Blizzard of 2015 - New York Choral Society - Broadway Unplugged

Monday==>What could be the biggest blizzard in the history of The Big Apple, The Greatest City In The World, is forecast to slam into The City today and Tuesday with a projected 30 or more inches of snow.

At 8:00am it was very lightly snowing and the temperature was 24º, wind chill down to 11º.

Your favorite blogger dressed warmly and headed outside to walk the 1/2 block to the post office to mail the first of the month bill payments and stuff ... and ... man ... it was already nasty and unpleasant.

The snow is supposed to get heavier in the early afternoon and run through Tuesday afternoon. Tomorrow the wind will be 25mph to 35mph, with gusts up to 60mph.

I have taken the usual precautions with food, water and stuff, including recharging everything.

And, of course, I have major entertainment events scheduled for tonight and tomorrow night ... but ... folks ... ain’t no way your favorite blogger is gonna brave the elements and expose himself to the icy slushy sidewalks etc ... no fucking way ... that is a promise to family and friends.

Will keep you posted with updates via my Facebook page.

Now ... let’s move on to ...

Billi Pod’s report card on yesterday’s concert ...

NEW YORK CHORAL SOCIETY AND ORCHESTRA @ Carnegie Hall - The program was:

Mendelssohn - “St. Paul” Oratorio

This was a totally enjoyable event, made even better because of the super-titles which allowed the audience to follow the story of the conversion of Saul, later known as the apostle Paul.

The chorus, orchestra and soloists did excellent jobs.

My complimentary ticket was also excellent, in the rear of the center orchestra. Perfecto.

Yeah ... I left Carnegie Hall with a big smile on my face.

Now ... moving on ...

Tonight’s scheduled entertainment event is a concert ...

8:00==>BROADWAY UNPLUGGED 2015 -  “For the 10th year, Scott Siegel presents some of Broadway's best talent, belting it out without a microphone.  The evening stars BARITONES UNBOUND, a magnificent trio of 4-time Tony Nominee Marc Kudisch, Tony Honoree Ben Davis, and the Met Opera Principal Jeff Matsey. They will be joined by Tonya Pinkins, Liz Callaway, Christopher Sieber, Christiane Noll, and Barbara Walsh, and others.” (concert - discounted TDF ticket)

This always enjoyable show is playing at Town Hall on West 43rd Street, has a running time of 2:15, including intermission, and Monday is its only performance date.

Will your favorite blogger risk going outside to see this show? Time will tell ... so ... stay tuned.

BREAKING NEWS==>just received an email notification that tonight’s concert at Town Hall has been cancelled. Oh well ... at least that is a decision I won’t have to make.

STAY WARM EVERYONE IN THE TRI-STATE AREA.

Yesterday’s Pedometer mileage==>5.02 miles (or, 10,978 steps)

Total mileage for the week==>28.78 miles (average 4.11 miles per day)

Total mileage for 2015==>101.86 miles (average 4.07 miles per day)

Billi Pod

“Don’t pick a fight with an old man. If he is too old to fight, he’ll just kill you.”

Weather Report - Film Chanois - New York Choral Society

Sunday==>Your favorite blogger here in The Big Apple, The Greatest City In The World, hopes that you all are having a great weekend. Billi Pod is happy to report to you loyal and faithful readers and followers that his weekend has gone well and that the weather today is acceptable.

Now I realize that “acceptable” has many meanings, depending on where you live ... but this morning we have azure blue skies, puffy clouds, sun and a temperature of 39º, wind chill 33º, at 11:00am ... yeah ... this is "acceptable" for the Northeast ... but ...

Tomorrow and Tuesday we will have snow, sleet and rain ... oh well ...

Let’s move on to ...

Billi Pod’s report card on last night’s Off Broadway show ...

FILM CHINOIS, in 1947 China an American operative on a secret mission becomes enmeshed in a web of intrigue involving a Maoist femme fatale==>B.

No question about it ... this drama brings back memories of classic Hollywood films such as The Maltese Falcon, Citizen Kane, etc. 

