One of my favorite buildings in New York is the Stephen A. Schwartzman Building which serves as the primary New York City Library Building at Fifth Avenue and 42nd Street next to Bryant Park. I have spent many happy hours writing there in the astonishing Rose Reading Room. And every time I visit, Patience and … Continue reading Happy 100th Patience and Fortitude
New York City
World Theatre Day 2021
Happy World Theatre Day after a full year with no theatre. I can't tell you how much I have missed it. I've tried several screening options but it never filled the void. It was fine but so are movies and television. What I love is to sit shoulder to shoulder with total strangers to absorb … Continue reading World Theatre Day 2021
Recently got my first jab
I recently got my first shot of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine. I go back for my second shot later this month. The mass vaccination site at the Washington Heights Armory was smooth, fast and efficient. Get yours whenever you can. I'm looking forward to going maskless soon - it is messing with my beard! As … Continue reading Recently got my first jab
One of my short plays will be streamed by Barrington Stage Company
Wanted you to know that my short play “Happy Birthday, Leonard” was selected to be performed and streamed in The Barrington Stage Company’s Tenth Annual 10x10 New Play Festival. The Festival will have ten performances and be streamed March 11-14 and March 18-21 (starts on Thursday!). Barrington Stage is an award winning and important regional theater … Continue reading One of my short plays will be streamed by Barrington Stage Company
First Manhattanhenge of 2021 is tomorrow morning
I've covered Manhattanhenge many times on this blog in the past. You can search the blog to find out the scientific detail but essentially it is the dates where the rising or setting sun perfectly aligns with the cross streets of Manhattan. Tomorrow is a rising sun date so set your alarm to be able … Continue reading First Manhattanhenge of 2021 is tomorrow morning
The single redeeming feature of COVID-19
2020 has been a pretty horrific year. Hundreds of thousands of Americans dying, cities and live audience events shut down and economic stresses not seen in decades. And yet, I have found one significant bright spot in this most difficult of times. SantaCon has been cancelled. If you are not aware, this misguided event is … Continue reading The single redeeming feature of COVID-19
I still miss John Lennon
Forty years ago today John Lennon was shot as he returned to his home at The Dakota building in Manhattan as he returned from a recording session. It is a loss I still feel strongly today. John's focus on peace, love and unity were cruelly taken away from the world. Today my playlist will be … Continue reading I still miss John Lennon
In Memoriam: Norman Nadel
Norman Nadel passed away on October 25, 2010 - you read that correctly, a decade ago. But ten years ago I didn't have a blog so I wanted to take this opportunity to memorialize a great guy ten years out. I started work at the Philharmonic Center for the Arts (since renamed Artis-Naples) in 1989, … Continue reading In Memoriam: Norman Nadel
On This Date: Fort Tryon Park Dedication Ceremony!
On October 14, 1935, a dedication ceremony was held for the brand new Fort Tryon Park in Manhattan. It turns 85 years young today and looks amazing for its age! Nestled on a ridge between Inwood and Hudson Heights it has stunning views of the Hudson River and the George Washington Bridge. It is home … Continue reading On This Date: Fort Tryon Park Dedication Ceremony!
