Late summer 2016

Summer is almost over, and it's been a busy one. The Met has had lots of incredible things on view this summer. In late June, I made it to the roof to check out Cornelia Parker's Transitional Object (PsychoBarn). It looks like a complete building...

But it's not.

It's only on site until October 31st, so don't wait too long to visit.

We made it to the Pergamon exhibit in its last week. I'm not usually much for Greek statuary, but some of the sculpture was really impressive, both in detail and in scale. This bust was probably 3 feet tall...

My University of Dallas friends will have a special affection (or loathing) for this guy from 

Lit Trad I.

July brought a visit from one of my oldest friends. Dennis and I have known each other since we were 6. His family spent Independence Day weekend in the city, and we got to catch up in Bryant Park on their last day in town.

If you're a fan of High Line art, you'll be sad to know that Spencer Finch's The River that Flows Both Ways has been removed from the Chelsea Market Passage. After 9 years on site, the panes had faded and the integrity of the piece was lost, so the artist asked that it be destroyed. The clear glass panes allow a lot more light in the passage, but I will miss the stained glass. Here's a transitional shot:

I took a trip out to Brighton Beach in July. I know I live on an island, but it's still surprising to me how quickly I can get to a sandy beach. Brighton Beach is very Russian, and on a weekday, you're surrounded by non-Englsh speakers. It's also only a short walk down the beach to Coney Island.  One of these days, we're going to get out here for a Cyclones game...

High Line Art stages performances as well. This year, Eduardo Navarro's We Who Spin Round You included special sungazing masks designed by the artist. Guests donned the masks and stared into the sun while a Columbia University astrophysicist gave a talk on our relationship with the sun. As I love astronomy, this was right up my alley.

Visiting Historic Hudson Valley has been on my to-do list for years now, and I finally got around to getting up there this summer. The Metro North train from Grand Central to Tarrytown runs along the Hudson River, so the views on the trip up are lovely. Sunnyside, Washington Irving's home, was my first stop. The house was designed by Irving himself, and the facade is covered in wisteria vines that were planted by the author. The tour guides dress in period costume. (Note: It's not air conditioned, so keep that in mind if you're planning a visit.)

My second stop was to Kykuit (rhymes with my cut), the Rockefeller estate. The house is perched on the highest point of the 200-acre estate and has incredible views of the Hudson as well as the surrounding valley. The house itself is stunning, but they don't allow interior photographs, so you'll have to take my word for it. While the six-story home alone is definitely worth the price of admission, if you're a fan of modern art, you have to make the trip. Nelson was quite the collector. Lee Bonticou, George Segal, Andy Warhol, and an entire room filled with tapestries of Picasso paintings, including 3 Musicians and Night Fishing at Antibes that were approved by the artist and handmade in Spain. There's also sculpture all over the grounds. Henry Moore, Brancusi, Alexander Calder, Giacometti, Noguchi...

The Oceanus Fountain

The front of the house

The back of the house

Goose girl

Large Spiny by Alexander Calder

 My one complaint with traveling in this area is how hard it is to get around. Uber isn't always available, and it took phone calls to 5 companies get a cab to take me to the train station from the Kykuit visitor center. If you have a car, drive it. If not, plan extra time for transportation to and from your destinations.

August has been busy, too. Lincoln Center Out-of-Doors brought Dwight Yoakum to Damrosch Park, and he was incredible. The weather was perfect, as opposed to last year when I saw Raul Malo. Dwight played tons of original stuff, but also covered Merle Haggard, did a tribute to George Martin, and closed (after several encores) with Suspicious Minds. 

Our niece, Mary Elizabeth, checked out Neighbor Night at the Whitney with me last week. We had a great time chatting with Rocky, the bartender, who offered lots of suggestions of cool places to eat around town. North End Grill (buy one, get one bottles of wine and dollar oysters on Sunday), and Blue Hill Farms were at the top of the list. The next day, we took a boat tour of the city. Those tour guides know the most random facts. Did you know that the Holland Tunnel was the first underwater tunnel built for cars? Or that everything west of the West Side Highway was built on landfill from the original World Trade Center? Or that the rays of the crown on the Statue of Liberty represent the seven continents and the seven seas?

We followed up the cruise with lunch on the Yotel roof deck. (Another item from my to-do list)

Later in the week, Ed and I saw Owen Danoff and Laith al-Saidi of The Voice fame at the City Winery. I love this venue for shows, and both men were terrific. Owen Danoff is a poet and balladeer, and Laith is a serious rocker. His guitar skills are jaw-dropping. 

Then last weekend, we drove to Freehold to celebrate the 65th wedding anniversary of Ed's Uncle Bill and Aunt Terry. 65 years. I can't even wrap my head around that. Ed's parents flew in for the party. Other aunts, and uncles, and cousins he hadn't seen in over 30 years were there, so it was quite the celebration. After the party, we spent a couple of nights at his sister's house in Wilmington. Jean is the hostess with the mostest. We hung out by the pool, ate Capriotti's subs, and told lots of Gramling family stories.

