NEW YORK'S A CULTURAL POT POURRI

POLLYTALK FROM NEW YORK
January 11, 2010


NEW YORK’S A CULTURAL POT POURRI (C)
By Polly Guerin

The cultural lions are on the prowl around New York’s sights and sounds they ply their adventure. Museums tempt them, plays entertain, and society invites these denizens of culture to reap the bounty of things to do. You can’t blame a gal for trying to improve her mind? Here’s the scoop!!!
Get thee off to FORBES GALLERIES because this little museum treasure is one of the best kept secrets in New York. Although Forbes has agreed to sell its Manhattan headquarters at 60 Fifth Avenue to New York University the company will remain in the building as a tenant, under a five-year leaseback agreement. What does this mean to you? It’s FREE. The Forbes Galleries are a unique treasure trove of fine art and collectibles. The Highlander Gallery features 8 glass panels designed by Jean Dupas for the Grand Salon of the Normandie ocean liner. Toy Boats made between 1870 and 1950s ply the seas in another gallery and several versions of the Monopoly game are on view, plus 175 Trophies and fine art. Open Tuesday through Saturday: 10:00 A.M. to 4:00 P.M. www.Forbesgalleries.com or call 212.206.5548.
This is a “GIRLS NIGHT OUT” event. There’s no business like show business to inspire Bloomindales where Lexington Avenue windows recreate the stage set of the Broadway production, “Love, Loss and What I Wore.” The play, an intimate collection of stories by Nora Ephron and Delia Ephron revolves around clothing and accessories and the memories they trigger. Couldn’t we all contribute to that? There are pieces in everyone’s wardrobe that are reminiscent of a special occasion or phase of life. At the Westside Theatre until March. www.bloomingdales.org.
MAN RAY MONDAYS: In conjunction with its new exhibition, “Alias Man Ray: The Art of Reinvention,” The Jewish Museum is presenting Man Ray Mondays with free docent tours or staff gallery talks at 12:15 pm or 1:00 pm. Talk about promotion! Other juicy discounts include Museum visitors receive 50% off the audio guide price of $5.00 and also have the option to purchase the exhibition catalogue for 10% off the regular price of $50.00. In addition, each Monday, a drawing is being held, on that day. From the visitors who give the Museum their e-mail address one winner will be selected to receive a complimentary copy of the exhibition catalogue. Further information and updated offers at: http://www.thejeweishmuseum.org/manraymondays.
LESLIE CARON, that charming actress was just 16 when Gene Kelly saw her perform with Roland Petit’s Ballets and from then on she made cinema history. First as his co-star in An American in Paris (1951), the role that won her world-wide fame. Caron recounts her life growing up in war torn France, the engaging role in Gigi (1958), garnering two academy awards, becoming romantically involved with Warren Beatty and much, much more. Still working in her 70s this is a fairytale story. Read all about it in Thank Heaven: A memoir (Viking, $25.95).
Well, Ta Ta darlings. I’m off to check in at Man Ray then cozy up with Leslie Caron’s book on a cold winter’s night. Fan mail to: pollytalk@verizon.net. Learn more and visit my other Blogs: http://www.amazingartdecodivas.blogspot.com. http://www.thefashionhistorianpollyguerin.blogspot.com.