Normally I do not attend readings at NYMF, unless they have a special interest to me, as I am just overly booked. I never review them as it is just not fair to the show. In the case of the acclaimed performing artist, Amy Sternberg’s, Breaking the Moon, I have made an exception. I attend because teen drug use, self harm (cutting), sexuality, guns, bullying and suicide is so rampant and I believe theatre can help stop this epidemic. Teen suicide is the second leading cause of death for ages 10-24 and for college-age youths. More teenagers and young adults die from suicide than from cancer, heart disease, AIDS, birth defects, stroke, pneumonia, influenza, and chronic lung disease, COMBINED. Each day in our nation there are an average of over 5,400 attempts by young people grades 7-12. Four out of Five teens who attempt suicide have given clear warning signs and had the people around them been paying attention and realized this epidemic this could have been prevented. The number one cause of teen deaths is drug use. More teens die from prescription drugs than any other drug. 60.7% of high school seniors regularly use marijuana and the THC (the active ingredient in the drug that causes addiction) is nearly 5 times stronger than it was 20 years ago. 77% of high school students reported having sexual intercourse by the time they were 13. These numbers are staggering, so a musical that highlights these issues is relevant and highly important.
Breaking the Moon, takes place in a treatment center where seven teenagers, who all know and grew up with each other struggle to explore the fear of visibility and rejection. Through it all get redeemed by the healing power of connection and recovery. Through song, movement and dialogue the characters break through to an inner knowing that they are worth doing the work to survive and thrive.
The problem with the show is that it seems like it was written for a church youth group and it does not get as gritty, real, or as honest, as this kind of show needs to be. The music performed by Ms. Sternberg, with Mark McColl on drums and Tricia Osterberger on guitar, is performed well but with songs like “Turn on the Light,” “Burning into the High” we are given pseudo pop ballads, that just seem too “cute” with a message that everything is going to be all right. The problem is the kids, this needs to reach are killing themselves and or trying to because this is not the truth. Everything is not going to be all right and they need the tools on how to cope. Most teens after committing a suicide attempt say they did it because they were trying to escape from a situation that seemed impossible to deal with or to get relief from really bad thoughts or feelings. If that teen is not given tools instead of a feel good, see the light, kind of message they will try again and they will succeed according to statistics. Pop psychology is not the answer. Without going into great detail, I have been here, as have many people I know. In my high school class alone approximately 20 people a year succeeded in killing themselves. My friends kids deal with this on a very real bases. This is not fiction, this is reality.
The cast though mostly amateurs performed well. Sternberg, who wrote the entire piece, also directs and choreographs and in these aspects she completely succeeds.
I recommend for Ms. Sternberg to go see a company called Girl Be Heard. This company takes on these tough issues and completely succeeds. The reason why, is it is the kids themselves write and perform pieces based on all these issues and more. The result is, it is heartbreaking, real, honest, touching and eye opening all the things Breaking the Moon should be, that I did not feel.
Just to let you know, the audience which saw the show with me for the most part reacted positively, but it was filled with a lot of family and friends. The greatest test to know if your show is working, is to take it to a treatment center and have those kids read it. If they respond positively then you know your show works.
I wish Breaking the Moon, success as it journey’s to completion.
The “Big Bang Theory” actress and Hanukkah ambassador Mayim Bialik new YouTube video breaks down myths and facts about the holiday of lights.
Bialik, known for her role as Dr. Amy Farrah Fowler on “The Big Bang Theory” released this video 4 years ago. This video has earned over 13K million views.
Thought Hanukkah was all about the presents? False. Pajamas, calendars, stickers, socks, chocolate coins and spinning tops are all fair game for gifts but it’s about so much more than presents.
“It’s about finding light in darkness, about facing adversity, it’s about fighting for what you believe,” Bialik explains. These are the real presents of Hanukkah.”
EGEYAPI GLOBAL has officially open their new international headquarters in the heart of Miami’s Design District.
A VIP event hosted by visionary developer Cagri Kanver took place in early December 2023 with notable attendees from the realms of real estate development and the investment community. Powered by Red Connect, which is a real estate development networking event organization, and VV Global Partners for Podcasting, the invite-only list was a bevy of Who’s-Who in the Florida real estate industry.
The event in the 2,000 square foot interior space celebrated the groundbreaking work of EGEYAPI GLOBAL and their revolutionary concept to make the work-life balance something finally achievable. Offering a more sustainable office model that provides a launching pad for consistent high-quality developments, the coveted collection of work byEGEYAPI GLOBALsets an unrivaled level of consumer gratification as displayed in the office building that is replicated after the most comfortable and luxurious home environment.
Positioned in the heart of Miami Design District, the workspace captures the flow of positive energy. Gone are the days of cramped cubicles and sitting in traffic for hours to get to a stuffy building to slave away between 9:00am and 5:00pm.
The business space offers a warm and hospitable atmosphere that thrives off an open-air design concept in a well-positioned home. Elaborate decor is showcased with an expansive creative collection of artworks throughout the property.
