Come Take My Hand

Klea Blackhurst's new CD, "Autumn in New York" ON SALE NOW!!

noreply@blogger.com (broadway baby) — Sun, 31 Jul 2005 12:24:00 -0700

Please click on image for larger scale.

Klea Blackhurst's new CD entitled, "Autumn in New York: Vernon Duke's Broadway" is now on sale via Ghostlight Records on the web at http://www.sh-k-boom.com/Klea.html. On August 16, the CD will be available everywhere fine music is sold. If you are fortunate enough to be in NYC on August 28 or 29, you can see Klea perform the songs from her fabulous new CD at Joe's Pub. For details, please click on the info above (just under Klea's photo) to get the bigger, better, & clearer image.

March of the Penguins-A True Love Story

noreply@blogger.com (broadway baby) — Mon, 18 Jul 2005 18:24:00 -0700

Today, I went to see one of the most beautiful love stories ever told on film. The name of the movie is March of the Penguins, and it is currently showing on two screens at the Regal Arbor Cinema @ Great Hills in Austin. This is our cinema that shows art and independent films. It is rare that a movie shows on two screens at this small theatre, but after seeing it I now know why. As soon as the word gets out, they might have to put it on three screens. This movie should be on everyone's "required viewing list!" I'm telling you now: "don't miss this movie while you can still see it on the largest screen possible!!" ...Oh yeah, please be sure to take along someone you love and hold their hand!

UT Women's Athletics All Sports Awards Presentation

noreply@blogger.com (broadway baby) — Sun, 10 Jul 2005 18:28:00 -0700

Hello again!
It's been too long since my last Blog post & I'm so sorry about that! Well, I have quite a bit to do to catch up, but I'll start slowly. Here's a great event that happened way back on April 19, 2005. One of the coolest things that my parents have ever done was to endow a scholarship to the University of Texas Women's Athletics Department in honor of me & my sister, Dr. Tina Taub-Montemayor. In 1985, my parents created the Tobi & Tina Taub Endowed Scholarship. We were one of the first 15 endowments for the Department which now has 88 endowed scholarships. Every spring my family & I are lucky enough to make a presentation to the recipient of our scholarship. The UT Women's Athletics All Sports Awards Presentation takes place at the Frank Erwin Center on the campus of the University of Texas. It is a source of great pride & joy each year to present our scholarship to a female athlete who is striving for excellence in academics as well as athletics. This is part of the criteria we developed for the scholarship. The athlete must also be majoring in either business administration, natural sciences, or kinesiology. These are the areas of study my sister & I undertook while on our way to achieving: Tina--a BA in Biology & a PhD in Zoology and Tobi--BBA in Accounting & a MEd in Kinesiology. This year's recipient was Tina Boutelle. Tina is a starting outfielder for UT's softball team which finished 5th in the nation this season.

The Wild Parrots of Telegraph Hill

noreply@blogger.com (broadway baby) — Sun, 22 May 2005 13:44:00 -0700

The Wild Parrots of Telegraph Hill
Originally uploaded by tobiwan@mac.com.

Amy & I just saw this very moving documentary. We both give it 5 Stars!
It is the true story of a Bohemian man, Mr. Mark Bittner, in San Francisco who, after several years on the street, found his true calling caring for several wild parrots.
To read more about the wild parrots and Mr. Bittner: His web site is http://www.pelicanmedia.org/wildparrots.html

Mother's Day 2005

noreply@blogger.com (broadway baby) — Sat, 7 May 2005 19:06:00 -0700

Today, we stopped by to visit my Mom and celebrate Mom's day early. Thanks to Amy's astute timing, we secured front row tickets for Mom to see Hal Ketchum perform at "One World Theatre" which happens to be the most beautiful theatre venue in Austin & maybe the world. Tomorrow we are off to the Woodlands, Texas to visit Amy's mother!

