Anchorman 2 premiere- Sunday, I headed up there

On Sunday, I headed up to the Upper West Side Where i had read in an email i had received in my inbox that the Anchorman 2 premiere was being held. I approached the Beacon theater around 4:45pm for the start time of 6pm. In front of the theater, i asked a woman holding a paper if she had an extra ticket. She said no. I asked if the actors had gone in yet and she said that the red carpet was on Amsterdam. I went around the corner and found the media tent and looked for Will Ferrell and Paul Rudd. I did not see them however i did recognize one of the actors being photographed and later knew his name to be David Koechner. I asked crowd control if he had seen Will Ferrell and he said he had already gone in. "He's supposed to introduce the film." I took 15 minutes to eat a taco and then stood in front of another tent and asked passersby if they had an extra ticket. No was the answer. In between, Kate McKinnon - i just watched her Merckel the night beforeon SNL - walked by. "There's Kate McKinnon," I said to myself. Later there was Edward Norton. i asked media reps and they said no. I shouted Will Ferrell is a jerk. I fictionalized "Jerk Chicken" shouted another. All the homegirls shouted(not really) "jerk chicken" back at the facility. What was that t-shirt about Will? I approached a line and asked for a ticket. No. At another tent, I asked again, got a no and then the rep next to the no man gave me a ticket. Someone shouted "they're extras." I really liked that rep. I got an aisle seat. We waited 10 minutes. I looked around. I did not see him. He didn't take the stage. His anchorman inspiration did. I was disappointed. The movie was funny. after on the street, I asked 2 guys if they were at the premiere, they said yes. "Did you see Will Ferrell?" "He was sitting in the middle."... As per this photograph of him, i think it is funny in that it mimics my scratching beneath my nose habit. I think a photojournalist may have asked him to mimic (or he had an itchy nose) at the Cipriani after party ( which i did not attend).

The Jazz Harpist quartet goes solo for me

I attended Brandee Younger's jazz harp quartet a few weeks ago and about 45 minutes into i thought it would be more interesting if she played on her own rather than with this loud band. I asked her if she could play something alone and she responded yes. She played her harp solo and it was so beautiful. An audience member asked what it was and she said what shounded like:" havaerna gris". It was actually Habanera gris by ortiz as she emailed me later.

My Lynne Cohen moment

A few years ago, i was at a play with the actress who played Miranda's nanny on Sex and the City. After the play, she approached me while i was taking notes and she asked, "are you writing a play?"

My Deputy Kenya Jones moment

I was at a conference at a college in Brooklyn a few years ago when i stopped by the table of an author. Her book was on the table and i read her synopsis and her bio. In her bio, it stated that she was an actress and she played on the show 'True Blood'. I asked," What part do you play on True Blood?". She answered," Deputy Kenya Jones." I asked," I'd like to work as an extra." She said, "How does that work?" The actress was Tanya Wright.

Anchorman 2 -Will i interview him?

Does Will Ferrell want to be interviewed by Pinkgrapefruit.blogspot? It seems not. The Tribeca people did not respond when i requested that i would love to get my first big interview and that i would love for it to be Will Ferrell. Is there a seat at the premiere? If anyone can get me Anchorman 2, please respond. If this doesn't work out,I have Anchorman 2 to look forward to on Christmas Day by myself with my mickey of spiked egg nog.

