Three ‘wordy’ singer/songwriters have just written novels and they gathered at the New York Public Library to talk about writing and to sing songs. The show wasn’t sold out but each of them has a loyal fan base, who were there to cheer and applaud. In Paul Holdengräber’s absence Wesley Stace (John Wesley Harding) served […]
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 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 […]
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 […]
This was the start of my birthday weekend so before the play I took myself out to dinner at Salinas in Chelsea. Salinas is the name of my mother’s hometown. The food is Spanish influenced and Chef Luis Bollo used to have an El Bulli style restaurant that didn’t do that well in NYC (the […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 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 […]
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 […]
