The tree is lit, and the Radio City Christmas Spectacular is another tradition back for a 75th season. The well-seasoned Rockettes steal the show from Santa every year, and have quite a history -- they were originally called The Roxyettes and originated in...Missouri:The group was started by Russell Markert in 1925 in St. Louis, Missouri as the "Missouri Rockets". In 1927, Samuel Roxy Rothafel discovered them and brought them to New York City. They......

1) Features about the Radio City Music Hall Rockettes, in anticipation of this year's Radio City Christmas Spectacular. The NY Times looks how performances from the 1930s and 1940s inspired this year's show while Newsday notes on the technology being used. Both focus on the amazing synchronized dancing. 2) Starbucks has decorated its stores with Christmas decorations and has started to use Christmas/holiday themed cups. Cajun Boy in the City also counts Josh Grobin......

The Holidays have fallen upon us like a pack of ferocious ice weasels, so we'd feel appropriately guilty if we didn’t suggest some relevant theater options. Of course, if you’re seeking a diversion for out-of-town visitors, The Radio City Christmas Spectacular is (literally) a no-brainer, provided they’ve got deep pockets: Tickets to the glorified burlesque show can cost up to $250 - per rube. You could also take the kids to the new Broadway production......

At around 4:40PM yesterday afternoon, a music professor at NYU was stabbed in the chest and back by a random man on West 3rd Street, between Mercer and LaGuardia. The Washington Square News says that Joseph Church, who teaches at the Steinhardt School of Education, was attacked by 30 (or 32) year old Mark Davilla, who then used a screwdriver to stab Church. A witness says that after Church was stabbed, he chased Davila through......

After 15 days of striking against Radio City Music Hall, Radio City and the American Federation of Musicians reached an agreement that will bring the live music back to the Music Hall tonight. Mayor Bloomberg's negotiator, Frank Macchiarola, helped the two sides reach an agreement that affected the first two weeks of the Christmas Spectacular. Alas, there will be ladies kicking to live music for all to see this holiday season! We're not sure if......

The big cat isn't backing down! But neither is the rat, as the musicians' union at Radio City Hall decided to go on strike the night before the Radio City Music Hall Christmas Spectacular. Last night's preview performance had to be cancelled, incurring the wrath of tourists who traveled to see it; Radio City Music Hall is offering to exchange the tickets for other performances. And what's more, the union claims that the Rockettes will......

- Kick this: The Rockettes are going on strike, the night before The Radio City Music Hall Christmas Spectacular begins! How's that for bargaining? - The fire at the West 15th Street parking garage caused a lot of damage - hope those car owners paid their insurance; the above photograph is from Bucky Turco whose Animal magazine offices overlook West 15th - Gridskipper gets some answers about the Blood Manor ticket mess - The......

- The Morning News has a great interview with photographer Douglas Levere, as well as a gallery of his New York City photographs - A Queens man tried to kidnap a Queens woman yesterday; police do not think it is the same man who raped a 13 year-old - The NJ boy who ran away from home because he was afraid his parents would be angry over his poor report card was found under a......

- Governor Pataki officially ousts the Freedom Center from Ground Zero - Yankees (potential) postseason tickets are on sale, but who knows if they'll make it! - Fernando Ferrer learns how much the blogosphere sucks as he is still answering questions about the blog entry that claimed he had been public school educated - Musicians at Radio City Hall are going on strike, but Gothamist is sure that everything will be ironed out by the......