While you’re waiting for more of NYC to open, there are some wonderful day trips you can take to Long Island, including the vineyards of the North Fork. If you’ve done every virtual museum tour, here’s good news. The New York Historical Society (pending approval) will have an outdoor exhibit and the MET has a tentative opening date. With this beautiful weather, take a walk and discover the 35 new outdoor art exhibitions all around the city. Missing Broadway? Check out Randie Levine Miller’s virtual Broadway finds. And Valerie Smaldone shares three stories about having, keeping and providing faith.

Aug. 14. Hope Wanted – An Outdoor Exhibit at the NYHS

The New-York Historical is temporarily closed but pending approvals, they plan to reopen August 14 with a free, outdoor exhibition, Hope Wanted: New York City Under Quarantine, in their rear courtyard. On September 11, the Museum will reopen indoors, with safety protocols in place for visitors and staff. YAY!

Art Lovers Rejoice

There are 35 new outdoor art exhibitions being installed all around the city. There are five Tony Cragg: Monumental Sculptures that now grace the Park Avenue Mall from 52nd Street to 79th Street. The famed Bowery Art Wall will present the work of Tristan Eaton. Check out Gotham to Go and get a tour of all of the new outdoor art.  

 This month, the famed Bowery Art Wall will present the work of Tristan Eaton ~ who happens to be launching a new book this month.

Wonderful Day Trips

While the city is still opening, grab a car and head to Long Island for some wonderful day trips. The Planting Fields in Oyster Bay are a delight as are the Westbury Gardens. And one of our most favorite parts of Long Island is the North Fork and the vineyards are now open!

Planting Fields in Oyster Bay – Long Island

The Planting Fields Arboretum State Historic Park is the premier public garden and Gold Coast estate. Located in Oyster Bay, and originally landscaped by the Olmsted Brothers, the grounds feature 409 acres of greenhouses, rolling lawns, formal gardens, woodland paths and outstanding plant collections. The original historic estate buildings remain intact including Coe Hall, a 65-room Tudor Revival mansion designed by Walker & Gillette. The interior of the house is a showcase of artistry and craftsmanship. https://plantingfields.org/

Old Westbury Gardens – Long Island

Another beautiful estate and gardens, will open for general admission on July 1. Old Westbury Gardens, listed on the National Register of Historic Places, is the former home of John S. Phipps, his wife, Margarita Grace Phipps and their four children. Completed in 1906 by the English designer, George A. Crawley, the magnificent Charles II-style mansion is nestled amid 200 acres of formal gardens, landscaped grounds, woodlands, ponds and lakes. Westbury House is furnished with fine English antiques and decorative arts from the more than fifty years of the family’s residence. Advance Reservations required.

North Fork Vineyards

The tasting rooms in our favorite vineyards are ready to welcome you back to Long Island Wine Country. And the farm stands are open too. Get the details.

Randie’s Broadway Picks

If you’re missing Broadway this is a good chance to catch up on shows you may have missed and Randie Levine-Miller has found some more gems this week.

Crazy for You

This is a first-class production… A revival of the very popular Gershwin’s Musical “Crazy for You”done at the Papermill Playhouse in 1999 ….A delicious musical filled with great singing and dance numbers.

Lincoln Center Theater – Act One (2014)

James Lapine wrote and directed “Act One” “, Based on Moss Hart’s best-selling memoir..   it was produced at Lincoln Center theater in 2014 starring Tony Shalhoub, Santino Fontana and Andrea Martin.. this free stream is only available through July 3.

LIZA MINNELLI THE ULTIMATE EVENT DETROIT

This is indeed “The Ultimate Event” with Liza Minnelli, Frank Sinatra and Sammy Davis, Jr. A combination documentary and a most entertaining concert  with three of the biggest legends in show business… Sidebar, this was filmed three months before Sammy Davis died.

Brigadoon at City Center

This is the complete Brigadoon by Lerner and Loewe, which was presented at City Center’s Encores in 2017  with a 30 piece orchestra and some great voices including Kelly O’Hara and Patrick Wilson. And the great dancer Robert Fairchild .. I was never a fan of this piece until I saw it done at Encores.. Beautiful music, singing and dancing… A wonderful antidote to what’s going on in our world today!

Sister Act (Broadway)

Not sure how I unearthed this upbeat Alan Menken musical from 2011 starring Patina Miller and Victoria Clark directed by Jerry Zaks.. based on the popular movie…Wonderful production numbers… It’s a total delight !