VW Dune Buggy Concept car, one of many fun concepts at the show

Looking for something to do this weekend?  Check out the New York International Auto Show now at the Javits Center in Manhattan.  The annual show is a mecca for auto enthusiasts yet has something for the whole family.

Inside you will find hundreds of new cars, suvs and trucks to explore.  As well there are many models that are making their debut  at this show.  Lincoln is showcasing their new Corsair SUV at the beautiful and retro display space.    Nissan is celebrating the 50th anniversary of its famed Z car with models of the original and its latest incarnation .  There is even new car companies such as Rivian which is displaying its electric full size SUV.

Rivian electric SUV

The show also has interactive exhibits including simulated driving, and virtual reality displays.  Outside you can take a ride in a Toyota or take the Jeep Challenge and ride in a  Jeep through an amazing off road course of inclines, declines, stairs and more.  There is a also a display of vintage Italian sports cars courtesy of the Saratoga Auto Museum.

Vintage Italian sports cars take stage at the show

The Javits Center is easy to get to from Grand Central Station by taking the 7 Train direct to the new Hudson Yards Station.  Steps away is the High Line Park and the new shopping at Hudson Yards.

For more information:

https://www.autoshowny.com/

2019 New York Int’l Auto Show Dates:
April 19 – April 28, 2019
Monday through Saturday, 10am – 10pm
Sunday 10am – 7pm

The Greenwich International Film Festival announces the honorees for the 5th annual Changemaker Gala, which will take place on May, 30, 2019 in Greenwich, Connecticut. The Changemaker Award honors artists who have used their public platform and the power of film to further positive social change.  This year, activist and actress, Eva Longoria Bastón, will be honored for her work to empower Latina woman and girls through the Eva Longoria Foundation.

Bobby Walker is  the Community Changemaker honoree at the 2019 festival,  and will be recognized for his work supporting the Boys & Girls Club of Greenwich. Past Changemaker honorees include Renée Zellweger, Christy Turlington Burns, Freida Pinto, Trudie Styler, Abigail Breslin, Harry Belafonte, Mia Farrow, and Ashley Judd.

Award-winning actor, producer, director, entrepreneur and philanthropist Eva Longoria Bastón (“Desperate Housewives,” forthcoming “Dora and the Lost City of Gold”) established the Eva Longoria Foundation in 2012. The Foundation’s mission is to help Latinas build better futures for themselves and their families through education and entrepreneurship. Through its programs in STEM education, mentorship, parent engagement, college scholarships and entrepreneurship, the Foundation has impacted the lives of more than 23,000 Latina people in the United States and Mexico. Longoria Bastón is a founding member of the Time’s Up movement that addresses systemic inequality and injustice in the workplace, and a powerful voice for the representation of women and people of color in media. Longoria Bastón was named “Philanthropist of the Year” by The Hollywood Reporter and honored with a Lifetime Achievement Award at Variety’s annual Power of Women Luncheon.

For more than 100 years, the Boys & Girls Club of Greenwich has been devoted to preparing young people, through enrichment opportunities and supportive relationships, to be responsive, caring and productive community members. The organization provides high-quality, diverse and robust programming for children and teens ages 6-18 throughout the school year and remains open during school holidays and winter and spring vacation periods.  The affordable After-School Programs and accessible summer camps ensure that every child, no matter what his or her family’s financial situation, can participate in positive activities that build self-esteem in a safe, nurturing and supervised environment. “I’m honored to be recognized by the Greenwich International Film Festival

“I am thrilled that the Greenwich International Film Festival will be honoring Eva Longoria Bastón and Bobby Walker as Changemakers,” said Wendy Stapleton, Chairman of the Board, GIFF. “Eva is a committed advocate for underserved communities. Her philanthropic track record is formidable, and she has worked to advocate for women, the Latina community, people with disabilities, children with cancer, farm workers and more. She will be accepting the award based on her work to educate and provide opportunity for Latina women and girls. Eva understands the power of her celebrity and has leveraged it time and again to help those less fortunate. Bobby Walker is the incredible leader of The Boys and Girls club of Greenwich. Through his tireless work he has helped to make our community a better, more inclusive place. Bobby and Eva embody what it mean to be true Changemakers.”

