BILLY PORTER ON TWITTER AND AT THE ROSE THEATER

When I learned that Billy Porter was going to be performing at Lincoln Center's Rose Theater, I was excited.

I first became a fan of Mr. Porter on Twitter, where he has 27k followers and serves up motivational and uplifting tweets such as these:

Billy Porter @theebillyporter · Feb 3

Whatever u do..don't get stuck on that one thing that is ruining ur day. Take a deep breath. There's a calmness 2 a life lived in gratitude!

0 replies30 retweets60 favorites

Billy Porter @theebillyporter · Feb 2

Every test in our life makes us bitter or better, every prob comes 2 break us or make us, the choice is ours 2 become victims or victorious!

0 replies22 retweets49 favorites

I had, admittedly, never seen Mr. Porter perform.  But I knew that he had won the 2013 Tony Award for Best Actor in a Musical for his role as Lola in Kinky Boots.  And that Kinky Boots had won for Best Musical and Best Score.  (Cool side note: Kinky Boots was Cyndi Lauper's debut as a Broadway songwriter, making her the first woman to win alone in that category. Yay, Cyndi!)

So when I saw that Billy would be performing at The Rose Theater, I knew I wanted to be there.

Mr. Porter kicked off the American Songbook Series in The Appel Room.  This space is stunning; it overlooks Columbus Circle.  Down in front are small tables where folks can enjoy refreshments during the show.  We sat towards the back, in the amphiteater-style seating.

Accompanied by a 13-piece orchestra, Billy launched the show with "But the World Goes Round,""Everything's Coming Up Roses" and "Don't Rain on My Parade."

There was also the Sammy Davis Jr. hit "I've Gotta Be Me," which served as a signifier of one of the evening's main themes of self-acceptance.  This theme continued in a suite from the show Kinky Boots, which included "I'm Not My Father's Son."

The evening ended with tremendous energy and power: accompanied by the Broadway Inspirational Voices, Mr. Porter performed his own version of "Sunday," a song from Sunday in the Park with George.

Many of the songs from the evening's show can be found on Mr. Porter's new CD Billy's Back on Broadway.

Also worth noting: Mr. Porter will join the national tour of Kinky Boots Aug. 4-9 when the musical visits his hometown of Pittsburg, PA.

* Photo Credit: Tony Cenicola, NY Times

BANK STREET ALUMNA AVAILABLE FOR K - 5TH GRADE LITERACY TUTORING

Would you like a patient, focused educator to help your child with reading and writing?

Look no further!

I am an alumna of Bank Street College of Education with 25 years of experience working with children in public and private school settings, as well as in cultural institutions such as The Brooklyn Botanic Gardens and The Brooklyn Children's Museum.

A former Assistant Teacher at P.S. 29 and leader of family literacy workshops, I am a skilled writer with a 10-year-old arts blog and articles published on the web.

I support your K - 5th grade child to do the following:

• Increase his/her confidence as a reader and a writer.
• Develop an enjoyment of reading and writing.
• Stay organized and on-task with homework assignments.
• Establish patterns and routines to boost study savvy.

I work with families in the Park Slope, Carroll Gardens, Red Hook, Cobble Hill and Boerum Hill neighborhoods.

If you would like to chat about your child's needs, please contact me.  I would be delighted to hear from you.

Eleanor Traubman

etraubman@gmail.com
tutor.eleanortraubman.com

SCHULMAN AND HAMMERSTEIN: A GREAT "DOUBLE-HEADER" AT LINCOLN CENTER

Susan L. Schulman

After vowing to get myself to Lincoln Center more often this year, I traveled up there a few weeks ago for a great double-header.

First, I went to the NYPL Library for the Performing Arts to listen to Susan L. Schulman tell stories that formed the basis of her book Backstage Pass to Broadway: True Tales from a Theatre Press Agent.

When that event ended, I ran down the street to hear Oscar Hammerstein's grandson, Andy, present the history of his grandfather's music.

Ms. Schulman, a long-time press agent, started out by telling about her life growing up in New York.  She took dance lessons, went ice skating, and frequented both the library and the 92nd Street Y.  A self-described "theatre kid," Ms. Schulman would wait outside the stage door at the end of productions - not to get autographs, but to let actors know how much she enjoyed their performances.

In 1978, Susan opened up Schulman Publicity in the Paramount building. Over the span of her career, Susan  has worked with theatre figures such as Lauren Bacall, Zero Mostel, Mary Martin, George C. Scott, and Yul Brynner. She explained that it's the job of a press agent to "create the right expectations for critics and audiences."

Ms. Schulman recalled with fondness her encounters with famed choreographer Bob Fosse. She described him as someone who valued critics' feedback, "knew everything about everything," and was "the master of every single theatrical discipline."

At the end of her talk, Susan took questions from the audience.  A few folks wanted to know the impact of social media on how she approached her job.  I asked her for her thoughts on how to develop young audiences for theater.  She mentioned the late playwright Wendy Wasserstein's work as a co-foundre of Open Doors Broadway Mentors Program. 

