Tag Archives: diary

Dr. Sue Enjoys Ashokan Music & Dance Camp Online Positive Entertainment

Dr. Sue Enjoys Ashokan Music & Dance Camp Online

My Teddy Bear Puppet (and Me) love Ashokan & Music-Dance Camps – Online in 2020!

Ashokan Arts and Nature Center is nestled in the Catskill Mountain of New York – an idyllic setting for music, dancing, hiking, wildflowers, butterflies, and swimming in a natural pool by a waterfall.

There are several camps in the summer, specializing in different types of mainly traditional American music, with classes in singing, music theory, instruments and more – plus different kinds of dancing. Each camp is one week long – plus weekend music-dance hoots and events (like the popular New Year’s weekend).

Attendees include adults, families, singles and couples, with all ages mingling freely , in classes, on the dance floor, and in the dining hall around wooden tables set up for family style dining. Delicious meals are prepared by the gifted chef (with vegan options) and kitchen staff, with produce fresh-picked food from the farm garden near the dining hall. Attendees stay in comfortable dorms, private rooms, and local inns – or bring their own tents. If you attend online, you can relax at home and sleep in your own bed – and it’s easily affordable – with a sliding scale payment option.

Music and dance classes – with evening concerts by staff and campers, plus informal music jams emphasize participation, and a sense of “family”. Campers often return year after year and build life-long friendships with each other and with the owners, a married couple named Jay Ungar and Molly Mason. Jay’s original, but traditional sounding fiddle song “Ashokan Farewell” was featured in the Ken Burns documentary PBS series on the Civil War – and provided key funding to save and upgrade the Ashokan Center as a unique combination of an environmentally conscious, natural setting for music and the all the arts (including, painting, quilting, and a canoe on the rafters of the dining hall).

Building community usually takes in-person interaction. So how in the world is all this going to happen online? There’s a one word answer – Zoom!

It turns out that Zoom is well-suited for classes, concerts, and comments. Featured performers appear in the large middle screen. Attendees can leave comments on the side and appear in small video boxes in the Zoom Gallery.

Many Ashokan “Zoomers” play musical instruments or sing, and some even dance at home -but you don’t have to – you can just enjoy the performers. (I can see Zoomers in the gallery of little video boxes.)

My teddy bear hand puppet can’t play the banjo or guitar – probably because he doesn’t have a thumb. But my own thumb fits nicely in Teddy’s plush arm, and combined with my fingers and hand, Teddy can wave to the Zoomers, emote (with dramatic effect) and applaud with enthusiasm! Teddy can also dance (more or less). He doesn’t have two left feet because… he doesn’t have any feet! And, as it turns out, he fills up a video box and looks great in Zoom!

To learn more about Ashokan Center, please visit https://ashokancenter.org/. Here’s the Direct Link to the Camps: https://ashokancenter.org/camps/

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m76rfx4NFUg

Let’s revisit old memories – and look forward to in-person good times….!

Dr. Sue’s YouTube Channel www.youtube.com/drsuecomedian

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IC9Ua2c9Qoo

Here I am in 2018 singing my original song with the Ashokan Honky-Tonk Band!

Susan (“Dr. Sue”) Horowitz, Ph.D.
Motivational Speaker-Author-Educator

Book: “Queens of Comedy” (Lucille Ball, Carol Burnett, Joan Rivers, Phyllis Diller)
smashwords.com/books/view/219367

“Rainbow To Oz” A Modern Musical! RainbowToOz.com www.rainbowtooz.com

https://www.instagram.com/horowitz30

youtube.com/user/drsuecomedian/videos

Dr. Sue “Mrs. Hamilton the Musical” Positive Entertainment

Dr. Sue’s Funny Review “Mrs. Hamilton the Musical”

“Hamilton the Musical” is a lot of laughs…after the show! I streamed the mega-hit, mega-bucks Broadway show on my computer. Due to the pandemic, Broadway is closed for live entertainment, but “Hamilton” now streams online – if you subscribe to Disney +.

I am in voluntary self-quarantine, so I spend most of my time at home with my computer – or going for morning, solo walks in my New York City park – where I became friendly with the Brookfield Place Security Guard. I always wear a mask indoors, but when I’m outdoors for my early morning, uncrowded walks, I’m less cautious. The Guard is more available before the daytime crowd arrives. We stay six apart and enjoy lively conversations, updating each other on our lives – with encouragement and humor.

The morning after I watched “Hamilton” I encountered my new friend, the Guard. He had not seen the show on Broadway or online, so I summarized the story – with my own comic twist – and here it is!

Hamilton (a US Founding Father), a.k.a. “Mr. Ham” is the lead role. Mr. Ham, immigrates to the pre-USA, fights for independence, invents banking, flirts with his bride’s sister, insults people, and fathers a son – who gets into to a duel to defend his dad’s honor. Mr. Ham tells his son to shoot into the air – which gets him killed.

