ST. LOUIS ART AND CULTURE, CONTINUED

I believe we are in downtown St. Louis at Lindell Blvd. and Newstead Avenue in front an ornate cathedral. My notes say, "The life of Saint Louis IX, crusader King of France and the city's namesake and patron saint, is vividly portrayed in the vestibule of the Cathedral Basilica of St. Louis. Built in 1907, this incredible structure combines Byzantine and Romanesque architecture styles with the largest collection of mosaics in the world. More than 41 million pieces of tesserae in 8,000 fill more than 83,000 square feet. The west chapels are the work of Tiffany and Company and the main altar and another chapel feature the work of Gorham." I went inside to view the impressive and intricate artwork.

At home I live across the street from Forest Park, where they have a golf course, tennis courts, ball fields, a bandstand, horseback riding and various trails. Here in St. Louis, there is also a Forest Park. This one has similar amenities as well as various attractions such as the Saint Louis Art Museum. This day they were presenting Monet's Water Lillies, which will run through January 22, 1012.

The museum has two floors of art that include Oceanic art, pre-Columbian art, ancient Chinese bronzes and European and American art of the late 19th and 20th centuries, with particular strength in 20th-century German art. One thing that I noticed was that there was a space adding a new exhibit. Not only did they ask that you be patient and wait for it, but they provided a few couches to sleep on until the date arrived. Free admission, too.

I was going to do a segway tour of the park, but found it just a bit too much on my feet and leg. This 1,300-acre park served as the main fairground for the 1904 "Meet Me in St. Louis" World's Fair, just as the Flushing Meadows-Corona Park held both the 1939 and 1964 World's Fair. This park is about twice the size of New York's Central Park and houses the St. Louis Zoo, Science Center, Missouri History Museum, St. Louis Art Museum and The Muny Theatre.

Can't take them all in but did manage one more; the Missouri History Museum, which displays the contributions and artifacts of St. Louisans who have contributed to American and world culture including musicians Miles Davis and Chuck Berry, writer T.S. Eliot and designer Charles Eames. I yeah, I also took in lunch to talk with Everett Dietle who told us about the museum's unique acting troupe and upcoming major exhibitions.

A tour of an area known as The Loop, renowned for its nightlife. "On one Wednesday every month, at 9 p.m. sharp, a white Cadillac pulls into the parking lot of St. Louis' Blueberry Hill club. Chuck Berry, 83, pulls his guitar case from the trunk and descends a deep set of stairs to the Duck Room, ready to prove yet again that rock & roll isn't dead as long as the man most credited with inventing it is still picking and screaming"...from the May 2010 issue of Rolling Stone. Chuck Berry's star on the St. Louis Walk of Fame sits at the entrance to Blueberry Hill as well as a new statue of "Father of Rock'n'Roll". We later got to see him make an quick appearance at the Kiel Opera House.

ST. LOUIS ART AND CULTURE

Arriving in St. Louis, MO, I checked into Hotel Ignacio (see the blog)and then took a tour of the area known as The Hill (see the blog) and continued the art and culture with what dominates the St. Louis skyline; the magnificent Gateway Arch, the iconic symbol of the city. Sculptured of stainless steel and concrete, it stretches 630 feet high and wide along a bluff overlooking the Mississippi River. Last time that I was here I took in the Journey To The Top in an enclosed tram.

St. Louis' Citygarden, a 2-year-old attraction is a blend of lush plantings and sculptures with water, stone, architecture and landscape design, located in the Downtown area. Open to the public all year there are no fences, gates or admission fee. This is one of those places to hang out on a nice day as well as just simply walking through and taking in the art.

Just a few blocks away is art that's so totally different from Citygarden, City Museum, a museum made entirely from recycled pieces. The museum building started as a shoe manufacturing factory and warehouse. The owner took items that would have become landfill and filled the floors of quirky and innovative artistic fun.

You can certainly spot the museum by a bus that appears to be looking as if it is just about to fall off the roof as well as a real ferris wheel nearby. This place is just perfect for kids to explore and get in and out of areas, go down slides and check out the in-house circus troupe.

It's time for dinner at Triumph Grill, a restaurant that abuts the hotel and adjacent to the Moto Museum where vintage European motocycles from 1900 to the present are displayed. I sampled Stuffed Portabella Mushrooms: Creamy spinach and artichoke dip stuffed mushroom caps, lightly breaded and topped with reduced balsamic and parmesan; Chipotle Molasses Chicken Wings: Maple marinated jumbo wings fried crispy and tossed in chipotle molasses sauce; and Monza Shrimp And Crab Risotto: Blue crabmeat and jumbo shrimp simmered in a rich seafood stock with basil and vine-ripened tomatoes.

