Living with Legends: Hotel Chelsea Blog

Pianist Levingston Evokes Fairies, Slays Dragons, and Departs for Rarified Points Unknown

I went uptown to Bruce Levingston’s piano recital, “Points of Departure,” at Carnegie Hall the other night, and, as usual, he put on a great show.  Though I was all the way back in the last row, and hence Bruce was but a tiny speck on the distant stage the acoustics were wonderful.  Several of our Chelsea Hotel friends showed up, and I didn’t notice any of them leaving early, so they must have had a good time as well.  (Out of delicacy, I’ll refrain from naming them, as certain of them may have been involved in romantic trysts and/or political intrigues of a highly clandestine nature.)

            Anyway, the first piece, and the one I liked best, was “Fur Alina” by the composer Arvo Part.  Minimal and straightforward, tinkling like fairy bells in the moonlight, Levingston played the piece with an amazingly delicate touch: this is the music of childhood, simple, redolent of nostalgia.  Levingston showed a quiet confidence in his own abilities and emotions, and was willing to bare them for us all, assured of their universality.  I fell under his spell.

            The Scarlatti piece Levingston played next was a perfect complement to the Part (and one could see how it had been an influence on the later composer): also delicate, but more upbeat, it set the stage for what was to come.  The Rihm piece, the New York premiere of his “Brahmsliebewaltzer,” began sweetly and then became more strident: a walk by the seashore morphing into a journey of discovery.

            The next piece was the world premiere of a tour de force called “Departures and Arrivals” by Sebastian Currier.  Undoubtedly the highlight of the evening (together with the Part selection), Levingston said he had asked Currier to write him a short piece, and the guy just basically went totally overboard and wrote this long six part work.  Nevertheless, Levingston heroically rose to the occasion.  And I mean that almost literally, for I found the piece highly agitating and somewhat creepy, composed as it was of alternating movements of disquieting jingling followed by abrupt, jarring cords.  I kept thinking of a slasher film, where long stretches of suspenseful foreboding are suddenly punctuated by a moment of extreme violence: the music set me on pins and needles, only to pounce--and sink the knife in the jugular!  I disliked this piece at first, but toward the end I was forced to accord it a sort of grudging respect, especially after the fourth movement, “a transformation,” which, although by far the heaviest and most sinister, tied the whole thing together, justifying the emotional upheaval it had (seemingly senselessly) wrought upon the listener, and propelling it to it’s surprisingly sweet and ultimately restorative conclusion.

Well, how do you follow that?  Despite the break that intervened, I was so emotionally drained by the Currier piece that I must admit I didn’t have much left for the next selection, the world premier of Charles Wuorinen’s “Heart Shadow.”  The piece was a little too complex for me, throwing in as it did everything but the kitchen sink (even the theme from Goldfinger!), and I never could quite get a handle on it.  There was certainly nothing objectionable about it, and Levingston played the selection expertly, but it’s something I would have to listen to a few times to really appreciate.

The concert closed with a couple of more reassuring pieces by Debussy and Liszt, which Levingston played to perfection.

In addition to his virtuoso piano skills, Levingston is a fine speaker, composed and welcoming, and demonstrating an infectious intellectual engagement with the music.  I liked how he put the various composers and their works into context with each other.  He’s obviously dedicated to the close study of what he’s doing as well as the technique, which is quite helpful for me in understanding where he’s going with the music.  The program for the evening also contained useful notes, penned by Bruce himself, on each of the composers.

Alas, I must admit I was a bit remiss and didn’t stick around after the show to fully gauge the crowd’s reaction—they did give Levingston a standing ovation, however, if that’s any indication.  -- Ed Hamilton

Newfoundland Shindig: Man Induces Vomiting in 3000-Pound Dog

We went to Johnny’s birthday party on Sunday.  In case you don’t know, Johnny is a huge black Newfoundland —11 years old, which I’m told is quite elderly for this breed.  When she deigned to drag herself out from under her table, Johnny chowed down on hamburgers, hotdogs, dog biscuits, and treats of all manner—many of which were given to her (Johnny is a female) as gifts—and gnawed on a brand new stuffed beaver and rabbit.  And then of course there was her birthday cake: a cheesecake, of which she had two large slices, the second of which was given to her so we could photograph the event.  Alas, Johnny scarfed it down before I could even snap the picture.
           (At a previous party Johnny had stolen a wheel of blue cheese from the table and ingested it, so they knew she would like the cheese cake—though of course she upchucked the blue cheese later, as Willem’s estranged (he says “strange”) wife assured us would occur later on in the day with the cake as well.  Too bad we had to leave, or else we would have certainly photographed that as well.) 

