New York Philharmonic: One Enchanted Evening

Maestro par excellance!

Dear Postcards from New York Reader,

Ballet master Stuart Sebastian raised his hand to signal the pianist to stop; at barre, more than fifty dancers instantly ceased moving mid-grand plies and looked around in unison to see what happened.

Someone was attempting to sneak into class...late. I shuddered and breathed a sigh of relief; Thank God, it wasn't me, as I heard Stuart say in a restrained measured tone an octave above a whisper, "Don't you realize once the pianist's fingers touch the piano and plies begin, something spiritual is going on here?"

My ballet teacher's words rang in my ears as I and the rest of the audience sat up a little taller when maestro Zubin Mehta walked onto the stage of the New York Philharmonic. We exploded in thunderous applause to welcome our former director, then sat spellbound by the mesmerizing movements of his baton (as well as the lyrical sway of his body) as he lead the orchestra in sublime music by Avner Dorman and Bartok (something new and something old).

Percussion Duo Tomer Yariv and Adi Morag (PercaDu) created their own unique magic as they shuttled with acrobatic skill between marimbas, vibraphone, tom-toms, wind chimes, tambourines, cymbals, darbukas (Turkish drums), floor toms, Arabic cow bell and kodo in a lively and spirited composition of Middle Eastern and Israeli music composed specifically for them by Avner Dorman called "Spices, Perfumes, Toxins!"

After the performance, I navigated around the construction in the plaza of Lincoln Center with barely a notice, the smile on my face became ever wider as I savored what I had just heard. Something akin to the smile one has after a luscious truffle has melted on ones tongue. The evening still lives as a cherished memory.

It may be awhile before Zubin Mehta returns to us, but don't let that stop you from experiencing your own enchanted evening, the Summer Festival at Lincoln Center has something special everyday from swing and salsa dancing in the plaza to International theatre and great music check Lincoln Center's website for details.

Are you under 35? Don't miss an opportunity to take advantage of orchestra seats for $29 a ticket! Join MyPhil at the New York Philharmonic www.nyphil.org/myphil.

Summer has a tendency to zip by in a flash, so it is not too early to mark September 12 on your calendar. The Philharmonic's new artistic director Alan Gilbert will open the season with an open rehearsal at 9:45 followed by events for kids of all ages and a concert in the evening. All free! Plan now to stop by and give our new maestro a warm New York Welcome.

Enjoy a summer of wonderful music.

Jacqueline Cable

For Postcards from New York

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Address to Remember: New York Philharmonic, Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts, Columbus Avenue 62-66th Sts., New York, NY 10023, 212-875-5000, http://www.lincolncenter.org/.

Directions: From Times Square MTA 1 to 68th Street walk south to Lincoln Center.

If you like today's issue, why not become a subscriber to Postcards from New York? To start receiving your own copy visit http://www.postcardsfromnewyork.com/ and enter your email address. Or, forward this to a friend so they can sign-up to receive Postcards from New York too.

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© Copyright 2007-9 The Cable Group

Monday Night Movies in Bryant Park

View from the Terrace Cafe

----A Postcards from New York Encore----

Since this article first appeared, two new places have opened across from the Park that we recommend you consider in your picnic plans; Pret a Manger for terrific organic sandwiches and Crumbs for the most delectable cupcakes in a wide variety of flavors.

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Dear Postcards from New York Reader,

Bryant Park on 42nd Street behind the New York Public Library has long been a lunchtime refuge for corporate employees working in the area and students from the State University of New York School of Optometry across the street.

Years ago, from my office in the AT&T Building (now Met Life) on the Avenue of the Americas, I looked down upon the park and realized the geometrically laid out spaces for grass and trees were deliberately designed to compliment the architecture of the Library. From my high vantage point, it was immediately evident that the early 20th century building was planned to replicate an Italian Renaissance or Baroque Palazzo (Palace) with the requisite landscaped garden to provide a pastoral retreat from city life.

The park's tranquil beauty, café umbrellas, comfortable chairs and tables, make it an ideal location for a picnic. Invite a friend to meet you for lunch or after work for a short visit. You can pick up everything you need close-by.

Select a bottle of chilled wine from a wide variety at Park Ave Wines and Spirits, 292 Madison Avenue, between 40th and 41st. Then, stop by Zeytinz, direcly across from the Park on 40th St, for fruit, crackers, sandwiches, breadsticks and of course, cheese. One nice touch, they have a place where you can wash the fresh fruit.

This Monday evening the HBO sponsored Summer Film Festival begins and the Park becomes the “place to be." Thousands of New Yorker's with picnic baskets and hampers in all shapes and sizes will be there to eat, lounge on the grass and toast glasses of wine. Get there early to secure a spot as the festival kicks off with those two cunning hearttrobs Robert Redford and Paul Newman in "The Sting."