The bride and groom

The three Gramling brothers: Bill, Bob and Ed

It was a great weekend, and a great way to usher in September.

May and June 2016

I can't believe it's been two months since I've posted anything on here. It's not like I've been bored...

The first weekend in May brought two great things to NYC: The America's Cup and our friends, Rafe and Robin. I've mentioned the Honorable William Wall before - Robin discovered them a couple of years ago. For the America's Cup, they hosted a great party to view the races. Unfortunately, Saturday, when we were out there was cold, grey, and completely still. So we drank beer, shivered and watched one race (which ended up not being counted). But it was still an incredible day, and all the boats came right by the Willy Wall after they finished sailing, so we got up close and personal views of all the crews.

It wouldn't be a Robin visit to NYC without a stop at the Frying Pan.

The latest art installation at Madison Square Park is Big Bling by Martin Puryear. It's about 40 feet tall, his largest work to date. A friend invited me to a talk sponsored by the park, and Mr. Puryear was one of the speakers. He's absolutely darling!

One event I've most looked forward to this summer is Duke Riley's Fly By Night. Unfortunately, tickets sold out in record time, so we couldn't get any. But that didn't stop Sally and me from trekking over to the Brooklyn Navy Yard to catch out the show from the new Rooftop Reds Vineyards. It's a tiny place with a great view, and the co-owners, Devin and Chris, are charming. 

I don't own a decent camera, but here's a shot of the pigeons swooping around in the night sky.

For Ed's birthday, we took the train up to Peekskill to see the Hudson Valley Shakespeare Company's performance of Measure For Measure. We stayed at the historic Thayer Hotel, which is on West Point's campus and has an amazing view.

The weather promised rain, but we ended up getting a beautiful summer day. The show was worth the trip, though next time I'm renting a car. Taxi service up there stinks. It was our second visit to West Point--we went on the official tour with Ed's aunt and uncle a couple of years ago. If you get the chance, take it. We learned all kinds of great stories and histories. This time, though, we just wandered around on our own.

Our first Summerstage concert was terrific--Howard Jones, OMD, and the Barenaked Ladies. And I made a new friend!

Last week, we attended the St. Ann's Warehouse gala, thanks to Madeline and Shook Hardy Bacon. It's always fun hanging out with Shookies, and the gala this year did not disappoint. We got (had?) to meet the mayor who has terrific eye contact, but not a terrific handshake, and I got to meet Suzanne Vega, who was one of the many performers that night.

This week has been busy. I stopped by the New York Historical Society to see a copy of Shakespeare's First Folio:

And while I was there, I checked out the art of Mo Willems, whose Don't Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus is one of my favorite children's books.

Sally's friend is producing a documentary about Gilda Radner, so she got a group together for Gilda's Birthday Bingo Bash on Friday night. (Other than Sally, New Yorkers do NOT understand the rules of bingo!) On the way home, I saw these two amazing examples of NYC street art. No clue who the artists are. The face in the colorful one on the left is Federico Garcia Lorca, one of my niece Mary Elizabeth's favorite Spanish poets.

Today, I visited the Oculus...

...on my way to check out The Swings, which is a collective musical installation courtesy of Brookfield Arts. I haven't been on a swing in years. It took me back to senior year in college, when Sydney and Leanne and I were student teaching. We'd get so stressed out that we'd go to the park and swing to decompress. Girls, I swung as high as I could for you today!

Afterward, I visited the Irish Hunger Memorial, which I'd passed by but never seen up close before.

And stumbled onto Rockefeller Park, which is filled with Tom Otterness sculptures.

...and then I walked all the way home, getting myself sunburned in the process. Along the way, I also discovered City Vineyard, an under-construction place that looks like it's right up my alley. Check back later to see if I'm right. It was supposed to open May 1, but that clearly didn't happen. Now it's time to get ready to see The Cure at Madison Square Garden...

Late April 2016 (Whitney, OHNY, One World Trade, W. Hollywood, Met Opera, HL Art, The Woodsman and Intrude)

April has been a really busy month. Here's what I was up to for the second half of it...

The Whitney had a volunteer appreciation night, and we got a chance to see the 6th floor part of Human Interest: Portraits from the Whitney's Collection before it opened to the public. Here are a couple of shots:

Julian Schnabel as a giant candle by Urs Fischer:

Floyd and me viewing an Andy Warhol

One of the outdoor sculptures, White Snow #3

Open House New York is one of my favorite local organizations. It provides a broad audience with access to the best of New York architecture, much of which is not usually open to the public. Their biggest event is Open House NY Weekend, which is in October, but they also offer programs throughout the year. I helped out at an event at the Brooklyn Historical Society in April. It's in a gorgeous building in neighborhood I'd never really explored, and I can't wait to go back. 

I covet this library.

