We were devastated to hear about the terrible earthquake in Italy this week. Well you can enjoy a great Italian meal and help the victims. Need a one-day getaway? Head to Governor’s Island. And listen up tomatoes, have we got a show for you.

Aug. 29. Special Dinner for Victims of Italy’s Earthquake

Valerie Smaldone is helping her friend Daniele Kucera, proprietor of Etcetera Restaurant on W. 44^th street to publicize a wonderful fundraising dinner that will take place there for the victims of Italy’s earthquake.  And get this…all the wine and food is being donated so 100% of the fee for dinner will go to the Italian Red Cross.  Tickets are $100 (includes tax and gratuity. Dinner starts at 6:30. Reservations can be made: www.etcetcnyc.com/reservations or at 212.399.4141. If you can’t make the dinner you can donate to the Italian Red Cross.

Check out the menu:
Yukon potatoes with caviar (Calvisius company donated the caviar)

Bucatini all’Amatriciana (Amatrice was hit hard and the pasta comes from there – De Cecco is donating)

Ricotta and Black truffles chicken breast with cauliflower puree (Teitel Bros food company and Urbani truffles are donating)

Torta della nonna or similar dessert ( Forno d’Asolo dessert company is donating)

Schiacciata (flat bread) – Prato Bakery is donating

Franciacorta Company, Tricana Company, Gruppo Santa Margherita and Wine4All Company are donating wines

Acqua Rocchetta Company is donating mineral water.

Need a One Day Getaway?

Head to Governors Island.  There’s so much to do, or just do nothing.  Rent a bike, shuck oysters, and kyack (for free.) There’s always something going on and you’ll feel like you’re on vacation.  Here a few highlights:

Sat. Aug. 27. Oyster Shuck. Noon to 4PM.

Enjoy the last rays of summer with an oyster on the half shell and some sweet tunes! Bring the family to enjoy interactive activities and see oysters straight from the harbor. Awesome raffle prizes, great music and oysters, what a great way to end the summer! Get the details.

Aug. 31. Kayak Dock Opening Day

Feeling a little land-locked? Get out on the water! Join the Friends of Governors Island to celebrate the return of free kayaking to Governors Island!

A brand new kayak dock will open for public use on August 31st. Brief remarks and a ribbon-cutting ceremony featuring Manhattan Borough President Gale A. Brewer will be followed by free public kayaking all afternoon, courtesy of The Downtown Boathouse.

Never kayaked but always wanted to? You’re in luck – the new dock, sheltered in a peaceful cove, is especially designed for beginners. The Downtown Boathouse’s mission is to introduce as many New Yorkers to the joys of kayaking as possible. For those with more experience, the new dock’s location in the middle of New York Harbor is a great stopover point for longer trips!

Sept. 19. A Show for Tomatoes

Head to Studio  Theatre on Sept. 19th for a very funny and smart one woman show called, “Are You Serious? Tulis McCall invites the audience into the world of a Woman of a Certain Age. This hilarious and thoughtful show muses on how we ignore and euphemize aging, especially the female variety, until we arrive on its doorstep. Watch a few video clips from the show.

Tulis McCall is an actor, writer, producer and performer. Since 2007, she has hosted Monologues and Madness, an evening of original work read by 12-15 actors, each month at the Cornelia Street Café in Greenwich Village.  She believes theatre is a temple. Period.

MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 19TH @ 7:30PM |THE STUDIO THEATRE @ THEATRE ROW| 410 WEST 42ND STREET, NYC. Tickets are $20.25 (including a $2.25 theatre restoration charge) and are available at the Theatre Row Box Office and online through www.telecharge.com. You may also call Telecharge at 212-239-6200.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_DQmB6Bgf7w&feature=youtu.be