Thursday, May 29, 2025
Theater Thursday - Goddess
Wednesday, May 28, 2025
Where-To-Go Wednesday - Rolling Stone Presents Amplified:The Immersive Rock and Roll Experience
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Tuesday, May 27, 2025
Tips for Tuesday - Books: Nobody in Particular, So Happy Together, & The Ghostwriter; Movie: Dahlia and the Red Book
We may have been given complimentary copies and/or access for review purposes to any books, products, and/or any other visual or audio media mentioned below. Any and all opinions expressed here are our own.
Books: Nobody in Particular, So Happy Together, & The Ghostwriter
Me - Nobody in Particular by Sophie Gonzales is a very cute young adult romance between a princess and an American commoner.
Both main characters, Princess Rose and Danni, were well-developed and easy to root for. The two of them grew so much as well, with Danni becoming more confident and Rose becoming more open with her feelings by the end. The side characters, such as their friends, Eleanor and Molly, weren't as fleshed out and had almost non-existent personalities, but they were also enjoyable to read about.
Friendship was a big theme throughout the story. While Danni's friendships with Molly and Eleanor were pretty instantaneous and would've benefited from developing at a slower and more natural pace, they were still sweet. The most compelling friendship was that of Rose and Molly, who are estranged best friends in the beginning and slowly work their way back into each other's lives. Gonzales really took the time to let readers understand the conflict between them and feel for both characters, making it all the more satisfying when they finally worked things out.
However, the relationship that truly stole the show was the romance between Danni and Rose. From the start, their chemistry and banter were great, and it was so much fun watching them come into each other's orbit and develop feelings for one another. They communicated well, supported each other, and treated each other with care and respect. I also loved that the story's conflict largely came from outside of the relationship, meaning we got to see them work together rather than against each other when things got difficult. So often in romance books, the third act conflict involves a huge miscommunication/fight/
This book does get emotional at times as some of the characters are dealing with grief, among other issues, but for the most part, it has a lighthearted tone and features plenty of Gonzales's signature snarky humor.
Whether you're a fan of Sophie Gonzales, royalty romances, or young adult romances in general, I'd definitely recommend this book!
Me - Today, I am talking about So Happy Together by Emma Worley. At first, this book seems like it is going to be about this horrible, unlikable main character who is stalking this poor guy whom she briefly dated and now is convinced is her soulmate. However, it turns out to be a lot more complicated than that. This book has so many twists and turns that you never know who to root for from one moment to the next. That keeps it exciting, but also a bit exasperating.
Of the three main characters, Jane, the stalkerish main character; Colin, the object of her affection; and Zoe, his current girlfriend, Colin is the least well-drawn and the most mysterious. He is mostly seen through the eyes of the other two. Thus, the surprising friendship between Jane and Zoe, who seemingly should be rivals for Colin's affection, plays a central role in the plot. However, nothing and no one is quite what they seem in this very dark and gripping story. Even in the end, you are not sure who to root for. If you like a book where nothing turns out to be what you thought, and there is no fine line dividing good from evil, you should enjoy this.
Mom again - Today, I am talking about The Ghostwriter by Julie Clark. On the verge of bankruptcy, ghostwriter, Olivia Dumont, is hired to write a book for the great horror writer, Vincent Taylor, who is actually her enstranged father. Perhaps, haunted by his childhood in which his two siblings were murdered and many people suspected him of the crime, although he was never charged or tried for it, Vincent was never much of a father. Now, he is finally ready to talk about that night, and Olivia is determined to uncover what actually happened.
This is an enthralling story that slowly unravels piece by piece. It has some unexpected twists and turns, and refreshingly doesn't always develop as you think it will. However, it is hard to reconcile the dichotomy of some of the characters. Like the character of Danny, Vincent's murdered sibling, ultimately, you don't know whether to hate him or feel sympathy for him. While normally this would be a good thing because it would show that the character has shades of dark and light, thus rendering him more realistic, in this case, the two sides are too extreme, so you don't know how to feel, and that is true of other characters as well.
The ending of the story is also less than satisfying. A major part of the resolution is not actually played out in the story, even in flashback; it is just meant to be inferred from what the characters say. This makes the reader feel cheated because no one wants to read a book where some of the important action takes place off the page. Show, don't tell, isn't that one of the golden rules of writing?
