Expectations Upended: Derren Brown’s hit Broadway Show SECRET!
Specific types of people go to see magic shows. Those who want their world’s turned upside, no matter how unsettling; people who want to be fooled into a fantasy; willing participants signing up to have their heads severely messed with. I am one of those kind of people. However, I wasn’t prepared for the rabbit hole of wonders Derren Brown would spiral us into with his new hit Broadway show SECRET.
Derren Brown SECRET now showing on Broadway
At the Cort Theatre through 4 January 2020, SECRET, is a show true to its name. Brown dances the audience through layers upon layers of obscurity and mystery, keeping the secret his until the last possible moment. At the beginning of the evening Brown specifically asked that any reviews exclude specifics, in order to keep the show shrouded in secret and shock factor. This I am more than happy to oblige, future audience members deserve to be delighted and surprised just as I was. Besides, some of the illusions looked so complex (most probably complex in their simplicity) I wouldn’t even know where to start with writing about them.
SECRET, which first debuted in the US in 2017, winning the New York Drama Desk Award for Unique Theatrical Experience, is back for round two. The show manages to incorporate heavy audience participation in a way that enchanted the crowd; even if you weren’t randomly selected to join Brown on stage you still felt as much part of the magic. This level of complete continued captivation and elation of an audience is a rare achievement for any theatre.
Brown on stage. Photo credit: http://derrenbrown.co.uk/shows/secret/
British born mentalist and illusionist Derren Brown is a two-time Olivier award winner, showcasing his magic on both screen and stage since 2000. He has written several best-selling books and – a first in the history of magic – has toured with eight sell-out one-man stage shows. Brown is also hilarious, a gifted showman, talented painter and annoyingly clever yet also personable, which makes him all the more intriguing.
SECRET gets inside your head, weaving webs of psychological manipulation and flashes of the fantastical. The audience are with Brown every enticing step of the way. He assures us he doesn’t have special powers but I doubt any of us believe him. One thing is for certain- I left truly believing that reality is most definitely overrated.
The French Heritage Society Black and White Ball
Caroline Bassett and Charlie Scheips
The French Heritage Society (FHS), is devoted to protecting French architecture in France and the United States through preservation and education. FHS held their Black & White Ball, in honor of interior designer Geoffrey Bradfield and philanthropists Margaret and Gregory Hedberg, on November 21st at a private club in New York City.
Gregory and Margaret Hedberg
Guy Robinson and Elizabeth Stribling
Board Chairman Elizabeth Stribling opened the night with a heart warming comment,"No couple in New York could be as popular and as adorable as the Hedberg’s," she continued, "They are so nice, so philanthropic, and so Francophile. Margaret's aunt created something called The International Debutante Ball; my mother was on the committee of this ball in 1960. We go back a long, long time. Her husband Gregory is a noted scholar and curator, and the author of the scholarly text Degas' Little Dancer, Aged Fourteen".
Johnsonie Casimyr, Allison Ecung, and Jung Moon
Judy McLaren
In accepting their award, Margaret Hedberg commented, "Look at all of you, you look so beautiful. I think it's the chicest crowd in New York. I will just say one thing...merci mille fois!" Her husband continued, "When we're with French Heritage Society, we're in French heaven". "FHS continues to inspire us all,'' agreed Geoffrey Bradfield. "Marcel Proust wrote, 'If we are to make reality endurable, we must all nourish a fantasy or two.' Tonight, receiving this splendid honor, is a moment in my life that I will always cherish." Board member and special event chairman CeCe Black presented Geoffrey with his award, a Lalique trophy.
FHS President Denis de Kergorlay, traveled from Paris, specifically for the evening. He announced that Elizabeth Stribling will receive the Commandeur de la Légion d'Honneur from the French Minister of Forgein Affairs, Jean-Yves Le Drian, on Monday at the Quai d'Orsay (the Ministry of Foreign Affairs) in Paris. Already a member of the Légion d'Honneur, this "upgrade" is an honor rarely bestowed on an American.
Jennifer Herlein, the FHS Executive Director, explained their Student Exchange Program, "It is my great pleasure to talk about one of the pillars of French Heritage Society. Each year we send French and American students, around 35 in all, to cross the Atlantic to participate in internships at well known institutions. They establish friendships and understandings that last a lifetime”. Kathleen Guzman of Heritage Auctions led spirited bidding in support of the Program.
Jean Shafiroff
Lucia Hwong Gordon
Guests all dressed in their most formal black or white attire; the ladies in floor length gowns and many of the men, including the New York Chapter Co-Chair, Guy Robinson, in white tie and decorations. Board Member Jean Shafiroff wore a striped gown with a train and a matching masque by designer Victor de Souza, who accompanied her. Odile de Schiétère-Longchampt, New York Chapter Co-Chair and the evening’s Design Consultant, created stunning (nearly) black and white flower arrangements.
Dancing continued till midnight in celebration of the honorable awards given.
The Gala Chairmen were CeCe Black, Jean Doyen de Montaillou and Michael A. Kovner, Jay R. Paul, Jean Shafiroff, and Ann Van Ness. The Co-Chairmen were Barbara and Donald Tober. Dinner Chairmen were Stark D. Kirby, Jr., Helena Lehane, Martin Shafiroff, and Bill Van Ness.
George P. Sape served as the Wine Consultant.
