Dakota's Carnegie Hall Debut

Diana and I spent our Thanksgiving weekend in New York City so that we could see our "unofficial" granddaughter perform at Carnagie Hall. It was exciting weekend and a very special treat.

Carnegie Hall

Steve, Dakota and Becky

I'll let Dakota's American Protege participant's bio fill you in on Dakota's musical background.

"Dakota Betts, a 13 year old (who just turned 14) from Glenview, IL has been captivated by the piano ever since learning the distinctive staccato rhythm of "Mexican Jumping Beans" at age 5. She is a student of Dr. Akiko Konishi and has won top prizes in several competitions and festivals. In 2013, Dakota won second place in the Robert Savler Music Competition sponsored by the Chicago Music Teacher's Association, and in 2014 she was a prize winner again in a higher division, winning third place. In addition, Dakota was the youngest prize winner of the 2014 Triton College Concerto Competition. She also competes on her school's Science Olympiad team and earned the privilege to represent her district at the Illinois state competition in 2015. When she is not playing the piano or in the science lab, Dakota can be found on the tennis court, soccer field, or writing poetry that reflects her free spirit and vivid imagination."

Becky, Dakota (14), Nathaniel (12) and Steve after the performance

Dakota is an amazing young women and we have had the privilege of watching her grow up.

Now to the competition. American Protégé Piano and Strings Competitions are open to independent solo musicians of all ages, nationalities and countries. Participants submit their performance on video. The first round of the audition process includes screening of the submissions by the American Protégé Organizational Committee. Then a panel of judges consisting of high-profile musicians and teachers review the finalists and make the final decisions.

Needless to say, when the process is completed the judges have selected young people who have considerable talent.

The performers

Now the venue. "The Winner's Recital" took place on Saturday afternoon at the Weill Recital Hall at Carnegie Hall. The three hour-long program of classical music included the performances of 34 young people ages 8 to 16. They were absolutely amazing.

Weill Recital Hall at Carnegie Hall

And now to Dakota's performance. She played a segment from Gershwin's Prelude No. 1.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2zeYTFzypdw

And finally we come to "Dakota's Carnegie Debut Dinner," which was held at Ai Fiori, an Italian restaurant at the Langham Place Hotel on 5th Avenue.  Dinner was spectacular but this was no surprise given the restaurant's credentials as described below.

Dakota on the staircase to the restaurant

Ai Fiori received three stars from The New York Times as well as Michelin Star recognition the past several years. The restaurant was also included in Esquire Magazine’s 2011 List of Best New Restaurants in America. Additionally, New York Post critic Steve Cuozzo labeled the signature dish Astice the “greatest dish in the world.” Ai Fiori also ranks among Zagat’s Best Italian in NYC, and the Forbes Travel Guide awarded it four stars.  

What a party. It started at 5:30 PM and lasted until after ten. In attendance were family and friends from all over the US and the UK.

Becky, Paula, Martha (Dakota's grandmother) and Gail

Diana and Gail (Becky's sister)

Dakota's grandfather John Betts with his friend Doreen

Dakota with her cousin, Audrey

Now to the rest of the weekend.

Diana and I arrived on Thursday evening after a problem free flight from Tampa and promptly adjourned to the Bianca Restaurant at the Wyndham New Yorker Hotel for Thanksgiving Dinner. This was followed by a walk north on 5th Avenue, where we looked at Christmas decorations and back south through Times Square.

Saks Fifth Avenue constantly changing lighted facade accompanied by Nutcracker Suite music

Friday morning we took the subway and visited the 9/11 memorial. Very moving. The names of every person who perished in the terror attacks of February 26, 1993 & September 11, 2001 are honored in bronze around the twin Memorial pools.

One World Trade Center in the background

911 Memorial Pool

Then a quick subway ride north to the theater district where we took in a hysterical broadway show, Front  Page with Nathan Lane, John Slattery and John Goodman.

John Goodman

Nathan Lane and John Slattery

Friday's dinner was with Becky, Steve, Dakota, Nathaniel, John and Doreen at Joe Allen in the theater district.

Les, Nathaniel and Diana discussing Minecraft at Breakfast at the Tick Tock Restaurant

Saturday was devoted to Dakota's performance at Carnegie Hall. However, a funny (well not that funny) thing happened on the way to Carnegie. I lost my cell phone, which I discovered when I used it to get the time right after exiting the taxi cab (approximately 12:30 PM). &*#%%#@@ (expletives deleted). Diana to the rescue. She suggested I use her phone to call mine. Bingo. I got a hold of the passenger in the cab we had just vacated and he arranged for the driver to return to Carnegie with the phone. Believe it or not I still was on time for the start of the 1:00 PM performance.

Betts family as we arrive at Pennsylvania Station for the train ride to Newark Airport

Sunday was a travel day. All of us departed the hotel at 12:30 PM and headed for Pennsylvania Station for the train ride to Newark Airport ($18.00 for Diana & I - best deal in NYC). No hassle at the airport, a smooth flight and we were home.

A spectacular weekend in the Big Apple with spectacular people.

Written by Les.