GRAETER'S ICE CREAM COMING TO FAIRWAY

I am a determined person. I absolutely love Graeter's Ice Cream.  It is made in small batches in Ohio.  I never thought that I'd see it in New York City, let alone in Queens until about a year ago (could be longer as the days go by so quickly).  I was happy about it being there but this is a high end ice cream.  The people who shop and Stop and Shop....although I have called it other names...would rather buy a cheap name brand on sale that is loaded with air and other things rather than purchase one that is probably the best ice cream going and at a higher price.  A pint, not on sale seems to go for about six bucks.  No more than if you went to a place that made their own ice cream. 

I figured that since Fairway Markets tend to have high quality items Graeter's Ice Cream would be best there.  I began by asking Fairway and was told that they have to wait until enough people request an item.  Now, if people don't know about the ice cream, how would they be able to request it?

It took a lot of communications with different people at Fairway including the person who tends to the frozen items.  Well, after he tasted some of the flavors and agreed that it's the best ice cream he ever had, it looks as if all 12 Fairway Markets will have coming in within the next two weeks! 

Why have I done this?  My feeling is that if they are not selling at Stop and Shop (due to their being on the top shelf and getting freezer burn), they won't stock it and won't be able to buy it!  Simple as that!

I just tried their newest flavor...Cherry Chocolate Chip!   My favorite combo!  Like having chocolate covered cherries without the ooze. 

The timing might even work for it to be in the Fairway Market in the Red Hook section of Brooklyn.  Sandy did a bashing but they rebuilt this huge place situated near the water.  Reopening date is March 1.  Mayor and recent Miss America slated to be there.  Having never been at this location, I won't be able to say that it's "bigger and better".  I'll let you know what it's like, though.  

UPyourS!

It's 7:25 p.m.  Do you know where you package is?  Yes, UPS again...Undescribably Pathetic Service.  This one has pints of ice cream in it.  Label has dry ice and perishable.  It was overnighted and arrived in my local Maspeth facility and on the truck at 7:22 a.m.  It's been sitting there for TWELVE hours now and supposed to arrive "at the end of the day". Put in a phone call and facility is supposed to call me back as to what's going on.  Can't wait for this one!

Update.  It is now 8:55 p.m.  No one has gotten back with me so I called again.  They called the facilities in Maspeth and no one answers.  The person said that someone would get back with me this evening...yes, assured me.   Needless to say that if it goes out tomorrow the ice cream will have melted, especially if it has it as "by the end of the day".  This is worse than waiting for furniture to arrive.!

New name for them....UPyourS!  

Serge from Maspeth called me at 9:10 p.m. and agrees that there is a problem with my getting these perishable items.  He is going to check on it an get back with me.  Let's see...News at 11?

It's almost 11p.m.   At 9 p.m. it went back to Maspeth and will be delivered on the next business day.   Cherry chip soup!!!   Spoke with Serge.  Backup from the snow storm of last week.   Will post when it arrives. UPDATE!   It arrived at about 11 a.m.  and softened.   Not great for putting back in freezer and getting freezer burn.

It is now 3:30 p.m.  and waiting for TWO packages.  Both companies shipped out the food.  Graeter's did an overnight and the food company (which I will talk about later) sent it to be here "by the end of the day".

It is FRIDAY.  That means that if it doesn't make it...MONDAY is the next delivery.  News at 11! 

UPDATE: Food has arrived and without dry ice totally melted.  Thanks to Serge who called the driver to make sure that my packages would be delivered today.  Hooray for Serge! 

LORNA LUFT AT BIRDLAND

Lorna Luft made her debut this past Monday at Birdland’s Jazz Club and it looks as though her Living Room will be her new home.  Joining her were singers David Elder and David Yazbeck as they assisted her in saluting the “men in her life” Burt Bacharach, Irving Berlin, and Rogers and Hart.

Luft, the daughter of Judy Garland, opened with “You Don’t Know Me” and “Let’s Fall In Love”, followed by a medley of Bacharach tunes including, “I Say A Little Prayer”, “One Less Bell To Answer”  “A House Is Not A Home”, and “That’s What Friends Are For”.

At first David Elder did a duet with her and later both David Elder and Tony Yazbeck went into “Blue Skies”.    Hey, this is a jazz club and well hosted by Jim Caruso.  

