Or…not for your favorite sports team… but for those gorgeous dogs at the Westminster Dog Show!
Last night’s judging of the best of the Dalmatian breed
Photo of a Golden Retriever from 2019 – My favorite dog!
So for a few hours of pure enjoyment and great fun tonight: sit back, pour a nice glass of wine, turn on the TV and watch the judging of the Sporting, Working and Terrier groups. And then, the grand finale of BEST IN SHOW!
LOVE THIS CITY AND ADORE BEST IN SHOW! (Did you ever see that hysterical movie?)
KAY’S NOTES: I’m not going this year, but I’ve been in the past. There used to be plenty of tickets available, however, it has become a favorite of many New Yorkers and their families, so suggest you get tickets early. It’s always held near Valentines Day. It’s also possible to go behind the scenes prior to the judging which is held at the Piers. For more information check out the website: https://www.westminsterkennelclub.org/
Photos: Courtesy of New York Times and Westminster Kennel Club
Disclaimer – I try for correct info on kaysnycways – but no guarantees people
OR…bring your sandwich, your popcorn, your water, your other beverage, whatever that might be, your sweater, your umbrella and just sit back and enjoy…The FREE Metropolitan Opera’s Annual Summer HD Festival of glorious operas on the Plaza is here! August 23rd thru September 2nd!
And this year on Friday August 23rd, to kick off the Festival, is one of my favorite movies FUNNY FACE with that beautiful Audrey Hepburn and that charming Fred Astaire….combined with the streets of New York and the landmarks of Paris. . Add to that the gorgeous clothes, a charming love story all tied together with a great soundtrack..thanks to the Gershwin’s. A lovely night under the stars (hopefully) that can take one away from all the craziness in this world at least for a few hours.
Friday, August 23, 8 PM Funny Face Saturday, August 24, 7:45 PM Aida Verdi Sunday, August 25, 8 PM Carmen Bizet Monday, August 26, 7:45 PM Das Rheingold Wagner Tuesday, August 27, 7:45 PM Dialogues des Carmélites Poulenc Wednesday, August 28, 8 PM Samson et Dalila Saint-Saëns Thursday, August 29, 8 PM Cendrillon Massenet( Cinderella – good intro to the opera for kids) Friday, August 30, 8 PM La Fanciulla del West Puccini Saturday, August 31, 8 PM La Fille du Régiment Donizetti Sunday, September 1, 8 PM Luisa Miller Verdi Monday, September 2, 8 PM Adriana Lecouvreur Cilea
Love this City…and adore wonderful free events like this one!
KAY’S NOTES: (Taken from one of my previous posts on the Festival that might be helpful IMPORTANT TO KNOW: Go early – the seats go quickly even though there are 3000 of them! Good to know: The series goes on rain or shine except thunder storms. Suggest you bring extra jacket or sweater as it can get chilly. And, perhaps a seat cushion Where to eat: All over the place. Many people, in fact, bring their own food, drinks and snacks. I, myself, am a popcorn and wine person. Restaurant prices: In the area – varies from hotdog carts to OMG$$$$ Where is it: At Lincoln Center Plaza known as the Josie Robertson Plaza in front of the Met Opera House on the Upper West Side between West 62nd and 65th Streets and Columbus and Amsterdam Avenues. Buses and subways close by. Plenty of parking. Met website has all kinds of info on directions. Restrooms: Here’s the tricky part. If there is an event at the David Geffen Hall (formerly Avery Fisher) the restrooms are open in the Hall. But if not there are restrooms on the Concourse level below the Met Opera house. There is an elevator to Concourse level on the outside of the David Koch Theater or an escalator in front of the David Geffen Hall. Restrooms also at the David Rubenstein Atrium on Broadway between 62nd and 63rd right across the street. Kid Friendly: Absolutely and stay for a little while or for the whole performance. Lots of kids will be there.
Photo and opera listings by Metropolitan Opera
*Disclaimer – I try for correct info on Kay’s Notes– but no guarantees people.
OR…What to do in the City on 3 Saturday mornings in August!
The annual car-free festival—which takes over seven miles of streets on the first three Saturdays in August—is returning this year, while the first one on August 3rd is over, there are two more to come on August 10th and 17th from 7 AM to 1 PM. Starting from lower Manhattan to the Upper East Side, with street closures beginning at the Brooklyn Bridge, going up Lafayette Street, and then along Park Avenue from Union Square to the Upper East Side. Check out the website that tells what goes on during Summer Streets describing the rest stops along the way with all kinds of activities….have fun! Remember it’s all over at 1 PM. Note: if you’re driving around the City on these dates be aware of the street closures.
FOR FULL INFO GO TO http://nyc.gov/summerstreets Much of this post was taken directly from the website – no plagiarism on my part (LOL)
Disclaimer: I try for correct info on my posts, but no guarantees people.
Or…The Westminster Dog Show winner will be awarded February 12th!
I never watched the show until about 20 years ago. My dog, Nadia, was a beautiful golden retriever whom we had to put down. She was 17. Shortly after, I was flipping thru the TV channels and stopped short when I saw a field of goldies. With tears flowing, I watched as the judges decided which of those gorgeous dogs would move on. That was it… I was hooked. I’ve been watching it ever since and have gone many times.
From NY Times – which will be the best of this breed?
Over the weekend, the selection of best breed to compete for Best in Show was held at Piers 92/94 12th Ave. on the west side of the City. It’s a wonderful family outing and one I highly recommend. The finals are at Madison Square Garden. Check it all out on their website. westminster
Photo: WKC
My pick for the 2019 winner would be, of course, a golden retriever!!!
