A Virtual Exhibit of Costumes from The Queen’s Gambit and The Crown
Through December 13

There is no end to Netflix’s creativity. The company, whose headquarters are located in the heart of Silicon Valley, has gifted us avid fans of both The Queen’s Gambit and The Crown with a special virtual exhibit at the Brooklyn Museum in Brooklyn, New York. The amazing virtual exhibition consists of digitally-rendered and interactive 360-degree views of costumes from the two series, along with related objects from their collection, all set within a rendering of the Museum’s soaring Beaux-Arts Court.

Designed by Gabriele Binder, costumes for The Queen’s Gambit reflect the growing sophistication and self-assurance of the main character, fictional 1960s chess champion Elizabeth “Beth” Harmon, often incorporating structural lines and black-and-white patterns, materializing elements of the game into her wardrobe. Emmy-winning costume designer Amy Roberts constructed detailed outfits inspired by looks worn by the formidable twentieth-century British women in The Crown, including Queen Elizabeth II, Princess Margaret, Princess Diana, and Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher. If you are a fan of these programs this online exhibit is just for you. Thank you Netflix!

Information
718-638-5000
brooklynmuseum.org

Photos courtesy of Netflix

Smuin Contemporary Ballet Company Extends Virtual Classes
Through December 23

Since launching last April, Smuin Contemporary Ballet has led hundreds of aspiring and professional dancers through Zoom-based drop-in virtual classes in ballet, tap, contemporary, jazz, hip-hop and dance-based fitness. They offer Ballet classes offer three levels of ballet: Beginning Adult Ballet; Beginning/Intermediate Adult Ballet; Intermediate Adult Ballet and Intermediate Pointe. The Dance Variety classes offer: Beginning Hip Hop; Beginning/Intermediate Broadway Jazz; Intermediate Tap; Beginning/Intermediate Character; Intermediate/Advanced Contemporary; Fri-Yay! Dance Break (All Levels). The Dance-Based Fitness classes offer: Pilates; Easy Movin’ with Smuin; Stretch & Strengthen. There is a class for every level. All you need is a desire to dance, exercise and be self-motivated.

Information
For more information or to register, visit smuinclasses.org
No classes held Thursday, November 26 – Sunday, November 29.

Photos courtesy of Smuin Contemporary Ballet Company

Winter Wreath-Making for the Holidays
December 3 at 6.00 p.m.

Create your own original wreath under the watchful Zoom eye of Amanda Campbell, the owner of “Flora and Spice,” a company specializing in landscape design, workshops, and event florals. Add an enchanting delight to your holidays by decorating the entrance to your home by designing and creating your own colorful wreath with a grapevine base, evergreen foliage, and a fusion of decorative and modern materials. Start early and create a few extra winter wreath presents for your family or friends and deliver a few to the children’s hospital. But always wear a mask and keep the proper Covid-safe distance.

Information
Cost $80
The event will take place online via Zoom
Register in advance at montalvoarts.org
Prior to the event, registrants will receive the password and instructions via e-mail

Photo of Amanda Campbell courtesy of Villa Montalvo

The Last Vermeer Opens in The San Francisco Bay Area
November 21

Back from successful screenings as the Official Selection from the Telluride Film Festival 2019, the Toronto International Film Festival 2019 and the SFFILM Festival 2020, The Last Vermeer is a post-World War II thriller about an investigator having to fight for his life after he has gradually convinced himself of the innocence of a Dutch artist who is accused of collaboration with highly-ranked Nazis. The protagonists are Joseph Piller, a Dutch Jew who was fighting in the Resistance and the witty and debonair Han van Meegeren who is hosting hedonistic soirees and selling Dutch masterpieces to Hermann Goring and other top Nazis. Following the war, Piller and his female colleague become investigators assigned the task of identifying and redistributing the stolen art. And as they say you need to see the movie to find out the end of the story.

Information
Rated R by the MPAA
Search online for screenings in your area

Photo courtesy of Larsen PR

Lina Broydo immigrated from Russia, then the Soviet Union, to Israel where she was educated and got married. After working at the University in Birmingham, England, she and her husband immigrated to the United States. She lives in Los Altos Hills, CA and writes about travel, art, style, entertainment, and sports. She hardly cooks or bakes, with no borsch or piroshky on her home cooking menu. Therefore, she makes reservations and enjoys dining out, mostly sushi.