Jenny Holzer Exhibit at the WHITNEY

Video from Art21org

On view until May 31 is JENNY HOLZER's work called PROTECT PROTECT at the WHITNEY MUSEUM OF AMERICAN ART. Last Sunday, I went to the Whitney to view this exhibition. Jenny Holzer's pioneering approach to language as a carrier of content and her use of nontraditional media and public settings as vehicles for that content make her one of the most interesting and significant artists working today. Alternating between fact and fiction, the public and the private, the universal and the particular, Holzer's work offers an incisive social and psychological portrait of our times. PROTECT PROTECT centers on Holzer's work since the 1990s and is the artist's most comprehensive exhibition in the United States in more than fifteen years (from the official website). The Whitney is located on Madison Avenue at 75th Street.

Crocuses

Spring has sprung and these crocuses are the first to bloom. These photos were taken yesterday, outside a Fifth Avenue apartment building not far from the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

From http://www.gardenersnet.com

Snow crocuses get their name, as they are the earliest of spring flowers. They often burst into bloom, while snow is still on the ground. These hardy flowers will begin to grow with a warm spell in late winter or early spring. If it snows again before they bloom or during bloom, that's okay. They will be unharmed. It only takes a few days growth to blossom into the first bright colors of the year. While many of us think of them as early spring bloomers, some varieties of Crocus will bloom in the fall.

Natives of Southern Europe and Asia, Crocuses are as popular in other parts of the world, as they are in your own back yard. Their early blooms brightens up the landscape around the world with white, yellow, blue, and light orange flowers above thin grass-like leaves. These small plants grow just 3-4 inches tall. Best of all, they are easy to grow and very prolific.

While many people refer to them as bulbs, Crocuses are actually corms, a bulb-like stem.

Not only are crocuses good flowers in the garden, they make good houseplants. You can easily force them to bloom indoors. See Forcing Bulbs.

Did you know? The word "Crocus" is Latin for Saffron. Knowing this, it should not surprise you that Saffron comes from the stigma of the Saffron Crocus. But, it takes thousands of flowers to get an ounce of Saffron.

@ the stagedoor: JEFF DANIELS, star of GOD OF CARNAGE

Seen outside the stagedoor of the Jacobs Theatre earlier today was American actor, playwright and musician JEFF DANIELS, star of the play GOD OF CARNAGE. Synopsis: Two sets of parents meet up to deal with the unruly behavior of their children. Will it be a calm and rational debate between grown-ups about the need to teach kids how to behave properly? Or will it turn into a hysterical night of name-calling, tantrums and tears before bedtime?

Daniels is known for his movie roles in Speed, Terms of Endearment, Dumb & Dumber, Gettysburg, Arachnophobia, Because of Winn-Dixie, and The Squid and the Whale. On stage, Daniels has starred in a number of New York productions, on and off Broadway. On Broadway, he has appeared in Lanford Wilson's Redwood Curtain, A. R. Gurney's The Golden Age and Wilson's Fifth of July, for which he won a Drama Desk Award for Best Supporting Actor. Off-Broadway, he received a Drama Desk nomination for Wilson's Lemon Sky, and an Obie Award for his performance in the Circle Repertory Company production of Johnny Got His Gun. He currently appears in Broadway's God of Carnage with Marcia Gay Harden, Hope Davis and James Gandolfini. In 1986, Daniels moved his home to the town where he and his wife grew up, Chelsea, Michigan. Five years later, he founded the regionally-acclaimed Purple Rose Theatre Company, a non-profit professional theatre company. He is currently Executive Director of PRTC, and has written 11 plays for the company.

AIPAD Photography Show at the Park Avenue Armory

This weekend, the AIPAD Photography Show New York was held at the Park Avenue Armory (67th Street and Park Avenue). It was presented by the Association of International Photography Art Dealers (AIPAD). More than 70 of the world's leading fine art photography galleries showcased a wide range of museum quality work by contemporary, modern and 19th century masters. This photography show is the longest running and foremost exhibition of fine art photography.