Off to the Fabulous Fox Fox Theatre to see The Addams Family. This 1929 movie palace located in the Grand Center Arts and Entertainment District is one of the first theatres built for "talkies" my movie mogul William Fox. It's quite a showy place with a style described as Siamese-Byzantine and a 90-foot lobby and Buddhist monastery halls. It's worth a separate tour, which I did later in the week. I got to hear some songs being played on the organ as well as having brunch to discuss an upcoming event involving The Titanic.



On Saturday, April 14, 2012 the Fox Theatre is having A Taste of History, Last Dinner On The Atlantic, to celebrate the Titanic Centennial Weekend. The historic first class menu recreates the famously sumptuous elven course meal with accompanying wines that were actually served to first class passengers on the fateful night. When guests arrive at the theatre they will be give a boarding pass and an envelope containing the name and historical biography of an actual First Class Passenger. You can check it out on their website...just google.

As for the production, it went off quite well...touring company...no stars but good talent and funny show.

Night cap and sleep.

THE HILL, ST. LOUIS, “BIG” ITALY

There are two cuisines that tourists seek out in the United States for authenticity. Does a city have a "Chinatown" or "Little Italy"? In St. Louis, Missouri I encountered what I would term "Big Italy" and area known as The Hill, with the colors of the Italian flag as the background of the title.

Aside from the dozens of great Italian restaurants the Hill is also one of the city's most tightly-knit Italian-American communities. I visit to the are revealed a sense of people who greeted each other and most likely attend church together for both worship and social meetings as well as a number of Italian societies.

For instance, there is The Fratellanza, the oldest Italian American organization in the United States. The Fratellanza Society was organized on November 11, 1866 and was incorporated on December 6, 1866 as a fraternal and benevolent society under the Societá Unione e Fratellanza Italiana (Italian Fraternal Union).

Of course, what truly counts to a visitor is the Italian specialties available as I began my tour with Volpi's to sample the salami and prosciutto. I sampled the prosciutto to compare with what they produce with the imported Parma from Italy finding it to be a little less salty and just as good.

Onto Di Gregorio's Market feeling lie a "kid in a candy store". We are looking at groceries that are imported from Italy. Wines, olive oils, vinegars, canned tomatoes, cheeses, and more. They have kitchenware and cookware. Head to the deli counter for salads and a variety of their store made sausage. I met with manager Toni Ribaudo for a tour of the store.

Larry Fuse, Jr. is the owner of both Gelato di Riso and Lorenzo's Trattoria. Gelato drew me as I wanted to see how authentic it was. A glorious variety of flavors; no disappointment.

Off to Missouri Baking Company as Mimi Lordo gave me a view of the kitchen as well as a taste of a cannoli, biscotti, cupcake, cookies and cinnamon raisin bread. Unfortunately they were out of sforgiatellis.

I later dined at Lorenzo's Trattoria where mostly Northern Italian is featured. What did I eat? Appetizer of fried shrimp and calamari. Carpaccio with watercress, truffle oil and shaved parmesan cheese. Ossobuco, braised with saffron risotto and orange gremolata. Was simply in the mood for a good carrot cake and more gelato.

If you would like to experience the Hill, check out Joe DeGregorio Guided Tours of The Hill, which provides an opportunity to learn about the neighborhood lasting from 2 to 6 hours to include:

• A lecture at St. Ambrose Church on the colorful history of the Italian immigration to the area, why they came and stayed, plus a primer on local Italian-American culture and customs, with highlights of the significant differences between the Northern and Southern Italian immigrants.

The culinary, architectural and religious aspects of the neighborhood will be covered plus the current climate and challenges of continuing time honored traditions. The presentation, as with featured stops listed below, will include numerous colorful stories of the hardworking and proud families-and celebrities- who have made the Hill so remarkable.
• A ravioli making demonstration at Mama Toscano's. This third generation run store is one of the few markets remaining in the US that make commercial ravioli by hand. The visitors will see for themselves this ancient and meticulous process.
• A visit to wonderful Italian markets such as DiGregorio's, Viviano's, Volpi's and Urzi's is almost a must during your sojourn. Savor and sample delicious wine, tasty cheeses, unique imported and locally made delicacies; learn the history of these stores and of course feel free to browse or purchase some of these epicurean delights. You will find an array of Italian made crafts and souvenirs awaiting you as well.
• A tour Wednesday through Saturday can include a stroll through Girasole', an Italian craft store that besides jewelry, offers cook books and literature.

For further information go to www.explorestlouis.com

SATURDAY NIGHT AT THE THEATRE

I usually don't blog about my personal life, but I had a most interesting and joyous evening at Queens Theatre (formerly Queens Theatre in the Park). I was able to secure a number of tickets to see Paula Poundstone to include both the 7 p.m. and 9 p.m. performances.

I had decided to share most of the tickets with people that I don't see often, the majority of which chose the 7 p.m. performance. Since I am no longer working with the New York Sharks, my basic contact with some of the staff is via phone or email. I asked owner Andra Douglas if she would like to go and bring some of her friends as well. I also asked if Dana...who I have referred to as "second in command" would be willing to schlep from somewhere in New Jersey. Not that Dana isn't one of Andra's close friends...

