I started this blog with one daughter, kept it up with the other, to spend time together doing something we enjoyed.
However, things change and people evolve. My daughters are older, busier, and not as interested in writing.
From now on this blog will be mostly mom with occasional contributions from my daughters and maybe even my husband.
Nothing else will change. We'll still focus on sharing fun places to go, fun things to do, and more, and we would  still love to hear your views too

Thursday, July 30, 2020

Theater Thursday - Disenchanted


What: Disenchanted

Where: Available for Rental from Broadway HD 

Who: Teens and Up

When: Through July 31, 2020

Disenchanted is a show that turns the happily ever after myth on its head. Snow White, Cinderella and more familiar faces have their say about what it's really like to be a princess in this amusing story. It's not just sunshine and tiaras. It's being at the beck and call of a prince and not being paid for the sale of your likeness on everything from dinnerware to underwear and more as told in a series of campy songs. Definitely not a show for the little ones, but teenagers may enjoy it. This socially distanced production was produced by the Boulder Dinner Theater the performers are generally well-spaced apart and masks are worn when they and/or crew members are in close quarters. There are several occasions when cast members are not wearing a mask when they probably should be, however, and/or when actors hold hands so the production was perhaps not quite as careful as it could have been. This is not a problem for those of us sitting comfortably in our homes and watching though. Although the show is not up to the caliber of the Off-Broadway version of the show which we reviewed a few years ago, on the whole, it's a pleasant diversion.

And that's Mom's view.

For more information about renting the Boulder Dinner Theater's version of Disenchanted today or tomorrow or the High School edition of the show to be presented by Footlights Performing Arts on August 8 or 9, visit www.broadwayondemand.com/searchs?q=disench.

Tune in Sunday for this week's Sunday Scoop.

Wednesday, July 29, 2020

What-To-Do Wednesday - Virtual Visits - Penobscot Marine Museum


What:  Penobscot Marine Museum

Physical Location:   5 Church St.
                                   Searsport, ME

The Penobscot Marine Museum is dedicated to the history of maritime life in Maine. The museums extensive collection includes photographs, artifacts, and archives. Current virtual exhibits available to explore include the following:

Exploring the Magic of Photography 

20 Best - Arguably the 20 best photos from the museum's archives with written descriptions as well as audio clips which enhance the descriptions and explaining why the photographs were chosen.

The Carters and Lukes - The Carters and Lukes were two important boat building families in Maine's history. This section of the exhibit includes photographs with descriptions as well as some audio.

The Evolution of the Photographic Snapshot - This section of the exhibit provides a series of photographs and shows how the art of taking pictures changed over time.

Through Her Lens Women Photographers of Mid-Coast Maine, 1895 - 1925 - This section consists of a series of photographs by women photographers including Ida Crie, Evie Barbour, Joanna Colcord, Ruth Montgomery, and Harriet Hitchborn. It also offers visitors the opportunity to comment and/or upload a photo of their own.

Penobscot Marine Museum Reader  provides images relating to various exhibits in the museum's permanent collection including those regarding:

People  - Atlantic Fisherman, Summer Folk

Specific areas - Knox County, Waldo County, Washington  County

Specific photographers - Elmer Montgomery, Ed Coffin

Artifacts and documents in the museum - tea box, Chinese coat, Coolie ship records, discharge papers and more

Paintings by Thomas and James Butterworth 

For more information or to make a virtual visit of your own go to penobscotmarinemuseum.org.

Tune in tomorrow for Theater Thursday.

photo credit: *rboed* The Harbor at Camden, Maine via photopin (license)

*Please note: The above photograph is not part of the museum's collection.

Tuesday, July 28, 2020

Tips for Tuesday - Books: The New Girlfriend

We may have been given a complimentary copy of one or more of the books and/or other products mentioned below for review purposes. Any and all opinions expressed here are our own.

