The Met's Creche, Moscow Ballet's "Nutcracker" & Winter's Eve Festival

This week's blog is one by which we plan to add more information as we continue to attend holiday events throughout the city.

The Met's Angel Tree & Creche

We hope that all have had a great Thanksgiving Day and are now ready for the holiday activities. Our website has a slate of events for the five boroughs. This weekend I went with friends to the Met to view their Christmas tree and Neapolitan Baroque Creche. This has been one of my traditions for they have one of the most incredible Creche's that I have ever seen. I do remember seeing one in Spain which also took my breath away. But that is another story for another time. The Met's Creche beauty and detail was superb.

There was an exhibit of El Greco, one of my favorite Spaniard artists. Many of the works that is currently exhibited comes from my favorite museum, the New York Hispanic Society of America. This is one museum I love to visit and one that few people have discovered.

Moscow Ballet's The Nutcracker

On Sunday, I had two great experiences--Moscow Ballet company performing "The Nutcracker". I remember the first time I saw George Balanchine's Nutcracker. My older brother was a ballet dancer at the Metropolitan Opera and we went to it. I could not stop talking about it for days. The same experience has occured with the Moscow Ballet company. The Dove of Peace dance was breathtaking, all the dancers were incredible. I will remember this performance, just as I have remebered Balanchine's.

The second one was attending this event at the Hammerstein Ballroom. It seats almost as many people as Carnegie Hall. The ballroom does need some restoration. My holiday season has started with a bang and I can't wait until my next venue.

Unfortunately, the Moscow Ballet has left New York City, but if you are in Rochester or Syracuse, they will perform there later this month. In the meantime, we have added several other companies performing this classic. You can find it on our website.

Winter's Eve Festival

The weather outside was frightful last night as Lincoln Center's Winter Eve festival started. The drizzling rain was non-stop, but the spirits were high as thousands came out with their family to join the festivities.

There were performances from various entertainers--from band to rock & roll to jazz to mariachi. There were dancers and stilt entertainers, there was face painting and glow sticks. Food from top restaurants were selling a bite for you to enjoy their signature dish.

It was also the last day of John Gerrard Solar Reserve exhibition. It was to recreate the Nevada solar thermal power plant and the surrounding desert landscape.

It was a night of fun, laughter, and one that many will remember, for it was New York's largest holiday festival. See you next year for the 16th festival.