Rotterdam Philharmonic - John Scott Reed - The Oscars - The Heidi Chronicles

Monday==>Yesterday was an excellent day for your favorite blogger here in The Big Apple, The Greatest City In The World ... so ...

Let’s get started with Billi Pod’s report(s), in chronological order, on the day’s activities ... starting with ...

The classical music concert at Lincoln Center ... 

ROTTERDAM PHILHARMONIC ORCHESTRA @ Avery Fisher Hall - The program was:

Brahms - Piano Concerto No. 1 (performed by Nicholas Angelich); and,

Tchaikovsky - Symphony No. 5

A totally remarkable and enjoyable concert.

My discounted TDF seat was super-excellent, in the orchestra, row O, dead center.

The program got off to a rather unusual beginning ... at the scheduled starting time of 3:00pm the orchestra was on stage, doing warm ups, with a lot of empty seats. Then, the director, Yannick Nezet-Seguin, who has been described as ...“the greatest generator of energy on the international podium” ... came on stage to tell us that 1/2 of the orchestra had been stranded overnight in Chicago, due to the weather, but they had just arrived at the Hall 5 minutes ago .. so ... there would be at least another 15 minutes before they would be ready.

I assume this also meant that the full orchestra would be performing without rehearsal time.

Sure enough, in 15 minutes the rest of the seats were filled and the concert got underway.

Nicholas Angelich’s performance of Brahms Piano Concerto No. 1 was stellar and he received a well-deserved standing ovation.

Then, it was the highlight, Tchaikovsky’s majestic Symphony No. 5 elegantly performed by the orchestra and energetically lead by Nezet-Seguin. When it was completed the audience gave the orchestra a roaring standing ovation.

Yeah ... it was just what your favorite blogger wanted/needed.

I left Avery Fisher Hall with a big smile on my face.

Subwayed back to the apartment and waited to begin the next part of my events ... dinner with John Scott Reed aka Fabson.

We had an outstanding meal at Southern Hospitality, a BBQ restaurant located at the corner of 45th and 8th Avenue in my Hell’s Kitchen ‘hood. 

I had their ribs and chicken combo-platter and it was delicious.

The restaurant wasn’t packed, as it usually is, so Scott and I had plenty of time for some much needed/wanted catching up. He is so involved in his job at FacebookNY. He loves his job and his teammates and all of the world-traveling he has been doing.

When we finished we split and I came back to the apartment and settled in to watch THE 87TH ACADEMY AWARDS CEREMONY, hosted by Neil Patrick Harris and carried on ABC.

Man, the 3 1/2 hours plodded along and the first hour was totally boring, saved a bit by NPH’s opening musical number.

I really like NPH, but I was kinda disappointed with his performance as host. Most of his jokes just weren’t funny.

The highlights of the evening, for me, were John Legend and Common performing “Glory” from Selma, and Lady Gaga performing a medley tribute to The Sound of Music.

As far was the awards were concerned, I have no quibble with any of them. There were no real surprises or upsets.

In yesterday’s posting I listed my predictions for the 6 major categories. I was correct on 4==>Best Picture, Best Actress, Supporting Actor and Supporting Actress.

I kinda tied on Best Actor, won by Eddie Redmayne. I had predicted the winner would be Michael Keaton but said that Redmayne should win.

Totally lost on Director, won by Alejandro Inarritu for Birdman over my prediction of Richard Linklater for Boyhood.

One good thing for me during the show ... at each boring acceptance speech, except for Eddie Redmayne, I hit the mute button on my remote and then got off the couch and briskly walked around the apartment. Did the same thing at commercial breaks. 

The 3 1/2 hour running time allowed me to record 2 miles ... not bad. This, going to Lincoln Center and walking to the restaurant resulted in total mileage for the day of==>5.60 miles. Yep, not bad.

So ... my loyal and faithful readers and followers ... this brings you up-to-date on Billi Pod’s excellent Sunday.

Moving on ...

Today will be your favorite blogger’s usual errands and chores day ... then ... for the evening will be ...

A Broadway show ... 

8:00==>THE HEIDI CHRONICLES - “This Broadway revival of Wendy Wasserstein’s Pulitzer Prize-winning play charts 19 characters through 13 scenes in three decades and four cities, as three unlikely friends come to realize that the fight for what you believe in can bring you a long way … maybe.” (Broadway - discounted TDF ticket)

This show has a stellar cast headed by Golden Globe Award winner Ellisabeth Moss, Emmy nominee Jason Biggs, and Tony nominee Bryce Pinkham.

Tonight is the first preview performance. 

It is playing at the Music Box Theatre on West 45th Street, has a running time of 2:35, including intermission, and runs through August 9th. 

We will close this out with a weather update==>11:30am, cloudy, 20º, wind chill 7º. The overnight low is predicted to be only 2º. Brrrrr!!

Yesterday’s Pedometer mileage==>5.60  miles (or, 12,245 steps)

Total mileage for the week==>26.62 miles (average 3.80 miles per day)

Total mileage for 2015==>217.84 miles (average 4.08 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.”