The story line has almost too many twists and turns as nothing is as it first appears and this gets a bit old toward the end.

The acting is excellent, especially Roseanne Ma as Chinadoll, the Maoist femme fatale, and Katie Lee Hill as Simone, a Chinese songstress (and other things, too).

The sets, staging and lighting are outstanding.

All-in-all it was an enjoyable and pleasant evening’s entertainment ... so ...

Billi Pod says==>it is worth seeing.

It is playing at The Theatre Row Complex on my West 42nd Street block, has a running time of 1:30, with intermission, and runs through February 8th.

Another nice thing about the evening ... before the show I met up with Dian Crystal aka My Lady in the theater lobby and we were able to do some brief catching-up. 

My Lady==>looking forward to being with you and Marty aka Whatever on Tuesday at Meske.

Moving on some more ...

Billi Pod’s entertainment event for today is a classical music concert ...

3:00==>NEW YORK CHORAL SOCIETY AND ORCHESTRA @ Carnegie Hall - The program is:

Mendelssohn - “St. Paul” Oratorio

(concert - complimentary ticket)

This oratorio tells the story of the conversion of Saul, later known as the apostle Paul. It consists of three dramatic sections: the martyrdom of St. Stephen, Saul’s conversion, and Paul’s later life of spreading the gospel. This performance will be sung in the original German with English super-titles.

The concert is at Carnegie Hall at 57th Street and 7th Avenue.

I anticipate that my comp. ticket will be in the upper nosebleed section ... but no matter because the acoustics at Carnegie Hall are outstanding, regardless of where you are seated.

OK ... my loyal and faithful readers and followers ... we will close this posting out without any references to DeflateGate ... so ... time to get ready to head out for my concert ...

HAVE A GREAT REST OF THE WEEKEND EVERYONE!! 

Yesterday’s Pedometer mileage==>2.64 miles (or, 5,768 steps)

Total mileage for 2015==>96.84 miles (average 4.04 miles per day)

Billi Pod

“Don’t pick a fight with an old man. If he is too old to fight, he’ll just kill you.”

Yucky Weather - Skillet and Booker - Film Chinois - DeflateGate

Saturday==>It is a dark and dreary morning here in The Big Apple, The Greatest City In The World. At 11:00am it is lightly raining and the temperature is 33º, wind chill down to 26º.

As forecast, it snowed overnight and there was a light accumulation but the rain has taken care of most of that, turning the intersections and crosswalks into a slushy mess.

The prediction is for rain for the remainder of the afternoon and into the evening.

I have canceled my 2:00pm show, at a theatre up on West 54th Street, because I simply didn’t want to brave the elements, particularly the slushy sidewalks and intersections. Fortunately, my show for the evening (details below) is at a theatre just a few steps away from my apartment building.

So ... let’s just get today’s posting underway with Billi Pod’s report card on last night’s Off Broadway show ...

SKILLET AND BOOKER: MATTERS OF THE HEART, music teacher Audie Booker is looking for love wherever she can find it. Musician/teacher Skillet Mahoney is looking to avoid love at all costs. Skillet and Booker are hilarious as they come face to face with all aspects of matters of the heart==>B+

In-your-face-funny and extremely well-performed with often very risqué humor. The performance space is very small and the actors are often times only inches away from the audience. The two actors create 7 unique characters during the show, each one motivated by “matters of the heart.”

The two performers, Kenneth Crutchfield and Terry Ballard, are a husband and wife comedy-duo and they have been performing SKILLET AND BOOKER since 2007. They have been at their current venue for almost a year.

Billi Pod says==>If you want good acting and kinda silly humor, then this is the show for you.

It is playing at the Harley House on West 46th Street, has a running time of 1:15, without intermission, and runs on Fridays only through March 27th.

Moving on to tonight’s entertainment event ...

The Off Broadway show ...

7:30==>FILM CHINOIS - “An atmospheric mystery set in 1940s China in which an American operative on a secret mission becomes enmeshed in a web of intrigue involving a Maoist femme fatale.” (Off Broadway - complimentary ticket)

Hummmmmmm ... not sure what “an atmospheric mystery” is ... we will see, I guess.

