Elf Girl By Rev Jen

This holiday season on a sunny day in the L.E.S. one might just see a real elf walking her dog. This would seem strange living in Chicago or Boston, but here in New York everything can and will happen. This place is a mecca for artiest, weirdos, and outsiders. Wrap all these into one and put elf ears on top and you get Rev Jen. Aka Elf Girl the “patron saint of the uncool.” She lives her life in a fun and unexpected way and puts it all into words that paint a wonderfully uncool picture of how to "make it" in lower downtown. Her book starts with a job at Bloomingdale's as a Christmas Elf and continues in such a flirtatious manner that it is hard to put down. She makes writing look easy the way she runs through her jobs as an elf, Slurpee Technician and Curator of the Troll Museum. This is not just a coming of age story for nonconformist. It is almost a how to in being yourself and getting that self out to the masses. She has so many Ideas and takes them as far as they will go. Like Doo-Doo the Hard drinking Teletubby or Rats, the shortest running show on Broadway. As life in the LES gets bigger and more and more upscale its nice to know that there are still the underground artists walking around with elf ears.

To get more on REv Jen check out:
Live Nude Elf: The Sexperiments of Reverend Jen
Reverend Jen's Really Cool Neighborhood/Les Misrahi
The Adventures of Electra Elf: The Complete Series on DVD
Or go to an Anti-slam:
http://www.revjen.com/antislam/index.html
and check out:
http://www.revjen.com/
or vist the Troll Museum!

Book Then Movie: The Rum Diary

This book was not one that was a big success for Hunter S. Thompson. He said in an interview on Public Television that it had "bounced about seven times." The letters of rejection keep on coming and he let it lie. He only came back to his story made up from the chatter of reporters at San Juan Star in 1960, because "it's got a romantic notion." Then it was finally published in 1998. This "story" of a American journalist who takes a freelance job in Puerto Rico in the 1950s is written with the reflections of a much older man. This tone was set by Thompson only being 22 when he went down to Puerto Rico with thoughts of writing for the newspaper only to get denied. He spent his time getting drunk and getting the "real" story from the other American drifters on the island at the time. This book is about the Hunter before...Before the 60's and 70's. Before Loathing, and the Campaign Trail. This is a younger Thompson. One just starting his way with words. The public had to read it after getting to know the Gonzo Journalist. The public will have to do the same for the Movie. The Johnny Deep character from "Fear and Loathing" is Hunter S. Thompson for some people. Those people will have to get to know the other Thompson, the one that came before.

Two Joans on the Beach at the Anthology Film Archives!

Last Thursday the Anthology Film Archives hosted a kick off party for "Joan's Digest: A Film Quarterly." Things where set up to celebrate everything Joan. The films on screen both have Joan's and both are on the beach. "Which Joan do you Prefer, Crawford or Bennett?" First was Crawford in "Female On The Beach." This 1955 drama about a beach house that has some strange secrets. The nice young man that keeps his boat at the dock, the friendly older couple just down the water. and the bright and smiling real Real Estate agent all seem to be apart of the perfect beach community. They are all a little to interested when Crawford moves in, but who would not want a beautiful neighbor. Joan gets to say some steamy lines and the audience gets to see a lot of Joan's thighs. As the film creeps to the end the whole thing unravels but still is tied up at the end. Next up on the sand is "Woman on the Beach." This Film Noir with Bennett and Robert Ryan is directed by Jean Renoir. The film is set in a small town with troubled people that have troubled relationships. Love and desire blend together with nightmares and lies to send this beach community into real electricity charged situations. Bennett plays another bad girl in the sand. It was a full night of hot and cold running Joan's. The shin-dig for the "Joan Digest" was a night full of fun and film. That night has passed and gone but the Archives is giving people two more chances to decide which Joan is best this Monday and Tuesday. But why chose they both are so great in there own way. Go down and just bask in the glow of two Joan's on the Beach.

