Results tagged “georgegershwin”

The New York Philharmonic Orchestra’s historic concert in North Korea concluded hours ago, marking the first performance by an American orchestra in the impoverished, totalitarian nation. The event also marked a first for much of the press, who are routinely denied access to North Korea and, once inside, usually find their movements tightly controlled. The Times has a stunning slideshow of photos snapped en route from the airport to the center of Pyongyang, something the photographer says is never permitted.

A look at some noteworthy television this week:

What the hell is going on? The city's teachers are suddenly all Notes on a Scandal! There are three high-profile cases of improper student-teacher relations across the city.

There's a long feature in the Times' City section about the Pierre Hotel's triplex penthouse. It's been on the market for $70 million since 2004 at Brown Harris Stevens, and if you had $70 million, you'd get 360-degree views of Manhattan from midtown, 16 rooms (including a huge ballroom with 23 foot high ceiling and 20 foot doors), 5 fireplaces and a housekeeper and houseman. But you'd need to pay the whole thing in cash and get past the board, not to mention pay $464,000 in annual maintenance fees.

We were walking downtown to the office today when one of those big red tourist buses nearly ran us over (as usual!) Just as we were about to begin screaming obscenities, it hit us: the Gray Line has tons of buses, and they are running all over the city right now! For instance, their classic tour costs $50 for two days of hop-on hop-off privileges, and the buses complete a three-hour loop around the city. Might be a realistic option for those of you who live conveniently near a major tourist attraction. Bonus: you'll get to meet some nice people from outside New York!

Brian Reisinger, Swandivedigital

She's too modest to write anything about it, but today Jen Chung turned 27. Other famous people with birthdays today? T.S. Eliot (turning 115), George Gershwin (relatively young at 105, but dead), and Serena Williams (a baby at 22).