THE MOST MEANINGFUL HOLIDAY GATHERING THAT I ATTENDED

The most meaningful holiday gathering I went to this season was the end-of-the year meeting of Creative Conversations. This is a group of women visual artists and writers that I helped launch almost two years ago. We get together every month or so to explore different aspects of being women artists, and take turns facilitating the meetings. It is a fantastic group of women; everyone is supportive of everyone else in a totally genuine way.

Two women facilitated the first portion of the evening and called it 2010 in Review. There were three parts to the Review. They were as follows:

1. A look back at this past year's accomplishments. Each woman was asked to list accomplishments she was proud of in areas such as creativity, business/career, family/friends, finance, and adventure.

Some items I listed were sticking to a stretch routine and going to pilates classes; year one of marriage; putting together a great gift for my mom's 70the birthday; collaborating with friends on an art party; getting a job that I love; staying in touch with my great aunt.

2. What am I thankful for? Who? What?

We each wrote out a list and mine included my new job at PS 29; this group; my husband who is kind and funny; hot running water; episodes of Shean the Sheep ; nice neighbors; and The New York Times.

3. Looking to 2011: What do I want to achieve? What do I want to try? What do I want to do differently? What do I want to keep on doing? What old goals can I let go of?

On my list of wants was a fitness routine that I love in the company of friends; seeing friends more often; a new art form to explore; a second form of income that has some room for creative expression; a way to learn how to cook different dishes.

After each woman shared some of what she had written from these three items, we moved on to the Gift Exchange. Each woman had brought a wrapped gift which symbolized something that had given her creative strength or inspiration. Each of us took the wrapped gift which most appealed to us. Keep in mind that we did not know the content of the wrapping. Amazingly, each woman received a gift which in some way related to her goals/wants for the year 2011. Talk about serendipity!

This gathering was the perfect way to celebrate all the wonderful relationships we had built with each other over the course of the year.

DONALD, THE FALLEN MAN & LEMON MERINGUE PIE

I decided even in the swirly whirls of the blizzard to go out to SoHo in Manhattan yesterday. On the way back, the train's last stop ended up being two stops short of my subway stop. When I got out, there was a man lying in the snow with one woman kneeling down beside him. It turned out that he was a city employee who was shoveling show off the steps descending to the subway. He had fallen into a big patch of snow against the wall at the bottom of the stairs and was afraid to move because he was in so much pain. It also turned out that he had a heart condition. The woman and I stayed with him and kept checking in to make sure his supervisor (very gruff guy) called 911. We kept hearing that 911 was extremely backed up and the wait for help could be hours.

The whole vibe down there with his colleagues was pretty rough. Kind of a dog-eat-dog vibe.

At some point, a male nurse joined me and the other woman and he was really great, a kind and gentle soul. Donald, the guy who had fallen, finally could not take the cold of lying in the snow anymore and asked us to move him out of it. Another bystander came and helped the nurse move Donald to a dryer spot. I said "Donald, you win the prize for having the worst Monday" and he laughed.

Donald felt light-headed so the nurse suggested we find something sweet for him to eat. I said "I have a pear and a lemon meringue pie in my bag." Lisa told me that while I was down the street getting the ambulance she gave him some of the pie and he said it was delicious. You never know when a lemon meringue pie will come in handy!

I went up the stairs to the top of the subway station several times to call Donald's family and pull in help. The third time I went up, his supervisor was waiting for an ambulance. I looked way, way down the street and said "Isn't that an ambulance down there?" I jogged (carefully!) down a couple of blocks and sure enough there was a volunteer ambulance just sitting there. I told them we had a situation down the street so they made a U-turn and came around. Just as I was walking back to Donald, a second a larger ambulance came. So this huge crew of people came at once and took Donald away to the hospital. As they were carrying him away, Lisa and I muscled our way past the crew of burly guys and said our good-byes to him.

Sometimes the inconvenience of a snow storm and the ways it gets us to slow down is a good thing.

Donald, Lisa, and Male Nurse - you are all in my thoughts!

THE PLEASURE OF PLAIN BROWN PAPER

Yes, it's quicker to order gifts online and have someone else wrap and ship. But, ya know what? It is ever so satisfying to hand wrap gifts (I like to choose fun, non-traditional colors in wrapping and tissue paper over traditional red and green) and then cover the boxes in smooth brown craft paper. Icing on the cake is creating hand-made shipping labels. Now the boxes look like they came from a person rather than from a huge factory.

Bonus: during the time it took to do all the hand-wrapping and mail prep, I got to watch Martha Stewart and Jamie Oliver cook up some awesome holiday treats on the telly while the mister and I made irreverant jokes.

EAT PIE & SHOP: A FUNDRAISER NOT TO BE MISSED THIS SUNDAY IN COBBLE HILL BROOKLYN

Guess what, y'all? My hubby and I are running a table this Sunday at PS 29's annual Eat Pie & Shop fundraiser. Mike is selling limited edition prints of his paintings and will also be selling brand new paintings of PIE created just for this event.

The event is on Sunday, December 5th from 11am-5pm at PS29, 425 Henry Street (between Baltic and Kane Streets) in Brooklyn.

I am an assistant teacher at PS 29 and love this school to pieces. The parents work incredibly hard to raise funds for all kinds of programs here.

Come on over to our table and visit us! Here is further information about the event, from Only the Blog Knows Brooklyn.

EAT PIE & SHOP

Eat Pie and Shop is PS 29′s fundraiser/pie competition that’s judged by a who’s who’s list of Brooklyn foodies like Gail Simmons editor of Food and Wine, Francois Payard of Payard Bakery, Dannielle Kyrillos of DailyCandy, and local restauranteur Jeff Lederman of Boca Lupo (amazing bread pudding), Strong Place and Nectar.

The event will also feature 20 local vendors selling arts and crafts, including Mike Sorgatz, a painter and Art in Brooklyn blogger, who will be selling pie portraits (pictured above). Sorgatz will also be selling limited edition prints of New York cityscapes.

The event is on Sunday, December 5th from 11am-5pm at PS29, 425 Henry Street (between Baltic and Kane Streets) in Brooklyn.

PAPER SOURCE GRAND OPENING IN BROOKLYN

I've been okay with finding greeting cards in my neighborhood Rite Aid, but I was thrilled when I learned that a "for real" paper store would be opening up within walking distance.

I was there on the first day that Paper Source Brooklyn opened to the general public. The staff was really nice and pulled me aside to do demos of their products, including a gadget that turns anything into a sticker.