Guests included Board Members Yann Coatanlem, Christian Draz, Ronald Lee Fleming, Judy McLaren, Ann and Bill Van Ness, as well as Debbie Bancroft, Véronique Bich, Lady Liliana Cavendish, Victor de Souza, Mr. and Mrs. William J. Diamond, Mr. and Mrs. John French III, Mark Gilbertson, Sharon Handler, Eric Javits, Jr., Yue-Sai Kan, Margo Langenberg, George Ledes, Sharon Handler Loeb and John Loeb, William Ivey Long, Patricia and Harry Macklowe, Aimée and William Maroney, Mary McFadden, Lucretia Obolensky, Diana and Charles Revson, Tara Rockefeller, Barbara and John Schumacher, Charlie Scheips, Dame Donna and Richard Soloway, and Victoria Wyman.
Upcoming FHS events include the annual Thanksgiving Day celebration in Paris as well as the annual Palm Beach Gala Dinner, February 2020 (https://frenchheritagesociety.org/event/palm-beach-gala-2020/)
Image credit: Annie Watt and Patrick McMullan
Kick Off Celebration For The 65th Viennese Opera Ball
Credit: John Sanderson/Annie Watt Agency
The Viennese Opera Ball announced their upcoming gala at the Upper East Side residence of Sabine Riglos, a board member. “The Viennese Opera Ball is one of the highlights of the annual charity season for Austrian Americans, with performances by extraordinary opera singers and musicians” explained artistic director Daniel Serafin as he introduced mezzo soprano Nicole Piccolomini, who sing “L'amour est un oiseau rebelle” from Carmen. " Juilliard violinist Anastasia Mazurok also performed a solo by Bach. All providing a taste of what's to come at the 65th Viennese Opera Ball. Silvia Frieser, president and executive director said, "With it's long-standing tradition of 65 consecutive years, the Viennese Opera Ball demonstrates that the ballroom and the dance floor is the best platform for cultural exchange between distinguished guests and nations."
Credit: John Sanderson/Annie Watt Agency
Credit: John Sanderson/Annie Watt Agency
Each year, the Ball supports charitable projects connected to New York and Vienna. This year proceeds will benefit the musical therapy program at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center through Gabrielle's Angel Foundation for Cancer Research. Their CEO, Jen Raniri, and Associate Director of Development, Michele Keene, also shared a few words about the importance of the program.
Among the guests were Nathan Lee Graham, who will emcee the upcoming Ball, Chair Jean Shafiroff (who will be joined at the Ball by Chairs Denise Rich and Elisabeth Muhr), Host Committee members Janna Bullock, Joanna Fisher, Ana Saucedo, and Marisa Rose van Bokhorst, Junior Chairs Colgate Rumbough and Emily Mohr, and Board Member Stefan Oehner as well as Audra Asencio, Leszek Barwinski-Brown (CEO, Lang Lang International Music Foundation), Maestro Alvise Casellati, Adrian Danchig-Waring (principal dancer, NYC Ballet), Michael Friedl, Franz Gerhardter, Eric Huebscher, and Catherine Leung.
Credit: John Sanderson/Annie Watt Agency
Credit: John Sanderson/Annie Watt Agency
The 65th Viennese Opera Ball will take place on February 7, 2020. There is nothing like this in America with traditions that could only come from the oldest Royal houses in Austria and Europe. Just like in Europe, the celebration with both music and dance, with a Midnight Quadrille that enlivens the dance floor until 4am. The Viennese Opera Ball is inspired by the famous Vienna Opera Ball in Austria, but it is an American 501 (c)(3) not for profit association.
Jamaica Center for Arts & Learning Gala
Photo by Dominick Totino
The Jamaica Center for Arts & Learning (JCAL) recently held its 2019 sold-out gala fundraiser, Celebrating A Creative Jamaica. A mix of local political representatives, partners, donors, board members and members of the community came to honor the work that JCAL does year-long and to celebrate the honorees – three outstanding individuals representing the entertainment industry, New York City politics and the financial world.
Photo by Dominick Totino
Photo by Dominick Totino
Obba Babatundé, a native of Queens, New York received JCAL’s Lifetime Achievement Award. The multi-talented and highly celebrated, award-winning entertainer is a Broadway, film and television star, whose career spans more than four decades. He is the recipient of numerous awards including a daytime Emmy for his role in CBS’ The Bold and the Beautiful, was nominated for a Tony for his role in the original Broadway cast of Dreamgirls is a Critic’s Circle Awards-winner for the musical Sammy, and the recipient of an NAACP Image Award for A Soldier’s Play.
Photo by Dominick Totino
The other luminaries honored by the organization at this event were, New York City Public Advocate, Jumaane D. Williams, a first generation Brooklynite who traces his heritage to the island of Grenada. One of New York City’s young, rising political stars, Jumaane served on the New York City Council representing the 45th District in Brooklyn, which included East Flatbush, Flatbush, Flatlands, Marine Park and the Midwood section, prior to winning the Public Advocate’s position vacated by State Attorney General Leticia James. In accepting his award, Jumaane took time to remind the audience to exercise their right to vote and he stressed the importance of supporting organizations like JCAL. He spoke about the power of the arts and programs like those offered at JCAL, which were valuable when he was growing up, in helping him manage his Tourette and ADHD.
Photo by Dominick Totino
A former Spelman College Magna Cum Laude graduate, Marilyn F. Booker, was also an award recipient. Cited as one of the most influential women of power and listed among the top 100 Executives in America –– just a few of her many accolades, Marilyn is a career financial specialist with Morgan Stanley, who heads up their Urban Markets Group, with a portion of her mandate devoted to providing financial education to inner city and underserved communities. Although unable to attend due to a previous family commitment, she was well represented by her colleagues who celebrated her leadership, her devotion to the job, family and friends, as well as her passion for the work of helping underserved communities better understand and manage their finances.
