Me and Moms in the lobby of Carnegie Hall.
My Moms came into town this weekend and as I told Chris in Cambridge she did not bring me any of my favorite imports (Skyline, UDF malts or homemade ice cream, Grippo's BBQ chips etc.) but she brought plenty of love. Her sister and her sister's husband (the Porters), also came in from the Tampa Bay area to see their daughter (my cousin) sing with an ensemble choir and the New England Symphonic Ensemble as they played Carnegie Hall. During the weekend, we also got to see Thurgood played by Laurence Fishburne in a wonderful one-man-show. I've got pics as usual and I also have a resteraunet you should not visit in New Jersey and a classic musical I saw for the first time that I will recommend. Check it out:
Me and LG, it was her first time meeting Moms and she met my aunt and her husband as well...good impressions all around!
At the Booth Theatre on 45st, we saw Thurgood played by Laurence Fishburne. Laurence successfully carried 1 hr. and 30 mins. of stage time by himself in his Tony-nominated performance.
Some facts I didn't know about Thurgood:
- He was a self-admitted lush
- He had a "fondness" for the pretty ladies
- His birth name was Thoroughgood, but he shortened it in the 2nd grade
- The rejection, based on his race, of his application to the University of Maryland Law School motivated him to great legal heights in the area of civil rights.
I knew he was a hell of a lawyer fighting hard for civil rights and he was the lawyer who successfully won the Brown v Board of Ed. decision in the Supreme Court in 1954 (which began the long haul effort of de-segregating the U.S.)
Me and Moms in Junior's, nextdoor to the Booth Theatre. (Junior's is a Brooklyn institution that in recent years has migrated to Manhattan in Grand Central Terminal and in this location pictured in the Theatre District. Junior's is best known for their deliscious cheesecake).
The family in Junior's.
On Sunday we took it Carnegie Hall. I have to say, living and working in New York for 15 years now, I never stepped foot inside Carnegie Hall, and to say the place was impressive would be an understatement. These pictures really do it no justice but,
Outside Carnegie Hall (founded by Andrew Carnegie)
Inside Carnegie Hall (front to back)
Perelman Stage in Carnegie Hall
There were 2 choir ensembles performing, one adults, the other, adults and children. They comprised choirs from all over the country. My cousin was a part of the Tampa Youth Choir. Both ensembles were accompanied by the New England Symphonic Ensemble. There was also a soprano and a baritone soloist. The adult enemble performed The Magnificat and the mixed enemble of adult and children performed Mass of the Children. The sounds of the symphony and the beautiful voices (working together, hint hint Chad) was an absolute joy to be witness to.
What a great time to see my Moms. I hadn't seen her since Thanksgiving so it was truly a blessing for me to spend that time with her. My Moms always grounds me and pulls me back to the Cincinnati side of my being. She energizes and inspires me to live up to all that she has taught me to be from my youth. Always great to see her!
WARNING: If you are in New Jersey, specifically the Jersey Garden Mall in Newark/Elizabeth avoid at all costs the Ruby Tuesday's. The food was horrendous, I won't get into details but they gave Ruby a bad name. (The salad bar was the best thing in the place). I've been to Ruby Tuesday's in Kenwood and that is much much much better and is actually really good. Stay away from this one in the Jersey Garden Mall however!
Since the blog is soo long already I will forgo recommending the classic movie I saw for the first time until later this week. Also I will do some sports this week as well, but until then, everybody be good and enjoy your Moms (and Dads), esp. if you live in the same town as her (them)!
