ENTERTAINMENT

Latest news & movie, music, event and restaurant listings for Staten Island

Alot of great things come from complicated, messy situations. So says Kitty Walker on ABC's "Brothers & Sisters," and no truer a statement could have been made about last night's episode.

First, the construction mess created by the Walker clan at the house Nora bought brought Nora to tears. The idea was to save money on the interior demolition, but after part of the ceiling collapsed and Scotty found termite damage and a host of other problems, Nora started to second-guess her project. Kitty wouldn't allow her to give up and went down the row of Walkers to remind Nora about all the complicated things that have made her children great.

Continue reading ""Brothers & Sisters" Recap" »

Starting today, Disney Theatrical Productions is offering tickets to kids for free for three shows currently on Broadway.
That's "The Lion King,' "Little Mermaid" and "Mary Poppins" and so fitting that they are such kid-friendly stories.

So now though Dec. 12, adults can purchase a regularly-priced ticket in the front mezzanine or orchestra sections for shows between January 6 and March 13 and get a ticket for a child 18 years of age and younger to go for virtually free. There is a $1.50 restoration fee for every ticket and whatever service fees for ticketing sources still apply, but basically you can take your child or a young family member, neighbor or student for no charge. This is more a one-on-one deal so the offer is not available for group rates.
Think of the memories you'd be creating and you'd get to watch that look of wonder in the eyes of a child.
Buy now and have something to look forward to during those dreary winter months. A ticket to "The Lion King" would make a nice stocking stuffer.
Purchase tickets online, by phone or in person. Mention Kids for a discount code. For more information log onto www.disneyonBroadway.com/Kidsgofree.

Have you enjoyed sampling the food at Staten Island fairs like the Cranberry Festival and holiday church fests around the Island? Know of any home-based cooks selling cakes and cookies for the holidays?

Continue reading "TURNING TABLES: Yorkshire Puddings and Anglo Holiday Treats" »

I left Lorenzo's Cabaret recently in love.
Okay, I admit to being a romantic, but this time my heart fluttered because of an evening of music so lovely and touching that I was inspired. It was International singer, Broadway notable, Christine Andreas, who brought along with her three consummate cats, she called them, Kenny Ascher musical director and pianist, John Beal on bass and Ray Marchica on drums.

This 75-minute show was nothing short of stunning, from Andreas' entrance in a magenta, single armed asymmetrical tunic and pants through to the encore of "Listen Here." She didn't need a laser light display or a techno-amped sound. It was pure musical genuis from Andreas and her crew.
I was curious how long the feeling of love would last. It hasn't faded nearly a week later. I see why Richard Nicotra at the HIlton Garden Inn was so inspired to create a space where Andreas could some to sing.
Andreas is playful and natural with an effortless vocal power. And at points you could swear there was an inside joke that made her giggle silently. But it was proof of how much fun she was having.
This woman has been traveling. She was on 18 flights over seven weeks and she only stopped "to sing" she told the full room.
She opened with "Autumn in New York" and tweaked the lyrics to include a "Staten Island Hotel." She introduced her husband and had a brief banter with her son warning him not to sing along with Mommy, because the "nice people" in the audience had paid to hear her. She paused, awaiting his affirmation that he'd heard and would allow her the moment. With that, she continued the set.
There was the funky arrangement of Michel Legrand's "What Are You Doing The Rest of Your Life" that got my head bobbing. But it was Rodgers and Hart's "My Heart Stood Still" that gave me actual goosebumps and confirmed that I was indeed in love.
The songs kept coming, one more beautiful than the next. "What if We Went to Italy," 'A Sentimental Mood" and on through "Alfie," "Show Me" and "Bewitched, Bothered and Bewildered."
And when the night came to a close, it was not with a sadness, but with a renewed energy and the knowledge that I would hear her again.
I will make it a point.
If Andreas is singing anywhere nearby, I will be there if only for the chance at love again.

Orson begins snoring. Carlos may get his sight back. Susan learns about Catherine and Mike. Porter takes the blame. Dave is labeled a hero. These are the things that happen after the fire at the nightclub that claimed seven lives.

Luckily, all of the housewives and their families escaped safely. Orson has a broken nose that leaves him with a snoring issue. A simple surgery can fix it, but Orson won't have it. Bree kicks him out of bed. When Orson accidentally gives her an overdose of sleeping medicine, he finally agrees -- and Bree has the upper hand. They tell the doctor that Orson will be having the surgery and try to explain why, sounding semi-crazy. After they leave, the doctor calls his significant other and asks that they not be like that when they get older. His significant other, however, is Andrew, Bree's son, unbeknownst to all of them.

Continue reading "DESPERATE HOUSEWIVES: AFTER THE FIRE" »

Does live entertainment or a non-food event bring your business to a restaurant?

Continue reading "TURNING TABLES: Entertainment During the Meal" »

STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- We can't really quote you much from the new comedy CD by local street comedian Power Just, because the stuff has a LOT of swears in it. But so did Richard Pryor and Eddie Murphy's material, and like those two celebrated comedians, Just is trying to bring his culture to the masses as is -- recorded and uncut.

Continue reading "Staten Island's Power Just releases comedy CD" »

STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- As Middle Eastern folk music blares, Nick Rozak cuts through the smoke, steps into the line of seven men and fakes it as best he can.

Stomp! Kick! Leap! Step. Step. Step. Stomp! Kick! Leap! Step. Step. Step. He doesn't know it, but the 24-year-old white dude is dancing the dabka, an import from Lebanon, Palestine and Syria.

Continue reading "Hookah lounges luring crowds on Staten Island" »

STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- Yes, the Minutemen's "Double Nickels on the Dime" is a life-changing album -- but Nelly's "Pimp Juice" is influential in its own right.

You don't always have to buy the album or hear the song to learn about the greatest music of recent decades, though. Two new coffee-table books look at music in their own unique ways.

Continue reading "New coffee-table books for music lovers" »