After Ms. Schulman signed a copy of her book for me,  I ran down the street to the David Rubenstein Atrium to see Something Wonderful: The Songs of Rodgers and Hammerstein.  Andy Hammerstein talked and showed slides about the history of his grandfather Oscar's work.  His anecdotes were brought to life by three talented singers.

Andy described Oscar as a "lefty with a lower case 'l'" who, like many [Jewish] artists of his times, was brought under the magnifying glass of McCarthyism and made the subject of an enormous FBI file.

One of the highlights of the event was joining the rest of the audience to sing "Do Re Mi" from The Sound of Music.  Truthfully, there were so many wonderful songs, I wish the entire evening had been a sing-a-long!

For more information about events at the NYPL Library for the Performing Arts, click HERE.
Fore more information about events at The David Rubenstein Atrium, click HERE.

NOT TO BE MISSED: BILLY PORTER AND CYNDI LAUPER AT LINCOLN CENTER ON WEDNESDAY, JAN. 28!

Billy Porter, the star of Kinky Boots, will be performing at Lincoln Center this coming Wednesday, January 28.  He will be joined by the one and only Cyndi Lauper.

There are two shows, 7:30 and 9:30. 

Tickets can be purchased HERE. 

 

 

Description Compliments of Lincoln Center's American Songbook:

 

Ebullient triple-threat and Tony and Drama Desk Award winner Billy Porter is a true New York City theater success story. As comfortable in a fully staged production as he is in a stripped-down studio with only a microphone in hand, the versatile and altogether irresistible Kinky Boots star appears here where his talents shine brightest—at center stage. On this night, music from his latest album of jazz-inflected Broadway standards, Billy’s Back on Broadway, has a starring role. Mr. Porter is joined by Grammy and Emmy-winning artist and pop icon Cyndi Lauper—the musical mastermind behind Kinky Boots—for a duet performance of “Happy Days Are Here Again/Get Happy.”

DANCER ON THE SUBWAY

Tonight, this dancer on the subway still had her costume on.  It was sparkly and magical.  Looking closely, I could see that underneath the top layer of netting in her skirt, there was a a string of lights like those found on a Christmas tree.  How pretty that must have looked up on stage when lit up! 

TWO GREAT EXHIBITS AT THE NEW YORK PUBLIC LIBRARY FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS

I feel  incredibly lucky to live in a place that is so rich in opportunities to engage with and celebrate the arts.  This year, I am committed to getting out and taking advantage of more of these opportunities.

Specifically, I want to see more performances, go to exhibits, watch more DVDs, read more books, and talk to people in the arena of my first true love, the performing arts.

So I started 2015 by going to the New York Public Library for the Performing Arts to see "Somebody Come and Play:" 45 Years of Sesame Street Helping Kids Grow Smarter, Stronger, and Kinder.


The exhibit, conceived by Sesame Workshop archivist Susan Tofte, features Sesame Muppets, archival footage, scripts, storyboards, lead sheets, designs, and scores from the archives of the show.  There is also behind the scenes footage, animation cels, photographs, blueprints, and an architectural model of the set from the early 90’s. There's lots of nice opportunities to view show highlights, including a  look back at many of the celebrities and other notable people that have visited Sesame Street.

I sat down for quite a while on a tiny wooden bench with some 70s-style headphones to watch some of the archival footage.  I was fascinated by the clips from from the brainstorming sessions of the folks who conceptualized the show before it ever went on air.  I got teary-eyed as I listened to the cast explain to Big Bird that his dear friend Mr. Hooper had passed away and would not be coming back.
Also sweet was the episode where Luis and Maria get married.

Looking around at all the families passing through, and being reminded that Sesame is in 150 countries around the world, I could really feel and see  the impact that this show has had on the lives of millions of people around the globe.

After spending a few hours at the Sesame Street exhibit, I traveled to another part of the library and stumbled upon another exhibit.  This one was titled Broadway Revealed: Photographs by Stephen Joseph Behind the Theater Curtain.  In the center of the room were fantastic costumes from various musicals and plays.  How fun to see the bright red beauties (see photo above) from Kinky Boots standing proudly in a lucite display box.

On the walls surrounding the costumes wre photographs of all the people who work behind the scenes to make the magic that is Broadway.

In between visits to these two fab exhibits, I took time to explore the shelves of this branch of the NYPL dedicated entirely to the performing arts.  Such an exciting array of books, CDs, DVDs, and videos.  I checked out a book of essays by deceased playwright Wendy Wasserstein, as well as some DVDs from The Best of Soul Train collection.

I finished my time at the performing arts library by writing my dad a letter to thank him for taking us to some really great musicals when we were children, and for encouraging us to go behind the scenes to see what the performing arts were all about.

I hope to extend that sense of inquiry and wonder into 2015, and make it integral to many of the adventures which I seek out this year.

Happy 2015, everyone!