Barry Manilow and Liza Minnelli were in the audience to cheer her on.   But, cheering from them wasn’t even necessary as the audience gave Luft a few standing ovations.  

A few stories of her past and more songs.  “Time Heals Everything”.  “Johnny One Note”.  “Funny Valentine”. “Let Me Sing A Funny Song”.  “Where Or When”.   “So Lucky To Be Loving You”.  “Just In Time”.

Out came a wooden board as David Yazbeck sang “Heaven” and did a soft shoe/tap dance.   It was just one fabulously entertaining evening.

Lorna Luft will be performing again at Birdland’s on Monday, February 18 along with jazz diva  Ann Hampton Callaway as they salute female composers including Dorothy Fields, Betty Comden and Laura Nyro.   Tix are $25-$30 plus a $10 food or beverage minimum per person.  Check it out at www.birdlandjazz.com.  

JOSH GROBAN'S ALL THAT ECHOES

“All That Echoes” is the latest project of singer Josh Groban with a voice that continues to charm you.  Fathom Events presented a live concert of which Josh appeared to be at the top of the Time Warner Building, although billed as being from Lincoln Center.   Who cares?  Strong guess that the concert was given to promote his CD as most of the songs were from it. 

“Brave”, co-written by this now 31-year-old “popera” singer, got the most p.r. in his appearances on television as well as being the lead single.  “When you stand up and hold out your hand/In the face of what I don’t understand/My reason to be brave.” 

“And I can’t cage you in my arms/When my heart is jumping forward/To avoid your false alarms/And you can’t tell me not to stay/When I opened up your window/And I watched you fly away”.   No, it’s not about a bird.  “False Alarms” is a ballad with a steady beat of violins in the background, co-written by Josh.   Love this one, too.

The next ballad, “Falling Slowly” is another love song.  “I don’t know you/But I want you/All the more for that.”   Enjoyed the singing but wouldn’t put it on the charts.

“She Moved Through The Fair” has Josh singing a traditional Irish ballad about a woman who is pictured as being the one looked to be married to.  

Another song, co-written by Josh is called “Below The Line”.   Great rhythm and music.  “Big World/Please do not swallow us up/Please do not blind our eyes with ocean blue”.  “And we all might find ourselves/Living below the line”.   It’s a sort of “You Raise Me Up”, but faster.

Josh isn’t Josh without an Italian song, a duet with Laura Pausini, called “E Ti Promettero”.    Beautiful song.  Not opera-like.  Another one called, Sincera, though opera sounding doesn’t have Josh hitting those beautiful high notes.  Disappointment.

“The Moon Is A Harsh Mistress” follows, written by Jimmy Webb and another ballad.  “The moon’s a harsh mistress/The sky is made of stone/The moon’s a harsh mistress/She’s hard to call your own.”  Nice ballad but doesn’t move me.

“Hollow Talk” sounded fine until I listened to the words.  Bring me the noose. 

Final song, a ballad, “I Believe (When I Fall In Love It Will Be Forever) sounded as if could be a single. Backup singers in the background.  “The truths of love are planted firm/They won’t be hard to find/And the words of love I speak to you/Will echo in your mind.”  I believe that this is the only time you actually hear the word, “echo” on the whole CD.

 
As for the concert, Yes, he did sing, “You Raise Me Up”.   Can’t get enough of that song.

ANOTHER SARAH RICE BOOKING

Sarah Rice

SCREEN GEMS

Songs of Old Hollywood! 

I am a winner of the 2010 Bistro Award and 2011 MAC Award, Female Vocalist for this show and the 2009 Cabaret Hotline MEMBERS’ CHOICE AWARD - Female Debut, so I hope you will come and see why we won if you haven't been or hope if you have seen the show, you'll come back and bring a friend. My SCREEN GEMS Symphony Orchestra is so terrific, (Seth Weinstein on the mighty Wurlitzer) it makes your heart happy.

..

My Special Guest for Feb 18 will be Frank Basile a possessor of the beautiful, manly baritone voice. We will sing selections from The New Moon and Desert Song. Ahhhh! Guaranteed to make you swoon!

I am expecting a full house again and I would be so sad that you couldn't get in, if you are planning on coming, so please make your reservations. 

