THE BIG APPLE'S FASHIONABLE CURVE (C) By Polly Guerin

The FASHIONABLE CURVE ©
Fashionable fans head for New York for a night out on the town during New York Fashion Week in its new home at Lincoln Center and Notorious & Notable Women of Style at the MCNY Museum. Mark your calendar. Here’s the scoop!!!

Photo: Japan: Gothic/Punk duo wear h.Naoto fashion.

FASHION’S NIGHT OUT

Sept. 10th , almost 1,000 stores have signed up to participate in Fashion’s Night Out and keeping their doors open late until 11 pm. Thousands of customer are expected to show up at fashionista stores have fun, shop, meet designers and celebrities. For the first time, Fashion’s Night Out: The Show, New York City’s largest-ever public fashion show, is scheduled on Sept. 7 at Lincoln Center. Tickets starting at $25 at the Lincoln Center box office with proceeds benefitting the NYC AIDS Fund. The cbs.com network will live-stream the runway show and will also present an hour-long prime-time special on Sept. 14 about the making of the event.

NOTORIOUS & NOTABLE: 20th Century Women of Style heralds the fashionable stylish women of class, bearing and distinction including Gloria Vanderbilt, Barbara Babe Paley, the Duchess of Windsor, Leona Horn, Sunny von Bulow, Diana Vreeland and Marjorie Merriweather Post Hutton to name a few. Famed New York Herald Tribune fashion journalist, Eugenia Sheppard said, “To call a fashion wearable is the kiss of death. No fashion worth its salt is ever wearable.” These women names and faces are iconic in the social history of New York City. They share unique aspects of appearance, which made them distinctive and recognizable. At the Museum of the City of New York 1220 Fifth Ave. at 103rd Street. Sept. 14-Jan. 4 2011.
FASHION CULTURE at The Museum at FIT stages new perspectives on the culture of fashion through a series of Fashion Conversations with leaders from the world of fashion including designer Matthew Williamson and Laura Brown in conversation with Patricia Mears, MFIT deputy director, to mark the release of Williamson’s new book by fashion Historian Colin McDowell. In conversation with Coleen Hill introduces Julie Gilhart, fashion director and senior vice president of Barneys New York, who has inspired many designers to develop “green” product. Japanese Fashion in New York Kicks off with Steven Alan, menswear designer and Bye Bye Kitty!!! And a Lolita Tea Party. All programs are free unless otherwise indicated. However reservations are required: email museuminfo@fit.edu or call for a brochure 212.217.4585.

SHIFING THE GAZE: FEMINISM AND PAINTING at The Jewish Museum features key works by Judy Chicago, Eva Hesse, Nicole Eisenman, Louis Nevelson, Nancy Spero and Hannah Wilke among a cast of over 30 paintings and several sculptures and decorative objects from the Museum’s collection and also some on loan. Taking the visitor through a half-century of art the exhibit, puts women artists in the spotlight and explores the roots of feminist art in Abstract Expressionism, Pop and Minimalism with recent works targeting the representation of women in popular culture. At Fifth Ave. at 92nd St., www.thejewishmusuem.org. Opens Sept. 8th.
Ta Ta darlings!!! Every good fashionista should mark her calendar. I’m getting ready to attend the first ever fashion show during Fashion’s Night Out: The Show. Fan mail to: pollytalk@verizon.net. Check out Polly’s Blogs: http://www.thefashionhistorianpollyguerin@blogspot.com and women galore at http://www.womendeterminedtosucceed.blogspot.com.

Fishing For Culture in the Big Apple (c) By Polly Guerin

As the limpid days of summer drone on it takes a fisherman’s rod to reel in the city’s best catch at the tail end of summer. There’s plenty of cultural fish in the Big Apple pond. Here’s the scoop!!!


