S: Is for shinning stars who show the way

My friend Lee invited me to a 90th birthday party thrown by famed nightlife photographer Patrick McMullan at Guest House and Home for Zelda Kaplan last year. She requested of her guest, who were many that they not give gifts but instead donate to her favorite cause, Women in Africa. The party continued to Lotus, and then to Cain. I was so inspired after meeting this petite dynamo who gives of herself and lives life to the fullest I had to learn more. I have since run into Zelda several times as she is friends with designer Nicole Romano,club owner Amy Sacco and PR guru Laura Rubin all of whom are friends. Zelda and I met on several different occasions and have become admirers of each other her words not mine. For it is hard to compare ones self with someone this giving.


Zelda is my hero. She wakes up every day somewhere around 2 pm in her rent-controlled midtown apartment. She never leaves her abode without her trademark, a massive pair of shades. She doesn’t wait on lines. Instead, the doormen at all the top clubs lift her up over the velvet ropes. She is Manhattan’s oldest social fixture with a social conscience. Over twenty years ago, she started a one woman organization to raise awareness among African women on everything from their own right to inheritance to clitoridectomies. If you have to ask, look it up. When she’s not in Africa, she is making the New York social scene and always raising awareness. Last time I saw her she was raising money for a well. Kaplan is the subject of a documentary, Her Name Is Zelda, which was shown at HBO’s film festival a few years back. She’s been going out for more than 40 years, and wishes there were still places like Rubin’s on East 58th Street, where she’d eat prune pancakes at 3 a.m. and spy on Ginger Rogers. “I hope I’m that fabulous at her age,” says Bungalow’s Amy Sacco.“She’s an inspiration!” adds Tommy Tune, who dropped by to see Kaplan, before she took off to dance at Lotus.



Kaplan is a out spoken except for her two ex-husbands; one made her quit law school to go to Miami Beach, “a cultural desert.” After her second divorce, she taught ballroom dancing—before moving into African social work. While she’s traveling, her energy remains ceaseless. “My God, we were in these African villages, and she’d wake us up at 7 a.m. with hard-boiled eggs, and we’d be off!” says the documentary’s director, Nicole Sampogna.“I think one of the things that keeps me healthy is that I’m not introspective at all,” says Kaplan. “The secret is being interested in things outside of oneself.”In 2006 she was the Queens International Film Festival Humanitarian Award winner.

In a world that thinks more of itself than the next person it is a relief to know people like Zelda are here to show the way. Her example of living life to the fullest extreme while putting those you don't even know or haven't met yet on the front burner makes my thrilled to call Zelda a friend and introduce you to her and that is a honored F.A.C.T.

T: Is for Let's Speak Tango

I was at another event where I was introduced to actor, writer, director Carlo Magaletti who told me about his new production direct from Germany "Let's Speak Tango". I forgot all about it until Carlo called me and invited me to see this production. I grew up on Flamenco having attended performances of Jose Greco at the Hollywood Bowl and later the Greek Theater. I am an avid fan of Forever Tango, Tango Argentina and the tango sequences in Strictly Ballroom so I said I would love to attend. I was sent the following press release.

Let's Speak Tango! tells the story of a couple who meet while dancing the tango: he's Italian and she German. The play, now set in the U.S., intertwines the use of classical and modern forms of tango with dialogue to force the viewer to listen and focus on the emotion of the dance form. Even though they don't speak the same language the couple understands each other perfectly as they fall in love. They learn to communicate by listening to each other through the language of dance. As their relationship grows, Giorgio realizes that the more he learns English, the less they understand each other. The play explores expression through dance, fusing movement with dialogue.

I learned that it was a smash in Munich this past season and played to sold out houses. I couldn't wait to attend so I called Tom and we had a friend Jennifer who was in town so I arranged for us all to attend. Housed until May 6th at the American Theatre of Actors located on 54th street I arrived early to make sure there were no problems which turned out to be good as the seats are on a 1st come 1st serve bases and the show was nearly sold to capacity. Let's Speak Tango is completely intriguing with an array of problems. Let's start with the positive. The main actors Carlo Magaletti as Giorgio and Katja Lechthaler as Elizabeth are charismatic and make the most of the dialogue given. One wishes they danced more and had a stand out number that was just them but I am getting ahead of myself. Tango dancers Diego Blanco, Hernan Brizuela, Heather Gehring, Miwa Kaneko, Ana Padron, Walter Perez and Valeria Solomonoff are spectacular and stand out each in their own way. Fausto Lombardi as Professor Jeff Pillet Mechanic is reminiscent of a Dr Pangloss in Candide or the professor in Rocky Horror. At 1st he's annoying but he grows on you and adds to the tale of the show. The choreography by Valeria Solomonoff has moments of sweeping wonderment such as in the umbrella and broom dances. Now is when I become confused because I am not sure who is to blame for the rest. I tend to think it is Carlo since he is credited as the writer and director. Had I not been sent the press release I would not of known what this was about. It is not set up clearly enough in the 1st number and I have to wonder since it is mostly dance is this not the choreographer's job? There is no beginning, middle or end. Once they move in together it starts to become clearer and the scenes between the two lovers are clever in their miscommunication. In the middle there is this exciting piece of music with drums that would of been the perfect build to a middle yet there was no dance and I was in shock as to why this was left just to listen too. The ending is also disappointing as it either sells out, ran out of time and or money to extend the piece or this is a piece in progress but I left confused and so did most of the audience. The reason I state this is when we got outside other attendees were expressing their likes and disappointments.