However, overall, the plot is still exciting, and the characters are interesting. Therefore, it is still possible to enjoy this intriguing book even though it is disappointing in some ways.
Movies: Dahlia and the Red Book
Today, we are recommending the film Dahlia and the Red Book. This is a story about a young girl learning to unleash the creativity within. When Dahlia's father dies, she finds his red book full of mysterious writing, and she is transported into the story and tasked with completing it. This is an exciting story that is perhaps too scary for young children, but should appeal to those from about age 8 to age 12. Although some parts of the story don't always make sense, and the resolution is not completely satisfactory, overall, it is fun.
And that's our view. So Happy Together and The Ghostwriter will both publish next Tuesday. June 3. Dahlia and the Red Book is available for streaming on Apple +.
Tune in tomorrow for Where-To-Go Wednesday.
All images except film images used in this post are our own. Film images have been sent to us from publicists, artists, and/or PR firms. If there is a problem with the rights to any image, contact us here, and we will look into the matter.
Monday, May 26, 2025
More Theater Monday - Rhynceron & The Harlem Doll Palace
Sunday, May 25, 2025
Sunday Scoop Week of 5/25/25 What's Happening This Week and More
Stuy Or Die follows three AAPI students navigating the relentless pressure of New York City’s Specialized High School Admissions Test (SHSAT) culture. It’s a serio-comedic reckoning with education, identity, and mental health—a story for anyone who’s ever felt like their future hinged on a single test.
Wednesday, May 28 11:00 AM – Dweck Cultural Center @ Brooklyn Public Library
Sunday, June 29 3:00 PM – Bronx Music Hall
Saturday, July 12 2:00 PM – Speyer Hall @ University Settlement
Saturday, July 26 7:00 PM – Flushing Town Hall (Finale Performance + Filming)
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Courtesy of Spincycle NYC |
• BOOKSTORE. It's just before closing time at a bookstore in Beacon, New York, when one last customer arrives to challenge the store's owner.
• THAT PICTURE OF YOU. A college professor faces a reckoning.
• DIET COKE FOR THE DEAD. Two park rangers spend the night watching over the body of a hiker who has fallen to his death
D) What Else is Happening
In New Jersey
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Courtesy of Prana PR 19) BERGENPAC TO HOLD 3RD ANNUAL NEW JERSEY HIGH SCHOOL MUSICAL AWARDS Monday June 2nd at 7:00 p.m. bergenPAC 30 North Van Brunt Street Englewood, N.J. www.bergenpac.org |
This year, 51 high schools submitted their musicals to be recognized and celebrated alongside their peers! The ceremony was created to honor the dedication and exceptional talents of high school theater performers and crew members within the community. Attendees can also look forward to live performances from select nominees.
Students from throughout New Jersey will gather at bergenPAC, eagerly anticipating the announcement of the winners. The ceremony is scheduled to take place at bergenPAC, located at 30 North Van Brunt Street in Englewood, New Jersey, on Monday, June 2nd, at 7:00 p.m.
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Courtesy of Michelle Tabnick PR 20) Nai-Ni Chen Dance Company announces Shapes of Water at the Montclair Dance Festival May 31, 2025 at 7:30pm Kasser Theater |
The Nai-Ni Chen Dance Company is excited to announce their performance of Shapes of Water in the Montclair Dance Festival on May 31, 2025 at 7:30pm at the Kasser Theater. Tickets are $25 and can be purchased at www.montclairdancefestival.
Join Nai-Ni Chen Dance Company as they perform Shapes of Water at the first Montclair Dance Festival, to be produced by Freespace Dance Inc! Music for the piece, titled Yuryung, is written by Pat Metheny and written for Ahn Trio. Shapes of Water depicts a night life in a metropolitan city, people are drifting like ghosts. They are like the shapes of water flowing in the ever changing river.
The evening will also include performances from Carolyn Dorfman Dance, Freespace Dance, Jason Samulson Smith, Leanna Cotton, Nai-Ni Chen, New Jersey Ballet, Nimbus Dance Works,
Roxey Ballet, Sukayana & Dancers, and Umoja Dance Company.
Coming to New Jersey Performing Arts Center (NJPAC) on Sunday, June 1 at 7 p.m., the tour will bring her signature powerhouse vocals and soul-stirring music to cities across North America. Ledisi will be joined by the incomparable Marsha Ambrosius on select dates, making this an unforgettable celebration of R&B and soul music.
