Monthly Archives: December 2023

…………………After the Radio City show was over it was a mad dash to go over and see the tree…….It was wall to wall people!!!…There are barricades so you can’t get too close to the tree, which I’m sure is a good thing the way the world is today. I remember a time when you could practically walk under it!…..The ice skating rink with the golden stature of Prometheus, created in 1934, hasn’t changed since I was a child…..Somethings should never change. I remember as a teenager I used to go skating there with my cousins….so so long ago…..It’s all very nostalgic!!! The one thing that has changed that I find extremely disturbing is the smell of marijuana in the air!!! I want the smell of balsam…..not pot!….With all of the children there, Rockefeller Center should be a pot free zone!……..I have nothing against marijuana, but it does kill the mood. I guess it helps some get in the mood!……….When we looked at the tree enough we turned to look up the Rockefeller Mall at the wire Angels all lit up that have been there as long as I can remember….What was knew was the magnificent light show on the entire face of Saks 5th Avenue sponsored by Christian Dior….It was simply incredible!!! All of the people were silent just watching this show….that in its’ self was a Christmas miracle!….Then Robyn and I headed across the street to look at the Saks windows. I didn’t know what they were or what to expect…..but they too were sponsored by Christian Dior, and were IMHO the best windows Saks has done in ages…..They deserve a separate post……coming tomorrow!

……………….If you have never seen the Show at Radio City Music Hall it must be on your bucket list!!!! The last time I saw it was two years ago just before it closed due to COVID…..This is so much more than a show…..It’s a SPECTACLE…..an EXPERIENCE you must have……For those who poh poh it or think it’s corny….they obviously haven’t see it, or lost the spirit of wonder. It always amazes me the precision, not only of the Rockettes who are always perfection, but the entire production, the lighting and special effects that take place all over the entire hall! You are totally surrounded with incredible effects….The timing is that of an air traffic controller!…I’m sure much of it is programed by computer, but the timing still had to be worked out and rehearsed and choreographed for weeks!!!! You even get three D glasses for a segment of the show, when Santa in his sled flies through the air to NYC from the North Pole…. There is snow that falls from the ceiling, and streamers that are shot into the air! Little “Ice Fairies” that literally fly overhead I’m sure are tiny drones….Some even crash into the audience, but the announcer gives a prewarning just in case it lands on you!….The nativity scene with the live animals always touches the heart. At last nights performance one of the camels didn’t quite want to cooperate!…..I thought is was actually going to bolt across the stage….now wouldn’t that have been a spectacle!!!…The dance of the wooded soldiers, a perennial favorite….never gets old…Robyn knows a Rockette who told her they could hardly see with those tall hats, and they are a little afraid of the girls in front falling on them….The last few girls actually do have a pretty hard landing!…..I would have taken many more pictures….but….I was told very nicely by an usher “no cameras or cell phones allowed”…….I was a bad boy!…….Well, you’ll just have to see it for yourself……I guess I’ve seen it maybe 7 or 8 times, or maybe more over my life….Jac loved to see the show!!!…..You will too!

………………I have known Robyn for more years than I can remember. She started working for Donna and I doing the model’s make up for my shows at Anne Klein….GENIUS!….When she married Armando Cosio she moved to LA. Armando was also a makeup artist and he did hair too….That’s how I met Armando when they both came to NY to continue doing the makeup for my shows….Armando was BRILLANT, and worked on many actresses including Linda Evans….He did both her makeup and hair when she was on “Dynasty”……Robyn now “does BROWS”, and has an extensive clientele on both coasts. She is the author of a book on the history of “THE BROW”, which is the name of the book……..Last month Robyn said to me, “Lou, would you like to go and see the Radio City show with me in Dec?”…..”YES” I said….so Robyn went over to the box office and bought two tickets…..Last night was the night we met……First, it took me almost 2 hours to drive into the city which normally takes me 45mins to 1 hour, but during the Christmas season there are many many people coming into the city to celebrate, and I know to leave myself lots of extra time…..I met Robyn at a restaurant I booked called “Gattopardo” on west 54th street. That’s us at the upper left in front of the beautiful town house the restaurant is in…….For me a restaurant must have three major things to be great……great food…fabulous atmosphere, and wonderful attentive service…..Gattopardo has ALL THREE….It truly is a superb restaurant. I highly recommend it, but be warned it’s very pricy…….We first split a delicious Ravioli with veal dish. Then I had a beet salad and Robyn had a mound of mixed greens and slivers of radish…..Everything was delicious! For our main course we both had the special fish dish which they beheaded and boned at the table…..It was a show in its’ self!….Prosecco was our beverage of choice. Always nice to have something a little bubbly to celebrate the season!…..We were too full for desert so I finished the meal with an espresso……Did I mention the restaurant was packed!…..Then we bundled up and headed over to Radio City….just a few blocks away…….Robyn had a little trouble retrieving the tickets on her phone, but once she remembered her pass code all was well, and we went in. Give me the old fashion paper tickets….I can’t remember pass codes!!!!!…..Chapter two coming tomorrow………The Show!

……………………Today is going to be a fun filled Christmas Day in the BIG APPLE……..I’m meeting my dear friend Robyn Cosio. We have been besties since the early 80s. She lives in LA, and is coming to the city for work. On her last visit we made plans to go to see the Christmas show at Radio City Music Hall!!!! First, I am meeting her for an early dinner at IL Gattpardo, a lovely Italian restaurant….Then to the show, and afterwards we will go and see…..THE TREE….then a walk up 5th Ave from Saks to look at the windows…..Robyn is an ex New Yorker, and isn’t used to the cold anymore. She dresses like an Eskimo!………The weather is going to be good to us….a clear day, but cold….I’ll report on the days festivities tomorrow…….Happy Holidays everyone!