Greenwich International Film Festival will celebrate its five year anniversary from May 29-June 2, 2019. Tickets for the Changemaker Gala go on sale today and will be available for purchase at greenwichfilm.org. The Festival’s full film slate will be announced May 3. The May 30th Changemaker event, sponsored by Betteridge, will include a cocktail reception at Betteridge followed by a black-tie gala at L’Escale in Greenwich, CT. Kathie Lee Gifford will serve as Master of Ceremonies.

Greenwich International Film Festival

May 29 -June 2 2019

for tickets and information on this fantastic weekend of film, fun and philanthropy, please visit:

http://www.greenwichfilm.org

Need a good laugh? Stand up comedy legend, Robert Klein, will leave the audience roaring after tomorrow’s performance (April 18) at the Bedford Playhouse.

Robert Klein, twice-nominated for a Grammy for Best Comedy Album of the Year for his albums Child of the Fifties and Mind Over Matter, brings his relevant, bitingly intelligent and edgy humor to the Playhouse stage, along with some very entertaining musical parodies.

Hailed as one of Rolling Stone Magazine‘s top stand up comedians of all time, Klein has greatly influenced many famous entertainers- including Jerry Seinfeld, Jay Leno, Ray Romano and Jon Stewart. He has also had nine HBO specials including the very first live show broadcast.

Bedford Playhouse

633 Old Post Road Bedford New York

Like I On the Valley on Facebook

Instagram >> @ i_on_the_valley

Dining out should be a memorable experience to be enjoyed on a date, with friends or family. When selecting a venue, the restaurant should provide an excellent menu and chef, a fine wine and cocktail list, and an ambiance that makes the diner instantly comfortable.  We have found such a restaurant at the Farmhouse at the Bedford Post Inn in Bedford.

The Farmhouse is one of two restaurants on the Bedford Post Inn property, the other is the Barn.  The Inn itself is a boutique hotel and is operated separately from the eateries.

The Bedford Post Inn is located just north of the charming and historic Bedford Village Green in Bedford NY.  This unique and idyllic town is more akin to New England than New York, and is filled with antique homes, winding roads and horse farms.

We recently dined at the Farmhouse and were totally charmed by the warm and authentic atmosphere of the establishment.  The dining room is divided into several spaces, the intimate and cozy bar/lounge, the light filled dining room with its bank of tall windows, and the warm and appealing dining room with corner fire place.  It was in the last room that we were seated.

The design is simple elegance.  The dining space is dusted in  a warm and soothing palette of colors that puts one at ease.  The overall effect of the design was understated sophistication that hints to the diner that they are in a very special place.

The cocktail program is first rate and the wine list extensive with the Farmhouse having its own wine cellar in the basement.

Comfortably located in our table next to the fireplace on a chilly spring evening we started with the Cauliflower Soup.  This healthy dish is made without cream, and young garlic, dill oil, and toasted buckwheat,  A delicious way to begin the meal.  The soup was still thick enough and satisfying without the use of cream and was a fine selection.

Cauliflower Soup

We also sampled the Blue Fin Tuna Tartare which fresh diced tuna prepared with dashi (Japanese soup stock), shiso ( a Japanese plant that is similar to mint) and a Caspian Sea golden Ossetra caviar ( a fine and rare caviar).  The dish was so appetizing with its blend of unique ingredients.

For our main we chose the Lobster and Risotto, a wonderful and filling dish of perfectly cooked risotto and topped with pieces of lobster meat including claw.  The selection was tasty and very satisfying.

Lobster and Risotto

We also enjoyed the Red Wine Braised Beef Short Rib.  This was an immediate favorite with tender  short rib that you could cut with your fork. The red wine garnished the beef with a full and rich flavor.  We are big fans of polenta and it was the perfect complement to the short rib.   A wonderful dish and presentation.

Red Wine Braised Short Rib over Polenta

We did not want to rush our evening at the Farmhouse so we lingered a little while longer to sample the desserts.  The Baked Alaska was a totally different approach to this classic dish and was not flaming.  The confection was prepared with a cleansing raspberry sorbet, hazelnut ice cream and a layer of toasted meringue.  A perfect dessert to conclude our meal.

