Events
Broadway For All Holiday Benefit: Cabaret At The Circus Presented by Tony Shalhoub

Broadway For All, a non-profit organization that aims to transform the American stage and screen to reflect the diversity of America, will host its 2nd annual holiday benefit, Cabaret At The Circus, under the tent at the Big Apple Circus at Lincoln Center, NYC on Monday, December 9. Proceeds raised at the event will support Broadway For All’s ongoing commitment to shaping a new generation of artists, leaders, and advocates who are impassioned to create inclusive work for all. Tickets can be purchased by visiting BroadwayForAll.org.

The evening’s program will be presented by Emmy and Tony Award winner Tony Shalhoub (“The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel”; The Band’s Visit) and the benefit will honor Broadway For All Faculty Member and Emmy and Grammy Award-winner Kristolyn Lloyd (Dear Evan Hansen), Pulitzer finalist and Tony nominee Heidi Schreck (What The Constitution Means To Me), and Tony-winning producer Jana Shea (Slave Play; Sea Wall / A Life).
“I am humbled to support such a tremendous organization like Broadway For All,” says Tony Shalhoub. “Last year’s event was a blast, and I am excited to return and support this movement to make quality arts training and access to theatre not a privilege, but a right for all.” This year’s event will feature cabaret performances from Broadway For All students and Broadway stars including Amber Iman (Shuffle Along), Megan McGinnis (Come from Away), Heidi Rodewald (Passing Strange; Stew & the Negro Problem), and Krysta Rodriguez (Hercules), among others. Julie McBride (SpongeBob SquarePants: The Broadway Musical; Ink) is the cabaret’s music director.
“We can’t wait to celebrate with our community of artists and supporters under one tent and to honor some of the most inspiring individuals in our industry who embody our organization’s core values: artistry, professionalism, and compassion,” says Broadway For All Founder & President, Osh Ghanimah. “We are full of gratitude for our friends at Big Apple Circus for pulling out all the stops to make this benefit an unforgettable night.”
Initially founded through the Presidential Public Service Fellowship program at Harvard University in 2012, Broadway For All is a movement with a mission to transform the American stage and screen to reflect the diversity of America. Their flagship summer conservatory brings together artists from impoverished communities with those from middle and upper income backgrounds for world-class training led by Broadway, television, and film professionals.
Through its year-round Access For All program, Broadway For All also sends thousands of underserved NYC students to experience Broadway shows each year. To learn more, visit BroadwayForAll.org. Broadway For All’s season sponsors include Goldstar, Allstate, and The John Gore Organization. Broadway For All’s Cabaret at the Circus is presented by Big Apple Circus.The cabaret’s Host Committee is Co-Chaired by Samara Daly, Jennifer Friedland, and James Trezza.
Book Reviews
The Glorious Corner