Book: The New Girlfriend

The New Girlfriend: A totally gripping and addictive psychological thriller by [Sheryl Browne]

Today I am recommending The New Girfriend by Sheryl Browne. After Cassie's son, Josh dies in a tragic accident, Kim shows up claiming that she is Josh's girlfriend and is expecting his baby. Cassie sets out to learn the truth about Kim while trying not to reveal her own secret in the process. There is so much going on in this story that sometimes it is hard to keep track of it all. The plot and characters are interesting, however, and it does keep you wanting to read. Overall, the story is intriguing and although in some ways you may be able to guess where the story is heading in other ways it will still surprise you.

And that's Mom's view.

Tune in tomorrow for What-To-Do Wednesday.

Monday, July 27, 2020

Monthly Mashup for July, 2020 Me: Chocolate and Mom: Chips


Me - My topic for this month is chocolate. I love chocolate. There are so many different types of chocolate. I don't really like white chocolate or dark chocolate. I love milk chocolate! I also like hot chocolate and chocolate milk. I like hot chocolate with the little marshmallows on top. I  like it without the little marshmallows too. I like it when it's really chocolatey. My favorite brand of chocolate milk is Nestle's. I like chocolate pretzels. I like M & Ms. I like Hershey's. I like chocolate bunnies.  I love chocolate with caramel like Twix and Milky Ways. I love Twix and Milky Ways. The caramel M&Ms are not the best. They are not that caramely. I prefer regular M&Ms. I haven't really had any other kinds of M&M's besides those. All in all, I love chocolate!


Mom - My topic for this month is chips. I like a lot of different kinds of chips but not all chips. I like potato chips but only flavored ones or baked ones. I don't like Honey Mustard Potato Chips, however, even though I like honey mustard. I like all kinds of cheesy chips: Cheese Doodles, Cheese Puffs, Cheetos, Nacho Cheese Doritos,  to name a few. I also like Cool Ranch Doritos. We always call those Blue Doritos because they come in a blue package. I sort of like Chili Cheese Doritos. Those are the only flavors of Doritos I have had.I like all kinds of Sun Chips especially the French Onion ones. I don't like the regular Sun Chips as much because I think they are kind of plain and boring. I like all kinds of corn chips like Fritos,Dipsy Doodles, and Tortilla chips. I like all kinds of pretzels. I like Special K  popcorn chips and Special K Cracker chips. I am not sure if they even make those anymore. I haven't seen them in a while. I like Chex Mix especially the cheesy kind. I like all kinds of popcorn especially flavored popcorn. I am not sure if popcorn is actually considered a chip, but I feel like it is though because sometimes when you get a variety pack of chips there is popcorn in it. I wish there were less chips that I liked because that would make it easier not to eat them.  Why do so many things that taste so good have to be so unhealthy?


And that's our view. What's on your mind.

Photo credits:
photo credit 1: _kasey via photopin (license)
photo credit 2: Niharb 14/365 - Comfort via photopin (license)
photo credit 3: JeepersMedia Cheetos via photopin (license)

Sunday, July 26, 2020

Sunday Scoop Week of 7/26/20 - 2012 Current and Upcoming Alternatives to Live In Person Events and More

1)Aaase Yaa Cultural Arts Foundation Black Youth Virtual Benefit Concert 7/30
2) The Gaze A New Media Series Season One: "...No Homo" Airing Thursdays Starting 7/30
3)) New York CC's Studio 5/Great American Ballerinas - Sara Mearns With Nina Ananiashvii 7/3
4) New York Theatre Ballet Announces Children's Division Curriculum for 2020/2021South Street
5) Penn Museum Reopens  7/28
6) South Street Seaport Free Virtual Talk Preserving the Fleet 7/30
7) Second Stage Theatre Announces Three Play for 2021 Season
8) Theatre Resources Unlimited July Panel Via Zoom 7/29
9)Works & Process at the Guggenheim Announces Virtual Commissions August Premieres


1) ASASE YAA CULTURAL ARTS FOUNDATION SCHEDULES JULY 30TH

"RAISING OUR VOICES FOR 
BLACK YOUTH VIRTUAL BENEFIT CONCERT"

