Virtuoso Alex Fox ignites the stage!

Alex Fox’s musical journey began in Buenos Aires, Argentina. He quickly mastered piano and moved onto the classical guitar.Even at an early age Alex received scholarships and recognition. As he matured into a professional musician, his musical style emerged as an eclectic mix of Flamenco and Latin Jazz with notes of Mediterranean flavor.

Alex Fox moved to the US in 1984 and settled in sunny Miami Beach, where he performs to this day. He has a vast audience of faithful admirers. His virtuoso performances are igniting yet soothing to the soul. He wows the crowd with a wide variety of Latin American, Flamenco and pop favorites. His magical fingers seamlessly fly over strings, producing striking fireworks of Gypsy Kings style arrangements.

Over the years Alex Fox performed with many world acclaimed artists such as Tito Puente, Julio Iglesias, and many others. His music also captured the attention of many political leaders and dignitaries including Bill Clinton, the President of Lebanon, the President of Turkey, Italian designer Versace, and Prince Rainier of Monaco. He has added brilliance and flavor to many arrangements on the best stages as well as in recording studios. His passion for life is obvious and is a bright presence in every performance. Yet there is something absolutely unique about Alex and his music. Alex Fox is a man of grand talent and a big heart. Besides having a tremendous musical following, he is a tireless supporter for the Cancer Foundation, Save the ChildrenFoundation in South Florida.

If you ever hear him play, you will feel his energy and it will forever capture your heart.   

By DIANA SORKIN

www.dianasmurals.com

“Much ado about NYC!” City guide to 2014 summer.

    Summer in New York is full of flavor and fun. There is something exciting taking place every week and everywhere. Anyone can be a participant or a spectator. Seek your adventures at http://socialeyesnyc.com/manhattan/

Much ado under the stars.

Shakespeare in the Park is a truly enchanting 52nd annual New York adventure. If you like something different, this is it. The event is Free to the public and needless to say it is always very well attended. This summer, Hamish Linklater and Tony® nominee Lily Rabe are set to return to the Park as the wise-cracking, would-be lovers Beatrice and Benedick in the beloved romantic comedy MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING.

The famous Delacorte theatre transforms into Sicily of the old days and the heat of the summer amplifies the intrigue and passion only Shakespeare could describe. Ultimately it’s a colorful tale of love, comedy, and madness. This is a truly exciting performance under the city’s star studded sky. If you’ve never had this New York experience, you haven’t lived in New York. For more info and to get FREE tickets go to: http://publictheater.org/en/Tickets/Calendar/PlayDetailsCollection/FSITP/Much-Ado-About-Nothing/?SiteTheme=Shakespeare

Shall we dance?

    

NYC is a home to many cultures. June 19-28, 2014 is Dance Week. This exhilarating event showcases a number of dance and fitness studios in the format of a Festival. This is a wonderful opportunity to learn about different styles of dance from tap and ballet to ballroom and swing. This event also creates an opportunity to explore a healthy lifestyle by trying disciplines such as yoga and Pilates.

Everyone is welcome to participate and take a step into the world of dance and fitness.

For more information and schedule of events go to http://nycdanceweek.org/about-us.

Calling all Sea Creatures

    

    One of the best celebrations of summer is the famous Mermaid Parade in Coney Island taking place on June 21^st. This colorful multicultural event is a wild showcase of representatives of all the five boroughs of New York City. The community comes together in wild costumes to celebrate Art, community, Spirit, self-esteem and simply joy. Thousands of people are drawn to the famous boardwalk in a kaleidoscope of costumes. This self proclaimed holiday represents the West African Water Festival, Summer Solstice celebration, and Greco Roman theatre. More info on this can be found at http://www.coneyisland.com/programs/mermaid-parade

All that JAZZ

Last July, on a hot summer evening I wandered into a little Jazz Club in Greenwich Village with a friend. Bar Next Door is a charming and cozy hideaway in the heart of the Village. As the music started, the velvet evening filled with energy and rhythm. The passion and sentiment came alive. One of the musicians announced that he was getting married next month in Paris and devoted a song to his fiancé.

As we listened to the music and watched the band play, everyone in the room felt that love, true love was alive and well. One of performers in the band that night was Misha Tsiganov. His jazz piano was infectious and exhilarating. Before we left I couldn’t resist and started a conversation with him. Thanking him for a great musical experience and feeling rejuvenated, we said good night and left into the bright lights of New York’s tourist crowded streets.