I didn't buy anything, but did gather lots of inspiration and ideas. In a time where it doesn't make sense to spend a lot of money on gifts, it does make sense to figure out how to embellish on the act of card-giving. Make the card a bit fancy and special!

Here is information about their Grand Opening Activities:

Paper Source Brooklyn's Grand Opening Celebration!

Saturday, December 4, 2010 · 10:30 am - 4:30 pm
102 Smith Street, Brooklyn, NY 11201

Stop by to learn clever tips & techniques from our creative samples experts (schedule below), and enter a raffle to win cool Paper Source goodies.

DRESSING UP YOUR ENVELOPES · 11am - 12pm
Create your own unique envelopes - we'll show you how! Think elegant liners for invitations and festive letters sure to entice even the mail carrier. We make it easy with our signature collection of decorative papers and envelope liner and template kits. Signed, sealed, and delivered!

EMBELLISHMENTS & FAVORS · 12:30pm - 1:30pm
They've been called lovely, delightful, impressive and simply fabulous... Come discover how our favor boxes add that special something to any occasion, and learn how embellishments of a few stamps, brads, hole punches or stickles can turn them into showstoppers!

RUBBER STAMPING MADNESS · 2:00pm - 3:00pm
Our rubberstamp designs cover every form of expression from quirky to elegant. We'll show you how to add stamped designs to note cards, invites, and place cards - sure to wow your friends and really make a statement!

FABULOUS PAPER SOURCE KITS · 3:30pm - 4:30pm
Kit fun for everyone! Create a colorful bouquet of paper flowers, a whimsical party crown, an original accordion book, or your very own collection of paper doll friends using our assortment of creative kits, the possibilities are endless!

Do Something Creative Every Day!

MIKE SORGATZ SELLING PRINTS AT EAT PIE & SHOP ON SUNDAY, DEC.5 AT PS 29 IN COBBLE HILL

Good news for Brooklynite lovers of pie, art, crafts and also for supporters of the public school system: Sunday, Dec. 5, from 11 am-5 pm, Mike Sorgatz will be selling prints of his paintings at PS 29's huge annual holiday fundraiser Eat Pie & Shop. Mike and I will be there together all day; please do come visit us at our table!

Here's more info:

On December 5 from 11am to 5pm, PS 29 in Cobble Hill, Brooklyn, will host the second annual “Eat Pie and Shop” Holiday Gift Fair and Pie Social, to benefit the school. Proceeds from this family-friendly Holiday event will support the school’s PTA.

The Pie Social is sure to be a delicious and entertaining afternoon event with local bakers – both amateurs and professionals – supplying a wide array of pies. Be assured this event is not only for those with a sweet tooth, the pies will cover all categories including fruit, creamy, savory and nut, so shoppers can come to shop, eat lunch and get dessert!

One of the most exciting parts of the day is sure to be the pie competition. Bakers are invited to bring pies to be judged by parents and a panel of celebrity judges.

The panel will consist of Gail Simmons, Food & Wine and “Top Chef,” Dannielle Kyrillos, “Top Chef: Just Desserts,” Francois Payard, co-owner of Francois Payard Bakery, Francois Chocolate Bar, and Payard, Jeff Lederman, owner of Cobble Hill’s Strong Place, Boca Lupo and Nectar and Brooklyn’s own Borough President, Marty Markowitz. The winner will receive a gift package from Food & Wine, Payard, Fork & Pencil and bragging rights for the year! Judging will take place at 1pm.

The Gift Fair will highlight local artisans, craftspeople and merchants, and promises to provide a huge variety of handmade, local and sustainable gift-giving choices, from jewelry, to clothing from Half Pint Citizens to handmade toys from Fork & Pencil. More than twenty different vendors will be displaying and selling their wares.

Thank you to our event sponsors Fork + Pencil, Half Pint Citizens and Brooklyn Farmacy & Soda Fountain.

TWO GOOD RESOURCES FOR FOCUSING ON GRATITUDE

Hey there, folks. 'Tis the season to be thankful so I am sharing two good resources on the topic of gratitude.

1. In the Wall Street Journal today, the article Thank You. No, Thank You: Grateful People are Happier, Healthier Long After the Leftovers Are Gobbled Up.

2. A book I just bought, On Gratitude, in which 42 celebs (mostly pretty thoughtful ones) share what they are most thankful for.

I like the opening quotation from actor Kristen Bell: "I'm grateful that my mother knew what to do with a tiny tomboy who wanted everyone to call her Smurfette when she was three years old."

Other contributors include Dolly Parton, , Samuel Jackson, Kurt Vonnegut, and Alicia Keyes.

FEELS NICE TO BE THANKED

After working with an organizing client today I was thinking "Oh, I really should go to pilates class at the Y(MCA)." But another voice told me to drop in at Barnes & Nobles. It had been a long time since I had been to the one on the Upper West Side.

I went upstairs and saw lots of people assembled for a reading. After gathering a bunch of books about creativity and such, I leaned against a wall in the craft section to browse through my findings. I couldn't see the folks doing the reading, but I heard someone introduce Erica Jong and then heard Erica Jong introduce the author. I was happy to stay with my pile of books.

One of the reads I looked through was my friend SARK's newest book called Glad No Matter What: Transforming Loss and Change Into Gift and Opportunity. I was pleasantly surprised to see my name on the thank you page. I have not seen SARK in years but I send her cards and occasionally leave messages on her Inspiration Hotline. I met her almost 20 years ago and she took me to lunch. Shortly after, I accepted an offer to be her assistant in her first workshop in New York. There was a snow storm, so the workshop supplies never made it out to NY. On the morning of the workshop, I went out into knee-deep snow in search of supplies. Although I never found some of what we needed, the participants were totally accepting of what had happened. I loved that SARK was so open about her imperfections. She taught me that it's better to be open about that stuff than to try to pull it all together.

Anyway, thanks for the thank you SARK!

GOOD NEWS FOR MAIRA KALMAN & LYNDA BARRY FANS

While browsing the book store, I discovered that Maira Kalman has a new book out: And the Pursuit of Happiness.

Here's Amazon.com's description:

And the Pursuit of Happiness is beloved artist and author Maira Kalman's yearlong investigation of democracy and how it works. Energized and inspired by the 2008 elections, on inauguration day Kalman traveled to Washington, D.C., launching a national tour that would take her from a town hall meeting in Newfane, Vermont, to the inner chambers of the Supreme Court.

