New York Area Happenings
It’s Pride Weekend in New York City, and given the recent event in Orlando, New Yorkers are taking to the streets during the parade, marching with The Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence and New Yorkers Against Gun Violence. The group organizing this for Pride March is Disarm Hate for PRIDE.
Go to their Facebook page for information and to find out how you can participate. You must RSVP to be involved.
This past winter, following our one big snow storm of the year, I ventured to Montclair, New Jersey, where the snow banks were piled high, and descended upon the Winter Montclair Food and Wine Festival. It was quite delightful and I sampled wonderful dishes and wines from local extraordinary chefs and restaurants.
And now with the warm weather of summer upon us, there is another presentation from the Montclair Food and Wine Festival to enjoy. This time it is Bar-B-Que, Bourbon and Biergarten.
This BBQ themed tasting event will feature sweet and savory dishes from the area’s top chefs, and bourbon and beer from local artisans, as well as national brands. There will be a BBQ competition, music, and much more.
It’s happening Saturday, July 9 from 6-10 PM at the Montclair Art Museum, 3 South Mountain Avenue, Montclair, new Jersey
Finally, I hope you’ll join me Tuesday evening, 6/28, at the beautiful new Sheen Center for Thought and Culture, when I interview rock drumming legend Carmine Appice in my next installment of “Hit Makers” there.
Carmine will talk about his new auto-biography, play some classic tunes, take questions and sign books.
Wine, beer and snacks are available for sale. Get the details.
Valerie Smaldone is a 5-time Billboard Magazine Award winner and is well known for her unprecedented success holding the #1 on-air position in the New York radio market on 106.7 Life-FM, an iHeart station. She has hosted, produced, and created several award-winning nationally syndicated programs featuring in-depth interviews with stars like Paul McCartney, Celine Dion, Rod Stewart, Elton John and Mariah Carey among others. Her radio talk show "Bagels and Broadway" highlighted theatre and food personalities. She is an accomplished interviewer and voice artist heard on commercials, narrations, promos and audiobooks, as well as a sought after live announcer.
Most recently, Valerie produced and directed a film, The Thursday Night Club, featuring pop diva Gloria Gaynor in her movie acting debut. She is one of the creators and producers of a docu-series, Divine Renovation, starring Erik Estrada, on streaming networks soon.