Jill Fineberg, Author of "People I Sleep With"

noreply@blogger.com (broadway baby) — Sat, 7 May 2005 19:04:00 -0700

Upon the recommendation of one of my clients, Amy and I attended a book signing at BookPeople which was recently named "Best Bookseller in the Country" by Publishers Weekly. The author/photographer, Jill Fineberg, was signing her book entitled "People I Sleep With". The book is filled with photos of pets sleeping with their "peeps." If you are fortunate enough to have Ms. Fineberg visit your local bookstore, it's worth the effort to attend her book signing and hear her stories of creating these wonderful photos. It's a beautiful book and a wonderful gift to all of your animal friendly compadres!

Boat Christening honoring Dr. Donna A. Lopiano

noreply@blogger.com (broadway baby) — Sat, 23 Apr 2005 12:42:00 -0700

This morning Amy & I attended a very special event. The Christening of the Varsity Eight shell "Donna A. Lopiano" to honor Dr. Donna Lopiano for her many contributions to women in athletics. We were joined by Donna and her very famous friends at The University of Texas Rowing Center on Town Lake. Those famous folks were: Dr. Jody Conradt, Dr. Waneen Spirduso, Dr. Dot Lovett, Admiral Bobby Inman & Carolyn Inman. University of Texas Rowing Coach, Carie Graves spoke first. Coach Graves, 3-time Olympian and Harvard grad.

Dr. Donna Lopiano's Bio: Dr. Donna Lopiano is a member of the National Sports Hall of Fame and the National Softball Hall of Fame. For 17 years (1975-1992) she served as director of Intercollegiate Athletics for Women at the University of Texas, during which time she constructed what many believe to be the premiere women's athletics program in the country. Dr. Lopiano developed her department from a $57,000 budget in 1975 to nearly $3 million in 1987, while all eight sports she supervised continued to hold national rankings.

The University of Texas enjoyed perhaps its best overall season in 1986-1987 when it was named top women's program in the country for the second consecutive year by Knoxville Journal's all-sports poll. All totaled, Dr. Lopiano's department boasted 12 national championships in five different sports, 30 Southwest Conference championships since 1982 and 159 All-American athletes - dozens among them Olympians and world champions.

Dr. Lopiano's success extended to the classroom. From 1975 until her departure, 95 percent of UT women athletes who completed four years of athletic eligibility received a baccalaureate degree.

An outstanding college athlete and a former All-American athlete, Dr. Lopiano attended Southern Connecticut State University and played basketball, softball, volleyball and field hockey and graduated in 1968. She received her master's and doctoral degrees from the University of Southern California.

Weekend Movie Review & other sightings

noreply@blogger.com (broadway baby) — Sun, 17 Apr 2005 18:02:00 -0700

On Friday, we saw the movie, "Melinda and Melinda". I give it 3 stars out of 5 plus 1 and 1/2 stars for the great NYC scenery. Amy gives it 3 stars.

Here's the Netflix synopsis:
Woody Allen's film stars Radha Mitchell as Melinda, a woman who comes undone at a dinner party, spilling details about her life dramas. Two writers in her impromptu audience see two sides of the same story: In the first, Melinda's problems hasten the breakup of her pal Laurel's (Chloë Sevigny and Jonny Lee Miller) marriage; and in the second, Melinda throws another couple, Susan and Hobie (Amanda Peet and Will Ferrell), into a hilarious tizzy.

Our second sighting was this morning. As we were walking on the Town Lake Hike and Bike Trail, we spotted an armadillo crossing our path about 25 yards in front of us. The creature was very cute.

Sighting number 3: This weekend we have been watching Chris' Eastern Screech Owl Nest Box Cam. The nest box is the creation of Chris Johnson. He built the box in 1999 and for the last couple of years we have been watching the Owl Nest Box Cam and reading Chris' observations. He writes about the types of food that the madame owl brings to her babies. She has such beautiful eyes! If you'd like to visit the Owl Nest Box Cam, the URL is: http://gargravarr.cc.utexas.edu/owl/2005/

Netflix Rental Reviews

noreply@blogger.com (broadway baby) — Sat, 9 Apr 2005 11:13:00 -0700

The following are movies that I have rented from Netflix in the last two weeks. If you haven't tried Netflix yet, what are you waiting for? It is one of the top 5 innovative uses of technology in the last 50 years! Read more about it at: Netflix.com. They have over 40,000 titles in their DVD library!

