Our author’s event this week with Katherine Mitchell was terrific. We have all the highlights. Another magical evening was Sheree Sano’s tribute show to Cole Porter. Create your own magic at a candlelight concert on Valentine’s Day with a string quartet playing romantic music. It’s always good to learn something new, so check out this “how to make Chinese dumplings class,” a perfect way to celebrate the Lunar New Year. And right now, there are many fun Lunar New Year activities. Our Broadway Babe is back with some terrific YouTube finds for your weekend entertainment. And our roving photographer is roving in a gilded age mansion.

Katherine Mitchell Celebrated at Book Launch Event in NYC

We were very excited to celebrate the publication of Katherine Mitchell’s memoir From Budapest to Hollywood… Searching for the Promised Land, recently published by The Three Tomatoes Publishing. Katherine Mitchell was interviewed by the 3Ts Cheryl Benton. The well-attended event took place at the historic Lambs organization in NYC, America’s oldest professional theatrical club. Check out the video of the interview and photos too!

Sheree Sano Sings Cole Porter

Just after the first of the year, the very talented singer and piano player, Sheree Sano, performed her new show, featuring the music of Cole Porter and stories about his life, at Salmagundi Club in Greenwich Village. She’s getting rave reviews and hopes to perform the show at other venues. We’ll put together a group of Tomatoes so stay tuned. BTW, Sheree is our 2018 Tomatoes Got Talent winner and will be performing in our 2024 show too. Watch the video highlights.

Do You Know About Albertine Books?

If you’re in a Francophile, a lover of books or fine architecture, treat yourself to a visit to Albertine Books. Open since 2014 in the lobby of the Stanford White Gilded Age Payne Whitney mansion at 972 Fifth Avenue, this beautifully adorned shop is committed to French and English books. Part of their mission is to offer programing and to make French literature available to Americans to precipitate an ongoing cultural exchange. Even if you do not speak French, the interiors designed by designer Jacques Garcia, feel like a romantic and private library.

My favorite feature is the deep blue hand painted ceiling of constellations, made in France and moved to New York. Overall, the intimate space is cozy, inviting and always calling for visitors. There is even a new statue of Le Petit Prince sitting outside, waiting to welcome you.

~Nicole Freezer Rubens is the author of poetry/photo book, “The Long Pause and the Short Breath.” Follow her on https://www.instagram.com/nfrconsult/

West Side Story, Once Upon a Mattress, and More

Our Broadway Babe, Randie Levine-Miller has found some really interesting, entertaining and historic videos including the 50th anniversary reunion of the original cast of “West Side Story”; Carol Burnett starring in “Once Upon A Mattress”; Donna McKechnie at Joe’s Pub; as well as Carol Demas, the original Sandy in the Broadway musical “Grease”, singing a song she introduced over 50 years ago. How is it that so many of these women look so great in their 80s? WATCH NOW. 

Valentine’s Day Candlelight Concert

Candlelight concerts bring the magic of a live, multi-sensory musical experience to awe-inspiring locations like never seen before in New York. Get your tickets now to discover the music of Valentine’s Day Special “Romeo and Juliet” & More, played by the Highline String Quartet at Murmrr Theatre in Brooklyn, under the gentle glow of candlelight.

Tentative Program

• “Moon River” from Breakfast at Tiffany’s – Henry Mancini
• “O Mio Babbino Caro” from Gianni Schicchi – Giacomo Puccini
• “Méditation” from Thaïs – Jules Massenet
• “String Quartet No. 2 in D Major: III. Notturno: Andante” – Alexander Borodin
• “Clair de Lune, L.32” – Claude Debussy
• “Libertango” – Astor Piazzolla
• “Love Theme” from Romeo and Juliet – Nino Rota
• “Gabriel’s Oboe” from The Mission – Ennio Morricone
• “My Heart Will Go On” from Titanic – James Horner and Céline Dion
• “Intermezzo” from Cavalleria Rusticana – Pietro Mascagni
• “Serenade for Strings in E Minor, Op. 20: II. Larghetto” – Edward Elgar
• “Fantasy Overture” from Romeo and Juliet – Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky

Get details and tickets.

Learn How to Make Dumplings

Have you ever wanted to unravel the secrets of mouthwatering dumplings? Look no further because your culinary adventure is about to take a flavorful twist! Dive into the world of these delectable, flavor-packed parcels, and discover the art of crafting the perfect dumpling. In this hands-on and inviting class, you’ll explore the craft of crafting dumplings that will tantalize your taste buds. Under the expert guidance of a seasoned chef, you’ll learn the art of wrapping, folding, and filling these delicious morsels. Get your tickets now for this Handmade Dumplings cooking class in NYC! GET THE DETAILS.

Celebrate the Year of the Wood Dragon

Think!Chinatown, a non-profit that supports Manhattan’s Chinatown through art, storytelling, and neighborhood engagement is hosting several fun free events this month. They include chuanghua decoration making with artist Ling Tang, a workshop with Alison Kuro that delves into the practice of building altars, a pop-up teahouse, traditional folk art and crafts, and the annual parade on Mott Street, complete with lion dancing, is on February 25. Get the calendar of programs this month.

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Cheryl Benton, aka the “head tomato” is founder and publisher of The Three Tomatoes, a digital lifestyle magazine for “women who aren’t kids”. Having lived and worked for many years in New York City, the land of size zero twenty-somethings, she was truly starting to feel like an invisible woman. She created The Three Tomatoes just for the fun of it as the antidote for invisibility and sent it to 60 friends. Today she has thousands of friends and is chief cheerleader for smart, savvy women who want to live their lives fully at every age and every stage. She is the author of the novel, “Can You See Us Now?,” “Can You Hear Us Now?”, and co-author of two humorous books of quips, “Martini Wisdom,” and “More Martini Wisdom.” She is also founder and CEO of The Three Tomatoes Book Publishing. Because she’s lived a long time, her full bio won’t fit here. If you want the “blah, blah, blah”, read more.