A REPORT BACK FROM MOMI'S SESAME STREET: THE PARODIES

This year, Sesame Street turned 45 and so did I.  To celebrate, I went this past weekend to The Museum of the Moving Image in Queens to see Sesame Street: The Parodies.  It was a generous, 90-minute long compilation of clips of Sesame's version of movies, songs, and television shows.  Many thanks to Craig Shemin, President of the Jim Henson Legacy and a former Jim Henson Company staff writer, for creating this awesome set of clips. (More info about Craig here.)

Here's a punch list of some of the reel's highlights:

• Lovable characters spoof game shows such as Family Food and Squeal of Fortune.
• Sesame Street Muppets joins forces with R.E.M. to sing Shiny Furry Monsters
• A grand Sesame cast spoofs a film classic, and features characters such as Only One Cannoli in Star S'mores 
• Cookie works hard to solve a mystery on Twin Beaks.
• Everything is upside town on Upside Downton Abbey.
• Paul Taylor serenades Oscar the Grouch.
• Muppets pays respects to Madonna in Cereal Girl.
• Billy Idol sings with a Rebel L.
• Monsterpiece Theater features the lovable, silk smoking jacket-clad Alistair Cookie.
• Billy Joel and Marlee Maitlin sing a loving Just the Way You Are to the resistant Oscar.
• Tony Bennett celebrates a worm's trip into space by singing Slimey to the Moon.

3 Ways To Continue the Fun....

1. If you'd like more Sesame adventures, come check out the exhibition Somebody Come and Play: 45 Years of Sesame Street currently on view at The New York Public Library for the Performing Arts at Lincoln Center.

 

2. Keep checking back with the Museum of the Moving Image website for the highly-antipated 2015 opening of The Jim Henson Exhibition and Gallery. 

 

3. Check out other Sesame-related posts from Creative Times:

• Louis Henry Mitchell: The Art of Sesame Street
• Annie Evans: Wordsmith of Sesame Street
• The Life and Times of Sesame Street’s Martin Robinson
• Fran Brill: The First Lady of Sesame Street
• From Muppets to Mascots: The Incredible Journey of Bonnie Erickson
• Frank Biando:  The Mayor of Sesame Street
• Letters to Big Bird
• Louis Henry Mitchell: Sesame Street’s Storyboard Master

BANK STREET ALUMNA AVAILABLE FOR K-8TH GRADE TUTORING

Would you like a patient, focused educator to help your child with reading, and writing?

Look no further!

I am an alumna of Bank Street College of Education with 25 years of experience working with children in public and private school settings, as well as in cultural institutions such as The Brooklyn Botanic Gardens and The Brooklyn Children's Museum.

A former Assistant Teacher at P.S. 29 and leader of family literacy workshops, I am a skilled writer with a 10-year-old arts blog and articles published on the web.

I support your K - 8th grade child to do the following:

• Increase his/her confidence as a reader and a writer
• Develop an enjoyment of reading and writing
• Stay organized and on-task with homework assignments.
• Establish patterns and routines to boost study savvy.

I work with families in the Park Slope, Carroll Gardens, Cobble Hill and Boerum Hill neighborhoods.

If you would like to chat about your child's needs, please contact me.  I would be delighted to hear from you.

Eleanor Traubman
etraubman@gmail.com
Facebook.com/brooklyntutorFacebook.com/brooklyntutor
Creativetimes.blogspot.com

ROALD DAHL-O-WEEN PARTY: MAKING LITERATURE A FAMILY AFFAIR AT PS 32 IN BROOKLYN

It's one thing to read a book by Roald Dahl, but it's quite another to see his books brought to life by an entire school.

Last Saturday, when I entered the playground of PS 32 in Brooklyn, here's what I saw:  Parents, children, and teachers dressed as characters from Road Dahl books such as Fantastic Mr. Fox,  Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, and The Witches.  I saw families playing games based on Dahl books.  I heard songs from the Charlie and the Chocolate Factory movie soundtrack floating in the air.  I felt the magic of these books embodied by a whole community of readers.

The principal, Ms. Florio (see photo above), was dressed at The Golden Ticket from Charlie.  "The art teacher, Dave,  made this costume for me," she proudly shared.  The back of the costume read, true to the ticket described in the book, "In your wildest dreams you could not imagine the marvelous surprises that await you!"

Over in another corner, a student was dressed like Violet when she turned into a blueberry.

A father and a daughter wore costumes which depicted the foxes from Fantastic Mr. Fox.

After milling around and taking in the pageantry, I stopped to listen to some of the people who had made this event possible; these included school librarian Adam Marcus and Deborah Florio, the principal.  School Chancellor Carmen Farina, who has a 30-year relationship with PS 32, also spoke to the crowd. Off to the side, I chatted with  Francine Cuomo, the school's Business Manager.  Ms. Cuomo, who had worked hard to help build the library and organize the day's event, was heartened by the impact of the library on the school culture.  Dave Chimoskey, the school's art teacher, was also instrumental in creating the enchanted event.

So how did this event, with its beautiful community of readers, come to be?

In the summer of 2009, Principal Florio asked teacher Adam Marcus to build a library for PS 32.  Marcus, with the help of a library advisory committee, raised more than $500,000 to create what would become the hub of the school.