Auction Preview of MICHAEL JACKSON'S Neverland Ranch Memorabilia

The self-proclaimed King of Pop MICHAEL JACKSON is selling off more than 2,000 personal belongings from his NEVERLAND RANCH estate at the Julien's Auctions sale in Beverly Hills. A preview of the auction items is being held from March 24th to 29th at the Hard Rock Cafe in New York. The sale itself will take place from April 22nd to 25th and will be broadcast on TV. I took photos of some of the memorabilia on display at Hard Rock Cafe. 

Investors at the Sycamore Valley Ranch Co. - a joint venture between Jackson and an affiliate of Colony Capital LLC - agreed to take over the singer's $24.5 million debt on the property after Jackson failed to keep up with the $3 million-a-year running costs and were forced to sell the $25 million estate.

Items to be sold include a glittering white glove covered in Swarovski crystals that Jackson wore for a stage performance of Billie Jean, and the gates to the 120-acre ranch, which are expected to go for at least $20,000. Jackson's 1999 Rolls-Royce Silver Seraph limo, decorated in 24-karat gold, is expected to fetch another $140,000.

According to Julien's Auctions president Darren Julien, "Michael Jackson was a collector of everything. We've never seen a collection that is as extensive and eccentric as his." Jackson plans to donate a portion of the proceeds from the auction to MusiCares, a charity which aims to help musicians in need.

Claes Oldenburg's GEOMETRIC MOUSE

This is American artist CLAES OLDENBURG's sculpture called "Geometric Mouse, Scale A" (1975) made of painted steel and aluminum. It is on display at the Abby Aldrich Rockefeller Sculpture Garden of the Museum of Modern Art.

Naked Cowboy After Dark

Probably the most famous and interesting busker in the city is the NAKED COWBOY. A constant fixture in Times Square, he is usually seen strutting his stuff near Duffy Square during the day, but I've never seen him after dark until tonight. While many were still walking around in their full winter garb on this cold early spring night, there he was in his signature cowboy hat, boots and white undergear with "Naked Cowboy" and "NYC" printed on it.

From wikipedia:

Robert John Burck (born December 23, 1970 in Cincinnati, Ohio), better known as the Naked Cowboy, is an American busker whose patch is on New York City's Times Square. He wears only cowboy boots, a hat, and underwear, with a guitar strategically placed to give the illusion of nudity.

Burck began busking in 1998 and first appeared on Venice Beach, Los Angeles. The public immediately gave him much of their spare change after a friend suggested to him that he dress only in his underwear in order to generate higher earnings.

Though he is currently most famous as a fixture of New York City's Times Square, Burck is also a regular in the streets of the French Quarter during the New Orleans Mardi Gras season. He also makes appearances in his hometown of Cincinnati, at the Memorial Day weekend Taste of Cincinnati festival and the Riverfest Labor Day Festival. He has also made an appearance in Austin, Texas, during the South by Southwest Music Conference, and on January 25, 2009 he performed at a Leinster Rugby game in Donnybrook, Dublin, Ireland, singing his theme song "I'm the Naked Cowboy" before 18,000 spectators.

In a 2005 online interview, Burck cited Nancy Reagan and Garth Brooks as two of his leading inspirations. During the 2008 American presidential election Burck was a staunch supporter of John McCain, remarking that the Republican candidate was "older and wiser" than his opponent Barack Obama. Additionally, on November 22, 2008, he became an ordained minister, and on December 10, 2008 he was officially registered as a marriage officiant by the City of New York.

As his popularity as the Naked Cowboy grew, Burck began to make appearances in television, music videos, and other popular media. He auditioned for American Idol during its first season, but he was not admitted to the next round. He also tried out for Australian Idol and Star Search, but with the same results. In 2000, he was also on the short-lived show Moral Court, where conservative talk show host Larry Elder ruled that, in his opinion, Burck's Naked Cowboy persona was not immoral and not a danger to public safety. Burck replied, "Actually, I think I am an inspiration to public safety." On January 24, 2009, Burck also appeared on the Tubridy Tonight show on Ireland's RTÉ television network, performing his theme song accompanied by the Camembert Quartet.

