Travel & Entertainment

Catching Culture: New York

MUSEUM OF ARTS AND DESIGN 2 Columbus Circle at 59th Street NY

Once a dilapidated classic building at the heart of Columbus Circle, the MAD has been restored and renovated to greatness, and now houses the Museum of Arts and Design. On the façade, the iridescent glaze of the building’s tiles change with the time of day and your point of view. Best of all, this is one of the few museums in New York that won’t take up an entire day for viewing. The museum is devoted to arts, crafts and design, with exhibits detailing the craftsmanship, materials and creative processes of contemporary designers from around the world. On your way into or out of the museum, be sure to visit the fantastic ground floor boutique (there is no charge) featuring unusual handmade artisan jewelry and collectibles. Have a glass of wine or enjoy contemporary American fare at the upscale Robert restaurant on the on top floor which features a stunning view of Central Park.

FRONT ROW CENTER Your New York experience, while full of dining and shopping superlatives, would not be complete unless you partake of the cultural excitement that is Broadway. Fall offerings include Mrs. Warren’s Profession (a madam and her daughter clash; still as current as Shaw’s original turn of the century play) The Scottsboro Boys (an updated minstrel show by genius Susan Stroman), Driving Miss Daisy with James Earl Jones and Vanessa Redgrave and Brief Encounter, a multi-media, gender-bending adaptation of the Noel Coward play. Check online tickets at broadwaybox.com, ticketmaster.com or telecharge.com. Or ask your hotel concierge, or stop by the theater’s box office. Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts has been updated, renovated and received a new facelift and features great performances from the Metropolitan Opera to Mozart to the Philharmonic to Jazz to Ballet.

- Ruta Fox.

MACY’S PASSPORT PRESENTS “GLAMORAMA” 2010 The annual fashion extravaganza benefiting AIDS charities was unleashed at its new home at the historic 1926 Orpheum Theater in downtown Los Angeles as part of the Bringing Back Broadway revitalization initiative. Grammy Award-winning artist Macy Gray and I-tunes sensation, Eric Hutchinson performed and Madonna unveiled her Material Girl collection against a backdrop of her video medley. Fashion icons including Hugo Boss, Calvin Klein and Marc Jacobs owned the stage while hunky angels clad in nothing more than feathers and 2(x)ist underwear made the audience swoon. A swank after-party with customizable olive martinis by Ultimat Vodka capped the glamorous evening.

Hugo Boss

Material Girl Collection

AMERICAN WINE AND FOOD FESTIVAL The season’s most decadent, sold-out epicurean event benefiting Los Angeles Meals on Wheels took place at its customary Universal Backlot venue thanks to Wolfgang Puck and Barbara Lazaroff. In a time when short cuts and thrift are becoming the norm, this event keeps getting bigger and better. The nation’s top wineries and restaurants including Bouchon, Nobu, and Puck’s own Cut and Spago treated culinary enthusiasts to a lavish feast under the stars. Live entertainment scored the evening and festival favorites, Maria De La Vega & The Wayward Five provided sultry jazz to sip Patron martinis to. An annual event that never fails to impress and should not be missed!


American Wine and Food Festival

SAVOR THE SEASON An elegant food and wine event benefiting Break the Cycle which promotes teens building safe, loving relationships devoid of violence. In it’s sixth year, the event voted one of the top ten food and wine events in Southern California (BizBash) took over The Lot Studios in West Hollywood where restaurants including Susan Feniger’s Street, John Sola’s The Grill, Stefan Richter’s LA Farm and catering stars like Katie Chin spoilt patrons with their culinary magic. This year, Mary Kay, Inc was honored at the event for partnering with Break the Cycle and making an overall impact through her involvement in various initiatives and programs.


Savor the Season


LOS ANGELES LONDON	Travel & Entertainment	Calendar	Food & Drink	Spas	Beauty & Style