Mrs. Hamilton is really steamed – especially when Mr. Ham defends his financial honor to his enemies by pointing out that his suspicious check stubs were payments to the hubby of a local hottie for letting Ham and hottie do the nasty in the wife’s bed.

Mr. Ham gets into his own duel, shoots into the air, and gets himself killed.

The musical makes multi-millions – on stage and now…on screen.

The Security Guard and I plan to write a sequel called… “Mrs. Hamilton: I Married a Moron! “

In our version, Mrs. Ham gets the pistol and shoots Mr. Ham in his pee-pee.

She becomes a Founding Mother, and we become billionaires!

Our new, improved version has comedy and a happy ending! We expect it to be a success – on stage, screen and as a sitcom/reality show called… “I Married a Moron!” The married couple will be play by a celebrity wife and a famous US politico husband. Guess who!

We hope to spin-off the sitcom into dance-exercise videos – so you can social distance – and stay in shape! Here is a free sample!

Dr. Sue’s YouTube Channel www.youtube.com/drsuecomedian

Dr. Sue and Security Guard Dance-Exercise in the Park!

Susan (“Dr. Sue”) Horowitz, Ph.D.
Motivational Speaker-Author-Educator

Book: “Queens of Comedy” (Lucille Ball, Carol Burnett, Joan Rivers, Phyllis Diller)
smashwords.com/books/view/219367

“Rainbow To Oz” A Modern Musical! RainbowToOz.com www.rainbowtooz.com

https://www.instagram.com/horowitz30

youtube.com/user/drsuecomedian/videos

Dr. Sue Solar Power Roses Positive Entertainment

A rose is a rose…except when it has a secret! This rose has a solar battery that absorbs power from the sun!

Actually, all roses (and other plants) are powered by the sun through a natural process known as photosynthesis – turning light energy into plant elements (including flowers, fruit, roots, stems, leaves, etc.)

When we eat the plant, we are indirectly absorbing the power of the sun!

This rose (not the decoration in my hair – the other one) is solar powered. Its battery takes in energy from sunlight all day long. When the sun sets, the hidden lights in the roses turn themselves on and begin to glow in the darkness.

Day Roses – Night Roses…Empowered by the Sun!

Natural Roses are beautiful – we love their colors, aroma, and variety – from wild roses to carefully cultivated hybrids. These solar-powered roses are a fusion of beauty and science that we can enjoy day and night!

Speaking of energy, what do we do with all that energy? One thing I like to do is take long walks and photograph flowers in my local park. On my walks, I encountered a Parks Department Security Guard. We fell into a conversation about our shared interest in flowers and how the park gardeners carefully plant and tend the different varieties so they form multi-colored arrangements that change through the seasons.

The Guard and I formed a friendship over our shared interest in flowers and we began to talk about social issues too – in a spirit of understanding and enjoying each other’s company. It felt particularly poignant because these days, due to the Coronavirus-19 and the need for social distancing, I spend most of my time at home alone. The park offers a chance for exercise, fresh air, sunshine, and sometimes – conversation.

One day, I decided to enhance the exercise potential of my walks and build up my arm muscles (along with my legs), so I started carrying water bottles. Each filled bottle weighs about two pounds. As I lift and swing my arms on my walk, I’m getting a good, full-body work out. What I still miss is dancing – especially with a good partner. All the dance clubs have been closed for months – and not likely to re-open soon. But it turns out that my new friend is … a dancer!

Water Bottle Weights are Free – Companionship and Dancing Joy are Priceless!

Dr. Sue Dance-Exercise in the Park!

Susan "Dr. Sue" Horowitz is available as an 
Entertaining, Motivational Speaker, Educator, Singer-Songwriter, 
and Teaching Artist. Please Use Contact Form on Website

Susan (“Dr. Sue”) Horowitz, Ph.D.
Motivational Speaker-Author-Educator

Book: “Queens of Comedy” (Lucille Ball, Carol Burnett, Joan Rivers, Phyllis Diller)
smashwords.com/books/view/219367

“Rainbow To Oz” A Modern Musical! RainbowToOz.com www.rainbowtooz.com

https://www.instagram.com/horowitz30

youtube.com/user/drsuecomedian/videos

Dr. Sue: “Come to the Orange Boa Bunker-Boy Trump Cabaret” Positive Entertainment

Dr. Sue: “Come to the Orange Bunker-Boy Comedy Cabaret”
Positive Entertainment

Here in solo quarantine due to Covid-19, life can be lonely and boring. Let’s face it, human beings need to share food, drinks…and show tunes!

All the theaters and cabaret venues in New York City are closed. There’s no stage, no scenery, no colored lights, no live audience – and worst of all – no cute waiters.

What’s a cabaret girl (or boy) to do? We still want to connect – and we need to stay creative. We need life purpose, we need human company, we need the arts, we need… “Orange Bunker-Boy Comedy Cabaret”!

Some of us live-stream; some of us zoom; some of us youtube, and some of us social media. Some online friends become ongoing friends – who comfort and cheer us through these dark days and nights – minus the bright light lights of Broadway and mini-lights of cabaret. This show is for you.