Joan's Digest: A Film Quarterly:
http://www.joansdigest.com/

Anthology Film Archives:
http://anthologyfilmarchives.org/
Monday and Tuesday:
7:00 PM
JOAN'S ON THE BEACH: THE WOMAN ON THE BEACH
8:45 PM
JOAN'S ON THE BEACH: FEMALE ON THE BEACH

The Rich Films of Vincente Minnelli at BAM

Anyone who is sick of going to the movies just to watch a DVD projected on to a bigger screen should rush over to BAM in Brooklyn for the last two weeks of their retrospective on one of the master directors in film, Vincente Minnelli. Its hard to control the want to take every night off and go see the sweeping scenes, the crisp close ups, the wonderful almost undecided camera movements of this Director. This is what film is all about. The richness of these movies makes one feel pulled into the screen not pushed away from it like the flat BLU-RAY and CGI films of today. So much has been missed already this fall. BAM has been sprinkling his films over their calender for the last two months and in Oct. has shown New York a full taste of his genius. What is left? Plenty! Lets start with "A Matter of Time" with Ingrid Bergman, Liza Minnelli (Yes she is his daughter), and Charles Boyer. This rarely-shown film was Vincente's last and BAM has brought to us a Swiss Film Archive print with an extra sequence. Shot in Italy this is the story of a once vibrant countess that had many love affairs and was a muse to artists. Minnelli's films have a protagonist that want to bend and shape the world to their liking just to find out that the world is the one doing the shaping of peoples lives. This theme is repeated in most of his work. BAM does touch on his more serious work with "The 4 Horseman of the Apocalypse" and "The Seventh Sin." The "4 Horseman" is about a family that is on both sides of WW2. And "Sin" is about a adulterous doctor’s wife set in China during cholera epidemic. This is a remake of "The Painted Veil" that had Greta Garbo as the wife that wanted change and excitement. Minnelli was brought into this film mid-production and had only to finish a few scenes, but his touches made it the passionate piece of cinema it is. On a lighter note, Vincente was well known for his Comedy and Musicals. Showing soon is one of his best comedy's "The Reluctant Debutante." Made in 1958 this is a story of a father and mother that want to bring their daughter into society, but all she wants is the love of a young drummer. Lets just say he does not fit the bill her parents had written for her. With Rex Harrison, Kay Kendall, and Sandra Dee its not hard to poke fun at the upper crust. Fun is fun and what is more fun then a good musical. Those who do not like these type of film may have never seen Minnelli's efforts in the medium. With most of the retrospective over there are still some of his best musically based films left to see. "On a Clear Day You Can See Forever" is a Streisand picture made when she was young and still had a talent for elaborate parts. Like the one in this film about a woman from Brooklyn that goes a little wacky after being hypnotized. Also there is Judy Holliday's last film that is a laugh riot with Dean Martin in the mix, "Bells Are Ringing." One can not forget "Gigi" witch earned Nine Oscars including Best Director for Minnelli and Best Picture for 1958! Last but not least is "Brigadoon." This is one of the best Musicals ever made and has a lovely story played out by Gene Kelly in one of his best performances. Here he slips into the land of Brigadoon and falls in love. Fantasy and reality fight for dominance in this film. The viewer is picked up and set down in the mind of the director that spent his life going back and forth from the fantasy of Hollywood pictures and the reality that we all live in everyday.

Fritz Lang's Metropolis with Sci-Fi Giveaways!!

Witness a NYC Sci-Fi event this weekend at the Sunshine Cinemas. Come Downtown for "Metropolis" by Fritz Lang. This tale of the future is one of Lang's early German Expressionist films he did before being pushed to move to America during the War, where he mostly made Pulp films. (The Big Heat (1953), While the City Sleeps (1956)) This is the 1984 version of "Metropolis" with Giorgio Moroder's pop-rock soundtrack. Found footage that was cut for the original 1927 Science Fiction Classic is added to this to make it 80 minutes long. On Friday and Saturday night this silent Sci-Fi, the most expensive silent film ever made, is showing at Midnight. As with most Sci-Fi Films the Sunshine Cinemas has some giveaways for those who love all things Science Fiction. So Spend some time this weekend looking to the future to a mega-city and explore the concept of humans abusing technology. http://www.landmarktheatres.com/market/newyork/sunshinecinema.htm
Sunshine Cinema
143 East Houston Street, between 2nd and 1st Ave.
New York, NY 10002
(212) 260-7289
http://nycyouarehere.blogspot.com/2011/02/while-city-sleeps-with-fritz-lang-at.html

Lyonel Feininger at the Whitney One More Week!

