Have you seen that commercial for a mobil phone service, where a guy standing in Grand Central whips off his trench coat, and breaks into a spirited dance, only to realize he is dancing solo…THEN his old, outdated phone receives the text that the events’ time has been changed.
This premise was inspired by the real-life NewYork based comedy collective know as Improv Everywhere. Just over 10 years ago, Charlie Todd, a comediam from The Upright Citizen’s Brigade Theater started putting together the unusual, attention grabbing pranks…er, “MISSIONS” that would involve numerous players-most of whom don’t know each other-all to be played out on a big city stage.
Calling in sometimes hundreds of volunteers, they turned a GEL conference into a musical, sent 80 blue polo shirt and khaki-wearing players into a Best Buy, even threw a surprise wedding reception for a random couple who just got married at City Hall. Subways are their favorite petri-dishes, though: have hosted Star Wars battles, High Fives , and my personal favorite, their annual No Pants Subway Ride.
Anyone can participate: subscribe to get the videos directly, and info on upcoming missions. Free, no obligation, and no spam, either.
Just came across this , and just had to smile…so delightful, how could you not be happy?
If It’s Free, It’s For Me: 2011 US Tennis Open Not a huge tennis fan, but always up for a new adventure with pals… Dee is an old friend I have not seen much of lately, so when she suggested this, it sounded perfect.
Every August, in the week before the US Open is held in Flushing Meadow Park, is a free qualifying tournament.
YES! Free parking, free access to all the qualifying tournaments-you just walk in and sit down. There were vendors selling programs, and I think , too, a listing of matchups and schedules, but neither of us really follow tennis, so we wouldn’t have known who was who, or how to pick, so we just wandered.
We got STUPID-LUCKY, the first match we wandered into featured #5 seed David Ferrer from Spain. In other matches, also caught Go Soeda, of Japan; and Jesse Galung, of the Netherlands.
Not being focused on the finer points of the game itself, was able to ponder all sorts of other incidentals:
Don’t understand the scoring, but the protocols of the game were fascinating: Everything from how the ball kids entered, then ran on the court, how towels and balls were handed to the players in between points, even pre-match preparations, like measuring the height of the net, and signing off on it all-was replicated with military precision on every court, for every match.
Makes sense, just not the stuff you’d see if you were watching on TV.
Also learned it takes a lot of people to make a match official: Not counting security or supervisors, there were a total 15: Six ball ‘kids’ , seven judges, and ohyes, the two players.
And a LOT of towels!! In between points players could signal for one, for a quick wipe. Even my untrained eye could see other strategies at work.
One player in particular signaled for a towel at every opportunity; most times it was a delicate dab to his mouth, like one would practice with a linen napkin, in a fine restaurant. He was losing; whether he was not good, or the other guy was just on fire-who knows, but it was a great stalling technique.
But that begot other questions-was each towel fresh-or just aired out? Then, WHO WASHES ALL THESE TOWELS??
Two other take-aways:
Decorative sports tape is the must-have sports accssory: Tape that functioned to support, or dispense some type of therapy made a fashion statement on several players. What looked like lace graced the back of one female player; blue (Painters’ tape!) complimented this player’s outfit, while doing something else more worthwhile, I’m sure.
Black Sharpie pens: bring your own-bring several! Better yet, inquire about investing in Sharpie concession. Collecting autographs on tennis balls were all the rage; but for every kid holding a ball-there was a black Sharpie pen in the other hand.
Also loved the un-automated brackets on the outer walls of the stadium.
Set on the grounds of the 1964 World’s Fair, it was a delightful two-fer to wander over and see the iconic Unishpere. Never been, always wanted to, and it was great. Beautiful gardens, lovely day-couldn’t have asked for more.
Yesterday was the last day for this year’s event, but if you’re a fan, make note for next year, you’ll have a blast.
Have written about them in the past…essentially, they make it very easy, and very reasonable to see wonderful, thoughtful movies you might have had to otherwise trek into Manhattan to see…
Assuming you also had the time and skill to first wade thru all the offerings and pick the winners on your own.
So much of what is at the Megs-Mega Plex is like bad fast food…perhaps briefly satisfying but ultimately unsubstantial, and probably not any good for you, either.
BUT-every time we see something there, I always leave feeling wiser, and more evolved as a person.
Tonight Doug and I went to see Buck. It was the real-life story of Buck Brannerman, who-per Robert Redford- is the Horse Whisperer. Of course it’s about horses, but so much more. Trailer is currently on Burns’ home page, click here to check it out.
