THAT FACE…THAT FACE..THAT WONDERFUL FACE!

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.

Then starting on the 24th thru September 2nd, every night another opera with other glorious faces with their magnificent voices. Want more info?https://www.metopera.org/season/summer-2019/summer-hd-festival/

Here’s the lineup…people!

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.

B U L L E T I N!

OR…IT’S FLEET WEEK 2019

WEDNESDAY MAY 22ND THRU TUESDAY MAY 28TH

Check out their website for all the free events around New York City. Parade of ships is early Wednesday morning. https://militarynews.com/app/fleetweeknewyork/

TO ALL WHO SERVE..THANK YOU!

KAY’S NOTES: Great event and wonderful opportunity to salute the brave men and women who help to keep us safe!

Photos: Courtesy of Fleet Week site.

Disclaimer: I try for correct info on my posts, but no guarantees people.

R-E-S-P-E-C-T!

Or…Without you Aretha, our party wouldn’t have been the same!

Many years ago the women in my family performed a skit for a special occasion…a tradition . We had trouble deciding on what kind of skit to do. Then, coming across my car radio was that glorious voice singing,
R-E-S-P-E-C-T. I screamed out, to no one in particular because I was alone in the car, “That’s it, that’s our song!”

And indeed it was. We wowed the crowd as we lip synced and danced, dressed in tuxedo t-shirts, top hats and canes to that amazing voice. It was a huge hit and we had such a ball doing it.

Thank you Aretha for your voice, your music, your activism and your generosity.

We love you…. The Oliver Girls (the performing women – a family name)

KAY’S NOTES:
What Aretha said about RESPECT:
“I was talking about the male-female relationship. The respect part of it became a mantra for the Civil Rights Movement and for people everywhere,” Franklin said.”

Apologies to my readers

Dear Readers,

I must apologize to you for some errors and awkward sentences that appeared on my post about the Marx Brothers this morning. Hopefully not noticeable except to me and maybe a talented English major. There was a misspelling which everyone probably caught. All has been corrected. I try very hard not to have this happen, but as the saying goes…nobody’s perfect!

Thank you for reading my blog.
Be safe and be well,
Kay
kaysnycways.com

Groucho, Chico, Harpo…At the Met Opera…Really?

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!

Image result for a night at the opera — 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 that seat. 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.

Groucho Marx, Marion Bell, Edna Bennett, Billy Gilbert, Allan Jones, Jack 'Tiny' Lipson, Chico Marx, Harpo Marx, Inez Palange, Stephen Soldi, Harry 'Zoup' Welsh, and Frank Yaconelli in A Night at the Opera (1935)

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

Metropolitan Opera | Summer HD Festival

GOOD TO KNOW: Reminder for a refresher course on maneuvering this series see my post The Met Opera…Free!
Under- Kay’s Notes-Good To Know

Photo from film: Courtesy IMDb
Photo of Plaza: Courtesy Metropolitan Opera website

Disclaimer: I try for correct info on my posts, but no guarantees people.

Staycationing or Vacationing in the City?

Or… how about a quick FREE trip to Vegas without ever getting in a plane, in a car, in a bus or on a horse – well maybe a horse if you’ve been ” carriaging”* around Central Park.

Simply take yourself over to Lincoln Center Plaza on Saturday, August 26th. Grab a chair and sit back under the stars to see Rigoletto with all its lechery, murder, sex, gambling, kidnapping, deflowering and disguises, just like the real Casino town! This hit production by the Met of Rigoletto places the action in a neon-bedecked Las Vegas in 1960.

Image result for photos met rigoletto — RIGOLETTO Vegas style

Yes, the Metropolitan Opera Summer HD Festival will be in full swing as of August 25th. This is one of my favorite things to do in the City as summer starts to murmur with hints of fall. I’ve had such great times watching these wonderful operas and enjoying the audience craziness before and after the screenings. And all free!!!!!

The Festival runs from August 25th thru September 4th. All performances begin at 8 PM except for Sunday the 27th which begins at 7:45.