The Whitney Museum of American Art is showcasing a New York born artist that moved to Germany and was a leading force in German Expressionism and the Bauhaus. Lyonel Feininger spent fifty years of his life in Germany before the Nazi's dislike of Modern Art made him come home to the Big Apple. Feininger started out as a Cartoonist before taking his characters to new places with Cubism and other forms of Expressionism. This retrospective is all encompassing. Its not just the paintings he is none for of architecture, street scenes and fractured seascapes. Here there are beautiful examples in watercolor and oil, and small wood block prints made of the tops of Cigar boxes when painting supplies became scarce during the war. Along with a small group of the early cartoons. Also a room full of hand-carved wooden figures and buildings, little sculptures of his world, his city, only known as City at the Edge of the World. Now for a small fee one can drift into this world uptown on 75Th Street.


Whitney Museum of American Art
945 Madison Avenue at 75Th Street
New York, NY 10021
General Information: (212) 570-3600
info@whitney.org


General admission: $18
Ages 19–25: $12
Ages 62 and over: $12
Full-time students: $12
Ages 18 and under: FREE
Admission is pay-what-you-wish on Fridays, 6–9 pm

Bob's Red Mill Natural Foods

Now a days people are looking for a way to make everyday meals healthier. It is nice to know that there are some companies that have had the same mantra for over thirty years. Bob's Red Mill has been a leader in bringing good people "natural foods in the natural way". This mill outside of Portland Organ is a stone grinding miller of whole grains. Up there in the north west Bob and his family have been the leader in whole grain products, from flours and hot cereals to baking mixes and grains. From rolled oats and Muesli to flax seed and wheat germ. Bobs has everything, beans, soup and bread mixes, even baking soda. They have more then 400 products that are made from raw ingredients that are sourced from farmers throughout the United States and Canada. Not only do they have 50 different certified organic products, they also have a line of certified gluten free products. Then on top of that all of their products are certified Kosher by a Rabbi. The letters GMO have been out of the papers lately, but Genetically Modified Organism's are not real food. The Red Mills products come from identity preserved seeds. Bob's can not say the same for it neighbors and because of wind drift cross pollination their products don't carry a GMO-free label. So all this means that Bob uses real seed to make real food the way nature intended. Now in their search to "provide our customers with something that is fully nutritious and delightful to eat,” they have brought out two Hemp products. Bob's Hulled Hemp Seed and Hemp Protein Powder are made from “One of nature’s most perfect foods.” How is Hemp good for you? Well, our bodies use proteins called Amino acids. These Amino acids are important to muscle tissue and a healthy immune system. All in all hemp has twenty known Amino Acids, ten that our bodies cannot produce by themselves. Like most of Bob's products these can be added to smoothies and sprinkled over cereal, or used in baking. No need to go far to find Bob's meals and cereals. They are carried in many health food stores and groceries. One can also put in a order online. They internationally ship UPS or in the US through the postal service. One can even ship some whole grains to military addresses out of the US. If you want to start to eat better with less toxins in your everyday diet then try Bob's Red Mills natural foods.

http://www.bobsredmill.com/

Coming Apart at the BAM in Brooklyn

When a film is shot entirely in one room It makes an entertaining plot. Some of these films are very good and have edge of your seat thrills almost all brought out with just a few actors and great Dialogue. Look at "12 angry men" about a jury's decision or Hitchcock's "Rear Window", and "Rope." Also there is the Film "Sleuth," starring Michael Caine and Laurence Olivier where the whole plot is based on words. One could call this a "Plot Device." Using this one room scenario even great comedy can be achieved like in Kevin Smith's "Clerks." This week BAM is screening a one room film called "Coming Apart." Based in New York and on a kind of a true story about moving into the same building as your ex and their new lover. This film in very lets say.. interesting. This is concerted an "60s independent classic" shot for around $60 thousand dollars. The infamous Rip Torn, plays Psychiatrist Joe Glazer, a man that has chosen to "Come Apart" and film it with a hidden camera and some well placed mirrors. This breakdown leaves some with a strange feeling of dislike and others saying they loved it. A film one has to see first before makeing a dissection on if it's just over the top or under the skin.

