Lux Helsinki Lights up the Night

>When it’s January in Helsinki, the night can seem endless.  And what’s the one thing that people are needing more of in the dead of winter in northern Europe?  Light, of course! And once again they’re going to get it. From Wednesday January 6 to Sunday January 10, the eighth … Read more

Mezi – Christmas Shopping in a Pinch

With less than 10 shopping days until Christmas many of us (including myself) are feeling the crunch.  How do we finish it all up in time?  Pssst … the Squire’s got a secret.  It’s Mezi, a text-on-demand shopping service App. Thanks to Mezi, you can do all of your shopping … Read more

New Year’s Eve in Times Square

New Year’s Eve in Times Square?  That’s a no-brainer, right?  Crowds of people packed like sardines standing for hours just waiting for the magic moment when the Waterford Crystal Ball drops at midnight. Fuhgettabout it! Take it from The Squire; you deserve a better New Years’ Eve experience.  And you … Read more

Germany, German Traditions

Exploring German Traditions

Standing in Germany’s Black Forest surrounded by dense canopies of dark towering evergreens, I fully expected to see Little Red Riding Hood skipping along to Grandma’s house with the big bad wolf undoubtedly lurking somewhere behind a tree. This geographically blessed region in southwest Germany’s state of Baden-Württemberg was the … Read more

Tanuki, Auckland, New Zealand

The Japanese Izakaya concept seems to have gained prominence far and wide in the last year and Auckland, New Zealand is no exception. Essentially Japanese bar food eaten with liberal amounts of alcoholic beverages, the movement has spawned variations and it’s possible that in another year it will have morphed … Read more

Celebrate Winter in Paris

From the TS Editors: I can’t help it.  When I hear a new Mylene Farmer disk, I’m like a moth to a flame. At the moment her new c.d. Monkey Me has me captive. Probably unbeknownst to most stateside, Mylene epitomizes the post 80’s French disco angel … her music … Read more

Onboard The Queen Mary 2 – Southampton to NY

H.M.S.  Victory  H.R.H. The Princess Royal, previously known as Princess Anne, is the only daughter of Queen Elizabeth II and The Duke of Edinburgh and is the sister of Prince Charles, who is the subject of the Tony worthy new show King Charles III now on Broadway at the Music … Read more

George Takei and Brad Altman. Photo courtesy of Richard C. Murray and RCM Images Inc.

The Queen Mary 2 – NY to Southampton

“Some people have been on the Queen Mary 2 making the same crossing many times before. But I’ve got one over on even those who are grizzled veterans of the North Atlantic crossing. I have boldly gone where no one has gone before on the Starship Enterprise,” quipped the affable … Read more

Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade – Monarch Rooftop Lounge

If you were one of the millions of viewers glued to your television screen last year during the annual Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade you’re certain of one thing.  It just keeps getting better year after year.  And let’s face it.  That is definitely not true of most things today. With … Read more

Matbaren Sashimi. Photo courtesy of Michael Tulipan.

Stockholm Drinking and Dining

With pristine seafood plucked from glistening seas, sustainably raised meats and a newfound devotion to seasonal produce, modern Swedish cooking has come a long way from meatballs and pickled herring. The food scene hasn’t yet made the city a must visit like Copenhagen, but chefs are carving out their own … Read more

New Orleans for the Holidays

Part French, part Southern and 100 percent enchanting, New Orleans is unlike any other city in the country.  In this famed place where Creole tradition abounds, legendary music, superb cuisine and of course, extra special cocktails combine to create a celebratory atmosphere for the holidays.  Every year during this time, … Read more

Germany’s Merry Christmas: Markets and More

My nose led me to the oven, heavenly aromas wafting from behind its doors.   Something delicious was baking and I had to have a taste.  I was in Dresden at the Striezelmarkt, the city’s Christmas market, and it was Stollen, a rich buttery cake with dried fruit, nuts and spices, … Read more

Power to Go

If you’re anything like me, then you travel with all your gadgets. Have you ever been away from home and discovered that your electronic devices just weren’t getting enough power?  You check-in to your hotel and as you’re unpacking you notice there aren’t enough outlets to charge your phones, iPad, … Read more

Caribbean Carnival

We met new friends singing around the piano bar; laughed in George Lopez’s comedy club; performed karaoke; and danced at Liquid Disco. And that was just the first night of our eight-day Carnival Breeze Eastern Caribbean cruise.  Once you cross the threshold, you enter the party zone! Breeze cruisers will … Read more

Thrilling Halloween Lights

If you’ve ever been to New York City for the annual Halloween Parade, you can’t miss out on the LED Tower Music-to-Light show from the Empire State Building. Every year, Empire State Realty Trust, Inc. (ESRT) partners with mass media entertainment company iHeartMedia to “treat” viewers to a spectacular performance with bright lights and popular music – no “tricks” involved here, just some really cool entertainment New York style.

The Empire State Building tower lights are lit in a show to celebrate Halloween, Friday, October 31, 3014.
Photo Courtesy of ESB.

This year’s show began on Saturday, October 31 at 6:45 PM and was simulcast on radio stations z100 and KTU 103.5. An encore performance was played at 10:00 PM on z100 just in case people missed the first show while they were out partying at the parade.

The Facts

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New Yorker or not, the Empire State Building is a building that gets a lotta love.  It’s one of the most recognizable icons in Manhattan and is a huge part of American culture. Spanning 102-stories, it’s the fifth tallest building in the U.S. It is famously lit year round in colors to commemorate various holidays and events including the 4th of July, Christmas, and of course, Halloween. Perhaps you’ll also remember when the building was lit in rainbow lights last July to celebrate the nationwide legalization of same-sex marriage.

Even those who have never stepped foot within our concrete jungle will recognize the building as King Kong’s famous perch where the he swatted helicopters from the skies like flies. Or, when Will Ferrell visited New York City as an overgrown “Elf” named Buddy, he pushed all of the buttons inside the skyscraper’s elevator and remarked that the lights made the buttons look like a Christmas tree. It’s hard to believe but the building has been in over 250 movies since it was completed in 1931!

The Sounds

The LED tower lights were synchronized to the music played by iHeartMedia’s radio stations and included the following Halloween-themed songs:

  • “Disturbia” by Rihanna
  • “E.T.” by Katy Perry
  • “The Addams Family” theme song
  • “Ghostbusters” theme song
  • “Somebody’s Watching Me” by Rockwell

The Sights

The light show was easily visible to those in the Midtown area, including the parade goers of Greenwich Village along the entire parade route.  This year marked their 42nd annual celebration.

For more amazing light shows including those of past Halloween’s, be sure to check out the Empire State Building YouTube channel.

Here are some great locations to visit for a public viewing for next year’s show:

  • Brooklyn Bridge
  • Bryant Park
  • The Highline
  • Hoboken / Jersey City Waterfront
  • Hudson River Esplanade
  • Long Island City
  • Madison Square Park
  • Tribeca Park
  • Union Square
  • Williamsburg Waterfront