It's Monday! Imagine the possibilities. I had a whole day planned with errands that I needed to get done to plan ahead. The day was going to end with us going to see Jane Scheckter this eve at The Metropolitan Room. More about Jane in a moment. Last night, we went to a book warming party for our friend Joan Gussow. If you could wrap up all the elements of the Nanny Culture in one person, it would be Gussow.
Joan has been able to wield considerable influence in academia (as a nutrition and education professor at Columbia University), in government (as a member of the National Organic Standards Board), and in the foundation world (as a board member at the Jessie Noyes Smith Foundation). Gussow has also been embraced by the nonprofit sector, sitting on the Center for Food Safety’s Advisory Board and the Board of Overseers of the Chefs Collaborative. To top it off, she’s been something of a media darling for over ten years. She is also a friend of mine and Danny's. She may not know this, but Joan is a huge inspiration to me. I cannot wait to read this book...for a lot of reasons.
Shortly after Alan Gussow, Joan's husband of forty years, died, Danny and I had dinner with Joan. She told us of this "seed" she had for this book dealing with his passing and what she was feeling...and what she was not feeling. Because of the delicate subject matter and how others would perceive it,she had to be very careful with what she wrote. That dinner was in 1997. 13 years later, Joan, who is now 82, has this incredible book (I'm relishing what I have read so far!) called GROWING, OLDER: A CHRONICLE OF DEATH, LIFE AND VEGETABLES. She has a previous book called THE ORGANIC LIFE.
Michael Pollan, bestselling author of In Defense of Food and The Omnivore's Dilemma wrote, " Once in a while, when I have an original thought, I look around and realize Joan said it first."
"In Growing, Older Joan Dye Gussow once again proves herself the consummate writer, gardener, cook, professor, and-it turns out-philosopher, too. This is a memoir about death, but much like Joan herself, it's brimming with life. A vivid, unflinching, and unexpected self-portrait."- Dan Barber, chef and co-owner of Blue Hill and Blue Hill at Stone Barns
LEARN, LIVE, GROW
Barbara Kingsolver credits Joan Gussow with shaping the history and politics of food in the United States. Now 82, she is passing along some surprising and inspiring wisdom.
Weeks after Alan Gussow had passed on, Joan told Danny and me (in 1997) that she found herself skipping down the street. With humor and wit, in this latest book, she explains how she stopped worrying about what everyone else might think is appropriate-instead focusing on what is important: the ever-changing world and her own place in it.
Gussow's garden is teacher, child, therapist, confidant, and friend.
Growing, Older is a literary gem-one that people of any age, gardeners, envirionmentalists, or those, like me, who wish to never stop growing will cherish.
Susan Clotfelter, in the Denver Post wrote, "If you hope to stride into your ninth decade with strength, humor and a weeder in one hand, Joan Dye Gussow is your role model."
As stated earlier, Gussow's latest book, "Growing, Older" ($17.95, Chelsea Green), starts from an unlikely place: The disconcerting discovery that her life hasn't been devastated by her artist husband's sudden death from cancer in 1997.
From there, she looks back, and forward, on her life as a daughter, a mother, a scholar and, especially, a gardener: Gussow grows all the vegetables she eats, year-round, on the banks of the often- flooding Hudson River in Piermont, N.Y. where we live by the way.
Sparkill is the armpit of Piermont.
Buy Joan's book today!
Then call me, we'll set up dinner at my house, and Joan will sign the book for you: http://www.google.com/products/catalog?q=Joan+Gussow&oe=utf-8&client=firefox-a&hl=en&cid=8520447123734708312&ei=WkfhTIiUEabOyQWl1O2qAw&sa=title&ved=0CDUQ8wIwAzgA#p
Well, back to last night's book signing...I discovered that Danny has a meeting tonight that he had forgotten about and that he could not get out of. We were also supposed to see Jane Scheckter this eve. I called Jane and gave her the option of my coming solo this eve or Danny and I both coming tomorrow night. Sometimes, it pays to have two shows back to back! Options are GREAT! Of course, she would like to have us both tomorrow night. Would you like to join our party? If so, please contact me.
Some of Jane's good friends still misspell Scheckter (which is why her URL is www.singjanesing).Jane is a jazz lady who sings standards by the great composers. She loves timeless songs with lyrics that have something to say.