The Gala event was held at the Jamaica Performance Arts Center (JPAC) which was transformed for the evening’s event into a banquet hall, with catering provided by Chef Elvis Caribbean Cuisine.
Photo by Dominick Totino
The event kicked-off with a performance by a very special young performer, Charlie Shneller, a student at JCAL who wowed the audience with his magic tricks, charm, and tap dancing skills. He demonstrated what JCAL is about, and what it means to young and old to have an organization that enriches the lives of all people starting from their early years. Cathy Hung, JCAL’s Executive Director opened the evening with a brief year-in-review presentation, spotlighting a few of the programs including the addition of the Jamaica Downtown Jazz Festival, which brought out an audience of several thousand jazz enthusiasts and music lovers over a three-day period, to hear iconic musicians such as Milford Graves and today’s most innovative young artists like Jason Moran. The Making Moves Dance Festival celebrated its 10th year in September. It is a platform for presenting emerging choreographers and new dance companies. Each year JCAL commissions new dance works to encourage the continuation of their creativity. This is in addition to the year-long, school of the arts that offers opportunities for artistic development to children and adults of all ages, across all arts disciplines.
Photo by Dominick Totino
Photo by Dominick Totino
But the highlight of the evening came when Obba Babatundé took the stage at JPAC in a Vegas Style performance with a full orchestral band behind him. This magnificent showman sang, danced and told stories about his early days touring with Liza Minnelli, and his chance encounter with the legendary Mr. Sammy Davis, Jr. that would lead to a life-long friendship. Obba took the audience on a magnificent musical ride, tapping into his inner Sammy Davis, Jr. and bringing him to life for a brief and touching moment with songs that included “Candyman” and “Mr. Bojangles”. It was the perfect cap to a beautiful evening, and Obba was gloriously in his element. If you are interested in learning more about the programs that JCAL offers, or would like to support the organization, please www.jcal.org.
2019 GIG Pre-Party x Christine and the Queens, A True Work of Art
Photo: Scott Rudd
Art is a shapeshifting form that is presented to us in the format of music, food, dance, sculpture, photography, painting, and many other mediums. At the 2019 GIG Pre-Party made possible by Dior, at the Guggenheim Museum, attendees encountered all those diverse forms of art.
Photo: Scott Rudd
Photo: Scott Rudd/BFA
The enchanting night began with special guests being photographed in front of the Dior red carpet. Each guest' outfit glistened with extravagance in front of the photo wall. Following the photo op, DJ Caroline Polachek’s performance greeted guests as they came in and enjoyed cocktails, mingling, and hors d’oeuvres. The first floor featured a stage in the center of the room and an area where people were being photographed against a semi-circular lit up wall. Ascending the spiral ramp delivered you to the second floor which had a wall beautifully covered in 4 individual works that were all glass covered in gunpowder. Peering across the building, the white spiral walkway was embraced by blue and purple lighting effects, amplifying the artistic ambiance of the elegantly curated night. The works that entailed were done by Constantin Brancusi and Paul Chan. In between the second and third floor was a room with an open bar paired with dishes such as mouth watering truffle crackers with goat cheese in between and a tender salmon on a chip that dissolved with bliss on your palette. The unique food choice magnified the riveting event.
Photo: Scott Rudd/BFA
As the night ensued, it came to its culmination as Christine and the Queens energy filled performance took the stage. The music reverberated through the museum and the attendees bodies, guiding their every movement. The singing and dancing grasped everyone’s attention allowing their sole focus to be on the melodious tunes.
The successful nine p.m. to 12 a.m. event, endorsed by Dior, presented lively music and art. The funds raised enable stellar exhibits to be shown at the Guggenheim, along with enlightening opportunities such as educational and public programming to take place. The gathering of people, exhibitions on display, delicacies to taste, and music to be heard was a live work of art.
LACMA 2019 Art & Film Gala
Photos courtesy of LACMA
The Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA) hosted its ninth annual Art+Film Gala on Saturday, November 2, 2019, honoring artist Betye Saar and filmmaker Alfonso Cuarón. Co-chaired by LACMA trustee Eva Chow and actor Leonardo DiCaprio, the evening brought together more than 800 distinguished guests from the art, film, fashion, and entertainment industries.
Photos courtesy of LACMA
The Gala's host committee included Elizabeth Segerstrom, joined at her table by HRH Princess Michael of Kent, Nigel Lythgoe, Benjamin Millepied, Christoph Waltz, and American Ballet Theatre dancers Isabella Boylston, Devon Teuscher, and Cory Stearns. Elizabeth's Segerstrom Center For The Arts, next to South Coast Plaza in Orange County, is ABT's winter home.
Photos courtesy of LACMA
Photos courtesy of LACMA
Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, and Tony award-winner John Legend gave a tribute in Betye Saar’s honor and filmmaker Christine Turner presented a short film about the artist. Shortly thereafter, Ted Sarandos presented a tribute to Alfonso Cuarón and the audience enjoyed a montage of the director’s films. Actor and musician Donald Glover introduced the honoree.
Photos courtesy of LACMA
Following dinner, Will Ferrell invited guests to an outdoor performance. Billie Eilish then introduced Anderson .Paak & The Free Nationals who powered through hits including “Heart Don’t Stand a Chance,” “Come Down,” “Tints,” and “Am I Wrong,” following a trumpet intro by band member Maurice “MoBetta” Brown. The set concluded with an encore of “Jet Black.”
This year’s gala raised more than $4.6 million, with proceeds supporting LACMA’s film initiatives and future exhibitions, acquisitions, and programming.