In addition, he is known to have discussed possible television show concepts with several production houses, including one in the Greater Cincinnati area, though nothing is known to have come of these talks as of yet.

Burck has also been featured in numerous advertising campaigns. As of 2006, he is part of USA Network's "Characters Welcome" campaign, and he also had a cameo appearance in a Chevrolet commercial that aired during Super Bowl XLI, as well as a Guinness advertisement that aired only in the United Kingdom and Ireland. On August 28th, 2008, Burck entered into an endorsement/licensing agreement with Divinely Naked LLC to endorse and create Naked Cowboy Nutritional Products starting with "Naked Whey Protein Powders", which launched their website on January 1st, 2009.

Burck has also made appearances in several music videos, including Cake's "Short Skirt/Long Jacket" and Nickelback's "Rockstar". In 2007, Burck released an album of his own, signing to 4Sight Music Productions and recording the pop-rock album "Year of the Cowboy" produced by Lee Evans and Gaetano Lattanzi at JAMBOX Recording Studios in New York City. The album was featured on MTV News.

He has also been featured in a number of documentaries. He is profiled in the documentary One Man Brand, produced by Mediastorm, and is also included in the second part of the three-part Richard Dawkins documentary, The Genius of Charles Darwin, first shown on Channel 4 in the UK in August 2008. He also appeared briefly in the PBS documentary Origins to give his opinion on the possibility of extraterrestrial life.

The HEARST TOWER, New York's First Green Building

From nyc-architecture.com

The HEARST TOWER in New York City, New York is located at 300 West 57th Street on Eighth Avenue, near Columbus Circle. It is the world headquarters of the Hearst Corporation, bringing together for the first time their numerous publications and communications companies under one roof, including Cosmopolitan, Good Housekeeping and the San Francisco Chronicle, to name a few.

The former six-story headquarters building was commissioned by the founder, William Randolph Hearst and awarded to the architect Joseph Urban. The building was completed in 1928 at a cost of $2 million and contained 40,000 sq. ft. The original cast stone facade has been preserved in the new design as a designated Landmark site. Originally built as the base for a proposed skyscraper, the construction of the tower was postponed due to the Great Depression. The new tower addition was completed nearly eighty years later, and 2000 Hearst employees moved in on 4 May 2006.

The tower – designed by the architect Norman Foster and constructed by Turner construction – is 46 stories tall, standing 182 m (597 ft) with 80,000 m² (856,000 ft²) of office space. The uncommon triangular framing pattern (also known as a diagrid) required 9,500 metric tons (10,480 tons) of structural steel – reportedly about 20% less than a conventional steel frame. Hearst Tower was the first skyscraper to break ground in New York City after September 11, 2001. The building received the 2006 Emporis Skyscraper Award,[2] citing it as the best skyscraper in the world completed that year.

Hearst Tower is the first green building completed in New York City, with a number of environmental considerations built into the plan. The floor of the atrium is paved with heat conductive limestone. Polyethylene tubing is embedded under the floor and filled with circulating water for cooling in the summer and heating in the winter. Rain collected on the roof is stored in a tank in the basement for use in the cooling system, to irrigate plants and for the water sculpture in the main lobby. The building was constructed using 80% recycled steel. Overall, the building has been designed to use 25% less energy than the minimum requirements for the city of New York, and earned a gold designation from the United States Green Building Council’s LEED certification program.

The atrium features escalators which run through a 3-story water sculpture titled Icefall, a wide waterfall built with thousands of glass panels, which cools and humidifies the lobby air. The water element is complemented by a 70-foot (21.3 m) tall fresco painting entitled Riverlines by artist Richard Long.

