Happy Monday. Stressful week ahead? Summer heat and storms got you worried? Below is your chill-ax tool. A peaceful stroll through the Heather Garden in full mid-summer bloom at Fort Tryon Park, right next to my home. Feel free to use it whenever anxiety strikes and then come visit it yourself. Take the A Train … Continue reading Fort Tryon Park Heather Garden Stroll
Blog
Independence Day
For a very long time the colonies were content to work as subjects of the King. When he tried to extract money to pay for the cost of defending them from the French and various native groups a growing number of colonists fought back to either have full representation in their governing bodies or, failing … Continue reading Independence Day
My First Ryde with the Long Reach Long Riders
I had a great time with the Long Reach Long Riders this weekend. While I was only on a day and a half of their seven day ride they greeted me warmly and let me slip into their formation. We hit some great roads through forests, farmland and villages around New England. I hope to … Continue reading My First Ryde with the Long Reach Long Riders
Long Reach Long Riders
This weekend I will join the tail end of the Long Reach Long Riders 2018 Gap and Notch Tour: A Ramble through New England. Every year since 2004 they have toured different segments of the country seeking good motorcycle roads and to raise money for Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS and Behind the Scenes (helping entertainment … Continue reading Long Reach Long Riders
National Martini Day
Let's be very clear. Martinis should be made from gin only. I agree with Winston Churchill when he said that the closest he wants Vermouth to his Martini is to look at it longingly across the room. Also it should also be served with olives, preferably stuffed with anchovies to give it that salty pungency. … Continue reading National Martini Day
Post Tony Shake Out
Producers do all they can with tickets, parties and swag to woo voters and then hold their breath for the entire program (if you saw any people in the audience of the Tony Awards with blue faces - they were producers). Because some shows need the Tony boost to stay open the awards presentations are … Continue reading Post Tony Shake Out
This, That, and The Other Thing
THIS: Last night we tried the St. Louis Ribs again, but this time I cooked them at higher temp and for more time in the sous vide. As I had hoped they were even better this time. More experimenting to come for the Franken-Ribs! THAT: Tonight we have the tech rehearsal for my short play … Continue reading This, That, and The Other Thing
Take Wing & A Blanket of Dust
Come to New York City to experience live theater this month! Unlike film or television, live performance by its nature is ethereal magic. No two live performances, even of the same work, are ever the same. The magic is a shared experience by the audience and performers. Most importantly, many events, especially theatre events that … Continue reading Take Wing & A Blanket of Dust
Two decades in the Big Apple
On June 1, 1998 I started a new job in Manhattan and have stuck around ever since. I loved this city from my first visit in 1975 (during the bad old rough and glorious days of this place) but always held out hope to be invited here. That happened 20 years ago and I have … Continue reading Two decades in the Big Apple
Manhattanhenge, Manhattan Henge or Henge o’ Manhattan is back!
In January I alerted you to a sunrise Manhattanhenge and gave you advance notice of the next occurrence of the sunset version. The orientation of Manhattan is generally north-south and the Commissioners Plan of 1811 created a grid system of streets north of 14th Street. As the earth tilts to create our seasons, the sun … Continue reading Manhattanhenge, Manhattan Henge or Henge o’ Manhattan is back!