            Among Johnny’s dog friends, a pair of skinny wiener dogs showed up— in addition to Rex the Wonder dog, a wooden lawn ornament on a metal pole, which Willem’s welder friends--who have been working on Willem’s boat, and who were reportedly on their best behavior since Willem owed them money--had drug into the city from a lawn in New Jersey.  Willem’s boat, by the way, which he’s been working on for ten years, is coming along nicely, and should be finished sometime before he goes to meet his reward.  Willem says it will be his last boat on this plane of existence and so he’s determined to do it up right.  He has painted it bright yellow and christened it the “Sea-Banana.”

“Everybody is always telling me about these blogs,” one of the welders—perhaps getting a bit tipsy despite his desire to collect his money--said to me at one point, “but I never have been able to figure out what the hell they’re talking about.”

     I explained what a blog was: “It’s a web-log,” I said, “You know, kind of like a ship’s log where you have an entry each day, or like on Star Trek when Captain Kirk says, ‘Star Log 2352,’ or whatever year it is.”  I figured the nautical metaphor would appeal to the seafaring man, and he seemed satisfied, but then he asked me again later in the afternoon, almost the exact same question.  So maybe it was the beer, or perhaps the farout reference to Captain Kirk.

Anyway, to get back to Johnny’s friend’s, the daschunds refused to play with Johnny—hiding between their keeper’s legs when she came out to greet them, but then started barking when they saw that Johnny got hamburgers and hotdogs when they didn’t--and then to top it off, cheesecake!  Boy, that really burned them up.

Willem was grilling Hamburgers out on his balcony and throughout the party the smoke drifted back through the apartment and into the hallways of the hotel, finally prompting the staff to send a maintenance man in search of the cause.  Then right after that we heard fire trucks out on 23^rd street and went out on the balcony to see if they were coming to the hotel to put out the grill.
         While we were out there, a lady (whose name I don’t remember) told us about the last time she came to a party at Willem’s.  She said that somebody had lit the drapes on fire, and that, as the room filled with smoke, the guests stampeded for the exit.  Johnny, of course, had no idea what was going on, and so just lay there under the table as usual, but her husband came and got the dog and led her to safety.  “Oh my God, are these idiots just going to let the place burn down?” the lady said to herself, and so she jerked the drapes down and threw them out onto the balcony where she was able to stamp out the flames.  She then went back and sat down on the couch and when the firemen came she said, “See for yourself, I already put it out.”  Later she told her husband, “Thanks for putting the dog’s safety ahead of mine.”
      Nothing like that happened this time, however: the fire trucks sped by the hotel and went on down the block, stopping in front of the theatre—no doubt summoned in response to an epidemic outbreak of vomiting induced by the latest Hollywood blockbuster.

Talk about vomiting, in addition to a bag of healthy dog treats—which Johnny devoured indiscriminately, but which the wiener dogs turned their noses up at (I don’t blame them when there was actual meat to be had!)--we contributed a bag of French “Bio-Chips”—which sound like they’ve been reconstituted out of compost or something—which were left by Fabio and Claire, tourists from France who contacted us after they had seen Legends, to thank us for showing them around the hotel.  (Just kidding, Claire and Fabio, thanks for the treats!)  Who says web-logging doesn’t have its rewards? -- Ed Hamilton

Last Chance to Catch "the Man, the Master, the Magic"

Herbert Gentry’s retrospective exhibition, entitled “The Man, The Master, The Magic” celebrating over forty years of work  will close on April 12^th, 2008. G. R. N'Namdi Gallery is located at 526 West 26th Street, #316.

"The paintings and drawings in this retrospective exhibition vary in size and range from 1964 until 2003. Gentry’s formation as a painter should be considered in light of the passion he brought to his identity as a painter, “A painter paints, a fighter fights, a writer writes,” he would say. Gentry painted his world on canvas, alluding to his fascination with the power of social relationships and the allure of the journey. His aesthetic speaks through decisive lines and a strong sense of composition.  His canvasses are intuitively descriptive of his international experiences living in Harlem and throughout Europe. He stated: “Painting is very much about sex, it’s about love, it’s about putting things together”.  The drawings featured in this exhibition, although as extemporaneous as his paintings, are more laid-back and lovely. They're filled with sinfully sinuous lines forming erotic shapes inspired by the curvaceous form of the female body." (From the Press Release) 