The Great American Songbook, 2003 (Tobi says: "5 stars out of 5")
This great documentary that originally aired on educational television uses rare and never-before-seen footage. Singer-pianist and musical historian Michael Feinstein hosts an informative look at the composers and lyricists who wrote America's standards from the 1890s through the mid-1950s. Cabaret singer, Mary Cleere Haran co-wrote this fabulous documentary.

You're the Top: The Cole Porter Story, 1990 (5 stars!!!)
In the world of music, Cole Porter's sophisticated wit and musical talent are legendary. This fascinating documentary hosted by Bobby Short chronicles the life of the unique songsmith through rare photographs and archival footage, as well as through revealing interviews with those who knew him best. Highlights include performances of Porter's songs by Fred Astaire, Ethel Merman, and Judy Garland.

Broadway & Hollywood Legends: The Songwriters: Kander & Ebb / Alan Jay Lerner, 2003 (5 stars)
This looks as though it was filmed in the 1970's for Canadian TV and appears to have been a series on songwriters with several episodes produced. Kander and Ebb, who composed the songs for the Broadway shows "Chicago" and "Cabaret" appear on stage together and sing all of their magnificent hits. Note: Jo Sullivan Loesser once said in an interview "Composers usually sing their songs better than anyone else. They tell you what they want you to here in that piece." After hearing Fred Ebb sing "New York, New York" I totally agree with her. In a separate segment Lerner, who was responsible for the unforgettable tunes of the movies "My Fair Lady" and "Gigi" appears with several performers who present his awesome repertoire.

There's No Business Like Show Business, 1954 (5 stars!!!)
Ethel Merman...Need I say more! Irving Berlin provides the tunes for this engaging musical about the singing and dancing Donahue clan as they ascend to stardom on the vaudeville circuit during the genre's last hurrah.
My only complaint is that the studio, Twentieth Century Fox, who transfered this to DVD had "No Business" plastering Marylin Monroe on the DVD packaging. She appears in a minor supporting role in the movie, but manages to have her image not only on the front of the DVD cover, but everywhere else including the main menu.

Chutney Popcorn, 1999 (4 stars)
With Indian traditions on the one hand and modern New York City values on the other, Chutney Popcorn is a provocative comedy that shows you can find family somewhere between the two. To read more about this movie, go to the Internet Movie Database. Nisha Ganatra stars and directs her first major movie release.

This was not a Netflix rental. A client lent the DVD to me.

"The Story of the Weeping Camel" (5 stars!)
This unique documentary released in 2004 follows a Mongolian camel that's rejected her newborn white colt. Throughout her difficult delivery, the camel is aided by a family of shepherds, who instantly notice the mother's rejection and make valiant efforts to warm the mother to her child. (Running time: 87 minutes)

If you love music and/or if you love your mother, you must see this movie. It is set in Mongolia and the few words that are spoken are in Mongolian. English subtitles are available, but you really don't need them. This is a great movie to watch on Mother's Day with your Mom. Warning: 2 or 3 hankies required!

Big Screen Movie Reviews

noreply@blogger.com (broadway baby) — Sat, 2 Apr 2005 15:49:00 -0800

We have seen some amazing movies in the last few weeks:

Sahara (Tobi-4 stars out of 5, Amy-4 stars)
Great action flick, but you might need to take ear plugs! Matthew (AKA: Bongo Boy) is a great action hero!
Based on Clive Cussler's best-selling novels starring action hero Dirk Pitt, Sahara sets the daring adventurer on a mission to save the world from destruction. Stars: Matthew McConaughey, Penelope Cruz and Steve Zahn.

Millions (Tobi-5 stars, Amy-5 stars)
This movie is all about having faith in people and doing the right thing! Amy said "this is one of the best movies we have seen this year!"
What happens when two boys stumble upon a cache of cash? Damian (Alex Etel) and his brother, Anthony (Lewis McGibbon), find a satchel filled with British pounds, but with the country just days away from switching to the Euro, they must quickly find a way to spend and share the wealth. Trouble is, Damian wants to give to the poor, while Anthony aims to live it up.