Fast-forward to 2014, when PS 32 became one of 20 schools in the country to receive a Roald Dahl Charlie and the Chocolate Factory grant.  The grant was bestowed by Penguin Young Readers Group as a team with First Book Advisory Boards in celebration of the 50th Anniversary of the legendary book.

The honor included multiple copies of all Dahl's books, a giant Charlie bean bag for the library,  and last Saturday's party, which was sponsored by First Book, Penguin Publishing,  Hay Rosie Craft Ice Cream Co., and The Chocolate Room.  The party, took place on September 13, Roald Dahl Day, and was generously staffed by 70 volunteers from places like Good Shepherd Services and The American Association of Publishers.

On a personal note, I am greatly inspired by the work and imagination that this school's teachers, administration, and parents have invested in creating the gem that is the PS 32 library.  Many public schools nowadays do not have a library, or have turned their library into a computer center.  What better way to foster young people's love of reading by building a beautiful, comfortable, cozy, friendly space where a child (or an adult!) can plop down on a couch and bury her nose in a book.

Keep up the great work, PS 32!!

MY FIRST TIME DOING KARAOKE

The song "California Girls" by The Beach Boys is pretty sexist, but I had fun singing it with my husband Mike Sorgatz last Friday in front of a group of people.

We had zipped through a little Red Hook Gallery exhibit and wanted a bite to eat.  "How about Hope and Anchor?" I suggested.  It was a small, fun, neighborhood-y diner-like joint in Red Hook with super decent prices and stuff we normally do not have at home.  (Mac 'n' cheese fritters, anyone? Definitely a sometimes treat!)

We sat down to order, and eventually a family with two young daughters came in.  They both looked super excited to be there, and they were definitely there on a mission.  That mission was to sing as many songs as they could on Karaoke Night.

 Every Friday and Saturday evening, the owner Pete gets into drag, hands out huge books with thousands of song choices, and tells folks who want to sing to write down the name and number of the song on a post-it before handing it to him.

Pete - a/k/a Stella Dora - is a great host.  S/he has a great sense of humor and a pleasant singing voice, but lets the guest singers shine, too.  The two aforementioned sisters, around 12 and 7, sang about 8 songs together.  Some of the wait staff sang, and one young man boisterously belted out the theme song to Sesame Street. I couldn't help but high-five him when he was done; his enthusiasm was contagious!   The songs ranged from Daft Punk's "Lucky" to Bobby Darin's "Mack the Knife" to Journey's "Don't Stop Believin'".   Ah, memories!

I was one of those children who was always making up songs, dances, plays, musicals, and radio shows, so karaoke was right up my alley.  It was so great  to sit there and sing along to songs from a variety of decades.  And even more fun to do it in a small and cozy neighborhood setting with an expert host.

Was I nervous getting up in front of the group?  Yes!  But no one cared what your voice sounded like.  It was all about fun and participation.

We will definitely be back!

SAVE THE DATE: RED HOOK INITIATIVE'S 8TH ANNUAL TASTE OF RED HOOK IS SEPTEMBER 30TH

 

“Taste of Red Hook” will take place on Tuesday, September 30, 2014, from 6-9pm at Pioneer Works, Center for Art + Innovation (159 Pioneer Street, Brooklyn).

 More than 40 local restaurants, distilleries, and wineries will offer a wide sampling of their signature dishes and drinks. “Taste of Red Hook” is the annual fundraiser for the Red Hook Initiative (RHI), a community-based nonprofit that works to confront poverty through a model focused on youth development, community building, and local hiring.

 "Taste of Red Hook is a unique event in our neighborhood," says Jill Eisenhard, RHI's Founder & Executive Director. "It is one of the few occasions where small business owners, home owners, public housing residents, elected officials, and local supporters are all gathered under one roof. Not only is it a fun event, the proceeds also contribute to true systemic change and pathways out of poverty for Red Hook youth."

"We've participated in Taste of Red Hook since it first began eight years ago, and are proud to be a part of it," says Ben Schneider, co-owner of The Good Fork, a nationally acclaimed restaurant. "Taste is a special night of the year when Red Hook businesses get together to eat, drink, and celebrate our community."

All proceeds from Taste of Red Hook go to RHI, winner of the 2012 New York Magazine Award for Excellence in Nonprofit Management. RHI employs over 100 local residents, a majority of whom are teenagers or young adults. Many of these youth participants will be present at the event to speak about their role at RHI.

 

Tickets for RHI’s only fundraiser of the year are available on the RHI website: www.rhicenter.org

 

This year's event is sponsored by Terra CRG, The O'Connell Organization, aptsandlofts.com, Kamco, Koya Leadership Partners, Massey Knakal, New York Water Taxi, EILEEN FISHER and International School of Brooklyn.