Tue, Aug 23 at 4:30, 6:50*, 9:30pm
*Intro by Milton Moses Ginsberg

Forbidden Planet Sci-Fi Event at Midnight!

Witness a NYC Sci-fi event this weekend at the Sunshine Cinemas. "Forbidden Planet" the 1956 Classic Science Fiction Film is on the big screen for two night's at midnight. Tonight Friday the 19Th and tomorrow Saturday the 20Th the men of Earth go into deep space for the first time. This film was the first Sci-Fi film to take men into the stars. Starring the young Leslie Nielsen, and Anne Francis, Forbidden Planet gives us everything a unearthly film should have. With space travel, strange worlds and of course robots. Well one robot. "Robby the Robot" was one of the first movie robots to have a personality and can do some pretty neat tricks. Come one and all so see what Sci-Fi is all about in the LES this weekend. What else do you have to do late night? To make this an extra special event the Sunshine Cinema has brought together the city's leaders in Cult and Collectibles. Kim's Video has teamed up with the Cinema with giveaways and coupons. And "Forbidden Planet" the Comic store has also stepped up with coupons for all who love Sci-fi. Its not everyday that one can go out into the nether regions of space and back in one night. So get downtown and out of Earth's atmosphere with "Forbidden Planet" this weekend!!

Mostly Mozart Festival At the Lincoln Center

It is that time of year again when the Lincoln Center has their Mostly Mozart Festival. This year they are putting focus on Mozart naturally, but also on Igor Stravinsky a modern composer known for his work in the 30's and 40's. Featuring a film of the 1966 CBS News Special on Stravinsky, along with a screening of Stravinsky himself conducting the Symphony of Psalms in Hungary. This year there are musical offerings with the Mostly Mozart Festival Orchestra and special guest Conductors, Pianist, Soprano's, and much more. One can enjoy an All-Mozart Program with Iván Fischer conducting and the lovely soprano Lucy Crowe, on Tue. the 9th and Wed. the 10th. Then there is a night of music where Mozart shares the stage with Haydn lead by the French conductor Jérémie Rhorer. The French pianist Bertrand Chamayou will also perform Mozart's Piano Concerto No.12 in A major, on Tue. the 23rd and Wed. the 24th. There will be more programs with the Mostly Mozart Festival Orchestra on the weekends through August. Then come the Quartet's with nights filled with music from the Takács Quartet and Emerson String Quartet. There will also be dance and even an Opera. Don Giovanni, "Mozart’s most haunting opera" will be on stage several times this month. Along with these big events there will be smaller shows under the New York sky in the Stanley H. Kaplan Penthouse. These start late at 10:30pm and will be intimate little gatherings. So get ready for some Mozart this August through the 27th at the Lincoln Center.

Essential Pre-Code at the FIlm Forum

Get back to the good old days when women were sexier, men were scoundrels and the movies were dirtier. When skin was shown and eyes left open wide. The days of good one liners and strange plot twists. Yes, the Film Forum is giving it to us with the Essential Pre-Code. Films, mostly from the thirties, selected to make ones temperature rise. With actress like Jean Harlow, Ginger Rogers, Bette Davis, Joan Crawford and Mae West. Leading men such as Carry Grant, Warren William and James Cagney. Bad boys and naughty girls fill the screen down on West Houston for two and a half more weeks. So get out and get dirty in black and white.

Seedbombs for NYC

Here is a great idea on how to bring the green back into inner-city neighborhoods. This company makes "Seedbombs" that are dispensed by candy machines. This is a way to use change to make a real difference. This mixture of clay, compost, and seeds will take that vacant lot and bring it back to the green side of the spectrum. By anonymously throwing this green explosion one can make what was gray and empty, green again. This is as much about awareness as it is plants. If some of these derelict urban site's become randomly green it makes people think. Maybe "We" could be using this space better. If this does not help support public gardens and green space, what does? One can get a bag of Bombs from the Web. They also will send out a "SeedBoumb" Vending Machine anywhere. The best part is that they are all ready out there. One in Union Square Farmers Market and one at Marlow & Daughters on Broadway in Brooklyn. All one has to do is put in change and make a change in what surrounds us.
http://greenaid.co/

German Expressionism at the MOMA Two More Days!