212-695-6909 

or purchase your tickets through SmartTix

TKTS via SMARTTIX.COM

SmartTix by phone 212.868.4444

DIRECT LINK:

http://www.smarttix.com/Show.aspx?ShowCode=SAR6

I would really love for you to join me in in the fun as we Vamp our cares away.

Looking forward to seeing you there at the Laurie Beechman Theatre!

XOXO,

Sarah Rice

the original Johanna in SWEENEY TODD on Broadway,

2010 BISTRO AWARD Winner

2011 MAC AWARD, BEST FEMALE VOCALIST

Sarah Rice

SCREEN GEMS

Songs of Old Hollywood

Jo Ann Yeoman, Director

Seth Weinstein, Piano

Frank Basile, Guest Artist

February 18, 2018

Monday @ 7PM

LAURIE BEECHMAN THEATER West Bank Cafe 407 W 42nd Street New York, NY View Map

Reservations: 212-695-6909

TKTS via SMARTTIX.COM

SmartTix by phone 212.868.4444

DIRECT LINK:

http://www.smarttix.com/Show.aspx?ShowCode=SAR6

Cover: $25 premium seating/$15 general seating (MAC discount code MACNYC, will be asked to show card, $5 off )

+ $15 Food and/or Beverage Min.

House opens one hour prior to show.

For more information visit our web site

www.BwayDirect.com

Seating is limited and the previous show was sold out, so reserve your tickets early for this exciting event.

Sarah Rice 

One of the most dazzling and beloved singers on the worldwide cabaret and concert scene today, Sarah brings her acclaimed, multiple award winning show SCREEN GEMS,  The Songs of Old Hollywood, back to the Laurie Beechman. Starting with the silents --Rudolph Valentino, THE SHEIK, Theda Bara, the original vamp, through Helen Kane (the original boop-a-doop girl, prototype of Betty Boop), Pola Negri, A WOMAN COMMANDS, Doloris Del Rio, REVENGE, Kathryn Grayson, THE SINGING BANDIT Jeannette Mac Donald, a little Yma Sumac thrown in for good measure, and more, through the 60s. Seth Weinstein on the Mighty Wurlitzer. Special guest stars, Frank Basile! Get ready to swoon!

Featuring the music of Nacio Herb Brown, Georges Auric, Moises Vivanco, Nino Rota, Jerome Kern, The Sherman Bros., Byron Gay, Ted Snyder and many other rediscovered musical  gems.

Your father's Hollywood. SUITABLE FOR MOST AGES! (Not recommended for children under 8)

www.SarahRice.com

Excerpts from reviews of Sarah Rice in SCREEN GEMS, Songs of Old Hollywood:

RICE IS ABSOLUTELY DELICIOUS AT THE BEECHMAN

"If the glorious gods that govern cabaret were to take the coloratura vocal stylings and elegance of Barbara Cook, merge them with the earthiness and humor of Baby Jane Dexter, and wrap the whole package in a unique bundle of sparkle, the end result would without question be Sarah Rice. A Broadway legend perhaps best known for creating the role of Johanna in the original production of Sondheim's Sweeney Todd, the revival of her acclaimed act Screen Gems: Songs Of Old Hollywood, is, quite simply, one of those evenings where one feels Beechman herself is looking down upon the room from the heavens and applauding with reckless abandon...

From the opening strains of "At The Moving Picture Ball" coupled with "The Vamp," and a delightful array of anecdotes about such silent film stars as Theda Bara, Mary Pickford and Rudolph Valentino, Rice hits her stride with a medley of "The Age Of Not Believing," "I'm Wishing" and "Someday My Prince Will Come." Once firmly flying high in this particular holding pattern, from there the evening soars to the skies on an unequaled trip that takes us through a coupling of "Hindustan" and "The Sheik Of Araby," the Helen Kane hit "He's So Unusual," sprinkled with the appropriate Noo Yawk accent and boop-boopy-doops, and a true standout, "Paradise," originally made famous by Pola Negri, and which could not be more captivating on every level. ... As if none of this is enough, her eleven o'clock number is a coupling of Meredith Willson's "My White Knight" with "Bill" from Show Boat, impressive enough to cause the audience to momentarily stop breathing. And by the time Rice brings the evening to a close, with a singularly unique version of Johnny Mercer and Henry Mancini's "Moon River," the crowd gathered is not merely her fans but a worshiping cult.