TO SUPPORT $50,000 MIGHTYCAUSE 
YOUTH SUMMER JOBS CAMPAIGN
Brooklyn-based Asase Yaa Cultural Arts Foundation, which is celebrating its 19th year, has announced it will premiere its first virtual performance event, RAISING OUR VOICES FOR BLACK YOUTH BENEFIT CONCERT, Thursday, July 30, 2020 at 8 PM. It will be broadcast via OBS streaming services on YouTube, Instagram, and Facebook. All funds raised from the concert will be donated to its Asase Youth Summer Employment Initiative Mightycause crowdfunding campaign, which has been running since early June. The Initiative's goal is to raise $50,000 to employ 20 teenage youth (ages 14-19) to work at the Foundation and its 14th annual Children's Summer Arts Camp.

R & B/Soul artist Amma Whatt will serve as Master of Ceremonies of the 45-minute concert, featuring guest performances by the Asase Yaa Youth Ensemble, African Djembe ensemble Farafina Kan Next Generation, musician Kofi Hunter, rapper Kudonyc, and Philadelphia based hip hop dance ensemble Illstyle & Peace. In addition, the benefit event will include video presentations by dancer/entertainer Vianka Winborne (Drake, Sean Paul, and an alumni of the Asase Yaa African American Dance Theater), Hot 97 radio personality Shani Kulture, and actor/singer/dancer Shahadi Wright Joseph (starred in Jordon Peele's hit movie US). RAISING YOUR VOICES FOR BLACK YOUTH is co-produced by the Asase Yaa Cultural Arts Foundation and URNYC Media Productions. Donations can be made (a minimum of $5.00) via text, 844-844-
6844 using the code YSEI, or at, https://www.mightycause.com/donate/Asaseyaa-Ysei. The Mightcause crowdfunding campaign runs through August 15th. The benefit event will be available for viewing on YouTube after it premieres on July 30th.

For more information about Asase Yaa, go to: www.asaseyaaent.org
*********************************************************************

2) THE GAZE

SEASON ONE: “...NO HOMO AIRING
THURSDAYS BEGINNING JULY 30
PROLOGUE AVAILABLE JULY 26

The Gaze, a new media event series from award-winning creator Larry Powell (The ChristiansThe Browsing EffectMother’s Milkand Tell Me A Story Productions, will air LIVE on Thursdays at 7pm PT/10pm ET at TheEFestival.org, with the prologue slated for July 26, 2020 at 7pm PT/10pm ET.


The Gaze is a hilarious and raw, heartfelt dramedy tracking the 50-year rollercoaster career of Jerome Price, an openly queer black actor, as he fights to rise above the labyrinth of systemic racism and inequality in the entertainment industry in hopes of being able to shine under a gaze that sees him as equal and free.  In Season 1: “...No Homo” we are introduced to Jerome as he meets the play and the White American Theatre festival that forever change the trajectory of his career and life in the arts.


The new media series will roll out as a weekly multi-platform virtual ritual called The Fire Circle, creating space for audiences to center, connect and heal at the flames of creativity curated by Powell and friends. Healing through the fire, the circle explodes the themes of each week’s premiere episodes with a live DJ, inspirational words, and activating post-show conversation with leading artists and activists.

Shot via virtual connection across the country, The Gaze examines the process of building culturally specific and queer works of color in historically white spaces. It wrestles with the questions: Why strain to be free under a gaze fixed on your imprisonment when it’s you who is holding the key? Why stay? Go where?

Season 1: “...No Homo” will feature an extraordinary cast including Sharon Lawrence (NYPD BlueQueen SugarShameless), Devere Rogers (My SpyWill & Grace, Sherman’s Showcase), Yvette Cason (Dreamgirls, A Wrinkle in Time), Galen J. Williams (PoseMotown The Musical), Jason “Freckle” Green (The Gay and Wondrous Life of Caleb Gallo), Eugene Byrd (Star Wars8 MileBones), and T.C. Carson (God of WarStar Wars: The Clone WarsLiving Single).

Join in LIVE on Thursdays starting July 30th at 7pm PT/10pm ET for The Fire Circle streaming on YouTube, Twitch, and Facebook! The show airs live and is available through 11:59pm Sunday nights.