This show, which is billed as ... “in the vein of classic Hollywood films such as The Maltese Falcon”... is playing at The Theatre Row Complex on my West 42nd Street block, has a running time of 2:15, with intermission, and runs through February 8th.

We will close out today’s posting with an update for you loyal and faithful readers and followers on DeflateGate as reported in the headlines in this morning’s papers ...

NO BALLS: Goodell & NFL unlikely to take air out of DeflateGate before Super Bowl - back page of The Daily News.

DELAY OF SHAME: League  investigation may drag on past Supe - back page of The NY Post.

And ... in The Gray Lady ...

Gamesmanship Vs. Cheating - front page of the sports section of The New York Times.

You are soooooooo very welcome.

HAVE A GREAT WEEKEND EVERYONE.

Yesterday’s Pedometer mileage==>3.76  miles (or, 8,234 steps)

Total mileage for 2015==>94.20 miles (average 4.10 miles per day)

Billi Pod

“Don’t pick a fight with an old man. If he is too old to fight, he’ll just kill you.”

TGIF - No One Loves Us Here - Skillet and Booker - DeflateGate

Friday==>A huge TGIF shout-out to all of my loyal and faithful readers and followers and especially to my Worker Bee friends.

Just remember Worker Bee friends ... your weekend doesn’t begin until at least 5:05pm and you have been previously warned that your basically unhappy bosses are watching your every move on those state-of-the-art clandestine spy-cams located throughout your workspace.

Now ... moving on ...

The weekend weather forecast for the Big Apple, The Greatest City In The World, ain’t good at all. Saturday will see up to 3” of snow mixed with heavy rain. It clears up on Sunday but then more snow for Monday. Barf!!

Oh, well ... let’s stay in the here and now ... with ...

Billi Pod’s report card on last night’s Off Broadway show ...

NO ONE LOVES US HERE, Washington, a young Native American, is invited to stay in the Beaumont's guest house. The couple, both unhappy in their marriage, use him to help them escape their unhappiness. When Washington begins to fall in love with Mrs. Beaumont, his manipulative actions pits family member against family member, leading to a bloodbath==>MW<==as is MAJORLY WEIRD.

The story line begins with a totally unbelievable and weird concept and it becomes weirder and weirder as the show progresses. I really can’t give more details without spoiling the final graphic scene, which makes the whole evening seem/feel kinda worthwhile.

And, of course, being described as a “dark comedy” it ... tada ...  turns out to be much much more dark than comedic.

The 5-person cast is, however, excellent, headed by Anthony Michael Irizarry as Washington and Christian Ryan as Mr. Beaumont.

Billi Pod says==>if you want something well-acted but weird, then see this show ... if not ... stay far far away.

It is playing at Urban Stages on West 30th Street, has a running time of 1:45, with intermission, and runs through February 7th.

Tonight’s entertainment event is 180º different ...

8:00==>SKILLET AND BOOKER: MATTERS OF THE HEART - “Music teacher Audie Booker is looking for love wherever she can find it. Musician/teacher Skillet Mahoney is looking to avoid love at all costs. Skillet and Booker are hilarious as they come face to face with all aspects of matters of the heart.” - (Off Broadway - complimentary ticket)

This long-running and well-reviewed comedy is playing at the Harley House on West 46th Street, has a running time of 1:30, including intermission, and runs on Fridays only, through March 27th.

Moving on some more ...

Yesterday’s arrest of Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver on federal charges of bribery and corruption kicked DeflateGate off the front pages of the local newspapers ... but ... never fear ... Brady and Belichick still made headlines ... 

MY BALLS ARE PERFECT: Glamour boy Brady says he doesn’t alter pigskin, but ex-QBs don’t buy it - back page of The Daily News

BALLS#!T: Brady, Belichick deny any role in Deflategate - back page of The NY Post.

Nope. No Idea. Not Me. Next. - front page of the sports section of The New York Times.

Wow!! The drama. You know, I seem to remember that there is another football game to be played somewhere, sometime, someplace ... but maybe I am just dreaming ... 