All are invited for an evening of art, community and healthy family fun
The event begins at 4 p.m., when participants can pick up a map and a goodie bag and then set off on a one-mile Family Fun Walk featuring a scavenger hunt. Along the way, they can collect tokens, which can later be redeemed for art projects, games, face painting and prizes back at the arts center.
The festive summer vibe continues with live music curated by Vasanti Anand, a popcorn machine, and a variety of fitness challenges led by local instructors including F3 and dancer Shivani Badgi. Those looking to relax and unwind can choose to enjoy meditation, massage therapy courtesy of Hand and Stone East Windsor, or henna designs from local artists.
Activity stations include painting Kindness Rocks, decorating sneaker keychains, and contributing to a collaborative graffiti mural with artist Mikel Cirkus. What’s more, medical students from Robert Wood Johnson will be offering free blood pressure screenings and education, encouraging health awareness as part of the event’s wellness theme.
The Silent Auction—featuring exclusive offerings from local restaurants, shops and service providers—is another highlight, offering attendees a chance to score great finds while supporting a worthy cause. Plus, several community sponsors will be on-site with activities and information to share.
For more information or to register, visit www.westwindsorarts.org/event/
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In New York
23) Ballet Hispanico
En Familia Matinee
May 31
Ballet Hispánico, the nation’s largest Latinx/Latine/Hispanic cultural organization and one of America’s Cultural Treasures, offers their signature annual event, En Familia Matinee, a special program for young audiences and their families curated and hosted by Artistic Director & CEO Eduardo Vilaro. Tickets for the Saturday matinee are $25 (fees included) are available here, thanks to the generosity of the RBC Foundation USA, the charitable arm of RBC Capital Markets, and New York City Center.
The Ballet Hispánico 2025 En Familia Matinee offers a journey through Latin American culture and traditions for the second year in Ballet Hispánico’s history, as Vilaro leads the audience on an interactive and fun-filled afternoon featuring excerpts of classic pieces from the Company’s repertory. With cultural and historical content and movement exercises for the whole family, the audience will experience a performance to remember. After the show, young audience members will have the opportunity to meet the dancers for a photo op, learn dance moves, and enjoy Caribbean beats from musicians throughout the theater!
For more information or to purchase tickets, visit www.ballethispanico.org
Students perform in support of music education for all!
Bloomingdale School of Music presents its 25th Annual Performathon, a student-driven performance and fundraising campaign supporting Bloomingdale’s Scholarship and Financial Aid Program. Performathon, a 3-week event, culminates in an all-day live musical event featuring student performances, arts and crafts and fun! Performathon performances are free and open to the public, tickets for arts and crafts and community lunch will be available for purchase. Bloomingdale’s mission is to provide open access to quality education, and the annual Performathon is a way for students to share music with family and friends and raise funds to support their peers.
For 60 years, access to music education has been the hallmark of Bloomingdale, and over the past decade alone, Bloomingdale has awarded more than $2 million in tuition assistance and aided thousands of families.
Bloomin
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Musical performances are free, please RSVP at https://www.bsmny.org/
Tickets for arts and crafts and community lunch available to purchase in person on the day.
Located at 1650 Broadway, Ellen’s Stardust Diner is open 365 days a year from 7 am to midnight every day.
For more information on Ellen’s Stardust Diner, visit www.ellensstardustdiner.com
Songbook Sundays
at
26) Jazz at Lincoln Center’s Dizzy’s Club
hosted by Deborah Grace Winer
Fats and The Duke featuring
Karrin Allyson, Allison Blackwell, Benny Benack III
Sunday, June 1st, 5 PM & 7:30 PM
Songbook Sundays, created and hosted by Deborah Grace Winer celebrating the American Songbook will continue at Jazz at Lincoln Center’s Dizzy’s Club with Fats and The Duke on Sunday, June 1st, at 5 PM and 7:30 PM
Fats and The Duke is a Battle of the Giants as Songbook Sundays celebrates two legends—Fats Waller and Duke Ellington. This evening stomps and swings through some of their most famous songs, from Honeysuckle Rose and Sophisticated Lady to Don’t Get Around Much Anymore, I Ain’t Got Nothin’ But the Blues, Mean to Me and more.