FISH FORMS: LAMPS BY FRANK GEHRY colorful, beautiful, playful, whimsical and glowing the sculptural artworks of the internationally renowned architect Frank Gehry explore the significance of fish imagery in Gehry’s work. The exhibition brings together eight of artists’ fish lamps with an accompanying slide show overview of how the fish form has changed from iconic symbol to transformative in Gehry’s ongoing architectural practice. The lamps are displayed in near darkness to create a gallery of glowing sculptural fish lit from within. Opens Aug. 29 through Oct. 31 at The Jewish Museum, 1109 5th Ave at 92nd St. www.thejewishmuseum.org.
WORK OF ART: ABDI FARAH
Is fishing for high praise and compliments. This exhibition of work by the winner of Work of Art, Bravo’s hour-long creative competition 10-part television series features the artist’s figurative paintings, sculpture, an drawings reflecting Farah’s investigation of the human body as a material entity that possess the potential to transcend its physical form. Ten artworks recently created in a variety of media include the centerpiece of the exhibition, a life-size sculpture of two young men sprawled on the floor, it immediacy heightened by the addition of sneakers on the feet of both men. Through Oct. 17. Brooklyn Museum, 200 Eastern Parkway. www.brooklynmusuem.org.
HOWL: The Film is a kind of dramatized drama on the beat poet, Alan Ginsberg’s poem of the same name which keeps you riveted to your seat trying to comprehend the legendary poet’s autobiographical and hallucinatory work that fueled the infamous landmark 1957 obscenity trial. You meet his friends; Jack Kerouac who introduced Ginsberg to new forms of writing and William Burroughs who helped him define his way as a gay man in the 1950, when public models were few. Most of all you’ll come away bewitched with an urge to actually read the poem. Coming to movie theaters in September. At the time of Ginsberg’s death, HOWL, had sold more than 800,000 copies and been translated into 25 languages.
ANNE MORGAN’S WAR
Rebuilding Devastated France, 1917-1924 presents rare photographs and silent film footage documenting the First World War’s devastating impact on France. The exhibition brings to life the extraordinary work taken by a small team of American women volunteers who left the United States to devote themselves to relief work with the dynamic leader, Anne Tracy Morgan, a daughter of financier Pierpont Morgan spearheading the campaign and Anne Murray Dike, a physician, taking the lead organizing activities in the field. . With haunting view of ruined French Towns, portraits of refugees it’s a ‘must see.’ The Morgan Library and Museum, 225 Madison Ave. Opens Sept 3. www.themorgan.org.
Ta Ta Darlings!!! I highly recommend HOWL, the preview was a tour de force, a unique portrait of Ginsberg, the beat poet who found new ways to express himself and in doing so, changed his own life and galvanized a generation. Fan mail always welcome: pollytalk@verizon.net. BLOGS: http://www.womendeterminedtosucceed.blogspot.com and http://www.thefashionhistorianpollyguerin.blogspot.com.

Day Tripping Mini Vacations From NYC (c) By Polly Guerin

What to do on the dog days of summer? Get thee to a watering place or take a nature or history tour. Day tripping to nearby resorts makes the dog days of summer more durable especially when you can get out of town for the day and soak up local culture. Here’s the scoop!!!

NATURE AND HISTORY TOURS

Takes you on an adventure to visit one of the largest and oldest working dude ranches in the Poconos, horseback ride and see the second most powerful waterfall on the east coast, the 77 foot Great Falls, second to only Niagara Falls. The trail rides are both for experienced and inexperienced riders, but if that’s not your choice there’s a swimming pool, rowboats, archery, a Petting Zoo and outdoor games. Sun., Aug. 22, 7 am-7pm. $139. www.HinesTours.com. 1.646.403.5653.
41st ANNUAL FINE ARTS & CRAFTS FAIR

At the Garrison Landing, Garrison, New York is an easy commute. Take the Metro North Hudson Line train and get 50% off admission ($8). Regional artist and craftspeople offer collector quality handmade items, there’s a food court and live music to liven up the day, plus free rides on the sloop Woody Guthrie. Art lovers browse the exhibitions in the galleries and art demos. Aug. 21-22, rain or shine, 10am-5pm . Info: www.garrisonartcenter.org or 845.424.3960.
21st ANNUAL BARD MUSIC FESTIVAL’s

Final weekend in New York’s Hudson Valley features Summerscape with Alban Berg headliner, August 20-22. Listeners will encounter music ranging from the familiar Viennese waltzes of Berg’s youth to the most avant-garde music of the 1920s and 1930s. He created a proper context for new music based on principles that included ample rehearsal and the absence of critics. “No Critic Allowed: The Society of Private Performances” Friday night includes works by Stravinsky, Ravel, Bartok and Berg. “Crimes and Passions”ends the run with works by Berg, Hindemith and Weill. Info: www.bard.edu.
ROOFTOP MOVIES AT THE CZECH CENTER NEW YORK

Cool off the summer heat with sky-high breezes as you enjoy Czech films and Manhattan views on the rooftop every Tuesday at dusk. August 17th, Girls night out would enjoy “Subway with Love,” a romantic comedy about two women who tirelessly seek Mr. Right. In Czech with English subtitles. FREE admission, but space is limited and seating is first come, first served. www.czechcenter.com.
Ta Ta darlings!!! I’m off to Garrison on Saturday for the Arts & Crafts Fair. See you there!!! Fan mail: pollytalk@verizon.net and please do go to Blogs: http://www.womendeterminedtosucceed.blogspot.com, and for fashion http://www.thefashionhistorianpollyguerin.blogspot.com.

Summer Serenades New Yorkers (c) By Polly Guerin

Let there be Chocolate Soldiers, let there be music everywhere. The concrete jungle softens its architectural wonders with musical serenades to give pleasure to native New Yorkers and tourists too. With concerts in gardens and operas, French balladeers breeze in with a bit of fresh air to cool off summer’s sizzling days. Here’s the scoop!!!