Watching the selection is a hoot. The crowds cheer, whistle and clap like it’s a basketball or hockey game at the Garden, yelling out for their favorites.
Photo from MSG
LOVE THIS CITY – AND LOVE THE DOG SHOW!
KAY’S NOTES:
IMPORTANT TO KNOW: The first time I went – no problem getting a ticket. Now, close to being sold out each year. Ticket prices vary – general admission the cheapest.
FUN TO KNOW: Members of the Westminster Kennel Club and some owners come in gowns and tuxedos with lots of glitter looking their very best as they watch these elegant purebreds strut their stuff. The rest of us? You name it, but its always a great time no matter the wardrobe!
Disclaimer: I try for correct info on my posts, but no guarantees people.
Or…Can you believe it? To kick off the Met’s free outdoor HD festival they will be showing the Marx Brothers’ classic film A Night at the Opera… with all its zaniness!
Photo courtesy t2.gstatic.com
Now talk about zaniness, not on the screen, occurring on the Plaza. I’ve named it the Great Zany Seat Hunt to describe the annual ritual of finding the seat among the 3,000 available. If you’ve been reading my blog these past few years, you know I’ve written on the Great Zany Seat Hunt before, although this is the first time I’ve actually given it a name.
Here’s how it works. Visitors, New Yorkers, students, et al begin their search by moving from subways, buses, cars, apartments, hotels and even Airbnbs to the Plaza in front of the Met to find thatseat. Some regulars know to get their early and have no problem. But then there are the others who, in their naivete, think whenever they arrive it will be OK with a seat or seats just waiting. Those foolish, foolish opera fans.
Hence, the Great Zany Seat Hunt and why I get there early, nabbing a seat on the aisle to watch the fun. I have my hat, my sweater, my umbrella, my popcorn, my water, and my wine. I’m on the ready to take notes and photos of what’s about to unfold.
Now some poor souls think that they can come minutes before the start of the film and find an open seat. Hah! Good luck is what I always say to myself as I watch those optimists roaming the aisles. I see their heads turning left and right as they stare with a hopeful look at an empty seat only to have that hope dashed as the seat that looked empty was indeed… saved.
Ah, the seat savers, the bane of those on the search but makes for good entertainment to those of us watching. The tension between the seat-saver and the wannabee seat-sitter is real life drama. Optimistic looks turn to cold stares and the face of the saver ranges from anxious to downright fear and then great relief with lots of arm waving as he or she sees her party arriving.
Like in any theater as the lights dim, the audience settles down, so it is here as the huge screen lights up. Really late comers are helped to whatever seats are open by the nice security guards who also keep the aisles clear. They also tell those seat-savers, in a kindly manner, “Seats can’t be saved once the film begins.” Panic sets in again as desperate whispered calls go into a cell phone…”Where are you?”
So ends the Great Zany Seat Hunt for this performance. If anything really interesting happens during the series, you know I’ll tell you all about it.
This Marx Bros. film will be a really fun night and definitely a full plaza. Come early! If you can’t, be prepared to join the Great Zany Seat Hunt. BTW many viewers prefer to stand in the back or the sides or bring a chair or sit on a blanket, especially if they bring their dog.
Speaking of dogs… don’t forget to bring your snacks, your dogs, your kids, your friends, your relatives and be ready to forget everything else that’s going on around this crazy world… sit back and enjoy. It is a joy!
With the choice of this film, it goes to prove that even the powers that be at the Met are lovers of great crazy comedy…well maybe as long as there’s an opera involved. Bet those powers that be have never been part of the Great Zany Seat Hunt. Hmmmm?
Here’s the full list of operas to be shown starting August 24
Friday, August 24, 8 pm A Night at the Opera
Saturday, August 25, 8 pm Roméo et Juliette, Gounod
Sunday, August 26, 7:45 pm Norma, Bellini
Monday, August 27, 8 pm Elektra, R. Strauss
Tuesday, August 28, 8 pm Il Barbiere di Siviglia, Rossini
Wednesday, August 29, 7:30 pm Lulu, Berg
Thursday, August 30, 7:45 pm Rusalka, Dvořák
Friday, August 31, 8 pm L’Elisir d’Amore, Donizetti
Saturday, September 1, 8 pm Un Ballo in Maschera, Verdi
Sunday, September 2, 7:15 pm Der Rosenkavalier, R. Strauss
Monday, September 3, 8 pm Madama Butterfly, Puccini
Then ….Opening Night…SAINT-SAËNS Samson et Dalila – September 24
LOVE THIS CITY
KAY’S NOTES:
IMPORTANT TO KNOW: “The most popular of 13 films created by the legendary Marx Brothers, A Night at the Opera endures as one of the funniest comedies to ever appear on the silver screen. The straightforward plot—which follows the brothers as they try to launch the career of an aspiring Italian tenor—allows ample opportunity for their trademark hijinks, from the witty banter of the Contract Scene to the film’s raucous finale backstage at a performance of Verdi’s Il Trovatore. A co-presentation of the Film Society of Lincoln Center and the Metropolitan Opera ” from the Met website
FRIDAY, JULY 13 – “TAP IT OUT” a free, public outdoor tap dance event at 1pm, 1:30pm, and 2pm – Father Duffy Square/Times Square (Broadway, W. 46 St. To W. 47 St., 7 Avenue in Manhattan)
Disclaimer: I try for correct info on my posts, but no guarantees people
GOOD TO KNOW: The Met Museum offers free admission to all service members and vets during Fleet Week and I believe (not sure) that they continue this till Labor Day. (maybe others as welll)
Photos: Courtesy of Fleet Week site.
Disclaimer: I try for correct info on my posts, but no guarantees people.
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