Other popular classics on the menu this summer include: "Dog Day Afternoon," "Kramer vs Kramer" and "Close Encounters of the Third Kind." Click here for dates and check out the many events from Yoga and Tai Chi, knitting, poetry readings and jazz concerts that keep Bryant Park abuzz with activity from early morning to late at night.

Jacqueline Cable
For Postcards from New York


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Addresses to remember: Bryant Park, 42nd Street and Avenue of the Americas. Visit web site to learn more about the parks beautiful flower arrangements, events like free tai chi classes, music and dance performances, poetry and book readings http://www.bryantpark.org/.

Zeytinz, 24 West 40th Street,http://www.zeytinz.com/, 212-575-8080.

Park Ave Wine and Spirits, 292 Madison Avenue, between 40 and 41st Street, 212-685-2442, http://www.parkaveliquor.com/.


Directions: From Times Square MTA A, E, C, 1, 2, 3, 7, S, R, N, Q a short walk to Avenue of the Americas.

If you like today's issue, why not become a subscriber to Postcards from New York? To start receiving your own copy of Postcards, click here. Or, forward this e-mail to a friend so they can sign-up to receive Postcards from New York too.

You can choose to receive Postcards From New York as an e-mail or RSS feed. Click on the small orange button on the right side of the webpage to activate the RSS. Then you will receive new "Postcards" on your email homepage, or enter your email address on the Home Page at www.postcardsfromnewyork.com to receive "Postcards" via email. Be sure to check your email in-box for a confirmation email, then just click where indicated to activate your subscription.

Photo by Joseph Knight



© Copyright 2007-9 The Cable Group.

Captain Henry's 'Half Moon' Sails the Hudson 1609 - 2009

On route to Albany once more

Dear Postcard from New York Reader,

A year long celebration of Henry Hudson's voyage up the river that bears his name began a couple of months ago in Amsterdam, but officially gets underway here this weekend when The Half Moon (a replica of Hudson's ship) leads a flotilla up the river to Albany. The impressive fleet will retrace Hudson's 1409 journey in search of a Northwest Passage to China.

New York and the Netherlands have staged a series of exhibits and events in both places along the waterfront, at botanical gardens, museums and architectural landmarks, to make this an excellent occasion to reflect on New York's Dutch roots, and to honor the many contributions of early Dutch settlers and why many sites, streets and parks bare their names.

How did an English sailor happen to arrive here as captain of a ship owned by the Dutch East Indian Company in 1409?

Take a walk through the Dutch Rooms of the Metropolitan Museum's European Art Collection; notice the many portraits of prosperous soberly clad businessmen and their wives by Rubens, Van Dyck, Rembrandt and Frans Hals. They are the visible evidence of the wealth of Amsterdam, Haarlem and the Dutch Republic in the 17th century. Surrounded by water, ships and trade were the life blood of their economy; they were one of the first with the idea that a quick way to China could be found around the Artic Ocean's ice. Such a trade route would have made Dutch merchants even richer than they were.

The man they sent in search of the "Northeast Passage" was Captain Henry Hudson. We know he never found China, but his voyage gave Dutch settlers the right to lay claims to what would become New Amsterdam. Near the entrance of the Museum of the American Indian, you will find a sculpture that marks the spot where Peter Minuit in 1626 made a deal with the Mahican tribe to purchase Manahatta -"island of hills."

Before your calendar becomes crowded with summer activities check the Henry Hudson 400 website now and plan to attend many of the events scheduled throughout the five boroughs; one that will give you a chance to climb abroad the Half Moon and experience what it might have been like to sail such a small ship on the high seas is at the Atlantic Salt Company maritime festival on Staten Island, August 29th.

Jacqueline Cable
For Postcards from New York



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• Compact – fits in a jacket pocket, briefcase, or the slimmest purse.


• Easy to read – with step-by-step directions to over 400 locations by subway, bus or train.


• Time and Money Saver – have hours of operation, cost and admission information a glance away.


Find out more and claim your “FR*EE” copy of New York Get There 1, 2, 3 here. TODAY!

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Address to Remember: Statue of Liberty, Liberty Island, NY 10004, 212-363-3206, http://www.nps/gov/stli

Directions: From Times Square MTA 1 to South Ferry, R, W to Whitehall, short walk. Ferry to Liberty Island departs from South Ferry.

If you like today's issue, why not become a subscriber to Postcards from New York? To start receiving your own copy visit http://www.postcardsfromnewyork.com/ and enter your email address. Or, forward this to a friend so they can sign-up to receive Postcards from New York too.

You can choose to receive Postcards From New York as an e-mail or RSS feed. Click on the small orange button on the right side of the webpage to activate the RSS. Then you will receive new "Postcards" on your email homepage, or enter your email address on the Home Page at www.postcardsfromnewyork.com to receive "Postcards" via email. Be sure to check your email in-box for a confirmation email, then just click where indicated to activate your subscription.

Photo courtesy of Journal News




© Copyright 2007-9 The Cable Group