I was in Chicago over the weekend to visit family and attend the Ravinia Festival in Highland Park, Ill. The festival’s website says Ravinia (named for the Ravinia Park grounds where it is held) is the oldest outdoor music festival in North America. Who knew?! Ravinia isn’t a stand-all-day-to-see-Eminem, Lollapalooza-like event. It’s very civilized. You…
concerts
Musical Interlude: Marina, Bjork and Lana del Rey
Because it is Lana del Rey’s 30th birthday (ah, youth!), it’s time for me to post a few photos of her performance at the Governors Ball music festival earlier this month. The three-day, four-stage festival takes place on New York City’s Randall’s Island, and I was there for two days with my concert-going friend Jessie….
Musical Interlude: Hi-Rez at Webster Hall
I finally got to meet my Florida-based customer Hi-Rez in person when he played the Studio at Webster Hall on June 3. He put on a great show with guest appearances by rappers Emilio Rojas; Joell Ortiz of Slaughterhouse; Smoke DZA; and Cory Gunz. I got some good mid-air shots of Cory. This isn’t my…
Throwback Thursday Music: The Who and Joan Jett
In 1982, when I was in high school, the Who went on a farewell tour. My gorgeous but strict mother, BarbaraB, wouldn’t let me go to the New Jersey show. I cried and cried because, after all, it was a FAREWELL TOUR! My last chance EVER to see The Who! Last chance, that is, until…
What Wendy Wore: Hanging With My Vegas Gems
I’m still recovering from JCK Las Vegas, the gigantic jewelry trade show that took place over the weekend. It’s not Vegas-style partying that exhausts me. It’s seeing hundreds of thousands of jewelry styles in one place that’s exhausting! The highlight of any JCK experience is meeting up with my group of amazing social-media wimmin friends,…
Musical Interlude: Paramore, Bjork and Marina
My concert-going friend Jessie and I have been busy lately, with the highlight being Wednesday’s Paramore show at the Beacon Theatre. Thanks to StubHub, I got second-row center seats … and thanks to Eminem and Rihanna, I had Jessie to go with. I met Jessie when I was waiting in line for Em and Rih’s…
Musical Interlude: Ariana Grande and Her Cat Ears
Petite pop star Ariana Grande and her rapper beau, Big Sean, have split after eight months of dating. In a statement to US Magazine, they said they “remain close friends,” which hopefully means that Sean won’t make Ariana the target of an angry song like his 2014 “I Don’t Fuck With You,” which may —…
What Wendy Wore: Billy Idol at the Beacon Theatre
It was a nice day for a white wedding yesterday, but an even better day to see Billy Idol at the Beacon Theatre in New York City. I first saw Billy live nearly 31 years ago … to the day! That show was at the Capitol Theatre in Passaic, N.J., on Feb. 4, 1984. I…
Musical Interlude: Fleetwood Mac Is Back
I saw Fleetwood Mac at Madison Square Garden in October. It was a great show, but I wasn’t thrilled with my seats. I was too far away from the stage. Over the past couple of years, I’ve gotten very passionate about being up close and personal with performers. When I realized Fleetwood Mac was performing…
Year in Review: Concert Adventures in 2014
I went to a lot of concerts this year, getting off to a great start by seeing my celebrity crush Neil Young perform live on January 6. He played solo at Carnegie Hall, accompanying himself on eight or so guitars, a banjo, a horde of harmonicas, two pianos and an organ. The New York Times…