Week of March 30th, 2015

Friday April 3rd: Big Band First Friday 

George Gee headlined the music at this monthly event (that takes place the first Friday of each month) featuring Big Band tunes and live performances. Special guest vocalist John Dokes performed as well. Guests enjoyed a free dance lesson courtesy of Dance Manhattan.

Link: More info

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 March 16th, 2015

Wednesday March 18th: "Creativity & Education"

This lecture at The Princeton Club addressed the question, "how can we design our home or work environment to best foster creativity?"  The question applies to people of all ages, and author Donald Rattner answered it to everyone's satisfaction.

Week of March 9th, 2015

Sunday March 15th: NYSDS Monthly Swing dance

The NY Swing Dance Society presented its monthly swing dance, this time featuring Michael Hashim's Big Time. Dancers and listeners appreciated the music as well as the dance performances.
The event takes place every month at St. Jean Baptiste Church at 76th Street and Lexington Ave.  A free Swing dance lesson starts at 7pm and the band goes on at 8pm and plays until midnight. A DJ takes over between sets and for the last hour. Beginners and listeners welcome.

Link: Facebook page

Week of March 2nd, 2015

Friday, March 6th:  "Big Band First Friday"

Big Band First Friday resumed at a new home, The Ball room at 43rd. George Gee Orchestra played the inaugural event. I joined Terry, David and Eddie, as well as a cast of regulars there. The crowd was very mixed between regular and new dancers and some of us came away with minor injuries...  I'm sure it will flow more smoothly next month :-)

Link: Event page

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 February 16th, 2015

Tuesday, February 17th: "Discoveries of the Classical Ancient World."  
C. Brian Rose, prominent archaeologist, scholar, speaker and author fascinated us with the tale of current and ongoing projects in Troy and Gordion (now Turkey). He also brought attention to the ancient world's modern woes stemming from the effects of today's wars, art looting, cultural property, ownership issues, and tourism. This event was been organized by Patricia Belfatto at the Princeton Club.