BOO!

Bon Jovi Rocks The New Prudential Center in Newark,NJ, October 25, 2007

Bon Jovi opened up the first of ten nights at the brand new Prudential Center in Newark, NJ. It's a gorgeous arena and Jon and the boys had a great time performing to the sold out crowd. I have never seen more photographers in the photo pit at one show in my life-there had to have been at least 30 of us. It was very unusual to be one of only 2 women. We were told we had 3 songs, but for some reason (security can't count?) we were kicked out after 2.
My Chemical Romance opened tonight and I didn't care too much for them, especially since the dumb guitarist spit and it hit me in the arm.

Mariah Carey Launches Her Debut Fragrance at Macy`s Herald Square - M by Mariah Carey, October 23, 2007

Mariah Carey Launches Her Debut Fragrance at Macy`s Herald Square - M by Mariah Carey. (waaay too strong for my liking, but I hate all women's perfumes. Phew)














Watch out for that hair

Juanes Live in Concert at the Fillmore NY at Irving Plaza-October 22, 2007

Spanish singer Juanes performed a special soldout show at the Fillmore NY at Irving Plaza. I saw him a few years ago and he is 100% better (as well as better looking) than he was then. AMAZING fans!
A great show is when I am so completely enhausted with a really bad headache and I walk out feeling alive, awake, and energized. That's how I felt after shooting Juanes.

Colin Farrell Joins Authors for a reading/signing of CLICKS-Borders, Columbus Circle, October 22,2007

Irish Actor Colin Farrell attends the signing of the book `Click` at Borders Books Columbus Circle

Tom Cruise, Katie Holmes, Suri Cruise and Greg Kinnear, October 20, 2007

Manhattan was buzzing with the cutest celebrity baby visiting the Big Apple-Suri Cruise. Along with her mother, actress Katie Holmes, and father, actor Tom Cruise, almost all of Madison Avenue was on alert trying to get a glimpse of this absolutely precious 18 month little girl. I honestly don't think I have ever seen a girl as adorable as Suri.
Less than a block away, Greg Kinnear took a break from filming "Ghost Town" to read the NY Times (it should have been the NY Daily News!)

World Premiere of "American Gangster"-Apollo Theater-Harlem, October 19, 2007

once again Damion Stene from NBC Universal holds a premiere THE WAY IT SHOULD BE done.The photographers email in their request and Damion responds with a number depending on when we RSVP'ed. Lots of space for everyone, no fighting, no complaints, no having to wait all day. WHY CAN'T THE OTHER PR CONPANIES FOLLOW DAMION???

Anyway, the world Premiere of "American Gangster" was held at the legendary Apollo Theater on 125th Street in Harlem to benefit the Boys and Girls Clubs of America and Boys and Girls Club of Mount Vernon. Parts of the film were also filmed in Harlem. Stars Denzel Washington along with his wife Paulette and Russell Crowe and his wife Danielle Spencer walked the red carpet. Other guests included Diddy, Jay Z,Cuba Gooding Jr and his father Cuba Gooding Sr, Ruby Dee, Edward James Olmos and many, many more.

Bruce Springsteen & The E Street Band-Madison Square Garden, Thursday October 18, 2007

1. Radio Nowhere
2. Night
3. Lonesome Day
4. Gypsy Biker
5. Magic
6. Reason to Believe
7. Candy's Room
8. She's The One
9. Livin' In The Future
10. The Promised Land
11. Thougher Than The Rest
12. Meeting Across The River
13. Jungleland
14. You can Look
15. Devil's Arcade
16. The Rising
17. Last To Die
18. Long Walk Home
19. Badlands


20. Girls in their Summer Clothes
21. Thundercrack
22. Born to Run
23. Dancing in The Dark
24. American Land
_________________

Jimi Hendrix Tribute Concert, Beacon Theater-October 17, 2007

GREAT show.
Kenny Wayne Shepherd was AMAZING.
Other performers included Indigenous, Buddy Guy, Robby Kreiger, Mick Taylor, Eric Gales Doyle Bramhall II

Kelly Clarkson Live At The Beacon Theater, Sunday October 14, 2007

the first of 3 sold out concerts













Happy Anniversary Philip
October 14, 2001
xoxo

A Musical Day in NYC, Saturday October 13, 2007

Rockers and musicians were out and about in NYC today, on a beautiful fall day. Some looking scary, some looking really cute.
As a music photographer, it's always good to stay alert here in the city. When you are not, people like Bono walk by you and catch you off guard, resulting in a POOR photo.