Art, Artists and Essence: BRIC'S Annual Gala Celebrates Brooklyn!
On Thursday November 8, BRIC hosted its annual gala in honor of Brooklyn’s artistic community at the Knockdown Center, featuring artist installations, pop-ups, canapés aplenty and dazzling performances.
Photo Credit: Photo by Jordan Rathkopf. Courtesy of BRIC.
BRIC, the largest non-profit presenter of free arts and cultural programming in Brooklyn, aims to present and incubate work by artists and media-makers who reflect the diversity that surrounds us. The gala honored this year’s 2019 recipients of the Colene Brown Art Prize: Manuel Acevedo, Nicole Awai, Xenobia Bailey, Nona Faustine, Alicia Grullón, Baseera Khan, Heidi Lau, Christopher Myers, Judith Simonian, and Kennedy Yanko.
Photo Credit: Photo by Jordan Rathkopf. Courtesy of BRIC.
Photo Credit: Photo by Jordan Rathkopf. Courtesy of BRIC.
The evening opened with drinks and canapés, as guests mingled around the exhibition space, featuring interactive artwork by Cuban-American artist Yara Travieso, a portrait studio by esteemed photographer Barron Claiborne and a pop-up barbershop by Greg Purnell to name but a few. Red, blue, gold, and green streamers framed the night, while giant piañatas waited patiently for guests to tear them apart.
Photo Credit: Photo by Jordan Rathkopf. Courtesy of BRIC.
Viewing art is hungry business so thankfully an energetic yet intimate dinner was next on the menu. From artistically plated Burrata and beets, to Braised Short Rib with Pistachio Asparagus and finally, delectable Red Velvet Cake, to complete a meal of understated decadence. During dinner, BRIC president Kristina Newman-Scott shared during her opening remarks, “this evening was created to honor artists. It was created by Brooklyn, for Brooklyn”. The night was certainly a showcase of the best of Brooklyn’s artistic community!
Notable dinner guests included fashion influencer twins Cipriana Quann and TK Wonder, fashion designer Reuben Reuel of Demestik, celebrity photographer Barron Claiborne, artist Andrea Bergart, art collector Carla Shen, musician Antoniette Costa, artist Renee Cox, and model Ashley Hart, and commissioner of NYC Department of Cultural Affairs Tom Finkelpearl.
Photo Credit: Photo by Jordan Rathkopf. Courtesy of BRIC.
Following dinner, guests continued the festivities and gathered for the gala’s electric after-party, BRIC After Dark, with music from DJ Moma and performative moments by Tendayi Kuumba, Courtney Cook, and Love Muwwakkil of Urban Bush Women. All the exposed brick alcoves of the Knockdown Center were abuzz and filled with dancing, laughing and whispers into the early hours.
BRIC’s 41-year legacy, as a major New York City cultural institution, was celebrated tenfold across the evening, showcasing and honoring vibrant contemporary art, performing arts, and media programs in a fashion only Brooklyn can pull off.
You’ll Lose Your Head Over Broadway’s New SIX: The Musical
Catherine of Aragon. Anne Boleyn. Jane Seymour. Anne of Cleves. Kathryn Howard. Catherine Parr. The six wives of King Henry VIII will soon be spotlighted on Broadway in SIX: The Musical. The story following the very different tales of these ill-fated Tudor women in a lively pop-genre musical will open March 12, 2020 at the Brook Atkinson Theater with a fierce female cast. This could be the British Hamilton we never knew we needed in our musical loving lives.
The show was discovered in Edinburgh in 2018 by producer Andy Barnes along with Kenny Wax and George Stiles, Wendy & Andy Barnes, and Kevin McCollum. Though, the journey actually started at Cambridge University in 2017 when students Toby Marlow and Lucy Moss wrote the musical about these six historic queens. The show began at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe, then moved to Norwich Playhouse and back again to Edinburgh Festival in 2018. It would also go on to earn five Olivier Award nominations including Best New Musical and have a wildly successful American debut in Chicago. Now it’s ready for New York City.
Marlow and Moss in an interview shared how wild the journey has been since they conceived the show at University, saw it thrive at the Fringe and now debut on Broadway. The show is about love and how against all odds people come together and how the women portrayed in the show changed the world. It is a new vocabulary of music for Broadway and there is nothing more exciting than new and emerging talent coming to New York to show their chops. The relevancy for women in the 21st century is an added bonus!
Adrianna Hicks, Andrea Macasaet, Abby Mueller, Brittney Mack, Samantha Pauly, and Anna Uzele will continue to play the roles of the wives, each giving unique character to their…. well characters. The diverse cast has flavor and sass delving into the personality of the wives while inserting their own style. It is an all-female cast including the all-female band “Ladies in Waiting.”
Divorced, beheaded, died, divorced, beheaded, survived. Get ready to hear the truth as SIX: The Musical gives a voice to six deserving queens.
Janel Tanna’s Resident Magazine Cover Party
Credit: Sylvain Gaboury/Patrick McMullan)
Credit: Sylvain Gaboury/Patrick McMullan)
Indie Film Queen, Janel Tanna, illuminated the room as she celebrated her Resident Magazine Cover in New York City at Philippe Chow. Guests gathered in joyous celebration at her launch party for the Summer 2019 Entertainment Issue. A woman of many talents -actress, model, producer, and MD- looked vibrant in a floor length black gown designed by Aya Aygul.
