Latest news with #TimesSquareAlliance
Mint
3 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Mint
Anupam Kher joins thousands for Yoga Day celebration at Times Square
New York [US], June 21 (ANI): The heart of Manhattan transformed into a vibrant celebration of health and mindfulness as the Consulate General of India in New York, in collaboration with Times Square Alliance, hosted the 11th International Day of Yoga at the iconic Times Square. The all-day event, widely known as Solstice at Times Square, featured seven yoga sessions that drew nearly 10,000 participants from diverse backgrounds and nationalities. The event was graced by actor Anupam Kher, who shared a personal connection to yoga. "I'm extremely happy to be at the world's most iconic place, Times Square, on the occasion of the 11th International Yoga Day, initiated by our beloved Prime Minister 11 years back. My grandfather was a yoga teacher, so I've seen that happening all my life. I practice yoga, and I can see the atmosphere all over the place. It's a very important message not only for physical health but also for mental health," he said. Kher also took to Instagram to express his gratitude, writing, "It was my privilege and my honour to be there for #Bharat for the 11th #InternationalYogaDay at the iconic #TimeSquare in New York! Thank you @indiainnewyork @binaysrikant76 ji for inviting me to this highly prestigious event. It was wonderful to practice #Yog in this great environment! Jai Hind!" The Consul General welcomed the gathering and emphasised the transformative power of yoga, highlighting its benefits not just for physical and mental well-being but also for fostering a deeper connection with nature. The event's theme for 2025, 'Yoga for One Earth, One Health,' reflects a holistic vision of health and harmony for the planet and its people. This year's celebrations are part of a broader month-long initiative by the Indian Consulate, engaging communities across states like New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Ohio, and Connecticut. These programs have seen enthusiastic participation from both local residents and yoga practitioners. Since its inception in 2015, following a United Nations resolution initiated by India, the International Day of Yoga has grown into a worldwide movement. Observed on June 21, the Summer Solstice and the longest day of the year in the Northern Hemisphere, the day continues to promote the timeless message of unity, balance, and well-being. (ANI)
UPI
9 hours ago
- Entertainment
- UPI
Stretching into summer: Yoga workouts mark solstice in longest day
1 of 4 | People attend a yoga class in celebration of the summer solstice at the 23rd annual all-day outdoor yoga event in Times Square in New York City on Friday, June 20, 2025. Photo by John Angelillo/UPI | License Photo June 20 (UPI) -- Summer officially began Friday in the Northern Hemisphere with the longest daylight of the year at around 15 hours. At Times Square in New York, thousands of people enjoyed the extra sunshine in all-day yoga classes. The summer solstice officially begins at 10:42 p.m. The amount of daylight depends on the location. And the sun's intensity also varies. Long day? The Earth might have something to do with it. Friday, June 20 marks the summer solstice-the longest stretch of daylight in the Northern Hemisphere. Pack sunscreen and thank Earth's axial tilt for the extra hours. Learn more: NASA (@NASA) June 20, 2025 Simultaneously, those in the Southern Hemisphere will mark the winter solstice, which is the shortest day of 2025 below the equator. That is around 7 hours and 40 minutes of daylight. The sun appears higher or lower in the sky depending on the season. In New York City, daylight was 15 hours and 6 minutes with sunrise at 5:24 a.m. and sunset at 8:30 p.m. Yoga participants enjoyed a sunny day in Manhattan with a high temperature of 85 degrees, no precipitation and 38% humidity. Free yoga classes were open to experienced yogis and first-timers on the Broadway pedestrian plazas. Classes for 23rd Mind over Madness Yoga ran from 7:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. The only animals allowed were service dogs. People could also participate in a livestream. It was sponsored by Times Square Alliance, which is a nonprofit organization that "works to improve and promote Times Square so that it retains the creativity, energy and edge that have made it an international icon for over 100 years," according to its website. Events have been celebrated by cultures around the world for thousands of years. Stonehenge and the Mayan Chichen Itza Pyramid were purposely built to align with these seasonal markers. Some Native American tribes in the plains and the Rocky Mountains perform a Sun Dance to celebrate the summer solstice. In Fairbanks, Alaska, a baseball game called the "Midnight Sun Game" traditionally starts at 10:30 p.m. The summer solstice occurs because the Earth has a 23.5-degree tilt. So, the planet is pointed toward the sun half of the year and the most away the other half. In the Northern Hemisphere, the summer solstice occurs when the sun reaches its northernmost point relative to Earth's celestial equator. During the summer solstice, the sun shines directly on the Tropic of Cancer in the Northern Hemisphere. That means if you stand there, you'll have no shadow at noon because the sun will be directly overhead. The winter solstice in the Northern Hemisphere is 10:02 a.m. The winter solstice takes place when the sun is in its southernmost position relative to the celestial equator. The word solstice is derived from the Latin word solstitium, which translates to "sun stands still." The Fall equinox will occur at 2:19 p.m. Sept. 22 this year and the spring equinox is March 20, 2026, at 10:46 a.m. Stretching into summer: Solstice yoga takes over Times Square People attend a yoga class in celebration of the summer solstice at the all-day outdoor yoga event in Times Square in New York City on June 20, 2025. Photo by John Angelillo/UPI | License Photo
Time Out
21-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Time Out
Over 80 free shows and programs are taking over Times Square this summer
Summer in NYC just got a whole lot louder, bolder and totally free. The Times Square Alliance has unveiled its 2025 TSQ LIVE lineup—a massive series of more than 80 open-air events set to take place throughout the midtown plazas from May through September. This year's edition will bring in big-name partners like Jazz at Lincoln Center, Ailey Extension, Carnegie Hall Citywide and MTA Music Under New York, plus a buzzy roster of rising stars and cultural collectives. (Think soul-train-style dance sessions, Pride month blowouts hosted by drag royalty Luxx Noir London, and jam-packed Summer Friday concerts with artists like Adam Melchor, SUM SUN, Kids That Fly and Bermuda Search Party.) ' Times Square is the world's stage, described by many as a bucket list venue to perform at and thrilling for fans and commuter audiences who enjoy these unique, collective experiences that make the plazas of Times Square feel like they belong to everyone,' said Joe Papa, the Times Square Alliance's director of events and programming, in an official statement. Tuesday evenings will showcase DJs spinning a range of genres, from house to hip-hop, while Wednesdays will spotlight subway legends through MTA Music, and Thursdays will bring jazz and high-energy live music, along with free dance classes courtesy of Ailey Extension. On Fridays, expect the Summer Friday series to turn Times Square into a full-blown open-air concert hall. There are also new faces joining the mix, such as Turn The Tables, a nonprofit that utilizes DJing as a tool for social change, and the 2025 Neurodivergent Tour, which showcases artists on the autism spectrum that have exceptional musical talent. And in a fun twist, anyone can apply to perform via TSQ LIVE's Open Call. Best of all? It's all totally free. So whether you're sprinting to a Broadway show, strolling through on your way to dinner or just craving a little live music with your evening commute, there's never been a better excuse to stop and stay awhile.
