NYC for CLLA

Jerry has a Commercial Law League conference in New York City and Anna Lee is left to entertain herself in this wonderful city. Before the meeting started, we walked through Central Park enjoying the fall colors.

We were able to have some great museum time together at the Frick Museum. Recommended by several friends and family, we were extremely impressed by this smaller museum. Built by coal and coke magnate, Henry Clay Frick as a private home and showcase for his outstanding collection of European Art, it was donated to the public upon his and his wife’s death.

We started with a movie of his life and collection. Then we entered the peaceful courtyard that is the center of the building. Surrounding this courtyard are a series of rooms originally part of the home. The paintings, wall panels, ceramics, and furniture were all part of the original decor. Frick collected A+ art and it is beautifully on display. We enjoyed both the beauty we saw and the information we gained from the excellent audio guide. Almost every piece has commentary and we had to be selective for fear of spending all week there. We plan to return to repeat this art experience again and again. Unfortunately, no pictures allowed.

While Jerry went off to get his continuing education classes, Anna Lee enjoyed walking about before we both met Dena, the NY daughter of friends of ours from home.

After a good Chinese dinner, the three of us went to Lincoln Center for a Target-sponsored Free Concert.

This one featured the Gilbert and Sullivan Players doing “their own thing.” That thing is a parody on Gilbert and Sullivan mixed with Broadway. An additional twist is the gender-changing presentation of familiar songs. The six performers have outstanding voices and great personalities. The show is highly amusing. The one poignant moment was a mezzo-soprano performing This Nearly Was Mine from South Pacific, a song made famous by Ezio Pinza on Broadway. The patter song parodying Gilbert and Sullivan mixed with Meredith Wilson, Rogers and Hammerstein was hysterical. Just a reminder, this show was free.

The New York Historical Society Museum reopened today after a three-year remodel. Costumed characters from early American history greeted guests.

The entry area has interactive panels explaining a collection of items going back to the arrival of the Dutch in New Amsterdam. Anna Lee was on her own touring the exhibit. A movie gives a brief historical overview of the city. Detailed history is told on two floors of exhibits. Anna Lee particularly liked the dueling pistols of Hamilton and Burr,

the Torah that had been burned by the British in the 1600s,

both near the entrance, and the attic on the third and fourth floors. That attic displays the vast collection that is too big for the main museum.

This is another great small museum.

After a networking cocktail party, we did what we love best in this city, walked the streets enjoying the lights and traffic.