As we follow Kalman's wholly idiosyncratic journey, we fall in love with Lincoln alongside her as she imagines making a home for herself in the center of his magisterial memorial; ponder Alexis de Tocqueville's America; witness the inner workings of a Bronx middle-school student council; take a high-speed lesson in great American women in the National Portrait Gallery; and consider the cost of war to the brave American service families of Fort Campbell, Kentucky. The observations she makes as she travels charm and inform, and-as we have come to expect with Kalman-the route is always one of fascinating indirection.

Kalman finds evidence of democracy at work all around us. And the cast of characters we meet along the way is rousing good company, featuring visits from Benjamin Franklin,Eleanor Roosevelt, and many others. And the Pursuit of Happiness is a remarkable tribute to our history and a powerful reminder of the potential our future holds, from a true national treasure.

I also discovered - and why I did not hear about it before I do not know - Lynda Barry's new book called Picture This: The Near-Sighted Monkey Book.

THE BEAUTY OF TOSSING THE TO-DO LIST

There is a great story in the children's classic picture book Frog and Toad series called The List. In The List, Toad writes down all the things he has to do that day and crosses each item off of the paper as he completes the task. Suddenly, the list blows away and Toad is deeply distressed. "What will I do without my list?" he asks his dear friend Frog.

Today, I woke up and felt obligated to start checking items off of a mental to-do list which included taking out laundry, cleaning the apartment, buying food, and more. But I also woke up tired from having thrown a big party the night before. My body felt achy, and I knew I needed some TLC. So I made it my first priority to do things that would help me relax and re-energize.

I went to the gym to hit the sauna and to do a bunch of stretches. I ate a healthy lunch. I got a chair massage and a foot/leg massage with some birthday money from my great aunt. I read the Sunday NY Times on a bench in the sun. And guess what? I still had time to buy food and tidy up the apartment AND to watch Tina Fey receive The Mark Twain Prize for Humor.

So glad I tossed that to-do list. Had a great day as a result!

NAMETAGS: THEY MAY SEEM CHEESY, BUT THEY BUILD COMMUNITY

This fall, I helped host a couple of gatherings for the parents in our kindergarten classroom so they could get to know each other better.

My contribution to each event was to make nametags for each parent. Their nametags also had the name of their child, so everyone could link a parent with their child.

The nametags served as icebreakers and also helped everyone, including myself, not feel worried about remembering names. Seriously, I think this is a big barrier at social functions. Most folks are not great at remembering names after an initial introduction, especially if there's a lot going on in the room.

There's a guy named Scott Ginsberg who is known as The Nametag Guy because he wears his nametag everywhere. It tells people that he is approachable and it serves as a conversation-starter. I think this guy is onto something.

Even for purely social (not business or networking) events, I think it makes sense to have nametags. It helps people dig right into the chit chat without having to stress about remembering names!

Excuse me while I run out to Staples to buy some stick on nametags for the party I am throwing tomorrow - a double birthday plus one-year anniversary fiesta!

FREE INTRODUCTORY GROOVE & STRETCH CLASS THIS FRIDAY AT TRIOMPH - JOIN ME!

Stephanie Battle has a history of being a professional dancer (in Lion King, etc.) and she is also a wonderful teacher, totally non intimidating, knows how to break everything down into simple steps.

I went to her Stretch and Groove class at Triomph - a gorgeous loft space on the border of Park Slope - and had a blast.

Her choice of music is great! Stuff with a funky beat, not that sped up to 100 RPMs stuff you can get at some gyms.

Here is the info. Please join me this Friday for a FREE INTRODUCTORY CLASS!

Groove and Stretch
Friday, November 12
6:15 PM
Triomph
540 President Street
Between 3rd the 4th Avenue

"0ne part jazz dance, one part cool down & stretch;Groove and Stretch is a fun and engaging class that introduces approachable, dynamic dance moves with an emphasis on body alignment, rhythmic expression, endurance and flexibility – all to the sound of great music!"

CHECK OUT COLLEEN NEWVINE'S GRATITUDE CONTEST WITH COOL PRIZES!

Colleen Newvine Tebeau, who writes the sharp and thoughtful personal/professional development blog Newvine Growing, is sponsoring a very cool contest.

Let her know who you are grateful for and why and she will consider you for some lovely prizes appropriate for the Thanksgiving season. Go to her contest by clicking HERE.

In Colleen's own words:

"In the first week of Month of Thanksgiving, I’ve expressed gratitude for things including democracy, traditional jazz and New York City.

I also gave thanks for my trainer, and there are plenty more people in my life who make me grateful.*

Who are you grateful for? And why?

Maybe you thought of your spouse, or your best friend, or the best boss you’ve ever had?

How about the mechanic who you trust totally to never rip you off? The author whose books bring you joy? Your favorite waiter at your favorite restaurant, the one who makes you feel like a VIP?

Tell me who you’re grateful for and I’ll help you say thank you to the people who make your life better.

Comment on this blog post telling me who you’re grateful for and why, and I’ll choose my favorite and send that person a thank you gift during Thanksgiving week — a flower arrangement or a Zingerman’s treat, your choice."

THERE IS MAGIC IN THE WINDOWS AT NIGHT

There is something magical about the store windows of SoHo, especially on the side streets. The windows tend to be small and carefully put together in an artful way. So very different than the big department stores which rely on mucho over the top sensory overload. Love it when one piece of clothing, or just a few curated items are featured.

The magic escalates at night. Case in point: the luminosity of this white dress.

TAKE ADVANTAGE OF NERVOUS ENERGY

I had a lot of nervous energy today starting from the time I got up in the a.m. So after work, I decided to walk across the Brooklyn Bridge and then take the subway into SoHo where I explored different streets and had a healthy meal at Aroma before walking all the way into the lower east side for a class.

It was great to be out on the bridge, just get out of the paths that I tend to traverse. Lots of people were out there, tourists included, taking photos and enjoying the sun.

I could have just stewed in the nerviosity (new word) but it was much smarter to get out and WALK IT OFF!!!!

MY FRIEND CARI JACKSON'S BOOK- THE GUIDE TO ODD NEW YORK - IS IN THE DAILY NEWS!

Photo Credit: Egan Chin

Check out the review of my friend Cari Jackson's book The Guide to Odd New York in The Daily News!