 My friend, Erin, came to town in April and organized a trip to the top of One World Trade Center. She and our friend (and my former boss) Karen and I met up at the Loopy Doopy Bar on the roof of the Hotel Conrad, and then walked over to One World Trade to experience the best view in the city. 

It's quite a spectacle from the entryway...

To your first view of the view...

To the incredible sunset-lit views of the city.

The two lighted squares below are the reflecting pools in the footprints of the Twin Towers.

 

 Karen checking out the view toward home.

A view up the west side (and our apartment building, not that you can see it)

We spent a couple of days in LA in April as well. One of the best things about LA is that two of my favorite people live there (not to mention family members we didn't have time to visit this year). Favorite Person One, Neda, came to the bar after a long day at work to hang out with Ed and me. 

This trip, we stayed at the Hotel Andaz, formerly known as the Riot Hyatt. It's a great property, located right on Sunset Strip. Tracy Pattin, a local writer, gave a short breakfast talk about the history of the hotel and the neighborhood. She also brought copies of West Hollywood Magazine, which had a local walking tour. So I spent my morning checking out the local hotspots and architecture. Most of the text below is taken from her article, though paraphrased and not quoted. This was like a trip back to my childhood, as the former residents were all major 30s and 40s movie stars my parents love and whose movies I grew up watching. 

Pink Taco is the most recent manifestation of a building that was a wedding chapel and then became the Players Club, where Bogart, William Faulkner, Barbara Stanwyck, and Orson Welles used to hang out. Sinatra used to play here, then use a tunnel (unearthed in 2012) to head over to the Chateau Marmont to do a different kind of playing. :)

This villa was the home at one time of Marilyn Monroe, Zsa Zsa Gabor and Marlene Dietrich.

Mi Casa, a 1927 Spanish-style complex, was the home of Bette Davis, the Marx Brothers, and Cary Grant.

And Colonial House was the home of William Powell and Carole Lombard, Clark Gable, and Myrna Loy. 

Not part of the tour, but the flowers in LA are just glorious.

The view from our pool (where I proceeded to fry myself lobster-red)

 Julie, Favorite Person Two, and I went out to dinner at The Guild, a newly-opened restaurant where the chef, Charles Cho, is a friend-of-a-friend. The food was great, and the conversation was exactly what I needed.

After dinner, we walked back up the Strip to the hotel to meet up with Ed and the rest of the crowd. I look kind of pained (probably because of the sunburn and accompanying chills), but the background is cool...

Back in New York, Ed had never been to the opera, and a colleague from work has been encouraging him to give it a shot. So he bought box seats for us to see Donizetti's Roberto Devereaux. The production was magnificent, and the whole cast was amazing, but soprano Sonya Radvanovsky was glorious. I'm not a huge opera fan (this was only my third), and I prefer tenors to sopranos, but she took my breath away and brought me to tears. Here's a shot of the stage from our seats:

In March and April each year, the High Line Art program installs the season's new collection. The group installation, called Wanderlust, "explores the themes of walking, journeys and pilgrimages." As usual, there are pieces I love, pieces I hate, and pieces I just don't understand at all. A few images:

Matt Johnson's Untitled (Swan), which was made from original High Line railroad track (that's a smokebush in the background, as well as the Whitney)

 

These bronze rods, by the artist Giorgio Andreotta Calo, are inserted between the planks throughout the park. They memorialize people who walked the length of the United States. The length of the rods corresponds to the length of the walk. (If you're on the park, see if you can find the one that has a major typo on it.)

A night shot of Rayyan Tabet's Steel Rings which will likely disappear into the plants in the next month or so:

Outside of Wanderlust are other installations to consider. Here is the artist, Nari Ward (in the fedora), assisting the HL Art team with the installation of his piece, Smart Tree.

Have fun exploring!

Melissa and I met on the High Line a number of years ago, and then she moved to England. She was in town this week for a visit, so we got to play. First stop, Coppelia for the fish tacos:

Since she'd just arrived that afternoon it was an early night. Day Two included a wander on the High Line. She took these photos of me with a couple of pieces from Wanderlust that are installed on the Flyover. Her question to you: Which one is NOT High Line art? :)

                 Sleeping bag with debris        Bronze walking stick            Bin filled with trash

Day three was drinks at Molloy's Pub in Hell's Kitchen, followed by The Woodsman, a play about the Tin Man's origin story. I've never seen anything like this show. Two of the main characters are (or become) puppets, and they're mesmerizing. There's very little dialogue, though there's lots of sound and a solo violinist who accompanies the show from the stage. The story is heartbreaking (no pun intended), though it does end on a somewhat upbeat note. The play isn't for everyone, but in my opinion, James Ortiz is a genius.

A close up of the Tin Man:

Finally, I got the chance to see Amanda Parer's Intrude, an installation of giant inflatable rabbits that inhabited Brookfield Place for two weeks. I loved them. 

The 6-foot-tall security guard gives you some perspective on the size of this rabbit:

And that's it for April, 2016. Much more to come in May, including The America's Cup from the William Wall....