Category Archives: information

“You are icons”

W 10th & Hudson Environs of our speakeasy adventure

My doorman remarked on my late night arrival. I said, “I was pulled into a speak.”

My friend D asked the bouncer at this unmarked [or, perhaps, mismarked] venue what the line was and next thing we had a table.

Our ages, though D is more than a generation my junior, made us stand out at this West Village speakeasy.

The youngsters around us were appreciative and friendly. We got every courtesy as they passed our corner perch. A fellow helped me up when we were ready to leave.

One young woman took our picture, murmuring “You are icons,” in approving tones.

The loud tunes had D dancing in her seat, and me repeating “what” in every attempted conversation.

We had eaten down the block at The Warren before going to the theater, so this detour was drinks. Kudos for the joint’s beautiful deep raspberry-colored mocktail.

Thanks to D’s willingness to look behind the curtain (it’s a speak, folks) and take a seat at that coveted table, we had a blast.

Oh, and an extra special thanks to the maitre d’ (bouncer) who brought us in from the sidewalk to the club. Yeah, we cut the line and VIPed our way in!

A red carpet moment.

Dance is good

The first two performances at the NY Live Arts for its 15th Season are co-presented with L’Alliance New York’s Crossing the Line Festival. bLUr (on stage Oct 2-4) is choreographed by NYC’s own Kimberly Bartosik.  The  Kenyan-American artist and choreographer, Wanjiru Kamuyu, brings us Fragmented Shadows (Oct 15-17).

See this listing at the post A-List.

I have stubbornly [and wrongly] referred to this Guggenheim Museum experience as Works in Progress or sometimes, also erroneously & Progress. It is in fact, Works & Process. The series has been showcasing works in advance of their full staging for many years. It is a concept I find particularly intriguing.

On September 14, 2025, the work being showcased is a new piece by  Jamar Roberts for the New York City Ballet.  NYCB Associate Artistic Director Wendy Whelan will moderate a discussion with Roberts, and company members will perform excerpts from the work. The piece mixes fashion with ballet, with costumes by Dutch designer Iris van Herpen. 

Tickets: 7pm, Sunday, September 14th.

Or the worst

Someone needs to expand on this script, ripped from the headlines.

Here’s the bones: poor but noble girl, [it’s her talent that signals her worth], becomes successful at her art. In the peak of her career, she wins the greatest prize.

She is wooed by the descendent of the most accomplished of all of America’s families.

Sure the patriarch made much of his money at bootlegging, but her beau’s forebears included a president, a statesman, a senator. They had brought Camelot to DC.

She was wooed then won by the Jr. who was prominent in his own way.

Some might say that he was notorious and unconventional. She signed on to this marriage, crown prince of MAHA and unsung girl from the Oakies. Of course, neither was young at this point; they each had matured to their own fame. No longer girl and prince.

Our aspiring princess should have seen that her prince was more than a bit unhinged.

He was in a position to do more harm than good. He was an acolyte of dark forces, perhaps the prince of evil himself.

Can she be saved? Can she become a hero in her own story?

Plotlines and dialogue required.

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For an antidote, click to hear some music.

Grounded

Surprises are the enemy of tranquilty.

Surprises are at the heart of spontaneity.

Sometimes you need the jolt of the unexpected.

Other times, you want the quiet of dependability.

It’s easier to respond  to what you know with enthusiasm.

The strange can feel unwelcome and therefore unwelcoming.

Sticking to the familiar can take you into a rut.

Don’t you need a challenge?

Try that other road; open a new door. Choose else.

Ah, what could possibly be uninteresting!?

Scour the news for an entirely uninteresting story. Consider how it connects to your life. Write about that.

We have to acknowledge that we live in interesting times.

All the news a shitshow, a circus, in these stupid ugly times.

It’s interesting that the president of these United States was seen on the roof of the White House the other day. Isn’t it?

It’s interesting that we [I mean that collectively and in re our current government] cancelled  mRNA research despite the fact it was an effective treatment. Isn’t it?

We do truly live in interesting times. Isn’t it?

10 years in support

If you live on the UES, come support our community at the 10th Anniversary Gala of PS109 El Barrio Artspace.

This milestone Gala brings together the artists, neighbors, and supporters who helped shape El Barrio’s Artspace into a vibrant hub of artistic expression. Like every milestone, 10 years down, is the beginning of the next 10 years.

At the Gala, you will experience a curated group exhibition that  showcases standout works by standout artists from the past decade, live performances by our in-house talent, a one-of-a-kind art auction featuring original pieces, dinner, drinks and a festive after-party to close out the night.

The funds raised support the next generation of artists in El Barrio.  If you’ve been here before, it’s a heartfelt tribute to our shared journey. If you’re just joining us it’s a toast to the creativity past, present and yet to come.

Welcome.

If you have any questions please email info@illustriousevent.com.

For single tickets or a table, click here.