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
road trip olympic peninsula

10 Road Trips to Inspire You

What is it about getting in a car and driving, driving, driving?  It’s therapy for today’s intrepid travelers who would rather line up at the gas pump than at the TSA checkpoint. And for all our autumnal dreamers there’s a foliage filled land out there just waiting for you now. … Read more

Bourbon Orleans Lobby

Bourbon Orleans Hotel, New Orleans

History has a funny way of weaving its way in and out of our lives. Some of us are lured to it, others perplexed as to how to reconcile the past with our high tech lives we maintain. Even if you could care less about the Louisiana Purchase and the … Read more

Germany’s Fun Festivals

Germans sure know how to throw a party.  Fun festivals with oom-pah bands, beer, wine, sausages plus all sorts of tasty edibles — and plenty of gemütlichkeit.  There really is no accurate translation for this word which describes the jolly ambience and lively spirit that is the essence of these … Read more

Sanctuary on Camelback Mountain

Five Memorable Culinary Journeys

Do you dream about good food? Then perhaps you’d call yourself a “foodie”. As a recently coined term that identifies millions of folks in this country and all over for that matter, eating well is a serious hobby.  To be honest, who doesn’t enjoy eating well?  But there’s more to … Read more

Halloween in the Big Easy

What’s the most haunted city in the U.S.?  Our bet’s on New Orleans which is gearing up for Halloween with special events and festivities to scare visitors of all ages. Travelers looking to get some southern hospitality on fright night and afterward won’t want to miss out on this year’s … Read more