This weekend (Friday, January 24 @ 7 PM; Saturday, January 25 @ 7 PM and Sunday, January 26 @ 2 PM) you should stop by the Polaris North Studio (245 West 29th Street, 4th floor) here in New York. There you will find a very talented cast led by a very talented director and assisted … Continue reading Come see Driving Miss Daisy this weekend at Polaris North
New York City
Manhattan wildlife
Our fair island is not well known for for four legged furry creatures unless you consider the countless dogs people own and the occasional Pizza Rat ™. But our neighborhood (Hudson Heights) is high atop a ridge and surrounded on three sides by forest (or for what passes as forest in New York City). So … Continue reading Manhattan wildlife
In Memoriam – Buck Henry
The great Buck Henry died this week and he will be sorely missed. I saw him perform on Broadway earlier this century in a remounting of "Mornings at Seven" and he was terrific. But I will miss him for all that he created. He was the primary screenwriter for "The Graduate." He teamed with Mel … Continue reading In Memoriam – Buck Henry
The Great New York Subway Seating Debate
If you regularly ride the New York City Subway this is a very important topic. As I depend on the A Train, this is essential. Since the following was posted on Twitter on New Year's Eve day ... ...I have seen lots of discussion but I am mystified. The only acceptable answer is #1. It … Continue reading The Great New York Subway Seating Debate
First MANHATTANHENGE of the new decade
Grab your camera or your smart phone and wake up early tomorrow New Yorkers. Wednesday, January 8, 2020 at 7:20 AM will be the first Manhattanhenge sunrise of the year, and in some reckoning, the new decade. (for more on that topic stop by https://walterthinnes.blog/2020/01/01/happy-new-year-the-decade-question/) For you Big Apple newbies this is the date (one … Continue reading First MANHATTANHENGE of the new decade
In Memoriam – Jerry Herman
A couple of days ago we lost one of our greatest musical theater writers - Jerry Herman. He will be missed but he gave us so many great nights in the theater. All of the remembrances note his greatest works - "Hello Dolly"; "Mame"; and "La Cage aux Folles." They are all amazing and enjoyable … Continue reading In Memoriam – Jerry Herman
Review – The Sound Inside
Playwright Adam Rapp has made an auspicious Broadway debut but in a house that is too large for the work. The delicate yet driving work centers on writer and writing teacher Bella Baird, brilliantly acted by Mary Louise-Parker. The quiet touches Rapp provides for Parker provide a moving and touching portrait of a character that … Continue reading Review – The Sound Inside
Review – Derren Brown: Secret
Derren Brown is many things, but foremost in his current show at the Cort Theatre is a consummate entertainer. His easy, warm and confident manner comfortably holds the audience in his sway for the entire evening. He can be called a mind reader, mentalist or "psychological illusionist" but at heart he is a magician. Each … Continue reading Review – Derren Brown: Secret
Review – In a Dark Dark House
You have only one week left to catch the Knife Edge Productions performance of Neil LaBute's "In a Dark Dark House" at the A.R.T./New York Theatre at 53rd Street and 10th Avenue. Though it is a difficult subject, I recommend you get there to see it. The script is consistent with Mr. LaBute's reputation as … Continue reading Review – In a Dark Dark House
National Cookie Cutter Day
As the December holidays speed toward us, it is time to start making preparations. For me that used to mean making a huge numbers of cookies to distribute to family and friends. Before moving to New York City I had houses and kitchens large enough to support the hobby. That scale of operations are not … Continue reading National Cookie Cutter Day
Happy Evacuation Day!
One of my favorite New York City holidays has largely been forgotten. During the American Revolution George Washington and his army left the island of Manhattan on November 16, 1776 (which was quaintly celebrated at nearby Fort Tryon Park recently). Through the remainder of the war the city was run by the British and they … Continue reading Happy Evacuation Day!
