The Summer in the City Events ran from May 14-August 14th. Was there for my favorite – dance at Lincoln Center. Here 3 dance companies came together then did a joint dance at the end. It was a spectacular evening which only can be explained in pictures.
Dance 1
Dance 2
Dance 3
Dance 4 – all the companies together
For the last 2 years my daughter has been managing weekend open air food markets in Jersey City, Williamsburg/Brooklyn, and Prospect Park/Brooklyn. Since I have heard endless stories about the fares decided it was time for a look – see and taste. It is a foodie delight!
And I always check out the loos at these spots – Amazing and clean.
Next stop – Williamsburg
What a fun time and great way to spend a Saturday. Let’s close with another great view.
Arranged this visit as I specifically wanted to see this play after an NPR interview by Terry Gross.
Don’t you simply adore Terry Gross’ interviews?!..
A Strange Loop, has won the Pulitzer Prize, and Tony Award for Best Musical.
Written by Michael R. Jackson, it portrays his life as a black, homosexual man. Jackson wrote the book, play, music, and lyrics to this epic over the course of 18 years. It depicts his family life and their challenges accepting his orientation, and follows his life in New York City where he studied and graduated from New York University.
This moving play is both dramatic, and comedic, with music that will capture your soul. Jackson’s work is one you will never forget, and is a must see. The play has been extended beyond September.
If you have the chance take it in, and open your heart to this amazing work.
After the play the entire cast came out to the street to greet the audience.
What a phenomenal gesture.
Up at 3 a.m., and on the road by 3:30, for a 6 a.m. Delta flight costing $5.06. Don’t you just love those Delta miles!. Sat next to a pleasant woman on route to her daughter’s bridal shower. This made for an even better flight as my daughter’s wedding will be some time within the year. I learned much from this seasoned mother of the bride as this was the last of her 3 daughters to wed.
Flight arrived promptly at 8:45 a.m., and hopped on the M60 bus to the Central Park West Hostel where I stored my bag. From here walked 20 plus blocks to Lincoln Center. While checking out the possible events at Lincoln Center came upon this free event. During the summer there are free shows, and musicians throughout the City. These musicians were music professors from SUNY New Paltz and an amazing jazz group.
After their performance stopped by a food truck for a lamb gyro, the best in the world, and on to Times Square. The weather was stellar during this visit.
Oh what fun, and it’s only just begun………. ? isn’t that a wedding song?? Ha!Ha!
Have returned from my travels, and took awhile to reconstruct the journey. While much fun it was exhausting, and my health is of concern. Wrote the Cummer Museum blog yesterday – wasn’t it sublime?? Did this as a dry run as WordPress has once again changed photo entry. If you’ve read anything of me you are aware I am a tech nincompoop, and have no 5 year old to help. Can’t follow the word press classes, so will be hanging up my skates after reporting of this journey. That said, enjoy the ride.
New York City at the Tamron Hall Show…
Since I had an extra day, and no play available, sought out the television shows for entertainment. Was on a waiting list for Trevor Noah but decided to forego, and went with the certain seat at Tamron Hall. What a delight she is, and good at her game. While not a fan of her guest, Bobby Brown, it was nice to see he has his life on track with a new wife, family, book, and a show. His fans in the audience adored him, so I remained mum.
If you are stuck with nothing to see/do in NYC on a Monday, try the tv shows. To get an official “spot” you need to apply a month early, but, you could be lucky. It’s fun to see how the shows operate, and you meet nice folks in line. Caution: for winter visits dress warm as the wait in line (outside), can be an hour or more..
PLAYS>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
This play was so funny that I missed half of it laughing so hard at the other half. The women in the cast were phenomenal, and the play was written by some gal in her late 20’s who definitely has a future. It is a short run so unsure if it’s still on but if you have the chance – GO!
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Who doesn’t love Billy Crystal???????? He is an American treasure, and in this play he reigns supreme. Great performances, funny, and a happy ending. What more can I say?
New York you never let me down…
#1 and only daughter picked me up from La Guardia. The Airport was empty and she found me easily. We traveled to Red Hook past spectacular views of New York and over this amazing bridge:
What a view of the Hudson River
Having never been to Red Hook was amazed with what I found, but first a little history. Red Hook is located . While known for many things my daughter report it is at the end of this pier where JZ and Beonce exchanged nuptials.
Here’s the views..
Next, the restaurants..
Ice Cream Places – a must indulge at this spot..
Then the bars..
Even grand dog Mo liked this spot.
And closing with another image.
On the way back from the Danube stopped in NYC for 2 days. Yes, I can never get enough of the Big Apple. Here’s some of the highlights from this jaunt starting with The Radio City Christmas Show.
Got a ticket for $46.00 via Headout.com. Put that on your list when looking for events. It’s a great venue and I’ve used it numerous times. I get no kickback only readers who will reap the same good prices.
On to the Rockettes! They were amazing in their candy cane outfits, dressed as elves, and as wooden soldiers. While the theater was filled with children one would never know as they were mesmerized by the activities on stage and therefore quiet.
Santa was the emcee of the show and there were many special effects with 3D glasses, trips to the North Pole, and the like. An especially cute spot was the Nutcracker portrayed in stuffed animals. For us older folk there were a few treasured Christmas carols sung and an ice skating venue.
Lastly, the show stopping living manger scene, always glorious and reverent. What an amazing way to start the holiday season.
