Week of November 24th, 2014

Monday, November 24th: "Fourth Annual Ballroom Basix Gala"

Ballroom Basix is a wonderful charity that brings ballroom dancing into schools and changes the lives of at-risk youth. The event was held at the splendid art-deco venue, the Edison Ballroom. The professional dancers put on quite a show, rivaled only by the children's dance performance.

Links: Ballroom Basix website

Tuesday, November 25th: "Ideas of Order"

Neil Rudenstein presented his new book, Ideas of Order, which explores and illustrates the most significant themes in Shakespeare's sonnets. The event was held at the Princeton Club.

Links: Book information on Amazon

Week of November 17th, 2014

Thursday, November 20th: "Nostalgia Therapy"

Inspired by the allure of "nostalgia for a time you didn't live through," Jonathan Jacobs (a.k.a. The Vintage DJ) presented "Nostalgia Therapy," an immersive experience exploring perceived time travel to the past as a form of relaxation, meditation and rejuvenation. This was a favorite Salon for many people, and we plan on repeating this interactive experience in future.

Links: Photos

Friday, November 21st: "Fridays with Fleur Seule at Tavern on the Green"

Join us as we enjoy the music of singer Allyson Briggs and her combo in the newly renovated Tavern on the Green in Central Park,

A lively swing dancing crowd meets there, so you will have dance partners, or simply listen to the wonderful music of Fleur Seule. They will play 1940s Jazz, Swing and Latin beats from around the world.

Links: Facebook event page

Saturday, November 22nd: "The Upperclassman"

"The Upperclassman" is a musical based on the life of Princeton alumnus, F. Scott FItzgerald, inspired by his debut novel, This Side of Paradise. In the Fall of 1915, brilliantly talented, young F. Scott Fitzgerald is swept into the hierarchy of Ivy League society and the antics of the Princeton Triangle Club, in pursuit of the beautiful and elusive debutante Ginevra King. Their romance inspired one of the greatest novels of the 20th century...

Links: Event website

Week of November 10th, 2014

Thursday, November 13th: "Albertine Retrouvée"

We explored the gorgeous new French bookstore, Albertine, located in the French Cultural Institute and rubbed elbows with Proustian scholars. We regaled ourselves with dinner at Orsay following the event.

Links: Albertine website

By co-incidence, I returned to Orsay the following evening with my family visiting from out-of town, so I will sneak in this second photo as well.

Week of November 3rd, 2014

Wednesday, November 5th: "Au Bout du Compte"

As part of its ongoing Movie Night series, The Lyceé Français presented director Agnès Jaoui's "Au Bout du Compte" (Under the Rainbow.) 

Links: LFNY Cultural center

Friday, November 7th: "The Last First Friday"

Dance Manhattan celebrated its final Big Band First Friday. It was a dance extravaganza with special musical guests and dance performances, all headlined by the always amazing George Gee Swing Orchestra.

Links: First Friday Facebook page

Saturday, November 8th: "Scottish Ball"

The NY Scottish Fall Ball was held on Saturday, November 8th. Prior to the Ball, there were a series of fun practice sessions. A piper welcomed us to dancing and then ushered in a much-needed dinner break.The whirlwind dancing was accompanied by live music by the Abby Newton Band.

Links: Scottish Ball event page

Sunday, November 9th: NYSDS Monthly Swing Dance

The NY Swing Dance Society presented its monthly swing dance, this time featuring Margi and the Dapper Dots.

Links: NYSDS Facebook page