Hosted and curated by leading American Songbook expert Deborah Grace Winer, the set features five-time Grammy award nominee Karrin Allyson, Broadway’s starry Allison Blackwell, and JALC favorite Benny Benack III.
To reach Jazz at Lincoln Center’s Dizzy’s Club, enter at Columbus Circle at 60th Street and Broadway, take the Jazz elevators to the 5th floor for Dizzy’s Club as well as The Rose Theater and The Appel Room.
For more information or to purchase tickets, visit Jazz.org/dizzys
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Courtesy of Michelle Tabnick PR |
27) Kaatsbaan Cultural Park
presents American Ballet Theatre Studio Company Saturday, May 31, 2025 at 7pm Sunday, June 1, 2025 at 2pm Black Box Theater, Kaatsbaan Cultural Park |
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Courtesy of Richard Hillman PR 29) KELLIE OVERBEY TO PORTRAY OVER 40 CHARACTERS JUNE 2, 2025 Kellie Overbey (Coast of Utopia, Present Laughter) will star in One Body: Dispatches From Idaho, a new documentary play from Jimmy Maize and The Pro-Voice Project, featuring the true stories of people on the frontlines of reproductive rights. The play is constructed from interviews with women, doctors, politicians, and activists on the vanguard of America’s reproductive rights battles, and features one actress portraying over forty characters.The new play will offer an intimate exploration of the real-world repercussions wrought by abortion bans in deeply conservative states, weaving narratives of pain, resilience, and hope into a cautionary tale of a bellwether state—and what it foreshadows for us all. Follow the “lone abortion activist in North Idaho,” as she seeks to break through partisan echo chambers by harnessing the power, nuance, and complexity of telling one’s own story. This one-night-only, civic event will feature a 60-minute excerpt of the play, with 30 characters being played by one virtuosic actor. The event will be hosted by the Obie-award-winning performer Amanda Duarte, and is free and open to the public. The performance will be followed by a salon-style gathering of conversation, connection, and collective strategy. One Body: Dispatches From Idaho will be presented on June 2 at Theater 555 (555 West 42nd St and 11th Ave), and is co-conceived by Jen Jackson Quintano and Eric Krebs, and produced by Eric Krebs Theatrical Management. XXX 30) Schwarzman Animal Medical Center Brings Back PAW Day Pet Health and Wellness Fair for a Full Day of Tail-Wagging Fun for All Saturday, 5/31 from 11am-4pm The Schwarzman Animal Medical Center (AMC) is closing out National Pet Month with the return of their signature PAW Day Pet Health and Wellness Fair, held this year as part of the First Avenue Festival on the Upper East Side, on Saturday, May 31 from 11am to 4pm. Organized by AMC’s Usdan Institute for Animal Health Education, the free street fair will take place on 1st Avenue between 73rd and 74th Streets, filling the entire block with a variety of pet-centric, family-friendly activities and helpful pet health resources. Pet parents, families, and community members of all ages are welcome to participate in a paw-fect day of fun with their four-legged companions. While AMC has hosted smaller pet fairs in the past in NYC parks, this is the first year that the event will be part of a larger community street fair. Attendees will have the opportunity to pick up valuable pet health information from the Usdan Institute and speak directly with AMC veterinary staff across several specialties, including Avian & Exotic Pet, Behavior, Dentistry, Ophthalmology, Primary Care. The event will also feature a “Kid’s Zone” with fun and educational activities for children, including a toy-making station, an x-ray craft, face painting, and a stuffed animal exam station for aspiring little veterinarians. Additionally, curious canines can engage in a stimulating scent challenge led by AMC’s Behavior Team. Local animal welfare organizations will also be on-site to share information and resources, including Animal Care Centers (ACC), PAWS NY, and The Good Dog Foundation. AMC spokespeople will be available for interviews during the event from 11:30am to 1:00pm. XXX