For additional information, please visit TheEFestival.org.
*********************************************************************
3) New York City Center's Studio 5/Great American Ballerinas
Virtual Event

Sara Mearns with Nina Ananiashvili
Live on Thu Jul 30 at 12pm


Watch NYCB principal dancer Sara Mearns live as she shows off her technical mastery and emotionalrange while being coached remotely by renowned ballerina Nina Ananiashvili from Georgia, ithe second episode of City Center’s virtual five-part Studio 5 | Great American Ballerinas.
This live event also includes in-depth conversations with the curator and host of the series, Alastair Macaulay.

*********************************************************************

4)New York Theatre Ballet School
announces
Children's Division Curriculum
for the 20-21 School Year

New York Theatre Ballet School announces its Children's Division Curriculum for the 20-21 School Year, running September 21, 2020 through June 12, 2021. Through the program, students receive world-class Cecchetti training from top industry instructors.

Students of NYTB School have appeared professionally on Broadway in the productions of The Lion KingSchool of RockBilly Elliott, and South Pacific, and with New York City Ballet, Carnegie Hall with The New York Pops, Signature Theatre, Manhattan Theatre Club, Metropolitan Opera House, Theatre for a New City, and Cherry Lane Theatre. 

For more information on tuition, attire, and how to register, email admin@nytb.org or visit nytb.org/ballet-school-ny/2020-2021-information.

NYTB School Curriculum
September 21, 2020 - June 12, 2021

PRE-BALLET I
(4-5 years old) 
Saturday 9:00-10:00am 

PRE-BALLET II
(6-7 years old) 
Monday 4:00-5:00pm or Saturday 10:00-11:00am 

BALLET I
(by audition or invitation) 
Tuesday 4:15-5:15pm 
Thursday 4:15-5:15pm 

BALLET II
(by audition or invitation) 
Monday 5:00-6:30pm 
Friday 4:30-6:00pm 

BALLET III
(by audition or invitation) 
Wednesday 4:30-6:00pm 
Saturday 12:30-2:00pm 

BALLET IV
(by audition or invitation) 
Tuesday 5:15-6:45pm 
Thursday 5:15-6:45pm (Workshop) 
Saturday 11:00am-12:30pm 

YAD
(by audition or invitation) 
Monday 6:30-8:00pm 
Wednesday 6:00-7:30pm 
Thursday 5:15-6:45pm (Workshop) 
Friday 6:00-7:30pm 
Saturday 2:00-3:30pm
Saturday 3:30-4:30pm (Pointe)

For more information, visit https://nytb.org/
*********************************************************************
5) Penn Museum Reopens
 to the General Public
Tuesday July 28

To keep guests safe, they have implemented a number of new visitation protocols, including capacity limits in our galleries and the request that all visitors and members reserve tickets in advance online to visit. 

If you do not feel ready to return to the Museum in person, Penn Museum At Home programming will continue as well and you can keep connecting that way.

For more information or to purchase tickets, visit https://446.blackbaudhosting.com/446/sslpage.aspx

*********************************************************************
6) SECOND STAGE THEATER
Announces Three Plays for 2021 Season

Upcoming Broadway Premiere
At The Hayes Theater

A new play by LYNN NOTTAGE
Directed by KATE WHORISKEY

Performances Beginning Fall of 2021

And Off-Broadway World Premiere

LETTERS OF SURESH
By RAJIV JOSEPH
Directed by MAY ADRALES

Performances Beginning Spring of 2021

Joining the Previously Announced
Broadway Production of

TAKE ME OUT
By RICHARD GREENBERG
Directed by SCOTT ELLIS

Starring PATRICK J. ADAMS, JULIAN CIHI, HIRAM DELGADO, BRANDON J. DIRDEN, JESSE TYLER FERGUSON, CARL LUNDSTEDT, KEN MARKS,
MICHAEL OBERHOLTZER, EDUARDO RAMOS, TYLER LANSING WEAKS,
and JESSE WILLIAMS

Performances Beginning Week of March 22, 2021
To Open on Broadway Thursday, April 22, 2021

Second Stage Theater (Carole Rothman, President and Artistic Director) has confirmed two plays for its Broadway home, The Hayes Theater, as well as one play for its off-Broadway home, The Tony Kiser Theater, for its upcoming 42nd Season in 2021. An additional off-Broadway production will be announced in the coming months.


