Our roving photographer takes us to an old school shoe repair shop this week. We have also posted a must watch video tribute to the people of Ukraine, produced by Joan Liman, Never Again.  Funny Girl is back on Broadway but there are a lot of mean girls who are body shaming the star. Valerie Smaldone found the best gourmet tacos she has ever tasted, in Rockland County. Two fab cabaret shows are happening this month. There are two great reasons to head to Chelsea today: The Japanese Food Fest and the Manhattan Vintage Show. And we hope you will join us on May 13 for our Renewal Summit.

Join us at The Renewal Summit a day of inspiring speakers and panelists, exhibitors, lunch, a wine reception and the chance to meet other awesome women. Speakers include: Tamsen Fadal (WPIX anchor); Dr. Robi Ludwig (nationally known psychologist & award winning reporter); Valerie Smaldone (media personality, actress, producer); Maris Croswell (Brand director at P&G); Barbara Shipley,  Chief Brand Officer, AARP, among others. GET THE DETAILS.

Never Again is Now

Our friend, Dr. Joan Liman, producer and founder of LimeAide Productions, like many of us has been inspired by the bravery and resilience being demonstrated by the people of Ukraine against the tyranny of a modern-day dictator. This motivated her to update the lyrics to a song sung by Jewish partisans in WWII as they valiantly fought Hitler’s war against the Jews. Watch it now.

If a Girl Isn’t Pretty

Marjorie J. Levine (author, comic, blogger) is standing up for Beanie Feldstein, who plays Fanny Brice in the Broadway revival of Funny Girl (now in previews.)  The social media critics are at it with comments about her voice, but most shocking about her personal physical appearance, and are body shaming her. READ MORE.

April 9. The Manhattan Vintage Show

Hurry right now to the Metropolitan Pavilion in Chelsea for The Manhattan Vintage Clothing Show featuring New York City’s greatest collection of vintage clothing, accessories and antique textiles from the last century and more. Over 90 dealers showcase their collections of vintage clothing, jewelry, accessories and textiles that reflect every era, style and point of view capturing the history of fashion. Find fashion from the 20th century through the 21st century and all decades in between. Manhattan Vintage is an invitation to vintage lovers of all backgrounds, ages, and tastes to experience this extraordinary world of vintage for all. Get the details.

Apr 9. JAPAN Food Festival

Yes, the festival celebrating Japanese cuisine returns to the streets of Chelsea, at Six Avenue between 24-26 Streets. There is an amazing array of Japanese food vendors, and you can sample your way through them. You’ll also find vintage kimono scarves, collectable items and much more. Get the details.

April 10 & 21. Celia Berk is Back at Laurie Beechman Theatre

Bistro, BroadwayWorld, MAC, and Margaret Whiting Award winner Celia Berk will return to the Laurie Beechman Theatre in April for three performances following a successful, sold-out debut of On My Way To You: Improbable Stories That Inspired An Unlikely Path. In her new show, Celia Berk explores the courage and daring of iconic performers including Al Jolson, Maria Callas and Barbara Cook, and the deep impression they left on her. The songs are as unexpected as the stories, from Tin Pan Alley to Pop and more. Tedd Firth and Mark Nadler’s arrangements provide new ways of looking at classics. Tickets and more information are available here: April 10^th at 4PM, April 21^st at 7PM, and April 27^th at 7PM. Mark Nadler directs. Tedd Firth is the Music Director and accompanist.

April 30. The Rox and Roe Review

Two beautiful songstress’s Roe Piccolo, who is another one of our Tomatoes Got Talent Alum, and Rozanne Scarpelli are teaming up for a wonderful night of music at Don’t Tell Mama.  Tickets are $20. Reserve now.

Old School Shoe Repair

This week our roving photographer, Nicole Freezer Rubens is in Carnegie Hill in an old school shoe repair shop. She writes:

“I do adore all of New York City’s mom and pop shops and the abundance of shoemakers really brings me back. There are not many interesting statistics I can offer, but I can describe the sights, sounds and smells I experienced walking into Pavlov’s Repair. The long narrow shop in a brownstone on a side street in Carnegie Hill has not changed much since it opened its doors in 1974. One is greeted by vintage neon signage and an old school wall clock. The visual stimulation of hundreds of colorful shoe care items lining shelves from floor to ceiling is a tad frenetic, energizing the small store.

The focal point is the fading red Formica counter, behind which a team of family members work to greet and fix wounded shoes, beaten down from pounding the concrete city sidewalks. The smell of polish, rubber and glue abound and the chatter of regulars and neighbors talking, bounces off the black and white tile floor. Umbrellas hang all around, waiting to be sold and provide protection. Original and newer cabinetry blend together and wrinkled and dented shopping bags used to bring shoes in, go home with other patrons like a grab bag exchange. Pavlov’s does deliver, but I think most people like to come in to pick up their salvaged and now renewed shoes, and find comfort in the quick and simple slice of life experience at Pavlov’s shoe repair. Nicole is the author of The Long Pause and the Short Breath.  Follow her on Instagram@nfrconsult.