(seen: Rhianna and her dog, Bono, Dave Grohl, Gene Simmons. )

Beyonce and Samsung Announce Launch of New B Phone at Press Conference in NYC, October 11, 2007

Beyonce and Samsung Announces Launch of New `B` Phone at Press Conference in NYC held at the Samsung Store at the Time Warner Center.

What can I say? This event was HORRIBLE!
just HORRIBLE.

Why is it that one person from a PR company will say "first come first serve" while someone else will say "marked spots."
We were at least 60 feet back with chairs in front of us for REPORTERS! Reporters who held up their point and shoot cameras which totally blocked us. We were 3 and 4 deep on ladders. then, every one who was sitting in the seats were acting as if they have never seen a group of photographers and they kept taking our photos.
Beyonce showed up-almost an hour late, for what amounted to maybe a 3 minute photo op, if that's what it was called.
A rainy day in NYC that would have been better used if I stayed home.
This was definitely in the top 10 of the worst events, next to the ones where they mark the spots by putting down business cards with our names on them, side by side (since when is a human being the size of a business card??)

Tribute Show To Elton John & Bernie Taupin, Carnegie Hall, October 10, 2007

Tribute show for Elton John, Bernie Taupin at Carnegie Hall
BY JIM FARBER
DAILY NEWS MUSIC CRITIC

Page McConnell was one of the performers at the tribute show for Elton John and Bernie Taupin.
You wouldn't think Elton John and Bernie Taupin would have a lot to complain about in their careers. But Elton has gone on record grousing that his songs haven't been covered by enough other artists.
Wednesday night's tribute concert to his work at Carnegie Hall went at least a small way toward repairing that slight.
No fewer than 21 acts rummaged through the pair's catalog, unearthing songs from the famous ("Rocket Man") to the more obscure ("Amoreena"). Dominating the bill were either older stars who've been off the chart for a spell (Shawn Colvin, Phoebe Snow, Roger McGuinn) or cult acts prized by the cognoscenti (the Pernice Brothers, Jill Sobule, Aimee Mann).
The latter sort gave Elton's mainstream-leaning material more edge than it originally had, while the former lent his catalogue some quirky historic context.
The show also had a cause to flog: New York's Music for Youth, which funds music education for city kids who might otherwise turn a bad way.
The music focused on reinvention, too.
Elton's main instrument, piano, took a backseat to acoustic guitars in most arrangements. Pop and rock receded while country and folk marched forward. Rarely have these songs sounded so American.
And shorn of Elton's shall we say eccentric pronunciations, Taupin's lyrics received more articulation and consideration, which must have pleased him no end. (Bernie was in attendance - Elton was not).
The auburn voice of jazz singer Lizz Wright found a crushing new sensuality in "Come Down in Time."
Sobule delivered "Levon" with such deliberation that it practically became an art-song. Other artists played shell games with genre. Snow turned "Empty Garden" into a gospel raveup. McGuinn gave "Friends" a folk-rock jangle.
There were some duds: Howard Jones rotely tinkled out "Tiny Dancer." and the Pernice Brothers had no point of view on "Country Comforts."
But one-named newcomer Buddy made up for it by delivering "I'm Still Standing," as if he were about to crumble into dust. His quiet resolve communicated an entirely different kind of strength. Like the best performances here, this proved a great song can take any makeover."