Here’s the schedule starting on the 25th

Beginning with the Ingmar Bergman film, The Magic Flute followed the next evening by Rigoletto, and then in order, Il Barbiere Di Siviglia, L’Amour De Loin, Manon Lescaut, Roberto Devereux, Tristan Und Isolde (on two nights) Eugene Onegin, Nabucco, ending on the 4th with the beautiful La Traviata.

Hope to see you there! Come early – relax and watch the seats fill up which they do. As usual – I’m the one with the hat, popcorn and wine.

Love this City and love the Metropolitan Opera especially when it’s free.

KAY’S NOTES: (From an earlier post on this event)

Important to know: Met website at http://www.metopera.com 2017 Summer HD Festival.

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 along with opera loving well behaved dogs!

Photos and italic text from Metropolitan Opera website.

*Carriaging – a made up word -but you get my drift.

Disclaimer – I try for correct info on Kay’s Notes– but no guarantees people.

The Waldorf Shuttered, The Empire Room Gone, But Lena Horne? Here Forever!

Or…a night i’ll never forget!

Wonderful memories to me are gifts that are always there to pull upon when life or times get a little complicated. And this is one of my favorites. I try to make kaysnycways timely but I just couldn’t find the right time to share this memory until now. After reading that the Waldorf Astoria was going under a total renovation and would be closed for a few years, I said to myself now is the time and I finished the draft I had started. Remembering this night always lifts my spirits and in these chaotic times wonderful memories are indeed wonderful!

LENA’S RED HOT!

Image result for lena horne at the empire room waldorf

We were right at the edge of the dance floor at a very small cocktail table for two…waiting. It was the last night of Lena Horne’s run at the Empire Room. We were in our 20’s and it was our first time at such a fancy, elegant New York City supper club. We were wide-eyed and we were star struck not just for the excitement of seeing her, but also because we were surrounded by celebrities like Carol Burnett, Tony Curtis, Janet Leigh and the McGuire Sisters. When she came out and started to sing, all we did was look at each other with huge smiles! The evening was a surprise from my boyfriend (and future husband) and what an evening it was. Her rendition of “Surrey With the Fringe on Top” turned a bouncy melody into a sensual romp! As she went from one song to the next, everyone was spell-bound and the room would explode with applause, cheers and words of love after each. She took it all in with her usual aplomb as she waited till we became silent again before she moved on. What a night!

“FROM THIS MOMENT ON”

Image result for lena horne at the waldorf

The amazing, beautiful, elegant Lena Horne never leaves us. We still hear her voice and see her thru her recordings, movies and TV taped appearances. . She was a native New Yorker born in Brooklyn (1917-2010) )and used her voice, her strength and her intellect to fight “against racism in the entertainment industry throughout her career and against racial discrimination in this country throughout her life. “*

Take the time to watch this documentary from PBS’s American Masters’ Series about Lena Horne on her struggles and triumphs. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7XBGs02Xne8

There is a new children’s picture book about her life as a performer and activist written by Carole Boston Weatherford, *”The Legendary Miss Lena Horne” published in February ( 2017). I discovered something I didn’t know from this bio, *Lena learned to read before kindergarten and books were her lifelong love. The cover of the book illustrates the dress she wore when she sang “Stormy Weather”.

Next May there will be a tribute to her at Jazz at Lincoln Center in Michael Feinstein’s Jazz and Popular Song Series.

I don’t want to get too sentimental here, but it occurred to me that we all, especially as we get older, have wonderful memories that help us get through our crazy lives. Those memories also seem to have a will of their own as they just suddenly decide to pop up, or a song plays and it triggers one, or you’re sitting there with a glass of wine, minding your own business, thinking of family and friends and there it is that memory that always makes you laugh out loud. And all the time those other wonderful memories just sit there in the back of our minds waiting their turn to be rekindled. Like my memory of Lena Horne – always there and always fresh.

Love this City and love Lena Horne!

KAY’S NOTES

Important to know: Google Lena Horne and read more about this amazing woman and what she accomplished.

