"Laughter is a celebration of the human spirit." Sabina White
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| From Gus' website |
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| From Keren and The Sugar Daddies' website |
Habits and rituals are so comforting, aren’t they? Becoming a regular at my NYC Cheers, Sojourn, has brought me countless
hours of good food, entertainment (Keren
and her Sugardaddies on Monday nights, Gus
Fafalios, usually joined by friends on Tuesdays), and friendships. All I have to do is walk across the street,
literally! It doesn’t get better than
that.
Another day spent at the Food Bank for NYC downtown allowed me to
see my two favorite Ladies there, Rachel and Lisa. Another Lady I worked for gave me much food
for thought, suggestions, and advice without even knowing it, so a very
successful day overall. From there I
ventured up to Chelsea to the Upright Citizen’s
Brigade to see a Rooftop Films Friend perform
in his first show. Giggles are always a
wonderful thing.
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| From OBP website |
One of the very first auditions Kristi had upon
landing in NYC five years ago was for a young playwright’s, Tom Slot, rock musical. I remember getting lost (and a bit nervous) in
the halls of Columbia University on a
Sunday night when I had been allowed to sit in a rehearsal since I couldn’t
make it to the show. (That was a wonderful weekend all around as I scored an unbelievable
price to stay at The Plaza for their
soft opening following a major renovation.
What a treat!).
That
group of talented artists blew me away then, and continue to do so now.
The core group of that very first show,
“Father of Songs”, is still together,
and formed
Original Binding
Productions a couple of years ago.
(Kristi
was asked to be a founding member!)
My
NYC Friend joined me for Opening Night of OBP’s current production, “
My Father’s Ashes” is, simply put,
amazing.
Yes, I know I am a bit
biased.
From their website:
MY FATHER'S ASHES: THE SISTERS PLAY is a new dramatic play by
Tom Slot that explores the issues of love, grief, and family. On the one-year
anniversary of their father's death, three sisters return to their childhood
home to scatter his ashes. But a brutal winter snow, their judgmental mother,
and years of unresolved baggage threaten to derail the memorial before it even
begins. As secrets and insecurities are exposed at every turn, can these three
sisters overcome their sibling dynamic long enough to mourn their father? Or
will the night leave their relationships so fractured that they can never go
home again.
Going to the Village to do an errand (God, I truly love saying things
like that!), I treated myself to a wonderful little $20 prix fixe lunch (a delicious
citrus kale salad, mac n cheese with a lovely glass of Italian red) at Murray’s
Cheese Bar. It’s not enough
the Murray’s Cheese is one of the largest purveyors of cheese in
NYC, they added this quaint little Café to their family. Brilliant and wonderful.
One of the absolute best emails I ever opened was the one last fall from
Katie telling me about Eve Ensler’s lecture with other women activists from around the world at Columbia. Attending that, and the meeting the next
night that Eve invited all in the room to for VDay planning, has taken on a
major part of my life this winter. The
people I have met, and worked, with have been so great. Now that VDay
One Billion Rising for Justice is over, I am fully immersed in The
Fourth Universalist’s Society’s VDay presentation of two of Eve
Ensler’s plays, “The Vagina Monologues” and “The Good Body”).
Apparently, people were happy with my work as volunteer coordinator for OBR4J
as I have been asked to do the same for 4th U’s Vday. And, I am on the fundraising committee. So it was on that note that a group of us met
at a Lovely Ladies home to create crafts for the VDay Fair that takes place all
weekend with the plays. So very blessed
to be meeting all these People!
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| St. Paul's Chapel |
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| 9-11 Memorial |
Family Ladies (Mom, Katie, and two cousins Lee and Kathy) came down to
play and see Kristi’s show for a quick overnight! I met them at their hotel, the Intercontinental in Midtown, very swanky. We headed out immediately and found a lovely little
wine bar, La Cava, in the neighborhood for a wonderful brunch. From there we split up for awhile. Myself, Mom and Kathy headed downtown to the
World Trade Center area. St. Paul’s Chapel never ceases to overwhelm me with emotion,
so much history, old and recent. The 9-11
Memorial is also incredibly moving.
To see the changes being made is a true testament to the human spirit. Katie and Lee visited another one of my
favorites, The Frick
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| Iguana |
We then headed over to the Theatre District for My Father’s Ashes.
Kristi was able to join us for a quick light
bite next door at
Iguana. With a fun atmosphere and decoration, we
thoroughly enjoyed the Mexican appetizers that we shared, even Mom!
Everyone enjoyed the play.
We then enjoyed a nightcap at the Hotel’s
Bar.
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| Brunch @ Hi-Life |
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| At The Boathouse |
Sunday
morning, my Ladies came to investigate my tiny home, and leave their bags here.
We then had a long leisurely, laughter-filled
brunch at
Hi-Life around the
corner.
Kristi went off to the
theatre.
The rest of us took a
stroll in Central Park, stopping at the
Boathouse for a bit of
libation!
When checking in on Mom to
make sure she got home all right, she said she loved my little home, and more
importantly that I was so happy in it.
Wonderfully successful weekend!
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| Frolicking in Central Park! |
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