April 2011 |
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| Rumours with a View | ||
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The United States is the only country in the world whose political capital is not the same as its cultural capital. Alexander Hamilton cut a deal with his arch rival Thomas Jefferson and the capital was moved from New York City to a swamp in Virginia. This was fortuitous: we became the financial capital (Wall Street) the cultural capital (Broadway) and the arts capital (Lincoln Center). We are also the media capital of the world. All the major broadcast companies have headquarters here. This sometimes means our local news, gossip and peccadilloes get magnified across the country (and often blown all out of proportion). Then again, this "view" makes us seem like the center of the universe! |
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Lots happening in the venue department. The Dali Lama, following the lead of Wal-Mart, is opening an “OM Depot “up in Harlem. It will carry Tibetan home products transported and installed by native Sherpa. ABC TV has partnered with the Russian Nightclub, Rasputin in Brighton Beach, to air a new reality show – “Dancing with the Czars.” On Madison Avenue, Ralph Lauren has built a faux chateau offering beau chapeaux. Cosmetics giant Sephora is opening a new line of kosher cosmetic stores called Sepharda. And finally, Lady GaGa is unveiling a dress store in the Meat Packing District so she can be closer to her suppliers.
Openings:
The Ed Koch Queensborough Bridge
Flu Shots at Penicillin Station |
Not to be out done by Mario Batalli’s Eataly, Chef Daniel Boulard is teaming up with Dinosaur Barbecue to open “Bone Appetite.” German food is coming back in style with many beer gardens springing up all over town; “Pilsner on the Roof “and “Pretzel Twist and Stout”, to name a few. The Time Warner Building is adding a new Japanese vegan spot called “Noh Taste”. Marcus Samuelsson is featuring Swedish Soul Food at his hot new Harlem place called “Red Rooster.” N.B.C. is moving back to Chelsea Markets. “Anorexia” is Manhattans first gluten free restaurant - check out the large bathrooms. Openings:
Sushi Simba |
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Fox News is producing its first Broadway Musical starring Glenn Beck and Bill O’Reilley called Anchors Awry based on the film which starred Gene Kelly and Frank Sinatra. A fly on the wall has it that Spider-Man is not opening on Broadway but partnering with Cirque du Soleil, transferring directly to the Bellagio Hotel in Vegas and opening as “O” Spider-Man! (now when they crash, they land in a pool of water) In San Francisco, with an eye on moving it to the Great White Way, Wolverine Jackman is performing in a solo concert entitled, Baby its Hugh.
Openings: Charlie Sheen at Radio City Music Hall
How to Succeed in
Business without Really
Trying Sarsaparilla Queen of the Dessert Driving Miss Daisy |
TV Movie channel, AMC, is unveiling its new “Mad Men” Hotel on Madison Avenue featuring 1960’s retro décor by Dorothy Draper, classic cocktails served up by top shelf Christina Hendricks and complimentary cigarettes in every room. MGM Grand is taking over the Paramount Hotel. The Auriga Spa in the new Setai Hotel has four signature treatments that reflect the varying energies of the lunar cycle. AARP is opening up a five star assisted living hotel on Park Avenue called “The For Seasoned Travelers” . Down on the Bowery, Black Flag is the first certified bed bug free hotel - “Bugs check out, but they don't check in!" Openings:
Mondrian SoHo |
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