A few months later fate brought Misha to Art House Restaurant in Brooklyn, where we met again. That evening Misha was playing an enchanting medley of Latin Jazz with a beautiful singer from St. Petersburg named Irina Zubareva.  The music transported the audience to the sunny beaches of Brazil and infused the soul with sensuality.  They performed several jazz standards and other unusual interpretations to the crowds delight.

About a week later I had the pleasure to talk to Misha about his life and music. As an Artist I always wonder where inspiration comes from and what makes others do what they do. Are music and rhythm all around? Once, watching Spartacus Ballet at the Bolshoi Theatre as a very young child, I took notice of a world famous conductor. I was mesmerized that this man manifested music out of the whole orchestra but I was also sad that he never learned to play a single instrument himselfL

One of the questions I asked Misha was about the genre that he chose. In Russia, Jazz was somewhat taboo like many other western styles of music.  He told me that studying and performing Classical masterpieces, he was always taught to play note- for- note the music of the composers and also to interpret their feelings as they were experienced in the centuries before his time.

Jazz, on the other hand, offered a multitude of interpretations, expression of emotions and new found freedom. Misha is an incredible musician, listening to him play, the world dissolves and you become one with his melody. He is a composer as well. Of course his compositions are JAZZ. To him it’s all about being a self expressed artist and not just someone’s messenger, he carefully jokes. He wants his audience to feel what he is feeling; love, passion, sadness, irony, fear.

Over the years Misha has played with the finest stars of the International Jazz scene. He played and recorded with legends like Chico Freeman, Joe Chambers and many others. He feels honored to be a part of these superb collaborations. His musical talent has matured and developed on the best stages with the masters.

Currently, Misha’s dream is to fulfill his own musical visions. He is great at being a supporting artist playing in the best of bands, but ultimately, it’s his own “voice” that needs to be heard. If you ever get a chance to hear Misha Tsiganov the Jazz Master, it will be an experience you won’t forget. 

For more information, schedules and venues go to www.mishajazzmusic.com

Diana Sorkin

www.dianasmurals.com

Art Expo 2014

Art Expo is always an anticipated grand event of the year. Pier 94 is a perfect New York setting for this colorful Spring gathering of global talent. A kaleidoscope of local and world renowned artists does not disappoint and surprises gasping visitors over and over again. Each talent gets plenty of long awaited admiration and exposure. This year’s show was filled with familiar extravagance of diverse artistic styles; from classical to impressionism, modern to abstract, and beyond. Lots of creative three dimensional pieces like Michael Cuomo’s sculptures (www.michaelcuomoart.com) made from unexpected materials including recycled toys or everyday objects. A wall of red roses titled “Scent of Love” by www.dminc.it evoked a scene from a steamy romance novel. Barbara Tyler Ahlfield presented her Pose Series of models in exquisite gowns and had the crowds in the palm of her hand.

Several inspired painters delighted the viewers with incredibly realistic masterpieces worthy of museum walls. Whimsical paintings displayed abstract messages within playful silhouettes. Realistic flower arrangements by several accomplished and aspiring talents graced the walls of the Manhattan venue. Larisa Psaryova of Russia displayed her lifelike floral still-life compositions. One could almost smell the aroma of peonies and roses. 

A few unique works by photographers caught my eye. A collection of frozen flowers by Zinchik (www.zinchick.net) was very appropriate for this unusually cold season. Stunning images by Jordan Matter (www.jordanmatter.com) gracefully displayed colorfully dressed dancers in unlikely scenes.

Artists are known for their inventiveness.  This year’s favorite of mine was Peter W. Hart (PETERwHart.com). I was delighted by this artist’s use of rice, pasta and glitter together with acrylic paint. These materials together created textures and various 3D effects on brightly colored canvases. Another showstopper was the holographic collection by a Japanese artist. The viewer was almost afraid to step closer to this virtual Rabbit hole, although it was fun to imagine these creations in your own home.

Carlos & Albert’s 2013 collection of amusing animal sculptures was a pure delight and drew crowds of visitors eager to pose next to these loveable creatures (www.carlosalbert.com).

Altogether the show was stimulating for anyone’s imagination and definitely guaranteed a welcome flow of endorphins to ignite a creative flame.

