DRY BAR - new hot spot in New York

Dry Bar - does it serve the newest martinis that would be the envy of the gal pals from sex & the city?  No, but it does provide a service that would make Carrie & friends regulars.  Dry Bar is the latest and best deal for those wanting a great wash/blow out at a reasonable price ($40) ($60) for up dos.  No cutting or coloring; who cares.  They have a menu, with photos, of blow styles (one is called the cosmopolitan.)  And for drinks, the friendly and stylish staff offer plenty of non-alcoholic beverages along with tasty cookies (no, they don't got milk.)  I am now hooked on getting my hair blown out often and definitely before a special night on the town.  Many women have standing reservations every morning before going into work or right after work; walk-ins welcomed.  The place is hip and cool with non-stop chick/flick movies playing.  The walls feature black/white photos of famous glamorous women from Marilyn Monroe to Princess Grace.  There is also a special Shirley Temple style offering for the young clientele at a reduced price.  Since the Dry Bars have opened, I have noticed salons with sandwich boards offering "$30 special blowouts."  The Dry Bar blows the competition out of the water.  Once you go there, there'll be no going back to doing it at home.  At this price, treat yourself, you're definitely worth it!

Stop the Presses - Disney's NEWSIES, the musical opens on Broadway

Disney's magic is back on Broadway @ the Nederlander Theatre with NEWSIES the musical.  Just the facts:  the music is by Alan Menken (Little Mermaid, Beauty & the Beast.) The book is by Harvey Fierstein (Torch Song Trilogy and 4 time Tony Award winner.)  The book is based on the true David vs. Goliath story from 1899; the young street urchins from all NYC burrows who deliver the paper to eek out a meager living, band together and form a union to revolt against Mr. Pulitzer, the ruthless publisher, who is taking unfair and costly advantage of these poor young boys (although most would hardly be called boys.)  I do want to give a shout out to the very young and very talented Matthew Schechter.  And, bravo to the charismatic lead, Jeremy Jordan, whose acting and singing kept me glued to the page, I mean stage.  Oh no, I've buried the lead story.  The choreography by Christopher Gattelli (Godspell and South Pacific) and the dancers deserve top billing with one show stopping number after another.   I especially enjoyed the dancers incorporating the newspaper in one of their routines.  EXTRA EXTRA - don't read all about it - rush out and enjoy NEWSIES before it ends its limited engagement.  

Michael the maverick Thomas & the SF Symphony at Carnegie Hall

Michael Tilson Thomas has consistently performed compositions of American composers.  Mr. Thomas has earned his reputation for being a maverick. He encompasses a plethora of composers as well as the great classical composers.  I applaud both Mr. Thomas for his choices and the San Francisco Symphony for their incredible artistic skills in performing such varied and complex compositions.  Last night's program contained John Cage's Song Books which was the most intriguing performance I have experienced.  I would call it performance art as opposed to music.  I do not agree with the man seated in front of me who said rather loudly and rudely, "This is crap!"  Unfortunately, he did not leave at intermission although the lady next to me left as did a noticeable portion of the audience.  I do not agree with this "gentleman," I found it a Creative, Relentless, Artistic, Performance.  To quote the composer, "When we separate music from life we get art."  I believe the music was, for the most part, secondary to the staging and I'm not calling the work art.  I will quote a line sung, "How can you live with only one sense of humor?"  I like that and I enjoyed the entire evening, however, I'm not calling for an encore on Mr. Cage's Song Books.

21 JUMP STREET

Hey New Yorkers, you probably already know that if you go to the AMC theaters before noon, there is a bargain rate of $6 (for everyone.)  This New Yorker took advantage of this bargain to see 21 JUMP STREET, after all, I spent way too much on the other two foreign films I saw this weekend.  How bad could it be?  The answer, not bad at all.  In fact, I was laughing out loud at this touching buddy picture of two mismatched misfits.  Jonah Hill has become a bankable star for both comedy and drama.  He even gets writing credit for this hilarious film.  The delightful surprise is how funny and charming Channing Tatum is paired up with Jonah as two loser cops assigned as undercover agents posing as high school students to break up a drug ring.  Ice Cube plays their last chance boss with hilarious frustration.  This movie works on all burners; a funny buddy picture and touching look at high school life today and looking back.  There is also a charming cameo in the film which only adds frosting on the cake.  I may have gotten a bargain price, but this movie is a bargain at twice the price.  I guarantee a good time or I'll double your money back.

The French Film THE BOY WITH THE BICYCLE

This is the type of film critics love and most of the movie going public (out of France) love to hate.  Not being French, I'm in the general public camp with this movie, I hated it.  Well, maybe hate is too strong a word, I vehemently disliked it.  What is there to like about a boy whose father abandons him and when the son finally finds him, his father tells him to get lost.  This is not to say there weren't adults who did genuinely care for the boy.  The counselors at the home he's sent to were kind.  The man who was assaulted along with his son with a bat by the young boy, chose not to be vindictive.  And, most surprisingly, a woman who was inadverdantly knocked down by him becomes his most ardent and loving support.  Why?  I have no idea, it made no sense what she was willing to sacrifice for him and put up with.  The rest of the film deals with violence and cruelty.  I have no idea why the French worship Jerry Lewis.  I have no idea why this movie is receiving accolades from critics.  I found the movie without anything redeeming in it to recommend; skip it.

