TODAY SHOW, America's Favorite Morning TV Program Turns 60

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Today is the 60th anniversary of the TODAY SHOW on NBC. It was on January 13, 1952 that Dave Garroway kicked off the very first "Today" episode, and the show has never left. It is now the fifth-longest-running American television show of all time. In today's program, Today's past anchors gathered including Hugh Downs, Barbara Walters, Jim Hartz, Tom Brokaw, Jane Pauley, Bryant Gumbel, Willard Scott, Deborah Norville, Katie Couric, and Meredith Vieira all gathered in Studio 1A to share their stories.  "I look at 60 years as a major accomplishment, something we'll be able to tell our children about," current host Matt Lauer said in a video recap of Today's legacy. And to drive home just how much has been accomplished -- and how things have changed -- over that six-decade span, the show's anchors, both past and present, gathered to reminisce about their Today experiences." Several former Today Girls also joined the broadcast, including Florence Henderson, Estelle Parsons, Lee Meriwether, Robbin Bain Gaudieri and Beryl Pfizer. Pictured above are scenes from this morning's show including shot-through-the-glass photos of past Today show anchors.

Theatre District's 45th Street

One of the most popular attractions in Manhattan is the Broadway Theatre District or more commonly known as Broadway. The theatre district runs from 53rd to 42nd Streets between 6th and 8th Avenues. This is a view of 45th Street at night showing the lights of the Booth, Schoenfeld, Jacobs, Golden and the Al Hirschfeld Theatres. 

CANADIAN BRASS, Live at the Apple Store Upper West Side

Canadian Brass, one of the world’s premier brass ensembles, performed pieces from their new album, “Takes Flight”at the Apple Store Upper West Side earlier this evening. The Canadian Brass is a brass quintet founded by Dr. Charles Daellenbach and Gene Watts in 1970. In addition to maintaining a heavy international touring schedule, the Canadian Brass have recorded over 80 CDs and DVDs. They have commissioned, performed, and recorded hundreds of transcriptions and original works for brass quintet.

At the Stagedoor: Glee's DARREN CRISS, Star of "How To Succeed In Business Without Really Trying" Draws Huge Crowds Outside the Hirschfeld Theatre

Darren Criss, the breakout star from the Fox television musical series, "Glee" makes his Broadway debut alongside Beau Bridges in HOW TO SUCCEED IN BUSINESS WITHOUT REALLY TRYING at the Al Hirschfeld Theatre. The Irish-Filipino actor/singer replaced Daniel Radcliffe in the lead role of the corporate climber J. Pierpont Finch for a limited three-week engagement from January 3-22, 2012. The photos above were taken after the matinee performance yesterday at the Al Hirschfeld Theatre stagedoor where he signed autographs. Before leaving the theatre, he also took time to ask his enthusiastic fans to be silent while he spoke briefly to graciously thank them for their support. The Al Hirschfeld Theatre is located at 302 West 45th Street between 8th and 9th Avenues.

Amsterdam Billiards and Bar

Amsterdam Billiards & Bar is New York City's original upscale billiard club. It is located at 110 E. 11th Street between 3rd and 4th Avenues. They offer 25 Brunswick pool tables, ping pong tables, darts, foosball, pinball, and beer pong. They currently host the biggest co-ed pool leagues in the country, as well as a dart league and a pinball league. They also offer a great NYC corporate party venue.

Amsterdam Billiards has an extensive beer, wine and liquor selection, a beautiful zinc bar, and a full lunch and dinner menu.

Previously located on the Upper West Side, Amsterdam Billiards was founded in 1989 by comedian David Brenner and brothers, Greg and Ethan Hunt.

Amsterdam Billiards is open every day of the year from 11AM to 3AM Sunday-Thursday and 11AM to 4AM Friday-Saturday.

They take reservations and can accommodate corporate parties, private parties and group events up to 500 people.

FUN FACTS:

Featured in People Magazine, Wall Street Journal and the New York Times.

Featured on the David Letterman Show, Good Morning America, and a brand new show for E!, Kourtney & Kim Take New York.

Rated the 'Best Billiard Club in America' by Billiards Digest, one of the industry's most prestigious publication.

Recently awarded the Best Pool Hall by New York Magazine's Best of New York 2010 Edition.

Home room to the player of the decade, world's #1 professional pool player, Mika Immonen, as well as Tony Robles (BCA Open 9-Ball Champion) and Jennifer Barretta (WPBA Touring Pro).

The visiting room for the Black Widow, Jeanette Lee.

Hosts hundreds of private corporate parties to some of the world's most reputable companies.
(information from the official website)

At the Stagedoor: Four-time Tony Award Winner, Audra McDonald, Star of "Gershwin's Porgy and Bess" on Broadway

Audra McDonald, four-time Tony Award winning actress and singer stars in the Broadway production of "Gershwin's Porgy and Bess," George and Ira's Gershwin's ground-breaking work, reimagined by director Diane Paulus, musician Dierdre Murray and playwright Suzan-Lori Parks. Also in the cast are Norm Lewis and David Alan Grier. Synopsis (from Playbill.com) - A two-and-a-half hour reworking of George and Ira Gershwin's folk opera about the crippled Porgy and his love for seductress Bess that leads him to a confrontation with her murderous boyfriend, Crown, in 1920's Charleston, SC. Includes classic songs "Summertime," "Bess, You Is My Woman Now," "I Got Plenty O' Nuttin'" and "I'm on My Way." Gershwin's Porgy and Bess plays the Richard Rodgers Theatre located at 226 West 46th Street. The photos were taken at the stagedoor after the performance on January 6, 2012.