Reviews & Relationships Lynne Gordon
A
lthough I have been living and working in Toronto for almost 40 years as a journalist, broadcaster and author, I continue to return regularly to do stories on my hometown, New York City.
What many people don’t realize about the city, it is a collection of neighborhoods and communities. While New York treasures its historical landmarks, it constantly changes as new buildings, areas and communities spring up, as well as massive restoration projects bring back past memories. New York City is also a walking city. I suggest when you plan to explore take one area at a time so you don’t waste time running from north to south and back again. Be sure to stop and talk to New Yorkers who touch your imagination and want to share information about new changes in the city.
Recently, I was happy to accept an invitation from the Roosevelt Hotel. I remembered dancing to the big bands where the great Canadian, Guy Lombardo, began his cherished New Year’s Eve tradition of broadcasting Auld Lang Syne over American radio airwaves from the famous Roosevelt Grill. The hotel has been the grande dame of Madison Avenue and 43rd Street since 1924 and was named for President Theodore Roosevelt. When I arrived it was breathtaking to see how a $6.5 million renovation brought back that golden era. Guests bask in the hustle and bustle of a city that never sleeps, and at once understand why politicians, corporate high rollers, celebrities and film makers alike are attracted to this historical entity.
Interestingly enough I also saw a large group of young people standing in the lobby and wondered what attracted them. I went up to interview them and found they were university students from who were also intrigued by meeting a reporter, pictured above with Lynne Gordon. They were happy to talk and said they were on a heritage trip to the city to write up the many historical areas they were visiting. We all took pictures of each other. So leisure groups and young people can enjoy a great deal while enjoying history.
In spite of being reminiscent of the 1920s, nothing is spared for all the up-to-date conveniences that corporate and leisure travelers would need. Breathtaking ballrooms provide an excellent and elegant space for groups of varying sizes including weddings and historical parties complete with suspenders and flapper gowns. Guests can arrange for any assortment of rooms and suites and the hotel has many options for dining and relaxing.
After a short but pleasant tour of all the hotel’s amenities and friendly conversations with staff and concierge, I began to plan my journey. At first I would find everything of interest within a few blocks, before I would start down town to visit new haunts and old neighborhoods. For more information visit www.theroosevelthotel.com.
Grand Central Station
Nothing captures the grit and energy of the city like the New York City subway and the Grand Central Station now celebrating its 100th anniversary. Actually, it is like a fairyland. You can easily spend a few hours checking out the restaurants, gift areas and historical railroad products that make wonderful gifts from the transit museum store. The subways sparkle with beautiful plastic seats painted in many different colors almost like fun paintings. Yes, air conditioned! Taxi cabs are available at every station.
While I was visiting the Station I found a young bride and groom, pictured left, using the Grand Central Station as a backdrop for their wedding pictures. They were from out of town and wanted a record of Grand Central Station, now part of historical New York City. Visit www.nycvisit.com.
Algonquin Hotel
I decided to have lunch at the Algonquin Hotel at 59 West 44th Street, made famous by the round table where the members met regularly hosted by Dorothy Parker, far left, a poet, short story writer, Oscar nominated screenwriter for the original movie A Star is Born, but best known for her scintillating and scathing putdowns. Her well-known friends named the “viscous circle” included Robert Benchley, humorist and writer standing far left, Robert Sherwood, drama editor of Vanity Fair, standing in the back with mustache, Harpo Marx, part of the Marx Brothers leaning towards Sherwood, Alexander Woollcott, with glasses, literary and drama critic for several magazines, and many more regulars. The Oak Room Cabaret was revived during the 1980’s. It certainly brought back memories of the days I was allowed to interview them. Be sure to ask for the card, pictured above, with all the participants described on the back. It is a great memento. Visit the Cabaret at www.algonquinhotel.com.