South Street Seaport Museum announces the full schedule of the monthly Sea Chanteys and Maritime Music program aboard the tall ship Wavertree at Pier 16. seaportmuseum.org/chanteysing Returning to the deck of the 1885 tall ship Wavertree, the monthly sea-song sing along, will be hosted by a local artist who will lead the group through a variety of traditional maritime work songs and ballads. Throughout the in-person only event, attendees of all skill levels are welcome to take the stage for this round-robin where you will be able to sing and share the chantey of your choice. Attendees will be encouraged to sing along with the chorus or just sit back and enjoy each performance. Singers of all levels, as well as listeners, will be welcome to participate in this free event where you will be able to lead or request a song during the round-robin or simply listen. 2025 Schedule Sunday, May 4, 2025, 2–4pm Sunday, June 1, 2025, 2–4pm Sunday, July 6, 2025, 2–4pm Sunday, August 3, 2025, 2–4pm Sunday, September 7, 2025, 2–4pm Sunday, October 5, 2025, 2–4pm XXX
South Street Seaport Museum announces free June Family Activity Weekends program on Saturdays and Sundays, from June 7 to June 30, 2025, from 11am to 4:30pm. seaportmuseum.org/family- June 2025: Cyanotype Printing Inspired by the Seaport Museum’s impressive collections of glass plate negatives, families who visit the Seaport Museum on weekends throughout June can learn about the history of photography and create cyanotype masterpieces using specially treated paper infused with light-sensitive chemicals. To enrich your printing experience, visit the new exhibition Maritime City to see examples of historical and contemporary photography in New York City and the Seaport, as well as glass plate negatives in the Thomas W. Kennedy Photograph Collection and George P. Hall & Son Photograph Collection. The activity will take place on the cobblestone street in front of 207 Water Street but may be moved indoors in the case of poor weather. Upcoming Schedule Saturday, June 7, 2025; 11am–4:45pm Sunday, June 8, 2025; 11am–4:45pm Saturday, June 14, 2025; 11am–4:45pm Sunday, June 15, 2025; 11am–4:45pm; Father’s Day Saturday, June 21, 2025; 11am–4:45pm Sunday, June 22, 2025; 11am–4:45pm Saturday, June 28, 2025; 11am–4:45pm Sunday, June 29, 2025; 11am–4:45pm About Family Activity Weekends Weekends bring fun activities for the whole family to the South Street Seaport Museum. Timely hands-on activities and engagement stations for visitors of all ages provide creative opportunities that illuminate history and life at sea while enhancing your visit to the Seaport Museum’s galleries, the tall ship Wavertree, and the lightship Ambrose. Activities and their locations change each month to highlight various aspects of maritime history, New York City’s beginnings as a port city, or the Museum’s collections and offerings. seaportmuseum.org/family- Enjoy More That the Museum Offers Access to the historic ships and exhibition galleries at the Seaport Museum is not included with this event. If you would like to explore more that the Museum has to offer, book in advance or ask Museum staff about admission tickets, available Wednesday through Sunday from 11am to 5pm when you check in. Museum admission tickets grant access to the 1885 tall ship Wavertree and 1908 lightship Ambrose at Pier 16 as well as all current exhibitions on view in the introduction galleries inside Schermerhorn Row located at 12 Fulton Street. Admission tickets also include entry to the new Maritime City exhibition in A.A. Thomson & Co. located at 213 Water Street. seaportmuseum.org/admission XXX
The genre-defying string quartet Well-Strung returns to Bucks County Playhouse with two concerts on Saturday, May 31, and Sunday, June 1, both at 1:30 p.m. The group last performed to a sold-out house at the Playhouse on New Year’s Eve 2021. Well-Strung features Edmund Bagnell (violin), Christopher Marchant (violin), Daniel Shevlin (cello) and Trevor Wadleigh (violin). This acclaimed ensemble merges classical string performance with pop vocals, creating a sound that spans Beethoven to Taylor Swift. Known for their charisma and crossover appeal, the group presents classical repertoire while singing hits by artists such as Rihanna, Kelly Clarkson and more—offering audiences a fresh and dynamic concert experience. Well-Strung appears as part of the Playhouse’s Visiting Artists Series, which features nationally acclaimed performers and complements its year-round Mainstage programming. This year’s Mainstage season includes “The Apple Boys,” running May 2–25, and “Leader of the Pack: The Ellie Greenwich Musical,” running June 20 through July 20, as well as “She Loves Me” running from August 15 – September 14, and finally, “Elf: The Musical” from November 21 to January 4. Tickets for Well-Strung start at $55 and are available at BucksCountyPlayhouse.org or by calling the box office at 215-862-2121. |