Step into the elegant world of musical genius Leonard Bernstein as we take you on an exclusive tour of his stunning residence in the iconic Dakota Apartment building. Nestled in the heart of New York City, this historic apartment was not only a home for the maestro but also a place where music, love, and creativity converged.

Join us as we explore the beautifully adorned spaces that witnessed the maestro's daily life, from the grand piano in the living room where he composed some of his most renowned works to the cozy family spaces that echoed with the laughter of his wife and children. Bernstein's Dakota apartment served as a sanctuary for artistic inspiration, filled with treasured memorabilia, timeless furnishings, and an unparalleled view of the city that inspired so much of his music.

Discover the carefully curated rooms that reflect Bernstein's eclectic taste, from the vibrant colors of the music room to the serene ambiance of the library. Each corner of this residence tells a story of a life dedicated to the pursuit of musical excellence and the joy of shared moments with family and friends.

As we delve into the history and significance of the Dakota building itself, marvel at the architectural beauty that housed one of the greatest maestros of the 20th century. From the majestic facade to the intricate details within, the Dakota provided the perfect backdrop for Bernstein's symphony of life.

Join us on this enchanting journey through the past, as we pay homage to the maestro's legacy and explore the spaces that fueled his creative spirit. Leonard Bernstein's Dakota apartment is more than just a dwelling; it's a testament to a life lived in harmony with music, love, and artistic expression.

The Mid-Autumn Festival, also known as the Moon Festival or Mooncake Festival, is celebrated by many Asian communities as the start of the harvest season. Mooncakes, which commemorate the full moon and the fall harvest, play a central role, as people gather with friends and families to make and exchange them.

Yi-wei Huang has been making pastries and cakes for 30 years. He’s the owner of Double Crispy Bakery, which opened 20 years ago in Manhattan's Chinatown and is one of the biggest mooncake suppliers in the city, selling thousands during the Mid-Autumn Festival every year. The month leading up to the festival is their busiest time, often requiring them to devote the whole team and the entire kitchen to churning out thousands of mooncakes, making no other pastries or cakes.

Follow along as Yi-wei shares what the holiday means to him and others who celebrate it.

I have been making Streetfilms about Daylighting for over 15 years. Around that time period Streefilms put together the first film ever on the topic: 2010's "Daylighting: Make Your Crosswalks Safer" (https://vimeo.com/12796910) featuring a number of prominent New Yorkers on the topic.

I have always tried to work in daylighting into everything I can. It just makes sense to not have cars parked all the way up to crosswalks (or in some cases right up until the intersection!). By eliminating cars being parked from the first 10 to 15 feet (in some places they use 20!) you create a safer environment for drivers to not only see peds & bicyclists but OTHER drivers.

During a meeting after I had assembled together a blog post for Open Plans on some of the work I had done over the years (https://www.openplans.org/blog/street...) we talked about coming up with a new version for 2024. And so the idea was born and we got a dozen folks to talk to us about daylighting and the really cool movement from NYC Community Boards now passing resolutions asking the Mayor & NYC DOT for #universaldaylighting!

Oh, and this video features prominently Emily Chingay who really made this video come alive with her enthusiasm and great script she penned! Enjoy and please circulate and use it wherever you can. Though it is NYC based, it provides a model for other cities & communities to make daylighting happen.