My College Sorority Reunion Weekend October 5-7, 2007-Rochester, NY

my sisters, their spouses, partners, families


Now for something non celebrity related, but all these women are celebrities to me and all who know them...they are the A LIST

This past weekend, I ventured back to my college, my Alma Mater-Rochester Institute of Technology, for a reunion with my sorority sisters from Alpha Xi Delta. I graduated 23 years ago and have not ventured back to Rochester since then. I have only been in touch with one of my sisters in that time-my best college friend Barb, who came to my wedding 6 years ago this week. Never in a million years would I thought I would have had so much fun.
This all came about less than 2 months ago. While sitting at my computer working on my images from a shoot, I got an email from a woman named Debbie. Debbie was another sorority sister but we never really spoke much in college. She emailed me to say "hi, remember me" and then went on to say she married a man from college, they had a son, and he is starting as a freshman at our Alma Mater. 2 more emails and then I phoned her. We started speaking almost daily. We thought-hey. let's have a reunion. We decided on the first weekend in October since that was the college's reunion...but we were really going to see one another. We started a blog and started looking for our long lost sisters. One by one, we would find someone. It was so exciting. Before we knew it, we had over 30 from our era-the 1980's, saying they were going to come. Then, a group of Alumni from the 1970's heard about it and said "hey, can we come." 28 from the 1970's were in!
When we were all students, we did not have a house-we lived in the dorms. The girls now have a real house-a mansion, and it is just beautiful. The school also is beautiful-so different than when we were there.
Friday night, the alumni from the 70's had a dinner and we, the alumni from the 80's, met at a bar. One by one, someone would arrive. The screaming, crying, hugging and laughter was, as one of my sisters said, SURREAL. 23 years apart, no contact, and it was as if we were all together yesterday. Was this a dream? Am I really seeing...Gretchen,Diane, Dara, Shari, Robin and Kim, Kathy, Lauren, Cyndi, Stacey, Alma, Beth,Janet, Faith, Terri, Marian, Barb, Debbie, Sandy,Vicki, Margie, Dawn. Is it really them?? OH MY GOD. Time stood still. Everyone looked so wonderful. No one looked like they were in their mid to late 40's. To me, they were all stuck in a time warp-they are all still in their early 20's. Some looked like movie starts.
Saturday, we went over to the mansion-the house the current girls live in. WOW! Everyone was just in awe. This house is just gorgeous. One by one, the alumni from the 1970's arrived. We had a nice ceremony. These college girls are so put together, so amazing. But looking back on how we were in college, we were pretty much the same way. Alpha Xi Delta has always been a strong house, and they are still strong, having the highest GPA on campus (when I was in school there were 2 sororities-there are now 15) and winning awards like we did. We were women at a college dominated by men, in majors dominated by men. We are strong, successful women. We are photographers, engineers, IT, Business owners, Computer whizzes, authors, mothers, teachers,artists, software engineers and most of all...we are sisters. We are all from different eras-the 70's, the 80's, current sisters and new members, and we are so much alike.
27 years ago I was placed in the house as a freshman because there was not enough room in the dorms. A lot of us came to the house this way. We decided to join, after meeting the wonderful sisters and seeing what they do, for the college and the Rochester Community.
I graduated May 19, 1984 and left that day with my middle finger up. I was probably one of the least likely to succeed as a photographer, according to my professors who told me "you suck, you're never going to make it, find a new career." Well, little did I know, it seems that is something quite common to be told. I knew I did stink, but I surely did not need to hear it. They were very wrong--I DID make it. I fought through all the pain and heartache and suffered many years but I have proved them wrong. I photograph a lot of events for various colleges and everytime I have been at an alumni event for another college, I felt this little bit of jealousy. My brother and sister in law are graduates of Penn State and they go back almost every year. They wear their school name with pride. I always missed that. And THANKS to my sorority sisters, I can now look back on my Alma Mater, for the first time in 23 years, with PRIDE. This weekend, and all of them, restored something in me that has been missing since I left.
THANK YOU RIT!
And THANK YOU ALPHA XI DELTA-we are sisters always and forever, no matter where we are and what we do.