The LQ Club (Latin Quarter)
The concierge had recommended this club which had opened a few blocks away on Lexington Avenue. It is known for two big rooms, one has Latin music and the other, jazz. No partners are needed. Just go on the dance floor and move. It is mainly a young hangout, but if you love music the way I do, and you have the rhythm and enjoy the spotlight you will find that dancers, both men and women, will gravitate towards you, and then move on as others take over. Dancers in the Latin Room were a little more formal and usually came with partners, but were still willing to take you on a turn around the floor
Henry Roth Showroom … Wedding Gowns
After a great day and then a lovely dinner at the Roosevelt Hotel, I planned to spend the next morning covering a wedding gown showroom that was being created by a sister and brother team, Michelle and Henry Roth. Michelle was in Europe when I arrived but I was greeted by Henry who was eager to tell me about creating designs that take brides-to-be away from what he calls “Cookie Cutter’ styles. I enjoyed the beautiful collection, but also suggested he could bring out gowns for other events. Gowns that would be as daring. To make an appointment visit www.henryroth.com.
Bridge & Tunnel
The next evening I went to see Bridge & Tunnel, a Broadway play at the Helen Hayes Theater. I was lucky enough to get a seat in the almost sold out performance. The play had rave reviews off-Broadway where it was produced by actress Meryl Streep who loved it. The magnificent one-woman play was written and performed by Tony Award winning playwright, actor, and poet, Sarah Jones, shown left as one of her many characters in Bridge & Tunnel.
Like magic, the 38-year-old African American actress takes 14 or 15 characters through slight change of costume and a radical switch in accents and manners, she becomes a Haitian woman, a young male rapper, an elderly Jewish woman, a homeless woman and a Latina who teaches middle school. These men and women who spring from her body and soul are defiant, irreverent, also full of good humour and unforgettable. The characters are immigrants in post world 9/11 and their fight to survive. The entire action takes place at a poetry reading in Queens, Sarah’s “hood.” The play has closed on Broadway, but you can visit www.sarahjonesonline.com to find out where she is performing.
The Last Evening at the Roosevelt Hotel
That last evening I planned to spend completely relaxed at the Roosevelt Hotel, have a drink at the bar and dinner, hoping to hear some live music. I have one really important suggestion for the hotel. And please listen seriously. There must be a way in your budget to have, at least, a trio. The player piano you have that has moving keys without any human being is eerie and ghost-like. Because of this the bar is mostly for men, a sports bar. You need live entertainers who can play music from the ‘20s as well as some recent melodies. Then you will find women will start coming to the bar, perhaps people will make friends easily and even dance with each other. Then the past will come alive …not just the golden era ...but even the architecture. Bring on the music and it will be the best of times.
Official Guide for the Five Boroughs
There is an unbelievable guide that covers all five boroughs and every area as well as restaurants, theatres, heritage spots, clubs, easy to read maps, walking tours and transportation. You have many areas to consider when you are ready to go. Check out the lower east side with so much history since the 1940s. It has some of the hottest spots – bars, restaurants, cafés and the Blue Moon Hotel on Delancey Street. It is also where many of the artists and musicians have migrated. For more information on The NYC Official Visitors Guide visit www.nycvisit.com.
New Wave Travel
Special thanks to my travel agent Armando Ferlauto who did more for me than I believed agents usually do. He knew that my dates were flexible so with his contacts, he checked out the hotels I was interested in and got me the best deal. For information call 416.928.3113 or visit www.newwavetravel.net.
Air Customer Service
I was very upset about leaving a gift package checked in on Air when I was traveling back to Toronto from New York City. I thought there was going to be a great deal of trouble tracking it down because I didn’t remember the item until I unpacked. I called Air and I was surprised at the immediate efficient and caring help I received. The operators kept me on the telephone and patiently asked the right questions before they found it. Because the package had not been picked up for five days it had been sent to their head office in Montreal. It was sent directly to my home. Thank you Ryan and Venus.
It certainly will be making travel easier, if more problems are handled so nicely. Collect this kind of information for your files. Happy travellilng!
www.WeddingsHoneymoons.com | October 23, 2006