If you are not familiar with Jacob Burns Theater, here 3 reasons you owe it to yourself to check out:
Shows. Terrific individual movies, but their series are stellar.
We’ve seen several in the past. Last month: Italian Classics; starting Tuesday Sounds of Summer -music documentaries featuring the Van Cliburn Piano competition and Kinshasa-the Congos’s only symphony-to the more familiar Dylan, Beatles, Kinks and Harry Nilsson.
Immediately after, to help squeeze that very last bit of fun out of your summer- Great Party Movies. The Marx Brothers (Animal Crackers) and John Belushi (Animal House) share the screen with the likes of Audrey Hepburn (Breakfast At TIffany’s), Carole Lombard and William Powell (My Man Godfrey).
Location Pleasantville is, well, very pleasant. Easy to get to, easy to park (usually free in local lots at night and on weekends), steps away from Metro North Station, as well as a number of great eating spots (try the Ying Yang prawns at Magic Wok).
Originally the Rome Theater, it was re-worked into several more intimate theaters, each seating about 100-125. Comfy seats, fully accessible, great AC, and you won’t need a home equity line of credit to buy popcorn.
Community Exposure to the arts makes us better and smarter, and builds better community. (Yes, I know that is such a subjective statement, but this is my blog, and I can say these things!!).
Jacob Burns is a good neighbor, and has done much to elevate the community. Great movies and programs for kids of all ages, and an on-going calendar of truly special events.
And their membership is quite a deal…largely deductible, but $5.00 off movie tickets, and other perks, depending on level.
So-make plans for your own Date Night: see something wonderful on big screen, and you’ll see what I mean.
Have written before of my affection for the game of baseball…sure I have my favorite teams, favorite players, but what I really love about baseball is that it’s a universal connector. If you are a fan, you’re part of a big club, and will find new friends wherever you go.
Being a baseball fan includes not just the game, but the whole experience-where you are and who you’re with. If you’re like me,and fall for the whole Norman-Rockwellian, American as apple pie thing, then grab your calendars and read on!
It’s an invitation-only college baseball league. There are 10 teams in 2 divisions, with players from all around the country. Opening Day is usually the second Thursday in June, All-Star Day is late July in Fenway Park. Regular season goes til early August, then playoffs culminate in a best of 3 championship series.
You may know they only use wood bats, or that it’s one of the top spots for scouts to peruse prospects, and many MLB players are Cape Cod League alumni.
But if you’ve never BEEN to a game, here are some of the things you wouldn’t know:
Suggested donation of $2.00 is usually what will get you in, and your seats will be wherever you want to spread out your blanket.
Picnicking is encouraged, but each team has a crew of support volunteers who run a snack bar…and any leftover hot dogs usually go for a dollar each after the 6th inning.
OK to bring your (leashed and behaved) dog, and there is usually a playground, off to the side for young kids.
To financially support the league, players and volunteers walk through the crowd, selling 50-50 tickets, 10 for $5.00…besides the chance to win half the take, and some really good prizes abound, courtesy of local merchants.
There are gaggles of kids everywhere, many looking like star-struck bobble-head dolls-wearing team shirts and caps, sporting baseball gloves bigger than their heads. Here they are part of Opening Day ceremonies.
During the game, they roam the perimeter, racing to any foul balls, hoping to snag a souvenir…unless it’s a home game of “our” team, the Brewster Whitecaps…to keep costs in line, they gift the returnee of a foul ball with a certificate for a free ice creamcone at a shop in town.
You don’t just watch a game, you are part of a kinder, gentler time, in very special community for those few hours.
As you might imagine, July and August are huge tourist times, but June is awesome…if you can swing a few days in the near future, do it. Otherwise, copy this link to your January 2012 calendar, it’ll be here before you know it!!
Grab your calendars, and your address book: your best justification for catching up with friends, having a new dining experience, while pumping up the local economy is coming!
The 5th Annual Hudson Valley Restaurant Week is returning, running March 14th thru the 27th…
OK, I know< technically, that’s 2 weeks, but all the more opportunities for yum-a-licious adventures, at great savings.
Simply, participating restaurants offer complete lunches for $20.00, dinners for $28.00. REALLY.
Many offer prix fix menus, along with the regular fare, and some may exclude certain days… to have your choice of destinations, go to the site now for listing of restaurants. Listed by county, in alphabetical order, so scroll all the way down forWestchester-easy to see menus, hours, locations, etc. Check it out, and make your reservations today!