Guests attending the event were able to view this visionary space and enjoy live music, thrilling conversations and networking along with award-winning small bites from the design district’s renowned El Turco Turkish Food during this grand soiree.
A Chanukah menu includes potato pancakes, fried, of course, in lots of oil. Sweet cream cheese rugelach. Strawberry-jam-filled doughnuts (sufganiyot), covered in powdered sugar. Fried apple fritters. Cheese-filled doughnuts fried in oil and dipped in honey and Cheese blintzes. Chanukah food traditions have their origins in the first years that the holiday was celebrated, and are meant to remembrances of certain miracles associated with the reason for Chanukah.
The first is the miracle of oil. One day’s supply of oil lasted for eight days. Mystically, both the menorah and the oil used to light it are associated with Chochmah, and the war between the Greeks and the Jews.
The word shemen, Hebrew for oil, contains the same letters as shemoneh, eight, the number of days that the miracle of the oil lasted.
The dairy is to honor a young woman named Yehudis. During the war against the Greeks, she fed a Greek General salty cheeses so that he would become extremely thirsty and brought him wine to drink. He fell asleep, she killed him. The Greek army fell into disarray and fled. Thus the dairy in the meals.
Gluten Free Latkes
Be sure to use high-heat oil, which will help keep things from burning. Pay attention to the temperature of the oil—keep it between 325° and 350° F—
Makes 24 latkes
Frying time: 6 to 8 minutes
- 3 large russet potatoes
- 1 large yellow onion
- ½ cup superfine brown rice flour
- 3 extra-large eggs
- 1½ teaspoons kosher salt
- ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- 32 ounces safflower or other high-heat vegetable oil
- Preheat the oven to 170° F or your preferred keep-warm setting. Line a baking sheet with layers of paper towels.
- Peel the potatoes. Using a grater attachment, grate all the potatoes and onion together. Alternate, if grating by hand, coarsely grate half of the mixture and finely grate the other half, then combine the two mixtures in a large bowl.
- Line a colander with a clean dish towel. Place the potato mixture in the lined colander. Squeeze to get the liquid out. It will be messy, but keep going or the latkes will be greasy and not as light.
- Place the potato mixture in the bowl and add the flour, eggs, salt, and pepper. Mix well.
- Fill a skillet with ¼ inch of oil. Heat the oil until a tiny bit of the mixture sizzles when dropped in. Maintain an oil level that is ¼ inch deep with a temperature of 325° to 350° F at all times.
- Scoop ¼ cup of batter for each pancake, flatten to 4 inches in diameter, and fry over medium heat until nicely browned, 3 to 4 minutes. Flip and cook for 3 to 4 minutes more.
- Place the finished latkes on the paper towel–lined baking sheet. Place the sheet in the oven to keep warm while finishing up the other latkes.
- Serve the latkes warm, topped with applesauce and/or sour cream.
“Light One Candle” is a song by the folk group Peter, Paul and Mary. This popular Chanukah song was performed in concerts starting in 1982 at Carnegie Hall, before recording it for their 1986 studio album No Easy Walk to Freedom.
At The Carney’s concert in 2019 I was introduced to this song. Reeve as a young child was part of the children’s choir to sing back up at Carnegie Hall.
I feel in love with the lyric and sentiment so from T2C to you we wish you a happy Hanukkah
As we head into the holiday season, The Algonquin Hotel’s December event lineup is open to both hotel guests and New York City locals. The hotel will spread holiday cheer with a variety of festive performances, cocktails, and experiences including:
- Cocoa and Carols Happy Hour: Daily, 5-8PM, Every evening this December, all are invited to enjoy Specialty Cocoa while Christmas carols chime at the Blue Bar. Drinks will include Mexican Hot Chocolate spiked with mezcal
- KT Sullivan Cabaret: December 5th, 12th and 19th, Sullivan will perform her iconic Christmas Cabaret. As noted by The New York Times, Sullivan is a thrilling Off-Broadway performer with over eight published albums
- Rocco Dellaneve’s Rat Pack Christmas: December 7th, 14th and 21st, Rocco Dellaneve will perform iconic songs from the Rat Pack Christmas album with special inclusions of Santa with Sinatra, Rocco of the Snow, Rudolph and the Rat pack
- The Serafina’s and Broadway Vocalists: December 8th, 15th and 22nd, enjoy the high kicking – precision line dancing Christmas tradition around The Algonquin tree. The Serafina’s will be available for pictures and autographs from 6pm to 7pm, followed by special Broadway vocalists
A portion of proceeds from all events will be donated to Toys for Tots.
Beyond the December events, The Algonquin Hotel is located in a prime position nestled in the heart of Times Square and Fifth Avenue, making it the perfect launchpad for a New York City holiday experience. The hotel is a historical jewel that emphasizes the importance of making unique, storied experiences. Since its opening in 1902, The Algonquin Hotel is famous for its timeless style and desire to honor the literary and cultural elite. The distinguished Round Table Restaurant and Blue Bar offer tasteful dining inclusions and curated cocktails that are sure to excite everyone.
Photo credit: The Algonquin Hotel, Autograph Collection
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