Update: The building crews have been at work on 535 West End Avenue (see previous postings) and there is now visible construction above street level.

Can’t help but wonder how will they sell these $14 Million  dollar apartments during this economic downturn and crisis?

Perhaps they will have to redo their plans and make more apartments that are smaller than 10 bedrooms with 7 baths…time will tell.

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The new Van Gogh and the Colors of the Night exhibit now at the MoMA is a lesson in the beauty and skill of painting- like notes from one painter to all others. The show has a small number of works and is in small galleries, and although I saw it at a member’s preview, it was still crowded. But go, and have some patience, it is so worthwhile. 

Each  inch of canvas seems alive. The incredible emotion and color of his work are still, and always, so moving. It is there until January 5, 2009.

If you are not a MoMA member, order your tickets on line in advance and you will be able to see the show on the day of your visit, otherwise you need to get a special timed ticket when you enter the museum and you can not be sure to get in to this special exhibit.

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Put this on your go see list:

on Sun, Oct 5, 3 pm

Performing Arts: Sin: A Staged Reading

Starring Academy-Award winning actor F. Murray Abraham
Based on a work by Nobel Laureate Isaac Bashevis Singer and adapted by Mark Altman from The Unseen. Directed by Robert Kalfin.

A hilarious and moving tale of devilish deeds by a master storyteller who has dwelt in both the old world and in modernity. Co-sponsored with Highbrow Entertainment.

Sun, Oct 5, 3 pm at the JCC of Manhattan

WritopiaLab, the unique community of young writers, has completed it’s first year of existence, and what a spectacular year it has been. There are now FOUR, yes count them, FOUR branches of WritopiaLab, and if you visit their website, you will see a lovely large Golden Apple Teacher Award from Scholastic, awarded to the teacher with the largest number of Scholastic Writing Competition Winners in the nation. That’s correct, in the nation.

Yesterday, well over 125 people attended the third public reading of WritopiaLab’s young writers under a tent in Bryant Park, which is adjacent to the main branch of the New York Public Library. This included writers, friends, family and park passers-by.

I am sure that Patience and Fortitude appreciated the patience and fortitude of the readers and listeners who sat through the rain and wind. It felt like an August day in San Francisco, bone chilling, but it was an inspiring and completely satisfying afternoon. I would not have been any where else.

Rebecca Wallace-Segall, the award-winning founder/Director of WritopiaLab, introduced each young writer before they read. We heard from young poets, short story writers, memoirists and a journalist. Many were award winners, many will surely be in the future.

Rebecca introduced some of the new writer/teachers who will lead up-coming workshops who were present, including the author Deborah Siegel.

Visit www.WritopiaLab.org, buy an anthology, buy a tee shirt, come to the next public reading.

The young writers of WritopiaLab will inspire you.

GothamGirl received this letter and invitation from WritopiaLab’s award winning Director, Rebecca Wallace-Segall. If you are not familiar with WritopiaLab, be sure to visit WritopiaLab’s site and mark your calendar for this event, if you will be in New York City on May 18.

I have attended past public readings of these young, articulate, insightful writers and can tell you they will move and surprise you with their accomplishments as writers.  

 “Dear family, friends, and fans of local young writers,Writopia Lab’s writers have been arduously developing short stories, memoirs, op-eds, scripts, and poetry over the past six months and are thrilled to finally share them with you at Bryant Park on Sunday, May 18th, from noon to 3:00pm! Please find an invitation attached to extend to anyone you wish. There will be seating for over 100 and a tent set up in case of rain. This is a celebration. Our middle and high schoolers have garnered more regional and national awards from Scholastic’s Art & Writing Awards than any other group of students in the country. And the amazing truth is this: Even those who did not win regional or national awards this year submitted exceptional work. All of us at Writopia Lab are so proud of each and every one of our writers.Our youngest writers (ages 9-13) will read from noon to 1:30pm. Our teens will read from 1:30-3:00pm. Please feel free to come and go as you wish. “Bryant Park is between 6th Avenue and the main branch of the Public Library, between 40th and 42nd streets in Manhattan.

Gianni Longo, in A Guide to Great American Public Places, called the park:

“…one of the most sensual, graceful open spaces in New York City.”

The park’s site includes a webcam.