The following establishments are some of those that will participate in Taste of Red Hook 2014: Alma, Baked, Blue Marble, Brooklyn Crab, Brooklyn Ice House, Court Street Grocers, Defonte's, Fairway Catering, Fleisher's Pasture-Raised Meats, Fort Defiance, Good Fork, Grindhaus, Hometown, Hope & Anchor, IKEA, Jack from Brooklyn, Kevin's, La Slowteria, Margaret Palca Bakes, Mark's Pizza, Nightingale9, Pok Pok NY, Raaka Chocolate, Red Hook Bait & Tackle, Red Hook Lobster Pound, Red Hook Winery, Six Point Craft Ale, Steve's Key Lime Pie, The Chocolate Room, Uncouth Vermouth, Van Brunt Still House, Whipped Pastry Boutique, and Widow Jane.

BIKIN' IN BROOKLYN: IT TOOK A VILLAGE TO RAISE A CYCLIST

I am proud to be a lady biker.  A Brooklyn-based lady biker.
But I wasn't always one.  I was too scared to ride a bike alone and in traffic.

My man bought a bike for me many years ago when we were newer to Brooklyn.  I rode a few times with him, and that was it.  I was too scared to ride in traffic on my own, so Pink Bike sat idly, chained up to to a street sign on our block. 

Years passed.  I joined a health support group at a local YMCA. We set goals each week and rallied around each other to reach those goals.  One week, I said to the group "I am going to get on my bike and ride it for TWO BLOCKS to the neighborhood park." "That is a great goal!" said the group.

I was scared, I mean really scared, to get on the bike without the company of my husband.  I did not know traffic rules.

But I got on the bike, and started pedaling toward the park. 

Once my trip was underway, a strange thing happened: I got to the park, but instead of stopping there, I kept pedaling.  I somehow remembered the way, more or less, to a path by the water that went through Brooklyn Bridge Park and then into DUMBO.

Wait a sec, how did this happen?

I pedaled home, not believing what I had done.  When I got off my bike to lock it up, I was shaking pretty hard.  I don't know if it was from fear, fatigue, or both.

But I had done it - I had ridden my bike through traffic all by myself!

It's weird, because adults aren't supposed to get excited when we overcome fears.  But I think we should! And we should celebrate our successes and share stories of overcoming fears with other adults.  Why?  Because it breaks down the isolation we experience around the fears we carry, and  because we can help inspire each other to address our fears with support.

Example:  I was chatting with one of the employees of the place where I bank.  He told me he would love to learn how to swim, but never had taken it on because of a near-drowning experience he had when he was very young.

I told him about my experience with riding a bike alone. I said that I thought it was much easier to deal with fears with the support and accountability of a group, like the one I was part of at the Y.  I told him that the Y taught people just like him how to swim.

The next time I came into the bank, I asked Banker Man if he had taken any steps toward swimming. He said he had told his girlfriend about the idea, and that they were thinking about taking a swim class together.  I was so excited to hear this!

Back to biking for a minute.

There are some other things I did to keep building courage and support around being a lady biker.  I discovered a great organization called WE BIKE NYC.   WE BIKE is a community of women who ride bikes and who provide a safe space for women to ride together regardless of speed, skill, and riding style.  Every month, they offer different events to get more women on the road. These events include social rides, training rides, mechanics workshops and field trips.  

I went to a WE BIKE Rules of the Road workshop, a social gathering at a Lower East Side bar, and met up with some WE BIKE cyclists in Red Hook after they had rode their bikes in from Manhattan.  (I'm not quite ready to do the Brooklyn-Manhattan round trip yet.)

I also went to the New York Bike Expo just to hear a group of women panelists speak about Women's Biking in NYC: Your Questions Answered.  Very inspiring!

And guess what?  I did once injure myself, trying to be a bad-a**. Yes, that's right, I tried to jump a curb, but did not have enough speed to clear it.  So I sustained a painful soft tissue injury on my hand for a number of months.  But I survived and kept going.

Now, basically anywhere I would normally walk to, I ride my bike. 
Also, my bike has gotten me out of some pinches, like the time the F train was not running and I was going to be late for a doctor's appointment where I would have been fined for not showing up.  I hopped on my bike, raced through traffic to another subway line, and got to my appointment.

One last thing:  I am still scared when I ride my bike.  But I am also having a great time.  I am so glad I decided to push past the initial fear, with the help of a great group, and pursue my desire to ride. 'Cuz now I can ride like the wind!

Do you have any fears that you have overcome with the help of a group or another person? Do you have any current fears you would like to overcome?  What might be a next step for you?

Whatever your goal may be, I am here cheering you on!

COME THIS SATURDAY TO A SNEAK PEAK OF SEW FAB, LESLEY WARE'S SOON-TO-BE-PUBLISHED BOOK

I am beyond excited that my friend Lesley Ware will be hosting a sneak preview of Sew Fab: A Guide for Pre-Teen Fashionistas,  the book into which she has poured her heart, soul, and wisdom.

 Lesley has spent the last bunch of years teaching sewing to girls, and leading fashion camps where girls get to conceptualize and create their own fashion designs.  And now we get to glean all of her amazing expertise as a teacher, fashion expert, mentor, and skilled artist, and craftswoman.

I hope to see many people I know at her book preview.  She will be showing some of the projects featured in the book.