While these days find it ohsotempting to be one with the sofa, while decked out in comfy-cozies, I find too much ‘relaxing’ dulls the gray matter.
Exploring new horizons, meeting different people, engaging in something new doesn’t just make the time pass quickly. It builds new brain synapses, and is a great quick-start to your creativity. You will feel empowered, inspired, and well, refreshed.
Here are three quick, easy and cheap-to-free ways to keep you in top form, you know, forwhen it finally stops snowing…
1. Go to a bookstore, or the local library and browse through the new titles. There is a lot to know/see/think about in this world of ours, the new releases will span a broad spectrum of topics, great food for thought, and for those ‘small talk’ occassions that seem to sneak right up on you.
2. Go to a museum. PLEASE. I can’t say this enough (or keep writing about it!!) No matter where you live, I can almost guarantee that there are a handful of places you have never visited within a half-hours drive, and many have free or reduced admission at certain times. Learn something new, see something from another’s point of view.
3. Take a class, or attend a talk. This is ‘High Season’ for Adult/Continuing Education in most local school districts or community colleges.
I took scuba diving at the Y this time of year once. While it wasn’t a hobby I ultimately pursued, I completed the course, and got my certificate, and for 6 weeks, got out of the house doing something different one night a week.
Dining Etiquette, Cartooning, All About Pearls-all part of our own WCC’s veritable smorgorsboard (orgasboard-orgasboard) of a line up. Check it out and have fun. Your sofa could use a night off.
Born here in Westchester, but an 100% Irish ‘Egan’, I married a 50% Scottish ‘Graham’, so you’d think certain things would be part of my world-things like bagpipes, plaid (umm, I mean TARTAN), a fondness for sturdy carbohydrates, or a somewhat respectable sense of the heritage in the Celtic region.
Well, not really, but every few years I get a little closer, thanks to the Round Hill HighlandGames. Having originated in Greenwich, and now held in every July in Norwalk, this was the 87th annual gathering, one of the oldest Scottish festivals in the US, http://www.roundhill.org
Hundreds of proud Scots of all ages demonstrated both strength and grace as they wrestled with unwieldy musical instruments (those would be the drums and bagpipes), and competitively marched, danced, and lifted heavy, simple objects-like afore-mentioned sturdy carbohydrates-all while wearing great quantities of heavily pleated, mostly-plaid wool.
Here’s Doug in front of the regulation size kabers, called ‘toothpicks’ by manly men, they are 15 feet long, and weigh 105 lbs. The object, shown above is to lift it, steady it, move forward as much as you can, pull it up enough to toss it so it flips over .
Other competitions include the hammer toss, sheaf toss, and weight toss. Pretty much as it sounds, weights are tossed for either height or distance.
Above at right is a heavyweight competitor who is lifting 56 lbs, tossing it over his head, over a bar that gets higher in each round. REALLY. Hard to see, but follow this guy’s upraised hand and you will see the circular handle of the weight, slightly out of frame on top is bar, set at 14′.
Of course those staffing the fish and chips stands and beer tent showed substantial endurance, too.
At right, Kensico Dam Plaza, Saturday July 3rd. Happy 4th everyone!
Growing up, some of my fondest summer memories were the Ossining Fire Dept parade, outdoor concerts on blankets at Nelson Park, and occasional trips to Playland, or to one of the two Drive-Ins, Starlight in Croton (now the Shop Rite Shopping Plaza) or Elmsford Drive-In, now the Sams Club compound.
Time marches on, but happy to share easy connections to some of the classics, and some newer finds.
62nd Annual Mamaroneck Carnival and Fireman’s Parade Carnival June 29-July 5 7 PM-Midnight at Harbor Island Park, parade 7PM on the 30th, FIREWORKS on the 4th, Rain Date on the 5th.
Cool Jazz in the Summertime Mark Morganelli, Founder of Jazz Forum Arts, is in his 31st year of making great music accessible to us all.
He plays year-round with his group, the Jazz Forum All-Stars, but has also he has orchestrated another summer of free music, 30 concerts in all.-different acts, all thru Westchester, all summer. http://www.jazzforumarts.org/Summer-2010.pdf
It’s your pass to free movies, fairs and different ethnic festivals, more concerts, (DO NOT miss the ones at Lasdon) Playland, fireworks, golf-well, you get the point.