Second Stage Theater’s 2021 Season will feature the New York premiere of Lynn Nottage’s latest work, directed by Nottage’s frequent collaborator, Kate Whoriskey. Performances begin on Broadway in the fall of 2021.

Spring of 2021 will see the return of playwright Rajiv Joseph, whose plays All This IntimacyAnimals Out of Paper and Gruesome Playground Injuries received productions at Second Stage Theater. Directed by May Adrales, Letters Of Suresh will have its world premiere at Second Stage’s off-Broadway Tony Kiser Theater (305 West 43rd Street).

They join the previously announced production of Richard Greenberg’s Tony Award-winning play, Take Me Out. Postponed due to the current Broadway suspension, Take Me Out will be coming to Broadway next year with performances beginning the week of March 22, 2021 at Second Stage’s Hayes Theater (240 West 44th Street). Opening night is set for Thursday, April 22, 2021.


Subscription and ticket information will be available in the Fall. For more information visit 2ST.com.

More information on the season’s productions is below:

At Broadway’s Hayes Theater
New York Premiere of a new play by Lynn Nottage
Directed by Kate Whoriskey
Fall 2021

In this stirring new play from the team of two-time Pulitzer Prize winner Lynn Nottage and director Kate Whoriskey (Ruined, Sweat), a truck stop sandwich shop offers its formerly incarcerated kitchen staff a shot at reclaiming their lives. Even as the shop’s callous owner tries to keep them under her thumb, the staff members are given purpose and permission to dream by the enigmatic, zen-like chef and his belief in the possibility of the perfect sandwich.  

LETTERS OF SURESH
At Second Stage’s off-Broadway Tony Kiser Theater
World Premiere
By Rajiv Joseph
Directed by May Adrales
Spring 2021

In Letters Of Suresh, playwright Rajiv Joseph reveals intimate mysteries through a series of letters between strangers, friends, daughters, and lovers — many with little in common but a hunger for human connection. ​Sending their hopes and dreams across oceans and years, they seek peace in one another while dreaming of a city once consumed by the scourge of war. ​A companion piece to Joseph’s play Animals Out of PaperLetters Of Suresh, directed by May Adrales, is the latest work from the Pulitzer Prize-short listed playwright. 
   
TAKE ME OUT
At Broadway’s Hayes Theater
By Richard Greenberg
Directed by Scott Ellis
Starring Patrick J. AdamsJesse Tyler Ferguson, Jesse Williams with Julian Cihi, Hiram Delgado, Brandon J. Dirden, Carl Lundstedt, Ken Marks, Michael Oberholtzer, Eduardo Ramos and Tyler Lansing Weaks.

Performances begin week of March 22, 2021; Opening night is Thursday, April 22, 2021

In the Tony Award®-winning Take Me Out, playwright Richard Greenberg celebrates the personal and professional intricacies of America’s favorite pastime. When Darren Lemming (Jesse Williams), the star center fielder for the Empires, comes out of the closet, the reception off the field reveals a barrage of long-held unspoken prejudices. Facing some hostile teammates and fraught friendships, Darren is forced to contend with the challenges of being a gay person of color within the confines of a classic American institution. As the Empires struggle to rally toward a championship season, the players and their fans begin to question tradition, their loyalties, and the price of victory.

