On the good news front, New York City’s museums have the green light to open on August 23rd, so stay tuned for opening plans.  In more good news, The Hester Street Fair re-opens today. Live jazz has returned to Bryant Park, and don’t miss the flags at Rock Center. On the bad news front, the 911 Tribute Lights will not happen. And Valerie Smaldone interviewed acclaimed chef David Burke on what has to happen to save the restaurant business. Our Broadway Babe has more fabulous picks today to keep us safely entertained at home. And we have a special invitation to a global event that will help you cope with an uncertain future.

This Week’s Highlighted Restaurant

We’ve been highlighting restaurants where Tomatoes are dining outside and sending us their photos. Remember all those episodes of Sex in the City at Buddkan? Well now you can enjoy their outdoor dining and their Asian Fusion cuisine. Located in Chelsea at 75 9th Ave, New York.  (212) 989-6699.  If you have restaurant you want us to highlight, just email us a photo and the details.

Hester Street Fair Opens Today

Great news. You can head to the lower east side this weekend for the re-opening of the Hester Street Fair, now in its 11th season. It will operate both Saturdays and Sundays from August 15th till October 31st, 11 am to 6 PM. Get the details.

The Flag Project at Rock Center: RAISING UP NYC

Consider a stroll to Rockefeller Center to view the flags surrounding the rink. You’ll see 193 flags designed by Jeff Koons, Marina Abramović, Christian Siriano, KAWS and a handful of big artists and everyday New Yorkers too. The themes celebrate love, unity, diversity, and designs that are as unique as they are vibrant. Get the details.

Jazz Afternoons at Bryant Park

The jazz piano series, a mainstay since 2004, has returned for three afternoons a week.  New York City’s finest ragtime, stride, and jazz pianists perform select weekdays in Bryant Park, typically Mondays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays at 12:30 PM. The next one is Tuesday Aug. 18th at 12:30 PM. Get details.

Changing Conversations for a Changing World: A Highly Interactive Learning Event

Are you at the end of your day sitting in precisely the same space you were at 7.30 this morning, after endless virtual meetings, technical glitches, and ever-changing goalposts, are you feeling just a little overwhelmed? Then there’s your team. How are they [the team] doing? Are they focused on the right things individually and collectively? You are not alone in missing personal connection!

Changing Conversations for a Changing World is a highly interactive learning event led by 24 global experienced speakers, facilitators, and executive coaches who help you strengthen your leadership power* (it’s not what you think). Learn how to cope with an uncertain future, where the only constant is… change.

10% discount for Tomatoes with code: CIQEU2020.  Get all the details.

From the Beach Boys to Jerry Herman

If you’re in need of some entertainment to brighten your day, our Broadway Babe, Randie Levine Miller has some terrific finds. Like a fab documentary on The Beach Boys, the original Broadway performance of 9 to 5: The Musical, and an Evening with Jerry Herman and more!

9 to 5: The Musical

… with music and lyrics by Dolly Parton, based on the1980 movie, this 2009 feel good show is what I would call “totally delicious“… it ran on Broadway for only 148 performances (which I will never understand) as this was such an audience pleasing shows…And what a cast!… Stephanie J. Block,  Megan Hilty, Allison Janney, Marc Kudisch, and Andy Karl…All have achieved amazing success since then… Enjoy!

The Making of West Side Story

From 1985, the delightful documentary, “The Making Of West Side Story”, Conducted by the maestro himself, composer Leonard Bernstein…The world’s leading opera singers gathered to make this outstanding recording. Starring Kiri Te Kanawa, Jose Carreras and Tatiana Troyanos.

The Beach Boys: Wouldn’t It Be Nice

I stumbled upon this documentary on YouTube… and think it’s something most tomatoes/baby boomers will love. The Beach Boys: Wouldn’t It Be Nice…which tells their story from the formation of the group in 1961 going up until 2005, which is when the BBC produced this fabulous film. Who doesn’t like The Beach Boys?

An Evening with Jerry Herman, Up Close & Personal

Recorded at the Kennedy Center, this has ASCAP’s director of Musical Theater, Michael Kerker in conversation with legendary and beloved songwriters, Jerry Herman (who recently died), as well as Jason Graae, Debbie Gravitte and Ron Raines singing Jerry’s songs… legendary Broadway musical director, Don Pippin accompanys on the piano…. and Jerry also performs… from 2009…. A total treat for Broadway music lovers!

Ring Them Bells

A Kander and Ebb Celebration aired on PBS’s Live From Lincoln Center, in 2013 as part of The American Songbook series at Jazz at Lincoln Center…It starred Joel Grey, Chita Rivera, the late beautiful Marin Mazzie and Jason Danieley (Marin’s husband)..with Rob Fisher, musical directing. Great showstoppers singing great showstopping songs by 2 of the most notable theater songwriters of the last 50 plus years… A very uptempo, upbeat delightful show… And you can see the beautiful view from JALC’s Allen Room … Try it, you’ll like it!!

Get the details.