MARTIN KIPPENBERGER's ARTWORK at the MOMA

Museum visitors viewing the introduction to the exhibit

View from the 6th floor of installation called 

The Happy End of Franz Kafka's "America"

Among the currently featured exhibitions at the MUSEUM OF MODERN ART are the works of MARTIN KIPPENBERGER. I took the photos above of some of the art installation when I visited the MOMA earlier this afternoon.

From the MOMA website:

One of the most significant and influential artists of our time, Martin Kippenberger (1953–1997) produced a complex and richly varied body of work from the mid-1970s until his untimely death in 1997 at the age of forty-four. This ambitious, large-scale exhibition includes key selections and bodies of work from his entire career: paintings, sculpture, works on paper, installations, multiples, photographs, posters, announcement cards, books, and music. The exhibition will be accompanied by a fully illustrated catalogue—published by MOCA and co-published by the MIT Press—which will constitute a comprehensive and scholarly examination of the artist's career.

Mark di Suvero’s “Joie de Vivre”

This is MARK DI SUVERO's sculpture called JOIE DE VIVRE, installed in Lower Manhattan's Zuccotti Park (formerly Liberty Park), a three-quarter-acre park that borders Liberty and Cedar Streets in Lower Manhattan, half a block from the World Trade Center site. The red steel structure is about 70 feet high. It is a series of tetrahedrons that are open at the ends. The soaring structure echoes the tall buildings around it. Across the street is Isamu Noguchi's famous red cube.

Broadway Dimmed Its Lights To Honor Richardson and Silver

Video from the Associated Press

The marquees of Broadway theatres including the Sam S. Shubert above were dimmed earlier tonight at 8 PM for 1 minute to pay tribute to the late actress NATASHA RICHARDSON, and also last night to honor RON SILVER who passed on a few days ago.

Ms. Richardson, who met husband LIAM NEESON on Broadway in "Anna Christie," earned a Tony Award for her performance as Sally Bowles in the Sam Mendes-Rob Marshall revival of "Cabaret." The actress was also known for her work on Broadway in "Closer" and in the recent revival of "A Streetcar Named Desire."

Ron Silver, was an intense, versatile actor who won a Tony Award for his portrayal of an anxious film producer about to close a big deal in the original Broadway run of David Mamet's Hollywood satire, "Speed-the-Plow."

I took the photo above of the Sam S. Shubert Theatre marquee for BLITHE SPIRIT which opened recently, starring ANGELA LANSBURY, RUPERT EVERETT, CHRISTINE EBERSOLE and JAYNE ATKINSON.

NYPD'S 10-FOOT COPS

These are some of the New York Police Department's cops on horses that patrol high-crime neighborhoods, trot down Fifth Avenue for parades, make late-night shows of force through Times Square and take the lead during search-and-rescue missions along thicket-filled riverbanks and wooded urban parkland. “There’s a reason we call them the 10-foot cop,” Commissioner Raymond W. Kelly said. “You can see them from blocks away, they’re great at crowd control and they’re probably the most photographed piece of equipment we have. I’m a huge fan.” I took these photos in Times Square last March 15.

Philippine JADE VINE Blooms at the ENIS A. HAUPT CONSERVATORY

The Enid A. Haupt Conservatory in the Bronx, the nation's largest Victorian glasshouse features a myriad of marvelous tropical flowers including JADE VINE. I captured these images of cascading flowers of Philippine jade vine when I visited the conservatory for the Brazilian orchid show recently.

From wikipedia:

The jade vine (Strongylodon macrobotrys) is a native of the tropical forests of the Philippines. Its flowers are the color of jade, and hang in bunches up to 90 cm long; each clawlike flower is about 7½ cm long. In its native Philippines, the jade vine's flowers are pollinated by bats.

S. macrobotrys is prized in tropical and subtropical gardens for its showy flowers which are a highly unusual blue-green. It is usually grown over a pergola so that the flowers may hang down below where they can be seen easily.

W.A.R. Against Fur

Seen and heard yesterday, March 15 were members of the animal rights group, W.A.R. (Win Animal Rights) in front of GUCCI store on Fifth Avenue. W.A.R. is an independent non-profit organization.

