies that take place in New York is that it’s hard for sets to fake the outside scenes. Other films might digitally add snow covered mountains, use camera angles to hide the set’s true location, or just film in entirely different places in every scene to get the desired look. That’s something that I love about New York – there’s no where else like it.
That being said, we’re going to be watching “When Harry Met Sally” and “You’ve Got Mail” back to back on the evening of February 19 (Saturday) and then see the site locations that the films actually took place at on February 20 (Sunday). Both of these films have fantastic, character-driven story lines. A lot of their locations are actually as close as the Upper West Side. You might’ve walked by some and not have even realized it. I’ll announce details of the viewing location and the city locations some time over the next few weeks.
Can’t wait to see you there! (:
Amanda
PS: I think I sense a future viewing of the Joseph Gordon-Levitt that was filmed around campus just this last semester.
Max, Justin, Gina, me, & Ramon
For our second trip, Explore Club escaped the aura of stress that encompasses campus during finals. We wanted to experience a phenomnen that we had only seen in movies – New York during the holidays. Hundreds of stores offer discounts and sales during this season. A few build elaborate window displays to showcase the creative side of the business.
We started off by taking a crowded 1 train to 59th Street. At Columbus Circle, we walked around a holiday market, similar to the one at Union Square. From there, we walked through Central Park to get to the Avenue of the Americas, or 6th Avenue. We went to Bergdorf Goodman’s (and had fun saying the name) which boasted several wolves made out of shredded newspapers. Arts and crafts much? We also made our way to Barney’s which was featuring several windows dedicated to food. One window had several Food Network stars waving around butter and spatulas (Martha Stewart was looking in through the window, smiling…it was a little weird.) From there, we walked down 5th Avenue to get some gourmet hot chocolate and admire Saks 5th Avenue’s elegantly dressed mannequins.
[Click on any photo to see the full version!]
On the way downtown, we also swung by Rockefeller Plaza and took several photos in front of the giant Christmas tree. We may or may not have hummed the 30 ROCK theme song and shouted “LOOK THERE’S THE ATLAS!” Our last stop was Macy’s. Macy’s had an incredibly intricate electronic window display that told a story over a whole block of windows. One sign said that Macy’s used 25 gallons of glue to make the display. 25 GALLONS? How is that even possible? Macy’s, defying reality, managed to use the glue to showcase an animated story of a girl that believed in Santa Clause. Cute.
My hands were too cold to film much of our trip, but we took plenty of photos and I put into a quick slideshow (emphasis on quick…I have to actually read Thucydides at some point.) Hope you all have a fantastic break! Keep an eye out for an Explore trip after we all get back from break – I know that after two weeks of the suburbs, I’ll be dying to get back into the city.
Give yourself a planned break from studying with Explore Club! We are going to go check out some of New York’s famous, over-the-top holiday window displays. We’ll also stop by Rockefeller Center to see the ginormous Christmas tree. And, of course, stop at some place for gourmet hot chocolate. Part of Explore’s goals are to give students a dedicated way to see and experience all New York has to offer without making students feel guilty about the work they have waiting for them. This short break will get you out of Butler/Avery/your dorm/wherever you study, and it’ll put you in the holiday spirit. It’s a nice chance to meet new friends and get a feel for the electricity that happens in the city during the holidays. When it’s done, you can return to campus, not feeling guilty about your trip. This is mainly a walking trip, so bring cameras and get ready to just look around and see things. 🙂
Please email me (ajt2143@columbia.edu) with your email address by next Monday night if you’d like to come with. See you there!
Check out and RSVP to the Facebook event here!
I am happy to announce that the first Explore trip was freaking awesome. Christina, Sophie, Ramon, and I left the 116th gates and arrived at Union Square for the Holiday Market. Fashioned after the traditional German Chriskindlemarkt, we enjoyed the wares of at least a hundred independent artists, chefs, musicians, and designers. From everything to fresh mint cookies to beaded pillows to hand-carved jade bracelets, the holiday market had plenty to offer. The market was festively decorated with evergreen and Christmas lights. Afterwards, the three of us girls went to Bryant Park for a very “interesting” ice skating experience.
Ice skating at Bryant Park was insane on a Saturday night – there were hundreds of people on the rink at once. Some of them thought they were pros and neatly shoved past us to swirl around gracefully. Other people decided that “oh hey, this is the perfect time to teach our two year old how to ice skate!” Although, the best part of ice skating (we all agreed) was the crazy cat fight that broke out while the ice was being cleaned. Two women, between their shouting and shoving, knocked over a bench, punched a security guard, and managed to get themselves removed by the police. We then taught Christina how to skate. Ah, the joys of the city. Watch our night unfold in the video below (including a reenactment of said fight). If you’re interested in the Holiday Market, it will still be open throughout December. Take the 1 or 2 to 42 then NQR to Union Square and head towards the South End at West 14th Street. It’s open daily from 11am to 8pm.
Enjoy the below video and we hope to see you on the next trip!
Hi everybody!
I’ve created this WordPress blog to help students keep up with Explore Club’s updates, trips, and stories. Right now, we are still an unofficial club at Columbia University. But, exciting news, our first Explore trip will be this Saturday, mid-afternoon to evening.
We’ll be walking around Madison Ave, going to a Chriskindlemarkt (I used to live in Germany – these things are the shit. It’s a fair with a bunch of tents that sell original artwork/jewelry/bags/knick knacks/food. Get your xmas/Hanukkah shopping done here), and at the end of the night, ice skating either in Central Park or Bryant Park. I’ll figure it out and send out an email to those who RSVP by Friday night.
******If you want to come to this Explore trip, please RSVP to ajt2143@columbia.edu with your name and email address.*******
Thanks, see you there!
Amanda
Explore New York 