ELIZABETH CATLETT - SCULPTOR, PRINTMAKER & SOCIAL ACTIVIST STILL STRONG AT 95

In the October 2010 issue of Ebony, there is a nice two-page piece about printmaker, sculptor, and social activist Elizabeth Catlett who is still going strong at age 95. She is quoted as saying "I mainly do Black women as sculpture or printmaking because they are completely ignored in art."

Catlett, who is known for prints such as Sharecropper and Malcolm X Speaks for Us, recently collaborated with her son David to make a 13-foot sculpture of Mahalia Jackson for the New Orleans Park.

To read more about this living legend, check out these articles about her:

National Visionary Leadership Project (includes video)

PBS

Wikipedia

ArtCyclopedia

HAPPY 65TH BIRTHDAY TO EBONY MAGAGINE!

This is a great issue of Ebony, and a momentous occasion as well.

For more information about the contents and making of this issue, visit the Ebony Website and click on Current Issue.

F.O.K.U.S. + TRIOMPH + ART IN BROOKLYN + CREATIVE TIMES = AWESOME COMMUNITY ART PARTY!

Last night, I experienced one of the best vibes in a room that I ever have. More than 150 people from Brooklyn, the Bronx, Harlem, New Jersey and beyond gathered at Triomph to celebrate the work of 20 Brooklyn artists.

The evening, a collaborative effort of F.O.K.U.S., ArtinBrooklyn, Triomph, Fresh Industries, and Creative Times also featured locally-made ice cream, two DJs, and drinks donated by Teany (Moby's tea company).

It was so great seeing everyone mixing and mingling, reaching out to each other, and celebrating the awesome creativity of Brooklyn artists.

Let's hear it for art, collaboration, and community-building all under the same roof!

I HEART MY MARIMEKKO PILLOW

For a year, I have been holding onto a wedding gift certificate for Crate & Barrel, waiting to find something really great. When I learned that Marimekko was coming to C&B in SoHo, I held on tightly to the certificate until the Merimekko portion of the store opened.

My memories of Marimekko go way back to when I was a kid and they had a shop in San Francisco. I always loved looking at the sharp prints featured on their fabrics. A Finish company, M dates back to the early 1950s. For more about them, take a peek at their website.

I felt like a youngin' let loose in a candy shop when I walked into the new M store tonight. So much color, pattern, texture and fun! I decided to get 2 pillows in the design above to spruce up our living room. These pillow designs remind me of the paintings of my good friend Cecilia Abs Andre.

FLOWERS ABOUND AT HOUSING WORKS BOOK CAFE IN SOHO

On Friday night, I swung by the Housing Works Book Cafe in SoHo. It's one of my favorite diggs in Manhattan. The joint had shut down early, and from the fancy frocks of folks standing by the door, it looked like a wedding might be happening.

On Sunday, I came back to HW and it was filled with the prettiest fall-colored floral bouquets. (See above for blurry cell phone pic!) When I asked the volunteer working at the cafe if there had been a wedding there over the weekend he said "Yeah, three!" Evidently, HW Book Cafe has become quite the place to have parties. Housing Works even has their own catering company, appropriately called The Works.

A great thing about using the Book Cafe or The Works for an event is that the money goes towards services and programs for folks living with HIV and AIDS.

GOOD NEWS! FAITH RINGGOLD, WHOSE ART WAS JUST ON EXHIBIT AT ACA GALLERIES , HAS HER OWN MUSEUM IN THE WORKS!

Faith Ringgold, a painter, quilter, and children's book author/illustrator that I have been following for many years now just had a show on exhibit. So bummed I missed it by a day!

Coming to Jones Road Part II & Other Story Quilts

September 9-October 9

ACA Galleries

529 West 20th Street, 5th Floor NY

212-206-8080

http://www.acagalleries/

http://www.faithringgold.com/

And exciting news straight from Faith's blog:

"The Faith Ringgold Museum of Children's Art and Storytelling will be sited on Sugar Hill, the epicenter of Harlem and Faith's neighborhood of origin."

For more information about the museum, CLICK HERE and HERE

OCTOBER 16TH - BROOKLYN ART, ICE CREAM, DJ - BE THERE!

BROOKLYN, NY - F.O.K.U.S. PRESENTS INSIGHT VOL. III ART EXPERIENCE - OPENING NIGHT Oct. 16th.

Come celebrate the release of the third issue of INSIGHT: Volume III.

The opening reception will be on October 16th, 2010 at Triomph Fitness (540 President St., Brooklyn, NY 11215).

Also view work from issues one and two of the current volume of INSIGHT Magazine. This art experience will feature work by Bishop203, Laura Galvin, Victor Giganti, Michael Malik Jones-Robinson, Jamie Killen, Rick Midler, Michael Sorgatz, John Tebeau, Johanna Treffy, Alejandro Guzman, Bud Ramsay, Maria Baraybar, Peter Patchen, Spring Hofeldt, Cat Celebrezze, Ward Yoshimoto, Steve Riley, Brian Dupont, James Chen-Feng Kao, Jisoo Lee, Genesis Tramaine and more.

Feast on delicious homemade Brooklyn ice cream from Phinizy & Phebe (free scoop of ice cream to the first 11 people), gourmet rice crisps from riceworks and refreshing beverages from Teany. Additional sponsors include Art in Brooklyn, Creative Times, Triomph Fitness and Fresh Industries.

Music by DJ Smoke L.E.S. and DJ Polarity

F.O.K.U.S. presents INSIGHT: Volume III Art Experience
Saturday, Oct. 16th, 2010
7 - 11pm
Suggested donation of $5

Triomph Fitness
540 President Ave. (btwn. 3rd Ave. and 4th Ave.)
Brooklyn, NY 11215

Directions via Train:
N/R to Union St or F/G to Carroll St.

About F.O.K.U.S.
Founded in the summer of 2003 by Alma Davila-Toro and Atiba T. Edwards, F.O.K.U.S. is dedicated to using the arts to unite diverse communities. F.O.K.U.S. is led by young adults and produces events, workshops and publishes INSIGHT, a quarterly arts magazine. We believe the arts enable people to rise above barriers in society.