Second "group". I asked my chiropractor, Dr. Joan Jacobs if she wished to attend. Being both dedicated and excellent at what she does, I felt that I needed to contribute to her empowerment with both entertainment and socializing. I don't assume that she doesn't fulfill her own opportunities, mind you. She brought had adult daughter and her friend Lois...who happened to be the person that started the chain of clients...one friend who told another friend, etc.

Third "group". Jacki sets up and emails out a list of freebies as a hobby. They are free events in New York City that usually include drinks and or food as well. She resides in Queens. I don't necessarily tend the events but look as what she volunteers to do. Oh, it's not as if I haven't been friends with Jacki and her partner for several years. Once or twice I have met her in "the city" to take in some event. But this time it was for her and her partner. The down side of this was that there was so much going on in the lobby and my mingling with group one, that I only had an opportunity to say hello to Jacki and didn't even get to talk with her partner. Next time....

Group one. Totally enjoyed being with them for the amount of time spent. Would have loved to have spent a bit more time chatting and getting to know Andra's friends. I did get to chat with Dana about what she's been in to, being retired from the Sharks. Seems like she just couldn't get away from football and although in her late forties, is still in great shape to play flag football...good for her!!!

Having attended this theatre since it first opened, I had gotten familiar with the old and new staff. I greet them with hugs and kisses and they are more than happy to call to me. Funny that the members of my group were impressed that I knew everyone...it didn't occur to me until afterward that the encounter warm greetings added to both of our lives...like the gladness of seeing your family.

Now to the show. Paula Poundstone was quite funny. I hope someone was video taping it for her. She certainly took the opportunity to make fun of the location of the theatre...in Flushing Meadow (-Corona Park). She is not a New York person. It appears that one of Paula's "things" is that when people talk to her, she finds something about her life to inject that somewhat relates. Another is that she can't stop talking...which turned out to make this performance even more hilarious.

This was the first time that I saw Paula perform. I found stuff on youtube to get an idea of her style. The early performance had her doing perhaps about half of her "routine" material, with the rest working with the audience asking a person what they did for a living and making fun of them...but not in a derogatory manner.

I had interviewed Paula on my radio show just days prior to the performances. I wondered how she was going to perform a 7 and 9 p.m. show asking her how long her show was. She told me that it was about and hour and 45 minutes long. Hmmmm...that doesn't give much time to get people out, have her sign cds and books and begin at 9.

So, the show is going and someone is signaling to her that she needs to end soon. Forget that...Paula is telling us that she can't stop talking and trying to figure out how she can make the 9 p.m. people go away and being concerned that the she will miss the people that she "picked on". She has a stool on the stage to keep a bottle of soda that contains aspertame...telling us that she drinks this just for the aspertame and that you can't get it separately.

Now, she lies down on the stage and props her feet up on the top of the stool. You can see her white shoes. Realizing her position she goes into a whole adlibbed routine using her shoes as a "puppet show". It was 8:55 when we exited the theatre and into the lobby. Great show!

As I am departing into the lobby, I am now seeing Bob and Sandy, the two friends and fellow writers that I haven't spent time with in years. Not much time to socialize before getting to our seats. Needless to say, the 9 p.m. show did not begin on time.

I had an expectation that since the show was at a later time, Paula would let go even more (language and subject wise) and experience an even funnier performance. I was also looking to observe whether she would use the same material for both shows.

As a comedian, myself, I did mostly single performances. On nights requiring a second, I would use perhaps a shortened version of my scenes from the Wizard of Oz, and a few different songs considering that the audience of the second show might have been around for the first. In the case of Paula's second show, material from prior performances were utilized, very little was a repeat of the earlier show and audience participation was quite funny.

Although I found the earlier show to be funnier, it did not lack in laughter and surprisingly, this audience was smaller.

Show ending, Bob, Sandy and I sought a diner to nosh and talk. In Manhattan it's easier to find a place that's open late than in Queens. Rather than put some heavy thought into it...off to Howard Beach to a diner.

WHIRL WITH MERLE AT FAIRWAY MARKET

A new Fairway Market opened in Douglaston, New York, an area in Queens. I was really happy as it is a cross between a big supermarket chain and Whole Foods. They have the best of the best here. There's a butcher station in the meat department as well as items prepacked from the butcher department.

I met with Ray Venezia, the butcher maven. He must be third generation of butchers and more than knowledgeable about the various cuts of meats. He's been on television a few times as well.

He's of the old school of devoted butchers like they had years ago. We had a great chat as we talked not only about the cuts, but also, where the meat comes from. I had never heard of Hereford, Wagyu or Obe beef and organic one.

One of the meats that I got was a piece of pork belly to make my own bacon using my Cameron Smoker, which cooks on the top of the stove. I'm not sure which chips to use so I'll ask. Not that Fairway doesn't have their own smoked bacon.

Anyway, I took several videos.