This production has a lot of reasons to attend but it needs to workshop to go further. There is something in this quirky piece of dance/theater that is worth developing and also seeing. The admission: $40, the website to check this out www.carlomagaletti.com

When ones goes to the theater it is because they want to be moved and satisfied. I want to fall in love with what I see. I am waiting for that magical moment I am transported into their mindset for that reason I am looking forward to "Coram Boy" for this exact reason and that's a F.A.C.T.

C: Is for the Art of Cabaret

I am always afraid when someone invites me to a play, musical, concert or art show. Mainly because I have been doing The 1st three for so long in an assortment of capacities and art is subjective. I state this because in a sense it is truly unfair for me to judge a singer. Repertoire is never a surprise for me especially if it is in the musical theater, jazz or standard category. My knowledge of this is vast. I am especially reticent if I know and like the person and worse if I know their manager. Thus I write this column with trepidation. Let's start with the plus side. I was invited to Enzo's a jazz/cabaret space that is truly wonderful. Located at the Jolly Hotel 38 E Madison. The room is like a male lounge in it's comfortability. Couches and over stuffed chairs add to the ambiance. My favorite part is two fold. On the walls and on the mantle are schooners and visions of the sea. The wooden beams on the ceiling add not only to the sailing motif but promote a soaring of sound. I immediately wanted to test my chops in the room and see what pyrotechnics it would allow. Enzo himself is adorable and runs the Italian Jazz festival. In addition to the drinks which run $10 for a glass of wine they offer a complimentary cheese and prosciutto appetizer which was welcoming considering I had forgoten to eat. This is a gem of a find and I was glad I attended.

















I came to see Deanne Kirk a jazz artist known for her legendary club Deanna's in the East Village. Deanna's voice is remarkable with a clarity and smoothness that melts like a fine wine, velvety in its texture. Technically this is a perfect instrument however as much as her voice is glorious if one does not connect to the material the saying "Beautiful but vapid" comes to mind. Lets start at the beginning. The show started with Deanna introducing her band which was a quartet. A pianist, a bassist and two saxophones. Now all the musicians were talented in their own rights but two questions are brought to mind: Why give up your power? And why two sax's? After Deanna introduced the band they were suppose to play, but it took a full five minutes. By the time "How High the Moon" started the impact was stale. Her voice proved her vocal prowess and her slides were impeccable. Now as for question two, the bassist wasn't miked and the sax's overpowered. Then one of the sax's was given a solo, his passion over shadowed her voice. The second song was "Bewitched, Bothered and Bewildered". This is a song about longing for a younger irresponsible man who has left you climbing the walls with heat. I love when other people show me a new way to understand a lyric but we sing to communicate and if you are not expressing that, I become the one who is bewildered. Deanna has amazing control but her timing surprises me. The funny thing is she is reminiscent of Rita Hayworth in the movie. In "My Heat belongs to Daddy" and "Daddy" I wanted her to engage the audience and vocally let go. She doesn't. She stays in her comfort zone and it becomes irritating, because like a high powered car you want to see what it can really do. The last song "CC Rider" is 60's driven and Lalo Sheffren influenced, the piano was hot! The piano also shinned in "How Insensitive". To me if you are playing in such an intimate environment then it does become cabaret and there are rules.
1: Engage your audience
2: Connect to the lyric
3: Connect with your band

Deanna's voice is glorious and technically perfect which is maybe why this is hard to write because I would still recommend listening to her and I hope maybe I saw an off night. Deanna's original music has been featured in such television shows as "Felicity", "Hyperion Bay" and "Cupid" and on such movie soundtracks as "Down To You" and "Me Myself I". She is also a concert-level pianist and I wish she showed these talents. I love the fact her father is a retired Navy Captain (yes, Captain Kirk) which made the room perfect for her and that's a F.A.C.T.

A: Is for the artistry of LLadro

My mom was always a fan of Lladro so I always knew of its existence. The romantic figurines adorn the shelves peering down like a presence from another time. The artistry in which his delicate creatures were made always fascinated me. Their works are elegant and expressive and seem to exude life and have. Juan, José and Vicente Lladró are the heirs to the ancient tradition of porcelain. In 1953, they quit their jobs working at a local tile factory and built a Moorish kiln in the courtyard of the family home in the city of Valencia. Today over two thousand people work there, and their creations are exported all around the world. Lladró’s creations reflect the circle of life that sustains us and brings forth our highest emotions; they reveal a world of sentiments and experiences that distinguish what it means to be human.