F.O.K.U.S. brings together various art forms and genres to expand the views of what is considered art and show art's ability to bring together people from different walks of life. To see the various events, art and also read issues of INSIGHT- visit http://www.onefokus.org

About Triomph Fitness
Triomph Fitness, Health & Wellness reflects the essence of energetic, relaxed and confident individuals. It was conceived and created from the grassroots level by a group of experienced health professionals each offering their own personal flare, professional knowledge and innate desire to guide others in their physical, mental, and spiritual transformation. We share our knowledge about health in a supportive environment. Our clients receive individualized guidance based on their needs and goals. One on one health consultants are no longer considered a luxury but are for anyone who wishes to start exercising safely, change their eating habits, focus their mind, relieve stress and improve their over all sense of well being. http://www.triomph.us/home

About Art In Brooklyn
Art In Brooklyn was founded by Michael Sorgatz to promote the work of local artists. To see the on-going collection of work from local artists as curated by Michael Sorgatz, visit - http://artinbrooklyn.com/

About Creative Times
Creative Times is run by Eleanor Traubman. She is a promoter,community-builder, professional organizer and culture maven who is passionate about uniting creative people through humor and the arts. http://creativetimes.blogspot.com/

About Fresh Industries
Fresh Industries is a design collective inspired by the infinite consciousness. The infinite conscious has no set beginning or end, it just is. Under this concept one lives for themselves first and foremost rather than give concern to how one’s style will be judged by others. http://www.fresh-industries.com/

IS MULAN A PRINCESS?

This question was at the center of the conversation of a group of kindergarteners that I sat with yesterday while we drew and cut. (I am an assistant teacher in a K classroom in Brooklyn.) One girl commented that Mulan doesn't wear a dress. Another girl replied that a princess does not have to wear a dress.

Most Disney female characters are, in fact, princesses (or mermaids in very revealing outfits) so I could understand how the children would be thrown off by Mulan, who disguises as a boy so that she can go to battle in place of her father.

I love all the open-ended conversations that take place in Kindergarten. My role is to ask the children questions to elicit their thinking on these topics.

The next topic of conversation was "Are mermaids real?" Instead of answering the question, I asked each child at the table "What do you know about mermaids?"

ON MAKEUP MAGAZINE

James Joyce, the guy who cuts my hair, gave me a copy of On Makeup Magazine. One of his other clients, who attended The Makeup Show in NYC, gave him a bunch of extra copies. It's a trade rag, and the best part of it are the interviews with makeup artists who work on movie sets. In a recent issue, there was an interview with Valli O'Reilly and Patty York, the makeup artists for Alice in Wonderland (starring Johnny Depp.) Equally as fascinating was the chat with Robin Mathews, who was in charge of makeup on the set of The Runaways (the film about Joan Jett and Cherie Curie).

Crazy-but-true bit straight from the mouth of Robin:

"We found around 5,000 photos of The Runaways and the time period, and lined the makeup trailer walls with them, and categorized them into binders. [....] The Runaways were so iconic, it had to be done with precise detail. We even painted only one fingernail with polish on each of the girls, which was one of those little details we picked up on from the photos."

One thing this mag made me think about is how much artistry is involved in doing makeup for movies, and how little credit these folks get for the incredible work they do.

A CAKE TO END ALL CAKES

Last night, Creative Conversations met. We are a group of women visual artists and writers who gather on a regular basis to set goals and cheer each other on in our creative journeys. We also focus on specific topics like leveraging social networking, what it means to be visible, what is involved in collaborating with others.

Last night was a particularly wonderful meeting. It was a potluck supper, and one of the members brought an ice cream cake that read Creative Conversations. It was melting fast, so we had to stop our meeting to run and go eat it! I can think of worse things! :)

The cake seemed like the perfect way to celebrate our connections to one another - the trust and support we have built over time.

It is truly a gift and honor to be part of such a stellar group of women.

THIS SKATER GIRL ROCKS!

Most of the 14 year old young women in tv shows (especially on the Disney Channel) are usually shown fighting over guys or wearing enough makeup to be Vegas showgirls.

What a refreshing change to see a video pop up on tv about a young female athlete - Allysha Bergado. At 14 years old, she has been skateboarding professionally for two years now.

Here's a VIDEO INTERVIEW with Allysha on Utube.

Here is her BIO from the ESPN website.

Let's cheer on young women to be athletic and strong!

LAUREN FRODERMAN WINS SO YOU THINK YOU CAN DANCE...........YESSSSSSSSSSSSS!

My heart was sinking little by little as I sat last night watching the finale of So You Think You Can Dance, the episode where they would reveal who is America's favorite dancer. Each of the judges gets to pick their favorite dance of the season, and that dance gets performed by the one or two folks who originally performed it. Almost every single number featured either one or two males from this seasons lineup of contestants. Even the guest dancers and music stars were guys.

Sexism is a big downer!

I had voted via phone for my favorite contestant, Lauren, thinking "Kent will probably win." But right as they were about to announce the winner, I thought there might be a chance for Lauren to come out victorious. I was right!

Lauren is absolutely amazing. She takes on each dance form with absolute skill and passion.
Kent was great, too, but lacked her depth.

Way to go, Lauren!!!!!!

THE PASSING OF A TRUE HERO, HANDY WITHERS

One of the first people I met while working at The Brooklyn Children's Museum was Handy Withers. Handy, on the board of the museum, was also a steady volunteer.

We partnered up in the mandatory FISH customer service training and found out that we both were arts lovers who liked to watch TV dance competitions and read New York Magazine. We often shared good conversation during our lunch break on the upper level of the museum and I teased him good-naturedly about the salt and pepper shakers he brought from home to season his food.

After I was affected by a round of layoffs in November, Handy sent me an email encouraging me to follow my passions. He said that a message to that affect was posted on a door of the hotel which he used to run in Brazil.

Yesterday, I learned over lunch with a former colleague at the Children's Museum that Handy had unexpectedly passed away earlier this year. I was in shock to learn this news. He was a vibrant, active man.

To get a sense of the lives that Handy affected, you can visit the guest book which his brother established for him.

MY FRIEND LISA INGRAM INSTALLS "ORACLE" ACROSS THE STREET FROM MOMA

I had the privilege of hanging out with painter and friend Lisa Ingram while she installed "Oracle," a 3-panel painting now on exhibit in the Donnell Library Windows 24/7 until August 30, 2010.

The Donnell Library Windows are on 20 West 53rd Street across from the Museum of Modern Art.

Please go take a look at this amazing piece!

AMAZING TIME AT MOMA

Had the best time EVER at Museum of Modern Art.

First, stopped by across the street from the MOMA where Donnell Library used to be. My friend Lisa Ingram was hanging her giant 3-panel painting in the window. (Photos to come....stay tuned.)

