GOTHAM GOSSIP |
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Written by: P: 212-332-9991 718-885-6576 A chatty, informative column of New York events featuring places, people and personalities and celebrities. demetriadaniels@gmail.com
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Wednesday, November 05, 2008
  CONGRATULATIONS TO PRESIDENT-ELECT BARACK OBAMA and his family. And to the extraordinary race that Senator McCain ran as well as Senator Hillary Clinton. We are ready for a change. ***** ROBERT REDFORD was in New York at a dinner for the Sundance Film Institute at Roseland Ballroom. He is incredibly warm and social and down-to-earth and I enjoyed meeting him at the lovely benefit dinner. I look forward to going to the film festival and maybe I will make it this year. Also attending was the incredible and beautiful JANE FONDA who told me she will be coming to Broadway, after 46 years, to star in "33 Variations", a play about Beethovan. And KUDOS to AMY REDFORDYes, the daughter of Robert Redford. She smiles just like her Father. She has just directed 'THE GUITAR', an amazing movie just released in New York. Run to see it. It is marvelous. The acting by Saffron Burrows and cinematography is brilliant. It is an important movie because it is about transformation. Even in 3,500 BC, the Egyptians were very much aware of the same thing. It is important now for we all have that opportunity to transform our lives into positive living. www.theguitarthemovie.com **** And while you are running, go over to the York Theater Company in St Peters Church on E.54 Street, Lexington Ave. to see "My Vaudeville Man", a new musical ( this theater only does musicals and musical readings) by Bob Johnston and Jeff Hochhauser. Based on Jack Donahue's "Letters of a Hoofer to his Ma". They are having a benefit on Dec 8 at the Players Club ( E.20 & Gramercy Park). For info call 212-935-5824 SUPPORT AMERICAN MUSICALS, after all, we can't let Andrew Llyod Weber write everything. Monday, September 22, 2008
    Hope everyone had a good summer. NIA VARDALOS, star and writer of "My Big Fat Greek Wedding" was in Brooklyn over the summer shooting a new movie - "I Hate Valentines Day". On location on 5th avenue in Park Slope, near where my Father's Florist stood for 70 years - Daniels Florist ( and is now called Blooms)- I met her said "yiasou" and spoke in Greek. She was very friendly and introduced me to her sister who was on the set. She is tall and beautiful and very warm. # ALLIANCE FOR THE ARTS gave their prize to ALBERT MAYSLES and SHELLEY AND DONALD RUBIN of the Rubin Museum. Mr. Maysles is a well-known film- maker who is famous for his films of MARLON BRANDO the BEATLES, and most recently, GREY GARDENS, starring CHRISTINE EBERSOL. Christine sang at the occasion, accompanied by Scott Frankel. Also in attendance was Hal David, President of the Songwriters Hall of Fame and Henry Holzer, VP-Communications, Metropolitan Museum of Art. This group serves the cultural commuity through research and advocacy and serves the public through cultural guides and calenders. In addition, they publish information on the arts, and cultural events and studies. # Kudos to Andres Aquino for his presentation of international fashion designers at Fashion Week. Thursday, June 12, 2008
Ruffy Met Mayor Bloomberg  IN MEMORIAM RUFFY, by Demetria Daniels I CALLED YOU RUFF AND SOMETIMES WUFF SO SWEET YOU LICKED MY FACE YOU LICKED MY FEET ALWAYS THERE WITH YOUR BARK YOU WARMED MY SOUL YOU WARMED MY HEART YOU CAME TO MOMMY WHEN I CALLED YOU LOVED THE PARK AVA GAVE YOU TO ME YOU GAVE ME JOY MY LITTLE BOY WHEN I HELD YOU WHEN WE WOULD PLAY YOU WERE THERE EVERY DAY WHEN YOU GOT SICK YOU THRIVED THEY CALLED YOU MIRACLE THE VETS AMAZED HOW YOU STAYED ALIVE EVERYONE LOVED YOU YOU GENTLE SOUL THE BROTHER AND EVEN CATZY WHO TOOK A SWIPE AT YOU AT SUNRISE THE BIRDS SANG FLOWERS PURFUMED THE AIR YOU DIED IN MY ARMS AND I KISSED YOU WITH CARE IN PEGGY'S GARDEN FOREVER BE PURPLE AND PINK FLOWERS ON YOUR GRAVE AND EACH MORNING A BIRD SYMPHONY AND YOU IN DOG HEAVEN IN GODS ARMS WHILE ANGELS SING Wednesday, March 12, 2008