I hope you'll listen to some of the samples from Jane's new CD, "In Times Like These" and from my previous album, "Double Standards"
Enjoy...and read on! WALL STREET JOURNAL ONLINE Friday, November 12, 2010
Jane Scheckter with the Tedd Firth Trio: 'The Moon, The Stars, Albert Einstein, and Love'
By Will Friedwald
The Metropolitan Room 34 W. 22nd St., (212) 206-0440 Monday-Wednesday
Slightly more jazzy than Sandy Stewart, yet somewhat less so than Carol Sloane, Jane Scheckter's deep, warm contralto and engaging style takes her near the orbit of those two leading ladies of the essential American songbook. In this thesis on the notion of the songwriter as astrologer, Ms. Scheckter lets us into her celestial home to illuminate how Tin Pan Alley used the cosmos as a barometer of romantic possibilities, and how all the iconic composers took us up a stairway to the stars to see what was written there. The songhound in me delights in the inclusion of Perry Como's theme "Dream Along With Me (I'm on My Way to a Star)" as well as the hyper-rare (and lovely) "Blue Underneath a Yellow Moon" by Arthur Gershwin (George and Ira's younger brother). Perhaps Cassius, that swinging cat, was right: The beat, dear Brutus, is not in our stars, but in our selves.
MY NEW FEATURE: TODAY'S BIRTHDAYS!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY, Bistro Award winner Kathy Kaefer!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY, DURRELL WATKINS!
Dr. Watkins wrote Wrestling With God Without Getting Pinned: Old Stories, New Thoughts, & Progressive Spirituality Buy it now at http://www.amazon.com/Wrestling-God-Without-Getting-Pinned/dp/1432748963/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1289834908&sr=8-1GO HERE TO SEE DR. WATKINS: http://www.youtube.com/sunshinecathedral#p/u/1/1RZmyp5T5dY
HAPPY BIRTHDAY, JUDY GOLD! http://judygold.com
(Shown here with Elysa)Bob Egan's New Hope - Supper Club and Cabaret will welcome two of the top women currently working in comedy -- Judy Gold and Christine Pedi -- for separate engagements in the coming weeks.Emmy winner and renowned writer/comedian, Gold will appear on Sunday, November 21 at 7:30 pm. She will return the following week, Sunday, November 28 at 7:30 pm for a special themed show to coincide with the LGBT event, Ladies 2000. Christine Pedi, known for her critically acclaimed association with FORBIDDEN BROADWAY and for her popular SiriusXM radio show, will appear on Saturday, December 4 at 8:30pm. All shows are held at Bob Egan's New Hope - Supper Club and Cabaret at the Ramada of New Hope.
JUDY GOLD
Judy Gold is an Emmy Award winning actress and comedian. She is best known as the star of the critically acclaimed, long-running Off-Broadway hit show "25 Questions for a Jewish Mother" - which The New York Times called "fiercely funny, honest and moving." She was nominated for a 2006 Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Solo Performance, and a book based on the show was nominated for the prestigious Quill Award. Ms. Gold can be seen regularly on HLN's "The Joy Behar Show", ABC's "The View" & Tru-TV's "The Smoking Gun Presents". Ms. Gold was the host of HBO's "At the Multiplex with Judy Gold" from 1999-2009. Her TV specials include a Wisecrack half-hour comedy special for LOGO, "Comedy Central Presents: Judy Gold" and a half-hour HBO special, in which she received a Cable Ace Award in 1996. Ms. Gold lives in New York City with her two children. She frequently tours theatres and comedy clubs around the country. Her CD, "Judith's Roommate Had a Baby" is currently available on Amazon.com.
CHRISTINE PEDI
Christine Pedi recently starred in NEWSical the Musical at the 47th Street Theatre spoofing Hilary Clinton, Joan Rivers, Nancy Grace, Suze Orman, Liza, Fran Drescher, Oprah (yes Oprah!) and many more. She is the proud host of THE BROADWAY BREAKFAST daily (9a-3p ET) on SIRIUS/XM RADIO where she plays the music of the stage & screen and interviews show biz legends. She shares the mic with the "amaaaaahzing" Seth Rudetsky on Saturdays for DUELING DIVAS (9a-3pET).
Her cabaret GREAT DAMES (2008 New York NightLife Award, Backstage Bistro Award, MAC nomination and "Top Ten Memorable Theatre Moments of the Year" on BroadwayWorld.com.) returned to South Africa in 2009 for the 3rd time (Capetown) and had a month long run at Londons Jermyn Street theatre in the heart of the West End. SHOW BUSINESS WEEKLY named her 2007s "Best Female Cabaret Performer" . Christines long association with the off-Broadway satirical revue FORBIDDEN BROADWAY & FORBIDDEN HOLLYWOOD has earned her a Drama Desk nomination an LA Ovation award & lots of frequent flyer miles. She was most recently on Broadway in Eric Bogosians TALK RADIO starring Liev Schrieber.
At Bob Egan's New Hope - Supper Club and Cabaret dinner is available starting at 6pm. Tickets to events at Bob Egan's New Hope - Supper Club and Cabaret are available for purchase online at www.bobegansnewhope.com. Reservations for dinner should be made with the hotel directly by calling 215-862-5225.( SOURCE: BROADWAYWORLD.COM)
TAKE JUDY HOME WITH YOU! http://www.google.com/products/catalog?q=Judy+Gold&hl=en&um=1&ie=UTF-8&cid=9758018495978952239&ei=CVXhTMWXKsO88gbw6u3WDw&sa=X&oi=product_catalog_result&ct=result&resnum=1&ved=0CFQQ8wIwAA#
HAPPY BIRTHDAY, PENNY CANDY!