Next, had lunch at Cafe 2 at MOMA where I chatted with friend and Exec. Chef Lynn Bound. Also read a terrific NY Times article called Tweet Less, Kiss More. So far, this article has received 237 comments from readers!

Lynn introduced me to Carlos M. Silva (see photo above) - b-boy, artist, photographer and DJ.Carlos - a/k/a Bboy EcuAsian (he's part Chinese, part Ecuadorian) - got a few friends together to teach b-boying to children for free of charge. He also has his own Crew, Brooklyn Zoo. I'll be doing a more in-depth interview with Carlos down the road. He also gave me the okay to come watch one of his rehearsals.

After chatting with Carlos, I stayed on at the cafe to talk to a retired couple -both of them painters and one of them a native Brooklynite - about museums, how they met (they've been married for 62 years), and a whole lot more.

Finally, walked out to MOMA's sculpture garden to check out people's wishes that they had written out on cards and tied to The Wishing Tree. There were lots of great wishes for world peace but my favorite wishes were "To host SNL 16 times" and "An endless Slurpee drink."

MOMA was pure magic today.

ORGANIZING TIP OF THE WEEK: USE "RAFT" TO PROCESS MAIL

Go through mail daily. This prevents paper pile-up.

Use the RAFT acronym for dealing with incoming paper.

R = Refer it to someone else (your spouse, etc.).

A= Take action on it. Pay the bill, make the phone call.

F = File it.

T = Toss/Recycle it.

Want A Hand Getting Organized?

Contact Eleanor: call 917-499-7395 or send an email to
ETraubman@aol.com

Eleanor will help you to:

• Kick clutter’s A** !!!

• Set up desks & closets that you love to use

• Implement simple routines and systems to deal with mail and school papers

• Spend less time looking for stuff and more time hanging out with family & friends

• Live the motto “A place for everything and everything in its place”

A professional organizer since 1999, Eleanor helps busy New York women de-clutter and make better use of desks, closets, filing systems, and more. She has been featured in The New York Times; Time Out New York; The Brooklyn Paper; Park Slope Parents; Family Circle; The Sun Times Chronicle; and Fitness. Eleanor is also an early childhood educator and an expert on play. She is Editor-In-Chief of Creative Times: A Blog for Artists & Entrepreneurs

CANDYTIME

From my brother Adam's Facebook page:

"Paradise is all in the eye of the beholder. According to T-Bone, it's the Cardiff 7-11."

DACHSY LEARNS SCUBA-DIVING

Click HERE to read a hilarious account of how a guy taught a dachsunds how to scuba dive.

DJ VAN VADER

Van Vader did a great job of DJing The Brooklyn Blogfest this year.

Turns out, he's a civic-minded guy, too. VV is getting ready to lead a group of young people to New Orleans for a community service project.

He recommends goint to events thrown by KeiStar Productions, saying "They do a Michael Jackson tribute, a MJ vs Prince party, and the most incredible party of all - a Stevie Wonder tribute. I promise you, mixed crowd, dancing all night, fantastic music (wish I had thought of these parties!)..."

Here is VV's bio, taken directly from his website.

As a High School senior, Van Vader began dabbling in the art of djing. On his brother King Khan's tables, his love for music and mixing grew as he quietly acquired the skills necessary to rock a party. As a freshmen at Wesleyan University, "DJ Vader" (as he called himself) and his partner Cazual Phil landed a radio show on 88.1 FM, WESU Middletown. For four years, the pair was known for "randomidity" - a phrase they coined to describe a show where "you never knew what to expect." The show was extremely successful, broadcasting all over Connecticut, and Vader's style of catching listeners unawares was born. DJ Vader's first opportunity to hold down a party presented itself during his freshman year.

While attending a Trinity College Halloween party his brother was spinning, Vader was given his first light. A fifteen-minute spot proved to be all that was necessary to get the party jumping. The crowd response was unbelievable, and the prodigy was hooked on his new art form.
In the years following, Vader purchased his own equipment and began spinning on campuses all over New England. During school vacations, the DJ would find himself booked for clubs in the city, such as Demerara's and Kingdom Hall.

As his repertoire expanded and his skills grew, so did his following and his name. Now "Van Vader" (thanks, Ash-Man), he was ready to take on the world from behind his tables. Upon graduation, however, the demands of a full-time job did not leave much room for music, and the young DJ sought refuge spinning select major events. After doing the Christmas party of for Scharmann's lounge, Van Vader was asked to spin regularly in the popular spot's Soho locale. This was a huge success and regulars would gather weekly to listen to live music while enjoying a drink or dinner. The lounge feel was perfect for the Soho clientele and Van Vader's fanbase grew tremendously. On a nightly basis, the DJ would receive words of thanks, praise, and curiosity: "Why don't you come out to London?" "I have never heard a DJ in Miami play like you - when are you coming down?" People from Germany, Spain, Atlanta, California, indeed all over the world requested an appearance.

Previously isolated to the New York/New England areas, the global demand for a DJ of his talent was overwhelming. Thus, Van Vader was reborn. Now, Van Vader's dreams and the requests of his faithful supporters will reached. When asked how he rated himself in comparison to other DJ's, the young man replied, "All I know is that I have been blessed with a gift - for reaching people. If it's now through music, then so be it. People feel my music, and I feel the responsibility to never let them down." Prepare to be reached . . ...

READY TO KICK CLUTTER'S A**?

Want A Hand Getting Organized For Back-To-School Season?

Look no further than Park Slope 100’s Eleanor Traubman to help you……………

• Kick clutter’s A** !!!

• Set up desks & closets that you love to use

• Implement simple routines and systems to deal with mail and school papers

• Spend less time looking for stuff and more time hanging out with family & friends

• Live the motto “A place for everything and everything in its place”

Ready to get the organizing ball rolling?

Contact Eleanor: 917-499-7395 or ETraubman@aol.com

A professional organizer since 1999, Eleanor helps busy Brooklyn moms de-clutter and make better use of desks, closets, filing systems, and more. She has been featured in The New York Times; Time Out New York; The Brooklyn Paper; Family Circle; The Sun Times Chronicle; and Fitness. Eleanor is also an early childhood educator and an expert on play. She is Editor-In-Chief of Creative Times: A Blog for Artists & Entrepreneurs.

RECENT & INTERESTING ARTICLES FROM NY TIMES

Photo Credit: Alex Hoerner/Icon International

THE NEW FACE OF HIP-HOP

Byline: "Drake is an unlikely rap star, a former child actor from Canada who balances arrogance and vulnerability."

