Tag Archives: photography

MAY 30, 2011 - Little Neck, New York, U.S. - NY Gov. ANDREW CUOMO stops to speak and shake hands with MARK KOPPELMAN, a U.S. Army veteran wearing US Press Corp Photographer Pass, of Oakland Gardens, during Little Neck-Douglaston Memorial Day Parade, on Northern Boulevard on May 30, 2011. (© 2011 Ann Parry)

Keeping Up with Gov. Andrew Cuomo on Memorial Day

From LONG ISLAND – by Ann Parry (annparry.com)
June 2, 2011

By mid-morning on Monday, May 30, the rain and lightning stopped, and gray skies slowly turned blue, so it turned out a better day than expected to photograph two New York Memorial Day parades – first in Merrick and then Little Neck.

MAY 30, 2011 - Little Neck, New York, U.S. - New York Governor ANDREW CUOMO (Democrat) marches in Little Neck-Douglaston Memorial Day Parade which honors America's veterans, on Northern Boulevard. A big blue banner with 'New York State Governor Andrew M. Cuomo' written on it is at front of Governor and group marching with him. (Ann Parry/annparry.com)

Little Neck, New York, U.S., May 30, 2011. Governor ANDREW CUOMO marches in Little Neck-Douglaston Memorial Day Parade honoring America’s veterans, on Northern Boulevard. Blue banner with ‘New York State Governor Andrew M. Cuomo’ is in front of Cuomo & group marching with him. (© 2011 Ann Parry/AnnParry.com)

Photographing my hometown Merrick Memorial Day Parade was like a pleasant, festive stroll up Merrick Avenue, with plenty of time and room to go wherever needed along the two-lane street.

However, on that hot and humid afternoon, photographing Governor ANDREW CUOMO and his fellow marchers in the Little Neck-Douglaston Memorial Day Parade felt more like participating in an extreme sport.

A brisk walker, Gov. Cuomo frequently went from side to side of vast Northern Boulevard to shake hands or chat with Veterans and other onlookers; plus, I was surrounded by innocent people and banners best not to slam into.

Loved every minute of it.

  • FEATURE PHOTO (at top of post):  Little Neck, NY, USA. May 30, 2011. NY Gov. ANDREW CUOMO speaks with MARK KOPPELMAN, a U.S. Army Press Corp Photographer veteran, of Oakland Gardens, during Little Neck-Douglaston Memorial Day Parade.

Memorial Day Parade:  my PHOTO GALLERY

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Duelling Divas' Humor on the High Cs, in Merrick, NY, 2010

Duelling Divas’ Humor on the High C’s

From LONG ISLAND – by Ann Parry (annparry.com)
May 14, 2010

The Duelling Divas brought Humor to the High C’s during their recent Long Island concert, presented by the Merrick Bellmore Community Concert Association.

MERRICK, NY - February 21: Duelling Divas stars, sopranos Birgit Firavante and Wendy Reynolds - wearing Roman cloaks and singing ?Mira, O Norma? and ?Casta Diva? from Bellini's "Norma" - in comic opera concert presented by Merrick Bellmore Community Concert Association on February 21, 2010 at Merrick, NY. (Ann Parry/Ann Parry, ann-parry.com)

Merrick, N.Y.,, USA. February 21, 2010.  Duelling Divas, (L-R) sopranos BIRGIT FIORAVANTE and WENDY REYNOLDS, singing ‘Mira, O Norma’ from Bellini’s ‘Norma’ – in comic opera concert presented by Merrick Bellmore Community Concert Association. (© 2010 Ann Parry/AnnParry.com)

Sopranos Birgit Fioravante aka The Baroness and Wendy Reynolds aka La Bouvier, and pianist Heather Coltman aka Paige Turner are beautiful musicians and inspired comic actresses.

MERRICK, NY - February 21: Duelling Divas stars, sopranos Birgit Firavante and Wendy Reynolds - wearing Roman cloaks and singing ?Mira, O Norma? and ?Casta Diva? from Bellini's "Norma" - in comic opera concert presented by Merrick Bellmore Community Concert Association on February 21, 2010 at Merrick, NY. (Ann Parry/Ann Parry, ann-parry.com)

Merrick, N.Y., USA. February 21, 2010. Duelling Divas sopranos (L-R) BIRGIT FIORAVANTE and WENDY REYNOLDS sing from Bellini’s ‘Norma’ – in comic opera concert presented by Merrick Bellmore Community Concert Association at Calhoun High School. (© 2010 Ann Parry/AnnParry.com)

My mother and my brother John were opera singers, and I remember listening, from the time I was a very young child, to opera playing on the stereo with Mom singing along. Well, I enjoyed the grand opera and grand hi-jinx of the Duelling Divas in Merrick even more than many Metropolitan Opera productions I’ve caught in Manhattan.

What great fun it was seeing southern belle La Bouvier parry The Baroness, who went from regal to fierce to deflated as she emptied her jeweled flask, while Paige Turner valiantly, vainly refereed the Duelling Divas during their überspirited jealous rages.

MERRICK, NY - February 21: Duelling Divas concert with sopranos Birgit Firavante and Wendy Reynolds and pianist Heather Coltman in bloody fight, one using sword to block hatchet swung at her face, in Mad scene from Donizetti's "Lucia di Lammermoor" in comic opera concert presented by Merrick Bellmore Community Concert Association. (© 2010 Ann Parry/Ann-Parry.com)

Merrick, N.Y., USA. February 21, 2010. In Duelling Divas concert, sopranos (L-R) BIRGIT FIORAVANTE and WENDY REYNOLDS thrust and parry in Mad scene from Donizetti’s ‘Lucia di Lammermoor’ in comic opera concert presented by Merrick Bellmore Community Concert Assoc. (© 2010 Ann Parry/AnnParry.com)

The Duelling Divas have super loyal fans from throughout the country, and quite a few traveled from Manhattan and beyond to attend the concert and then chat with the Divas afterward. For audience members seeing the Duelling Divas for the first time, many said how surprised they were that the three classical musicians were so funny. Others said how they were surprised the hilarious comic actresses were such accomplished opera singers. Brava, Divas!

MERRICK, NY - February 21: Duelling Divas concert - starring opera sopranos Birgit Firavante and Wendy Reynolds and pianist Heather Coltman - in comic opera concert presented by Merrick Bellmore Community Concert Association on February 21, 2010 at Merrick, NY. (Ann Parry/Ann Parry, ann-parry.com)

Merrick, N.Y., USA.  February 21, 2: Duelling Divas concert – starring opera sopranos BIRGIT FIORAVANTE & WENDY REYNOLDS & pianist HEATHER COLTMAN – in comic opera concert presented by Merrick Bellmore Community Concert Assoc. (© 2010 Ann Parry/AnnParry.com,

Jump at the chance to see the Duelling Divas when they charge into your area.

  • NOTE: This post is an expanded version of one from my former blog.

Duelling Divas 2010:  my PHOTO GALLERY

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