Dessert: Baked Alaska and Granny Smith Apple Tart

As the Farmhouse menu is inspired by farm-to-table ideals, we also sampled the Locust Grove Orchard (Hudson Valley) Granny Smith Apple Tart.  This dessert seemed appropriate to enjoy in the warmth of the Farmhouse dining room and was delightful.

With so many dining options in our area we were thrilled to dine at the Farmhouse at the Bedford Post Inn for its winning combination of ambiance, fine food and great service.

The Farmhouse at the Bedford Post Inn

954 Old Post Road Bedford New York     tel.  914.234.7800

website: http://www.bedfordpostinn.com/dining/

follow I On the Valley on Facebook    http://www.facebook.com/ionthevalley

join our over 10,000 followers on instagram @i_on_the_valley

The Tony Award winning Broadway show, Newsies The Musical is now on stage at the Westchester Broadway Theatre.  The show which ran on Broadway for over 2 years before going out on tour has now come to our WBT in this first rate production.

Newsies is based on a 1992 film of the same name.  The story recalls the actual events of a newsboys strike in New York City in 1899.  Many of the newsboys hawking papers on the streets were orphans, homeless or just from very poor families.  They were out working hard for every penny.   As newspapers were the prime source of news during this period, the competition was fierce among papers.  Selling papers meant attention grabbing headlines. With a lull in news stories, two rival papers decide to raise the prices they charge the newsies in order to make up for the lack of paper sales.

The newsies (both boys and girls) decide the rich newspaper owners like Joseph Pulitzer and William Randolph Hearst should not be lining their pockets off the labor of the poor newsies.  Inspired by the growing labor movement, the young newsies decide to strike against the papers.  This David versus Goliath struggle of the young and poor versus the rich and powerful is timeless and relevant today.

Newsies is written and presented in the classic format of the Broadway musical.  There are close to 20 different songs that and the performance is dance heavy with the large cast providing wonderful and carefully crafted choreography.  Though the songs were not familiar to my ears, they are pleasant and catchy as a good musical score should.  Lyrics are by Jack Feldman and score by Alan Menken. Menken is a multi award winner and has written the music for Little Shop of Horrors, The Little Mermaid, Beauty and the Beast, Aladdin, Sister Act and A Bronx Tale the Musical.  The book is by award winning writer Harvey Fierstein.

Daniel Scott Walton is the lead actor  playing Jack Kelly the leader of the newsies rebellion.  Kelly is a fictional character based on some of the strike leaders and Mr. Walton performance was a crowd pleaser.  Stuart Marland as Pulitzer gives an excellent performance of the famous newspaper publisher.  He played the role of Pulitzer on Broadway.

Mary Beth Donahoe is the main female lead as the fictional character of Katherine Plumber  (Pulitzer) and her performance lights up the stage as her educated, well groomed character is the perfect counter to the street wise and rough edged, Jack Kelly.   A special mention goes out to Benjamin Wohl the youngest member of the cast who plays Les the young brother of Davey whose father was injured and cannot work and must sell papers to help his family.  This very young actor really charmed the full house.

If you have not seen Newsies on Broadway, this is your chance to see a Broadway quality show right here in Westchester .  A talented cast of 24 actors fills the stage at WBT with song and complex dance number.  Credit to Shea Sullivan for the choreography and Mark Martino for his direction of this large cast.

This is a show that captures the human spirit of the downtrodden and the disadvantaged rising up as one and seeking justice.  It is a story that was relevant in 1899 as it is today.

For tickets and information:  (dinner is served prior to the show and is included in your ticket price)

https://www.broadwaytheatre.com/

Westchester Broadway Theater

One Broadway Plaza  Elmsford New York        tel. (914) 592-2222. 

Like I On the Valley on facebook  http://www.facebook.com/ionthevalley

instagram @i_on_the_valley

We are so fortunate to live in an area where  we have the opportunity to witness great theater.  The Hudson Stage Company produces first rate plays such as the current production of Proof.  The play written by David Auburn is the winner of a Pulitzer Prize, Drama Desk Award, and three Tony awards back in 2001 when it ran on Broadway.  The Hudson Stage has produced a drama that had the audience riveted the entire evening.

