Mayor de Blasio to Welcome Thousands of Everyday New Yorkers to Gracie Mansion

January 4, 2014

CONTACT: pressoffice@cityhall.nyc.gov, (212) 788-2958

New York, NY - Concluding a week of inauguration events featuring an unprecedented level of access and transparency, Mayor Bill de Blasio will welcome thousands of everyday New Yorkers into Gracie Mansion on Sunday. The open house, which will include a tour of the historic building and an opportunity to meet the Mayor, is the first event of its kind in recent memory.

“I'm thrilled to welcome New Yorkers from across the City into the People’s House,” said Mayor de Blasio. “It’s been a pleasure sharing the inauguration with residents from all five boroughs, and I can’t think of a better way to end the week than by spending it with New Yorkers.”

As attendees arrive they will be greeted by musical entertainment provided by Make Music New York and the NYCHA Youth Chorus. The musicians from Make Music New York, a nonprofit organization that hosts musical performances each year, will include Grammy-nominated opera singer Christopher Dylan Herbert, renowned jazz musician Jonathan Batiste, a procession of electric guitarists led by composer Patrick Grant, and traditional Afro Puerto Rican Bomba music led by the Bronx’s BombaYo and Brooklyn’s El Puente. The NYCHA Youth Chorus -- featuring talented performers age nine to 21 -- has come to be known as the “Good Will Ambassadors” of the New York City Housing Authority.

A ticket is required to participate in the event. Tickets were distributed last week online and rapidly sold out due to high demand. Extended outdoor wait times are anticipated and attendees are advised to dress warmly.

WHAT: Open House at Gracie Mansion

WHEN: 12:00 PM on Sunday, January 5, 2014

WHERE: Gracie Mansion, Corner of 88th Street and East End Ave, New York, NY 10028

Note: Press credentials are required to cover the event. Requests for credentials must be submitted to InaugurationPress@transition2013.com by 8:00 PM on Saturday, January 4th. Please include the name, contact information, format, and outlet of the person requesting the credential.

Press check in will begin at 11:30 AM and will conclude at 2:00 PM. Members of the media will have access to the building beginning at 12:15 PM.

Limited satellite truck parking will be available on East End Avenue.

Video available at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=POUDncLlGfs