My take: I liked this line best: "Biracial Jewish-Canadian former child actors don't have a track record of success in the American rap industry." Which is what makes Drake's sucess all the more interesting and cheer-worthy.

THE GLEE GENERATION

Byline: "[How] Musical theater is enjoying enormous popularity among young people, attracting a dedicated group of true believers: Broadway babies."

My take: It makes sense that musical theater is gaining popularity among young people. It is a source of hope and lends itself to a feeling of togetherness and community, something we ALL need right now.

UNBOXED

Byline: "Yes, People Still Read, but Now It's Social."

My Take: It would be interesting to start an online discussion about Stephen Johnson's conclusion that "[...] the speed with which we can follow the trail of an idea , or discover new perspectives on a problem, has increased by several orders of magnitude. We are marginally less focused, and exponentially more connected. That's a bargain all of us should be happy to make."

BROOKLYN DREAMER'S SUMMER BASH ON JULY 22

What: A Benefit for Theatre for a New Audience, presented by Brooklyn's Dreamers

When: Thursday, July 22, 2010 6 P.M until 9 P.M.
(with free Salsa Fever party continuing all night!)

Where: Deity – 368 Atlantic Avenue, btwn Hoyt and Bond, Brooklyn

Cost (includes a free drink): $25 – Basic $40 – Because You Can $35 – At the Door

Tickets & Info: www.tfana.org/brooklynsdreamers

Theatre for a New Audience is an award-winning off-Broadway classical theater company in New York committed to finding the contemporary heart of the classics. Now in its 31st year, The Theatre’s mission is to vitalize and develop the performance and study of Shakespeare and classic drama. TFANA runs the largest arts-in-education programs to introduce Shakespeare in the NYC Public Schools to students from the fifth through twelfth grades. TFANA’s programs began in 1983 and we serve more students in Brooklyn than in any other borough.

TEN TIPS ON GETTING ORGANIZED FOR BACK-TO-SCHOOL SEASON

(Reprinted from Park Slope Parents Blog)

Yes, we have a few months before school starts again but whether you’re a veteran or a looking forward to pre-k, a little forethought can make the transition between summer and school easier.

Here are Eleanor Traubman’s top ten tips for staying cool and collected when the lazy days of summer give way to the panic of the new School year.

Flash forward: It’s a week into the school year and your home is already strewn with backpacks, homework, art projects, juice boxes, sports equipment, forms and permission slips. The cooler and swim floaties from your end- of-the -summer beach trip are still lying in the hallway and you can’t find the time to go through the ever-growing pile of mail that sits on the kitchen table.

Ready to run for the hills? No need. The transition from summer to school is an exciting, if chaotic time that is made easier if you have some good solid organizing systems and habits in place.

Here are a few tips for staying sane during back-to-school season:

(1) Have a central location where you can process mail and other incoming papers and information. Think of it as The Information Processing Center. It’s helpful if the Center contains these items: a desk, calendar, shallow tray for incoming mail, basket for recycling, shredder, file cart or cabinet, and office and bill-paying supplies.

(2) Go through mail daily. This prevents paper pile-up. Use the RAFT acronym for dealing with incoming paper. R = Refer it to someone else (your spouse, etc.). A= Take action on it. Pay the bill, make the phone call. F = File it. T = Toss/Recycle it.

(3) Set up camp the night before. Lay out your clothes and pack your own bag for the next day’s activities, including snacks, gym stuff, etc. Pack lunches and help your children load their backpacks and lay out clothing. This will make for a much more pleasant morning!

(4) Plan your day the night before. Write down your top three priorities for the following day. (Forget about self-defeating, never-ending to-do lists!)

(5) Put self-care at the top of your list of priorities and decide what that means to you. Does it mean hopping on your bike for a spin around the park? Meeting a good friend for lunch? If life goes well for you, it goes better for everyone around you, including your family.

(6) Carve out some quiet time for yourself each day, even if it’s 15 minutes, so that you can connect with yourself and what’s important to you. For more on this topic, see Silence: The Best Organizer of All.

(7) When you take down fall/winter clothes and store summer clothing, make the

time to weed out and donate items that no longer fit you or will no longer fit your children when next year rolls around. Label whatever you store so you remember you have it! Canvas boxes are best for storing clothing items, as fabric needs circulating air.

(8) Start thinking of your closets as places for retrieval, not just for storage. Use higher and harder-to-reach spaces in your closet for off-season items. Use the easy-to-reach areas for the items you need to access on a regular basis.

(9) Put a plant or a vase of flowers on any flat surface where clutter tends to build up. It’s hard for clutter to grow where beauty lives!

(10) Find a local thrift store or charity that you love and make that your destination for gently-used items that are no longer in the love/use/need category. Pick a place that you can easily walk or cab your stuff to, or one that makes pick ups.

Remember that being organized does not mean having a home that resembles the pages of Martha Stewart’s Living, with nary an object out of place. Being organized means having a few systems and habits in place which free you up to spend more time with friends and family and less time wading through clutter or hunting for things you need.

About Eleanor
A professional organizer since 1999, Eleanor helps busy Brooklyn moms de-clutter and make better use of desks, closets, filing systems, and more. She has been featured in The New York Times; Time Out New York; The Brooklyn Paper; Family Circle; The Sun Times Chronicle; and Fitness.

FIGMENT WAS MAGICAL

Last weekend, Mike and I took our bikes on the ferry and traveled over to Governor's Island.

Our friend Cecilia Andre's artwork was being in FIGMENT and we wanted to support her.

What a magical trip! After biking around the island through thick humidity, we reached the mini golf section Cecilia had mentioned on the phone. It wasn't ordinary mini golf - each mini golf structure was designed with a theme. My favorite incorporated what looked like a paper mache pineapple.

As we ate lunch on the grass, we saw wild things like a Disco Golf Cart and bicyclists disguised as pirates on pirate ships yelling as they rode wildly onto the lawn.

The FIGMENT installations and performing artists stretched on for what seemed like miles.

After a while, I said "This reminds me of a more family-oriented version of Burning Man." When I did a little digging, I found out that David Koren, Figment's founder, has been very involved in Burning Man.

For more info about FIGMENT, go to their website.