The full creative team for Take Me Out includes scenic design by David Rockwell, costume design by Linda Cho, lighting design by Kenneth Posner, sound design by Fitz Patton, and casting by Jim Carnahan, CSA.
*********************************************************************

7) South Street Seaport Museum 
Announces
Free Virtual Talk
Preserving the Fleet: 
Saving Our Ships for the Next Hundred Years
Thursday, July 30, 2020


South Street Seaport Museum announces a free virtual talk that explores its fleet and how its team is preserving the ships for the next hundred years, on Thursday, July 30, 2020 from 12:30pm-1:30pm EDT. Sign up to reserve a spot at turnstiletours.com/exploring-the-fleet-of-the-south-street-seaport.
*********************************************************************
8) Theater Resources Unlimited
July Panel via Zoom
Adapt and Survive: How the Arts Are Outwitting COVID
Tuesday July, 28, 2020 at 7:30 PM


Theater Resources Unlimited (TRU) presents the July Panel Adapt and Survive: How the Arts Are Outwitting COVID on Tuesday, July 28, 2020 via Zoom. Networking begins at 7pm and the panel starts at 7:30pm. Reserve a spot on the event page at truonline.org/events/adapt-and-survive or by emailing TRUStaff1@gmail.com and you will be put on a list to receive the Zoom link.

A message from Bob Ost, executive director of TRU:
"Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, all TRU live events are being rescheduled while we wait for the all clear. To help bridge the gap of social distancing, this panel will be held virtually via Zoom. Email TRUStaff1@gmail.com to be added to the invitation list and join our community. Stay positive, test negative, be safe!"

With guest speakers: choreographer/director Denis Jones (Tony nominations for Tootise and Holiday Inn, also Honeymoon in Vegas), producer Brian Moreland (The Sound Inside, The Lifespan of a FactSea Wall/A Life; upcoming: American Buffalo with Laurence Fishburne, Blue with Leslie Uggams); artistic producer Donna Trinkoff of Amas Musical Theatre (Romeo & Bernadette: A Tale of Verona and BrooklynThe Other Josh CohenWanda's World, Zanna Don't, Lone Star Love).
We all hit the panic button when COVID struck and social distancing made live theater - and life - unsafe. How did individual artists and theater professionals adapt to this new normal? Was it a slow process or did they manage to pivot right away? What were the steps that led them from hopelessness and helplessness to some form of  action and productivity, and what have they learned along the way? And what are the best guesses about a timeframe for returning to theater as we know it, and what might be the long-term impact of this period of isolated performance on our business?   

Zoom room opens at 7:00pm for networking and roundtable introductions of attendees - come prepared with your best 20-second summary of who you are, and what you need. Panel starts at 7:30pm. Free for TRU members; pay what you can, everyone else - to keep TRU up and running (and yes, you may click the button for a free ticket). Please use the bright red reservation box on our web page, or email TRUStaff1@gmail.com to be put on the invite list. (Note: Zoom space is limited so RSVP early.)

For more information about TRU membership and programs, visit www.truonline.org.
*********************************************************************
9) Works & Process at the Guggenheim
Announces 
WPA Virtual Commissions 
August Premieres


Works & Process, the performing arts series at the Guggenheim, is proud to announce August premieres for Works & Process Artists (WPA) Virtual Commissions. New commissions are posted on FacebookInstagram, and YouTube (@worksandprocess) every Sunday and Monday at 7:30 pm.

August 2          Ashley Laracey and Troy Schumacher
August 3          Gabrielle Lamb
August 9          Michael Novak and Josh Prince
August 10        Malcolm Jason Low and Jodi Melnick
August 16        Adrian Danchig-Waring, Joseph Gordon and HIPS
August 17        Alejandro Cerrudo and Ana Lopez
August 23        Silas Farley
August 24        Andrea Miller
August 30        Courtney Cochran
August 31        Carson Murphy and Nicholas Van Young

Since April, in direct response to the pandemic and to financially support artists and nurture their creative processes during these challenging times, Works & Process, the performing arts series at the Guggenheim, has presented Works & Process Artists (WPA) Virtual Commissions. Through the generosity of our board and donors, over $150,000 in commissioning funds is being granted to over 100 artists to produce new video works while social distancing. Each under five minutes long, these virtual performances spotlight leading creators who have participated in past Works & Process programs. 

*********************************************************************
And that's the scoop. Tune in tomorrow for another Talking Topic.