In closing ... I am happy to report that Wednesday’s BUDAPEST FESTIVAL ORCHESTRA concert just received a rave review in The New York Times, which ended with: “... all the elements of performance worked as one, each in balance. All in a night’s work for what might be the best orchestra in the world.” WOW!! Now that’s a rave review.

HAVE A GREAT WEEKEND EVERYONE.

Yesterday’s Pedometer mileage==>4.03 miles (or, 8,807 steps)

Total mileage for 2015==>90.44 miles (average 4.11 miles per day)

Billi Pod

“Don’t pick a fight with an old man. If he is too old to fight, he’ll just kill you.”

DeflateGate - Budapest Festival Orchestra - No One Loves Us Here

Thursday==>You know, just when you think the local papers can’t get any slimier in their coverage of DeflateGate, the following appears on the front page of today’s NY Post ...

It is a full-page photograph of Patriots QB Tom Brady and his wife Gisele Bundchen and superimposed on it is this, coming out of Gisele’s mouth==>TOMMY, WHY DID YOUR BALLS GO SOFT?

Unfortunately, the Post’s website has blocked downloads of this journalistic travesty, so this is the best your favorite blogger can do for you loyal and faithful readers and followers.

I am already getting tired of this ... so ... let’s move on to something much more positive ... and that is ...

Billi Pod’s report card on last night’s concert at Lincoln Center ...

BUDAPEST FESTIVAL ORCHESTRA @ Avery Fisher Hall - The program was:

Mozart - Overture to Die Zauberflöte;

Mozart - Violin Concerto No. 5 “Turkish” (performed by Pinchas Zukerman); and,

Brahms - Symphony No. 1

Folks, this was a totally enjoyable evening’s entertainment.

My TDF ticket was excellent, in the orchestra, row X, house right. 

I have to admit that the Violin Concerto didn’t blow me away. It was acceptable but not goose-bump inducing as I had anticipated it would be.

But ... Brahms Symphony No. 1 was beautifully performed, goose-bump inducing and received a roaring standing ovation from the audience. Just what I wanted/needed.

As an encore the orchestra put down their instruments and got together as a chorus and then sang a song written by Brahms (I couldn’t understand the name). The audience was totally taken by surprise. The performers got another roaring standing ovation. I failed to report that this is  what the orchestra did at the conclusion of the January 18th concert.

Yeah ... this was just what I was in the mood for and I left Avery Fisher Hall with a big smile on my face.

Moving on to tonight ...

Billi Pod’s entertainment event for the evening is an Off Broadway show ...

8:00==>NO ONE LOVES US HERE - “Washington, a young Native American, is invited to stay in the Beaumont's guest house. The couple, both unhappy in their marriage, use him to help them escape their unhappiness. When Washington begins to fall in love with Mrs. Beaumont, his manipulative actions pits family member against family member, leading to a bloodbath.” (Off Broadway - complimentary ticket)

I have a feeling this is going to fall into the "loved-it or hated-it category" because it is billed as a “dark-comedy,” which are usually more dark than comedic. We will see.

It is playing at Urban Stages on West 30th Street, has a running time of 1:25, without intermission, and runs through February 7th.

Moving on ...

As some of you loyal and faithful readers and followers will remember ... back on January 14th I canceled my reservation to a show called “Ham” because of the bad weather. I just didn't want to be exposed to the elements.

Yesterday it showed up on one of my ticket services for 2:00pm this coming Saturday, so I immediately rebooked it. Guess what ... today the weather forecast for Saturday afternoon is rain and snow ... WTF??

Oh, well ...

In closing==>S.L. Frisbie and I appreciate all of the favorable responses, texts, posts and emails regarding Wisdom at 74.

Oh, S.L. also reminded me that: “74 is just 47 spelled backwards.”

Yesterday’s Pedometer mileage==>4.31  miles (or, 9,433 steps)

Total mileage for 2015==>86.41 miles (average 4.12 miles per day)

Billi Pod

“Don’t pick a fight with an old man. If he is too old to fight, he’ll just kill you.”