German Expressionism: The Graphic Impulse

There is only two more days to get up to the MOMA and check out their exhibition on German Expressionism. In Germany before the first world war artiest where going through an awakening. Using new printing techniques and experimenting with form and color these artiest came into their own in the 1920's. Painters like E. L. Kirchner and Max Beckmann, to Oskar Kokoschka and Vasily Kandinsky, Erich Heckel and Emil Nolde shared a feeling that they where on the edge and could see the a world full of change. Then the war came into play with all it's wreckage and plight. After the war was over some of the artiest used there art to show the poor and widowed population of Germany. Others look to the life of the rich in the nightclubs with their loose women and dancing. The MOMA has a broad display of this short movement that seem to say so much about those times in Eastern Europe. With prints, woodcuts, paintings, etching, sketching, and water color this show has two more days to tell New York that art might not change the world right away, but it can show how the world changes.

Marilyn Monroe Showcase at BAM

Head over to BAM in Brooklyn to make these hot July nights even hotter. The blond bombshell herself is steaming up the screen in a multi night showcase of comedy and Drama. What is there to say about Marilyn Monroe. She lived in the limelight and died as a legend. Tonight she plays a blind young New Yorker trying to catch a rich husband with her two friends in "How to Marry a Millionaire". Also catch her "Dumb Blond" routine in "Gentlemen Prefer Blonde's", "The Prince and the Showgirl" or in "Let's Make Love" in witch she sings the Cole Porter song "My Heart Belongs to Daddy." BAM has also got prints of Marilyn's more dramatic rolls. She expands her range in "Niagara", "River of no Return", and "The Misfits." In "Misfits" she stars along side Clark Gable. This would be both stars last film before they burned out. All these are going to be shown in restored 35MM prints. So go over to Brooklyn and see Marilyn in any of these classic films.

She was an absolute genius as a comedic actress, with an extraordinary sense for comedic dialogue. It was a God-given gift… Nobody else is in that orbit; everyone else is earthbound by comparison.”—Billy Wilder

Street Book Here is New York E.B White

Found - Houston and 2ND
Picked up because - E. B. White is he American Author of Charlotte's Web

Finding certain books on the street feels like fate. One look down and there could be an adventure at your feet. This small volume by E.B. White has some revealing things to say about New York City. Written in 1948 when the city was different, but was it that different then? The City has always been the City of Dreams, has it not? This book has been called an essay because it kind of teaches more to the reader then one would think. In this White touches on the real New York and how it feels to live in the Big Apple at the height of its glory. He seems to know all the things that ring true for the city and its people. With a turn of phrase and informative rants this book is a must read for all New Yorkers. This Street Book came with a note inside "Here is to finding your New York during your stay. Enjoy the Adventure and embrace serendipity." So if fate steeps in and "Here is New York" is your next read don't feel surprised

Really Really Free in NYC

It seem like the idea of getting something for free is coming back into most Americans minds. Think back to when you got free French fries with your burger, of a free wash with your hair cut. Yes as we all slim down our "footprints" and our budgets the concept of free has been brought back. There is lots of ways to find what you need for free online. Craigslist has been a good place to find free stuff. There is also a helpful little site called Free Cycle, just join and search for that perfect item your looking for. If your looking for free goods or services with a sense of community go seek out the Really Really Free Market (RRFM). New York City's RRFM is held the last Sunday of the month in the Grenich Village at The Judson Memorinal Church just outside of Washington Square Park. These Free Markets are not a place to sale or barter, it is about sharing resources. This is seen as an alternative to our consumer based culture. Most of them like NYC's are held once a month in public parks, community commons or Church's. If you don't have a Really Really Free Market close at hand, why not start one yourself? "If you Build it they will come" and the RRFM movement can help you with that.