THE CHOCOLATE SOLDIER
The 1908 light opera by Oscar Straus based on George Bernard Shaw’s Arms and the Man is a merry romp, a fusion of Viennese operetta and British wit that is sure to charm your creative sensibilities. This comic tale, a boy-meets-girl scenario concerns a handsome deserter who takes refuge in the household of a Bulgarian general and sets all the women aflutter including Nadia the general’s daughter. August 12-14, at 8pm and August 11,14 and 15, at 3 pm. Fisher Center at Bard College www.fishercenter.bard.edu.
WATERLILY CONCERTS
The New York Botanical Garden invites you to listen to the importance of food choices and enjoy after hours viewing of the Edible Garden until 7 pm, followed by a delightful summer concert. Bring a blanket and stretch out under the evening sky. Pack a light repast or purchase a picnic basket complete with beer or wine, crudités, and fruit. Dates: Thursday August 12 and August 29. Adults $10, Seniors/Students $9, children 2-12 $4. Members Free. www.nybg.org.
BRYANT PARK READING ROOM
Step into a tranquil place in the heat of the city, the host site of presentations by authors and poets at 42nd St. Get into the swing Wednesday, August 11th, 12:30 pm. when Word for Word author, Terry Teachout presents his book “Pops: A Life of Louis Armstrong,” a portrait of the man behind the music. Sit back and make yourself at home with the music of this legendary jazz master as told by drama and music critic of the Wall Street Journal. Blog.bryantpark.org.
FRENCH CHANSON
Arnaud Fluerent-Didier, a multi-instrumentalist strums up with a taste for 1970s synthesized sounds, owes much to Michel Legrand and the band AIR. His song “France-Culture,’ from his latest album is a headliner. While the music is solidly anchored in its time, the lyrics are a bridge to pre-1968 preoccupations and are reminiscent of the literary dialogue of early Eric Rohmer movies. In the MOMA sculpture garden. Sets performed 5:30 and 7 pm. Cocktails and wine available as well as ice cream treats. www.moma.org.
Ta Ta darlings!!! The fresh air under the cool summer night is enticing reason to hear glorious music all summer. Email pollytalk@verizon.net.
Blogs: http://www.womendeterminedtosucceed.blogspot.com. Fashion friends go to http://www.thefashionhistorian.blogspot.com.

New York Hits The High Note with Musical Venues (c) By Polly Guerin

The Fisher Center for the Performing Arts
Music, Music everywhere at distant shores, French musical singers in the garden, Haitian dancers and artists' talks headline events with last chance to see Picasso. August opens on a high note of entertainments. Here’s the scoop!!!

THE DISTANT SOUND…Franz Schreker’s opera with the American Symphony orchestra, conducted by Leon Botstein takes center stage at the Richard B. Fisher Center for the Performing Arts at Bard College and what a performance!!! The lush, sumptuous music introduces a riveting Venetian bordello with 1930’s style Vegas showgirls and Grete the star courtesan with a huge orchestra, sizable chorus and large cast. It tells the tragic story of Fritz, a composer who forsakes Grete, his beloved, for the sound that is a distant echo of her presence. Leaving her she ascends as the star of the bordello, only to descend into the depths of despair as a streetwalker. Wednesday August 4 at 3pm or August 6 at 7pm. Tickets 845.758.7900 www.fishercenter.bard.edu.
HEAR FRANCE AT MOMA

Summer nights a la Francaise begin Thursday, Aug. 5. In celebration of the exhibition Matisse; Radical Invention, popular song-writers draw on various aspects of the “Chanson” heritage with a strong emphasis on literate lyrics. Mocke and Armelle Pioline are the headliners this Thursday and are sophisticated purveyors of the new French genre. Aug. 12th Pascal Parisot and Fredda’s music mixes classical French songs, Latin Beats and Brazilian harmony. In the Aldrich Rockefeller Sculpture garden in two sets 5:30 and 7 p.m. but do arrive early to get a seat, these are very popular venues. www.moma.org.
HAITIAN RHYTHMS

Art and entertainment celebrates Brooklyn’s Haitian community Saturday, August 7th , a FREE Target First Saturday event. The performances run all day with the Peniel Guerrier and Tabboula dance troupe, Le Troupe Makandal’s Haitian drumming represents Haiti’s history and Pierre Francillon’s artist talk responds to the works in the exhibition Andy Warhol. Films and a dance party light up the night. www.brooklynmuseum.org
ONLY 3 WEEKS REMAIN:

To see the exhibitions Picasso and American Woman: Fashioning a National Identity both on view through August 15th at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. The American Woman is a show within a show, an extraordinary review of fashions with spectacular illustrated backgrounds with images of each era and film clips to augment the fashion images and movie star icons. Not to be missed!!! PICASSO, offers an unprecedented opportunity to see one of the most important collections in the world of the artist’s work. www.metmusuem.org.
Ta Ta darlings!!! I think I’ll go to France via MOMA’s garden and listen to “Chanson.” Fan mail always welcome pollytalk@verizon.net. Check out my Blogspot Blogs: http://www.womendeterminedtosucced.blogspot.com and for fashion fans http://www.thefashionhistorianpollyguerin.blogspot.com.