It's Keanu for it

I was once again talking to myself walking down the street exclaiming "Wicca" after looking at the WIC sign on a deli when i stumbled on a film shoot on Broadway in Williamsburgh. I stopped to talk to a man standing in front of the big trucks and asked what they were filming. He replied: "John Wick". "who's in it?" "Keanu Reeves and Willem Dafoe, Keanu's trailor is over on 4th; they'll be here tomorrow." I asked, " who are you?" "I'm the driver of the trucks". I was really excited about Keanu Reeves ( I loved Speed) and headed out the next day to Williamsburgh. I walked by the trailors and there appeared a man resembling Keanu Reeves wearing a black trench coat with scrapes on his face. He was on the phone. I stood on the corner and talked to myself for about a half an hour laughing and saying to myself "Is it Keanu? You think it's Keanu? It's keanu." And then it was' "Did he get jumped? Did he get beat up? Is it a part of a scene? I hoped the scrapes were for a scene and not real." He stood outside for a while on the phon; and when i looked over again all i could see was his black dress shoes sticking out from his trailor as if he was kneeling on the stairs. A while later, the man i thought was Keanu walked by with a woman towards the set and i followed trailing behind. He had a very serious look on his face. He walked into the Williamsburgh Savings Bank on Broadway. I asked the pa if i could enter and watch the scene. He replied, no, that it was a fight scene and only cast and crew were allowed in. I think Keanu may have improvised. For me? I'm not sure. I wanted to ask him if he was dressing up for halloween and what he would wear. I did not. I read somewhere that you could make 2 grand a day as a featured extra ( a featured extra has a line). I wanted to ask him if i could work as a featured extra and say a line.I did not. Later i googled the movie title and learnt that John Wick is a revenge thriller; Keanu is playing a former hit man. I was happy about my Keanu day. (Heard in library: "It's Keanu for it!") I'm still not sure whether it was Keanu or not. I heard he may have been another part of Brooklyn.

Match Made in Heaven - US Open 2013

After several attempts at credentialing for the US Open, i was rejected, however, i managed to attend day 1 and day 2. .. Didn't happen at Open: "Are they allowed to smoke here?" "NO." "Someone should take their matches away". "I agree". ....Happened at Open: Somone appeared in a red t-shirt: Roger That; another: Advantage Federer. ...

The Fringe is over but still 3 more reviews!

* I enjoyed these 3 shows that i am about to tell you about. There were all very professional and very solid. Pilot Fish, by Patrick Kennedy,which i saw last tuesday afternoon at the C.O.W. (Celebration of Whimsy) was a fast paced comical take on TV pilot week in which actors, writers, producers and crew work to pitch and put together shows for the new TV season. The show was less about a competition between shows vying for spots and more about the tribulations of an executive, a writer, a producer and an actress. A comic pokes fun at the industry throughout. After the show, i spoke with Patrick Kennedy about his inspiration for this piece and he replied that he worked as a PA (production assistant) and later as a writer for Golden Girls. * My next show was later that night at the Connelly: Gotham Radio Theater's The Awful Truth in which 5 actors perform a fictional radio show inspired by the radio dramas of the 40's. This story is a comedy about a misunderstanding that leads to the separation of the married couple, Jerry and Lucy and the plan to get them back together. The ending is happy. Their next show is Frankenstein in October at the arclight theater. *My third and last show was A Tale of a Mexican Trying to Get Out of East LA, a solo show written and performed by David Valdez. This show was a tragicomic take on growing up in east Los Angeles and moving on to Yale University. The comic high point was when he spoke of attending the high school made famous by the movie Stand and Deliver and made a joke about how you could hear the voices of the teacher and the actor (Olmos) through the halls. ...

I'm at the Fringe again!

The 2013 Fringe theater festival ( we are in 2013 aren't we ha ha! ) is on and I'm there. My first play was sunday night and i shall begin my review with the title: 2 & 2 ; to be found at the beginning of your program and not to be confused with two women, two stories. The writer Peter Cosmas Sofronas shares with us a less than riveting comedy drama (with more drama) about a man Tommy, another man David , a sister, and parents grappling with Tommy and his issues. The main issue is Tommy's and David's intense longing for another all the while David is in a relationship with his sister. The main problem with this play from my perspective was the pacing - a little too slow - and the dialogue - not interesting enough. However, there were some moments that were sincere (father and tommy) yet over wrought. ...