City's With Really Really Free Markets:
New York City - Reno, Nevada -Cottage Grove, Oregon - Minneapolis, Minnesota - Milwaukee, Wisconsin - Lancaster, Pennsylvania - Austin, Texas - Grand Rapids, Michigan - Belfast, New York - Tallahassee, Florida - Detroit Michigan - San Francisco Bay - Wilmington, Raleigh, Greensboro, Charlotte, Carrboro, and Greenville North Carolina -.Washington DC - Richmond, Virginia - Cincinnati, Ohio - Dayton, Ohio - Indianapolis, Indiana and Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania are home to monthly Really Really Free Markets.

Web Sites:
http://newyork.craigslist.org/
http://www.reallyreallyfree.org/
http://www.freecycle.org/

Elizabeth: The Golden Age at the Film Society of Lincoln Center

Today was the first day of The Film Society of Lincoln Centers respective on Elizabeth Taylor. This weekend New Yorker's get a chance to see this screen goddess in the best films of her career. See Her with great leading men like Paul Newman in Tennessee Williams, Cat on a Hot Tin Roof. Or with James Dean and Rock Hudson in Giant. She also stars with two actors that became her husband's Montgomery Clift (Raintree County and the out of print A Place in the Sun), and Richard Burton, twice her husband many times her co-star. They play lovers in both Cleopatra and Who's Afraid of Virginia Wolf. In which Taylor was given the Oscar for best actress for her role as the aged wife of an alcoholic. As an added plus there will be a photo exhibit in the lobby of the Walter Reade Theater celebrating Taylor and her life in film. What is there to be said about Elizabeth Taylor. Some consider her the last classic movie star. She had a soaring career and rocky life, but always came through with style and grace. She has shown the world that everyone can make a difference. It is hard to look into her velvet eyes and not love her. She grew up right in front of all of us, a life worth living and remembering.

Atlas Cafe

When looking for good food that is also good for you it seems like one has to pay more. This is not true at the Atlas Cafe between 4Th and 5Th on 2ND Ave in the East Village. This quaint little cafe has Vegan and Vegetarian food and Desserts. These Vegan Desserts are not what one would expect. They are light and fluffy and amazing for not having dairy in them. Bring the whole gang to Atlas and eat outside in the sun this summer. They have a great big menu that has some Meaty selections too. This place has good coffee, yummy smoothies and even shakes, if all you have time for is a drink, but it is worth the sit for their wraps and sandwiches. Proving good food does not have to break the bank and that Vegan, Veggies, and Meat Eaters can all go out together. The Atlas Cafe is now a big-little place on 2ND Ave.

Jane Eyre 2011

This story has been done this way and that for years and years. Its been used over and over for film and other theatrical endeavors. This new Jane Eyre is darker then most with a Gothic atmosphere. This is a romance told with a gray background. As the young Jane grows up to be a quiet and passionate women. The Brooding Anti-hero lead character Edward Rochester (Michael Fassbender) lives a strange life that builds into a tragic tale of woe and Misfortune. Within all this is a love story that the young actress Mia Wasikowska was born to play. Her eyes and calm, yet expressive way of filling the title role give this Eyre a real presence. BBC and Focus Features come together to give us this vary new adaptation of Jane Eyre that is as grim as it is romantic.

Bill Cunningham New York at the Film Forum

Some would argue that the New York street is where fashion begins and ends. The place designer's look to for ideas, where people show off their stuff and where personalty is everything. Who better to show this to the rest of us then Bill Cunningham. This photographer has been the city's documentation for over three decades. Riding around on his Schwinn snapping photos of anyone and everyone that looks great. Taking his time to point out style, color and trends. He says that he has a three pronged approach, showing the public whats hot on the runway, who's waring what at the big gala events, and don't forget the street style. He has worked for many magazines and publications. Director Richard Press has used his camera and Bill's photography to tell the story of this workaholic that works for New York and it's stylish population.

Held over at the Film Forum till April 7Th ONLY!!

