To see history made on inauguration day, try the land of the free
By NICOLE LYN PESCE
Wednesday, January 14th 2009, 9:17 PM
To all New Yorkers unable to score tickets to the inauguration – or, quite frankly, who couldn’t foot the bill for the trip to the capital – fear not!
Revelers had a fine time celebrating Barack Obama’s historic win here at home last November. And while City Hall’s free public viewing party is already full, plenty of local venues offer exciting opportunities to catch the ceremony.
We’ve listed some of your best bets to watch history unfold together with neighbors and friendly strangers around town.
Apollo Theater
Log online ASAP for a chance to score tix to catch Barack Obama’s historic Inauguration live at the legendary Apollo Theater. Time Warner Cable is offering 1,000 complimentary tickets on a first come, first served basis to all Time Warner customers logging onto www.twcnyc.com. (FREE, 253 W. 125th St., 212-531-5300)
Harlem 369th Armory
Billed as the largest presidential inauguration event in Harlem, the Democracy Prep Charter School will host a public viewing at the legendary Harlem Armory. The school is coordinating yellow bus service for large groups and serving a light snack. Arrive early, as the doors close at 10:30 a.m. (Free, 10 a.m.-1:30 p.m., 40 W. 143rd St., RSVP at 917-509-7185 or Inauguration@DemocracyPrep.org)
Times Square
Thousands packed the Crossroads of the World to watch Obama win the presidency last year, and while there’s no specific organized event, pedestrians and tourists can flock to Military Island in the heart of Times Square to catch the ceremonies on the supersized outdoor screens. Fox News Channel will air the inauguration live on the Astrovision sign from 10:30 a.m.-1 p.m., with ABC and Clear Channel likely broadcasting the events live on their own screens. (Free, 10:30 a.m., 42nd St. at Broadway, 212-768-1560)
Father Duffy Square
If Times Square is too packed, try Father Duffy Square just a few blocks north, where outdoor screens will be broadcasting the festivities live near the statue of priest and military chaplain Father Francis Patrick Duffy. (Free, 11 a.m.-3 p.m., W. 47th St., between Broadway and Seventh Ave., www.nycgovparks.org)
Schomburg Center
Harlem’s Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture opens its Langston Hughes auditorium for a live showing of the inaugural ceremonies and swearing in of Obama, as well as the inaugural parade in Washington. Seats are first-come, first-served. (Free, 11 a.m., 515 Malcolm X Blvd., at 136th St., 212-491-2200)
Brooklyn Business Library
Emotional Freedom Techniques host a toe-tapping viewing party in the Brooklyn Business Library. They’ll teach guests a couple of tap dance steps before releasing balloons at the right moment — then everyone stands facing D.C. and “taps” their positive energy toward new President Barack Obama. RSVP required. (FREE, 11:30 a.m., 280 Cadman Plaza, 718-858-0452.)
Trinity Church
The Wall St. church will screen the ceremonies for downtown residents, workers and visitors on HD flat-screen monitors posted throughout the sanctuary, a historic site lined with beautiful stained glass windows. Following the inauguration there will be a closing prayer and hymn, as well as the ringing of a full peal on Trinity’s magnificent bells, which rotate 360 degrees to produce a cascading sound. (Free, 11:30 a.m., Broadway at Wall St., 212-602-0800)
Adam Clayton Powell State Office Building Square
Expect dancing on 125th St. once again as Time Warner Cable broadcasts the Inauguration live from the Adam Clayton Powell State Office Building Square on grand-scale screens. Just don’t forget your handwarmers. (FREE, 10 a.m.-2 p.m., 163 W. 125th St., 212-961-4390)
Queens Theatre in the Park
The Flushing Meadows-Corona Park theater invites locals to a live inaugural broadcast while picking up Obama’s banner of community service. Guests are encouraged to donate canned goods to the Queens Interfaith Hunger Network. RSVP required. The lobby opens at 10:30 a.m. for the broadcast at 11:30 a.m., with spots on a first-come, first-seated basis. (Free, 111th St. at 53rd Ave., Queens, 718-760-0064)
Foley Square
Can’t get into the City Hall screening? Head over to Foley Square and Paine Park in the historic Five Points district for a live screening of the inauguration in the green space surrounded by iconic civic buildings, just a stone’s throw from Chinatown. (Free, 11 a.m.-3 p.m., Centre St. at Pearl St., www.nycgovparks.org)
La Fonda Boricua
The festive La Fonda Boricua restaurant tucked into the heart of Spanish Harlem hosts a “Chew & View” Inauguration Day party with a distinct Latin flavor. Savor hearty Puerto Rican stews, tapas, or their famous arroz con pollo while jamming to a live deejay and catching the Inaugural ceremonies screened on several big TVs. (FREE admission, 11 a.m., 169 E. 106th St., 212-410-7292)
Movie Theaters
MSNBC reels a free live Inaugural screening at both the Clearview Cinema Chelsea (260 W. 23rd St.) and the Jamaica Multiplex (159-02 Jamaica Ave.). Reservations are required, and seats are available on a first come, first served basis. The tix are free, but you’ll have to shell out for the popcorn. (FREE, 11 a.m.-3 p.m., visit www.msnbcevents.com)
Gran Piatto D’oro Restaurant
It’s an Italian-style Inauguration! The Gran Piatto D’Oro Restaurant serves a special Inauguration menu, including signature house specials like the “Chicken Sofia Loren” stuffed with prosciuto and mozzarella. The festivies will be projected live on a large screen TV in the restaurant’s contemporary classic dining room. (FREE admission, 11 a.m., 1429 5th Ave. between 116th & 117th Sts., 212-722-2244)
York College
NYC Councilman Thomas White Jr., chairman of economic development, hosts a live screening of the inauguration at the CUNY York College Theater in Queens. It will be open to students, faculty and the public. (Free, 11 a.m., 94-20 Guy R. Brewer Blvd., at Archer Ave., 718-262-3750)
