FRAMES: The Port Authority Bus Terminal’s Best-Kept Secret

Posted on July 28, 2015 by PANYNJ PORTfolio

By George DeFeis, Intern, Media Relations

 Hidden within the bustling Port Authority Bus Terminal is a bowling alley known as Frames; it’s easy to overlook, but hard to forget.  On a recent field trip there with a colleague, we were bowled over by the venue, pun intended.

With 28 lanes, full lane-side service, a beautiful billiards lounge, two fully-stocked sports bars, a ping-pong room, and a dance lounge, Frames provides a top of the line bowling experience with all the bells and whistles you might expect at the busiest bus terminal in the world.

It’s not surprising that people like Jay-Z, Beyonce, Carmelo Anthony and some of New York’s hottest stars have at various times visited this hidden gem.  However, Frames wasn’t always so great.  Instead of the five-diamond facility it is today, it was once a place you could easily take for granite and walk right past.  I know, a geology joke, ‘what a nerd.’  The bowling alley itself is decades old, but when Frames took over about eight years ago, the facility was updated with more than $20 million in renovations.  Besides an aesthetically pleasing interior, Frames’ location allows access to a wide variety of people through the bus terminal or through its street entrance on 40th and 9th Avenue, which was added during renovation.

It’s a great spot to kick back and enjoy a beer, or grab a bite after a long day of work. Being located inside the bus terminal gives Frames an advantage other spots just do not have. Patrons are able to get anywhere in New York or New Jersey without even leaving the building.  Where else could you find that?

P.S. If you are looking to miss the crowds, try going a little early, maybe before dinner.

Posted in bowling alley, Port Authority Bus Terminal | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Throwback Thursday: 50-plus Years of Beatlemania

Posted on July 23, 2015 by PANYNJ PORTfolio

As of 2015, the Beatles continue to hold the record for most number one hits on the Hot 100 chart with 20, and they continue to be the best-selling band in history with estimated sales of more than 600 million records worldwide.  Below is a scene from 2014 as a throng of Beatle fans turned out at John F. Kennedy International Airport to help the Port Authority place a marker inside the historic TWA Flight Center to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Beatles arrival to the United States.

On this day, 50 years ago, the Fab Four released their 10th single “Help” in the UK.  The record spent three weeks at number 1 and 14 weeks on the charts.

Beatles Mania

Posted in airports, John F. Kennedy International Airport, rock and roll, Saarinen, TWA Flight Center | Tagged , , , | 1 Comment

Animodules at Newark Liberty International: Public Art by the Public

Posted on July 21, 2015 by PANYNJ PORTfolio

By Mackenzie Cutruzzula, Terminal B Operations Intern

Newark Liberty International Airport takes great pride in its Jersey roots.

During Newark Liberty’s recent modernization efforts, Terminal B made it a priority to incorporate into its design some of the flair and local flavor of the City of Newark as a way to distinguish itself.

That’s why airport officials at Terminal B were super excited at the opportunity to showcase the creative potential of Newark’s school children through the work of the Barat Foundation, the Newark-based nonprofit and creator of Animodules.  

Described by the foundation as “public art by the public,” international visitors arriving at Newark Liberty’s Terminal B are treated to the dazzling display of a sculptural menagerie created by Newark students working with local artists.

What exactly is an animodule?  The name is short for “animated module,” an urban art form created in 2006 by Terry Brewin, a teacher at Newark’s Vocational High School, to engage groups by creating art that represents their community.  Most frequently shaped to mimic an animal, they are made by connecting two or more flat planes together to create a third dimension.

The eight-foot-high sculptures include an airplane, a dragon, two large elephants and a Siamese cat which circulate between the airport and other exhibition venues.  The installation includes two screens of running video explaining how the works are created. Terminal B also has dedicated space to highlight the collaborative stories students put together about each Animodule.

These art works have introduced more than 500,000 international guests to the New York/New Jersey metropolitan region, including famous professional athletes, the Dalai Lama and travelers from around the world.

Posted in Animodules, Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, travel, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , | 1 Comment