BERT STERN: ORIGINAL MAD MAN Photo Exhibit and Documentary Celebration

reporter: Miguel Dominguez

On April 4th at the Staley Wise Gallery in SoHo, a celebration took place to promote the documentary Bert Stern: Original Mad Man by Shannah Laumeister, honoring Bert Stern, a former art director who turned photographer because he couldn't get the images he wanted for his ads. This decision not only made him one of the most highly regarded photographers in the history of commercial photography, but allowed him the unforgettable distinction of being the last photographer to shoot Marilyn Monroe before her tragic demise.

Documentary Director/Producer Shannah Laumeister and her hubby Bert Stern

SAKE AND THE CITY - Japanese Rice Wine Tasting Celebration

reporter: Miguel Dominguez

On February 12 at the Astor Center, In order to increase awareness of Japanese Sake in the US, the Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO) and the Japan Sake and Shochu Makers Association (JSS) hosted "Sake and the City," a sake tasting event featuring select sake producers from Japan. This event offered American trade and press an opportunity to discover various sake producers and develop their knowledge of the Japanese beverage.

ON LOCATION: JAMES RYECK Art Exhibit

reporter: Miguel Dominguez

“On Location” opened March 29th, at the Lyons Wier Gallery showing the work of artist James Rieck.

The paintings in “On Location” are digitally composited figures in grand landscapes. The figures are clearly models poached from advertisements and the landscapes are classic displays of manufactured nature; but combined, they are on location! The clothing models have been transported to the exotic lands, but they are not actually there. These people were not in these places; they were not interacting with the nature. This revelation brings home an almost universal feeling of displacement, and yet no matter how disquieting, there is a peaceful feeling of serenity, as if that’s exactly how the narratives and compositions should be.

RICHARD HICKAM Art Exhibit

reporter: Miguel Dominguez

Richard Hickam with wife Suzin, founder of Suzin L. Chocolatier

On April 3, Allan Stone Gallery presented Richard Hickam: Four Decades, his thirteenth solo exhibition with the gallery that included a group of new works.

Allison Stone Stabile, President of Allan Stone Gallery and Richard, who is due for a refill

ELLIOT HUNDLEY New Works

reporter: Miguel Dominguez

On March 29th along west 25th street, one of several "Gallery Rows" in the outer reaches of Chelsea, I attended the art opening of Elliott Hundley's latest art pieces, which were being exhibited at the  Andrea Rosen Gallery

ROBIN HOOD FOUNDATION Benefit Concert for Hurricane Sandy Victims

reporter: Miguel Dominguez

Ara Gregorian Resnick, violin; Tom Sauer, piano;
Alicia Gregorian Sawyers, cello; Ani Gregorian, violin

The Gregorian Family, comprised of Ani Gregorian Resnick, Ara Gregorian, Alicia Gregorian Sawyers and Tom Sauer, performed in two private benefit concerts at the Sohotel Artspace Gallery to support the Robin Hood Hurricane Sandy Relief Fund, which provides much needed support to those still affected by Super Storm Sandy.

The concerts were held at 4:00 and 8:00 on March 16. The 4:00 concert, which was the one I attended, was the more family friendly concert, with children ages 5 and up making up a large part of the audience, most of them Ani's music students.

HOW TO ACT LIKE A KID by Henry Hodges - book signing

reporter: Miguel Dominguez

On March 26 at the Drama Book Shop I had, thanks to events photographer Theresa Keil, a mutual friend of Henry Hodges and I, the wonderful treat of attending the book signing of How to Act Like a Kid: Backstage Secrets of a Young Performer, which also included a staged session of Henry elaborating on the experiences written in his book. The interviewer for the occasion was Tim Federle, who like Henry, started as a performer, but excels as a comedic writer...the frothy kind.

Published by Disney Editions, How to Act Like a Kid: Backstage Secrets of a Young Performer was written by Henry and Margaret Engel with the intent of being a guide to stage and screen from a young veteran of Broadway, and therefore aimed to teens from 14–18 years of age. Young aspiring performers will be able to read about, learn from, and be inspired by an extraordinary young actor through his own words. 

VINA CROATIA Wine Tasting

reporter: Miguel Dominguez

At the Astor Center on January 7, Vina Croatia, had its second annual presentation to members of the wine trade and press of over 100 Croatian wines available for tasting, some of which have never been sold in the US, .