“The Legendary Miss Lena Horne” – by Carole Boston Weatherford a children’s picture book on the life of Miss Horne both educational and inspiring with beautiful illustrations by Elizabeth Zunon. https://cbweatherford.com

May 2–3, 2018 | 7:00pm & 9:00pm | The Appel Room Michael Feinstein continues the Jazz & Popular Song series with a tribute to an American national treasure: “The Enchanting Lena Horne”. http://www.jazz.org/

Good to know: “Lena Horne at the Waldorf” is available on CD or to download with many of the songs she sang that night.

“Surrey With The Fringe on top” by Rodgers and Hammerstein

“Stormy Weather” by Harold Arlen and Ted Koehler

“From This Moment On” by Cole Porter

*Unfortunately I couldn’t find the source of this sentence I copied, so my apologies to the writer.

Photos courtesy of flickriver.com

Disclaimer: I try for correct info on my posts, but no guarantees people.

Sept 22 at 10:41 am… it became official!

I T ‘S A U T U M N!

SOON CENTRAL PARK WILL LOOK LIKE THIS

NOT TODAY …..BUT SOON!

Autumn in New York, why does it seem so inviting?
Autumn in New York, it spells the thrill of first nighting
Glittering crowds and shimmering clouds in canyons of steel
They’re making me feel, I’m home.

“Autumn in New York” is a jazz standard composed by Vernon Duke in 1934 for the Broadway musical Thumbs Up! which opened on December 27, 1934, performed by J. Harold Murray. Many versions of the song have been recorded over the years by numerous musicians and singers.(wikipedia.com)

KAY’ NOTES: Love this City! Especially in the fall, enjoy!

Photo courtesy of Timeout NY//Chris Ford

Disclaimer: I try for correct information on my posts, but no guarantees people.

Bars, books, french fries and such!

Or….Places I like and why!

On occasion, I like to go to a nearby establishment in the late afternoon for a light libation, a little bar conversation, and, perhaps, with a book or crossword puzzle.

A friendly comfortable place that likes us “older folks”, walking distance from my apartment and not crazy expensive and serves a good wine, or bourbon old fashioned and french fries. You would think that would be easy to find in this City, and it is, but it does take a little time and effort.

I know, you get the walking, likes seniors, reasonable, but what’s with the french fries? A tradition, I’m big on traditions. This all started with my younger trouble-making sisters. One of them said, “Let’s stop for a drink.” Found ourselves a place and sat down at the bar. We just wanted a little something to pick on. Looked over the appetizers, but nothing. Looked at the rest of the menu ,and there it was… French Fries. Those luscious fattening little things have become the go-to bar snack for me and most of my family and friends.

What’s a girl to do?

One afternoon I was walking back from my local small bookstore with my new book in hand. It wasn’t really what I wanted to do, but I did it anyway, spend the money that is. I love browsing independent book stores like Shakespeare & Co. on Lexington Ave. I could have borrowed it from the library, but I have a thing about having my own copy. Although, I do borrow on occasion. Coulda, woulda, shoulda, so I bought it. Senior moment…can’t remember the name of the book.

It had just started to rain, when I stopped that day at Donohue’s, also on Lexington (opened in 1950), down the street from my apt. I sat at the bar and ordered an old fashioned and, of course, fries. A couple came in and sat next to me. I smiled and then went back to cursing Will Shortz. (you know, the editor of the NY Times crossword) as I worked on that day’s puzzle. “Excuse me,” I heard and turned to look at the two next to me. She asked, “Do you know the best way to get to the Metropolitan Opera?” It was so hard not to say, “Practice, practice,practice.” But, no, I didn’t. Their question started a conversation about The Met opera and The Met museum. Then some goodbyes and off they went to Lincoln Center and “Aida”. There you have it… a nice place, good drink, bar conversation, fries and home. That’s what I’m talking about!

Finnegan's Wake - New York, NY, United States

And over on First Avenue, a dear friend introduced me t0 Finnegans Wake Pub, it’s been there since 1972. Besides the ubiquitous french fries, they make a delicious chicken pot pie. Chicken pot pie seems to be standard pub fare, some are ok, but theirs is really, really yummy. The conversations between my friend and I and the tables around us or at the bar are always fun at this cozy neighborhood place. Drinks are good and the price is right!