Radio City Lobby… Swarovski Tree
Next… Gulliver’s Gate
This is a great place to bring kids as they will be thoroughly amused. Here the world is displayed in miniature. Nations are depicted as well as airports and mostly everything that moves. Volcanoes puff, helicopters fly, people dance, trucks drive, bridges raise, and ships sail all in these displays. Also, the displays can be viewed as a night or day.
Seeing is believing..
ASIA Taj in India, Cambodia, and Singapore.
EUROPE Italy, England, Paris, and Germany
Other Countries Brazil, Russia, and England’s famous bridge being raised.
Here’s one of the workshop think tanks.. And you can even have a miniature of yourself created at the venue.
One more day to go..
Look what I had the good fortune of seeing at the Wednesday matinee.
Great music and dancing with the play told from Otis’ perspective. He began the group and was the surviving member of the original cast which began in the 70’s. New folk are still dancing and singing the songs! If you get the chance take in the play as it’s entertainment value is 5 stars.
Currently am at JFK and boarding soon for the flight to Germany to embark on the Rhine River Cruise. Will keep you posted. Maybe I can do a daily blog as the WP AP seems to be user friendly. 😊. I’ll keep my fingers crossed.
Built in 1939, La Guardia Airport is the 21st busiest airport in the country, and while once a showplace, she needed a face lift.
This face lift boost came in a speech by then Vice President Joe Biden. In his speech on America’s crumbling infrastructure he stated, “I must be in some third world country,” referring to LaGuardia Airport. This put New York State Governor Andrew Cuomo in overdrive and by 2016, plans for the largest combined private and public venture ever were unveiled and began.
Cost: $8 billion with the private sector picking up 75% of the tab. Quite a feat, hats off to Andrew!
Much has been accomplished since this unveil, and now in the final 2 years things are becoming more challenging. This was one of those days. As I sadly left the City with 3 hours till takeoff I found myself taking a different bus number and a new route. While I enjoyed the scenery I was unsure I was on course, but, as the bus turned the directions proved correct.
With the new garages and most concourses completed major terminal construction is underway. Traffic is challenging as how do you reconstruct an operation that still continues to operate? It’s tricky to say the least.
As I departed my NYC bus I was unfamiliar with the new arrangements. Seeing a uniformed Delta employee I asked for assistance. She said stay with me and that I did as we mounted the Purple Bus, (which was not purple), and made our way to the terminal. Doing all these new maneuvers was time consuming, however, I arrived at my gate with 30 minutes to spare.
Suggestion: Add an extra hour if you are using LaGuardia Airport and once she’s back in her glory send the Governor an email of thanks..
https://www.governor.ny.gov/content/governor-contact-form
On the east side of Manhattan on 2 East 91st Street, is a museum jewel, The Cooper Hewitt Museum. This museum is the Smithsonian Design Museum and housed in the family’s former mansion. It is home to the Target Design Center.
Peter Cooper, (1791-1883), patriarch of the Cooper-Hewitt family, was an inventor, manufacturer, and philanthropist. He is probably best known for “Tom Thumb,” the first steam locomotive. He wished to benefit society by helping his fellow man, and was much loved. The first free institution of higher education for young men and women in the nation, Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art, was created by Cooper, and he ran as a 1876 presidential candidate in the Greenback Party. Did I also mention he created jello? Well, he did.
Cooper and his wife, Sarah, had one daughter, Sarah Amelia, (known as Amelia), and in 1855 she married Abram Steven Hewitt. Hewitt, son of a fine cabinet maker, later became a businessman, and mayor of New York City in 1887. There were 6 children from this union.
It was a busy social life for the Hewitt children as successful and prominent people of the era were often at their homes in New York City, and Ringwood, New Jersey. All were immersed in the arts and education.
Hewitt’s daughters, Sarah and Eleanor, wanted to fulfill their grandfather’s long dream of a museum and began to purchase items on trips abroad for later inclusion in the museum. The decorative art items purchased were books, drawings and textiles. By 1897, the dream was achieved and the museum began.
Sarah and Eleanor never married but had fulfilling lives in their work and travels. Besides the museum home there is a fascinating Cooper-Hewitt summer home in Ringwood, New Jersey, which can be toured.
I began the tour with the video on the home in its prime which was hidden on the second floor to the left of the staircase. It is a must see.
Much of the mansion furnishings are in storage, however, pieces are brought out for display on occasion. The Cooper Hewitt collection has more than 210,000 objects and are digitalized. For questions as you tour feel free to ask security staff as they are knowledgeable and accessible.
On the museum ground floor items are displayed from the winners of the National High School Design Competition. Here’s a design winner which is now located in the museum gardens. Surprisingly, the chair was a comfortable and fun seating. Love the color..
Cooper wanted the theme of his museum to be for the advancement of science, and in this first floor wing it certainly is. Multi-colored DNA pictures are posted along with video explanations. I was unaware of the beautiful colors of DNA. There was also an orthotic electrical hand on display. But, perhaps my favorite was the hydroponic growing system seen behind this glass enclosure.
On the second floor patrons are allowed to develop their own designs via computer. These designs are then broadcast on the walls of the room. Works can be reclaimed or forwarded to home ports.
Textiles and the history of the paisley print was also displayed on this floor. The Hewitt sisters, Sarah and Eleanor, were known for their eccentric qualities. Perhaps this is best seen in the 1865 Steerhorn Chair from San Antonio.
And as you depart take time to stop by the gardens. Science and nature are here at its best.
Young Retiree Needs a Life 