For immediate release:
Monday, May 29, 2008

Contact:
Elizabeth Rapuano, (212) 440-2205


Governors Island Opens to the Public with More Free Programs and a Longer Season than Ever Before 
Bikes available to rent for the first time
 
Opening weekend includes Family Festival, Polo Match, exhibits, and book reading and signing by acclaimed author Linda Fairstein  

Governors Island will begin its open season on Saturday, May 31st, the Governors Island Preservation and Education Corporation (GIPEC) announced today. This year, for the first time, the Island will be open for three days a week -- every Friday, Saturday and Sunday, from May 31st to October 5th, which is the longest season ever. The seven minute ferry ride to the Island, as well as admission to all events, is free to the public.

For the first time ever, visitors will be able to rent bikes and surreys to enjoy more than one mile of car-free biking around the National Historic District. Bike and Roll™ will have a bike concession on the Island and will rent adult bikes, as well as children’s bikes. Visitors can also bring their own bikes onto the Island via ferry. Visitors to the Island can also enjoy concerts, festivals, public art, tours and more.

“We are thrilled that this open season on Governors Island will be filled with more programs, activities and performances than ever before,” said Leslie Koch, President of the Governors Island Preservation and Education Corporation. “We are working with dozens of groups to create an unprecedented number of events.”

“Governors Island is one of the hidden jewels of the City. Each season, more and more New Yorkers experience the wonders of Governors Island," said Avi Schick, Chairman of GIPEC. “We look forward to another record breaking season during which we introduce thousands of more New York families to the Island.”

On Saturday, May 31st, the Island will host the fourth annual Family Festival, presented by the Governors Island Alliance. The Festival will feature musicians, arts and crafts, a bike parade, and a salute by the FDNY fireboat. Also on Saturday, Governors Island will host the Veuve Cliquot Manhattan Polo Classic. The event will bring polo back to Governors Island for the first time in seventy years.

On Sunday, June 1st, author and former prosecutor Linda Fairstein will read and sign copies of her book, Killer Heat, which is partly set on Governors Island. This event is free and open to the public.

“Governors Island is at the center of New York Harbor,” said Dan Doctoroff, Vice Chair of GIPEC. “I hope that tens of thousands of visitors will come to the Island this summer to experience activities and programs in this outstanding location.”

“Governors Island is a great resource for Lower Manhattan,” said City Council member Alan Gerson. “I am pleased that the Family Festival will once again kick off Governors Island’s open season.”

“We hope that all New Yorkers will make Governors Island their park,” said Rob Pirani, Executive Director of the Governors Island Alliance. “We are thrilled to present the fourth annual Family Festival to begin what promises to be the best season yet for Governors Island.”

Visitors to the Island are invited to give their input and ideas for the future park and Great Promenade in an exhibit entitled “What’s Happening on Governors Island?” The exhibition will be housed in Building 110 and explores ideas for the future park and Great Promenade on Governors Island. An acclaimed team, led by West 8/Rogers Marvel Architects, has been chosen to design these new spaces. The design process will begin this fall.

Two additional major art exhibitions will also open on May 31st. “In Site” by the Sculptors Guild, will open in Nolan Park and Building 20, and will feature two dozen sculptures, many of them life size. The sculptures are made from wood, bronze, and other materials. Figment will also present “Emergence” in Building 14, three-dimensional living exhibit, featuring contributions from more than 30 artists/art collectives working in a diverse range of media, including sculpture, installation art, aerial kinetic sculpture, photography, sound art, and interactive multimedia.

Governors Island’s 2008 full open season schedule is as follows:

Saturday, May 31st: Opening Day Family Festival, noon
Join us for arts and crafts, musical and theatrical performances for kids and MORE! Sponsored by the Governors Island Alliance.

Saturday June 7th and Sunday June 8th: Michael Aranella and the Dreamland Orchestra, 1:30 PM
A delightful afternoon rendezvous of live music and dance, instruction in period dances, picnicking, traditional games, a “best pie-recipe” contest, vintage clothing events, a 1920s automobile exhibit, and more!

