Diane Keaton: Live from the NYPL 14 November 2011

Yes – she was dressed like Diane Keaton. White crocheted beret, white turtleneck with long sleeves that had thumbholes, white blazer, wide white pants, and white Christian Luboutin heels. The clothes all fuzzy and cashemere-y if not actual cashmere. Her real name is Diane Hall and her father called her Di-annie. Annie Hall, made after […]

Gilberto Gil: Live From the NYPL 10 November 2011

Gilberto Gil used more than seven words to describe himself. Among them were singer, songwriter, musician, politician, environmentalist, and promoter of digital culture. In his opening remarks Paul Holdengräber mentioned a line from a favorite African poet: “When an old man or an old woman dies, a library dies with them.” It’s great that the […]

Joan Baez and Kris Kristofferson: Beacon Theater 8 November 2011

Two great artists – one known for her beautiful voice and interpretations and the other for his songwriting. Yet Joan Baez wrote one of the most beautiful songs ever and Kris Kristofferson’s voice can break your heart. Two more musicians that I have loved for years but have never seen live. And with Kristofferson it’s […]

Harry Belafonte: Live from the NYPL 12 October 2011

I didn’t have to wait long for the second interview. The next day was Harry Belafonte being interviewed by the Director of Public Programs at the New York Public Library, Paul Holdengräber. Holdengräber starts his interviews by asking the subject for seven words. Belafonte’s were “constantly answering questions from interviewers like you.” Belafonte’s book is […]

John Lithgow: Live from the NYPL 11 October 2011

It’s a new season for Live from the NYPL and my first ticket was for John Lithgow being interviewed by his friend and neighbor Bill Moyers. Lithgow is promoting his latest book, Drama: An Actor’s Education. The book deals with Lithgow’s life up until 1979 when he became a movie actor who did theater instead […]

Aterciopelados: Highline Ballroom 6 October 2011

meli is in EnWhyCee! And that makes me very happy. So rtb, violaleeblue, and I searched and searched the internet for good music this weekend. And it seems that this is the one weekend in NYC when no one we like is playing or anyone we do like we can’t afford. What to do? I […]

Paul Giamatti: The New Yorker Festival 2 October 2011

Paul Giamatti is probably a terrific interview when given the chance to speak. Unfortunately the interviewer was Mark Singer, who seems to be madly hopelessly in love with his own voice. Instead of asking Giamatti to set-up a film clip, Singer droned on and on. In introducing Giamatti, Singer spoke so long that I thought […]

Mavis Staples: The New Yorker Festival 1 October 2011

By the time I was reminded that tickets had gone on sale for The New Yorker Festival, I knew most of the panels/interviews would be sold out. I was able to get a ticket for Mavis Staples, who would be interviewed by Lawrence Wright and singing at The Gramercy Theater. The show was not sold […]

X: Irving Plaza 30 September 2011

X is back on tour – this time performing their 1980 debut album Los Angeles and showing the 1986 documentary The Unheard Music – but most importantly touring with a healthy Exene, who announced back in June that she does not have MS. I got there a little after 7pm and the doorman told me […]