It is common that Broadway shows that were not winners at the Tony Awards shut down or close early. That certainly happened again this year but this summer feels a tad different. Yes, open end run musicals such as "Be More Chill," "The Prom," "The Cher Show," "King Kong," and "Pretty Woman" all could not … Continue reading Summer Broadway Spotlight – Clearing the Boards
Travel
Make travel plans to see Manhattanhenge
There are many reasons to come to Manhattan: to see a Broadway Play; to visit a world class museum; to experience maddening subway delays. Or maybe to take a picture of the sun perfectly framed in our concrete canyons. That phenomenon is known as Manhattanhenge, a name bestowed by our own Neil deGrasse Tyson (from … Continue reading Make travel plans to see Manhattanhenge
Some Broadway Musings
My recent ankle injury will keep me from getting to the theatre for a while but that doesn't stop me from paying attention. This is not encyclopedic but a few comments... The shakeout from the recent Tony awards did not reward "Gary: A Sequel to Titus Andronicus" and "Hillary and Clinton" and quickly closed. Unfortunate, … Continue reading Some Broadway Musings
My cousin’s trip to The Big Apple
I was thrilled that my cousin Kim and her husband Dennis traveled from Cincinnati to visit New York City last week. They were here for reasons beyond a tourist trip but they aced that part of it. They especially excelled in their show going expertise. They visited the box offices (strategically about 1-2 hours before … Continue reading My cousin’s trip to The Big Apple
Review – Pip’s Island – an entertaining place for children in NYC
If you have children between ages four and ten and will be visiting New York City (or live here already) you should pay a visit to Pip's Island. Located at 9th Avenue and 42nd Street on the island of Manhattan, it is very easy to find. An interactive group activity for child Explorers (and their … Continue reading Review – Pip’s Island – an entertaining place for children in NYC
Shakespeare’s Birthday?
NEW YORK - Statue of William Shakespeare by the American sculptor John Quincy Adams Ward was erected in the Central Park in 1872. We don't really know for sure. The later to be famous Bard was christened on April 26, 1564 and that is the first time he is recorded to be around. Scholars make … Continue reading Shakespeare’s Birthday?
The Brant Foundation Basquiat Exhibit
The Brant Foundation Art Study Center at 421 East 6th StreetNew York, NY The Brant Foundation is doing the art world a great favor. They acquired the building pictured at right and launched an inaugural exhibit of the works of Jean-Michel Basquiat. For Free. Incredible. The building was constructed as a Con Edison Substation in … Continue reading The Brant Foundation Basquiat Exhibit
Broadway Preview April 2019 – Part 2
As promised I am here to preview Broadway opening nights in April as they vie to be eligible for this year's Tony Awards. If you are in or can travel to New York a good time is April as at least some of these shows will close after nominations are made. Yesterday I listed five … Continue reading Broadway Preview April 2019 – Part 2
Broadway Preview April 2019 – Part 1
April 25 is an important date on Broadway this year. It is the last possible opening day to be included in the 2019 Tony Awards. Thus many shows crowd into next month to be eligible. There will be 10 opening nights and I will give you a quick rundown in two parts. If you are … Continue reading Broadway Preview April 2019 – Part 1
National Oreo Cookie Day
I write today about Oreo's who have their own national day, today. Not really about the cookie but about where they were founded, right here in New York City. Yep, I'm talking about Chelsea Market. Back in 1912 in a Nabisco bakery Oreos were first baked here. Eventually a number of buildings took up an … Continue reading National Oreo Cookie Day
Review – The Other Josh Cohen
Go see "The Other Josh Cohen." It holds two lessons I take to heart. Created by David Rossmer and Steve Rosen (who also star) it has gone through years of development and workshops and has come out in a sharp distinct performance that does not feel like it came from a committee but from the … Continue reading Review – The Other Josh Cohen
February 2019 Broadway Preview
Whether you live here or are visiting New York you should know that February is a great time to be here. Theatre is cheaper and restaurants more available because the city is less trafficked during this month. Stop by and try it sometime. Better yet, this February has four excellent new shows starting performances you … Continue reading February 2019 Broadway Preview
Review – Ruben & Clay’s First Annual Christmas Carol Family Fun Pageant Spectacular Reunion Show
