ELIZABETH TAYLOR

At Christies, the estate of ELIZABETH TAYLOR  held an auction of her jewels, clothes and other items, some going for 11 million dollars.  It was at Christies that GOTHAM GOSSIP (demetriadaniels.com - archives) first met Ms. Taylor and her dog Sugar. We will miss her.

                                                          ELIZABETH TAYLOR

DINO ANAGNOST

GRAMMY- AWARD NOMINEE MAESTRO DINO ANAGNOST was celehrated  for his life and legacy of 32 years with the Little Orchestra Society with a beautiful concert. at Cathedral of the Holy Trinity.  "Making a Joyful Sound" was sponsored by Mary and Michael Jaharis, under the high patronage of his eminence Archbishop Demetrios.  Constantine Kitsopoulos, music director of the QueensSymphony Orchestra conducted.  byzantine chants, classical works hymns, and carols with sopranos Indra Thomas and Anela Meade. Members of the Metropolitan Singers/The Greek Choral Society and the Orpheon Chorale joined in . A surprising fact that Dino was conferred the honor of Commendatore in the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic for his service to Italian music. He founded the Vivaldi's Venice series.   He also created "Happy  Concerts for Young People and the famous Lolli-Pops series for children ages 3-5. A gala reception and dinner was held afterwards at the palatial and most elegant Metropolian Club, a most befitting

tribute to a most remarkable and gifted composer and musical director.     

MAESTRO DINO ANAGNOST

SINGERS INDRA THOMAS and ANGELA MEADE

The world-wide known fashion designer MARY MCFADDEN attended the  magnificent opening
of the art exhibit at the Aristotle Onassis gallery ( 5th ave & 51 st) (Olympic Towers) "Transitions to Christianity - 3-7 century AD".  She told me that she had just flown in from Dakar, capital city of Senegal - which she found fascinating.   She was wearing one of her designs.Her early dress designs were very Greek-inspired with fluted pleated stichings like the karyatids at the Parthenon. The Greek defense minister flew in from Athens just for the event, which was hosted by President of the  Aristotle Onassis Public Benefit foundation, Anthony Papadimitriou, and  Executive Director Ambassador Loucas Tsilas.
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NEWT GINGRICH spoke privately to a group of conservatives at the Hyatt Hotel.  In his speech
he said he wanted to deliver paychecks for the people, not welfare checks.  - I was happy
to get his recent book "A Nation Like No  Other: Why Exceptionalism Matters" which he autographed.  And finally I got the chance to tell him in person that I used to watch his history lectures which he gave at the Un. of Virginia which were telecasted on New York Saturday morning television. - He was pleased to hear that!!

                                                       


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john denver

      Impresario STUART F.LANE was awarded the "JOHN DENVER SPIRIT AWARD" and Park Bench Dedication at Central Park West and W 75 St.  Mr. Lane is the creator of "A Moment in Time", a new Broadway musical with music and lyrics by JOHN DENVER.  He was presented this award by the Starsong Foundation.  Here he shakes hands with Ron Denver, brother to John Denver. Mr. Lane has
received Tony awards for Thrououghly Modern Millie,  The Will Rogers Follies and La Cage Aux Folles.
He is a grand Broadway presence and was accompanied by his beautiful wife Bonnie Comley and 2 sons.

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Run over to Theater for the New City to see Crystal Field's  presentation of SIREN'S HEART.
It is written by Walt Stepp, directed by Lissa Moira , musical director - Gregory Nissen, and stars Louisa Bradshaw.  The most talented and beautifull Ms. Bradshaw is exuberant in her portrayal of the famous MARILYN MONROE.  She sings beautifully some lovely songs written by Mr. Stepp.  The subtitle is "Marilyn in Purgatory: Songs She Never Sang Before".  Three songs are basen on W.B. Yeats poetry.  The actress examines the MM life story - her relationships with directors, other stars, her two husbands and the 17,000 GI"s she entertained, in the 50's.  Best is when she sings "Happy Birthday" to JFK, the audience joins in.!!!.


                                                                    
                                                            

NYMF

Run to see Jane Austen's "PRIDE AND PREJUDICE' at the NY Musical Theater Festival. It
is the musical version of the book.  With music/lyrics and book by Lindsay Warren Baker and Amanda
Jacobs.  It takes you to the late 1700's in England.  Growing up with 7 sisters, Ms. Austen for
sure was an expert on relationships, courtships, and marriages of those times.  What makes
this musical so divine is that the authors have written Ms. Austen into the plot where she adds
and discards characters; she also sings too.  The stageing is magnificent.  In particular I loved
the duet "Had I Been In Love" .  The opening number of "Choices :First Impressions" sets a theme
for the rest of the play. Originally, the book was called "Impressions" A terrific dance scene - "I
Can't Resist a Redcoat" was choreographed by Jeffry Denman. At the Signature Theater, Peter
Norton Space, W 42 St.