On This Date: The First Saturday Night Live Broadcast
In 1975, 45 years ago, NBC broadcast the first episode of what has become a comedy and music standard - Saturday Night Live. It has been good and it has been bad, it has never stopped experimenting. It has introduced legions of new comedians and showcased classic music groups. It has had iconic moments and … Continue reading On This Date: The First Saturday Night Live Broadcast
John Lennon would have been 80 years old today
If he had not been taken from from us senselessly and far too early, John Lennon would today celebrate his 80th birthday. I would love to have heard his take on the last forty years and especially the last four years. When I was growing up we often classified ourselves as either Rolling Stones or … Continue reading John Lennon would have been 80 years old today
Welcome Krispy Kreme to Times Square
I love standing under a waterfall and letting it stream over me. The doughnut chain Krispy Kreme is scheduled to open a flagship store in Times Square here in New York City today. The shop will feature the world's largest "Hot Now" sign and a giant glaze waterfall in the window. If you see a … Continue reading Welcome Krispy Kreme to Times Square
On This Date: Henry Hudson gets to Manhattan
There is some debate as to the precise date that Henry Hudson sailed into New York Harbor in 1609, but that should be expected as he had been at sea a while and had not recently synchronized his iPhone. It is not appropriate to say he "discovered" Manhattan as there happened to be residents here … Continue reading On This Date: Henry Hudson gets to Manhattan
Mask Huffing
In New York City most people wear masks. Just yesterday I passed a New York street yelling match of one aggrieved non-mask wearer being heckled by others with covered mouths. His uncovered mouth was spewing very foul words and, who knows, maybe some virus to boot. The New York Times had a very interesting street … Continue reading Mask Huffing
On This Day – Rock and Roll milestones
Quite a special day in the history of rock and roll as in 1965 the Beatles played before 60,000 people in Shea Stadium in New York City, essentially launching stadium style concerts. And on August 15, 1969 was the first day of the Woodstock Music Festival in Bethel, New York. While music festivals had been … Continue reading On This Day – Rock and Roll milestones
National Frozen Custard Day
For those unaware, Frozen Custard is enhanced soft serve ice cream. By adding egg yolks to the recipe it becomes smoother, keeps colder, and for my money is far tastier. Today's national day comes with a dollop of an embarrassing story about me. I lived in Pittsburgh for just two years, but enjoyed it very … Continue reading National Frozen Custard Day
National Farmer’s Market Week
The first full week of August is National Farmer's Market Week. If you have one in your area it is a good idea to shop there. The produce is locally produced, fresh, often organic and pesticide free. You are helping to support your local economy instead of big agribusiness and you reduce your carbon footprint … Continue reading National Farmer’s Market Week
Here we go again with another Manhattanhenge
If you happen to be on the island of Manhattan this evening you will see the setting sun framed perfectly in the concrete canyons lining our cross streets. You can find many previous posts on this site explaining the science but the real thrill is the experience. Get to a crosstown street and today you … Continue reading Here we go again with another Manhattanhenge
When will theater return?
When New York and the the world went into shutdown in mid-March, it seemed impossible that live theater could resume anytime soon. Broadway will certainly not be back very soon as 2021 is the earliest projected date and many shows are setting March and April openings, though these are still subject to change. There is … Continue reading When will theater return?
Ramble on Independence Day
Happy 4th of July, Happy American Independence Day. This is a nation still being born. The Founding Fathers had a fascinating concept that is still not fully realized. We're getting there but it is slow going, especially for citizens who still do not benefit from all the grand ideas. I have faith we'll get there, … Continue reading Ramble on Independence Day
Fireworks of the New New York
Who knew I would be nostalgic for the overnight wail of ambulance sirens through the empty streets of New York during the height of the pandemic. In those days it was predictable and, while spooky, became almost soothing as it was predictable over time. Those sounds have faded away as we as a city finally … Continue reading Fireworks of the New New York
Manhattanhenge Marching
On this blog I have featured Manhattanhenge many times. How the New York City cross street grid perfectly frames the rising or setting sun four times a year because of the axial tilt of the earth. How the great Neil DeGrasse Tyson named it as a hat tip to the great Stonehenge of antiquity. The … Continue reading Manhattanhenge Marching
A Ramble on re-opening, protests and the steps forward
New York City today begins phase one of the re-opening after three months of stay at home orders. It will be a slow process with only a few people going back to work and very limited businesses starting up again. We are eager to get moving but it will be tense judging how mass transit … Continue reading A Ramble on re-opening, protests and the steps forward
I needed to stand up and be counted
I went down to the demonstrationTo get my fair share of abuseSinging, "We're gonna vent our frustrationIf we don't we're gonna blow a fifty-amp fuse""You Can't Always Get What You Want" - The Rolling Stones Because of my health issues, I have avoided crowds up until this point. After Monday's threat (or promise) to unleash … Continue reading I needed to stand up and be counted
National Coq au Vin Day and a non-recipe for it
The seminal French dish Coq au Vin (rooster in wine) comes from an old farm house need to soften up an old rooster in a wine stew from whatever was on hand at the farm. Traditionally it includes carrots, pearl onions and mushrooms. Knowing this national day was coming I checked out many recipes. I … Continue reading National Coq au Vin Day and a non-recipe for it