To DO

APRIL 3, 6:30 PM
The Museum of the City of New York will host a book signing and panel discussion.  Ed Hamilton will read from and sign copies of Legends of the Chelsea Hotel: Living with the Artists and Outlaws of New York's Rebel Mecca (Thunder's Mouth Press).  Panelists for the discussion to follow will include preservationist and housing activist Edward Kirkland and author/Chelsea Hotel historian Sherrill Tippins. Former Chelsea Now editor Lawrence Lerner will moderate the discussion.
                As an additional treat, a recent video interview of former hotel manager Stanley Bard, making one of his first public statements since his ouster in June of last year, will be shown.
The Museum is located at 1220 Fifth Avenue(@104^th St), NY NY.Seniors and students get in for $5.00.  Everybody else pays $9.00.

APRIL 11, 7:30 PM
Photographer Julia Calfee kicks off her book tour for INSIDE THE CHELSEA HOTEL with a very special event at Barnes and Noble. 
Barnes & Noble, Sixth Avenue at 8th Street, NY NY

APRIL 14, 7:30 PM
Pianist Bruce Levingston performs "Points of Departure" a concert at Zankel Hall at Carnegie Hall that explores the unique artistic relationships between four of the most prominent composers of our time and four of the most influential composers of the past. The concert includes world premieres of Pulitzer Prize-winner Charles Wuorinen's Heart Shadow (inspired by Salman Rushdie and Claude Debussy ) and 2007 Grawemeyer Award-winner Sebastian Currier's Departures and Arrivals ( inspired by Scarlatti and Liszt) as well as the New York premiere of esteemed German composer Wolfgang Rihm's Brahmsliebewaltzer (inspired by Brahms).
Carnegie Hall is located at 57th Street & 7th Ave.  Tickets $25, $30, $40 $100

Take A Walk On The Wild Side

Stop by the Barnes & Noble in the West Village (6th Ave. at 8th Street) to check out the window installation for Julia Calfee's new photography book, Inside The Chelsea Hotel.

Thorold Dickinson's World of Cinema

According to sources, Director Thorold Dickinson lived at the Chelsea in the late 50s for a number of years and was a friend and collaborator of Virgil Thomson. "Power Among Men," which was produced by Dickinson, features an original score written by Thomson. Beginning now through March 24, you have a rare opportunity to view Dickinson's films at the Lincoln Center's Walter Reade Theatre.  (Image from Gaslight)

Unfortunatley, the Thomson film is not part of the offerings -- damn it. On the upside, you'll get a chance to see the orignal English version of "Gaslight" for which Ingrid Bergman won an Oscar in the American remake.

Upcoming Events

TUESDAY, MARCH 25, 8:15 PM
Faculty vocal recital by tenor Lee Steward, with pianist Charis Dimaras, performing a program that includes three world-premiere song cycles by New York City composer Gerald Busby.
Ithaca College, Hockett Family Recital Hall, Whalen Center, Ithaca NY

TUESDAY, MARCH 25, 8PM, FREE
Ed will read from LEGENDS OF THE CHELSEA HOTEL: LIVING WITH THE ARTISTS AND OUTLAWS OF NEW YORK'S REBEL MECCA.  He'll be joined by BUST columnist Janice Erlbaum whose new book, HAVE YOU FOUND HER, is a psychologically captivating follow-up to GIRLBOMB: A HALFWAY HOMELESS MEMOIR, one of the New York Public Library's 25 Books to Remember.  Before and after the reading, DJ Maxx Klaxon (Splice, Popular Front Records) spins sublime electro, subversive pop, and subterranean rock. Rapture Cafe & Books, 200 Avenue A (Between 12th & 13th Streets) NY NY

THURSDAY, APRIL 3, 6:30 PM ($)
Joining Ed for a reading and discussion will be author/Chelsea Hotel historian Sherill Tippins and Edward Kirkland, Emeritus Chair of Community Board 4's Preservation & Planning Committee. Former Chelsea Now editor Larry Lerner will moderate the discussion.  (We'll post more details about this event next week.) Oh yeah, Stanley Bard will make a guest appearance via video.
Museum of the City of New York, 1220 Fifth Avenue, NY, NY

APRIL 11, 7:00 PM
Julia Calfee will have a signing and presentation for her new photography book, "Inside The Chelsea Hotel". Barnes & Noble, 6th Avenue & 8th Street, Greenwich Village, NY NY

THURSDAY, APRIL 24, 7:30 PM
Ed will be reading and signing books at The Beat Museum, 540 Broadway (at Columbus), San Francisco, CA.