 What a fantastic evening at the ROCK N ROLL HALL OF FAME INDUCTEES event at the Waldorf. Produced by Joel Gallen the amazing evening had PATTI LA BELLE singing as well as JOHN MELLENCAMP, THE VENTURES, and THE DAVE CLARK FIVE, inducted by TOM HANKS, who shook hands with me and others at the private after- party And the superstar of the evening - MADONNA. MADONNA looked beautiful in a very conservative black and white dress. Her speech was amazing. She humbly said that her career was a "collaboration". She told the amazing story how she went to audition for Seymour Stein who was in a hospital bed. He told me at the after-party, that "I knew instantly she would be a hit and I wanted to sign her up there and then". He did sign her to Sire Records, where she stayed for over fifteen years. She thought it was funny at one of her concerts ( back in the days of black leather, fishnets, and studs) "that every girl was dressed like me." She learned how to play drums in a synagogue in NY. When she needed a manager she looked up the one for Michael Jackson , and went to LA to get him. She thanked her long-time publicist, Liz Rosenberg, and many of her managers. Did she make any mistakes? Some. Films, MTV, actress in 'Speed the Plough" on Broadway, singer,director, author,Mother, and wife - has she done it all? I bet there still is alot more to come. There is only one MADONNA and I am thrilled to meet her. Wednesday, March 05, 2008
Run right over and see the New York International Independent Film & Video Festival (NYIIFVF). Founder Stuart Alson has put together an amazing group of 200 films - shorts, docs, features from an international submissions showing at Village East Cinemas ( 12 st and 2nd ave), and ImaginAsian Theater, (239 E. 59 st.) From Greece, "Zoe", about attitude and volunteerism, from Japan an amazing animation "Eagle Talon The Movie:The Chancellor Only Lives Twice", from Australia, Spain, Sweden, Ireland, original films. There are short ones, - "Pop Your Panties with Paris, Lindsay $ Nicole" produced by Itsi Atkins and long features "Journal of a Contract Killer" - a true story about a woman who was hired by the Mafia to kill people., and a very cute one "The Lives of Angels, directed by Stephen Rubin. Lots to choose from. And to celebrate a party tonight , and a Birthday Party tomorrow for Breige McGarity the festival's publicist. Don't miss it. Sunday, March 02, 2008
BAIRD JONES died and all of New York knows. The NY Times gave him a very lovely write-up in the Metropolitan Section, as well as mentions on Page 6 of the NY Post, and the NY Daily News, and Newsday and NY Magazine. For 30 years, Baird was a "celebrity" and on the scene personality. First, with his generous nightclub parties, and then for his assoiciation with the art world, his photographs, his art curating, his own writings. I knew Baird in the 80's. He gave me photographs of artists and gallery owners for my column called "East Village Report" for DOWNTOWN newspaper. His photos could easily fill any New York gallery or museum. And only for Baird, I dragged myself out to the Patterson Art Museum, New Jersey to attend his art openings which he curated there. At his home, he gave me a personal tour of his "celebrity art" . On audio tape, he was telling me how he did a 60,000 email blast with the question "who is the greatest female artist", - part of a show he was curating. His pick was the 96 year old Louise Bourgeois. So he took me around the apartment showing me the art. "When is an artist a celebrity artist" was -Baird's question. He answered - "When the signature becomes an autograph". 'When the signature becomes "loud"". He showed me Warhols, Gloria Vanderbilt, Evil Knevil, Charles Manson, Anthony Quinn.James Earl Ray. "The examination of celebrity art teaches you things about historically significant figures"Just to name a few more - Princess Grace, Kim Novak, Frederico Fellini -"I cant show that - someone would steal it". There were hundreds more. Baird, I'll miss you. Thursday, February 14, 2008
CONEY ISLAND GETS A FACE LIFT seee GOTHAM GOSSIP at www.tribecanews.org AMERICAN MUSEUM OF FINANCE see the slide show and article at www.bigapplenews.net Thursday, February 07, 2008
SUPER TUESDAY in New York was super. I went to City Hall to welcome the Giants - I am not a football fan, but after watching Eli Manning throw the ball, I am now. And as Billary and Barack battle it out the whole country is on the watch. Stay tuned. Went to Tory Burch fashion show - a new vodka on the horizon - Christiania. Tuesday, January 15, 2008
HAPPY NEW YEAR The holidays were ablaze of parties. One of the best was the NY Public Library - apples, cookies and a terrific band that played all afternoon. Another exciting party was at the new Desmond Tutu conference center and hotel. It felt like part monastery/part castle with high coffered ceilings and candles everywhere with everyone watching the Andres Aquino fashion show. He finds the best designer worldwide - all the time. New Years Eve, I was at a Greek nightclub singing my favorite Greek songs. New - the American Museum of Finance, at 48 Wall street, in the original Alexander Hamilton Bank of America which makes it so very grand. Coney Island Development, well on its way to development with the pros and the cons going forth. see (www. tribecanews.org). |
