WOW! That was some Easter... For my Mom's Christmas present we got her tickets to see the Queen of Soul, Aretha Franklin at Radio City Music Hall. So Momma G. came down on Saturday and had a fantastic lunch at BLT Market. Then we wandered around, ending up at dinner at Osteria del Circo before getting to Radio City right on time. The concert was fantastic, a full retrospective of Aretha's career from her early days in gospel to the 2 hits "Respect" and "Chain of Fools." There was even a welcome guest in former Temptations lead singer Ollie Woodson and an indulged guest in her son who sang Christian hip-hop as many of the crowd went to refresh their drinks. Despite not having the polish I expected from a Radio City-level show, she is still Aretha Franklin and there were moments of transcendence. I particularly enjoyed all of the gospel numbers and the encore she sang and played on piano, "Easter Parade." Wow. (NY Times review here.)
On Sunday we went to Mass at our local church and then up to the U. Club to watch the Easter Parade itself on 5th Avenue through the Club windows, followed by an exquisite Easter brunch replete with SEVERAL bottles of champagne. (Momma had given up drinking for Lent so it only seemed appropriate we get her right back on that horse.) Had a blast and then came back to our apartment to relax, watch the Formula One Malaysian Grand Prix, order in Italian food and then send Momma back Uptown in a cab.
Truly a great Easter. Family, fun, food and Aretha Franklin.
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