New Rochelle Opera- Miss Chrysalis

Broadway comes to New Rochelle! More specifically the Ursuline School's Frank J. Auriana Theater & Mooney -Hancock Arts Center. For four nights, June 21st-24th, you can enjoy  Giacomo Puccini's masterful opera. If  you have never been to the opera, use Madama Butterfly as your introduction to operatic odeum. Tickets are as low as $25 if you pay in advance ($35 the day of) with special senior and group rates. This story of an American Navy Lieutenant and his arranged marriage to his young "Butterfly" is one that will resonate with  you long after the final curtain call.

Based on the short story by American writer John Luther Long, it was first published in Century Magazine in 1898, So, put on your Broadway best and head to the Opera in New Rochelle, for this memoir of a metamorphosized geisha.

 Stage: Camile Coppola
Orchestra and Chorus Conductor: Gregory Ortega


The Ursuline School:  1354 North Avenue New Rochelle, New York 10804
For tickets call: 914.576.1617 or 914.576.0365

Beanberry's - Weightless Delights

                                      www.beanberrys.com

Just few a steps from the New Rochelle Metro North Station, on the corner of Huguenot Street, you will find Beanberrys. If the name is any indication, this coffee/yogurt shop has the best of both worlds.  With yogurt in tantalizing flavors like, cake batter, alpine vanilla, pomegranate and raspberry, you can still eat kosher and calorie friendly. Since everything is weighed before you pay, you actually get what you pay for. The coffee drinks are simply delightful. Just try the iced macchiato and I am sure you will say bravo!

This Internet cafe has comfortable seating, FREE Wi-Fi and a view of the Library Green which serves as New Rochelle's personal concert hall. Stop in on Live Music Saturday nights and sip a smoothie while tapping your toes to the sounds of New Rochelle's finest. This is one Berrylicous cafe which used its Bean to do Berrything right.

Downtown Digs - New Rochelle vs. Willilamsburg Apt.'s

 175 Huguenot Street  Trump Plaza (above)  This 1200sq ft 2 bed 2& 1/2 bathroom apartment is in the Luxurious Trump Plaza in downtown New Rochelle. $438K

 You don't have to be a quantitative analyst to calculate the delta between New Rochelle & Williamsburg, Brooklyn. In New Rochelle, 1200sq ft will run you a megar $438K in the desirable downtown area. While over in Williamsburg, a little over 1000sq ft will run you about a cool mill. Both communities have an abundance of galleries, restaurants, farmers markets, landmarks and artist lofts. However, New Rochelle is clearly under the radar, making it the best kept secret in New York.  Evenly matched with a 30 minute commute via public transportation, The Trump has more of what matters- amenities and space! Boasting a screening room that Woody Allen would envy as well as a billiards room and indoor parking; the Trump trumps them all.

58 Metropolitan Avenue in Williamsburg, Brooklyn this 1082sqr ft.  2 bdrm 2 bathroom $989K

Young Professionals Networking - Rooftop (ad)Vantage Point

The Young Professionals of Southern Westchester; in partnership with The New Rochelle Chamber of Commerce, is hosting a poolside networking event that all  young professionals should attend: at the Residence Inn by Marriott on June 14th. The core of YPSW's message is mentoring. By providing an unbiased environment where young professionals have access to industry leaders, they can test their interview skills, refine career objectives and align themselves with like-minded young professionals in the area.

This rooftop event will provide spectacular views of New Rochelle 

$25 in advance/$30 at the door

6:30pm-8:30pm
Catering by New Rochelle's own Blackboard Pizza 

Register here: Young Professionals - Networking Event

 The guest speaker for the evening is esteemed author and business professional Ron Volper.  Ron has provided his expertize to countless television stations including Bloomberg Television, FOX, CNBC, MSNBC as well as various radio programs. He is also a fixture on Butler on Business in Atlanta.

Jay Leno- New Rochelle's Ultimate Chinwagger

 

James "Jay" Leno was born in New Rochelle, New York, in 1950. The Tonight Show host with Scottish and Italian ancestry, is known for his love of cars- he owns 100! As well as his motorcycle charity events benefiting muscular dystrophy research.  He has been married to Mavis Leno since 1980 and the pair don't have any children.The Above clip shows a young Leno during his first stand-up stint on the show he would later host as king of late night TV.  This TV host has kept "chins" wagging for decades and leading with his jaw has served him well.

Johnny Carson hosted The Tonight Show from 1962-1992. Jay took over in 1992 and is currently the host of the top rated nighttime talk show. He had a year off when NBC decided to be creative and replaced him with Conan O'Brien in the 2009-2010 season. Jay gladly returned to host with his massively mesmerizing mandible.

The Doctorow is in - Diagnosis Movie Success!

After completing his masterpiece the Book of Daniel, E.L. Doctorow sat around his home in New Rochelle and contemplated what to write next; the answer Ragtime. This 1975 novel is a work of historical fiction. It chronicles the lives of three American families in which the first family are upper class WASP's living in New Rochelle. The book was made into a film in 1981 staring Samuel Jackson, Jeff Daniels and Fran Drescher to name a few. Nominated for eight Oscars Ragtime, went home empty handed, just like Jack Nicholson who had a small part in the film, but did not have his name in the credits.

E.L. Doctorow did it again with Billy Bathgate. This 1989 novel was made into a film in 1991. Staring Dustin Hoffman, Nicole Kidman and Bruce Willis. The story is told from the perspective of fifteen year old Billy Bathgate. Billy becomes an errand boy for mobster Dutch Shultz. He witnesses how sinister Dutch and the world of organized crime is first hand and begins to contemplate what to do next. You have to watch to find out how he managed his personal dilemma, but when you watch, don't say you heard it from me. If you do, you will be swimming with the classics.

Castle Biennial - 2 Years in the Waiting

Red Neck Gong by Michael Anthony Natiello

On June 17th, the Castle Gallery's "Westchester Biennial" will bid farewell to the 21 artists and their 40 works on display.  The artists themselves are as eclectic as the pieces they create. There is a former therapist, an autistic young man and a director of a Halloween extravaganza.  Ranging from their 20's thru 70's, and coming from Westchester and as far away as Japan and Slovenia, this showcase has an international feel. Created in 1998, this exhibit showcases recent works by emerging and established artists  currently living and working in the community. Now you understand why I call New Rochelle the Williamsburg of Westchester!

Really Stupid People by Elena Grajek

The Scream- reassembled golf bags by Charles McGill

  The 2012 "Westchester Biennial ” runs through June 17th at Castle Gallery, in Leland Castle on the campus of the College of New Rochelle, 29 Castle Place, New Rochelle. Admission is free. Open Tuesday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Saturday and Sunday, noon to 4 p.m.

                                     Westchester Biennial