Miss Congeniality 2 (5 stars-Tobi, Amy says 5 stars too!)
Please don't listen to the critics! This movie is very funny and quite entertaining! If you like the first one, you'll like the sequel! Be sure & see this movie to support our hometown gal, Sandra Bullock, an Austin resident!!

Hitch(5 stars-Tobi, Amy-4 stars)
The cast is great: Will Smith, Eva Mendes, Kevin James, and Amber Valletta. I gave this movie 4 stars for the entertainment value and an extra star for the cool NYC scenes!
Alex "Hitch" Hitchens (Will Smith) is the master of seduction in this charming romantic comedy. His specialty? Helping clueless clients make a great first impression so they not only get to the second date, but make someone fall for them.

Elie Wiesel lecture March 31, 2005

noreply@blogger.com (broadway baby) — Thu, 31 Mar 2005 20:28:00 -0800

Below are some of the inspirational words from Dr. Elie Wiesel's speech:
PLEASE note that these are not all direct quotes, but reprsent his ideas as I recalled them a few hours later.
Silence helps the killers/silence hurts the victims/whenever I see an American soldier I thank them for our liberty/we are responsible to others/tolerance is condescending instead of tolerating others one should respect others/respect everyone
because anyone you meet could be your destiny/I have asked all of the five American Presidents that I have served under "Why didn't the US bomb the railroad tracks & why didn't the US bomb the gas chambers?" 10,000-12,000 Jews died every night at Auschwitz/No real answer for the first question/The obvious answer to the second was the US didn't want to kill the Jews in the camps, but we wanted them to bomb the gas chambers./We would have rather died that way.

Things that I thought about tonight:
This is an amazing man! A survivor! I am grateful to be able to hear his story as sad and tragic as this all is.
Mrs. Levine, one of my Sunday school teachers & a Holocust survivor, had a number tatooed on her arm. I remember asking her about it. I don't remember what she said. I think she didn't want to talk about it. I asked my parents about it and I'm trying to remember what they told me. I think they tried to explain, but I didn't understand.

The Daily Texan, UT's student newspaper, has an article online covering the event.

The Holocaust & Humanity Project

noreply@blogger.com (broadway baby) — Thu, 31 Mar 2005 14:14:00 -0800

Light/The Holocaust & Humanity Project is a unique Holocaust education partnership that promotes tolerance, coexistence, and the protection of human rights against bigotry and hate through the arts, education and public dialogue. Those involved with the project are: Ballet Austin, the College of Education at The University of Texas at Austin, the Holocaust Museum Houston, the Austin Independent School District, The Naomi and Martin Warren Family Foundation, the Jewish Community Association of Austin and other groups, including the citizens of Austin.

Here are some of the events that are scheduled in conjunction with this project:

March 6-31, 2005
Coexistence, an unusual and thought- provoking outdoor visual art exhibition visits Austin in a visible site at Auditorium Shores. The works, exploring themes of coexistence, were created by artists from around the world, as the result of an internationally juried competition sponsored by the Museum on the Seam for Dialogue, Understanding and Coexistence in Jerusalem. This exhibit is traveling around the world.

Thursday, March 31
Elie Wiesel, winner of the 1986 Nobel Peace Prize and a Holocaust survivor, gives a lecture at 8 p.m. in Bass Lecture Hall. He is the world-renowned author of "Night" and more than 40 other books.

April 1-3, 2005
Light / The Holocaust & Humanity Project is a world-premiere ballet produced and performed by Ballet Austin, and choreographed by Stephen Mills. Performing to music by Philip Glass, Steve Reich, Arvo Part and others, the production will explore individual responses to life before, during and after this watershed historical event. Ballet Austin’s Light / The Holocaust & Humanity Project will be performed at the Bass Concert Hall at UT’s PAC.