Credit: Sylvain Gaboury/Patrick McMullan)
Credit: Sylvain Gaboury/Patrick McMullan)
Janel’s humbling attitude warmed the room as she gave a speech thanking all those who attended in honor of her and her accomplishment. Cocktails and hors d'oeuvres such as Lychee Martinis and vegetable dumplings fueled conversation that filled the room between old friends and new ones. Whether the chatter was shared between previous acquaintances or blossoming friendships, what everyone had in common was that they were there for Janel. She also spent the warm summer months being deemed “Best Actress” at the East Hampton TV Festival. Her talent received the same well-earned praise at Northeast Film Festival.
Credit: Sylvain Gaboury/Patrick McMullan)
Credit: Sylvain Gaboury/Patrick McMullan)
Not only does she have a glowing personality but looks as well, as she made Maxim's Hot 100 list. The venue’s atmosphere complemented the launch party perfectly as it was both intimate and lively, mirroring the mood of the event. Tables were sprawled about with Resident Magazine’s and Janel on the cover. This detail was a touch that allowed guests a first-hand glance and even more personal experience with the magazine and Janel. It was truly the perfect way to integrate people with the party as it sparked conversation and allowed everyone to flip through the content.
Credit: Sylvain Gaboury/Patrick McMullan)
Credit: Sylvain Gaboury/Patrick McMullan)
Some highlighted guests include: Peter Thomas Roth, R. Couri Hay, Violetta Malakhova, Nicole Noonan, Designer Iya Islamova, Photographer Udo Spreitzenbarth, Nancy Chemtob, Sofia Symonds and American Hip-Hop Artist, Consequence. Janel Tanna’s Resident Magazine Cover Party was a night to remember shedding spotlight on a woman of true talent.
The Glass Menagerie by the Wild Project
“I have tricks in my pocket—I have things up my sleeve—but I am the opposite of a stage magician. He gives you illusion that has the appearance of truth. I give you truth in the pleasant disguise of illusion”
With these opening lines, the audience is drawn into a dimly lit world of memory, where the truth of arduous family interactions are presented through an eerie dream.
The Wild Project welcomes the Halloween season this year with a disquieting new version of The Glass Menagerie. Ruth Stage presents the Tennessee Williams classic in a chilling, surrealistic and dreamlike world. Directors Austin Pendleton and Peter Bloch, following two critically acclaimed runs of The Wars of the Roses, direct this production which explores the notions of memory and fractured family relationships as Tom (Matt de Rogatis) relives his time in the Wingfield’s St Louis apartment, 1939, with his overbearing mother (Ginger Grace) and mentally fragile sister (Alexandra Rose).
Matt De Rogatis (who also played “Richard III” in The Wars of the Roses), effectively conveys Tom’s repressed torment and frustration under the burden of supporting an unappreciative family, as well as bringing to life Tom’s comedic and poetic sides. Ginger Grace brings to the stage an officious yet whimsical Amanda, who, through an intriguingly soft-spoken voice, becomes increasingly obsessed with her son’s every move, with finding her daughter a “gentleman caller,” and recollecting her past life as a Southern belle. And, in her professional theater debut as Laura, actress Alexandra Rose manages to capture the empathy of the audience with her vivid portrayal of the character’s utter lack of self-confidence. Spencer Scott plays a deceivingly charming Jim O’Conner whom the audience hope, as the long awaited gentleman caller, will save the Wingfield’s from their disastrous downwards spiral.
Set designer Jessie Bonaventure (assistant set designer on Hadestown) presents the Wingfield house through the lens of a nightmare, with grey furniture reminiscent of a haunted house, juxtaposed to Laura’s delicate collection of glass animals -- ever-present on stage. The element of the surreal and nightmare is further incorporated by the enormous black and white photo of the fifth character in the play, Tom and Laura’s father and Amanda’s husband, “a telephone man who fell in love with long distance” whose image grins almost grotesquely throughout. His absence is ominously ingrained in the minds of the audience just as it is in the characters. Steven Wolf creates the complementary dim lighting throughout and an entrancing candlelight scene between Laura and Jim in which the shadows of dread pervade the hints of romance.
Sean Haggerty writes the score taking inspiration from The Exorcist soundtrack to create a few moments of chilling suspense in collaboration with Jesse Meckl designing the sound.
There were moments when it seemed that opportunities to immerse more in the genre of horror and suspense were missed, when eeriness would build but then the path back towards naturalism was too abruptly taken. Nevertheless, the Wild Project brings a compelling take on the classic production whilst staying true to the perceptions of Williams, and manages to explore how surrealism and the nightmare form relate to how we may recreate and relive painful memories in our minds.
Tickets for this limited engagement run up to October 20th are available at Brown Paper Tickets at 1-800-838-300 or at www.theglassmenagerieplay.com
Photos provided by the Wild Project
African Community and Conservation Foundation Impact Benefit and Auction
Out of all of the gold-toned prose in Karen Blixan’s acclaimed memoir Out of Africa, there is a single line that stands out more than all the rest: “You know you are truly alive when you’re living among lions.”
It’s a sentence that manages to evoke not only longing -- “When will I get to live among lions?” but also awe --“How lucky is she, to get to live among lions?” Lions, after all, are beautiful and magnificent creatures, and to get to live among them is a rare, one of a kind experience.
Unfortunately, however, our chances of living among the lions today are on the decline. The Colonial Africa of Blixen’s time was only the beginning of a long and terrible chain of events that has forced Africa into its current situation, where rapid industrialization, foreign influence, and climate change pose threats to not only lions, but to all the other wildlife and people living there.
Luckily, however, organizations like The African Community and Conservation Foundation are here to help. Founded in 2018 by the US Charity Friends of Peace Parks, The African Community and Conservation Foundation aims to preserve Africa’s wildlife and support surrounding communities through anti-poaching, community outreach, and conservation programs.
