Week of September 26th, 2016

Monday, September 26th: PREformances series at the JCC
For eight seasons, "PREformances with Allison Charney" has accomplished the wonderful mission of giving top level performers an opportunity to debut new material, and providing lucky audience members with a chance to catch a sneak peek of new talent and repertoire.

This PREformance was no exception. We were treated to the first public performance of mezzo-soprano Karolina Pilou singing the aria "Il Vecchiotto Cerca Moglie" from The Barber of Seville. Ms Pilou will "officially" debut in role of Berta at the Met this Spring.

In addition, pianist Joel Fan delighted us with an inspired interpretation of Chopin's  piano piece, Polonaise-Fantaisie Op.61 in preparation for his recording session for his latest CD release.

It is opportunities like these that are at the heart of the Performance series, founded by soprano Allison Charney, an accomplished soprano in her own right and a charming hostess for this remarkable series.

For photos from the event, click here. For More about the series and for upcoming dates, click here.

Monday, September 26th: All French Program at Carnegie Hall
Pianist Katya Grineva and cellist Byron Duckwall collaborated on an all French program, inspired by the Age of the Impressionists. The duo covered works by Saint-Saens, Debussy, Satie and Ravel, among others.
Duckwall provided very insightful and colorful commentary about the composers and the works performed. The historical context and the artistic notes enhanced the audience's understanding of and appreciation for the selected pieces.


Tuesday, September 27th: Puccini in Love
Together with the NY Arts & Sciences Salon, we were delighted to share an evening in Bryant Park for opera al fresco. NY City opera treated us to arias from 3 of Puccini's most beloved works, La Boheme, Madame Butterfly, and Tosca.

In addition to the music, we enjoyed a tasty dîner en plein air and even snuck in some prosecco for a friendly toast.

photo credit: Jennifer Thomas

photo credit: Jennifer Thomas

photo credit: Jennifer Thomas

Saturday, October 1st: Board Game Night

Many thanks to our hosts, Suzy & Mark Chronowitz for holding Board Game Fest at their home. In addition to old favorites, we played a new game, Hoax, and the general consensus was favorable. Players need to impersonate various pretenders to a large fortune in order to see who will be left as the sole heir. A bit like Clue meets Bull$hit, it provides opportunities to put on funny accents. It is a great option for large, boisterous groups. Our Forbidden Island score was 1 Loss and 1 Win. Damn you, Waters Rising card...

Week of June 27th, 2016

Thursday, June 30th: Hemingway's Paris
The NY Arts & Sciences Salon presented a lovely evening devoted to Hemingway's experiences in Paris.  Speaker, Liz Kemble of Travellati tours painted a very complete picture of the man and his city. For more info, visit the NYASS website here.

Week of January 25th, 2016

Thursday, January 28th: NY Arts & Sciences Salon event, Ain't Misbehaving 

Many thanks to Margaret Batiuchok and Charlie Meade for bringing the history of Swing to life so vividly for us.
As usual, the staff of Neapolitan Express took very good care of us, and the food was delicious. Especially the Nutella dessert! :-)

See all photos here.

photo credit: George Candler

Week of July 27th, 2015

• Thursday, July 30th: NYASS monthly event: "The Play in the Apartment." Please join us as this month's NYASS event features a play set in an apartment. How convenient! The play, written by Daniel Mitura, features 3 characters in an apartment. A buffet dinner will be served immediately following the play. The playwright and the actors will be in attendance to answer all your questions. Info/Tickets here.

• Friday, July 31st: "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 on the outdoor deck. Reservations strongly recommended. Meet at 7:30pm. Info:  Fleur Seule Facebook page

Week of May 25th, 2015

Thursday, May 28th: NYASS May Salon - A Conversation with Luna Kaufman.

Link: Photos & info here.

Saturday, May 30th: DL Rooftop Speakeasy with Johnny Boyd

Patrick's Soluri's newest weekly jazz and Swing event was very pleasant. Musical selections and entertainment was top-notch, as usual. We detected a bit of a twang in the band.

Week of April 27th, 2015

This week, It is time for our monthly Salon! See info below.

Thursday, April 30th: NYASS  "Burst Into Spring" Concert

The NYASS was pleased to welcome composer Patrick Soluri who shared his insights and his music with us in an intimate setting at Beethoven Piano Studio. It was an evening of lovely music and interesting discussion. Patrick used audio and video excerpts from his various works to illustrate how he uses music to tell a story in different media, such as ballet, opera and film scores. Highlighted works consisted of a number of original pieces for ballet and opera. Michael Fennelly accompanied our featured singers on the piano.

We were treated to the voices of Ian McUen (Tenor), Megan Weston (Soprano) and Stephen Eddy and Thomas Bradshaw (Baritones).

The concert was followed by dinner at nearby bistro, La Bonne Soupe, where the conversation resumed without skipping a beat. Photographer John Gladitsch took photos and video (coming soon.)

We hope you will join us May 28th for our next event.

Link: Event page

Saturday, May 2nd: Kentucky Derby Party at Gansevoort Hotel

Patrick Soluri's weekly event, Prohibition Saturday, co-incidesdwith a fabulous Derby Party. 

Link: Event site

Saturday, May 2nd: Ballroom Dancing with Fleur Seule at the 92nd St. Y. 

The fabulous Fleur Seule combo, led by Allyson Briggs, took over the ballroom of the 92nd Street Y this Saturday night dance, much to the delight of all assembled. Attendance was nearly triple the usual number, and those of us who are familiar with Fleur Seule know why. Regulars and newbies twirled to waltzes, rhumbas, salsas, foxtrots and more.  There was even a delightful show.

Link: Facebook Page

Get your tickets for the Russian Nobility Ball (May 8th at The Pierre Hotel)

Purchase your tickets to The Russian nobility Ball before they sell out. We are going to the Dancing Only portion of the event. Text me to find us once you get inside. Or better yet, come have dinner with us before the Ball. Email me for information.

Link: Ball page

Week of March 23rd, 2015

Thursday March 26th: NYASS presents"Beyond the Berlin Patient: New Directions in the Cure for HIV/AIDS"

Kambiz Shekdar, Ph.D., explained how one man, Timothy Ray Brown, was cured of AIDS by a physician willing to think outside the box. Dr. Shekdar retraced this unorthodox journey of doctor & patient and presented the new direction his own research has taken.
With the cure of the Berlin Patient as a blueprint, the science to cure AIDS is on the horizon. The Road to the Cure is now before us.
We enjoyed a 3-course dinner in our private dining room at Villa Mosconi in Greenwich Village.

When: Dinner begins at 7:00pm; lecture to follow

Where: Villa Mosconi - 69 Macdougal Street (off E. Houston)

Cost: $55 until Monday the 23rd; $60 after. RSVP by Wednesday.
Link: NYASS; Research Foundation To Cure AIDS

For more photos, please visit the NYASS website here.

Week of February 23rd, 2015

Thursday, February 26th:  NY Arts & Sciences Salon: "Everything Is Illuminated."

Inspired by illumination techniques commonly used in medieval manuscripts, artist Guadalupe Grimaldi took us on a journey through magical landscapes and revealed old world techniques blended with a very modern vision. In addition, we enjoyed a tasty dinner with friends, old & new. These monthly dinners are a way to meet and connect with interesting people from a host of different fields.

See more photos here: NYASS website page

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 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