The Art: Carole Feuerman's The Golden Mean opening at Kempner

Infinity - Last night i attended the opening of Carole's new show at Kempner in Chelsea. The first thing i asked when i arrived was 'where is the liquor store?' to which the gallerist replied ' 9th and 23rd'. I had to ask because last time the wine was undrinkable. I didn't go to the liquor store. I was really excited about this opening because i had seen a sculpture of hers in soho - the survival of serena - a gorgeous like like female swimmer painted beige with a smile like the Mona lisa. As you walk away from her, it really feels like she is smiling at you like the Mona Lisa ( i viewed the mona lisa in Paris). The first sculpture you see is the one in the enclosed yard as you come in before you enter the gallery, a giant male diver painted black titled the golden mean. After asking what the artist looked like,i approached Carole near the diver and asked for an interview. She agreed. I began with asking if this was her first black sculpture ( I had noticed a lot of her work was of white bathers and swimmers)? "No" she replied, "but it is my most important. All walks of life can identiy." She went on to tell me what her art is about. She chose bathers to depict because " it resonates . People can connect with him. Striving and struggle to achieve while maintaining balance. It's about inner peace." Are you a swimmer? I asked. "No, but i like to watch," she replied. ...

Experiments in product placement - not yet a success

We've got to Sprint to the finish line...

Green Festival continued

Susty straws. The susty chick handed me a sample package of their FSC-certified paper straws after i asked if i could have one. I commented on how it was nice to find an alternative to all the plastic straws out there. I also thought they were really fun. They are marketed as compostable, made in the usa, non toxic and renewable. I just used one for my Baskin and Robbins milkshake. I walked by the Ford electric and hybrid car models and asked: "Is there a raffle?". The volunteer answered "no" only to discover when the festival was all over that they were allowing test drives for media. I fantasized: I could have driven off with an electric car. Would not that have been cool?! ...

Green Festival 2013 - Happy earth day!

I was happy to receive my media pass for the 2013 Green Festival held at the Javits convention center this weekend. Before i attended, i stopped by Union Square to exchange an empty bottle of shampoo for a bottle of Whole Foods brand shampoo; citrus grapefruit in celebration of Earth Day 2013. I got delicious biscuits as well. After that, off i went to the Javits where i spent the day learning about sustainability and the environment. I first picked up my media pass at the media center where the media woman asked me what my press organization was and i responded with: Pinkgrapefruit; it's my blog. She said: " i saw it". I thought that was amusing. They saw it! It was a very crowded room with several hundred kiosks. I first hit a snack booth, Kit's organic, where i sampled 6 different types of fruit and nut bar (gluten, soy and dairy free - for people with allergies). They were good. Next, the Nature Conservancy. According to the volunteer, they are in 35 countries and 50 states and they protect land and water. They had a nifty temporary tattoo with the word EARTH which i am wearing on my hand right now. Then, i noticed a poster where people could write on and answer the question: How are you green? ....

The Art: Claes Oldenburg at the Moma

7 foot diameter Floor Burger (1962). I attended another press preview on tuesday at the Moma for the Claes Oldenburg: The Street and The Store/Mouse Museum and Ray Gun Wing exhibition opening tomorrow, April 14 and ending August 5 2013. The morning began with coffee and pastry on the 6 th floor where The Street and The Store is being exhibited in one room. You can find Mouse Museum/Ray Gun Wing on the 2nd floor in the Marron atrium. This is my first encounter with the work of Oldenburg. I was delighted that the artist was present to speak for himself. He has been around since the 60's and is considered an innovator in the field of sculpture. Like many artists, he began working as a painter but quickly fell for the medium of sculpture. You can see however, the influences of certain styles of art and artists in his work like the style of abstract expressionism and Pollock; but he can be considered a pop artist. Oldenburg explained on a panel: "Put me on the Lower east side and you get a certain kind of work; put me on the upper west side, you get something" else. He spoke of a time when he did not have a lot of money: "I picked things off the street; use things like chicken wire, plaster and hardware paint and you've got a show." As you walk through this show you find several floor sculptures like the one shown in the photo above (floor burger) made of soft materials like cloth and foam. You will learn that his innovateness in sculpture consisted of making soft works rather than hard sculptures. The floor burger is big enough to sleep on and the blt is like a sofa. Oldenburg said he liked making things he liked, such as food. There are also wall sculptures made of plaster and paint like the 7-up above. Mouse museum is a fun house of miniatures and super sized toys and objects. This show is fun! Until August 5.