33% off an upcoming show
Mark your calendars, reserve your tickets and use your discount code! The Players Theatre Short Play and Musical Festival runs from June 7-24. My play TAKE WING runs in the middle week, June 14-17. Take Wing is an award winning short play with a terrific director and cast for this production in its New York … Continue reading 33% off an upcoming show
National Cherry Cobbler Day
Today is National Cherry Cobbler Day. I have always marveled at these craftsmen and worry that automation will make them obsolete. You have heard the stories of the cobbler's kid who have no cherries? That's the pits. Okay, I know when I've worn out my welcome and driven this topic into the ground. Have a … Continue reading National Cherry Cobbler Day
National Eat What You Want Day
This may be one of my favorite National Days and one that basically includes all the other ones listed on this blog. It was founded to be an excuse to break your diet for one day, to indulge so that you are ready to go back to your dreary food life tomorrow having sated yourself … Continue reading National Eat What You Want Day
Happy Birthday, Pamela
It is a very special National Day today - Happy Birthday, Pamela! As always you can find more on http://www.walterthinnes.com and on Twitter @walterthinnes TOMORROW: another classic script revived and reviewed
Last Chance to Dance on Broadway…
... at least to still be eligible for the 2018 TONY Awards! This is always a crazy time of year when producers vie to open shows before the eligibility deadline (This year April 26). That means six openings will occur between now and then, including Summer: The Donna Summer musical (and hence my title). They … Continue reading Last Chance to Dance on Broadway…
Taxes due today
Yep, due to the weekend date of April 15 and yesterday's Patriots Day in Massachusetts, today is actually the day your federal and state taxes are due. Many people complain about paying their taxes but I hold to the principle played out by Oliver Wendell Holmes Jr. His famous quote is "Taxes are the price … Continue reading Taxes due today
My first published play
I had noted earlier that one of my ten minute plays had been selected to be published and represented by http://www.seniortheatre.com. Well, the new catalogue is out and my play "At The Diner With Dad" is in it! So if you want a copy to can order from there and if you want to produce … Continue reading My first published play
Getting Around New York City
Of course the best way to get around my favorite city is the extensive bus and subway system that unites New York City. There has been much attention lately to the slow deterioration of the system and that is certainly the case. But most often it is the best option. When it is not, when … Continue reading Getting Around New York City
National Black Forest Cake Day
I have made no secret on this blog that I, as a class, prefer pie to cake. With one notable exception. Black Forest Cake. The combination of cherries, chocolate and delicious cream changes the equation. Happy National Black Forest Cake Day. I'll be back later. I have to gain 12 pounds at one sitting. Yum. … Continue reading National Black Forest Cake Day
World Theatre Day
Today is World Theatre Day, an opportunity to celebrate every facet of this very human storytelling medium. Theatre has defined my life since I caught the bug in high school and so I am featuring a photo of my high school auditorium below. Or at least it feels that long ago. With the inspiration of … Continue reading World Theatre Day
Happy Four’Easter!
Sorry, this is not a Stormy Daniels post, just a Stormy Day post. On Wednesday we had the fourth Nor'Easter of the month. An almost weekly quartet of big snowstorms that slowed things down. Luckily New York has an extensive (but deteriorating) transit system so we kept moving except for a few hiccups. Most of … Continue reading Happy Four’Easter!
National Pi Day
Today is known as National Pi Day based on the first three digits of the apparently endless stream of numbers that define the ratio of a circle's circumference to its diameter and also coincidentally echoes today's date 3.14 (March 14th). There are endless puns comparing the circular nature of pie and the mathematical constant that … Continue reading National Pi Day
National Napping Day
The day after we begin Daylight Savings Day, when we "spring forward" and lose an hour of sleep because the clocks are adjusted, is known as National Napping Day. Not surprising because we lose an hour of sleep when we already run ourselves ragged. I endorse a siesta this afternoon. So go ahead, zone out … Continue reading National Napping Day
National Banana Bread Day
Today is National Banana Bread, the best way to use up those over-ripe bananas you bought earlier this week. I have several recipes but this is one of the better ones. Preheat your oven to 350 degrees, grease and flour only the bottom of a 9 inch loaf pan. Combine the following in a large … Continue reading National Banana Bread Day
A LOT to talk about
Auction houses like Christie's, Sotheby's, Phillips and others offer free admission to selling exhibitions for a few days before each auction. From time to time I will select notable auction lots to bring to your attention. This blog feature is not endorsed by the auction house nor written by any kind of art expert. Just … Continue reading A LOT to talk about
Walter Thinnes 
You must be logged in to post a comment.