National Mickey Mouse Birthday Day
On November 18, 1928 An upstart animator by a name you may recognize (Walt Disney) premiered a short called Steamboat Willy in New York City and a star was born. Walt's growing empire was hitched to the image and antics of Mickey Mouse and remains an important spokesperson today. Over the last several decades the … Continue reading National Mickey Mouse Birthday Day
trying Amazon Fresh Delivery
If you are an Amazon Prime Member you should take a look at Amazon Fresh, their new full grocery delivery option. After Amazon's purchase of Whole Foods they've expanded their "Amazon Pantry" options to include refrigerated and frozen options like meat, cheese, frozen vegetables and ice cream. Delivery is free if you are a Prime … Continue reading trying Amazon Fresh Delivery
National Vinegar Day and where to find some of the best in New York City
Today is National Vinegar Day, that fermented liquid that adds a special acidic note to various foods (and to clean windows - but not our focus today). Why buy mass produced versions when you can get hand crafted products? I know just the place if you travel to New York City. The Filling Station is … Continue reading National Vinegar Day and where to find some of the best in New York City
National Pasta Day – and a waaaaay delayed restaurant review!
Today is National Pasta Day and I could go on about how I love to make homemade pasta and you should really give it a try, but instead will finally deliver a long delayed restaurant review. NUMERO 28 at 28 West Carmine Street in the West Village is a terrific restaurant here in NYC. Actually … Continue reading National Pasta Day – and a waaaaay delayed restaurant review!
National Cake Decorating Day
Personally I'm waiting for National Cake Eating Day as that is my specialty. Regardless how pretty the icing is, it all tastes the same in my tummy. I'm not very good at decorating, but my sister excels at it. She has made some exceptionally pretty designs. If this is your hobby you know that you … Continue reading National Cake Decorating Day
National Chocolate Covered Pretzel Day
Many of the National Days I feature on my blog were founded years and even decades ago. Many of them have mysterious origins and exist traditionally from year to year. But today's was established by a Brooklyn based chocolate covered pretzel empire and this year, October 7, 2019, is the very first day this National … Continue reading National Chocolate Covered Pretzel Day
National Coffee With A Cop Day
In 2011 Hawthorne, California established the first Wednesday in October as Have a Coffee with a Cop Day to enhance the rapport between police officers and their community. Of course, a donut usually accompanies each cup of coffee. Hawthorne isn't that big of a town so maybe that works. But I'm guessing if we try … Continue reading National Coffee With A Cop Day
Surprise! I got to go to the festival!
A few days ago I urged you to attend the Medieval Festival in Fort Tryon Park here in Manhattan but bemoaned the fact I could not attend due to my situation trapped in the rehab center. To my absolute delight Pamela arranged for our friend Hannah and her friend Rose to help us out by … Continue reading Surprise! I got to go to the festival!
Take the ‘A’ Train to the 35th Annual Medieval Festival!
One day each year Fort Tryon Park in Northern Manhattan is transformed into a festival celebrating Medieval Times with jousting, attractions, performances, crafts, fair food and more. In 2019, it is scheduled for this Sunday, September 29 from 11:30 AM to 6 PM. It is literally next door to where I live and I have … Continue reading Take the ‘A’ Train to the 35th Annual Medieval Festival!
Unexpected Glimpses of Olde New-York
Live in this city long enough and you know the feeling of seeing the past layered in the present. Maybe it is the unexpected revealing of an old painted sign when a neighboring building is turned down. Maybe it is an archeological dig where shards unearthed reveal an old clay pipe or tavern plate. As … Continue reading Unexpected Glimpses of Olde New-York
September is Sepsis Awareness Month
Please pardon me for not being in touch for the last couple of weeks. If you know anything about sepsis you know it can be a devastating energy draining event that can rob you of any ability to do anything. If you don't know much about it, don't choose to go deep within it around … Continue reading September is Sepsis Awareness Month
National Dog Day
"Please take me outside - I gotta go!" Today is National Dog Day. I haven't had a dog since I was a boy but plenty of people around me in New York City have a dog. Big ones, small ones, multiple ones, seemingly in every other small apartment in the vast metropolis. I have no … Continue reading National Dog Day
National Lighthouse Day
Today is National Lighthouse Day and you can find a very cute little lighthouse very close to where I live in Upper Manhattan, not where you would think to find one. It is nestled under the George Washington Bridge and is rather famous. Below is a picture I snapped when I hiked down to see … Continue reading National Lighthouse Day
PAY ATTENTION! And use the “Dutch Reach”
There are many ways to die in the big city. Despite the additions of bike lanes and protective infrastructure a record 18 bicycle riders have died on New York City streets so far this year. All of these have come from bicycle/vehicle collisions which never come out well for the two wheel riders. In the … Continue reading PAY ATTENTION! And use the “Dutch Reach”
