Week of December 15th, 2014

Monday, December 15th: "A Holy Hoot" Sing-along

We celebrated the warmth of the holiday season with complete strangers on the steps of St. Bart's church. Average New Yorkers sang traditional Christmas carols (along with a few secular favorites and a Chanukah song) for the delight of ourselves and passers-by. After caroling, we warmed up at St. Bart's Café next door.

Links: Holy Hoot website

Saturday, December 20th: "Winter Bash" at YSBD

You Should Be Dancing hosted its holiday dance featuring live swing & holiday music by Eight to the Bar. This sought-after band made a rare NY appearance! 

Links: Eight to the Bar website

Saturday & Sunday, December 20h & 21st: Lumiere Ballet's Nutcracker

Lumiere Ballet presented The Nutcracker featuring the original Petipa choreography at the Maguire Theater at SUNY Old Westbury. Svetlana Caton-Noble, the company's director, is an alumna of the Lycée. The company garnered rave reviews for past performances.

Links: Lumiere Ballet website

Week of December 8th, 2014

Tuesday, December 9th: Annual Winter Holiday Concert

The Mendelssohn Glee Club of New York presented its annual winter holiday concert and auction.

Links: Event website

Saturday-Sunday, December 13th-14th: "Walker Stalker Con."

Walker Stalker Con was not just a convention. We all had an amazing experience and became part of a greater community of zombie lovers! Walker Stalker Con is three days of events, panels, and experiences that zombie fans won’t find anywhere else! Teresa got a hug from Daryl Dixon himself (aka Norman Reedus)
We were very impressed with Michael Cudllitz (who plays Abraham) and Greg Nicotero (special effects ). They were there 

We are definitely going back next year and invite all fans of AMC's The Walking Dead to join us.

Links: Event page

Sunday, December 14th: "Vintage Train and More."

Jazz musicians, swing dancers & vintage clothing enthusiasts (and the photographers who love them all) converged on the 2nd Avenue platform for a full day of music, dance, and happiness. The event was totally free with the purchase of a normal subway fare. There followed a special after-party at the Brooklyn Transit museum.

Links: Facebook page

Week of December 1st, 2014

Tuesday, December 2nd: "A Sense of Style"

Cognitive scientist, world-renowned linguist, and best-selling author, Steven Pinker, addressed a full house on proper usage of the English language. In this special talk coinciding with the release of his new book, A Sense of Style, Dr. Pinker explained how to be a more effective communicator. His presentation was as engaging as it was instructive.

Links: Event website

In a bizarre coiincidence, 3 of the guests who attended had injured the same thumb...

Friday, December 5th: "Fridays with Fleur Seule at Tavern on the Green"

Singer Allyson Briggs and her combo delighted the bar crowd in the newly renovated Tavern on the Green in Central Park. They played 1940s Jazz, Swing and Latin beats from around the world for those intrepid enough to brave the rainy weather.

Links: Fleur Seule Facebook page

Sunday, December 7th: "NYSDS Holiday Dance"

The NYSDS Holiday Dance was a festive occasion featuring Molly Ryan. The band played a medley of favorite christmas carols, and the crowd got to lindy to the tales of Rudolph, Frosty and Santa. The incomparable Dawn Hampton, clad from head to toe in a fashionable golden outfit, performed to the delight of all assembled.

Links: NYSDS Facebook page

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

Week of October 27th, 2014

Monday, October 27th: "Escape the Room" 

Five intrepid explorers escaped being locked in an abandoned art studio. We had an hour before we were to meet our certain doom. Luckily, we escaped with 13 minutes to spare. We will definitely be back to conquer another mission. Thanks to Teresa Marie for organizing the event.

Links: Mission Escape Games website

Thursday, October 30th: "Portraits of the Mind." 

Columbia University neuroscientist, Carl Schoonover, addressed a sold-out crowd at the NY Arts & Science's October event. He explained various scientific methods used to study the mind and explain the fantastic networks in the brain. In addition, a lovely dinner with friends, old & new was enjoyed by all.

Links: Portraits of the Mind event site - NY Arts & Sciences Salon

Week of October 20th, 2014

Friday, October 24th: "Fall Auction" 

We did some window-shopping  at The Salmagundi Club, at their annual Fall Auction. Over 200 artworks by current Salmagundi members were auctioned. Collectors since the early 1900’s have flocked to these events, held every October and March, to find top-quality works of representational painting, drawing, fine-art graphics, photography, and sculpture, most at better-than-reasonable prices. Thanks to Druce for suggesting the event.

Saturday, October 25th: Day Trip to Newburgh.

We visited this historic riverside town near West Point military academy. We had an early dinner at a local spot overlooking the Hudson.


Sunday, October 26th: Sock Hop Halloween Party
Eric Silvey's monthly sock hop event at the Iguana was transformed into a costume gathering. Thanks to Candace for the photo.

Week of October 13th, 2014

Wednesday, October 15th: "Caterpillar to Butterfly." 

Discover how to move on to your next career with coach Win Sheffield.

Links: Win Sheffield.com

Saturday, October 18th: Day Trip to the Bartow-Pell Mansion Museum.

We will explore the historic home of Thomas Pell in Pelham Bay Park (in the Bronx.)  We will then have lunch nearby. I have 1 spot left in my car, if you need a ride.

Links: Bartow-Pell Mansion Museum