Saturday June 21st and Sunday June 22nd: Army Heritage Weekend, 11 AM to 4 PM
Join NPS staff for special programs and tours highlighting the military history on Governors Island.

Saturday June 28th and Sunday June 29th: Figment Festival, 1:30 PM
FIGMENT is a three day festival featuring exhibits and interactive performances. For more information, to submit a project, or volunteer, please visit www.figmentnyc.org.

Saturdays in July: Trinity Wall Street and the Governors Island Alliance sponsor Folks on the Island! Concert Series, 1:30 PM
Artists to be announced shortly.

Saturday, July 5th: New York Philharmonic Performs on Governors Island, 6:30 PM
Free outdoor evening concert with New York City’s premiere orchestra.

Saturday, August 9th and Sunday August 10th: African Film Festival, 1:30 PM
Have you ever wanted to experience the sights and sounds of Africa? Now you can! Join the African Film Festival on Governors Island and welcome world class music, drumming and song in an all-day festival.

Saturday, August 9th and Sunday August 10th: Civil War History Weekend, 11 AM to 4 PM
Join the National Park Service and experience a day in the life of a Civil War garrison.

Saturday August 16th Sunday August 17th: Battery Dance Company, 1:30 PM
Battery Dance Company's acclaimed Downtown Dance Festival will cross the harbor to Governors’ Island. Enjoy free performances with dance companies performing back-to-back shows.

Friday, August 29th, Saturday August 30th and Sunday August 31st: Pulse Theatre Presents Shakespeare’s “Twelfth Night”
Join this ensemble theatre as they perform on of Shakespeare’s classic and timeless plays.

July – October: The New York City Waterfalls by Olafur Eliasson

Every weekend: In Site presented by the Sculptors Guild
The Sculptors Guild is honored to present this exhibition marking a 70 year celebration for the Guild, in its city of origin. The exhibition features two dozen sculptures of various materials, showcased in Nolan Park on Governors Island.

Every weekend: Emergence by Figment
During a nine-week period (May 31 - July 26, 2008), the historic "Building 14" on Governors Island will be transformed from an abandoned outpost into an interactive, three-dimensional living exhibit, featuring contributions from more than 30 artists/art collectives working in a diverse range of media, including sculpture, installation art, aerial kinetic sculpture, photography, sound art, and interactive multimedia.

How to Get to Governors Island
Governors Island is open every Friday from 10 AM to 5 PM. On Saturdays and Sundays, the Island is open from 10 AM to 7 PM. Ferries leave from the Battery Maritime Building, on the corner of South and Whitehall Streets, in Lower Manhattan. For up to date ferry schedules and downloadable maps, please visit www.govisland.com.

About the Governors Island Preservation and Education Corporation (GIPEC)
The Governors Island Preservation and Education Corporation (GIPEC) is responsible for the planning, redevelopment, and ongoing operations for 150 acres of Governors Island. A partnership of New York City and New York State, GIPEC seeks to bring Governors Island back to life, making this island at the center of New York Harbor a destination with great public open space, as well as future education, not for profit and commercial facilities. For more information please visit www.govisland.com.

About Bike and Roll

Since 1993, Bike and Roll has been America's leading bicycle rental and guided tour company. With locations nationwide and over 30 years of combined management experience and expertise, Bike and Roll provides a safe and fun experience, quality rental equipment, outstanding customer service and exceptional value.

Bike and Roll currently operates bicycle rental and tour operations at parks, waterfronts and tourist destinations in New York City, Chicago, Miami Beach, San Francisco and Washington DC. The Bike and Roll bicycle fleet consists of high quality late model bicycles and the product line includes bicycle and skate rentals, bicycle rides and tours, bicycle repairs, and accessory sales. Bike and Roll also offers Share a Bike programs, Season Passes and a unique Hop On-Hop Off bicycle rental program.

In New York City, Bike and Roll has established locations in Parks and along the Greenway bicycle path in order to provide safe, convenient, car free access to bicyclists. Along with Governor's Island, other New York City, Bike and Roll locations include Pier 84 in Hudson River Park, South Street Seaport and coming soon, Battery Park.