BLOGFEST BUDDIES

I had a great time at Brooklyn Blogfest 2010. In past years, I was an organizer of the event. This year, I came as a guest and enjoyed myself greatly. Highlights included:

• Adrian Kinloch's tribute to photo bloggers
• Blue Barn's film tribute to Brooklyn bloggers
• Dramatic reading from various Brooklyn blogs
• Dancing to the awesome tunes played by DJ Van Vader
• Hamming it up for Hugh Crawford's portable photo studio

In the photo, L to R: Allison Lasky from F.O.K.U.S, Elizabeth Palmer from Midnight Cowgirl, Eleanor Traubman from Creative Times, Melissa Lopata from Momasphere, Larry Lopata, Atiba Edwards from F.O.K.U.S and Fresh Industries. Front: Michael Sorgatz of Art in Brooklyn.

THIS JUST IN FROM TONY AWARDS NEWS

Dear Tony Awards Fan,It’s almost showtime! The Tony Awards will be broadcast live on CBS at 8 p.m./7c (and 8 p.m. on time delay PT). Tonight is Broadway’s biggest night! Of course, you probably already know this. So this final pre-Tonys email has lots of tips for behind-the-scenes access before and during the show.Exclusive Webcasts on TonyAwards.comGet ready for the telecast by logging on to TonyAwards.com for exclusive coverage of the following:

6:00 p.m. ET – The Red CarpetBroadway and Hollywood celebrities arrive early to meet the press--and walk the Audemars Piguet Red Carpet. We'll be webcasting their arrivals beginning at 6:00 p.m. ET via live video, courtesy of NY1 News.

7:10 p.m. ET - The Creative Arts AwardsThen at 7:10 p.m. ET, you'll be able to watch our live webcast of the first portion of the Tony Awards Ceremony. The InterContinental Hotels® and Resorts Creative Arts Awards, hosted by past-winners Karen Olivo and Gregory Jbara, includes awards in 15 categories that are given out immediately before the CBS telecast.

The Main Event – The 64th Annual Tony AwardsThe main event begins at 8:00 p.m. ET: the 2010 Tony Awards telecast, live on CBS. Sit down with friends and family and tune in to see Broadway’s biggest stars shine on national television!You’ll see musical numbers from all four Best Musical nominees (American Idiot, Fela!, Memphis, and Million Dollar Quartet) and Best Musical Revival nominees La Cage aux Folles featuring Kelsey Grammer, A Little Night Music featuring Catherine Zeta-Jones, and Ragtime featuring Christiane Noll. Also taking the stage will be Green Day, Glee's Lea Michele and Matthew Morrison, and many more stars!

Check out the Performers & Presenters page on TonyAwards.com for the full list

Hunter Bell Will Tweet Backstage from @TheTonyAwards During the Live Telecast!Hunter Bell, 2009 Tony Nominee for Best Book of a Musical for his musical [title of show], will be tweeting live from backstage at the Tony Awards! If you followed Hunter’s hilarious and touching “Why the Tony Awards Matter” email series, then you know why we are so excited that he is joining us backstage.

THE OSCARS GOT NOTHIN' ON THE TONYS.......SO WATCH THE TONYS TONIGHT!

Here's a great article by Jen Chaney over at The Washington Post

Anyone who even casually follows the Broadway scene usually pays attention to the Tony Awards. The trophies, handed out to the best productions to splash on to New York stages during the past year, are important to theater people for a couple of reasons. One: they can sometimes have a positive impact on ticket sales, at least in the short term. (This year, revenues went up around the time nominations were announced, then slumped again.) And more importantly, they are an honor for any budding actor, writer, director, producer or otherwise theater-affiliated person to receive.

That said, the average person -- you know, someone who doesn't know all the lyrics from the soundtrack of "Spring Awakening" -- may avoid tuning into the Tonys because he/she assumes that the ceremony won't be interesting to anyone who resides outside of Manhattan and/or has never yearned to belt out a tune from "Cabaret." As an awards show junkie, I am admittedly biased. But I think the Tony Awards, especially this year, are worth checking out. Here are five reasons to watch this Sunday night.

1. You will recognize many of the nominees.
As this photo gallery demonstrates, some big-name Hollywood types are included among this year's group of worthy contenders. Among them: Denzel Washington, Scarlett Johansson, Jude Law, Catherine Zeta-Jones and Laura Linney. Most members of the stage community, understandably, don't want the Tonys to turn into a facsimile of the Academy Awards. But the star power definitely makes the occasion a little more glamorous to TV viewers who don't know the difference between stage left and stage right.

2. The presenters? You will recognize many of them, too.
Will and Jada Pinkett Smith. Daniel Radcliffe. Katie Holmes. Paula Abdul. Triumph the Insult Comic Dog ... okay, I was just kidding about that last one. But the other people I mentioned will all walk the Radio City Music Hall stage on Tony night.

3. One word: "Glee." Two more: Green Day.
"Glee" has made it somewhat fashionable -- or at least acceptably nerdy -- to belt out showtunes. So it makes perfect sense that Broadway vets and "Glee" stars Lea Michele and Matthew Morrison will appear to sing a duet -- something more lavish Broadway musical and less Journey, I'm guessing. And for those who break out in a hot rash at the mere mention of the words lavish, Broadway and musical in the same sentence, Green Day also plans to make an appearance to perform a song from their Tony-nominated musical, "American Idiot."

4. Sean Hayes is hosting.
Ordinarily that piece of information would mostly be of interest to longtime admirers of "Will and Grace." But given that Hayes inadvertently stood at the center of a recent controversy over gay actors playing straight roles, thanks to a much-dissected piece in Newsweek, it will be interesting to see what, if anything, the actor has to say about the matter. (He was more than mum during a conference call with reporters earlier this week, according to our colleague Emily Yahr. But he also hinted that he just might have something to say during the show.) He's also nominated for his turn in "Promises, Promises"; if he wins, I have to think he'll also have some choice words for Newsweek in his acceptance speech.

5. Unapologetic musical numbers!
Uh-oh. Just when I had you considering at least DVRing the Tonys, I had to scare you away with the musical numbers. Honestly, though, the Tonys live for this sort of things. Whereas the random interludes during the Oscars often seem maddeningly tangential, especially when the show is already running an hour behind, the ones at the Tonys serve a purpose. And since they're made by the people on Broadway, for the people on Broadway, they can often be show-stoppers. So go on, let your showtune-loving, gleek flag fly. If you're that embarrassed, you can always tell all your friends that the only reason you really watched was to see ScarJo and Denzel.

By Jen Chaney June 10, 2010; 2:52 PM ETCategories: Celebrities , Pop Culture Tags: Award Shows