More Snow - Carnegie Hall Concert - Rotterdam Philharmonic Orchestra - John Scott Reed - Oscar Predictions

Sunday==>Well, my loyal and faithful readers and followers, yesterday was another nasty weather day here in The Big Apple, The Greatest City In The World. 

It began snowing around 2:00pm and snowed for several hours with accumulations that later turned basically into ice and slush on the sidewalks and at the crosswalks.

As I posted yesterday, I went to the Food Emporium across the street from my apartment building. As I was walking back with bags of stuff it began to snow. Luckily I made it back to the apartment before the heavier snow arrived.

I just chilled (no pun intended) for the remainder of the afternoon, had the usual fruit and cheese plate, and then it was time to brave the elements to subway up to Carnegie Hall on West 57th Street for my 8:00pm concert.

When I left the building it was lightly snowing/sleeting again and it was majorly nasty due to the accumulated ice and show.

I walked very very carefully. At the end of my block a 30s lady walking toward me took a serious fall. I am assuming it was due to black ice. She didn’t appear to injure herself though and that was good.

At this point I began to wonder why the fuck I was subjecting myself to the possibility of a serious slip-and-fall. Did I head back to the apartment? Of course not ... I continued on and made it to Carnegie Hall at bit early, so I walked the 57th street subway platforms for some much needed mileage.

Picked up my comp. ticket, which was acceptable, in the orchestra, row C, dead center. A little closer than I like, but acceptable. I figured I could move back at intermission if I wanted to.

The lobby was really messy as a result of people bringing ice and snow inside with them when they arrived. Saw an older lady slip and almost fall on her back. Lucky for her someone caught her mid-fall.

At this point I made the following mental note to self ...

Self==>you’ve got to face the truth ... breaking your hip is not worth trying to avoid trouble with a ticket service for not picking up a ticket. In the future ... be real ... you ain’t indestructible ... you just ain’t.

Then, the entertainment Gods gave your favorite blogger a major reprimand because ... the concert ...

TRINITY CHOIR @ Carnegie Hall - The program was:

Ives - Symphony No. 4; and

Ginastera - Turbae ad Passionem Gregorianam,

was a total downer for me.

The Ives Symphony just didn’t work for me, or, for that matter, for the people seated around me. It was atonal dreck projected with earsplitting volume for 40 minutes.

In the program and in the press blurb it was described as being “... the greatest 20th century masterpiece you’ve never heard.”

Hey, Mr. Director==>the reason it hasn’t been heard is because it sucks

When the Ives fiasco was over I fled the Hall because I just didn’t want to spend another hour listening to the Ginastera work which was also described as being “... the greatest 20th masterpiece you’ve never heard.”

I very carefully walked from the Port Authority Bus Terminal back to the apartment and made it back OK ... but it was scary ... it really was.

Now ... what about today?

Well, my loyal and faithful readers and followers, today is developing into a very interesting day .... beginning with ...

Much better weather ... at 11:00am it is cloudy but the temperature is above freezing for the first time in days and days. Yes, it is a balmy 34º, with no wind chill factor.

Then, Billi Pod has ... 

A classical music concert at Lincoln Center ... 

3:00==>ROTTERDAM  PHILHARMONIC ORCHESTRA @ Avery Fisher Hall - The program is:

Brahms - Piano Concerto No. 1 (performed by Nicholas Angelich); and,

Tchaikovsky - Symphony No. 5

(classical music concert - discounted TDF ticket)

I am, of course, very familiar with both of these works and this is why I booked this event.

When the concert is over I will subway back to the apartment and then ... 

I will meet up with John Scott Reed aka Fabson for early dinner some place in my immediate Hell’s Kitchen ‘hood.

The details are incomplete as I am preparing this posting. The important thing is that we are going to have some much needed/wanted facetime and that is excellent.

Then, after dinner I will come back to the apartment and settle in to watch ...

8:30==>THE 87TH ACADEMY AWARDS CEREMONY, hosted by Neil Patrick Harris and carried on ABC.

Now ... my loyal and faithful readers and followers, here are Billi Pod’s predictions for the Oscar winners in the major categories ... tada ... 

BEST PICTURE

Birdman

Boyhood

American Sniper

The Grand Budapest Hotel

The Imitation Game

Selma

The Theory of Everything

Whiplash

Will win: Birdman

Should win: Boyhood

Possible major upset: American Sniper

DIRECTOR

Richard Linklater - Boyhood

Alejandro Inarritu - Birdman

Bennett Miller - Foxcatcher

Wes Anderson - The Grand Budapest Hotel

Morten Tydum - The Imitation Game

Will win: Richard Linklater

Should win: Linklater

BEST ACTOR

Eddie Redmayne - The Theory of Everything

Michael Keaton - Birdman

Steve Carell - Foxcatcher

Bradley Cooper - American Sniper

Benedict Cumberbatch - The Imitation Game

Will win: Michael Keaton

Should win: Eddie Redmayne

BEST ACTRESS

Julianne Moore - Still Alice

Reese Witherspoon - Wild

Marion Cotillard - Two Days, One Night

Felicity Jones - The Theory of Everything

Rosamund Pike - Gone Girl

Will win: Julianne Moore

Should win: ?????

