Where-To-Go Wednesday - Snoopy in Style NYC

What: Snoopy in Style NYC

Where: 25 Little West 12th St.

             New York, NY

 

Who: All ages

When: Through September 26, 2026

In honor of the U.S. Open and New York Fashion Week, which occurred earlier this month, a month-long free exhibit exploring the intersection of the comic strip Peanuts, particularly Snoopy, and fashion is now open in Manhattan's Meatpacking District. The exhibit also pays tribute to over thirty years of exhibits featuring either Snoopy and his sister Belle or Snoopy and Woodstock in designer clothing created especially for them by an assortment of renowned fashion designers.  Designers who have contributed to these various events have ranged from Levi Strauss to Givenchy and everyone in between. Even theater and movie costume designer Paul Tazewell has contributed a couple of his Hamilton designs for Snoopy and Belle. 

The current exhibit features numerous examples of Snoopy and Woodstock in designer clothing created for a previous exhibitions as well as some created specifically for the current exhibit. Many others of Snoopy and Belle scroll in a continuous loop on screens throughout the exhibit. 

The museum also covers the creation of the comic book characters and how their style developed, including how it was influenced by trends of the day along with Charles Schulz's own style. A couple of his sweaters are even on display. Numerous examples of Snoopy in regular everyday clothes as well as career-specific ones are also on display. Books, mugs, figurines, articles of clothing and various other memorabilia are also on display.

Special areas located within the exhibit are devoted to tennis, Peanuts-related music, and the Macy's Thanksgiving Parade.  The tennis section explores Schulz's love for the game, his friendship with Billy Jean King, and his devotion to women's rights and equality, particularly in sports. The Joe Cool Listening Lounge provides a quiet space to listen to Peanuts-related music. The parade section explores Peanuts' relationship with the parade over the years. Models of some of the Snoopy Balloons that have flown in the parade are on display. Samples of  the new Macy's parade-related Peanuts merchandise created in honor of the parade's 100th anniversary this year are also part of this section. The latter items are not available for purchase in the exhibit. Numerous other items, including stuffed animals and other toys, books, music, bags, magnets, and so much more, are available in the very large gift shop section. There is also a snack bar. 

The whole exhibit is fairly large and can be a bit overwhelming at times, particularly because of crowd sizes and the sheer volume of material available to take in.  However, it is unnecessary to try to absorb all the signage and written material available on site. Large multi-page, newspaper-sized pamphlets covering the same material in slightly more detail are available for free to take home and peruse at your leisure. 

And that's our view. The exhibit is completely free. No tickets or reservations are required. However, be prepared to wait in a long line to get in, especially at busier, more convenient times. For more information about the exhibit, visit hwww.peanuts.com/snoopy-in-style-nyc

Tune in tomorrow for Theater Thursday.

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Tips for Tuesday - Books: The Circus of the Vanishing Elephant & A Season For Falling; Movie: Before the Ice Melts

We may have received complimentary copies and/or review access to any books, products, and/or other visual or audio media mentioned below. Any and all opinions expressed here are our own.

Books: The Circus of the Vanishing Elephant & A Season for Falling

Today, we recommend The Circus of the Vanishing Elephant by Tim Schooley. Henrietta, the vanishing elephant, the star attraction of the King Minos Circus, disappears for real during a routine parade walk. The number one suspect is King Minos' daughter, Randi, an activist who urged her father to free the elephants.

This is a beautiful story about the relationship between humans and animals. However, it is not only about the warm, loving bonds that can develop between them but also about the darker side of the relationship and the literal shackles that may keep them bound together.

The animals in the story are especially well drawn. Some even more so than some of the human characters. Henrietta in particular has so much personality, and completely worms her way into your heart. You can't help loving her and only wanting the best for her, although it is often hard to determine what that is.  The author does a good job of presenting both sides of the circus animal debate. Although he does seem to favor conservationism somewhat more, he is not heavy-handed about it.