For Theatergoers On A Budget: Broadway LOTTERY RUSH

(AN UPDATE OF THIS POSTING HAS BEEN PUBLISHED ON SEPTEMBER 13, 2010).
A week ago, I saw the new Broadway revival of WEST SIDE STORY on the cheap, thanks to ticket lottery rush. A $26.50 front row orchestra seat definitely made that experience a lot more fun, considering that a regular orchestra ticket costs $121.50. I signed up two and a half hours before curtain time, and names were drawn 30 minutes later.

It all started with the musical RENT, which, at the peak of its popularity, sold all seats in the first two rows of the orchestra for $20 to whomever would get to the box office in time on the day of the performance. Since then, Broadway has offered rush and SRO tickets to encourage an enthusiastic theatre community. Recently discount tickets are also offered by the New York City Ballet and the Metropolitan Opera.

From Playbill.com:

Here are the rush and SRO policies of different Broadway shows. Also included are shows offering low-priced regular tickets.

All Student Rush ticket purchases require a valid and current student ID. All Lottery Rush ticket purchases require a photo ID. Broadway box offices typically open at 10 AM (12 noon on Sundays) and close between 8:15 and 8:30 PM.

Note: This feature is updated frequently, but policies are subject to change without notice. Please email mblank@playbill.com regarding any information that is no longer accurate.

Updated August 2009

Note: This feature is updated frequently, but policies are subject to change without notice. Please email mblank@playbill.com regarding any information that is no longer accurate.

The 39 Steps
Student Rush: $26.50 - available at the box office beginning two hours prior to performance. Subject to availability. Limit 2 tickets per valid ID. Cash Only.

39 select orchestra and mezzanine tickets to each performance are sold for $39. May be purchased in advance. Visit The 39 Steps for further information.

9 to 5
Lottery Rush: Two hours prior to each performance, 38 tickets will be sold by lottery at $36.50 per ticket. These tickets must be purchased with cash and there is a limit of two tickets per person. Lottery entries will commence two hours prior to each show with the drawing taking place 90 minutes before curtain time.

After Miss Julie
General Rush: $26.50 - limited number of tickets sold on the day of the performance when the box office opens. Subject to availability. Limit 2 per person.

Student Rush: Limited number of half-price seats sold at half hour before curtain. Subject to availability. Limit 1 per valid ID.

Hiptix: $21.50 - Roundabout's Hiptix program allows registered patrons between ages 18 and 35 to purchase 1 pair of tickets per production at this price. Free registration is required. Ticket may be purchased in advance as availability dictates. All IDs checked when entering theatre. Info at: http://hiptix.com/

This production accepts credit cards for the above discounted tickets.

Avenue Q
Lottery Rush: 12 tickets will be sold at $21.50 each at a specified time prior to each performance. Tickets are cash only. A card will be provided, on which you will have to print your name and the number of tickets you would like if your name is chosen. Limit of 1 card per person and two tickets per card. The drawings take place as follows: 6 PM for weekday and Saturday evening shows, 12 noon for the Saturday matinee, 12:30 PM for the Sunday matinee, and 5:30 PM for Sunday evening. Cards are available starting 30 minutes prior to each drawing.

Billy Elliot
Student Rush: $41.50 (for tickets regularly priced at $80) - available at the box office two hours prior to performance. Tuesday, Wednesday and Thurday performances only. Subject to availability. Limit 2 per valid ID. Availability may be extremely limited during peak (summer and holiday) months.

Burn the Floor
Student Rush: $26.50 - sold on the day of performance when the box office opens. Subject to availability. Only available to current students. Limit 2 tickets per valid ID. Credit cards accepted.

Bye Bye Birdie
General Rush: $26.50 - limited number of tickets sold on the day of the performance when the box office opens. Subject to availability. Limit 2 per person.

Student Rush: Limited number of half-price seats sold at half hour before curtain. Subject to availability. Limit 1 per valid ID.