Broadway theatre owners have long rented out their venues for short term attractions between major bookings. These can be for special holiday shows (like the Illusionists show I reviewed on November 29). Last year there was an absolutely terrible Broadway show (Home for the Holidays) that featured "YouTube Personalities" and I reviewed on November 22, … Continue reading Review – Ruben & Clay’s First Annual Christmas Carol Family Fun Pageant Spectacular Reunion Show
LOTS to talk about – Sinatra at Sotheby’s
In New York this weekend? Sotheby's has scheduled an auction for "Lady Blue Eyes: Property of Barbara and Frank Sinatra" for December 6 at 2 PM. That means that the public can visit an exhibit of the lots to be sold at their headquarters at 1334 York Avenue between today and Wednesday, December 5 at … Continue reading LOTS to talk about – Sinatra at Sotheby’s
Review – The Illusionists: Magic of the Holidays
For the last several years an enterprising multi-magician group "The Illusionists" have parked for a limited holiday season run on Broadway and then gone out to tour America. This year it is especially themed to be a Christmas show though the dressing is rather thin and they call this one"Magic of the Holidays." I've seen … Continue reading Review – The Illusionists: Magic of the Holidays
BRP Still Foggy Blue Ridge Parkway Ride
I'm still sharing quick one minute clips of my recent Blue Ridge Parkway trip because seeing them replayed brings me much pleasure. I love that road. This segment features persistent early morning fog and enchanted forest land. And yes, one more fade to tunnel, there are a lot on this stretch but will disappear the … Continue reading BRP Still Foggy Blue Ridge Parkway Ride
National Motorcycle Ride Day
Today is National Motorcycle Ride Day. You can peruse my blog to see videos of various rides I have taken recently and documented with my GoPro camera. Like the Henry Hudson Drive, with the Long Reach Long Riders (LRLR.ORG), with my mom on her first ever ride (My Motorcycle Mama) or my recent ride on … Continue reading National Motorcycle Ride Day
BRP – The Smokey Mountains
Another Blue Ridge Parkway one minute sampler as I climb higher into the clouds toward Craggy Gardens. I didn't stop there because it was entirely fogged in, you get a hint of that in this quick video. I place these in the blog to return to that Zen like time of riding this most beautiful … Continue reading BRP – The Smokey Mountains
The Franklin Road to Highlands
During my recent Can-Am Spyder trip I took a detour to visit Highlands, North Carolina. A small town in the middle of the Nantahala Forest, it is a bustling tourist town during the summer and has fewer than a thousand citizens over the long cold winter. I've spent several summer stock seasons there and one … Continue reading The Franklin Road to Highlands
2018 Fort Tryon Park Medieval Festival
Did you make it to the amazing Medieval Festival here at the upper tip of Manhattan so very close to my home? It was marvelous with many people in costume, lots of fun food, crazy vendors, stadium shows, street shows, and generally festive atmosphere. It was more crowded than normal with a new safety lane … Continue reading 2018 Fort Tryon Park Medieval Festival
TOMORROW: The Fort Tryon Park Medieval Festival
For months I have been suggesting you mark Sunday, September 30 on your calendar to attend The Fort Tryon Park Medieval Festival and tomorrow it finally arrives. Take the A Train to 190th Street, take the elevators to the street and turn right. Welcome to my neighborhood. Enjoy some jousting, cosplay, shops and more at … Continue reading TOMORROW: The Fort Tryon Park Medieval Festival
BRP – First leg of the Blue Ridge Parkway
A medallion on the front of my Can-Am Spyder has the letters BRP. While it is really the initials of the mother company that made my vehicle (Bombardier Recreational Products), I insist it stands for my very favorite road - Blue Ridge Parkway. It is beautiful and I saw wild turkey, deer and a black … Continue reading BRP – First leg of the Blue Ridge Parkway
Blue Ridge Parkway – other motorcyclists
On my recent trip south I made sure to schedule the Blue Ridge Parkway as part of my ryde home. It was the first focus of my first long distance trip on my first bike. It has been the subject of many return trips. Now with my GoPro I can share with you. The Parkway … Continue reading Blue Ridge Parkway – other motorcyclists
My Motorcycle Mama
When mom decided she was going to throw a pig roast to celebrate her birthday, all three of her kids decided to join her. When I told her I would ryde down on my Can-Am Spyder she requested that I bring an extra helmet to allow her to take a ride on my motorcycle. She … Continue reading My Motorcycle Mama
National Salami Day
Today is National Salami Day and you should go to Katz's Delicatessen for a taste. It has been in business since 1888 and sells wonderful delicatessen classics like pickles, corned beef, and yes, salami. Sure you could order over the internet (they have changed their URL since their founding in the 19th century so take … Continue reading National Salami Day