...Whether Sarah Rice makes her next appearance in Screen Gems or an entirely new cabaret vehicle, one simply must run and not walk to see and hear the power and the glory that will surely be her performance." -- Andrew Martin, NightLife Exchange

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Sarah Rice Heats up The Stage!

"Sarah Rice, the original Johanna in Sweeney Todd was the idol of sopranos after she gloriously sang “Green Finch and Linnet Bird.” Now, she celebrates her idols in Screen Gems...

For lovers of the silent and not so silent past, this is a gloriously sung tribute. During most sopranos’ performances, audience members are so besieged with high notes that border on shrill that they pray for the lower register. However, Rice’s sumptuous bell tones have you wishing for more and more you get. Her voice sounds simply effortless, and her unforced warmth has the dulcet tones of a mother singing, just for you... And not only can she sing; she can act, too. ... “Temptation, Italian Street Song” and Yma Sumac’s “Taki Rari” showed a sense of humor and vocal gymnastics that Rice makes appear effortless...

Guest star Mark Watson joined Rice for “Wanting You” and their chemistry was reminiscent of Kathryn Grayson and Howard Keel, the original stars of Kiss Me, Kate."-- Suzanna Bowling, TIMES SQUARE CHRONICALS

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"For a guided tour through varied vintage movie melodies, Sarah Rice’s show is just the ticket... She’s comfortable and cozy wrapping her golden soprano in their sheet music and like a song plugger of yore, she sells you on their charms. And hers... Gloriously sung, or held back, the showcase presents different sides of the radiant Rice voice." -- Rob Lester, Cabaret Scenes

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"In her entertaining new cabaret show of songs from or about "old Hollywood," it is evident that  her voice remains a ravishing instrument... Not only is her acting commanding and her singing exemplary...the result is quite simply the best and most riveting rendition of "Pirate Jenny" I've ever heard...Speaking of giving in, eleven years later, Pola Negri introduced "Paradise" (Nacio Herb Brown, Gordon Clifford, from A Woman Commands), which was originally banned from radio play because the humming sections of the lyric were considered too arousing. Indeed, the song is overtly and rather startlingly sexual, but at the same time understated and elegant; Rice's performance is all of the above—and also charming...There are other impressive numbers, among them: a smoldering medley of "Temptation" (Nacio Herb Brown, Arthur Freed), "Jalousie" (Vera Bloom, Jacob Gade), and "Revenge" (Sam M. Lewis, Joe Young, Harry Akst); and an exquisitely interpreted pairing of Meredith Willson's "My White Knight" and "Bill" (Jerome Kern, P.G. Wodehouse, Oscar Hammerstein II)." -- Roy Sander, Bistro Awards

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Sarah Rice

Broadway: (SWEENEY TODD) Johanna, original, Theatre World Award, Grammy for Best Show Recording. 

Off-Broadway: Luisa (FANTASTICKS); Susan (THE WAVES); Elizabeth (SWAN SONG). 

Opera/Operetta/Music Theatre/Theatre:

leading soprano and dramatic roles performed all over the world with a bunch of great people (Joan Sutherland, Richard Bonynge, Leona Mitchell, Marni Nixon, Angela Lansbury, Harold Prince and Stephen Sondheim among others) and companies including the famed Gran Teatro la Fenice in Venice, Italy, Santa Fe Opera, Central City Opera, Minnesota Opera, and Dallas Opera in the leading soprano roles of DAUGHTER OF THE REGIMENT; RIGOLETTO; LE NOZZE DI FIGARO; THE BARBER OF SEVILLE; PIRATES; STUDENT PRINCE; NAUGHTY MARIETTA; MERRY WIDOW; DIE FLEDERMAUS; BITTERSWEET; THE MEDIUM; SHOWBOAT; PHANTOM; DESERT SONG; CANDIDE; MUSIC MAN; and HAMLET; to name a few.  

2010 Bistro Award winner and 2011 MAC AWARD winner, Female Vocalist, for her critically acclaimed solo cabaret debut, SARAH RICE sings SCREEN GEMS, Songs of Old Hollywood and voted favorite female cabaret debut performer by Cabaret Hotline Online readers in 2009. 

www.SarahRice.com