Hiptix: $21.50 - Roundabout's Hiptix program allows registered patrons between ages 18 and 35 to purchase 1 pair of tickets per production at this price. Free registration is required. Ticket may be purchased in advance as availability dictates. All IDs checked when entering theatre. Info at: http://hiptix.com/

This production accepts credit cards for the above discounted tickets.

Chicago
General Rush: $31.50 - tickets available at the box office only, when the box office opens. Limit 2 per customer. Not available for Saturday evenings. Subject to availability.

Standing Room: $26.50 - available at the box office, day of performance, only when the performance is sold out.

God of Carnage
Standing Room: $26.50 - approximately 20 tickets sold at the box office beginning two hours prior to curtain. Only available when performance is sold out.

Hair
"Be-In Box" Ticket Lottery: $25 - a limited number of box seat tickets sold via lottery system. Entries accepted at the Al Hirschfeld Theatre box office beginning two and half hours prior to each performance. Names will be drawn at random two hours prior to curtain time. Winners must be present at the time of the drawing and show valid ID to purchase tickets. Limit one entry per person, and two tickets per winner. Cash only. Seats may be partial view.

Standing Room: $25 - available at the box office only on the day of the performance. Only available when the performance is sold out.

In the Heights
Lottery Rush: $26.50 - a set number of front-row seats for each performance, sold via a lottery system. Each person will print their name and the number of tickets (1 or 2) they wish to purchase on a card that is provided. Only one card is allowed per person. Cards are checked for duplication prior to the performance. For Tues 7pm performances, cards are available at 4:30pm for a 5:00pm drawing. For Wed-Sat 8:00pm performances, cards are available at 5:30pm for a 6:00pm drawing. For Wednesday and Saturday matinee performances, cards are available at 11:30am for a 12:00pm drawing. For Sunday matinee performances, cards are available at 12:00pm for a 12:30pm drawing. For Sunday 7:00pm performances, cards are available at 5:00pm for a 5:30pm drawing.

Standing Room: $21.50 - available at the box office only when the performance is sold out.

Tickets in the last three rows of the Rear Mezzanine (Rows F-H) are regularly priced at $41.50 for all performances. These tickets may be purchased through Ticketmaster or at the box office.

Jersey Boys
Mobile Student Lottery: $27 - students may enter via mobile text messaging and email for the chance to purchase a limited number of discount-priced tickets. Only available for Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday performances. Entries are accepted via text message (text STUDENT to 38568) or online up to three hours prior to performance. Winners are notified via text message or email 1 hour after close of entry hours, two hours prior to performance, and are given a half-hour window in which to purchase tickets at the box office. Winners must present winning text/email and a valid student ID. Subject to availability. Cash only. Visit Jersey Boys for full info and entry hours.

Standing Room: $27 - available at the box office only two hours prior to the performance. Limit 1 ticket per person. Only available when the performance is sold out. Cash only.

The Little Mermaid
Standing Room: $26.50 - available at the box office on the day of the performance only when the show is sold out. There are 12 standing room positions. Credit cards accepted.

Mamma Mia!
Standing Room: $21.25 - available at the box office on the day of the performance only if the performance is sold out. Goes on sale two hours prior to curtain. Limit is 2 per person.


Mary Poppins
Student Rush: $30 - sold on the day of performance when the box office opens. Subject to availability. Only available to college/university students. Limit 1 ticket per valid ID.

The Neil Simon Plays
Tickets for preview performances (except Saturday evenings) purchased by Sept. 6 are priced at 50% savings, ranging from $35 to $50. Online sales begin Aug. 7 and the box office opens Aug. 31. Previews begin Oct. 2 with a scheduled Oct. 25 opening

Next to Normal
General Rush: $25 - limited number of rush tickets available on day of performance when the box office opens (10 AM Mon-Sat; 12 noon Sunday). Limit 2 tickets per person.

Tickets in the last row of the Mezzanine are regularly priced at $36.50. These tickets may be purchased through Telecharge or at the box office.