Featured Events

Jan. 14, 5:30 - 7:30
Opening reception for photographer Gary Schoichet 's exhibit "Infamous 5th Floor Men's Locker Room" at the former McBurney YMCA. Free, Wine & Cheese
McBurney YMCA, 125 West 14th Street, NY NY

Jan. 23, 8:00 & 10:00
  Jazz singer Sathima Bea Benjamin will perform songs from her recent CD release, "A Morning in Paris."  The CD has been receiving great reviews.  For the first time ever, Sathima's daughter, the hip hop artist Jean Grae will perform as a guest artist with her mother. $15.00
Sweet Rhythm, 88 Seventh Ave., (Between Grove & Bleecker) NY NY 

Brendan At The Chelsea--a new play by Janet Behan uncovering the final days of Brendan Behan's stay at the Chelsea Hotel in New York.  From the press release, "It’s Sixties New York, in that legendary bohemian bolt hole, The Chelsea Hotel. Arthur Miller is just across the hall, the sound of Ornette Coleman is drifting down from the penthouse and the symphony of 24th Street is rising up and in through the open window of Brendan Behan’s room… He’s broke, hung over and way past the delivery date of his latest book, the first line of which he has yet to write. He was told to stop drinking or he’d be dead in six months – that was two years ago…."
Starring Adrian Dunbar. Directed by Adrian Dunbar and Rosalind Scanlon.
Riverside Studios, London from 15 January 2008

Featured Events

For our readers in Paris, Martine Barrat’s exhibition “Harlem In My Heart” runs through January 6th, 2008 at the Maison Européenne de la Photographie in Paris, France. It features photographs from Barrat’s four decades documenting life in Harlem, New York City’s cradle of African-American culture, and marks the first time many of the images have been shown.  (Photo:

Harlem, NYC by Martine Barrat)








And in London, Ira Cohen’s famous mylar images which he created in the late 60's in his loft on the Lower East Side, New York City are on display at the October Gallery through January 26, 2008. Among the artists reflected in his mirror were John McLaughlin, William Burroughs, Jimi Hendrix and Angus Maclise.  A culmination of the photographer’s fascination with the mirror, these photographs come from the very heart of the mirror from the fabled other side. (Photo: Ira Cohen, Jimi Hendrix, 1969, Pigment Print, 76 x 102 cm, Ed 10.)


Finally, here in New York, stop by the David Barton Gym's annual toy drive on Tuesday, December 11 from 8:30 to 11:30 p.m.

All Tomorrow's Parties

Facing Other Ways: Herbert Gentry & African American Abstraction This exhibition will showcase prints, drawings and original paintings by Herbert Gentry (1919–2003), best known for his colorful figurative abstractions. The exhibit will also include biographical materials selected from the Herbert Gentry Papers as well as work from Gentry’s colleagues and admirers including Romare Bearden, Jacob Lawrence, Beauford Delaney, Sam Middleton, Larry Potter, Ed Clark, and Chester Himes.
October 15, 2007 - March 1, 2008, Rare Books and Special Collections, Rush Rhees Library, 2nd floor, University of Rochester,  River Campus, Rochester New York

Opening reception: Thursday, November 8, 6:30 - 10:30 p.m.
Jean Pearson Gallery presents "Noman's Show" an exhibit by photographer Rita Barros.  The show will also feature works by Jean Pearson and Lindsay Isola.  The show runs November 8 and 9.
Suite 219
Chelsea Hotel
222 West 23rd Street, NY NY

Check it out.  You will not be disappointed.

 


Thursday, Nov. 8, 7:00 pm.
Ed Hamilton will read from his new book Legends of the Chelsea Hotel: Living with the Artists and Outlaws of New York's Rebel Mecca. Maybe Ed will dress up this time!
192 Books, 192 Tenth Avenue at 21st Street, NY NY

Friday, Saturday, Sunday, Nov. 9, 10, & 11
Bruce Levingston is receiving great reviews for his performance of the score for C. to C. (Close to Chuck), American Ballet Theatre's new ballet inspired by, and set to, Philip Glass's 2005 piano work A Musical Portrait of Chuck Close, celebrating his longstanding friendship with the celebrated painter.
November 9, 10, & 11, American Ballet Theatre, 890 Broadway, NY NY

Friday & Saturday, Nov. 9 & 10, 12:00 - 7:00
Suite 303 invites everybody to their holiday jewelry sale at the salon. It's never too early to start your holiday shopping.  Plus, Suite 303 is a nice place to hang out.
Suite 303, Chelsea Hotel, 222 West 23rd Street, NY NY