I wish that I were going to be in New York City on Sunday, September 25, 2011. I would love to stroll through Broadway and attend the Broadway Cares/Equity Fights Aids, Flea Market. Not only would I have the opportunity to meet some amazing Broadway stars, I could get many unique gifts to jump-start my holiday shopping.
Usually housed in Shubert Alley, the flea market will be held on 44th street between 7th and 8th this year. It seems that construction on the underground parking made the move a must.
The following is the Press Release for this great event:
THE 25TH ANNUAL
BROADWAY FLEA MARKET
& GRAND AUCTION
TO STRETCH ACROSS BROADWAY INTO TIMES SQUARE
THREE PRE-EVENT AUCTION PACKAGES OFFER
A VIP BEHIND-THE-SCENES TOUR OF THE BC/EFA FLEA MARKET,
FOLLIES OPENING NIGHT EXPERIENCE,
AND FINAL CATCH ME IF YOU CAN PERFORMANCE AND PARTY
PRESENTED BY AND BENEFITING BROADWAY CARES/EQUITY FIGHTS AIDS
SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 25, 2011
10 AM – 7 PM
TIMES SQUARE & WEST 44TH STREET
Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS presents the 25TH Annual Broadway Flea Market & Grand Auction which will be held from 10 AM – 7 PM on Sunday, September 25 in Times Square & on West 44th Street. This not-to-be-missed event for every Broadway theatergoer is free and open to the public.
Broadway dreams will come true for theatre fans looking to find showbiz treasures and memorabilia, meet their favorite stars and bid on one-of-a-kind items and once-in-a-lifetime experiences like walk-on roles on Broadway and TV.
For the first time ever, the Broadway Flea Market & Grand Auction will encompass all of 44th Street between Seventh and Eighth Avenues, and will stretch across Broadway into Times Square, filling the wide pedestrian plaza between 43rd and 44thStreets.
It’s the only time in the event’s long history – not counting the infamous overnight move to Roseland in 2009 because of torrential downpours – that Shubert Alley will not be used for any portion of the Flea Market & Grand Auction. Construction on the parking garage below 1515 Broadway, which also extends underneath Shubert Alley, is precipitating the change.
“We look forward to turning this year’s construction challenge into a golden, sun-drenched opportunity to expand into Times Square’s wonderful pedestrian plazas,” BC/EFA executive director Tom Viola said. “Filling Broadway between 43rd and 44thStreets, there will be booths overflowing with theatrical memorabilia and at the end of the afternoon the Grand Auction. I hope you will take the few steps across Seventh Avenue with us, as you enjoy the high energy and activity that every year stretches down 44th Street to Eighth Avenue. Whatever the terrain, the best of Broadway shows up for the Broadway Flea Market. I hope you will too!”
Dozens of tables from Broadway’s most popular shows will set up shop for what Time Out New York calls one of the “Best Once-a-Year Markets” in New York City. Fans can buy that lost cast recording, signed show posters and Playbills, rare costume sketches, props and special gifts theatre-lovers can’t find anywhere else.
Hourly silent auction lots will give way to the live Grand Auction at the end of the day featuring a collection of unique items and experiences that will offer something for everyone.
One of the most popular sites at Broadway’s “one-day sale” is the Celebrity Autograph Table at which your favorite stars from Broadway and Off-Broadway sign autographs and pose for photos in exchange for donations to BC/EFA.
To kick-start the excitement, three pre-event auction packages are now open for bidding online. One package offers the ultimate VIP experience at the Flea Market & Grand Auction, including an exclusive “line-hopper pass” and opportunity to meet many of the participating stars with a personal celebrity liaison and escort for the day. Another package features two tickets to eagerly anticipated opening night of Follies at Broadway’s Marquis Theatre, including passes to the opening night party. The third kick-off package includes two tickets to the final Broadway performance of Catch Me If You Can and passes to the exclusive cast party afterward. Details on all three packages are available at broadwaycares.org/bidnow.
Specific items for sale at the Flea Market, other packages to be offered at the Grand Auction and stars to appear at the Celebrity Autograph Table will be announced in September on broadwaycares.org, on Twitter and on Facebook.
The 25TH Annual Broadway Flea Market & Grand Auction is sponsored by United Airlines and The New York Times.
Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS is one of the nation’s leading industry-based, nonprofit AIDS fundraising and grant-making organizations. By drawing upon the talents, resources and generosity of the American theatre community, since 1988 BC/EFA has raised more than $195 million for essential services for people with AIDS and other critical illnesses across the United States.
BC/EFA awards annual grants to more than 400 AIDS and family service organizations nationwide and is the major supporter of seven programs at The Actors Fund, including the HIV/AIDS Initiative, the Phyllis Newman Women’s Health Initiative and the Al Hirschfeld Free Health Clinic.
For more information, please visit the Broadway Cares online broadwaycares.org.
If you are in the area, please stop by and support this wonderful organization. They have so many ways that they support the Broadway community. Maybe you can get a good start on your holiday shopping.
Clay Aiken has participated in many fundraisers for BC/EFA. The last big event he was in was last January when he performed in Broadway Backwards, an amazing concert that raised $281,243. His performance of Home from the show, The Wiz, was a highlight of the evening.