“Wait for it”

Then on Second and 70th is Beach Cafe. (since 1968) a little bar/restaurant, where you can get a great bourbon old fashioned. It has really been through tough times for a while now with the noise and scaffolding and walls up for the Second Avenue subway. But another comfortable easy place to stop with friendly folk from the area. Just ignore the Photo Dec 23, 4 08 39 PM.jpg construction around. “Hamilton” was the bar conversation one afternoon, when I heard the woman next to me say to the fellow next to her, incredulously “You’ve seen Hamilton how many times?” He laughed and said, “Six.” “How did you manage that?”, she asked. Now all our eyes were focused on this lucky guy. He gave an answer that wasn’t a surprise.”I have a friend who has a friend who knows somebody.” We laughed. I had to go, but I heard this comment as I left, smiling. “I didn’t think you had any friends.”

“If you’re gonna dance, you gotta pay the band”

One of my favorite places, in the City, is the classic New York bar, Bemelmens at the Carlyle Hotel (1947) on Madison Avenue, little further away from the others, but worth the walk. I love the atmosphere and the wonderful bonus of listening to the jazz pianist playing those great standards. There was a wonderful bartender there, that retired a few years ago, he made, according to a friend, the best Cosmopolitan ever! Drinks are still great and their little trio of bar snacks, which they keep refilling, will make one forget about french fries. Just be ready for the “ouch factor” when it’s time to pay the bill. It’s become, for me, a special occasion place. As an aside, it is one of the best places for eavesdropping… and do I have stories to tell? Woo Hoo! ‘nother post,’nother time. Bemelmans Bar | The Carlyle, A Rosewood Hotel

“In my own little corner”

Just so you know, I’m not promoting any of these places. I’ve had interesting times at each and wanted to tell you about them, because as vast as NYC is, it is filled with neighborhoods and communities and these places happen to be in mine. However, my most favorite place is in my own apartment, in my comfortable chair, my feet up, with a good book, some jazz playing in the background, and a nice glass of something. French fries can wait.

Enjoy!

Love this City.

Senior moment recovery : The book was the last of the Ferrante Neopolitan Novels, The Story of the Lost Child. Now I remember why I couldn’t borrow it from the library, I have the other three, can’t break up a set.

KAY’S NOTES

Important to know: The locations of the places in this post are all on the Upper East Side and within a few blocks of each other with the one exception of Bemelmans which is a little further away – but not that far.

Donohue’s, Lexington Avenue between 64th and 65th

Shakespeare & Co, Lexington between 68th and 69th

The Beach Cafe, Second Ave and 70th

Finnegans Wake Pub, First Ave and 72nd (no apostrophe-according to their site)

Bemelmans Bar, Madison Ave and 76th (no apostrophe here, either)

Photos: Courtesy of their websites

Disclaimer: I try for correct info on my posts, but no guarantees people.

Grab your coat and get your hat….leave your worries on the door step

And go..it’s tomorrow

AMADEUS on the Plaza

under the stars at 7:45 in the evening and Free!

That gorgeous Oscar winning movie kicks off the HD Festival.

CHECK MY PREVIOUS POST (July 26th) ON THE HD FESTIVAL THAT YOU MIGHT WANT TO READ AGAIN – OR NOT – AND JUST WING IT AND HAVE A GREAT TIME…. I’LL BE THERE – MAYBE I’LL SEE YOU…. I, OF COURSE, AM THE ONE WITH THE WINE AND POPCORN!

And on Saturday night – Le Nozze di Figaro and Sunday Il Trovatore

A great line up of operas streaming on the Plaza from the 26th thru September 5th will include: Le Nozze di Figaro, il Trovatore, Otello, La Fille du Regiment, Lucia di Lammermoor, La Cenerentola (Cinderella) Cavalleria Rusticana/Pagliacci (2 different operas) The Merry Widow, Turandot, and last Les Pecheurs de Perles (The Pearl Fishers). Go to The Met website more info on each opera.http://www.metopera.org/user-information/summer-hd-festival/

Have fun – Enjoy! Love this City!

Disclaimer – I try for correct info on my posts, but no guarantees people.