In order to raise some of the funds needed to support the future of these programs, The ACC held an auction at the elusive Chase Contemporary Gallery, where guests dined on hors d'oeuvres from Coco J’adore, enjoyed work from photographer’s Robert Dutesco collection The Wild Horses of Sable Island, and mingled with guests like fashion designer Donna Karan, Victoria Secret Model Sofie Rovenstine and Superbowl champion Justin Tuck.
Donna Karan + Brady Forseth
In between cocktails and a dance performance from modern dance company Jennifer Mueller/The Works, guests were also treated to a speech from Brady Forseth, CEO of the ACCF. Now, I’ve been to my fair share of charity fundraisers, and more often than not, it’s easy to come away feeling as if the event is much more about the guests than the cause. But Forseth’s speech was nothing if not genuine. He spoke openly and directly about the problems facing African communities today, from the social stigma surrounding periods to the still present ritual of Female Genital Mutilation. He elaborated on the necessity of finding a sustainable way for people and wildlife to live together, and emphasized the importance of environmental education and female empowerment. Speaking about such a serious subject to a bunch of half-tipsy New Yorkers is not the easiest task in the world, but Forseth managed to make clear just how much he cared about his work with the ACCF, and how much more he felt could be done to push these communities forward.
So if you’ve ever dreamed about living among the lions, check out the ACCF at their website, https://africanccf.org/about/, their instagram, or even go ahead and make a donation. Every little bit counts!
Photo by Ami Vitale
Photo credit: Sylvain Gaboury/PMC
Shaping the Edges of Education – New York Edge Young Professional Council Fundraiser
On Thursday, September 5th, the New York Edge Young Professional Council hosted a fundraiser that didn’t only offer spectacular views but also a crucial point of view. This year marked the 6th anniversary of the non-profit’s annual fundraiser which is, along with the Back to School Event on September 2nd, designed to provide means for a successful start of the new school year.
Hosted at the stunning triplex Penthouse at Hotel on Rivington, the fundraiser was intended to raise awareness, and, more obviously, funds, to help New York Edge continue to improve the paths of more than 40,000 school kids all around New York City. The organization was founded 26 years ago and has since then significantly impacted the lives of participating students.
This is also confirmed by some very impressive statistics. According to 86% of parents and 80% of participating school representatives, New York Edge’s programs facilitated significant academic improvement and success as stated on their website.
Another significant testament to the success of the non-profit was the substantial amount of attendees to the event. In addition to the truly breathtaking 360-degree view from the rooftop, guests were offered various means to entertain themselves or challenge their perceptions. Examples range from a free Instagram Wall with immediate print-outs to an open bar, delicious hors d’oeuvres and a silent auction with prices such as flight tickets with JetBlue.
Many of these ‘interactive stations’ were also connected to this year’s theme: Urban Graffiti. In acknowledgment of the talent and effort required for this form of art, several pieces by young artists were displayed in a small graffiti exhibition. But also people with less artistic skills didn’t lack opportunities to express themselves: Each guest was invited to leave their message and advice for school kids at the beginning of their school year on cards that would later be distributed across respective schools.
All in all, the event provided everything and more that one would expect from a night like this. But most of all, it authentically conveyed the extraordinary dedication and passion of the volunteers of the New York Edge Young Professional Council for every aspect of their work.
If you want to learn more about the important work of New York Edge and its Young Professional Council or get involved yourself and help improve the life of school children all across New York City, check out https://newyorkedge.org
Photos provided by New York Edge Young Professional Council
A Night at Niblo's Garden
Looking for the perfect place for a picnic in Brooklyn? It might sound crazy, but as of right now, my top suggestion is Green-Wood Cemetery in Greenwood Heights, New York.
Hear me out. Picnicking in a cemetery might be controversial, but Green-Wood Cemetery isn’t an ordinary cemetery -- it’s a historic landmark, and one of the first open green spaces in New York City -- in fact serving as the inspiration for the creation of both Prospect and Central Park. But I, too, was skeptical -- until I visited the cemetery for one of it’s annual events: “A Night at Niblo’s Garden.”
Held in honor of William Niblo, the owner of legendary New York Theatre, Niblo’s Garden, The event celebrates Niblo’s theatrical Victorian sensibilities, with fire eaters, contortionists, and musicians from the Bindlestiff Family Circus.
In addition to the Victorian entertainment, guests were able to take a guided tour of William Niblo’s famed mausoleum with author Ben Feldman, who committed to the role by dressing up as Niblo himself.
Still, if Victorian era games, flying doves, and picnics by the gorgeous Crescent Lake aren’t your thing, there are many other events hosted by and in Greenwood Cemetery, including historic trolley tours, twilight tours of the grounds, even specialized dance performances.
For more information about Greenwood Cemetery and to keep an eye out for next years Night at Niblo’s Garden event, check out https://www.green-wood.com/, or follow their instagram, @historicgreenwood
Free Arts NYC: Summer Social Edition
Lights. Camera. Auction. On July 17th at 7 p.m., Free Arts New York, a heart-warming charity which provides mentors to underprivileged kids, held their 7th annual fundraiser that was hosted by their Junior Board. It took place at a restaurant space, Freehold, in Brooklyn.
When entering the event, I was immediately engulfed by a sense of community. From the floral photo booth wall to screens which flickered with pictures and the organizations message, the attendees’ support was palpable. The event had both outdoor and indoor locations. Inside, there were cocktails, hors d’oeuvres, and most importantly, the items involved in the silent auction. Located outside was a craft table in which you were able to decorate a paper bag for elementary-aged children to bring their projects home after a “Free Arts Day.” All who saw the opportunity to be involved in such a meaningful creation leapt at the chance to participate with jubilance.