The Phantom of the Opera
Standing Room: There are $26.25 tickets available at the box office only, only when the performance is sold out. There are only 28 standing room positions.

Tickets in the last two rows of the Rear Mezzanine are priced at $26.25 for Monday through Thursday performances. These tickets may be purchased through Telecharge or at the box office.

Rock of Ages
Lottery Rush: $26.50 - each performance day a limited number of tickets will be available via lottery. For 8 PM shows: signup at 6 PM, lottery held at 6:30, ticket pickup at 6:45. For 7 PM shows: signup at 5 PM, lottery held at 5:30, ticket pickup at 5:45. For 2 PM matinees: signup at 12 noon, lottery held at 12:30, ticket pickup at 12:45.

Shrek
Lottery Rush: $26.50 - 16 tickets per performance, sold via a lottery system. Each day, two hours prior to show time (12 PM for 2 PM matinees; 1 PM for 3 PM matinees; 5 PM for 7 PM performances; 6 PM for 8 PM performances), people who present themselves at the Broadway Theatre box office will have their names placed in a raffle drum. Thirty minutes later, names will be drawn at random. Winners must be present in order to win and this lottery is available only in-person at the box office, with a limit of 2 tickets per person. Winners must provide photo ID at the time of purchase. Only one entry is allowed per person.

Student Rush: $36.50 - available at the box office on the day of performance. Subject to availability. Limit 1 ticket per valid ID. Cash only.

Tickets in the last two rows of the Rear Mezzanine (Q-R) are priced at $41.50 for Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday performances. These tickets may be purchased through Telecharge or at the box office.

South Pacific
Student Rush: $20.00 - available at the box office beginning two hours prior to a performance. Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday performances only. Only available to college/university students. Limit 1 per valid ID. Subject to availability. Credit cards accepted.

West Side Story
Lottery Rush: $26.50 - limited number of front-row seats sold via lottery system. Entries accepted at box office beginning two and half hours prior to each performance. Names will be drawn at random two hours prior to curtain time. Winners must be present at the time of the drawing and show valid ID to purchase tickets. Limit one entry per person, and two tickets per winner. Cash only.

Wicked
Lottery Rush: Each day, two hours prior to show time (11:30 AM for 2 PM matinees; 12:30 PM for 3 PM matinees; 4:30 PM for 7 PM performances; 5:30 PM for 8 PM performances), people who present themselves at the Gershwin Theatre box office will have their names placed in a hat. Thirty minutes later, names will be drawn for 28 front-row seats at $26.50 each. This lottery is available only in-person at the box office, with a limit of 2 tickets per person, cash only. Photo-ID.

Wishful Drinking
General Rush: $26.50 - limited number of tickets sold on the day of the performance when the box office opens. Subject to availability. Limit 2 per person.

Student Rush: Limited number of half-price seats sold at half hour before curtain. Subject to availability. Limit 1 per valid ID.

Hiptix: $21.50 - Roundabout's Hiptix program allows registered patrons between ages 18 and 35 to purchase 1 pair of tickets per production at this price. Free registration is required. Ticket may be purchased in advance as availability dictates. All IDs checked when entering theatre. Info at: http://hiptix.com/

Dose of COLOR

The PORT AUTHORITY BUS TERMINAL on 42nd Street and 8th Avenue is all covered up with artist TATTFOO TAN's NMS-Nature Matching System mural. I made these images of the temporary public art installation made of vinyl when I was in the area two weeks ago.

From http://www.timessquarenyc.org:

As part of the ongoing transformation of 8th Avenue and the 42nd Street area, a new work of public art by New York artist Tattfoo Tan was unveiled today in Midtown Manhattan through a partnership between the Fashion Center Business Improvement District and the Times Square Alliance.

The giant grid of color, inspired by fresh fruits and vegetables, is one of largest public art projects ever at the Port Authority Bus Terminal, which is located in the Fashion District. Through the “NMS - Nature Matching System”, the thousands of daily visitors can visually learn the colors that contribute to a healthy lifestyle. The vinyl mural is 13 ft high and 180 ft wide and will run in the street-level windows on 8th Avenue between 41st and 42nd Streets and along 42nd Street.