Lesley, I wish you much success and many adventures with your soon-to-be published book!

Here are the deets of this Saturday's gathering:

 Sew Fab Preview
Saturday, August 9th, 2014
6 PM -  9 PM

RSVP: hello@thecreativecookie.com

Sweet Lorraine Gallery
183 Lorraine Street
Red Hook, Brooklyn 11231

*show open from August 9th - 29th*

  

SAY G'DAY TO FROSTED TART!

This here is Frosted Tart, a roller derby gal who is visiting NYC from Melbourne, Australia.

I just met her on the NYC subway.

Frosted skates for the North Side Rollers, and more specifically, with The Sisters of Anarchy.  (See her second from left.)

I looked up the Rollers on the internet.  They describe themselves as "a women’s flat-track roller derby league, located in the northern suburbs of Melbourne, Australia. We’re a not-for-profit association, owned and run by our members, and we train and play in the Reservoir/Preston area. We’re also an Apprentice League in the Women’s Flat Track Derby Association (WFTDA)."

She and I chatted for a minute about Drew Barrymore's awesome lady roller derby film called Whip It.  Haven't seen it yet?  Please do!

REACHING FOR A STRANGER

When someone starts starts shouting on the subway, I usually freeze up and pray that it ends soon. But not this time.

A few days ago, there were crazy problems on Manhattan-bound subways, and we passengers were being bumped from train to train and sent back into Brooklyn. 

One woman loudly proclaimed that she had been on 5 trains, and was being sent back to Brooklyn for the second time.  She started cursing and shouting, then began to cry.  People were either staring at her or looking away in discomfort.  I mean, nobody is supposed to act like that in public - right?  And I know that there is this training a lot of us get to mind our own business in public places, especially if someone seems like they're on edge.

The woman said out loud, but to no one in particular, that she was supposed to be picking up her daughter from school in Manhattan.  I thought about going over to her, hesitated for a minute, then finally decided to head her way.  Sitting across from this woman, I offered to go above ground with her and call her daughter's school.  Her story was pretty involved, but I just listened and told her several times that it wasn't her fault.  She got calmer and softened. I've felt like this woman before - enraged and panicked at the same time - but kept the feelings tucked inside.

It's definitely an interesting challenge to intervene in spots where people could use a hand in the moment and out in the public sphere.  Maybe the mom being super harsh with her child on the subway is actually overwhelmed and could use some friendly contact with another adult.   Maybe the teens who are being disruptive at the park could use an ally to come over and joke around with them.

Of course, it always makes sense to use one's discretion when approaching a tense scenario.  Maybe it's good to recruit  others to help in a dangerous situation instead of trying to handle it solo. But I think we're all more capable, creative and courageous than we think we are when it comes to being thoughtful in the direction of "strangers" out in public.  

We can always try, and make mistakes, but it's sometimes better to actually do something and learn from the experience than to be passive out of fear.

We don't always have to know each other in advance in order to offer comfort or assistance to each other.  We don't have to occupy an official role, title or position to come to someone's aid in a public space.   Appoint yourself whatever title you need to step up to the plate when a situation needs your courage and intelligence.  Be a Minister of Kindness in the workplace.  Be a Keeper of the Peace on the subway and in the streets. 

I'm curious to hear about where you've thoughtfully intervened in a tense public situation. What was the outcome? What did you learn from the experience?

Let's support each other to be wisely brave out there in the parks, subways, grocery stores and sidewalks.  Our communities need us to stay on our toes and ready to take action at a moment's notice. 

Whether it lasts 30 seconds or 30 minutes, your act of courage in someone else's direction could make all the difference in the world.

Photo credit: sizmanabc.blogspot.com

WOW! BROOKLYN NEW SCHOOL IS GREEN BEYOND BELIEF!

A few weeks ago, I had the pleasure of participating in a tour of The Brooklyn New School to learn more about its incredible efforts to promote sustainability.  The tour was organized by Emily Fano, who heads up the New York Eco-Schools - National Wildlife Federation.

After going on the tour, I understood why this school was recognized with the Green Flag by the National Wildlife Federation’s Eco-Schools USA program.  The staff there - from the principal to the science teacher to the sustainability coordinator - work closely as a team to help the whole school community conserve natural resources and incorporate environmental education into the curriculum.

What first impressed me is that BNS has its very own Sustainability Coordinator, Johanna Esteras. This seems crucial in pulling all the different sustainability efforts together, so it's not just people doing their own thing off in different corners of the school.  The fact that there is a dedicated staff member tells me that this is a big priority for the school.

The other thing I noticed is that as Johanna showed us around the schoolyard and its various eco-friendly projects, different children came up to her to make contact and to chime in about these various projects.  They seemed to have a great tie with her and a real sense of ownership over everything.

Also, it was clear that Johanna has good relationships with different staff, and I thought "Right! All of this is possible because of those solid, cooperative connections."

Here are some of the other reasons BNS is outstanding in the field of sustainability:

* The school  has its own green blog: Ecorama.  Do check it out!