As the night came to a close, the winners of the silent auction were announced. It was notable that every bid placed was done so for the kids.
The fundraiser was of ample success and emphasized just how focused Free Arts NYC really is on providing less fortunate children with opportunities to explore creative outlets and cultivate other skills.
Photos from Free Arts NYC
House of Showfields - The Most Interesting Store in the World
The convenience and ease of online shopping has meant a decline in the inconvenient and not always easy brick and mortar shopping. You know, the kind of shopping where you’re not really shopping, but just following someone around while they touch things and exclaim over how cute it is. It’s no surprise that people would rather shop in a way that doesn’t require them to walk around, or leave their house, or even get dressed....but the House of Showfields is here to change that. BIG TIME.
House of Showfields, monikered as “The Most Interesting Store in the World,” is a brick and mortar in Soho, NYC, that gives Brands a place to showcase their individuality. The store is chock full of cubicles and art dedicated to specific products from specially curated brands: Quip, Inkbox, Skura, NURIA, The Farmer’s Dog, and many, many more.
But what really makes Showfields “The Most Interesting Store in the World” is its aims to facilitate “deeper offline connections” between brands and consumers. What does that mean? It means that the employees at Showfields are fully decked out in their brands gear. It means insta worthy installations with demos. It means performance art and conversations with the artist. It means edible art that you can both taste and take home. Showfields is fully committed to shopping as an experience, rather than a chore. By appealing to the senses of taste and touch, Showfields reminds us of what internet shopping lacks: interaction.
For a full list of brands you can experience, check out HOUSE OF SHOWFIELDS on their site, http://www.showfields.com/, or their instagram, @showfields.
Photos by House of Showfields
The Museum of Sex- Stag: The Illicit Origins of Pornographic Film
Pornhub and the Museum of Sex collaborated to bring naughty secrets of the early 20th century into the 21st century. The exhibition highlights “stags,” the earliest portrayal of sexual and social relations which were typically hidden in historical records because of their illicit nature.
Upon entrance, visitors are immersed in a dark theater-like-room to mimic a stag viewing party. In the 1900s, only heteronormative sexual activities were portrayed, and viewers of these parties were mainly the heterosexual middle class. Thanks to the collaboration between Pornhub and the Museum of Sex, covert stag films are now accessible to people of all classes and sexualities.
Vintage desktop PC playing an adult film
The exhibition also includes individual display screens of different themes in vintage adult films: American Milestones, Femme Fantasies, Bondage, etc.
In the beginning, the salacious films depicted sexual activities in a comical and satirical way, often focusing on the plot of the story.
Toward the late 20th century, adult films came to focus more on the sexual activity itself and professional filmmakers left the industry, making way for amateur producers.
The unveiling of these silent black and white short films aims to celebrate the history of the adult entertainment industry and honor the filmmakers and producers of that time. Stag: The Illicit Origins of Pornographic Film is open to the public from June 21st to October 21st.
Other exhibitions such as Punk Lust: Raw Provocation, Mariette Pathy Allen: Rites of Passage, James Bidgood: Reveries, and the carnival and arcade-like Funland: Pleasures & Perils of the Erotic Farground are also available for viewing.
Visit the Museum of Sex for some interactive 4D fun!
Lang Lang Young Scholars Concert
On Thursday, June 13th, the Lang Lang Young Scholars presented their first in a series of concerts. The night was filled with magic and music.
"We believe that music has the power to make the world a better place and with the Lang Lang International Music Foundation, we strive to achieve this every day,'' declared CEO Leszek Barwinski-Brown, as he welcomed a capacity audience to their first Young Scholars Concert at Steinway Hall. Lang Lang himself chose the performers--- offering a note to the program, "My wife, Gina Alice, and I send our love and support . You’ll forgive us for not being there as were on our honeymoon in China.”
A disarming talented and stunning Aliya Alsafa, 14, played Ravel, Mozart, Liszt and Morton Gould. With remarkable command. Amir Siraj 19, now an alumnus of the program, played Mozart, Liszt, and Rachmaninoff. Currently he’s at Harvard, studying both piano and astrophysics (and a member of the Steinway Young Artist program).
Among the audience were board members David Hyrck, Kyle Wool, plus his wife Soo Yu. Also guests Teri Agins, Lady Liliana Cavendish, Joanna Fisher, Stephanie and John Foster, Barrett Frelinghuysen, Michèle Gerber Klein, Luchia Hwong Gordon, Sylvia Hemingway, Kate and Gary Parr, Sana Sabbagh, Klara and Larry Silverstein, Mengmeng Wang, and Victoria Wyman
Leszek Barwinski-Brown closed the concert saying, "Without your friendship, we could have never accomplished and of this" A Moët & Chandon reception followed.
Photos courtesy of Lang Lang Young Scholars
The Gordon Parks Foundation Annual Awards Dinner and Auction
On June 4th, Cipriani's cavernous hall was graced with joyous conversation, stunning guest regalia, and incredible artists across the creative spectrum. This event commemorated the 20th anniversary of Gordon Park’s historical photograph A Great Day in Hip Hop with guests like QuestLove, Fab 5 Freddy, Fat Joe and Slick Rick in attendance to re-stage the scene. The Gordon Parks Foundation is a group dedicated to preserving the works of the late artist, Gordon Parks, along with furthering his vision for the empowerment of growing artists.
