Rapture, Blister, Burn - A review

Recently in a Twitter chat sponsored by Mama Drama,  I won tickets to see "Rapture, Blister, Burn" , a play by Gina Gionfriddo at Playwrights Horizons.

I was looking forward to seeing this play because the plot certainly resonates with so many women today. It’s about two formerly close friends who had chosen certain lifestyles for themselves, but soon discover they might not be the right ones.

After drifting apart over the years, Catherine(Amy Brenneman) a successful author and lecturer reunites with grad school friends Gwen (Kellie Overbey) a stay-at-home mom, and her husband Don (Lee Tergesen), who is dean of the local college and also Catherine’s ex-boyfriend from their college days.

Catherine left her hectic city life to come to New England to take care of her mom, Alice (Beth Dixon) who is recovering from a heart attack. An awkward reunion with Gwen and Don begins with an argument over why their babysitter Avery (Virginia Kull) should not be allowed to stay because she has a black eye, which sends a negative message to their son.

Gwen and Avery sign up for (and are the only students of) Catherine’s summer school class, given in her mother’s home. There are some incredibly wonderful discussions here about Betty Friedan, Phyliis Schlafly and even how horror films reflect the changing roles of women in society.

It’s during these scenes that Catherine decides she wants to rekindle her romance with Don and Gwen wants a city life for herself and her show-biz loving son. Amazingly, everyone agrees.

I won’t give too much more away other than to say that "Rapture, Blister, Burn" is wonderfully acted, funny and insighful well-written play. Even the scenery changes were amazing!

I love seeing plays that lend themselves to discussions afterwards and this certainly will have you thinking about the themes and how they relate to you in your life.

"Rapture Blister Burn" is a limited engagement, running until June 24, so click here and get your tickets now.

Disclaimer: I am not affililated with Mama Drama NY or Playwrights Horizons. These tickets were a contest prize. All opinions are my own.

A review of a revue

This past Saturday night, courtesy of  MamaDrama and Playtime, I attended a performance of Old Jews Telling Jokes at the Westside Theater.

I’m already a big fan of the website where Jewish men and women age 60 and up, talk to camera and tell old Borscht-Belt style jokes. I couldn’t imagine how this could be translated into a play, so I was intrigued.

Well, let me tell you, I haven’t laughed this much for this long, EVER! The show was absolutely hilarious and judging from the audience reaction, they felt the same way. I have never been to any show where people were convulsed with laughter like this.

Old Jews Telling Jokes is a revue consisting of (you guessed it) jokes and songs, with live piano music. The amazingly talented cast consists of three “old Jews”, Marilyn Sokol, Lenny Wolpe and Todd Sussman, and two younger folks, Bill Army and Audrey Lynn Weston.

The jokes come fast and furious and you’re laughing so much and then you laugh some more! For 90 minutes! The actors look like they’re having fun, so much so, that they occasionally crack each other up and have to compose themselves to go on to the next joke. 

They cover topics like love, marriage, sex, retirement, old age, illness and much more. It’s definitely not for younger audiences and if it I could borrow from the film ratings, I’d say this was an “R.”

You don’t have to be Jewish to appreciate this show. If you love to laugh (and who doesn’t?), you’ll have a wonderful time.

Click here for ticket information.


I'd also like to introduce you all to Playtime! . It's a program that provides daycare for children ages 4-12, while their parents can enjoy seeing a show in NYC. The Playtime! staff is bonded and insured, CPR-certified and are background-checked, so you can confidently leave your children, knowing they will be well cared for. 


Think about it. Instead of scrambling for a babysitter, you can bring your kids with you, drop them off with creative, artistic sitters, who will give them a fun, cultural experience, all for the amazing price of $15 per child!


Please visit their website or contact Emily at playtime@PlaytimeNYC.org or call 
212-564-1235, ext. 3153 (M-F, 10AM-6PM) for further information.

Disclaimer: I was given tickets to the show from Mama Drama and Playtime, but received no compensation for this review

All opinions are my own.

Book Review: "Knitting Everyday Finery"

I learned to knit as a teenager, but had an on-again, off-again relationship with it over the years. It wasn’t until I was recovering from neck surgery, that I reacquainted myself with it and haven’t stopped since.

At that time, I was living in Los Angeles, which lucky for knitters, had a fair amount of yarn shops. My favorite by far was an airy, large beautiful space called Wildfiber, located in Santa Monica, not too far from the beach. Wildfiber was then owned by Mel Clark, who in addition to running the shop, was an incredible knitter and designer. Every time I’d come into the shop and see Mel wearing one of her creations, I’d want to make it immediately. So did everyone else. Lucky for us, Mel along with her friend and fellow passionate knitter, Tracey Ullman, co-authored, “Knit 2 Together.” It was the first knitting book with a sense a humor and beautiful patterns and encouraged me to become, as the book calls it, “an intrepid knitter.”

Mel left L.A. at around the same time I did. She went back home to New Zealand, where she started an online business and a blog. When Mel announced on her blog that she was writing another book, I was so excited and couldn’t wait to see it. “Knitting Everyday Finery” has arrived and it’s wonderful. The book is a collection of twenty-six charming patterns that will perk up your wardrobe, are quick to finish and also make great gifts. The designs are elegant, stylish and the beautiful photography makes me want to make almost everything.

The patterns are broken up into three sections, “Out and About”, “Dressing Up” and “At Home.” Right off the bat, I fell in love with the “Mrs. Lovechild Shawl” (the cover pattern above) and the “Everyday Cardigan”(below).