TAP 2 — (Via Rock Cellar) Doubling down after a May 2022 report that indicated everything was a go for a sequel to 1984’s classic comedy/music industry satire This Is Spinal Tap, filmmaker Rob Reiner has now confirmed that plans are taking shape in a big way.
Not only is the sequel on tap (pun intended) to begin filming in early 2024, but Reiner recently told comedian/podcast host Richard Herring that “everybody’s back” for the sequel. This no doubt refers to principal cast members Michael McKean, Harry Shearer and Christopher Guest, though Tony Hendra (who portrayed the band’s manager, Ian Faith, passed away in 2021).
The U.K.’s Guardian notes that the plot will reportedly center on Faith’s death, after which his widow inherits a contract that requires the band to do one last concert. Reiner is also due to return in the character of film-maker Marty DiBergi, a figure supposedly based on Martin Scorsese, who had directed celebrated music documentary The Last Waltz in 1976.
What’s more, Reiner also spilled the beans that appearances from Sirs Paul McCartney and Elton John and Garth Brooks are in the works too, among what one must assume will be a million other amusing cameos. After all, a film as beloved and influential as the original This Is Spinal Tap counts pretty much every living musician as a fan (give or take), so you know the sequel will hold nothing back when it comes to the entertainment factor.
In the podcast, Reiner also talked about This Is Spinal Tap’s remarkable afterlife, culminating in selection for the National Film Registry in 2002, after its initially unfavourable reception on its first release. “To wind up in the National Film Registry, that’s bizarre,” Reiner said. “We previewed it in a theatre in Dallas, Texas, and the people didn’t know what the heck they were looking at. They came up to me afterwards and said, ‘I don’t understand, why would you make a movie about a band that no one has ever heard of, and they are so bad? Why would you ever do that? Why don’t you make a movie about the Beatles or the Rolling Stones?’ I would say, ‘It’s satire,’ and I tried to explain. But over the years people got it, and started to like it.”
Personally, I found the 1984 original movie just hilarious. Aside from a great send-up of the music biz, the cameos were just fascinating: Paul Shaffer as PR-man Artie Fufkin; Dana Carvey and Billy Crystal as ‘mime’ waiters; Fred Willard; Anjelica Houston; Russ Kunkel; Danny Kortchmar and Fran Drescher as promo-gal Bobbi Fleckman … all just inspired.
Reiner’s on a roll – his Albert Brooks doc Defending My Life is sensational. A must-see.
Maybe an update of The Monkees’ HEAD next?
SHORT TAKES — Mark Bego’s Joe Cocker tome hit #4 on theAmazon charts this week. Here’s a great review from Goldmine on the book by their Lee Zimmerman: https://l.messenger.com/l.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.goldminemag.com%2Freviews%2Fjoe-cocker-book-shines-light-on-unfortunate-undercurrents-of-a-stars-career&h=AT2zaG2QKuxuHdpJO1nPHKaiO7IWkbAHCBRAeq3m4-J45axSc_wBott7ABve8Wcd7GpQC13gybDWb2Hale6D809pTdtqqmpDoxC4u6FLA7SNNJ2jHbVKKpSaH1kxX4Ide1AyXDJXSZL2idNWvOch4A
… Micky Dolenz sang “Silly Love Songs” at Monday’s Troubadour benefit for Denny Laine and our spy said he really rocked it. Maybe a Dolenz Sings McCartney album is next? … So, Merriam-Webster’s word of the year is authentic? Interesting choice for sure …
Writer and reporter Pablo Guzman passed this last weekend. An original member of The Young Lords, Guzman was a fierce fighter and brilliant writer. On Fox 5/Good Day NY for decades, he most recently was a reporter at WCBS. Here’s the Daily News take: https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-12799071/Legendary-NYC-news-anchor-Pablo-Guzman-dies-aged-73-Big-Apple-veteran-reporter-dubbed-son-Bronx-founded-Puerto-Rican-activist-group-Young-Lords-journalist.html …
And it’s official, the NY-launch for the Mark Bego Joe Cocker book will be Tuesday, January 9 at Steve Walter’s Cutting Room.
NAMES IN THE NEWS — Sara Gore; Tom & Lisa Cuddy; Daryl Estrea; Tony King; Ace Shortly; Kjersti and Jeremy Long; Debbie Gibson; Van Dean; Liz Skollar; Maude Adams; Robert Vaughn; Steve McQueen; Zach Martin; Coati Mundi; Avery Sharp; Steve Walter; Gary Gershoff; Jane Blunkell; Kimberly Cornell; Paul Iorio; Lee Jeske; MArt Ostrow; Peter Shendell; Sharon White; and ZIGGY!
Events
Countdown to Christmas: A Sweet Treat For Christmas and Chunakah

24 days to go! Every year people panic to find the perfect gift. We at T2C have been collecting idea’s all year long to bring you the perfect gift guide at all price levels. When you’re at the end of your rope trying to find the perfect Christmas present this year, come to this guide for some great suggestions.
I am starting first with Chanukah which starts December 7th. Here are great little surprises and treats. First up are these festive Chocolate Dreidels ($14) are handmade with the finest chocolate, and filled with milk chocolate gold-foiled Gelt coins for a surprise inside that never disappoints. They make a great addition at any Chanukah celebration everyone will love! Each Dreidel contains 3 coins. Gluten Free. Kosher Certified.
Then there are the adorable Menorah Pops. At $4.95 its a sin not to indulge.
Their unique selection of Chocolate Gift Boxes, Towers and Gift Baskets stand out among New York’s discerning chocolate enthusiasts. We loved the box of 30 Chocolate Mini Presents at $25 these bite-sized solid premium milk chocolates wrapped in Italian foil are perfect for filling stockings or party favors. Gluten Free. Kosher Certified.
Li-Lac Chocolates are fresh, gourmet chocolate hand-crafted in small batches for exceptional quality and superior taste. They also come in dairy free, sugar free and Kosher certified making them perfect for the family. These chocolates are creamy, tasty and so delightfully sinful.
Handmade in Brooklyn, not only are you supporting a local business but freshness is guaranteed.
Li Lac Chocolates are now my go to chocolate place for gifts.
Events
Ziploc and Milk Bar Host Holiday Mixer