I was invited to an event at Henri Bendel and was transported by the chandler that greeted me. Hundreds of glistening fairies in a alabaster white floated in a circular spiral. There was an eroticness to them as they drew you in. I came to find out this was the Lladro from my youth who together with designer Bodo Sperlein, created a collection of recycled objects from well known Lladró figurines. Inspired in a magical dream world, where nature and animals are the main characters. The concept was to use no colour elements except for a slight touch of green, representing a place where magical things happen: the forest.


This light of freeze Frame Birds is a hand-blown ceiling pendant with porcelain birds all a flutter. It takes a industrial style light fixture and adds a soft feminine touch. The magic of nature (wings, insects, birds, flowers)is the focus. The luminescence of this piece adds to its charm.



Tom adores wine, it is his passion. These bottle toppers are the perfect gift for him. Can't you see the horse on bottles of whiskey lining the shelves during the Kentucky Derby.


It is wonderful to see such an establish brand move with the times, and enlist the talent of a young designer to help them re-brand. Sperlein's ceramics are the antithesis of the sentimental Lladro style. They are first and foremost functional. The result is simply whimsical. The bowls in the shape of radiating angels' wings are functional as well as beautiful. More importantly Lladro has expanded to include the male population. There is a dark side to this work if you really look at it but maybe its because the Spanish have a very dark side to them. You can catch this new work at Bendel's or at the following websites: www.lladro.com/
www.bodosperlein.com If you are in need of exquisite art and are on 5th ave explore
the fantasy of LLardo and see if that's a F.A.C.T.

F: Is for Food Glorious Food!

One of my favorite foods has always been BBQ Ribs. I looked forward to Easter when my aunt would make the most scrumptious ribs ever. Knowing how much I adored them she would make me care packages which I greatly appreciated. I came to believe that all ribs were the same, then I came to NY. Imagine my surprise when I had a beef rib. I thought they came only in pork. Dry rub, who invented this? It is God awful and not what I came to crave. I have eaten at Virgil's and was not impressed! Dallas BBQ is like the 711 of ribs. Chinese ribs are tasty but leave a lot to be desired. I live on the Upper West Side and there was a hole in the wall place that was always packed. It looked fatal, as if it might give Taco Bell a run for its money. I was even more surprised when it moved to a bigger location across the street. Once it opened I stopped in once and it was clean, spacious and well cared for. I had the feeling that if I ate there I was in for a Boston Market-like meal. They didn't have butternut squash which is my favorite so I left. Last Tuesday I was craving ribs and I hadn't eaten all day. A couple of glasses of wine didn't help so here I was and I ordered. I decided on the 1/4 rib meal which came with salad, a side and pita. I ordered mash potatoes. The smell is intoxicating so before you start your mouth is watering. I started with the pita which is warmed on the BBQ. Who knew a pita could taste so good! The mashed real and the ribs were delectable, melting in your mouth with each bite. I was home again and my aunt who has since died was brought to mind. I was in the throes of pork-induced delight. Chirping Chicken is a bargain as well. I paid $8.29 for all of this. The portions are large, so I came home with a rib and 1/2 the mash potato's and the salad which I finished the next day with the same satisfied response.
When you enter the Chirping Chicken, one of the first things you will notice is that it's busy. Doormen and workers from the area line the counter. The phones are maned with precision and bags of waiting delights are being filled for culinary arousal. Don't worry, you won't wait long. Those who take your order are polite, courteous and efficient. Demetri the owner adds to this quality. Freshly-made it gives the impression of a constant state of always being prepared. Chicken and Ribs have a reputation for being greasy its not, its cooked perfectly. There are also vegetarian options and Greek dishes and sides. I can't wait to try the tzadiki sauce and the fried zucchini. I am looking forward to concerts in the park and surprising someone with a picnic basket filled with finger licking morsals. You can get a full chicken for $11 dollars.
I returned Thursday with my friend Bree who joined me in Ribs. This time I traded the salad for cole slaw and Bree had a baked sweet potato. Again I was in heaven and so was Bree. She actually managed to eat the whole thing which was thrilling as Bree eats like a bird. She wanted to go back the next day for lunch. Our friend David wants to join in. I can't wait to turn people on to chirping. Here is the address and website so you to can check it out: Chirping Chicken: 350 Amsterdam Ave off 77th www.chirpingchickennyc.com.

In a city where everything seems so expensive and service, fresh food and quality seem a thing of the past it is reassuring to know that establishments like this exist. Check this out and you too will be oohing and ahhing over this finger licking F.A.C.T.