Nobody likes a fat publicist, so I've been subjecting myself to these absurd Zumba classes on Thursdays and Sundays at my gym. Click here to see what I decidedly don't look like doing it (although I do bear an uncanny resemblance to that woman in the back in the lime green top). I would characterize Zumba as dance, though the whole thing is so branded (the word "Zumba" pops into the songs, the instructor wears "Zumba" gear...) that it's probably closer to aerobics. It is dance-esque, though, which had me thinking mid-shimmy #17 on Thursday that … [Read more...]

Hey Upper East Siders, Gossip Girl here...and I have the biggest news ever. One of my many sources, NYTimez1851, sends us this: spotted on the set of a hit TV show, script in hand: theater critic Charles Isherwood. Was it only a five years ago our It-Boy mysteriously disappeared for quote "The New York Times"? And just as suddenly, he's on television. Don't believe me? See for yourselves: lucky for us, The CW will have proof. You know you love me. xoxo. … [Read more...]

I locked myself out of my apartment last night en route to the laundry room. Fortunately, my neighbor Kenny (also known as "Dog") works in the building, so he called his co-worker to say we had a "911" on the 23rd floor.  My sister Aliza - who was coming over for dinner at this exact moment - and I then waited in Dog's apartment, where he and his friend were watching the VH1 show For the Love of Ray J. "Who's Ray J?" I asked. "See!" Dog's friend said emphatically. "This is just what T.I. was talking about in that interview. Nobody knows … [Read more...]

The following occurred a few years back in the management comp seats at an orchestra performance that included a world premiere:Amanda, flipping through program, sees composer's headshot: He's hot. Friend: Good thing, because his music sucks. Amanda, squints and sees composer up in a box: Oh, not as hot in person. Friend: Too bad, because his music sucks. [first half of the concert begins, ends, intermission comes]Nice older gentleman, gesturing to the empty seat between him and his wife and Amanda and her friend: Excuse me, would you mind if … [Read more...]

I am that girl. Odds are, if I see a revival of a musical I will know most of - if not all of - the songs.Sitting at West Side Story last night, I not only knew every lyric, but could hum all the musical interludes as well. (My beatbox-esque execution of "Mambo" while waiting for a cab after the performance was especially inspiring.) And since the West Side Story choreography CAN NEVER BE CHANGED thus trapping us in the late-1950s until the end of the known universe, I generally know the dance numbers as well. Assuming Joe the Audience Member … [Read more...]

Skittles skittles skittles skittles skittles skittles skittles skittles skittles skittles skittles skittles skittles skittles skittles skittles skittles skittles skittles skittles skittles skittles skittles skittles skittles skittles skittles skittles skittles skittles skittles skittles skittles skittles skittles skittles There are few things I enjoy more than marketing initiatives that generate press. From Gawker, brought to my attention by James and Aliza:It would be hard to come up with a cheaper ad campaign: Mars' new fruit-candy promotion … [Read more...]

Apparently, copy editing does not = "recession-proof". Now, I'm more than happy to answer fact-checkers' or writers' follow-up questions, but a freelance writer e mailed yesterday, attached an album review for one of my artists and asked, "Please read it over, mostly for fact-checking, misspelling, dangling participles, comma faults, etc.  Anything egregious.  You needn't feel compelled to comment, but any help would be welcome."Sure, I'll help: you missed a star on the end there! … [Read more...]

From You've Cott Mail:New York Sun's arts section to rise againFrom Crains New York Business, 2/28/09The New York Sun may not be rising again, but its arts coverage is about to have a resurrection of sorts.  Manhattan Media, publisher of weekly freebies New York Press, West Side Spirit and Our Town, is launching monthly supplement City Arts, which will feature former arts critics and writers from the Sun. The alumni include Lance Esplund, Brice Brown, Jay Nordlinger, Joel Lobenthal and Marion Maneker.  The 24-page publication will … [Read more...]

I rarely go to the ballet. It lives in that silvery area between work and not-work, so I tend to just not think to buy tickets. On Saturday afternoon, though, my friend Rebecca had tickets to New York City Ballet's 21 Century Movement program, and I was more than happy to tag along. Impressions, in no particular order:"Different" is nice, but it sure isn't pretty.I cannot say enough positive things about New York City Ballet's logo and current ad campaign. The clean lines of both the fade-to-black block font and the provoking but elegant photos … [Read more...]