* Students took on a variety of sustainability initiatives; these included forming an Eco-Action team, increasing green space and biodiversity on school grounds, saving energy, and implementing award-winning waste reduction measures.

* The school recycles and composts 75 percent of its cafeteria food waste, turns hard-to-recycle items into art projects, and is an official city Compost Project demonstration site.

 * The school’s garden includes a “pollinator palace” and bug hotel,

* BNS students learn about a variety of globally important issues across the grades and curricula:

First graders raise crops in the school garden, use the compost they produce from their cafeteria scraps on their raised beds, and harvest and serve their produce. They explore green spaces in and around the school community — including parks, community gardens, and other urban farms.

Second graders learn about the importance of water as they engineer ways to collect water, including: designing a water filtering system, creating rainwater catchment systems, and building pipe systems to meet a variety of challenges. This spring, they created pipe systems to irrigate the school’s gardens.

Fifth graders study weather and climate change and the benefits of alternative energy sources. They demonstrate what they learn at the school’s yearly sustainability “science fair” — Ecorama.

 * Students and staff have ventured out into their community to plant and care for trees, participate in ecological restoration and cleanups at nearby Plumb Beach, and raised and released native pollinators like monarch butterflies.

* Other gems include the Green Studio — a room devoted to sustainable projects and activities; the cafeteria recycling stations; an outdoor composting center and garden, and the Eco-Casita — an outdoor classroom in a converted shipping container, topped off by a green roof.

Photo Credit: Cynthia Carris

ON THE IMPORTANCE OF FINDING HOMES AWAY FROM HOME

JJ Byrne Playground is a Home Away from Home

First thing in the morning, I pedal out to either a local park or the lounge-lobby of a small neighborhood-based hotel.  Doing so helps me clear my mind and start the day on an upbeat and note and energized mood.

There's something useful about finding a spot that's away from home, to get a bit of distance from day-to-day routines, but not go too far away, so I can return to my abode with some fresh ideas and inspiration for living.

When I was very young, and not able to go far away on my own, there were a few homes away from home.  One was the forts I built with my brother in our living room.  We took hours to fashion these structures where we could have our own space, a place to fill with sleeping bags, blankets, pillows, and stuffed animals.  A little bit later, maybe during middle school years, I sometimes pitched a camping tent in our backyard to create the same kind of thing, only I would use bring a short wave radio in there to listen to music.

During college and post-college years, when I was became an east coast transplant from CA, my refuge became the Doylestown, PA  home of our dear family friend Rosie McVay.  Rosie, who gave me my own cozy room to sleep in, would include me in fun projects like making chocolate chip scones, washing down her patio furniture, and working in the local community garden.  She was like a Godmother to me, and I regarded her as a more laid-back, socially conscious version of Martha Stewart.  Rosie was so active in her community, that the mayor declared her 50th birthday "Rosie McVay Day" there in Doylestown.

Now, in midlife, I have several homes away from home.  One is my graduate school library, which is where is where I go to write and think.  While the local branch of the Brooklyn Public Library is much closer to where I live, it's a bit too wild and woolly for real concentration and reflection.  Plus, the school has a cafeteria with gluten-free options!

Another retreat spot is a local boutique hotel.   The staff there is relaxed about having non-guests hang out in their lounge, so I often pedal out there very early in the morning to have a glass of water and read out of an inspiring book before heading home to eat breakfast.

A third spot is 2 places rolled into one.  It's The Old Stone House, a historic site in the center of Park Slope that also encompasses J.J. Byrne Playground.  It's a super short bike ride away from our place, and a great place to start the day:  it's filled with quick, mischievous black squirrels that are fun to watch; early-rising parents with their young children; and a few folks doing their a.m. exercise routine.

What are your favorite homes away from home, and what do you love about them?

CREATE GOOD KARMA: HELP THIS BROOKLYN ARTS 'N CULTURE BLOGGER FIND HER NEXT WORK OPPORTUNITY!

Dear Friends,

I hope this note finds you well and enjoying Spring! I am excited to be celebrating the 10th year of my blog, Creative Times.

If, after taking a look at the info below, you have an idea of someone who you think I should meet, or an opportunity I should know about, please send me an email. I value your creative input!

I am looking for part time work close to my home in Carroll Gardens. Ideally, it would be a bike ride or short subway ride away.

I would love a job that allows me to use some combination of these talents:

• Community- and team-building
• Writing/researching/promoting the arts and culture scene in NY
• Connecting people of different generations
• Facilitating hands-on, interactive learning experiences

Specific settings that appeal to me are ones which center around these themes:

• Arts- and culture- related (especially the performing arts!)
• Literature/books (especially children's books!)
• Local community work
• The natural environment (e.g. parks and gardens)

Here's a little bit about my background: I'm a seasoned, Bank Street-trained educator and Brooklyn-based arts and culture writer with a history of providing hands-on, inquiry- and play-based learning experiences in school, nonprofit, and museum settings, including The Brooklyn Museum, The Brooklyn Botanic Gardens, and The Brooklyn Children's Museum.

