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 Nature’s jubilation
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| Spring begins in Central Park. 4:00 PM. Photo: JH. |
April 2, 2010. Yesterday was a beautiful Spring day in New York with the temperatures rising to almost 70. The park had masses of visitors by mid-afternoon. The warm sun brought forth a frenzy of blossoming trees throughout, as well as along the streets and avenues. Nature’s jubilation.
About six I went down to the Javits Center on 34th Street and 11th Avenue for cocktails at the East Side House Settlement’s 11th Annual Gala Preview of the 2010 New York International Auto Show.
The Javits, if you’ve never been, is massive and a perfect venue for this show which was mobbed even in Preview. Someone told me this was the only charity benefit in New York where the husbands are dragging their wives along rather than vice versa. I’m not so sure the wives were under duress. Most of the women I saw were ogling the fabulous cars as intensely as the men. Whatever, there were more than a thousand guests at last night’s preview. |
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| The view entering the auto show in the Jacob Javits Convention Center, with the preview audience of a thousand in the distance. |
The evening, which included a Benefactor dinner beginning about 8:30, was chaired by Philip L. Yang and Joan P. Young. Media sponsor of the gala was New York Magazine. Benefit committee was chaired by Kipton Cronkite, Paige Ethington Hardy and Fe Fendi.
They raised more than $500,000. Proceeds go to support college scholarships and technology education for the residents of Mott Haven in the South Bronx. The event is made possible through the generous auspices of the New York Automobile Dealers Association, celebrating it’s 100th anniversary this year, and the New York International Auto Show. The Greater NY Automobile Dealers Association has a tradition of community service and their participation has provided the East Side House Settlement the funds to open and operate two new high schools for under credited youth in the South Bronx. |
| Philip L. Yang and Joan P. Young. |
Peter Standish and Mark Scheinberg. |
| Wearing the logos of most, if not all, of last night's participants. |
Amy Todd Middleton and Bob Ireland. |
Fe Fendi. |
| Claire Smithers and Mrs Smithers. |
Billy Gilbane and Clay Floren. |
There was also a silent auction with some fascinating pieces including a signed Beatles guitar, a Joe Namath signed jersey and some great celebrity photos.
I was a big car fan when I was a kid, able to identify every car, every model, every year with favorites that I sometimes acquired as toy models. Time and economics dimmed my interest or rather replaced my prioritiesm but this auto show takes me right back to the very beginning when many of the cars on the road then don’t exist anymore, and many that now dominate are foreign and/or new manufacturers. I can see why people who can afford it go crazy buying cars. |
| The centerpiece for the tables. |
Joe Namath's Jets jersey, signed, in the silent auction. |
Last night they had a special exhibition curated by Manhattan Motorcars, Wheel Concepts, and other high-end dealers. Among the highlights of the evening was this exhibit and the new Aston Martin Rapide. Not to mention the 2010 Rolls Royce Phantom Drophead coupe; a 2009 Ferrari 599gtb, a Lamborghini Super Veloce, a Porsche Carrera GT, a 2002 Ford Excursion 7.3 Diesel, a 2010 Spyker c8 Spyder, and and the Bentley Supersport.
The Aston Martin was being auctioned off later in the evening. The price on any of them. Like JP Morgan once said about his yacht, if you have to ask you can’t afford it. I finally couldn’t resist checking out the price of the Bentley. 275,000 smackers, no thank you very much. |
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It was still light when I left the Javits to go up to 43rd Street and the Henry Miller’s Theatre to see Dame Edna and Michael Feinstein in “All About Me.”
The show, which did not get the boffo reviews that Dame Edna usually gets, is closing on Saturday so if you’re a Dame Edna fan, you’ve got two more days. I think there are tickets available although the theater orchestra and balconies last night were full up.
I’m not sure about those reviews (I didn’t read them but only heard) but Dame Edna, fan or not, is a funny funny funny lady and has you and the rest of the audience roaring whenever she is onstage. She has them in the palm of her hand, Possums. It could be that Dame Edna is simply a one man/woman show. Whenever she’s in front of the audience, she’s who you’re looking at and hanging on to every word. |
| Looking up at the Empire State on the corner of Seventh Avenue and 36th Street. 7:40 pm. |
Michael Feinstein is nevertheless a game partner, and of course a thrilling musician who can hold his own anywhere. However, Dame Edna can crack up a massive audience any time since she gets right to the heart of our psyches with her turns of phrases, grimaces, and witticisms not to mention the costumes made by couturiers from the Vegas in Outer Space.
The performing genius of Barry Humphreys is aided and abetted by a now long life of live performing dating back to the generations who knew only that and therefore all the tricks and knacks in keeping the audience almost rioting with laughter. Watching the Dame Edna just standing on the stage and taking in the audience is a study specimen of that know-how. |
| Dame Edna and Michael Feinstein take their final bows for last night's performance of "All About Me" at the Henry Miller's Theatre. |
One of the differences in this new show from other Dame Edma vehicles is the music. A lot of music. Mainly Michael Feinstein singing (Sinatra style, standing with a mike) or at the piano where he is a wonder to watch and listen to. Dame Edna also gave us her rendition of Sondheim’s “Here’s to the Ladies That Lunch,” and while the comedy was a bit broader than Stritch (who originated the song), and funnier, the interpretation remained just as powerful as well as a demonstration of comic timing and repartee. Wit they used to call it. Funny it always is, however, and beyond too.
The show runs 90 minutes without an intermission although after it was over I checked my watch and they gave us about ten minutes more. Because the audience didn’t want it to end. |
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