“Community projects like this are a welcome addition to the Port Authority Bus Terminal and another example of our continued commitment to our neighbors,” said Steve Napolitano, Bus Terminal Manager for the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey. “This impressive work of art will help to further integrate the Port Authority Bus Terminal into the boldly-colored and brightly-lit environment of New York City.”

The “Nature Matching System” project on the bus terminal boldly reminds New Yorkers “to take your daily dose of color.” Tattfoo Tan precisely matched the healthy colors of 88 fresh fruits and vegetables through Photoshop software into a Pantone or paint chip display system. He wrote: “The shades of color displayed at farmers’ markets are more than skin deep, reflecting the inner potential of every fruit and vegetable; intense colors might even be called nature’s nutrition labels.”

“This latest public art project is another example of the continued Renaissance of the 8th Avenue corridor,” said Barbara Randall, Executive Director of the Fashion Center BID. “The addition of a work by such a respected artist, further serves to enhance the pedestrian experience and the cultural value of the Fashion Center and Times Square areas.”

“8th Avenue is already emerging as an Avenue of Architecture, and thanks to projects like this one at the Port Authority Bus Terminal, it’s also starting to stake a claim as an Avenue of Art,” said Times Square Alliance President Tim Tompkins. “This is a great example of the ways in which the creative energy of both Times Square and the Fashion District is making its mark on Eighth Avenue.”

Jewels and Butterflies at Tiffany

Gorgeous butterfly displays are currently featured by Tiffany & Co. on Fifth Avenue in their instore display windows. The beauty of these butterflies certainly compliment Tiffany's magnificent, one of a kind jewelry. I made these photos on March 7 at Tiffany & Co. which is located at 725 Fifth Avenue, betwee 56th and 57th Streets. (Phone 212-755-8000; Hours: Mon-Sat 10am-7pm, Sun 12pm-6pm)

The New Look of the JUILLARD SCHOOL

This is the newly renovated JUILLARD SCHOOL, New York's famous performing arts conservatory that trains in drama, dance and music. With about 800 undergraduate and graduate students, the school is consistently ranked among the top 2 or 3 most selective institutions of higher learning in North America. A three-storey high glass facade that looks on Broadway is the new face of Lincoln Center's Alice Tully Hall, which opened this week after a US$159-million, 22-month renovation - with great acoustics and African wooden walls that glow amber in the dark. The concert hall is inside a building that houses the Juilliard School, which has been expanded by 4,200 square meters, with more rehearsal and practice rooms for music, dance and theatre.

DYLAN'S Candy Bar

A few blocks from where I live is the colorful DYLAN'S CANDY BAR flagship store. Located at 1011 Third Avenue across from Bloomingdale's, the popular candy store features its own line of candies and chocolate, and stocks other brands as well, including M&Ms, PEZ, Dubble Bubble, Wonka, and Jelly Belly. In addition to candy and chocolate, ice cream or ice cream floats, as well as candy-themed clothing can be purchased here. The store is owned by Dylan Lauren, daughter of designer Ralph Lauren. (Store Hours: Mon-Thurs 10 AM - 9 PM, Fri & Sat 10 AM – 11 PM, Sun 11am – 8 PM Tel 646-735-0078).

The ORCHID SHOW (Brazilian Modern) at the NEW YORK BOTANICAL GARDEN

This year's ORCHID SHOW at the New York Botanical Garden in the Bronx features a contemporary Brazilian garden designed by RAYMOND JUNGLES. The famed landscape architect used fountains, pools and mosaics and art reproductions of Brazilin artist and landscape architect ROBERTO BURLE MARX to combine with the thousands of orhids as well as palms, bromeliads and other native plants of Brazil. I made these images when I visited the New York Botanical Garden's Enid A. Haupt Conservatory to see the beautiful orchids. The orchid show runs through April 12.