Currently, I am a docent in the Education Department at The Brooklyn Botanic Gardens. There, I welcome parents, caregivers, tourists, and children into The Fragrance Garden and help them connect to opportunities to learn about the natural world. I also help run children's activities for members-only and special events. I would like to do similar work in a similar setting.

My appreciation of the rich cultural landscapes of Brooklyn and Manhattan is reflected in my work as Editor-In-Chief of the blog Creative Times. Now in its tenth year, Creative Times shines the spotlight on the performances and projects of New York's literary, performing, and visual artists and cultural institutions.

Here are some sample work projects:

• Collaborated with a team of 25 organizers to plan and oversee GO, a historic borough-wide open studio weekend designed to foster personal exchange between 1700 Brooklyn artists, their communities, and The Brooklyn Museum. Resulted in 147,000 studio visits in a single weekend.

• Conceptualized and Co-produced The Brooklyn Blogfest, an annual event for 300 bloggers, journalists, and community leaders. Recruited and managed 30-person volunteer staff. Organized monthly, neighborhood-based gatherings of Brooklyn bloggers.

• Consulted with Bank Street College of Education to use social and new media platforms to publicize alumni events; galvanize alumni activity on LinkedIn group and Twitter accounts; and strategize content areas and recruitment of writers for alumni blog.

• Managed PlayNet, a grant-funded project at The Brooklyn Children's Museum designed to increase educators', parents’, and caretakers’ understanding of play and capacity to facilitate play with children.

Thanks so much for your support! Please feel free to email me with questions or ideas.

How to Contact Me

Eleanor Traubman
ETraubman@gmail.com
creativetimes.blogsgpot.com

IT STARTED WITH AN IMAGE: MY ADVENTURES AT THE BROOKLYN BOTANIC GARDENS

The image that led me to The Brooklyn Botanic Gardens

A little more than a year ago, I kept getting images in my mind of flowers, plants and trees, and of me being surrounded by these things.

During that time, I found a greeting card (pictured above) which perfectly captured the feeling of what I wanted to be around.  Putting the card on my desk where I could see it each day seemed easier than going through all the steps of making a vision board.  So I just let the image stay there for a good long time so it could stay in my consciousness.

As the days passed with the garden-themed card on my desk, I started thinking about the Brooklyn Botanic Gardens, and decided to go up there during the the weekend of the Sakura Matsuri cherry blossom festival.  It was a total madhouse, just thick with the bodies of thousands of people.  I made my way into the Visitor's Center where I happened to run into BBG's Director of Visitor Services and Volunteers, Lou Cesario.  He was an affable, down-to-earth guy with a fun guitar tattoo and stories of growing up in a big, Italian family.

I told him that I was interested in being part of the BBG, and he sent me online to apply to be a volunteer.

I was recruited to serve as a docent in the Education Department, and was lucky enough to be trained by two fantastic women - Shaquana Boykin and Ashley Gamell. 

Fast forward a year, and I am still in my post as an education docent, helping children, parents, educators and caregivers interact with all the mystery and magic of The Fragrance Garden, a section of the BBG which is set up so that everything in it can be smelled or touched.  After arriving in the morning, we docents set up several stations - a worm bin so that people can learn about composting (they can even hold the worms!); a story mat full of picture books about the natural environment; and one or two information tables full of objects which relate to the theme of the week and which the children can explore in a hands-on fashion. 

The information table has been a home to all kinds of interesting things - seeds of a variety of  shapes and sizes; nests; gourds; plants; objects related to pollinators.  We almost always have a scavenger hunt where children can check off things they find in the garden.  Sometimes, they get to pot up plants.  It's so rewarding to see young people, including toddlers, as well as adults, make a connection, their very own personal connection, with the natural environment. 

Aside from serving in my post as a docent, I've also had a blast helping to run children's science and art activities as the members-only and special events of the BBG.  Last spring, hundreds of young people came and decorated cardboard top hats with every kind of craft supply under the sun.  Feathers, ribbons, and pom poms were flying everywhere that day, and I could see the NY Times fashion photographer Bill Cunningham a few feet away, snapping photos of the children and the hats.

There's such a positive vibe at the BBG, and everyone - staff, volunteers, and visitors - are so friendly, that it's hard to NOT feel good while you are there.

I've particularly enjoyed my interactions with President Emeritus Betty Scholtz, who has been at the gardens for 50-plus years.  She comes by car service almost every day, gets around on a walker, and is extremely sharp and interesting. She is my inspiration!

I love hearing behind the scenes stories of how people let their pets loose here (they are not supposed to), and tales of how raccoons sneak into places they are not supposed to be and end up scaring people.  I keep thinking about what a great movie that would make, a movie about how the animals take over the gardens at night, have dance parties in The Palm House, read books in the library, and have relay races on the Cherry Esplanade.

This year, there are two special things happening at the BBG: They are celebrating the 100th year of The Children's Garden and they are receiving an honorary medal from The Institute of Museum and Library Services. The award will be presented by Michelle Obama at The White House.

I look forward to many more years of adventures and friendships at the BBG, and am glad I let that image guide me to this very special, important, and magical place.