The Queen of Spades at the Metropolitan Opera

The moon was almost full as the crowed filled the courtyard around the famous fountain at Lincoln Center last Friday night. The spring is almost here and the people are coming out into the night now that the cold has gone away for the year. The spring and Fall, in New York are the best for the weather is almost perfect, no unbearable heat of the summer and no freezing cold that the winter brings. So as is expected for the Opera the Women are in skirts and dresses and the men in nice jackets and light sweaters. The Metropolitan Opera always starts on time so getting uptown on time is a must. This night the stage was set for a production of Tchaikovsky's "Queen of Spades." The music was written by the great composer but the plot was adapted from a short story published by Alexander S. Pushkin in 1834. The story is set in the late 1700. The last years of Empress Catherine the great. This opera had its premiere in St. Petersburg in 1890. Which if fitting for Act 1 opens in a public park of the great Capitol in the Summer. The Stage opens on Hermann (Vladimir Galouzine) a dark men with a dark mind. He is walking through his world in a kind of daze as the rest of polite society are living around him. Hermann admits to the Count Tomsky (Alexey Markov) that he is in love with a girl he does not know. When the Prince, Yeletsky (Peter Mattei) enters with his new fiancee Lisa (Karita Mattila) and her grandmother The Countess, (Dolora Zajick) Hermann knows that it is Lisa he has fallen for. As the day gets late Tomsky shares the history of the Countess and how she won her fortune in Paris Decades ago with "the three cards." The countess stills keeps the secret of "the three cards" and will die at the hand of whom ever takes the information from her. The others laugh at this fairy tale but Hermann has had the seed planted in his mind. That night he begs for Lisa's love and wins affection taking her in his arms. In the second act there is a grand ball with wonderful dress and dance. Lisa has become icy toward the prince and he knows that something has happened to her feelings for him. Lisa sneaks Hermann a key for the house to use after the Countess leaves on a trip. Hermann driven by his imagination uses the key to confront the Countess and gain the secret of the Cards. This is a tale of Love, Obsession, and Madness. How will the Cards Lay? Who will escape the fate that the cards tell? Completely played out in Russian this Opera is as emotional as it sounds. Framed on the stage with a set that seem as deep as the characters. Every stage set up pulls the audience deeper into this torchered tale. Mark Thompsom has out done himself on the costumes for "Queen of Spades." The beautiful and detailed costumes feel muted and faded and bring a rich texture to the production. Tchaikovsky's music is full of the build ups and breaks downs of the cast of characters and Conductor Andris Nelson keep this ominous score together by using all the talent in his orchestra. At the Ball in Act 2 there is a play within the play where two lovers are in Cupid's hands. This is where one sees the Dance that is a staple for Operas of the time. Choreographer John Meehan gets his own story to tell in this Ballet of two lovers. The Dancers are angelic and happy and his story has a happy ending. Will the real Drama have this type of ending? Will the Cards save them or damn them? One has only one more chance to find out this Saturday in the gold room at The Metropolitan Opera House in Lincoln Center Plaza.
Queen of Spades -
Saturday, March 26, 2011, 1:00 pm - 4:30 pm

“Our Future Is in the Air" Black and White at the MET

In with the new and out with the old. At the turn of the century the old was horses, ships, and painters. The new was motorcars, airplanes, and photography. New and exciting machines made one generations world much, much different from the one before them. Everything was slowly changing including art. The torch was being passed to new a kind of artist. One that could tell for himself what made art. With the camera one could stop time, create a image that would last forever and only took an instant. In the 1880's handheld cameras made everyone into a photographer. It also made some photographer's into real artist. They where the first to conquer this new medium and the MET has set two exhibits together to show just how magic that time was. “Our Future Is in the Air" an "exhibition that suggests the twinned senses of exhilarating optimism and lingering dread that accompanied the dissolution of the old order." Then the MET brings out three giants of photography Alfred Stieglitz, Edward Steichen, and Paul Strand to go along with the World changing theme. These two together show just how important that time was in the art community.

Both are up until April 10th.

Evening Of the Arts with the L.E.S. Dance Academy

Come Down to the Lower East Side this Saturday and Sunday and enjoy New York's Art community. This is a feast for all senses with Art, Dance, & Music, with Food and Wine. Come and support the L.E.S. Dance Academy and feel uplifted by the amount of culture these young people have to share. The $10 door charge and 20% of all Art Sales go to help the Academy bring Dance to the Neighborhood for the next year. Meet NYC YouAreHere's Blogger in person at this event Saturday at 6pm and Sunday at Noon. Art is Here and you should be to.
L.E.S. Dance Academy Studio 62 Orchard St (Orchard and Grand) Second Floor!!