Japanese documentary - JIRO'S DREAMS OF SUSHI

It is only fair to mention before commenting on the movie, I don't eat sushi.  I can't stand the sight or even the thought of sushi.  So, why was I interested in seeing the movie.  Having seen the preview, I was intrigued with the dedication to perfection, this 85 year old had to the "art" of preparing sushi.  Jiro goes way beyond dedication to preparing sushi; it becomes a myopic obsession.  Is it really necessary to massage the octopus 45 minutes to tenderize the texture?  Although Jiro brings both sons into his 10 seat restaurant to work with him, it seems that is all he does; work, work, work and then dream about sushi.  The film does make an important point, that the trolling for fish is destroying the future supply as it hauls huge populations of fish from the sea; the young as well as full grown fish.  I did not come away with an appreciation for Jiro's devotion to excellence. Sadly, I came away feeling his life was pathetic, in fact, he missed out on life.  Frankly, JIRO'S DREAMS of SUSHI put me to sleep.

Much ado about MARCH MADNESS

I ‘m crazy for MARCH MADNESS.  I am so excited that my favorite team, the WISCONSIN BADGERS are going to the dance, so SWEET!  Next, onto the elite eight.  Congrats to coach Bo Ryan for being the winningest coach in the BIG 10; the strongest division. So, Bo, maybe you don't need my advice, but here it is: you have such a strong bench (not that i'm naming anyone’s initials) utilize your bench and give your starters a rest. Without a doubt, the BADGERS have the best looking team in the entire tournament. Mike, I like that you shaved your hair for charity, now please grow it back.  However, best hair goes to Ryan and best smile goes to Jordan. It wouldn't be fair to name the handsomest player, so i’ll just use initials: J.D.  I'll be on a plane Thursday night, so they better have the game on TV. I wouldn't want to have to pull an Alec Baldwin.  Go BADGERS and squeeze the juice out of the orangemen.   So Sweeeeeeeet!

Rao's -Whoa

Our long awaited visit to Rao's (it only took 8 months to get the booking) started with a bang, literally.  stuck in a traffic jam, the driver behind us only took his hand off his horn long enough to throw a bottle at the back window of our car.  Once we arrived, we stepped into a charming, throw-back era restaurant that is both packed and ruckus.  We're immediately led to our table, with one extra chair.  The extra chair is used by one of the owners who sits down with you to give your choices and let us know they serve everything family style.  Don't think Olive Garden family, think more Soprano family style.  The owner asked if this was our first time.  We said "yes," and he said, "don't worry virgins, we'll take care of you."  He did make us several offers we couldn't refuse.  The food just kept coming with no complaints other than the extra pounds I must have packed on.  Rao's is one of the most impossible restaurants to get seated at because there are only 10 tables which are held for their regular, goodfellas, clientele who unabashedly tuck napkins into their shirts.  If you are lucky enough to get into Rao's, enjoy the delicious, authentic Italian cooking (particularly the meatballs & eggplant parmesan) but be sure to savor the atmosphere of the restaurant and its colorful diners.

The Armory Show March 8-11

The Armory Show, located in Piers 92 & 94, has opened featuring important works of the 20th & 21st Century.  The Armory Show has turned into a major mecca for international artists, collectors, critics and curators from major museums around the world.  In addition, there are numerous open forums to take advantage of:  "Critical Fashions in Art Criticism," or "The Efficacy of Art to Incite Structural Change," to name a few.  And, when viewing the contemporary art in Pier 94, and you find yourself questioning what constitutes art - perhaps that is the point.  I do suggest looking at the videos and art by Cliff Owens whose work is in part performance art.  So, why not take advantage of the Armory Show which is here through Sunday and see for yourself why the Armory Show her in NYC is considered to be one of the most prominent art shows for artists and works of both the 20th and 21st centuries.

Waiting for Dr. Hoffman - a one act @ the Roy Arias Studios

This was my first time at the short play festival, but it won't be my last.  Last night's performance of "Waiting for Dr. Hoffman," though short in length, was full of wit and humor.  It was also another look at the value society (women in particular,) place on physical beauty.  The play takes place in the reception office of a plastic surgeon which is run by a no nonsense, hard edged receptionist.  Three women come in "just for consultation." These possible clients include a successful financial woman who believes she is dateless because of her flat chest, a young college bound girl who believes she is friendless due to her large nose, and an older women who laments her life and lack of editing jobs due to the ravages of aging.  Meanwhile, the receptionist continues to get testier on the phone with a patient who insists on speaking with the Dr. directly.  All Hell breaks loose when this patient arrives at the office brandishing a loaded gun.  The humor and pathos in this play comes from the truths spoken amongst the women in the waiting office.  This clever one act by Michelle Willens speaks to the extent youth and beauty are highly coveted in today's society while making us laugh at ourselves.  

Cindy Sherman @ MoMA

 Sherman's photographic mural, which is having its American premiere at the MoMA heads off this incredible exhibition. The mural itself is worth coming in to see.  Fortunately for us, the exhibition includes the most extensive overview of her work to date.  Her seminal works "Untitled Film Stills," society portraits and historic portraits are also featured.  Cindy Sherman is without a doubt, one of the most creative and provocative artists of our time.  Being both photographer & subject draw you into her work in a very unique and compelling way.  Her skill at metamorphosing into other personas reflective of both contemporary and historic figures is startling.  Perhaps, you'll notice most of her works are untitled.  And, many of her portraits reveal conflicting emotions.  Her society portraits were both arrogant and vulnerable.  The chromatic clown photos are beautiful yet haunting. This exhibit is phenomenal in its scope of her work and one to be savored, again and again.