DLR
NYC
10/11/07
12:18am

BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN GALLERY SHOW IN LONDON

read all about it:

http://www.ew.com/ew

Richard Barone: Surviving the Rock Star Myth-Signing and Performace at Barnes and Noble, October 1, 2007

Every so often, someone comes into our life and they change it. They see something in you and pull it out. 17.5 years ago, I met Richard Barone when I was producing a calendar and photo exhibit of NJ Musicians to raise money for the homeless in NJ. I lived at the Jersey Shore at the time, Richard lived in Greenwich Village in NYC. In order to photograph him, I had to pick him up in NYC, drive to the location where I wanted to shoot him, and drive him home. I had never driven in NYC let alone even really going there by myself. At the time, I HATED NY.
I met Richard at his apartment on a chilly Saturday, March 10, 1990. He was very friendly, and talkative. We drove to Hoboken, NJ, the town Richard was in when he formed his band, The Bongos. When the day was done, I drove him home and while driving home to the shore, I was pretty much smiling the entire way. The only other "celebrities" I ever spent time with prior to this day was Jean Stapleton aka "Edith Bunker" from "All in the Family" and Kirk Douglas who was from Amsterdam, NY-the town where I started my professional career.
The next day, Richard called. We became friends. I came into NYC very often and each time, Richard took me to a different part of the city. He would always ask if I was comfortable riding the subway. I was, but only because I was with him. Several times, Richard told me I should contact a photo agency for representation. He mentioned Retna and I knew of Retna-any music photographer at the time was either with Starfile or Retna. After several "pushings" I contacted Retna and dropped off my portfolio one Friday while visiting Richard. When I dropped it off, I was told "we'll call you." I was so naive that I asked "today" and they laughed and said no, next week. I went back to Richard's place and we had lunch. 3 hours later I checked my answering machine and there was a message from retna to call them. I was so nervous thinking they were going to tell me my worked sucked-something I heard VERY often in college. Richard assured me they weren't going to say that but I was too scared to call. I waited the entire weekend and called on Monday. Retna was loving my work, and I signed on with them. Over the next 1.5 years, I shot 92 concerts for them, most of which were used in The NY Times.
I shot Richard as often as I could. Posed, live, in the recording studio, in his cute little apartment on Perry Street. One of the photos was used on a CD Single.
Richard and I remained friends for many years, talking long and very often. I don't quite remember when we lost touch via voice contact, but we remained in contact frequently via letters and then the internet.
I moved into NYC, and Greenwich Village, in 1999. I have been a NYC resident for 8.5 years now and up until last night, I haven't seen Richard.Everytime I would get an email telling me of a show he was doing, I would plan to go and then I got busy. Last night, he celebrated the release of his first book "Surviving the Rock Star Myth" with a performance and a reading, with special guest Joyce DeWitt (from "Three's Company") reading as if she was Richard. This woman is am amazing talent, not to mention beautiful and so friendly. It was also Richard's birthday and he was presented with a birthday cake that looked like the cover of the book. ( 2 of my image sof Richard appear in the book)
As I was speaking with Joyce DeWitt, it suddenly occured to me that...I was living in NYC and working very steadily as a photographer--I am living my dream-in part because of what Richard Barone did for me 17.5 years ago. I was this scared insecure little girl when he met me at age 28. He saw something in me and pulled it out.
I have not read the book yet but DEFINITELY will. I am not much of a reader but I really can't wait to start reading it.
If Richard Barone comes to your town for a performance or a reading/signing of "Frontman: Surviving the Rock Star Myth" go check him out. , check him out. He has one of the most beautiful voices I have ever heard, and in my years as a music photographer, I have heard almost everyone who passes through the NY/NJ area. And his early music with his band The Bongos before going solo is terrific.

Carrie Bradshaw Gets Married on "Sex and The City"

or does she?
Does Big stand her up?
Is it a dream?
Do her best girlfriends, Samantha, Miranda or Charlotte talk her out of it?
Does her best guy friend Stanford tell her not to do it?
Does Big's ex come running back to him?

Guess we wil lall have to wait until 2008 to see the movie!