SUPPORTING ACTOR

J.K. Simmons - Whiplash

Edward Norton - Birdman

Robert Duvall - The Judge

Ethan Hawke - Boyhood

Mark Ruffalo - Foxcatcher

Will win: J.K. Simmons

Should win: Ethan Hawke

SUPPORTING ACTRESS

Patricia Arquette - Boyhood

Emma Stone - Birdman

Laura Dern - Wild

Keira Knightley - The Imitation Game

Meryl Streep - Into the Woods

Will win: Patricia Arquette

Should win: Arquette

You are so very welcome.

As usual, when the winners take the stage to begin their ponderous and overlong “thank-you’s” Billi Pod will hit the mute button on his remote.

OK, everyone ... time to post this and then get ready for my afternoon’s concert ...

Yesterday’s Pedometer mileage==>4.23  miles (or, 8,254 steps)

Total mileage for 2015==>212.24 miles (average 4.08 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.”

Cold - Fashions for Men - Trinity Choir - Jack McBrayer & Triumph the Insult Comic Dog - Rudy, Shut the F**k Up.

Saturday==>It’s still very very cold here in The Big Apple, The Greatest City In The Word ... but, you loyal and faithful readers and followers already know this ... so ... let’s just move on to things that are more important ... like ...

Oh ... yeah ... snow is in the forecast for the afternoon and into the evening ... whatever ... let’s move on to ... 

Billi Pod’s report card on last night’s entertainment event ...

The Off Broadway show ...

FASHIONS FOR MEN, shop owner Peter Juhasz is a saintly beacon of decency who only sees the good in everyone - making him easy prey for the sinners who surround him. When his wife steals his last dollar and runs off with his top salesman, Peter is on his own, facing bankruptcy. Will he wise up and learn to protect himself from those who would take advantage of his goodness?==>A

There is so much to like in this revival of the Ferenc Molnar comedy set in Budapest. Yes, by today’s standards the 3 act, two intermission, 2:40 running time is long ... but ... it flies by as your attention is focused on what is happening on stage.

The story line is a bit convoluted and the ending is pretty predictable but no matter because it is totally involving and you really care about what happens to Peter.

The cast is outstanding, especially Joe Delafield as Peter, Rachel Napoleon as Paula, everyone’s “love” interest, and Kurt Rhodes as the Count, who is Peter’s mentor/benefactor/opponent.

The rest of the cast play multiple roles.

The scene changes between acts are amazing, the costumes are very realistic and the sets are perfect.

Yeah, I found this to be a totally enjoyable theater experience and I joined the rest of the sold-out house in giving the actors a well-deserved roaring round of applause at curtain call.

Once again The Mint Theatre put on an excellent production and stayed true to its mission “... to bring new vitality to worthwhile but neglected plays.”

Billi Pod says==>see this show.

It is playing at The Mint Theatre on West 43rd Street, has a running time of 2:40, including two intermissions, and runs through March 29th.

Oh ... a side note==>bet you didn’t know that Molnar also wrote “Liliom” which was the basis for the classic musical “Carousel.” Well, now you do. You are welcome.

Moving on ...

Of course, due to the frigid weather your favorite blogger will remain in the warm and cozy confines of his apartment during the day. He might brave the elements for a quick trip across the street to The Food Emporium.

Then, for the evening he will layer and head out, via subway, up to Carnegie Hall on West 57th Street for ...

8:00==>TRINITY CHOIR @ Carnegie Hall - The program is:

Ginastera - Turbae ad Passionem Gregorianam; and,

Ives - Symphony No. 4

(classical concert - complimentary ticket)

The press blurb for the program states: “It’s Big. 300 musicians. 5 ensembles. 2 conductors. The greatest 20th century masterpieces you’ve never heard.”

Yeah ... no way was I going to miss this.

Moving on some more ...

I am happy to report to you loyal and faithful readers and followers that your favorite blogger totally enjoyed the first performance of the new TV series THE JACK AND TRIUMPH SHOW - featuring Jack McBrayer (“30 Rock”) and Triumph the Insult Comic Dog (“Conan”).

As expected, it is very funny and very in-your-face profane. Just the kinda of humor that Billi Pod loves.

It will be shown on Fridays at 11:30pm on Adult Swim (Cartoon Network).

Billi Pod says==>if you are still up and awake, then check it out.

Oh ... in closing==>will someone please bitch-slap Rudy Giuliani and tell him to just SHUT THE FUCK UP!! 

In his latest rant and rave he said this about Obama ... “The ideas that are troubling me ... come from communists with whom he associated when he was 9 years old.”

Really Rudy? Will you PLEASE just SHUT THE FUCK UP!!

Anyway ... 

HAVE A GREAT WEEKEND ... and ...

STAY WARM EVERYONE IN THE TRI-STATE AREA

Yesterday’s Pedometer mileage==>2.55 miles (or, 5,593 steps)

Total mileage for 2015==>208.01 miles (average 4.08 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.”