By Gus Saltonstall
The final chance to see Manhattanhenge, the phenomenon where the setting sun aligns perfectly with the city grid, will take place on Saturday, and the American Museum of Natural History is shutting down an Upper West Side street to celebrate the occasion.
AMNH will host a free block party from 3 p.m. to 10 p.m. on West 79th Street, between Amsterdam and Columbus, featuring a special viewing of the setting sun around 8:20 p.m. Before then, there will be World Cup soccer viewing options within the museum’s iconic halls, as well as chess matches, double-dutch jump rope, and board games.
The museum is also hosting a lecture at 7 p.m. about Manhattanhenge by Associate Curator Jackie Faherty within its LeFrak Giant-Screen Theater. After the lecture, Faherty will lead the audience outside for a viewing of the setting sun from the closed-off street.
You can buy tickets for the lecture — HERE.
While the lecture is a ticketed event, the block party is free and open to everyone. A salsa orchestra will play as the sun sets.
“As the Sun begins its descent, the celebration culminates in a collective viewing of Manhattanhenge on 79th Street, a rare moment when the city aligns with our parent star, reminding us of our place within larger natural systems,” reads a description of the block party. “Starting at sunset, enjoy the vibrant sounds of the Williamsburg Salsa Orchestra as the city is bathed in golden evening light.”
You can find out more about the event — HERE.
Subscribe to West Side Rag’s FREE email newsletter here. And you can Support the Rag here.
So the M79 bus will be re-routed?
But the Mayor just announced a plan to speed buses?
Sounds awesome, hope they do this every year! Having the AMNH in our backyard is one of the many perks of living in the best neighborhood on the planet.