BEYOND THE THREE F's: FRIENDS, FAMILY, AND FELLOW PERFORMERS!....How to build your audience and create a following!
What is the biggest obstacle facing entertainers today? When I speak to most entertainers today, they tell me the biggest challenge they face today is building an audience. My class is a primer on how to get your show up and running and get an audience in the process. The business has changed DRASTICALLY! If you don’t know how to market and promote yourself BEYOND the three “F’s”: friends, family, and fellow entertainers, you WILL be left behind. I could just as easily call this the three “Ifs”. I see so much of “You come see me, I’ll come see you!” To quote a friend who succeeds as an entertainer, “All I owe you is a great performance”. He doesn’t feel the need to rush to everyone’s show…and, yet, his shows consistently sell out. The lines are blurred between who the performers are, who the audiences are, who the press is, who the critics are, who the producers are. MOST are depending upon each other for their very survival!
No one can guarantee SRO houses in today’s tough economic climate. Also, it is tougher to get audiences to go out and see LIVE entertainment with all the options they have in their own homes. The internet, home entertainment networks, 5000 channels on TV, Movies On Demand, Social networking! Woosh…
However, there are methods to “get your name out there”. Ways to get press and in the process get people interested in you. Let me show you how! I fill houses and I KNOW how to market myself. My track record speaks for itself.
RICHARD SKIPPER, critically acclaimed, multi-award winning performer, director, co-producer of the 2010 Bistro Awards, career consultant is bringing years of experience to this workshop. The cost of the workshop is $125 for three hours. Please call (845) 365-0720 for more information and to reserve your space and/or create a specific workshop for YOUR needs (ASK ABOUT OUR SPECIAL OFFER!). There is a Paypal option on the left column of this page to reserve your space now. Richard's shows continue to be wonderful successes around the country, and as he continues making his business great, he looks forward to sharing his experience with others.
This workshop will focus on how to get you the attention that you need. Richard's shows have been sell-outs. Other topics will include how to use the internet to your advantage in marketing; how to get your name "out there"; cold calling; creating a contract specific to your needs; how to create a press kit that shows you to your best possible advantage and more! Richard gets a sense of the various levels of each workshop and custom makes, on the spot, a class catering to the needs of the actual group in the room. He will ascertain YOUR agenda prior to the workshop beginning so that each participant will leave with all of their questions answered, so come prepared!
Richard is also available for one-on-one consultations which afford you the personal time with him catering specifically and only to your needs.
On board with Richard is graphic designer, GLEN CHARLOW, who brings over 15 years in the business to the participants of this class and who will discuss the concept of image; how to use the internet effectively and how your website "sells" you even before you pick up the phone. To read more on Glen Charlow please visit: www.gcdtp.com.
For general information on workshops or Career Coaching, please contact Richard Skipper directly at 845-365-0720 or Richard@RichardSkipper.com.
THE FOLLOWING ARE COMMENTS FROM
http://www.richardskipper.com/guestbook.html
What a joyous night! Richard, you are the most welcoming, entertaining, beautiful host in town (or, for my money, anywhere)! I had a terrific evening, surrounded by gracious, supremely talented people, greeting old friends, making new ones, and enjoying fabulous food. Thank you for including me in your roster of entertainers last night at the Iguana! JACKIE DRAPER
Enjoyed Richard Skipper's performances in Malibu;
both as himself and as Carol Channing !!!
(the Most Amazingly Accurate Characterization in the world !!!)
keep on keepin' on ...David Dean, Phoenix, AZ
I had the best time at the Iguana last night. it was a night to remember. where else can you go and get that vast variety of a show. it was with out a doubt the most entertaining night of my year! Thanks DeOnzelle Green
Richard's class, wit and resourcefulness shines through, whether as "Carol" on stage at St. Luke's or as himself when he interviewed the "real, Carol at Barnes & Nobel last week. Always a joy to encounter Richard.
Bart Greenberg, Special Events, BARNES & NOBLE LINCOLN SQUARE NYC
. . . the first time ever I have been shown with such love, respect and polish. Richard Skipper is a true musical comedy star! He is fabulous as me!"~ Carol Channing
www.RichardSkipper.com
Follow me on Twitter www.Twitter.com/RichardSkipper
Google me!
Please contribute to the DR. CAROL CHANNING & HARRY KULLIJIAN FOUNDATION FOR THE ARTS: http://www.carolchanning.org/foundation.htm
TILL NEXT WEEK...HERE'S TO A MUSICAL WEEK!
With grateful XOXOXs for your support!
Richard Skipper, Richard@RichardSkipper.com
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