Friday, April 1
Austin's PBS station KLRU Cable Ch.9
Noon and 8:30 p.m. -- AUSTIN NOW presents a
documentary report on an ground-breaking project
taking place at Texas State University in San Marcos,
where every student has been reading, Elie Weisel's Night.
This episode will also explore Ballet Austin’s new
production Light/The Holocaust & Humanity Project.

Filming April 19, 2005
A televised town hall meeting at KLRU featuring award-winning correspondent Linda Ellerbee.

"Tradition!"

noreply@blogger.com (broadway baby) — Mon, 28 Mar 2005 06:12:00 -0800

The Jewish religion is filled with traditions! So, in keeping with the concept of tradition which brings family & friends together, Amy & I have created our own weekend traditions:

1. Every Friday before sunset we prepare for the Sabbath by attending a movie! The ritual includes lunch at our favorite Italian restaurant for Minestrone soup and then popcorn, a coke, and junior mints at the movies. I believe that it's all Kosher! All this is to say that I'll be filing our weekly movie review here in my blog. So, if you love movies like we do, check in from time to time & feel free to leave feedback on any movies you've seen.

2. Most Saturdays and/or Sundays we take a long walk (3 or 4 miles) on Austin's beautiful Town Lake Hike & Bike Trail. This is in keeping with my Rabbi's advice. Every May, all of the kids in each grade of the Sunday School classes would gather in the main sanctuary to hear the Rabbi's pre-Summer speech. Rabbi Schur would end his lecture every year with the following request: "Read a good book, take a long walk, and make a new friend!"

Exciting News: Re-release of Ann Hampton Callaway CD's

noreply@blogger.com (broadway baby) — Fri, 25 Mar 2005 18:42:00 -0800

This week Shanachie Entertainment re-released three of Ann Hampton Callaway's best CD's!!! Mazel tov to Ann!

1: "Easy Living" This CD has one of the most romantic songs ever written entitled "Come Take My Hand." So, if you're in the mood or want to get in the mood, click on the words Easy Living & the link will take you to Barnes & Noble to make your purchase online! Or, you can click on the CD cover art below. (Thanks to Amy for that!)

2: "To Ella With Love" This CD is tied with "Slow" for my favorite AHC recording. (Note: Amazon.com has "Slow" on sale right now!)

3: "Signature" This CD is so awesome! Great for a road trip or working out! It's very upbeat and always puts me in a fantastic mood!

It's been a lovely year so far! Great things have happened!

noreply@blogger.com (broadway baby) — Mon, 21 Mar 2005 19:30:00 -0800

January 2005:
I was appointed to the Advisory Board of Austin Cabaret Theatre! It's been our best season ever with Amanda McBroom in Nov. '04, Ann Hampton Callaway in Dec. '04, Klea Blackhurst in Feb. '05, and Donna Mc Kechnie in Mar. '05. Wow! What an awesome group of amazing voices!

February 2005:
My sister, Tina, & I took a fabulous trip to NYC to see Ann Hampton Callaway make her debut at The Allen Room which is part of the wonderful new Jazz at Lincoln Center in the new Time Warner Center at Columbus Circle. We also had the good fortune to be able to view Christo & Jeanne-Claude's public art project The Gates at Central Park. I was able to capture a few good photos of The Gates on my .mac web page! When you get to my web page be sure to click on "Start Slideshow" to view larger versions of the photos.

The trip was filled with magical moments: Seeing Klea Blackhurst perform a beautiful tribute to Harold Arlen at the Library for the Performing Arts at Lincoln Center. Attending three fantastic plays: Harvey Fierstein in "Fiddler on the Roof," Maureen McGovern in "Little Women" and Mercedes Ruehl in "Woman Before a Glass" Visiting the new MOMA. Taking a helicopter tour of NYC! Thanks to my Dad, the Honorable Al Taub, mayor of Dalworthington Gardens, Texas.

March 2005:
We attended the SXSW film festival and saw a wonderful documentary, "Stagedoor," It was about Stagedoor Manor the musical theatre summer camp in the Catskills in NY.