- Targeted Initiatives Aim to Help NYC Residents Explore One of the World's

             Top Travel Destinations During Economic Downturn -

  - Weekend of August 8: Highlights Across the Five Boroughs Include Alvin

Ailey Block Party, Island Hopping and Nickelodeon Slime Across America 2008

                                   Tour -



    NEW YORK, Aug. 7 /EMWNews/ -- As rising gas prices and increased

economic concerns continue to dominate news headlines, NYC & Company, New

York City's marketing, tourism and partnership organization, today

announced the addition of two new initiatives to the 'Go Local' campaign,

recently announced by Mayor Bloomberg. NYC & Company will be further

calling on residents to explore their own backyard via targeted commercials

which will appear on the touch screen monitors in the back of New York City

taxi cabs, as well as branded 'Go Local' promotional materials including

beach balls and Frisbees which will be distributed at locations across the

City such as New York City parks and beaches advertising the NYC & Company

dedicated site nycvisit.com/golocal where residents can access weekly

itineraries on the top activities taking place across the five boroughs.

Additional campaign elements designed to encourage local residents to

discover the City's five boroughs this summer include print advertising,

up-to-the-minute online information at nycvisit.com/golocal and street

teams armed with weekly five borough itineraries, 'Go Local' stickers and

temporary tattoos, deployed at nine locations throughout the City including

Grand Central Terminal, Union Square and the Bedford Avenue subway stop in

Brooklyn.



    "At a time when many New Yorkers will be canceling or postponing their

vacations, our aim is to remind residents what a fantastic destination they

live in and that staying in the City is not just a consolation prize but

can be just as satisfying as getting away," said George Fertitta, CEO, NYC

& Company. "From the many beaches, parks, pools and rooftops to

unparalleled shopping, dining, entertainment and arts and cultural

offerings, New York City has it all, and whether residents are looking to

relax and wind down or immerse themselves in the more adventurous

activities taking place throughout the five boroughs, an abundance of

options are available to enjoy."



    This week's top highlight: As part of its 50th anniversary

celebrations, Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater (alvinailey.org) will

present an all-day outdoor block party on Saturday, August 9 on W. 55th

Street in Manhattan. The free event will include free food, dance and

drumming classes, as well as free performances from the acclaimed Alvin

Ailey American Dance Theatre.



    Additional highlights throughout the five boroughs are as follows:



    Manhattan



    Summer Fridays provide the perfect opportunity to visit the City's

museums often overlooked by residents. Currently displaying The Horse

exhibition, the American Museum of Natural History (amnh.org) allows

visitors to discover the 50 million-year history of the equine. On

Saturday, August 9 from 11am-5pm the 2008 International Yo-Yo Convention

(yoyoopen.com) which is free to the public, draws yo-yo masters from all

over the world to South Street Seaport.



    Brooklyn



    Every Saturday the Brooklyn Brewery (brooklynbrewery.com) offers free

tours every hour on the hour from noon-5pm, and New Yorkers should take the

chance to explore the Williamsburg area before or after learning about the

brewery's history and tricks of the trade. In Coney Island on Friday,

August 8, at the New York Aquarium (nyaquarium.com), Ira Flatow, host of

NPR's Talk of the Nation: Science Fridays, will present a wacky Coney

Island edition of Talking Science Cabaret followed by fireworks from the

Oceanic Deck starting at 9:20pm. The program takes place at the Aqua

theater from 7pm-8:30pm and tickets purchased in advance cost $8 or $10 at

the door.



    Queens



    Renowned as New York City's most culturally diverse borough, Queens

offers a variety of music and dance activities from around the world. On

Saturday, August 9 at 2pm, free belly dancing classes will take place with

Shoshana, an artist of Middle Eastern dance, along with students from the

Shoshana Dance Theater, at Hollis Library, 202-05 Hillside Avenue

(queenslibrary.org). Also on Saturday, at P.S.1 Contemporary Art Center

(ps1.org) from 3pm-9pm contemporary, liquid-like dance beats will be played

by Mungolian Jet Set featuring DJ Strange Fruit.



    Staten Island



    Children will especially enjoy the Nickelodeon Slime Across America

(nick.com/slime/) tour taking place at Snug Harbor Cultural Center on

Saturday, August 9 from 2pm. Those with a sense of adventure wishing to

stay overnight in Staten Island should consider Family Camping

(nyc.gov/parks) on Saturday, August 9, from 7pm where there will be the

opportunity to pitch a tent, build a campfire, and go on a night hike to

meet the nocturnal residents of High Rock Park.



    The Bronx



    On Sunday, August 10 from 11am, New Yorkers can enjoy Island Hopping

(nyc.gov/parks) from Orchard Beach Nature Center and explore the waters

surrounding Pelham Bay Park which are dotted with tiny islands. Wave Hill

(wavehill.org) also offers the chance to enjoy being outdoors while

discovering the plant life that covers the borough's dry surfaces with a

Garden Walk: Water-wise Garden Plants on Saturday, August 9 starting at

Perkins Visitor Center at 11am.



    For more information about staying in NYC this summer go to:

nycvisit.com/golocal



    For images go to:

http://nycvisit.mymediabox.com/server/downloads/zipsetp.aspx?zipcode=188470

E9- C1DA-4C21-B708-39B4A0B488F5 (Due to the length of this URL, please copy

and paste into a web browser.)