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At 23 Wall St.  "Loft in the Red Zone"    around the World Trade  center- about the artists that
live in the area and  were affected by 9/11.  The space is enormous.  Lots of art  - Look for work by Peggy Cyphers.  Videos, installations. paintings etc  - this is the last week in NY  -then goes to Moscow.
                                                  
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Appearing together at last night' Jr. Greek Chamber of Commerce reception at the beautiful Greek
restaurant Thalassa was the elegant OLYMPIA DUKAKIS and the youthful Congressman John Sarbanes. 
from Maryland.
Ms. Dukakis won the Academy Award playing CHER's Mother in the movie Moonstruck.  She has
appeared in 100 stage plays and has also won a Golden Globe and Obies awards.  She instucts in drama
at NYU/.  Her cousin Michael Dukakis ran for President some years ago.





Opening in 15 days from now GODSPELL, music/lyrics by the master STEPHEN SCHWARTZ.(Wicked, Pippin and the opera, Seance on a Wet Afternoon ) at the Circle in the Square, 50 st, Bdwy.  Still time to buy tickets, still time to invest.  Producer Ken Davenport is bringing this phenomenal production  with lots of surprises ( I can't divulge yet) So go see it.!! It will leave you singing - remember "Day by Day".

                                               

OSCAR DE LA RENTA sang with a Mareachi band at his store during Fashion Week!

and some fashion shoes !

A brilliant performance by Tyne Daly at the Friedman Theater.  The writer- Terrence McNally has
superbly captured the remarkable story of the opera diva - MARIA CALLAS, in 'MASTER CLASS.
As she instructs a new breed of opera singers, Maria reminisces about her relationship with Aristotle
Onassis. The once again on and off romance is filled with fire and passion- will he marry her? should
she have his baby?  As she recaptures her moments on stage at La Scala, we are forever immersed
in the music of Verdi,and Puccini, While the real voice of Callas is heard on recordings, Ms. Tyne
deliberates her past delivering an amazing, and fascinating  powerful performance!!!BRAVA!!!!!

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I went to this performance with  * R A N D Y    B  I  R  N  E  R *   who passed away August  21
RANDY was 22 years old and was passionate about theater; we went to Joe Allens afterwards his
favorite place. He had done surveys for the Theater League. I already miss him.
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JULY 4 JULY4 JULY4***************************************************
There is no greater place to be but in New York for the July4 fireworks:
At the wonderful home of Bennet Kremen:

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The Federalist Society held a magnificent garden party to honor Judge Michael Mukasey, Former Attorney
General of the United States at the gorgeous mansion and estate of Justice Ute Lally and Mr. Lawrence Lally
in Centre Island, Oyster Bay, Long Island - a perfect day for a lawn party and barbecue.

                                                            Mrs. Ute Lally , her son , me

                                                                      Kevin Hanratty & friends

                                                                       more friends
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BROADWAY BARKS (BOW WOW) Every year you can adopt a dog at Shubert Alley.
Mary Tyler Moore and others host the event!

 

BEST PARTY IN NEW YORK GOES TO FRANK BREUER - CHEF MAGNIFICENT

BEST BETS THIS SUMMER   *    SHAKESPEARE IN THE PARK - ALL'S WELL THAT ENDS WELL - DELACOURT THEATER; * ***Rosencrantz &Guildenstern Are Dead- at the Midtown International  Theater Festival

 AT THE POETS DEN,   309 East 108 STREET   IN AUGUST presented by Raphael Benavides, the famous DIRECTOR   ANGELICA TORN      Presents "SOLDIERS SONG"   written  by Jim Cohen and Joanner Lee Drexler Cohen  - the music was already written and for his birthday, Joanne wrote the story.  --I cried!

                                                                                 

TONY AWARDS

The TONY AWARDS TRU party was hosted by Mr. and Mrs. Rosenberg in their west village apartment.
The dinner party was terrific as we watched the amazing show and winners, sponsored by the American Theater Wing.  Attending the party were Joe and Sandra Black- the producers of The Scottsboro Boys.
Bob Obst, director of TRU organized the party and the wonderful banquet buffet.
CONGRATULATIONS to all : best play - War Horse; best musical - Book of Mormon. The awards
were hosted by Christine Chenoweth and Sean Hayes.  BONO -composer of the songs for Spiderman
spoke.  Perhaps we will see it win next year.