A secondary storyline deals with Ainge, a newbie clown, haunted by the ghost of his dead father after being rejected for being gay. Although the story is handled sensitively, the issue of his sexuality gets short shrift. A relationship between him and another circus worker is hinted at but never really gets developed. It is refreshing, however, that the relationship between Ainge and his mother doesn't get the cliched and unrealistic ending that so often happens in fiction but doesn't always occur in real life. 

The book is also a primer on what it is like to be part of a circus. As a former clown himself, the author knows what he's talking about. There are lots of warm family vibes but also teasing, jealousy, and more. All in all, it's very much like being part of an actual family.

Today, we recommend A Season for Falling by Kate O'Shaughnessy. When Claire's TV career imploded after a devastating betrayal by her father/manager, she, her mom, and her brother left him and moved across the country. Determined to start again and lead a more normal life, Claire keeps her past hidden, but when her childhood friend, former co-star, and secret crush Luca comes to town to film a movie, old feelings rise to the surface, and it becomes harder and harder to keep her past hidden.

This book provides a real insider's view of the darker side of childhood stardom. However, Claire is lucky enough to have risen above it rather than succumb to the dangers of drugs, alcohol, or other numbing substances to deal with her past. This is largely due to the support of her extremely loving and tremendously supportive mom and brother, but Claire herself shows an admirable strength and fortitude. Whatever happens, she deals with it; she never retreats into either herself or the aforementioned drugs, alcohol, or other substances. 

Claire's father, on the other hand, is a selfish asshole who never really has her best interest at heart, something she has to learn the hard way. His gambling problem is no excuse for his treatment of his daughter, and even when his family literally leaves him, he still doesn't learn his lesson. 

Luca is sweet and really seems to care about Claire. He can be annoyingly wishy-washy at times, however, and doesn't always stand up for himself or Claire when he should. However, as someone who has always had his decisions made for him, it is somewhat understandable but not always forgivable. He does show growth over the course of the story, however.

The ending of the book is satisfying, but in a relastic way.  Although ardent romance fans may not accept it and may choose to imagine a future for these characters beyond what is written on the page, others will find it refreshing. 

Movie: Before the Ice Melts

 Today, we are talking about Before the Ice Melts. This movie is about a young female hockey player waiting to hear if she will get drafted. This film is very narrowly focused and accordingly extremely short. It feels like just as you are getting into it when it's already over. It would have been nice to know more about what happened before and/or after, particularly before. However, it is somewhat inspirational, particularly for young girls who have been told that they cannot do certain things because they are girls. It also teaches good lessons about perseverance, self-confidence, and adaptability, as you have to adjust to a reality that may be a little different than you wanted or expected, but it can still be equally good. 

And that's our view. The Circus of the Vanishing Elephant was published last Tuesday, September 15, 2026. A Season for Falling was published today. Before the Ice Melts is now available on DVD and for digital purchase or rental.

Tune in tomorrow for Where-To-Go Wednesday.

Images other than film images in this post are our own.  Film images were sent to us from publicists, artists, and/or  PR firms. Address any concerns regarding image usage here.

More Theater Monday - Six Reasons to See Speakeasy, Die Softly!

We received complimentary tickets to Speakeasy, Die Softly for review purposes. Any and all opinions expressed here are our own.

Here are six reasons to attend Speakeasy, Die Softly, the interactive murder mystery now playing at Carmine's 44th St in New York City:

1) To participate in a fun, interactive mystery! 

2) To put your crime-solving skills to the test!

3) To test your acting chops by playing a suspect (but only if you want to)!

4) To have an excuse to dress up in 1920s gear (but again, only if you want to)!

5) To meet nice people in a low-stress way!

6) To have some of Carmine's delicious food!

And that's our view.  Speakeasy Easy, Die Softly is now playing at Carmine's 44th St. (200 44th St.) For more about the show, or to purchase tickets, visit newyorkdinnertheater.com. We will also be talking more about the show in an upcoming Theater Thursday.

Tune in tomorrow for Tips for Tuesday.

All pictures used in this post are our own.  Concerns regarding image usage can be addressed here.