Here's the whimsical “H@t”:

Mel also has some nice patterns for guys, including a hat and scarf set that isn't too fussy. I like that even in its simplicity, it's an interesting knit.

The most ambitious project in the book is the "Tangerine Tights" ( Tangerine Tango is Pantone's color for 2012) Inspired by a vintage pair of tights one of the models for the book was wearing, Mel designed and knit up her own version. They're amazing!

"Knitting Everyday Finery" also has some great accessories. There's a quilt-inspired tam, an entrelac purse and lovely gloves that will make you want to go to high tea immediately after making them.

So what do you think? Are you ready to add some finery to your repertoire? I know I am!

Have a great weekend!

Disclaimer: I do know the author and was sent the book from the publisher. I did not receive any compensation for this review. My opinions are my own. Images courtesy of Trafalagar Square Books, Mel Clark, Helen Bankers

Friday Night at Joe's Pub

Hello readers! I've so busy blogging elsewhere, but I've decided to come back here and keep my blog going again.

So where have I been? Well for starters, last night courtesy of MamaDrama, I had the opportunity to go to Joe's Pub at the Public Theatre to see "No Place to Go."



Directed by Leigh Silverman, "No Place to Go" is the story about playwright/singer Ethan Lipton's losing his permanent part-time job as a copy editor, or as he calls it "an information refiner." This story will no doubt resonate for creative people who need day jobs, so they can afford to pursue their artistic dreams. Lipton's three piece band is fantastic and the music was light and jazzy. I loved Ethan's singing style which reminded me of Tom Waits and maybe a touch of Leon Redbone, without being imitative. The lyrics were great and showcased his wry observations on working and job loss.

If you're in the NYC-area, you should definitely check this out. Joe's Pub is a beautiful space and you can get drinks and eats during the show. As an extra-added incentive, thanks to Mama Drama, you can get discount tickets to the show.

Use NOPLACE for $25 tickets which can be purchased by calling 212-­‐967-­‐7555; clicking here ; or visiting The Public Theater Box Office, 425 Lafayette St.

Merry Knitmas!

I posted this wonderful story last year and just had to share it again. It captures the spirit of the holiday in such a beautiful way. Enjoy!

Time for Ugly Christmas and Chanukah Sweaters!




Almost exactly a year ago, I posted this tribute to ugly Christmas and Chanukah sweaters.

Here are some new discoveries. And apologies to anyone who likes any of these!





Okay this is a vest, but it qualifies!






Do you have any of your own? Have you actually knit or crochet any? Please share!

Have a happy weekend! One more before the big day!

Words fail.....

I have been a fan of Alicia Paulson's blog for years. We never met, but had email exchanges over the years.
She had shared rough times and I shared mine with hers and always appreciated our mutual friendship and support.

Now Alicia and her husband Andy, need support themselves.
They had been planning to adopt a baby girl and when her blog was silent recently, I was hoping it was because she was too busy with the baby to update. That was not the case.

Here is Alicia's latest post which tells of the devastating turn of events that led to the adoption falling apart. It's the saddest thing and I can't even begin to imagine how Alicia and Andy are holding up after this.

Think good thoughts for these wonderful people. It will take time for them to heal and every good thought helps.

Oh my poor neglected blog

I cannot believe I haven't been here in so long. I have been devoting my blog time over at the Times-Union, so please check-in over there to see the latest and greatest in the fiber arts world.

All you have to do is click right here.

Thanks!

Just One Stitch


I'm at weird place in my knitting right now. After working really hard on a complicated sweater, I have found myself craving super simple projects. I spend a bit of time on commuter trains, so something portable with little or not pattern also perfectly fits my current knitting state of mind.

Now this isn't a novel idea. Back in 2002, designer Sally Melville wrote The Knit Stitch. Every project from scarves to sweaters to the incredibly popular Einstein Coat, are all made with just the knit stitch.


I even designed a simple scarf for the first Stitch 'N Bitch called Coney Island Fireworks which is all knit stitch but looks way more complicated.

Knitting every row is called garter stitch, when knit flat. There's something very calming to just knit, knit, knit and watch your fabric grow. Different yarns produce very different looks and that's what keeps it interesting for me. Ready to see what's on my needles? Here we go:

This is the Nolita Scarf/Shawl made with Tahki Ripple. It's super fast on 15's.


Soft, sparkly and light as a feather, here's Scaruffle, made with one skein of Art Yarns Silk Cashmere Glitter:


The Super Simple Triangle Shawl made with Mountain Colors Wool Crepe, is one of my sister-in-law's favorite projects. Every time someone sees it, they have to make it. Me, too!


How about you? Do you have a favorite garter stitch project when you need to be knitting, but don't want anything fussy to deal with?

Happy Mother's Day to every maternal person in your lives!

Where have I been?

Wow, has it really been that many months since I've posted here? Guess so!

I'm still a fiber arts blogger and that's why I haven't been around. Been missing my old friend here, though and want to fill this space once again.

In the meantime, if you're a knitter, crocheter, spinner or have any interest in the fiber arts, I'd love your help for a new feature I'm working on called Ask the Fiber Tarts.

It's kind of like a Dear Abby for all things fiber-related, serious and whimsical and everything in between.
This feature appears every Wednesday and it promises to be informative, funny and sometimes controversial.

Please send any questions you'd like us to answer to: fiberartsblog@hotmail.com

Tell your friends, too!

Be back soon.