Events
Happy 75th Birthday Marya Coburn
Every now and then you meet somebody who embodies such wonderful qualities that you have to share their lives with the world. Marya Coburn is that person.
Marya started her life in the Philippines, in a political family, related to President Ferdinand Marcos. After her mother’s marriage failed she came to the United States in May of 1955. Her mother received two masters; one in education and the other in English as a second language. She also received a PHD in philosophy. Speaking five languages Patience wanted her daughter to follow in her footsteps, but once Marya started ballet class another road was taken. Marya ended up in the High School for Performing Arts and was cast in the New York World’s Fair. While at the HS of Performing Arts Marya befriended a young Liza Minnelli.
On scholarship at Juilliard, Marya was discovered by Anthony Tudor from the Royal Ballet and Markova who picked her out personally to dance in the corp de ballet at the Metropolitan Opera.
In a summer break Marya was cast in a Broadway review in Puerto Rico where Goldie Hawn backed her up. While there Colt 45 was casting a commercial and her fellow cast mates tried to block her from auditioning. Another friend told her and Marya not only showed up, but got the role. The commercial was the #1 commercial for 1964 and she only made $800 as it was a buy out.
Switching it up Marya took jazz at Lugi’s. There she was discovered by Bob Fosse and was cast in the Las Vegas production of Sweet Charity, starring Juliet Prowse along with fellow Juilliard cast mate Ben Vereen.
Making it to Hollywood Marya’s friend David Winter’s told her about an audition for a new Elvis Presley film “Stay Away Joe”. The casting director asked her what her sign was. Marya knowing nothing about astrology, said dollars and was cast. Roles in “The April Fools” and “Dirty Dingus Magee”, starring Frank Sinatra followed.
After meeting Marya on the set of “Dirty Dingus McGee,” Frank Sinatra had his people track down Marya as she gave him a fake phone number. Frank and Marya subsequently saw each other personally for several months. He called her his China Doll.
Marya also went on to have roles in “The Wild Wild West,” “Medical Center”, “Love American Style”, “Hawaii 5-0”, “Bonanza”, and “It Takes a Thief.” In the 70’s there wasn’t a TV show that she didn’t appear in.
Her mother not getting her way with having her daughter become a doctor, set her up with Richard Coburn a plastic surgeon. Announcing their marriage without her knowledge, and since her mother was pleased Marya ended up married.
In her marriage, Marya made Dr. Coburn famous. Between his skills, her Hollywood and political connections they became the toast of the town. However Dr. Coburn did not like it when his wife was successful and when “One Life To Live” called to offer her a role, Dr Coburn said his wife did not need the money. The role went to Barbara Luna and restarted her career. The same thing happen when the TV show “Dallas” called. Marya decided to learn to sing and when she met Herb Bernstein he put her in a show at the Park 10. She sold out 4 shows. She was invited to sing on New Year’s Eve and at The Catskill’s, but again her husband had the last word. Finally Marya had enough and her divorce hit the pages of the press.
Moving on Marya now nurtures young talent to give them a head start. She takes personal care of her 100 year old mother who has Dementia and has brought her back to life several times. She gives of her energy, time, finances and abilities to help all that come into contact with her.
If only we could all live like Marya and think of others more than ourselves.
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.
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.
Park Lane New York toasted a special winter partnership with Moët & Chandon this week. The launch party was a something as unique as a snowflake as the darlings of New York City came to celebrate and start the seasonal party in the most epic way.
From November 29 – January 3, the hotel’s iconic rooftop bar, Darling will be transformed into a captivating après ski-inspired chalet for the season, complete with unique Moët Ice Impérial beverage offerings, bespoke decor and captivating entertainment, providing an unforgettable festive experience for hotel guests and visitors alike.
“It is an honor to partner with the world-renowned Moët & Chandon to bring unique offerings to our guests at Park Lane New York this holiday season,” said Niles Harris, Managing Director and Vice President of Operations at Park Lane New York. “The transformation of Darling into a luxurious winter wonderland is a testament to the hotel’s commitment to creating extraordinary experiences for our guests. This partnership symbolizes the best of both worlds: the timeless elegance of Moët & Chandon and the vibrant energy of New York City, and we look forward to welcoming travelers and locals alike to join us for this festive occasion.”
Guests can indulge in a special menu featuring two bespoke Moët cocktails: Snow Bunny (Moët & Chandon Rosé Impérial, hibiscus tea syrup and grapefruit soda) and Alpine Passion (Moët & Chandon Impérial Brut, passionfruit and vanilla, lime). Alternatively, they can build their own Champagne cocktail with the “Darling, Choose Your Own Adventure” menu, while snacking on Petrossian caviar blinis served with crème fraîche; sea salt toasted chestnuts with brown butter, sage and chives; and a grilled cheese & roasted tomato soup, with chervil, crème fraiche and basil. A myriad of Moët & Chandon-branded touchpoints, like custom skis and snowboards, branded cocktail vessels and a captivating photo experience round out the offerings, making a Darling Chalet reservation the must-have of the season.
Guests who book the Pop, Drink, Fizz package on Park Lane New York’s website will receive a complimentary bottle of Moët & Chandon Impérial Brut Reserve Champagne in their room upon check in.
The festivities continue through the New Year, where Moët & Chandon and Park Lane New York will present a black-tie New Years’ Eve celebration at Darling from 9pm-1am. Complete with an open bar, DJ, passed hors d’oeuvres and a midnight toast with Moët & Chandon Impérial Brut before watching the fireworks over Central Park, guests will ring in the New Year in elegance and merriment. Packages start at $295 per person for General Admission and $413 per person for the Darling Ultra VIP package including table service.
Photos by David Doobinin
Art
Ahead of the Broadway Opening of Lempicka The Longacre Theatre Is Showcasing Art Work By Tamara de Lempicka
The Longacre Theatre (220 W 48th St.), soon-to-be home of the sweeping new musical, Lempicka, is showcasing a curated selection of renowned artist Tamara de Lempicka’s most famous works. Eschewing traditional theatrical front-of-house advertising, the Longacre’s façade now boasts prints, creating a museum-quality exhibition right in the heart of Times Square. The musical opens on Broadway on April 14, 2024 at the same venue.
The Longacre’s outdoor exhibition includes works of Self Portrait (Tamara in a Green Bugatti) (1929), Young Girl in Green (1927), Nu Adossé I (1925), The Red Tunic (1927), The Blue Scarf (1930), The Green Turban (1930), Portrait of Marjorie Ferry (1932), Portrait of Ira P. (1930), Portrait of Romana de la Salle (1928), and Adam and Eve (1932).
Starring Eden Espinosa and directed by Tony Award winner Rachel Chavkin, Lempicka features book, lyrics, and original concept by Carson Kreitzer, book and music by Matt Gould, and choreography by Raja Feather Kelly.
Spanning decades of political and personal turmoil and told through a thrilling, pop-infused score, Lempicka boldly explores the contradictions of a world in crisis, a woman ahead of her era, and an artist whose time has finally come.
Young Girl in Green painted by Tamara de Lempicka (1927). Oil on plywood.