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POLLYTALK FROM NEW YORK
By Polly Guerin
August 17, 2009
DANCING DIVAS IN THE BIG APPLE
Seize the moment, dance with a stranger and get into the swing dancing under the stars,
forget your umbrella, let your hair down in venues around town both speakeasy, retro and
Tango. All you need is enthusiasm so shake off the blues and get in the groove. Here’s the
scoop!!!
IRON OUT THE WRINKLES IN YOUR DANCE STYLE and see Jay Raymond’s slide lecture on
the recently published book, STREAMLINED IRONS. For those with a fascination for Deco detail,
the subject is vintage pressing irons produced in the 1930-1940 Streamlined Era. It’s an unusual
topic, but one that nonetheless exemplifies the modernity of the Art Deco period. Alas, did you
read my poem, Ironing Day which I posted last week. It’s still in the archives if you care to catch
up on thoughts brought about on ironing day. The good news is that Mr. Raymond has been
collecting those iconic irons since 1984 and has a most impressive collection of over 200
streamlined irons. At the American Association of University Women, 111 E. 37th St. (between
Park and Lexington Avenues) at 6:30 pm $l5 for ADSNY members; $25 Guests. Info:
Kathyhausman@artdeco.org.
PUT ON YOUR DANCING SHOES: Sip Manhattans, step to the Charleston and enjoy a
quintessentially New York summer on Sunset Terrace overlooking Central Park. The Prohibition
era themed Speakeasy and jazz music at the Museum of the City of New York is serving classic
cocktails and “Roaring 20s” dance music every Wednesday evening from 6pm to 9pm through
August 26. FACT: Prohibition, which lasted from 1919 to 1933, gave rise to drinking
establishments that were illegal and for the most part secret. Under Mayor Jimmy “Beau James”
Walker (1926-1932) New York’s speakeasy count grew to some 32,000 establishments. See an
exhibition-related expose on this genre featuring prohibition artifacts including fashion and
memorabilia. $10 for museum members, $l2 for non-members. Admission includes one free
drink and free access to current exhibits. At l220 Fifth Avenue (l04th St.) www.mcny.org.
WIT’S END MONTHLY JAZZ DANCE NIGHT: Take off and enjoy a retro evening of libations,
dance, and entertainment including a free dance lesson at 8pm followed by the featured band of
Cynthia Sayer and Sparks Fly at Antik, 356 Bowery (between Great Jones and West 4th Street) 7
to 11 pm. Cynthia is a well known jazz banjoist who plays regularly with Woody Allen and his
band. Also on the evening of August 29th Kenvin Fitzpatrick of the Dorothy Parker Society who
has just done a book on the famous Algonquin Round Table will be there. Vintage cocktails and
Haute Chocolates are offered. Check it out at www.artdeco.
Vermeer’s Masterpiece, THE MILKMAID is heading for the Metropolitan Museum of Art and will
be on view from September 10-November 29, 2009. Perhaps the most admired painting by the
Dutch artist Johannes Vermeer 1632-1675), this is an extraordinary loan by the Rijksmuseum in
Amsterdam celebrating the 400th anniversary of Henry Hudson’s historic voyage from the
Netherlands to New York. The special exhibition will include all five paintings by Vermeer from the
Dutch museum’s collection, as well as a select group of works by other Dutch artists, placing
Vermeer’s superb picture in its historical context. 1000 Fifth Avenue at 82nd Street. www.
metmusuem.org.
Chill out at the ICELANDIC FILM RETROSPECTIVE at Scandinavia House, The Nordic Center
in America at 58 Park Avenue (@38th Street). This retrospective presents a selection of the best
feature-length and short films produced in Iceland over the past 30 years. Spanning many styles
and genres, these films reflect the excellence and diversity of Icelandic films, which have been
presented at major film festivals around the world for years, regularly gaining high praise and
winning top international prizes. Sept. 16-Dec. 12, 2009. Wednesdays at 6:30pm and Saturdays
at 3 p.m. $9 ($6 ASF members). Info 212.879.9779. Check this out dinner and a movie on
Wednesday nights: visit www.scandinaviahouse.org for details.
There I go again filling up my dance card and getting into the swing and dancing in the Big
Apple. See you there at the Speakeasy . Let’s get carried away and have a great time dancing.
Fan mail goes to pollytalk@verizon.net. Or visit www.pollytalk.com. Art Deco aficionados may visit
my new blog: www.amazingartdecodivas.blogspot.com.
