Union Square Entertains, Exercises this Summer

NEW YORK—The 2011 “Summer in the Square,” at Union Square, provides early morning fitness, family fun for kids and parents, and live music every Thursday until Aug. 11.

In the evening, live music is presented, beginning at 6 p.m., from a diverse mix of genres like latin, rock, jazz, and folk and a mix of local and touring bands. The exception was June 30, when three groups performed. One of them, “Million Dollar Quartet,” is based on the grand recording session where legends Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, Carl Perkins, and Jerry Lee Lewis were brought together.

“I love them, I like all the stuff they’re doing,” said Joy, who lives in East Village. Walking by, she was drawn in by the music, and was surprised it sounded like blues. The band played hits like “Hound Dog,” by Elvis and “Whole Lotta Shakin‘ Goin’ On,” by Lewis.

The Shinbone Alley Stilt Band, a five-member group, played while on stilts and sported colorful outfits, entertaining the crowd with their music and antics.

“I like their outfits, their hysterical,” said Vera, who lives in the area.

The morning fitness programs, beginning with running classes at 7 a.m. and continuing throughout the morning, include yoga sessions at 8 a.m. and cardio classes at 9 a.m. The running and cardio classes, Running 101 + More, and Cardio Boot Camp, stay the same every week, while the yoga classes feature a different center teaching the session each time.

At 10 a.m. a yoga class called, Yoga Stars Mommy & Me Yoga, is conducted at the playground, and at noon other activities geared toward children, like music and puppet shows, are held.

Businesses, including Green Mountain Energy and Beth Israel Medical Center, had booths setup during the day.

“We’re doing a lot of education on all kinds of things that are good for preventative health, stress reduction, smoking cessation, [and] healthy living,” said Dr. Dahlia Rizk, who specializes in inpatient medicine. She was advising everyone, especially the kids, to “drink plenty of water, eat your vegetables, exercise, [and] wear sunblock,” to avoid ending up in inpatient care.

Green Mountain Energy, which supplies clean, renewable energy from its three wind farms and two hydro-electric dams to over 16,000 residences and the Empire State Building, was telling people about the choice of alternative energy.

With other initiatives such as BeFit NYC and Summer Streets going on, summer in the city is full of great outdoor activities to enjoy.