Buying and eating food grown locally is good for us all. Farmers Markets Community Markets has been developing and managing local Farmers Markets since 1991, and while I typically only include links to non-profit and community events, there is just so much good here-locations, schedules, recipes, and-foodies take note-even profiles of the growers and other food artisans http://www.communitymarkets.biz/index.php
Walter’s Hot Dogs in Mamaroneck Since 1928, 937 Palmer Avenue. Just go, ‘nuf said.
Milt Gerver’s Big Band Orchestra Come as you are, whatever your skill level, and dance to the classics under the stars on the Boardwalk, on the water, at Playland. Fridays, 7-10:30, 7/16 through 8/6. And when you’re in the tent, look up.
While not in Westchester, these last two are close enough, reasonable enough and cool enough to be included. The Hudson Valley Renegades is a farm team of Tampa Bay.
I love baseball: the history, the rituals, and the consistency it brings to summer. I root for the Yankees, but all costs conservatively considered, it’s a big night out. Do yourself a favor , check out the Hudson Valley Renegades at least once this summer.
Tickets run from $6.00-15.00, $2.00 more on fireworks nights, which there are plenty. They have enough goofy fan events and giveaways to keep everyone entertained and engaged, and who knows, you may just see a future star! http://www.hvrenegades.com/
30 minutes across the TZ bridge will transport you to a different time an place. The Warwick Drive-In is where a family of 5 could see 2 first-run movies for less than $30.00 ($8.00 adults, $5.00 for kids 4-11, and under 4 is free).
They even have that cool cartoon clip they run in-between features to promote the snack bar-where hot dogs are doing tricks, and cups of popcorn and soda dance!http://webusers.warwick.net/~u1006131/driveinmovie/ for features, directions and times.
Every time I come out of a movie from Jacob Burns, I always remember-again-how much I enjoy that theater, and on several levels.
Easy to get to, easy to park, and Magic Wok, our favorite Chinese restaurant right around the corner. It’s local, it’s quality and it’s different. It’s also nostalgic, as I saw many movies there as a teenager, way back when it was the Rome Theater. It also has a very cool piece of wall art, past Theater 1, by the rest rooms, a perpetual motion machine made from scrap metal and ping pong balls.
Just saw ‘Please Give’, an indie I only heard of today, but seems a lot of people have heard about this. ANYWAY
It’s real slice-of-life, dealing with life, death, furniture, money, stuff, giving, receiving, wanting, taking, family, real estate, love, guilt, AND the the desire to make a difference, to make the world a better place. Often very funny, and sometimes achingly sad, but 100% real. Wow, it hit all my buttons, see it if you can.
Professionally can’t wrap your brain around how to approach a new project, or how to find new clients?
Go to a museum
Feeling disconnected, stale, or just out of sorts?
Turn off the TV, get your butt out of that chair and YES,go to a museum!
Going to a museum is a real mood elevator: it will unblock your mind, adds perspective, put petty things in their place and give you new ways to think about things. You will feel like a better, smarter and more vibrant you.
Happily, our area is blessed with an abundance of interesting and quality venues that along with their regular exhibitions feature a wide range of special shows that inform, delight and engage viewers of all ages.
For instance-right now, at the Hudson River in Yonkers www.hrm.org you can learn about BAKELITE, the highly-collectible jewelry of the 40’s and 50’s; or have a sweetly romantic date night at one of their Planetarium shows (Really, it’s a lot of fun)
In addition to enjoying shows by featured artists, and ever-expanding sculpture on the grounds of The Katonah Museum of Art, thru June 13th you can learn all about puppets, and puppet theater. www.katonahmuseum.org
The Aldrich Contemporary Art Musuem of Ridgefield CT www.aldrichart.org is featuring the work of Tom Molloy, who uses multi-medias to comment on the US and their place in the world arena. Very intriguing, I cannot wait to see this.
So-if local, kid-friendly, free parking, cool gift shops and rejuvenating your creative being wasn’t sweet enough, there’s FWMA…the Fairfield Westchester Museum Alliance. Be a member of one of 6* local museums, you get in to the others for free, plus get a discount at their gift shop.
So-say it with me-Let’s go to a museum-now!!
*At least 6 museums participate-above 3, plus Bruce(Stamford, www.brucemuseum.org ) Neuberger (SUNY @ Purchase www.neuberger.org ), Hudson Valley Center for Contemporary Art (Peekskill, www.hvcca.org ); some offer additional partnerships, and an additional expansion will be announced shortly.
