NYC LIFE: Truffles, Violins, Book Festival, Ballet, Renewal, and More
Grand Central Madison launches its full schedule of LIRR trains on Monday. Our roving photographer has captured the beautiful artwork you will experience whether you are taking a train or not. Fine dining on truffles at the Shake Shack? Yes, that’s a thing. “Violins of Hope” is a powerful exhibit that’s in NYC for the first time. Books that have meaning, is the inspiration for the “Books that Changed My Life Festival.” Hurry and catch the last NYCB’s performance of The Sleeping Beauty this season. Valerie Smaldone has the scoop on a new healing center in Westchester. And get your tickets for our upcoming Renewal Summit.
Check out the latest lineup of speakers at this year’s Renewal Summit. Our theme is, “If Not Now, When?” so don’t wait ‘til when. Sign up by March 31st and you’ll be entered to win a stay at a luxury island resort. GET THE DETAILS.
Feb. 26. The Sleeping Beauty
Hurry and experience the last performance this season of one of NYCBs largest productions with this sumptuous staging from the company’s classical roots. The Sleeping Beauty depicts the bewitching fairy tale through peerless classical choreography. Peter Martins’ version streamlines the ballet into two acts, while providing ample pleasures through both its sleek refinement of Marius Petipa’s celebrated choreography and richly evocative settings that bring the story of love, loss, and rebirth to captivating life. GET THE DETAILS.
Roving in Grand Central Madison
Nicole Freezer Rubens is roving this week in the new Grand Central Madison opened on January 25th underneath the iconic Grand Central Terminal. She writes:
“It was built to connect commuters of the Long Island Railroad which uses Penn Station, to the convenience of access to the east side of Manhattan.
Grand Central Madison is the largest railroad terminal built in the US in 67 years. Construction began in 2008 but has been discussed since 1963. It ultimately cost 11.1 billion dollars.
What drew me in to explore the new station without getting on a train was all of the magnificent artwork spread throughout the enormous terminal. The true masterpieces are multiple mosaic murals by artists Kiki Smith and Yayoi Kusama, as well as photographs from the International Center of Photography and video art.
I suggest you head down beneath Grand Central before the new station is fully operational so you too can be alone with the art and run your fingers over the bumpy mosaic tiles, momentarily having the art all you yourself!”
The new schedule for the LIRR to Grand Central Madison starts on Monday Feb. 27th. Get the schedule here.
Nicole Freezer Rubens is the author of “The Long Pause and the Short Breath.” Follow her on Instagram@nfrconsult
Feb. 27-March 2. The White Truffle Experience at Shake Shack
Shake Shack has a new “White Truffle Menu,” and to celebrate, they are offering a $20 per person experience—“The Truffle Table”— to select Shacks across the country, and we’re in luck. The Shake Shack in the West Village is now taking reservations. The experience includes a table for two with fine china, white table clothes; a White Truffle Burger; Truffle Fries; unlimited shake canned wine and more! Reservations just opened, so hurry before they sell out.
Jan. 31-March 28. Violins Of Hope: Every Violin Has Story
Photograph: By Daniel Levin
This powerful exhibition, for the first time New York, is on display at the Herbert & Eileen Bernard Museum at Temple Emanu-El on the Upper East Side. Each violin was saved from the Holocaust. The violins have been lovingly restored and each is living testament to those who were lost, to the triumph of survival and to the power of music — even in the darkest days.
Photo by Kurt Heineke for the Nashville Symphony
Each violin is displayed alongside photographs and the story of its journey as their bittersweet music fills the museum. The violins are accompanied by a powerful series of photographs by Daniel Levin that document Amnon Weinstein, the man behind Violins of Hope, and his masterful restoration processes. GET THE DETAILS.
Now-Feb. 28. Books That Changed My Life
Rendering: Courtesy of JCC
We love the idea behind this new initiative that celebrates the transformational role books play in our lives through a celebration of literature and culture, featuring events inspired by or adapted from beloved literary works, including author conversations, writers’ workshops, weekly storytime, a gallery exhibit, musical concerts, theatrical and film events, and more. Get the details.
Fashion designer Beverley Olivacce is launching a series called BevTalks and the first one will feature Sonia Satra, who will also be a panelist at our Renewal Summit. GET THE DETAILS.
The tomato behind The Three Tomatoes.
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?" and co-author of a humorous books of quips, "Martini Wisdom." Because she's lived a long time, her full bio won't fit here. If you want the "blah, blah, blah", read more. www.thethreetomatoes.com/about-the-head-tomato
