Author: Stacy Horn

I just got email about choirs geared towards people 55 and older. They are called Encore Chorales (also Encore Rocks) and they are run by an organization called Encore Creativity for Older Adults. I don’t have the time for another choir, but I looked at the program for this fall in my area and it looks so fun!

When my book about singing came out, people kept telling me how hard it was to find a choir where they are, and Encore choirs aren’t everywhere yet, but see if they are. One important fact is they are non-auditioned and I know having to audition puts a lot of people off. I can relate. I got through it the last time, like 40 years ago, and I never want to have to audition again!

A picture of my friend’s choir, the Cerddorion Vocal Ensemble.

Passed this by on a walk along the Hudson. I hate sitting on the beach in the warm weather, it sucks the life right out of me. The only upside to a beach is jumping into the water, which isn’t an option here! There is no reason on earth for me to spend anytime here, except in the fall or winter. It’s very pretty to look at though.

I don’t know why I took this picture, other than I liked the clouds perhaps? But I’m sitting at my desk, looking out my window right now, feeling so peaceful, for no good reason really. (The view is actually completely different when I am sitting down.) I’m happy about my book that is coming out in January, and I have my health, and healthy cats, but other than that, the world is a fucking nightmare, isn’t it? I’m so sorry, rest of the world, for our contribution to that.

Tomorrow, fireworks. Once every billion years or so they’re on the Hudson River, where I live, so I will be watching from my roof, trying to get a good shot! We shall see.

Unfortunately, I didn’t take a picture of the back to note who painted this. But I liked it, whoever you are.

… to invest in art. I went to MOMA the other day, the first time in years! I didn’t love it after the big renovation, and haven’t been back since. I didn’t walk out feeling energized, after having immersed myself in art I loved. But this time I was. I saw tons of paintings that I loved. None of my pictures of them came out well, alas. The one in this post is a Joseph Stella.

My favorite current exhibit there was the photographs by Latoya Ruby Frazier. But so many of the shows there, and I can’t remember now if the Frazier show had this problem as well, but there was too much text accompanying the photographs. In one case there was enough text to fill a small book (not the Frazier show). There is no way I’m going to read that much in either a museum or gallery setting. The photographs are still stunning, you don’t need the text. But I would love to have the text available to download in cases where I want more backstory. (For all I know the text is downloadable.)

Yesterday a friend and I went in and out of a bunch of galleries in Chelsea. In each case I noted the price of every painting I loved. They generally went from around $5,000 to $18,000, which is more than I could ever afford, or even bring myself to spend even if I had it, but not a lot for many of the people who live in NYC. Or even in my own building! Art investing, and really great works of art, are within reach of a lot of people. I wonder if a lot of people are buying.

If they question whether or not art is a worthy investment they should watch a few of the online auctions on YouTube, run by places like Sothebys or Christies. And watch the ones which include young artists. These auctions are fun to watch regardless. They’re exciting, I’ve gotten to know the buyers, the auctioneers, and I learn who the up and coming big shots are in the art world. (Big shots, such an old person term, isn’t it?). Millions of dollars being thrown around like it’s nothing! Great tv.