Snug Harbour, Staten Island

So this is what we found today, after a two hour subway-ferry-bus ride: the Snug Harbor Cultural Centre in Staten Island made up of museums, botanical gardens, theatres, colleges and cafes. Really lovely.

We were very taken with the Chinese Scholar's Garden

Here's a video taste of how peaceful it is.

Saint Francis of Afishi

This may be may favorite sign ever. Or my new drag name.

Then there was the Connie Gretz Secret Garden

The secret being that it was an endless maze from which we could not escape without crashing through the shrubs like crazed wrestlers.

And there was a beautiful Healing Garden dedicated to Staten Island's victims of 9/11.

A lovely discovery and somewhere we would bring visitors from out of town.

Socialising

Our dear friend Jacki Weaver (two-time Oscar nominee!!!) is in town briefly so we arranged to meet for lunch in the Meatpacking District. We also brought along a surprise guest, another Aussie actress and dear mate Susan Lyons.

And a grand time was had by all, delicious food, laughs a-plenty, gossip shared and reputations destroyed.

And last week we were the guests of Aussie opera star Daniel Sumegi (photobombing left) and his gorgeous partner Ta'u Pupu'a, also a stunning opera singer, at their beautiful Central Park West apartment.

Peter Pan in Concert

With a 26 piece orchestra impeccably playing the original Broadway score by Moose Charlap, Carolyn Leigh, Comden & Green and Jule Styne, and hosted by the inimitable Charles Busch, this benefit concert for the Transport Theatre Company turned out to be a joyous surprise.

A huge cast of Broadway performers sang the score (including 11 different Peter Pans and 3 Captain Hooks) and read background anecdotes about the creation of the original 1954 production starring Mary Martin and Cyril Ritchard.

Jeffrey Denman recreated the original Jerome Robbins choreography for Sondra Lee's famous "Indians" number.

I sang "Oh, My Mysterious Lady" with the glorious soprano Alexandra Silber.