Diana Sorkin

www.dianasmurals.com  for www.RussianMix.com

Russians LaVue

Russians LaVue

This past Thursday was blustery and cold but the warm and cozy atmosphere at the newly opened LaVue nightclub and restaurant was a comfortable setting for the Russian Insider networking mixer.

Michael and Marina Levitis, the hosts of Russian Insider, a Facebook based group, have successfully expanded to over six thousand members in a matter of two months. They lead the group of Russian speaking New Yorkers and their friends through social trends and political events with their commentary online. They were able to win popularity with the masses by engaging them in various entertaining and controversial topics as well as fun contests. All in all, the entire group is evolving into cultural, social and business alliances for those interested in the life of Russian community. The laid back style of the mixers draws a crowd of intellectuals and professionals eager to interact and spend a pleasant evening together. The venues are carefully chosen based on their location and the group’s interest.

LaVue is the new venture of Denis Gromov, an already successful owner-restaurateur of Orange Grill in Brooklyn. His new club is cleverly named, when pronounced sounds like Love You and definitely evokes a soft feeling of romantic intimacy. Its’ interior is tastefully and creatively designed using sexy curves and contrasting textures to accentuate the flow of the space. The soft lavender lighting is mysterious and soothing at the same time. It seemed to me that LaVue echoed the ambiance of Claude Monet, the fictional upscale restaurant featured in the Russian super hit miniseries, “Kukhnya” (Kitchen). Even the homeless guy in the alley resembled one of the characters in the movie. 

LaVue pleased all the guests with a delicious variety of appetizers and beverages. The music and lightshow provided energy and entertainment for all the party animals. If you are looking for an elegant spacious venue to delight and entertain, LaVue is the place. For those of you looking for new friendly faces and interesting conversation, look for Russian Insider on Facebook and join the buzz.

Diana Sorkin

www.dianasmurals.com

https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=741592665864995&id=100000428044186

New York Home Design 2014

NEW YORK HOME DESIGN 2014

Arrival of spring marks the beginning of home remodeling and renovation season as well. Architectural Digest Home Design Show hosted at Pier 94 is always a wonderful resource for New Yorkers and visitors. Designers, architects and DIY enthusiasts eagerly rush to this event looking to be surprised, amazed and entertained. This show makes everyone feel like a kid in a candy store. The first portion of the show is generously devoted to the craftsmen and artisans. You can find unique works of art and on-of a kind installation pieces for any style of interior. Artists and sculptors explore a multitude of materials such as glass, mirror, metal, feathers, ceramics, wood as well as metal for their creations. My favorites for two years in a row are contemporary glass creations by Abby Modell and three dimensional feather pieces by Catherine Latson. Several furniture makers showcased their functional pieces made of salvaged wood which was masterfully crafted, stained and even inlaid with glass and stone. Whimsical veneered pieces turned out to be beautiful and comfortable as well. I really enjoyed the velvet   chairs and plush interior design by KOKET. A black velvet custom chair with gold laced back caught my eye as well. The light fixtures stole the show surprising the viewers with shapes and materials. Some were created with hand-blown colored glass while others combined unlikely materials such as plumbing pipes and crystals by Michael McHale Designs, chicken wire and rice paper by Patrick Weder Design. Regardless of designer’s choice of materials the effect was stunning. Some three dimensional wall installations took your breath away. The artist Heather Kocsis was able to create perspective and depth, using ordinary objects but utilizing dramatic vantage points. Many Russian speaking artists and designers took part in this exciting event. I had the pleasure of exchanging compliments and websites with several of them.

The second portion of the exhibit showcased a sophisticated variety of kitchens from various European makers. These appliances can fry, roast, toast, grill and probably entertain the pickiest of chefs. The TopBrewer Scanomat from Denmark drew all the crowds with the intoxicating aroma of custom brewed coffee. This $11,000.00 miracle will customize and pour you a cup of Joe with an I-phone app.

The last part of the show took the visitors to a magical wonderland of top designers who created enchanting dining rooms in their unique styles. These visionaries played with color, texture and perspective to surprise and entertain. Cascading walls of flowers, mirrored screens, hand painted backdrops took you on a multifaceted, multicultural journey. Feeling like Alice in wonderland I strolled through these spaces looking for various design pieces and elements to borrow for my own summer entertainment. These rooms were created to raise funds and awareness for the AIDS virus.

Altogether, this event is always a real treat and a memorable experience to treasure for the rest of the year.

Diana Sorkin
www.dianasmurals.com