Thursday, October 31, 2013

Hide-and-Seek by Pavel Tchelitchew at MoMA

The first time I saw this painting, I was mesmerized. The imagery in the pieces still amaze me. 


The Road Not Taken




Two roads diverged in a yellow wood, 
And sorry I could not travel both 
And be one traveler, long I stood 
And looked down one as far as I could 
To where it bent in the undergrowth; 

Then took the other, as just as fair, 
And having perhaps the better claim, 
Because it was grassy and wanted wear; 
Though as for that the passing there 
Had worn them really about the same, 

And both that morning equally lay 
In leaves no step had trodden black. 
Oh, I kept the first for another day! 
Yet knowing how way leads on to way, 
I doubted if I should ever come back. 

I shall be telling this with a sigh 
Somewhere ages and ages hence: 
Two roads diverged in a wood, and I— 
I took the one less traveled by, 
And that has made all the difference. 

-- by Robert Frost

Sunday, October 27, 2013

These Rules = Not Going... but I Changed My Mind

I would have gone, but the rules are off putting. Plus, it is at 12 PM! I don't get up before noon on any given day. I should buy the book and then stand on a line for a book signing and then not be allowed to pose for a photo with the author? I don't think so. Who the hell is he? Frankie Avalon? I am no sucker.

Get a load of this:
"Lineup will be outside front entrance. Each customer may purchase up to three books maximum. No posed photography, photos at the table or personalization. Promotional material or memorabilia will not be signed."



Update on 10/29:

So go figure! I went to this event and the line was not very long and the crowd was manageable. 



The table was waiting for the author to begin his book signings. 



And then... the author arrived and sat down. I was able to take a few photos from a distance, but then equipment obscured the view. So, I went home. 



Saturday, October 26, 2013

at a Jazz Cabaret

Karen Wyman performed this afternoon at the Metropolitan Room! I was there to see her show. She sang the standards I love and did a lovely tribute to Edie Gorme.  The experience was... magical!




The show was sold out and the room was packed an hour before the show even began!



And at 4:00, Karen entered and began to sing.



Julie Budd was there and she stayed to pose for a few photos!



And Karen posed for a photo with Julie.



Karen Wyman, on the Ed Sullivan show from 1969:


Julie Budd, probably late 1960s:

Tuesday, October 22, 2013

a Book Signing at The Drama Book Shop

Tonight, I went to Brian Gari's book signing at The Drama Book Shop.



It was very quiet under grey skies on West 40th Street as I approached the book shop's event. 




This was taken during the reading and talk:



Brian signed my book and then we took some photos.



Ilene Kristen (Ryan's Hope) was also there and so we took some more photos. 



And Joe Franklin, who hosted the event, stayed to chat with everybody who attended.



Brian Gari is the grandson of the legendary Eddie Cantor and he is a talented musician and songwriter. I interviewed Brian in 2009 for marjorie-digest, and you can read that interview at that blog along with many other entries there about Brian's busy life. 

Monday, October 21, 2013

Retired and Reinvented in a Comeback



and ongoing until the denouement:
 S, U, or D (doubtful):




I retired in February 2002... but was it a "retirement?"


Lost and Found!


Memories, Lighting Specific Corners of a Long Career



I was Charity's teacher that year and encouraged her to enter that contest, which she won. We were all very proud of her. 


Lost and Found: a note from long ago




Sunday, October 20, 2013

Friday, October 18, 2013

at the NEW-YORK HISTORICAL SOCIETY

This was a fascinating exhibit, filled with wonderful information about an age gone by.

in the NYPost

Beauty’s Legacy: Gilded Age Portraits in America

Théobald Chartran (French, 1849 –1907), James Hazen Hyde (1876-1959), 1901


Emma Cecilia Thursby (1845-1931)


Nellie McCormick Flagg (1876-1923)


Fannie Fredericka Dyckman and Mary Alice Dyckman

Hamilton Grange



In October, I will be visiting and taking a tour of the Harlem estate of Alexander Hamilton.

coming soon!


Saturday, October 12, 2013

A Queer History of Fashion at FIT

A Queer History of Fashion: From the Closet to the Catwalk the exhibit at FIT, coming soon!

the exhibit's website


Pierre Balmain, Jean Cocteau, Christian Bérard, Riding Costume for L'Aigle à Deux Têtes, 1947


Gianni Versace, leather evening dress, Autumn/Winter 1992


Alexander McQueen, silk dress from Plato's Atlantis Collection, Spring 2010



Thursday, October 10, 2013

Vermeer and Music: The Art of Love and Leisure

Vermeer and Music

Johannes Vermeer, A Young Woman Standing at a Virginal


Johannes Vermeer, The Guitar Player


Johannes Vermeer, A young Woman Seated at a Virginal

Wednesday, October 9, 2013

A Book Signing

The event:




Mariann from Brooklyn and me


High Pitch Mike and me


Shuli and me


Lisa G stands in the rear


Bobo poses for my camera


Robin enters


Robin speaks


Robin is ready to start the signing, with Ronnie Mund standing by


And then I walked the four short blocks to go home...