This year the music that astounded was in Cabaret, Concert and Off Broadway shows. Here is T2C’s List for The Best in Music.

Jordan Donica: I was introduced to Jordan Donica via The New York Pops. Sounding like a cross between John Rait, Alfred Drake, John Cullen and Richard Kiley his performance was layered and nuanced, as he became the essence of the songs he sang. Though I had seen Donica in My Fair Lady, I wasn’t that impressed, but on this night I was so enthralled I called everyone I knew. When it comes to voices, I am picky and no one could believe how thrilled I was to discover this vocal powerhouse, who is sexy to boot. I can not wait to see him play Lancelot in the upcoming production of Camelot.

The New York Pops: Of all the things I review this is my favorite guilty pleasure. This year The New York Pops has out done themselves and I can not wait until Febuary 10^th for their concert with Heather Headley, March 24th with Marilyn Maye and their gala on May 1st. The New York Pops is truly a New York treasure.

Audra McDonald is like fine champagne with effortlessness vocal prowess. Her concert at Carnegie Hall was the highlight of the year.

The Night of Inspiration: Going to this concert was one of the best mistakes I have ever made. I thought I was reviewing one concert but ended up at here. So spirit filled, with love, connection and God. Grammy and Dove winners, amazing voices soared with heart and soul. So uplifting! So full of light in a world that seems to be going dark. So blessed.

Louis Rosen: I am seriously in love with Louis Rosen’s music and talent. Recently I discovered two of his albums that are making me thrill, as they send me to a musicality induced heaven. Rosen’s melodically structured music reminds me of Adam Guettel’s pieces that cut into the heart and at the same time sooth and heal. Look for It Is Still Dark: Three Suites andSuite for Clarinet and  Piano.

Heather Christian and Oratorio for Living Things was done by Ars Nova at Greenwich House. The score soared with intricate harmonies. Think Leonard Bernstein’s Mass, The Juliet Letters by Elvis Costello, the Brodsky Quartet, a little Tori Amos, with strains of The Beatles and Queen. Musically, this show bordered on genius.

Michael John LaChiusa’s music in Los Otros is haunting, subtly powerful and embeds itself into your soul. It is passionate with pulsating life, as he weaves the era of the 30’s all the way up to 2000. From bebop, to pop, to  jazz, the music is lush, sweeping and masterful.

To Steve From Liz Callaway: Liz’s stories made us feel closer to the legendary composer, who’s death feels like a piece of your history has been erased. Liz’s voice is also pure and her wonderful song material made for an amazing, magical night of remembrance and song. You can catch Liz’s album of this show which just released.

The Islander was a new Scottish musical and spiritual feast. This a capella musical, is where exquisite harmony abounds. The music and lyrics by Finn Anderson, were soul-stirring, transporting you from the island, to the sea, to the mists beyond what is.

Cellist Mairi Dorman-Phaneuf is a solo, chamber, Broadway and recording artist who appeared at Chelsea Table + Stage with guest stars Norbert Leo Butz and Jessica Vosk. Phaneuf was so smart when she chose her guests who are two of the best singers in New York.

Jason Robert Brown‘s concerts at Feinstein’s/54 Below equal musical nirvana. Brown showed off his musical prowess with a series of musical styles to be cherished. Brown’s music is so delicious it needs time to digest. Watching Brown you realize he is a showman besides being a genius songwriter, orchestrator, healer, a generous band leader who writes charts. Seeing Jason Robert Brown in concert is to discover joy. Brown is a musicians, musicians who heals the world with his profound lyrics.

Here is some great food news to keep foodies having a very cool summer.

M&M’S Ice Cream will announce the “Sammy Pack,” a temperature-controlled fanny pack, to offer fans a practical and fun way to carry their favorite frozen treat in style.

Fans can snag the limited-edition M&M’S Ice Cream Sammy Pack, along with M&M’S Ice Cream Cookie Sandwiches. To enter, consumers can visit a microsite of mms.com, which will be shared closer to the announcement. Entries close on August 16 with the winners selected and notified shortly after.   The fashionable, versatile pack features summer-inspired imagery influenced by classic and bright M&M’S lentils. The insulated pack also features a custom M&M’S Ice Cream cooling device that will keep the product chilled, allowing consumers to enjoy their favorite summer treat on-the-go during the hottest months of the year.

For the backyard bbq party be sure to try are new obsession – Chipotle Kebabs.

Basted in a smoky-sweet blend of Cholula® Hot Sauce and agave nectar, these chipotle flavored pork kebabs are an easy dish your whole crew will love. They only take 15 min to prep and 20 minutes to cook. For distinctive smokiness with a touch of heat, uncap Cholula Chipotle Hot Sauce. We’ve blended sweet, smoky chipotles with arbol & piquin peppers along with our signature spices for an authentic Mexican hot sauce that offers rich barbecue flavor notes and color. Pair this sauce with salsa, corn on the cob, burgers and more.

And, finally even your little one can enjoy summer days with Happy Family Organics offers organic formula, meals and snacks with curated ingredients for your baby and toddler.

Cover Art – Etienne Girardet on Unsplash

With the summer in full swing we took some time to test brands that stood the test of time from sun up to sun down.

Milk Makeup Sunshine Skin Tint SPF 30: Calling all city girls and gals! This roll-on application that protects you skin just makes you giggle with joy when you put it on. I mean how smart and it’s the thing we didn’t know we needed until we had.

A sheer, clean skin tint with SPF 30 sunscreen and hydrating skincare ingredients that quickly evens out your skin tone for weightless coverage and a radiant glow. The formula is vegan, cruelty-free, paraben-free, silicone-free, and gluten-free. Available in 14 shades on MilkMakeup.com for $42. Find a shade that matches your skin with ease. We love this!

Biossance Squalane + Zinc Sheer Mineral Sunscreen:

Brand ambassador Reese Witherspoon has been proudly promoting this line that we have also taken a small place in our heart for. If you are prone to breakouts – and who isn’t over the summer – this is a must. Protect your skin without issue!

This lightweight, deeply hydrating, and Squalane-rich clean sunscreen is a daily healthy-skin favorite of the stars from coast to coast. Its powerfully invisible formula blends in for all skin tones fast and without leaving a trace, giving you a soft, dewy finish. Available on Biossance.com for $30 (50ml/1.7oz).

JLo Beauty That Big Screen Broad Spectrum SPF 30 Moisturizer:

Another big star who shines as bright as the sun itself is having us sing loud and proud this summer with her skincare line.

Jennifer Lopez’s luxurious, luminizing moisturizer that blocks UVA/UVB rays, street pollutants, free radicals, and blue light damage does it all  while delivering a smoother, dewier, glowier complexion. Instantly, you’ll achieve that Jennifer Lopez glow. Available on JLoBeauty.com for $54 (1.7oz). Get your girl power on and get this!

Pipette Mineral Sunscreen Broad Spectrum SPF 50:

And for you and the whole family try this brand that always proves to be a refreshing product on the market. It protects young to old all while being ever so gentle to your precious skin. You don’t have to be a kid to have fresh skin to look like one!

A baby-friendly, family loved SPF 50 sunscreen that uses 100% mineral, non-nano zinc oxide for broad-spectrum UVA/UVB protection. It’s lightweight, fast-absorbing, and formulated with Squalane for extra hydration. Available on PipetteBaby.com for $15 (4 fl oz).

Cover art by CHUTTERSNAP on Unsplash