The Super Bowl kicks off in New Jersey and close to New York City on Sunday, Feb. 2.
More than 1 billon people will tune in to the see the Super Bowl. Don't have tickets to the game? New York will be hosting dozens of parties at city bars, hotels and restaurants.
There is a series of official weeklong events that kicked off Jan. 27, with the "Super Bowl Kickoff Spectacular," a free, ticketed event with performances by Daughtry and Goo Goo Dolls, along with the Macy's Fireworks show. The kickoff event, the first to ever be associated with a Super Bowl, will be along the Hudson River at Liberty State Park in Jersey City, N.J. For all the official information on the Super Bowl, visit www.nynjsuperbowl.com .
Rocky
Yo, Adrian! Guess who's coming to Broadway?
In 1976, an unknown actor made an independent movie about a struggling boxer who gets a shot to go the distance. Sylvester Stallone's Rocky went on to win an Oscar for best picture and became an anthem for the City of Brotherly Love. It seems that the endearing Rocky Balboa will be making his Great White Way debut in New York in February at the Winter Garden Theater ( yes, the theater that hosted Cats and Mamma Mia ).
Apollo, Mickey and Adrian are back, too. Sylvester Stallone himself is a producer. While there is no starring character officially from Philly, Andy Karl, who plays Rocky, hails from Baltimore ( kinda close ) and appeared in Jersey Boys. He starred in 9 to 5 and Legally Blonde on Broadway.
The show has been in Europe but is finally coming to Broadway. Previews begin Feb. 11 and opening night is March 13. For tickets and information, visit rockybroadway.com .
More Broadway
In addition to our favorite hometown hero making his great debut on Broadway, Disney continues to repurpose their popular films and will introduces Aladdin. Aladdin features all of the film's favorite songs and new music too. Previews begin Feb. 26 and opening night is March 20. Visit aladdinthemusical.com .
There are lots of great shows on Broadway and off-Broadway. It is time to catch-up on The Book of Mormon, Chicago, the Blue Man Group, the Phantom of the Opera, Rock of Ages and more.
Broadway Week
Broadway Week will return this winter with two-for-one theater tickets to 26 Broadway shows—more than ever. The promotion runs through Feb. 6, and theatergoers get two-for-one tickets at nycgo.com/broadwayweek.
New hotels in NYC
Loews Regency Hotel in New York opened Jan. 16. Loews is re-opening the flagship property after a $100-million renovation, including a new restaurant and what the PR teams say is a state-of-the-art salon and spa. The redesign of the 379-room hotel is in the heart of Midtown Manhattan on Park Avenue. The hotel also comes with Park Avenue prices but a new hotel in NYC is priceless! Get in quick. Visit www.loewshotels.com
The coolest hotel in NYC right now might be The High Line Hotel. It opened in May 2013, but what makes the rooms and suites different is that they are carved out of the red-brick General Theological Seminary complex, a registered Manhattan landmark on Tenth Avenue at 20th Street. The hotel is located in Chelsea, adjacent to the iconic High Line "railroad-line park," dozens of restaurants, clubs and the city's hippest art gallery neighborhood. Even if you don't stay, check out the website at www.thehighlinehotel.com .
Jeff Guaracino is the author of Gay and Lesbian Tourism: The Essential Guide for Marketing.
