2017 GANYC Apple Awards

Guides Association of New York City (GANYC) Presents 13 Awards Celebrating Outstanding New York Achievements at  2017 GANYC Apple Awards

 

Those Who Know New York Best Honor the Best of New York
at Third Annual Awards Gala

The Guides Association of New York City (GANYC) presented its 2017 GANYC Apple Awards at their third annual ceremony on Monday, March 6 at the SVA Theatre in Manhattan. GANYC honored 13 organizations and people with the 2017 Apple Awards for encouraging and promoting New York City tourism, culture and preservation while supporting the work and contributions of professional New York City tourist guides

Eleven Apple Awards were presented to individuals and institutions that represent the best of New York’s vibrant way of life. Simeon Bankoff, Executive Director, Historic Districts Council won for Outstanding Achievement in Support of NYC Preservation, Ephemeral New York, The Bowery Boys and There Goes the Neighborhood podcast were also big winners.

In addition to the Outstanding Achievement Awards the association also presented the 2017 Lifetime Achievement Award to cabaret impresario Steve Ross in recognition of his 40 years entertaining as the American Songbook Man for audiences on six continents, but particularly in New York.

“The classic American Songbook was born and developed in New York, and few have done more to keep this music alive than Steve Ross,” stated GANYC President, Michael Dillinger. “As tour guides, we know how important this music is to the heart and rhythm of New York, and Steve’s contributions to New York’s cabaret scene cannot be understated. We are thrilled to honor Steve with our Lifetime Achievement Award for the joy he has brought to New Yorkers and visitors alike with his musical interpretations of the greats, from Cole Porter to Stephen Sondheim to Kander & Ebb.”

Ross joins artist James Turrell and Harlem jazz legend Marjorie Eliot as winners of GANYC’s Lifetime Achievement Award.

The 2017 Guiding Spirit Award went to GANYC member Anthony W. Robins to honor his leadership and mentorship for other guides, through his contagious passion for the city.  He follows another legendary GANYC guide, Lee Gelber, who won the inaugural Guiding Spirit Award in 2016.  

Here is the complete list of this year’s Apple Award Winners:

  • Outstanding Achievement in Support of New York City Culture

Leslie Koch, Fromer President and CEO, The Trust for Governors Island

  • Outstanding Achievement in Support of NYC Tourism

Central Park Conservancy

  • Outstanding Achievement in Support of NYC Preservation

Simeon Bankoff, Executive Director, Historic Districts Council

  • Outstanding NYC Website

Ephemeral New York

  • Outstanding Achievement in Radio Program/Podcasts (Audio/spoken word)

There Goes the Neighborhood

  • Outstanding Achievement in NYC Food (Anniversaries and Special Accomplishments)

Nathan’s Famous, Celebrating 100 years

  • Outstanding Achievement in Nonfiction Book Writing (Published between October 2015-16)

The Bowery Boys:  Adventures in Old New York, by Tom Meyers and Greg Young

  • Outstanding Achievement in Fiction Book Writing (Published between October 2015-16)

Murder in Morningside Heights, by Victoria Thompson

  • Outstanding Achievement in Essay/Article/Series Writing (Published October 2015-16)

A Walking Tour of 1866 New York: In the Footsteps of 150-year-old Guidebooks, by James Nevius for Curbed NY

  • Outstanding Achievement in NYC Museum Exhibitions (October 2015-16)

Jacob A. Riis:  Revealing New York’s Other Half, Museum of the City of New York

  • Outstanding Achievement in NYC Photography (Singular Image Published October 2015-16)

 Paul Kessel

The 44 nominees were determined by the GANYC Awards Committee from a pool provided by the membership and announced in December. The GANYC membership voted on the nominees through mid-January, and the winners were announced on March 6. 

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