By Polly Guerin
August 17, 2009
DANCING DIVAS IN THE BIG APPLE
Seize the moment, dance with a stranger and get into the swing dancing under the stars,
forget your umbrella, let your hair down in venues around town both speakeasy, retro and
Tango. All you need is enthusiasm so shake off the blues and get in the groove. Here’s the
scoop!!!
IRON OUT THE WRINKLES IN YOUR DANCE STYLE and see Jay Raymond’s slide lecture on
the recently published book, STREAMLINED IRONS. For those with a fascination for Deco detail,
the subject is vintage pressing irons produced in the 1930-1940 Streamlined Era. It’s an unusual
topic, but one that nonetheless exemplifies the modernity of the Art Deco period. Alas, did you
read my poem, Ironing Day which I posted last week. It’s still in the archives if you care to catch
up on thoughts brought about on ironing day. The good news is that Mr. Raymond has been
collecting those iconic irons since 1984 and has a most impressive collection of over 200
streamlined irons. At the American Association of University Women, 111 E. 37th St. (between
Park and Lexington Avenues) at 6:30 pm $l5 for ADSNY members; $25 Guests. Info:
Kathyhausman@artdeco.org.
PUT ON YOUR DANCING SHOES: Sip Manhattans, step to the Charleston and enjoy a
quintessentially New York summer on Sunset Terrace overlooking Central Park. The Prohibition
era themed Speakeasy and jazz music at the Museum of the City of New York is serving classic
cocktails and “Roaring 20s” dance music every Wednesday evening from 6pm to 9pm through
August 26. FACT: Prohibition, which lasted from 1919 to 1933, gave rise to drinking
establishments that were illegal and for the most part secret. Under Mayor Jimmy “Beau James”
Walker (1926-1932) New York’s speakeasy count grew to some 32,000 establishments. See an
exhibition-related expose on this genre featuring prohibition artifacts including fashion and
memorabilia. $10 for museum members, $l2 for non-members. Admission includes one free
drink and free access to current exhibits. At l220 Fifth Avenue (l04th St.) www.mcny.org.
WIT’S END MONTHLY JAZZ DANCE NIGHT: Take off and enjoy a retro evening of libations,
dance, and entertainment including a free dance lesson at 8pm followed by the featured band of
Cynthia Sayer and Sparks Fly at Antik, 356 Bowery (between Great Jones and West 4th Street) 7
to 11 pm. Cynthia is a well known jazz banjoist who plays regularly with Woody Allen and his
band. Also on the evening of August 29th Kenvin Fitzpatrick of the Dorothy Parker Society who
has just done a book on the famous Algonquin Round Table will be there. Vintage cocktails and
Haute Chocolates are offered. Check it out at www.artdeco.
Vermeer’s Masterpiece, THE MILKMAID is heading for the Metropolitan Museum of Art and will
be on view from September 10-November 29, 2009. Perhaps the most admired painting by the
Dutch artist Johannes Vermeer 1632-1675), this is an extraordinary loan by the Rijksmuseum in
Amsterdam celebrating the 400th anniversary of Henry Hudson’s historic voyage from the
Netherlands to New York. The special exhibition will include all five paintings by Vermeer from the
Dutch museum’s collection, as well as a select group of works by other Dutch artists, placing
Vermeer’s superb picture in its historical context. 1000 Fifth Avenue at 82nd Street. www.
metmusuem.org.
Chill out at the ICELANDIC FILM RETROSPECTIVE at Scandinavia House, The Nordic Center
in America at 58 Park Avenue (@38th Street). This retrospective presents a selection of the best
feature-length and short films produced in Iceland over the past 30 years. Spanning many styles
and genres, these films reflect the excellence and diversity of Icelandic films, which have been
presented at major film festivals around the world for years, regularly gaining high praise and
winning top international prizes. Sept. 16-Dec. 12, 2009. Wednesdays at 6:30pm and Saturdays
at 3 p.m. $9 ($6 ASF members). Info 212.879.9779. Check this out dinner and a movie on
Wednesday nights: visit www.scandinaviahouse.org for details.
There I go again filling up my dance card and getting into the swing and dancing in the Big
Apple. See you there at the Speakeasy . Let’s get carried away and have a great time dancing.
Fan mail goes to pollytalk@verizon.net. Or visit www.pollytalk.com. Art Deco aficionados may visit
my new blog: www.amazingartdecodivas.blogspot.com.