Widely considered the most influential African-American photographer of the last hundred years, Gordon Parks work documented American poverty through the unique lens of elevated humanity and dignity. From his early work with the Farm Security Administration (FSA) to his photo essays on Harlem Gang Leader Red Jackson, Park’s ability to humanize what popular media had demonized set him far above his contemporaries at the time.
The Gala kicked off with a showcase of Park’s work followed by a dinner and awards ceremony. Guests were able to chat and sip cocktails while gradually progressing around the gallery space. Each work amalgamated small groups of attendees who spoke of the history and composition admiringly. The gelatin based photo prints, some presenting Park’s most notable work, could be bid on and bought to support the foundations ongoing initiatives.
With guests of honor like Raf Simons, Kehinde Wiley and Chelsea Clinton mingling amongst many other honorable attendees, one would be pressed to have missed this incredible turn-out.
Dizzy’s Club: Where Jazz Gets You Drunk
In New Orleans they say “pass a good time” when wishing someone pleasure and fun. When I visited the city of Jazz, I had no glass in my hand but music still got me drunk: The rawness in the artists’ pieces. The emotions in the melody. The joy in the trumpet. And the melancholy in the piano... I’ve passed the best time surrendering to the music. I never thought I would ever get that NOLA feeling again, until I went to The Summer Super & Jazz Evening at Dizzy’s Club at the Jazz Lincoln Center.
There, I got the chance to see Christian McBride Big Band’s performance-and they hypnotized me. Jazz got me drunk for the first time since I visited New Orleans last March, and I was enjoying every second of it. Dizzy’s Club handpicks grand artists and offers the authentic Jazz experience in the midst of Manhattan. The elegant, wooden-interior looks like a violin with its beautifully shaped curves. The club oversees a skyline that changes color as the sun sets. The service is simply impeccable, and the food is varied, sophisticated, and exquisite. Everything tasted delicious. Everything sounded beautiful. Everything looked pretty. All of my senses were pleased. It was easy to surrender to the music.
That night, I didn’t pass a good time. I passed the best time. Thanks to Dizzy’s Club, I relived my New Orleans experience and got drunk on Jazz again.
Harlem Stage Gala
Photo credit: Marc Millman
Throughout the 1920s, Harlem experienced a cultural and intellectual eruption that became known as the Harlem Renaissance. During this period, Harlem was a lightning rod, drawing black writers, artists, musicians, photographers, poets, and scholars. Many had come from the South, escaping its repressive system in order to find a place where they could freely express their talents. This led to an outburst of African-American culture, art, literature and social change.
Photo credit: Marc Millman
Photo credit: Marc Millman
On Monday, May 20th, Harlem Stage, the legendary uptown performing arts venue hosted its annual gala celebrating the 100th Anniversary of the Harlem Renaissance. The event was a cool night filled with hot Jazz. The intimate evening was hosted by MSNBC Political Analyst Joy-Ann Reid and raised Over $400,000 to support Arts and Education Programming for Harlem Stage.
Photo credit: Marc Millman
Photo credit: Marc Millman
Patrons were dressed in attire inspired by the roaring ‘20s, to mark the era. Guests enjoyed musical performances in the historic and stunning Gatehouse, a New York City landmark built in 1890 which once served as a pivotal facility in the Croton Aqueduct system and was revitalized to serve as a state-of-the-art performance space. The theme of this year’s event was “Disrupters: Then, Now, and in the Future” in honor of those who shake up the status quo in every field by pushing the boundaries of innovation.
The gala is a tribute to artists, activists, and creators, and celebrates Harlem Stage’s more than 35 years as an institution known for commissioning and presenting new, innovative work that reflects and responds to the complex conditions that shape the lives of audiences, artists, and communities of color. Harlem Stage have been an effervescent presence on the New York City arts scene, hailing and supporting artists of color from Harlem and around the world.
Proceeds from the gala will help support Harlem Stage's critical mission to commission and present works by visionary artists of color and supports the thousands of New York City school children Harlem Stage serves each year through the Frances Davis/Harlem Stage Arts Education Program.
Photo credit: Marc Millman
Photo credit: Marc Millman
The 2019 gala honored several individuals and organizations who embody Harlem Stage’s mission. I had the great pleasure of meeting and becoming friends with Noma Dumezweni, a British actress and TONY nominee (Harry Potter and the Cursed Child) who was so gracious and chatted with me all night.
Later on in the night,The Philanthropy Award was presented to the Stavros Niarchos Foundation (SNF), which has helped Harlem Stage fulfill its artistic mission in multiple ways, including exposing thousands of students each year to the arts, support of Harlem Stage’s first-ever international live stream event, and presenting an unprecedented five-week run of Antigone in Ferguson, a critically acclaimed theater work.
The Transformative Artist Award was given to Stew of the acclaimed band Stew and The Negro Problem. Stew is a lauded musician who traversed the musical sphere into theatre to become a TONY Award-winning playwright with his play “Passing Strange” and Notes of A Native Song, commissioned and presented in 2015 as part of Harlem Stage’s WaterWorks program.
Photo credit: Marc Millman
Photo credit: Marc Millman
The Emerging Artist Award was presented to Savannah Harris, a rising star in the jazz world. Known for her unique and technical style of drumming, she has graced the Kennedy Center stage and works with Jazz at Lincoln Center.
Patricia Cruz, Executive Director, Harlem Stage said “Our gala enables Harlem Stage and our artists to join together with our audiences, community and supporters in the contemporary struggle to realize a just, equitable and truly democratic society”
Photos by Marc Millman
For more information or events for Harlem Stage please visit : https://www.harlemstage.org/