Proof involves the main character, Catherine the daughter of Robert, a recently deceased math genius in his fifties and professor at a university. In his youth Robert  had several break through math discoveries that stunned the academic world. But as he aged, he never reached the pinnacles of his youth and began to struggle with mental illness.   Catherine is 25 years old when the play begins and we learn of her sacrifice of giving up college in order to be a caretaker for her mentally ill father.

Jenna Krasowski (Catherine) and John Wojda (Robert)   Photo credit: Rana Faure

Catherine struggles with her own decisions of not pursuing her college career and the constant worry that while she has inherited her father’s math genius, did she inherit her his mental illness as well?  It is a fear that haunts her.

The entire play takes place in the back yard and porch of Catherine and her father’s house in Chicago.  After his passing,  we meet Hal, Robert’s ex-grad student who is interested in reviewing his archive of notebooks to see if there is some undiscovered mathematical proof. Hal tells Catherine that most people do their most creative work by age 24 while he is already age 28 and feels his best years are gone.  Was Robert the exception and could still produce ground breaking math proofs well into his 50s?

Catherine’s sister, Claire arrives from New York for her father’s funeral and to settle the estate. Claire is the opposite of Catherine, and has not inherited her father’s math genius nor his mental illness.  She is there to wrap up the estate and to coerce Catherine to move to New York where she can look after her.   In the meantime Catherine gives Hal access to one notebook which he has not reviewed.  Here he finds a mathematical proof that is ground breaking and wishes to see it published.  Doubt is cast about who is the true author of the proof.  Was it Robert or his daughter Catherine?    The second act becomes a struggle for Catherine as she tries to hold on to the world she knows. As well the mystery of the proof itself becomes apparent.  She also dreads that she has indeed followed in her father’s footsteps on the dark road to  genius and  mental illness.

Jenna Krasowski, Cadden Jones and Jayson Speters  Photo credit: Rana Faure

The play interestingly uses the metaphor of cold.  There are references to cold winters, a cold (or too hot) house,  and snow.  It makes the audience member wonder is the playwright alluding to the coldness of death, or to the cold calculations of math proofs or perhaps to both.

A very interesting and thought provoking drama that should be seen.   Jenna Krasowski plays the challenging role of  Catherine and is brilliant in bringing out the internal crisis of the character.  The audience can really feel the heartache of her struggles.  Jenna has appeared in other stage plays as well as short film.

Jayson Speters and Jenna Krasowski    Photo credit: Rana Faure

John Wojda as Robert her father gives a deep and warm performance that gives great insight into the character.  He was so effective it was perfectly believable he was on stage actually writing down math formulas. His slips from madness to clarity kept the audience riveted to his every word and gesture.  Mr. Wojda’s credits include Broadway (The Nap), numerous off Broadway credits and appearances on television including “Manifest”,  “Law and Order”, “Blue Bloods” and more.

Jayson Speters plays Hal, the ex grad student who is searches for Robert’s final proof and who was the real author.  Will his search for the proof destroy his relationship with Catherine? He gives a fine performance as the nerdy math grad student, and possible love interest to Catherine.  Cadden Jones plays Claire and her performance adds tension between Claire and Catherine.  She has numerous credits to her resume including television: “Billions”, “The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel” and “Mr. Robot”.

The play is directed by Dan Foster who has brought to the stage a thought provoking drama filled with fine performances. He coaxes the best from his actors who really engage the audience.   The theater is small and intimate and the perfect venue for a drama.  Effective sound, lighting and set design really combine to create the feeling you are in the back yard with the characters

Proof runs through April 13th 2019.  Please support local theater!

Hudson Stage Company

at:  Whippoorwill Theatre-North Castle Public Library

Kent Place, Armonk, NY

for more information: http://www.hudsonstage.com/whats-on/

for tickets : https://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/4075008

Like I On the Valley on facebook   http://www.facebook.com/ionthevalley

instagram  join our 10 thousand followers   @i_on_the_valley