The merch

I made my first piece of merchandise which i hope to sell. A bag with the names of my blogs stenciled in: Pinkgrapefruit/ Homegals/ on blogspot. (pi in yellow and the rest in green). (home in purple and gals in red)

The Art: Blooming at Li, Hui exhibition

Viewing the Blooming piece: Me: "It's a garden!" opening attendee: "I think it's a mushroom cloud." Me: "What!" (shrieking)

My night at the Cherry Lane

I was thrilled to be a part of the 15 year anniversary celebration of the mentor project at the Cherry Lane theater on Monday night. To my delight, there were readings by actors including the great Ruby Dee reading a section from a play she was in from a past mentor project : St-Lucy's Eyes. She was right next to me walking down the aisle with her back to me when the woman next to me asked "Who's that?". "I don't know", i replied. And then, A minute later, there she was on stage, Ruby Dee reading about "going to the polls" from St-Lucy's Eyes. We exclaimed together excitedly, "it's Ruby Dee!" There were also readings from Huck and Holden (very funny), the current Pas de Deux... The artistic director of the Cherry Lane gave a speech and introduced herself comically by struggling with her last name "I am Angelina Fior... de... llisi". There was chardonnay and salmon and fun! ( I was not drunk). I would have loved if they had snapped my photograph and put 'blogger' as caption for their website. Maybe next time!

The Art: Bill Brandt: Shadow and Light at Moma

Northumbrian coalminer at his evening meal (1937). Tuesday, I attended the Moma Press conference on two new exhibitions opening: Bill Brandt (Shadow and light) and Henri Labrouste (Structure brought to light). The first is a photographer i have never heard of and the second, an architect i have never heard of. I approached the department of photography curator, sarah Meister and mentionned that Brandt's work reminded me of street photographer's like Henri Cartier-Bresson but that the name was not familiar to me. "He is known in photography circles," she answered. And she continued that his work is on the level as such documentarians like Walker Evans and Cartier-Bresson. The above photo is one of my favorite in the exhibition ( i have yet to finish viewing it). The image of a soot covered coalminer is very amusing. "The exhibition brings together more than 150 works divided into six sections, each corresponding with a distinct aspect of Brandt's achievement: London in the Thirties; Northern England; World War 2; Portraits; Landscapes; and Nudes.

Pas de Deux review (Cherry Lane theater Mentor Project)

I was pleasantly delighted Monday night with Lisa Ramirez's solo performance of Pas de Deux at the Cherry Lane theater. It was a moving tribute to her brother, a ballet dancer, who died of alcoholism. Appearing on stage in a ballet tutu, she delivered her monologue addressing the audience, and speaking into a very large microphone. Little by little, Ramirez reveals details of her brother's struggles, her family's reaction to his death and her own feelings. One moment is very funny (tragicomic) when Ramirez impersonates her mother exclaiming: "he's gone!". 2 more nights left at the cherry lane.

Folk music night at Folk museum

Kate Vargas: "I submitted this song to American Horror story" 'When the door closes'.

Byam wood sculptures (tiny chairs)

Byam's Miniatures: "It's a barbeque!" "I think it's a casket".

Holiday round up

New York Classical Theater's A 15-minute Christmas Carol at Wall street My Hannukah update: I didn't make it out to a hannukah event this year because of the rain but i am hoping to make it out next year. I went to see The Polyphonic Spree at Union Square Barnes & Noble Dec 17 th. They Were in from Dallas. They covered Christmas classics like Silver Bells (really fun interpretation), Little Drummer Boy, John Lennon's and Yoko Ono's Happy Christmas. I really liked them. New York city ballet Nutcracker.