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The fourth annual WORLD SCIENCE FAIR took place in NY again with  JULIE TAYMOR, director
SPIDERMAN, talks!.  She with the composer PHILLIP GLASS spoke on a panel called "Beautiful Minds." Steven Weinberg, Nobel laureate and physicist, spoke about the future of physics in a special address "The Future of Big Science" The founders of the festival are Brian Greene, Professor of Math and
Physics, Columbia University  and  Tracy Day, Executive Director of the festival.  DONT MISS THE NEXT ONE!!!
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At the village nightclub,Poisson Rouge, the Alexander Onanssis Foundation sponsored ancient music and the  fragmented lyrics from the Greek poetess SAPHO. "Someone will remember us, I say, even in another time" she said.  Some of her romantic lyrics -  "rosy-fingered moon", three women by moonlight, like goddesses,roses and honey, violets, and Eros, my mind is burned with longing. Songs were sung by Savina Yannatou, and the music was performed by The Constantinople Ensemble.
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Try to catch the book "SPANISH ROMANCE" by Apostolor Pappas, Ph.D. A young boy, a dreamer, an immigrant who struggles and succeeds to reach the "American Dream" - a story of innocence, intellect, hardship and love, intertwined with the melody of a song whose lyrics have yet to be found.
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Look for 'Antigone" on the lawn in Central Park, July 25.
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Catch the next play directed by Stephan Morrow, who just directed 4 short plays by MARIO FRATTI
at the Theater for the New City. And most recently directed "The Shirtwaist Factory Fire".


   

HABA AWARD DINNER

Mr. Dean Metropoulos, Chairman and CEO of C. Dearn Metropoulos & Company  was recently awarded "Executive of the Year" award at the Hellenic American Bankers Association dinner.
The award was presented by the well-known New Yorker who once was thinking about running for Mayor,  John Catsimatidis, Chairman and CEO of Red Apple Group, Inc.
Welcoming remarks were given by Her Excellency Aghi Balta, Consul General of Greece and Georgia Mouzakis Tavlarios, President - HABA. The evening was MC'ed by John Metaxas, anchor and reporter
for WCBS news radio 880 and WCBS-TV, and the lovely music was performed by the David Segal Trio
and was held at the Union League.

Attending the lovely dinner were Mr. Metropoulos' wife, Marianne, President of Aegean Entertainment.
Mr. Michael Jaharis,benefactor for the event and  patron of the arts was also present.

Members of the event committee included Harry Prassako, VP, Bank of Tokyo, Emmanuel Caravano, First
VP, Arab Bank PLC, and Lucretia Edreos, VP, MacArthur Capital Group.

CDM has partnered with many companies such as Mumm and Perrier Jouet Champagnes,Pinnacle Food
Groups, Ghirardelli Chocolate Co. and Pabst Brewing Company.

The National Meningitis Association held there "Gala 2011" with the theme "Give Kids a Shot" at
the lovely NY Athletic Club overlooking the Spring-filled Central Park.
Chairing the event were Gary Springer, whose Father, John Springer was Hollywood's leading publicist.
His son Nick Springer, who was affected by meningitis at an early age, and went on to win a gold medal
in the para-Olympics also chaired along with Senator John L. Loeb, Jr, and Sara Herbert-Galloway.

This disease CAN be prevented just with a shot.!!!!

The lovely dinner was hosted by James Naughton, a Tony-award actor/singer who entertained, with.
traditional melodies. A silent auction was held during the evening which included awards given
to various persons.  An International Ambassador of Education Through Music award went
to Chau-Giang Thi Nguyen, recently engaged to Producer Brian Grazer who served on the
Honorary Committee along with SUSAN SARANDON, LIV ULMAN and LANIE KAZAN.

  

I saw an amazing photo at the recent Ass. of International Photography Art Dealers Armory show. I label it 'BEST IN SHOW' from the MONROE GALLERY, SANTA FE.  It is taken in the mountains in China, and shows a wagon pulled by a donkey in front of grape sheds.  Because of the desert and the arid enviroment, these grapes turn into raisins. The photo is about 4 feet long and the most impressive one in the show. For more information, you can call the gallery at 505-992-0800,

The famed ALEX RODRIGUEZ and his companion, CAMERON DIAZ have just bought a six million
dollar apartment near Lincoln Center - Welcome to New York!
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MOVADO watches showing some interesting oil paintings done on the spot by students from Viaual Arts school; which are being donated to charity - ;and watches designed by ANDY WARHOLand KENNY SCHARF.at Rockerfeller Center location
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An amazing art show at the UNITED NATIONS by Stefano Losi, who writes poetry for each of his
paintings which are classical in nature:  The poetry mixes mythology with  beautiful imagery and  an
extraordinary sense of language - a must see.

CHRISTMAS IN NEW YORK

the wedding of PAULA TSACONAS and JOE BARTON

                                                      December 22, 2010


XMAS EVE (at the home of Jane Wilson Marquise for English dinner)

and New Year's Eve with Judge George Janis at the Big Apple Circus.
HAPPY NEW YEAR 2011