It was the holiday mixer that hit all the sweet notes.
Milk Bar founder Christina Tosi and Ziploc hosted a fun interactive holiday party at the New York City Milk Bar flagship location on November 29. Attendees at the special affair got to hear Christina’s tips and tricks for the holiday season, as well as see Ziploc’s latest innovation, the Stay Open Design bags.
“Ziploc bags have been a favorite tool of mine since I started baking because they are so versatile and easy to use. From rolling out and freezing dough to ensuring my baked goods always stays fresh, there’s no shortage of ways that I use Ziploc® at home and in our bakeries,” she said. “The new Ziploc® Stay Open Design bags help give me an extra set of hands in the kitchen. As soon as I tried them, I was immediately reminded of mixing puppy chow in a Ziploc® bag as a child, and I knew this would be another perfect collaboration.”
Teaming up for the release the bakery’s first-ever, limited-edition take on “puppy chow” dessert – Ziploc x Milk Bar Holiday Mix – is a perfect way to start December. Perfect for festive gatherings, hosting gifts, stocking stuffers, family road trips and long sessions on the couch watching holiday movies, the offering features popular holiday flavors, including corn square cereal, white chocolate, cookie butter, sprinkles, and sugar cookie pieces.
Each bag of the Ziploc® x Milk Bar Holiday Mix comes pre-packaged in a quart-size Ziploc® Stay Open Design storage bag. Ziploc®‘s latest innovation helps ensure the contents will stay fresh and easily snackable thanks to a cuffed opening and patented stand up bottom that keeps it upright and open for filling and sharing with confidence. For the month of December, pick up a bag at the New York City, Washington D.C. and Los Angeles Milk Bar stores for just $7, plus tax, while supplies last.
And, for anyone in NYC, starting December 1, you can also book the perfect holiday activity, a build-your-own holiday mix-making experience! Attendees will learn Christina Tosi’s tips and tricks with the Milk Bar expert bakers and walk away with a gallon-size bag of holiday mix gifting for their own enjoyment.
For those not located near a Milk Bar store, don’t worry! Milk Bar and Ziploc® are sharing the exclusive recipe for free on both of their websites – a wonderful opportunity for a festive home activity with friends and family. Ziploc® also created a one-stop shop, to easily find all the ingredients needed at Amazon, Target or Walmart, including Ziploc® Stay Open Design bags that allow for easily folding, filling, scooping and snacking.
Photos by AP for Ziploc®
Events
Avengers Tower Sets Meet And Greet With Signing

C. B. Cebulski, Editor-in-Chief of Marvel Comics, and The LEGO Group Senior Graphic Designer Mark Tranter will be at the Fifth Ave LEGO Store this Friday, December 1st from 5pm-6pm signing the Avengers Tower set—the most iconic building in the Avengers Universe, with 5,201 pieces and an all-star cast of 31 figures.
The Avengers Tower, formerly known as Stark Tower, was a high-rise building complex located in Manhattan. Constructed by Tony Stark, the tower was powered by an Arc Reactor that made it capable of running itself for over a year. The top ten floors housed the research and development initiatives.
Following the dissolution of S.H.I.E.L.D., Stark Tower became the main headquarters of the Avengers. However, after the Ultron Offensive, Stark refurbished a Stark Industries warehouse upstate into the Avengers Compound to use as their primary base while Avengers Tower was repurposed for Stark Industries’ use. In the aftermath of the Avengers Civil War, Stark sold the tower and moved all of its equipment to the Avengers Compound.
By 2024, the tower, under its new ownership, had gone through extensive construction and renovation.
Events
Astra Lumina at the Queens Botanical Garden This Winter

Following a successful run in Los Angeles last year, Lumina Enchanted Night Walks, Moment Factory’s awe-inspiring nighttime experience series, is coming to New York City. Moment Factory is teaming up with Fever to present Astra Lumina at the Queens Botanical Garden this winter.
Experience a visit from the stars through projections, lighting and music. The Queens Botanical Garden will be transformed into an immersive outdoor, multimedia enchanted world that awakens the imagination. Inside the experience, guests will be guided on an illuminated nature pathway with a photo booth, gift shop, and food and beverage options available for purchase at the end.
From our earliest years, we’ve been told to reach for the stars, but what if the stars could reach for us? Astra Lumina, created by Moment Factory, welcomes you to an extraordinary place, a garden here on Earth that shares a special connection with the sky above. Come nightfall, the garden sets the stage for a phenomenal event: a visit from the stars. This stellar journey invites stargazers to set off across the garden’s celestial pathway to encounter the wonder of the stars and embrace their own human light. As the night unfolds, these luminous orbs regenerate, rise, and reunite in the night sky, to shine brighter than ever before.
Astra Lumina at Queens Botanical Garden is the 19th experience in the Lumina Enchanted Night Walk series.
Location & Opening Times:
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Location: Queens Botanical Garden, 43-50 Main St, Queens, NY 11355
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Dates: Until January 1, 2024
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Opening times:
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5:30 pm – 10 pm
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Approx 60 minutes
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Tickets will be available for purchase starting on September 13, but fans who sign up for the waitlist can unlock exclusive access. Ticket prices start from $22 for children and $29 for adults, and will be available on Fever’s marketplace. You can read more about the experience at AstraLumina.com.
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