The ‘Fascinating Friends’ of April WAG
byWelcome to April WAG, our annual animal-themed issue.
April 2019
Fascinating Friends
Horse and rider in history
byIn the Russian nesting doll of narratives that is art history, “Secret Departure of Ivan the Terrible” is not merely a Nazi-looted work. It is also part of a genre – the man on horseback – that sweeps us from the ancient world to our own time, in which it has become a symbol of the controversy over Confederate monuments as well as a metaphor for dystopia.
The holy grail of birds
byIn the 75 years since a 1944 sighting, a contentious zoological debate has percolated over whether the ivory-billed woodpecker is extinct or extant.
Casting a discerning ‘eye’ on luxury
byAvril Graham and Carole Haarmann Acunto offer us a sneak peak at “Platinum Eye,” a forthcoming luxury lifestyles TV series that they describe as “your invitation to curated luxury.”
Annie Leibovitz for pets
byCockatiels, cougars and a half-naked Henry Kissinger: It’s all in a day’s work for pet photogapher Jim Dratfield.
Walking Rockefeller’s carriage trails
byThe 65 miles of carriage trails along Rockefeller State Park Preserve in Pocantico Hills wind through meadows, across streams and up hills with views of the Hudson River.
Stylin’ by Olivia
byWe first encountered style goddess Olivia Palermo in flowing contrasting florals on the arm of now husband Johannes Hueble at the 2013 Sentebale Royal Salute Cup at Greenwich Polo Club, featuring Prince Harry and Nacho Figueras. Since then, Palermo has become even more regarded as a “street style pioneer,” says shades company Westward\Leaning, “known for her classic yet modern fashion sensibility.”
Saddle up
byContinuing to represent Ireland, Christian Coyle “has jumped into the ribbons in grand prix events throughout North America,” even as he trains promising riders and their horses at Old Salem Farm in North Salem.
Oink! Giving the pig its due
byCurator Zhixin Jason Sun walks WAG through The Metropolitan Museum of Art’s “Celebrating the Year of the Pig.”
The champagne of polo
byThere is one thing that threads, or rather flows, through the tournaments of Greenwich Polo and that is Veuve Clicquot – the nectar of the club and, perhaps, the gods.
Every dog has its day
byThe American Kennel Club has relocated its popular Museum of the Dog from St. Louis to midtown Manhattan. Executive director Alan Fausel walks WAG through the treasure trove of canine art, collectibles and history.
Horse opera
byTraining opera singer Jonas Kaufmann to make an entrance on horseback is all in a day’s work at Bronx Equestrian Center.
Pit Bull beauty
byA misunderstood breed is seen in a new light thanks to the power of flowers and photographer Sophie Gamand.
Urban oasis
byIt’s a jungle out there – an urban one and the real deal at The Bronx Zoo.
On pins and needles
by“I’ll do it on any quadruped that won’t kill me first,” Dr. Emily Harrison says. “I never say (animal) acupuncture is not worth trying.”
The high-heeled cowgirl
byMariah Baumann Shammel traded in her high heeled business career for the life of a rancher in Hilger, Montana. She’s never been happier.
The art of money
by“Mediums of Exchange” – an exhibit at the Borough of Manhattan Community College and Lehman College – shows us the money.
‘Hell,’ yes
bySinger/songwriter Erin McKeown took a break from “excavating” her life story to collaborate with playwright Quiara Alegría Hudes on the musical “Miss You Like Hell,” about the explosive but timely topic of immigration.
The great American songbird
byThe Great American Songbook, Michael Feinstein, André Previn, Caramoor, Ridgefield Playhouse, Ira Gershwin, George Gershwin, The Great American Songbook Foundation, Cheyenne Jackson, Jimmy Webb, Barbara Cook, Jerry Herman, George Shearing, “The Gershwins and Me,” “Michael Feinstein’s American Songbook,” Feinstein’s/54 Below, Feinstein’s at the Nikko,
Coastal living in Old Greenwich
byOld Greenwich wears its wealth lightly, offering visitors relaxing restaurants and enticing boutiques a stone’s throw from the serpentine, maritime beauty of Tod’s Point. So who wouldn’t want to live there, particularly in this 14-room home, which is finished on four levels?