SERIOUS CULTURE IN STORIED VENUES (c) By Polly Guerin

“Making Lists” creates historical reference to famous and celebrated Literati, while Museum Mile celebrates art and Callas returns to the stage waxing nostalgic over Ari. It's the Best of New York my friends, the Very Best of New York. Here’s the scoop!!!
LISTS, TO-DOS, ILLUSTRATED INVENTORIES, COLLECTED THOUGHTS! Save your lists my friends!!! Who ever thought that these documents would be historically significant? On view at the Morgan Library & Museum the exhibit presents a broad range of artists jottings, from Pablo Picasso and Alexander Calder to H. L. Mencken to Elaine de Mooning and Lee Krasner to name a few giving an intimate view of an artist’s personal life. Take Franz Kline’s $274.51 liquor, I’d like to have gone to that New Year’s Eve bash for his abstract artist friends. Then let’s take a lesson from Adolf Konrad’s whimsical and detailed “Illustrated Packing List” for a 1962 trip to Rome, pictured at left. Picasso was a list maker par excellence. He itemized his recommendations for the ground-breaking 1913 Armory show. These personal artifacts sometimes become works of art, some dashed off quickly, other beautifully illustrated. www.themorgan.org.
MASTER CLASS, Polly’s Theater Pick of the Week, CALLAS is back in true form in the guise of Tyne Daly who comes to the stage to teach Master Class just as Callas did at Julliard during her last years. I was there when the original Callas dispensed the secret of her art to a new generation of singers passing through her searing scrutiny. Her directives were riveting and glad I was not to be one of the singers on the stage under her baton. During Class, Callas monologues about her tempestuous relationship with Aristotle Onassis. Tyne Daly holds class at the Friedman Theatre, 261 W. 47th St., with an affable Manny (Jeremy Cohen) at the piano. Previews begin June 14. Tickets as low as $48. ClubManager@playbill.com.
MUSEUM CRAWL, Polly’s Event of the Week Tuesday, June 14th is FREE for the walking, up and down Fifth Avenue where New York City’s cultural institutions open their doors for Museum Mile that stretches from 82nd to 110th Streets. Start at the top at Museum for African Art (110th St.) where dance performances enliven the evening and nearby catch El Museo del Barrio’s Files: Voces y Visiones featuring works of Latino Caribbean and Latin-American artists, and don’t miss Joel Grey’s exhibit, “New York Life” at the Museum of the City of New York . Fashion aficionados head for the Cooper-Hewitt National Design Museum for the Van Cleef & Arpels jewels and the Parisian artist, Sonia DeLaunay’s textiles and interior design. Stop off at the Neue Gallerie for Vienna 1900 and check out the Café Zabriske to indulge your chocolate cravings. Catch your breath and go up to the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s roof for Anthony Caro’s sculptures and a breathtaking view of the city while sipping cocktails named after the art works. More fun awaits with entertainers, variety acts and musicians along the way.
ARTISANAL, Polly’s Restaurant of the Week, off Park Avenue and 32nd Street, a Fromagerie Bistro and wine bar, features a unique varied menu and a world of cheese specialties including the starter sampler, the Cheese Plate with three seasonal cheeses $15.50, wine is extra. The Lunch Prix Fixe is value priced at $25 and includes Hors-D’oeuvres, Plats Pricipaux, a choice of 3 entrees such as Wild Mushroom Risotto with Fava Beans and Black Truffle Butter. Desserts include Crème Brulee “Le Cirque.” On a budget? Choose, Croque Monsieur/Madam or Vegetable Quiche at $16.50 or the Artisanal Blend Burger $15.50. Best to make a reservation. 212.725.8585. http://www.artisanalbistro.com.
Ta Ta darlings!!! I’m revisiting Callas at MASTER CLASS!!! Fan mail welcome, pollytalk@verizon.net. Visit Polly’s Blogs: www.pollytalk.com, just click on the Blog of your interest in the right-hand column.