I call it my Home-Style Comedy Cabaret. It’s not as filling as home-fries, but on the bright side – I won’t have to burn calories at my gym – which is still closed 🙂

By the way, this show is called “Orange Bunker-Boy Comedy Cabaret” – so if you don’t like political comedy – or orange feather boas – and you do like the orange-themed POTUS – don’t watch my video!

But if you do, here we go-a with my boa!

What good is siting alone in your bunk?
Come to where rainbows play
With orange hair you’ll be quite a hunk
Come to Orange Bunker-Boy Comedy Cabaret!

Dr. Sue sings “Come to the Orange Bunker-Boy Comedy Cabaret”

Dr. Sue’s YouTube Channel www.youtube.com/drsuecomedian

Susan (“Dr. Sue”) Horowitz, Ph.D.
Motivational Speaker-Author-Educator

Book: “Queens of Comedy” (Lucille Ball, Carol Burnett, Joan Rivers, Phyllis Diller)
smashwords.com/books/view/219367

“Rainbow To Oz” A Modern Musical! RainbowToOz.com www.rainbowtooz.com

https://www.instagram.com/horowitz30

youtube.com/user/drsuecomedian/videos

Dr. Sue Sings Diversity Song in NYC Park Positive Entertainment

Dr. Sue Sings “Cielito Lindo” Latin Diversity Song in NYC Park Positive Entertainment

New York City offers many pleasures. Some are public and exciting – like Broadway shows. Some are more personal and intimate – making new friends, crossing cultures, and sharing creativity!

Opportunities for Creative Connections are all around us- even in the epicenter of the 2020 Covid-19 pandemic. A great way to expand your cultural and personal horizons is to visit a city park!

Fortunately, I am able to take walks in my local park, where I often take photos and videos of flowers – and sometimes fish, ducks, and dogs!

I post my photos and videos on Social Media with short remarks and invite my online friends to comment – which they do! This gives a purpose to my walks and keeps me creatively active and connected – even while maintaining social distance.

Walking in the park near The Museum of Jewish Heritage, I encountered an Artist-Protester Elizabeth Abraham, who was displaying her personal creation – a “Black Lives Matter” picket sign-artwork she carries in protest marches. (My photo-video interview with Elizabeth is in another Blog Post.)

Elizabeth, who is considerate, artistic, adventurous, and good company, was looking for a friend – and so was I! She comes to my local park from her uptown apartment in Harlem. She uses the Access-A-Ride transportation service to come to my neighborhood park because she has a has a non-visible disability. Soon we started talking on the telephone to arrange ways to meet, socialize, and do activities together.

One day, Elizabeth told me that she was using Access-A-Ride to bring her 90-year-old family member to our park, and she invited me to meet her. Like Elizabeth, her family member, named Aida Marriott, is Puerto Rican. But unlike Elizabeth, Aida speaks only Spanish – no English – and she has Alzheimer’s Disease (with memory loss). But, said Elizabeth “She sings like a bird!”

This turned out to be true. Aida likes to sing – and so do I. As we were walking through the park, I started singing the Italian song “O Solo Mio” (mainly in English). Elizabeth complimented me on my singing. Encouraged by her support, I tried to think of a Spanish song. I remembered a lovely Mexican song called “Cielito Lindo” (Beautiful Little Sky). Soon Aida and I were singing together on a beautiful day in the park!

“Cielito Lindo” is simple, melodic, and easy-to-sing. Sometimes a simple song reaches beyond language barriers, memory loss, and cultural differences to connect as human beings… and open our hearts!

Here are the lyrics in Spanish – Scroll down for our video!

Cielito Lindo by Ana Gabriel

De la sierra, morena
Cielito lindo, vienen bajando
Un par de ojitos negros, cielito lindo
De contrabando

Ay, ay, ay, ay
Canta y no llores
Porque cantando se alegran
Cielito lindo, los corazones

By the way, Aida (who doesn’t speak English) removed her mask during our song. Elizabeth and I let it go. I said, “She’s 90-years-old. I’m not going to tell her what to do.”

Here is a Video of Our Singing Duet!

Susan (“Dr. Sue”) Horowitz, Ph.D.
Motivational Speaker-Author-Educator

Book: “Queens of Comedy” (Lucille Ball, Carol Burnett, Joan Rivers, Phyllis Diller)
smashwords.com/books/view/219367

“Rainbow To Oz” A Modern Musical! RainbowToOz.com www.rainbowtooz.com

https://www.instagram.com/horowitz30

youtube.com/user/drsuecomedian/videos

Dr. Sue Interviews Artist-Protester Black Lives Matter Positive Entertainment

Dr. Sue Interviews Artist-Protester Black Lives Matter
Positive Entertainment

Dr. Sue Interviews Artist-Protester Elizabeth Abraham.

Ms. Abraham shares her artwork – a tall vertical sign, which she carries in protest marches in New York City.

The sign includes the letters “B L M” –
which stand for “Black Lives Matter.”
This popular, and sometimes controversial slogan
is often shouted in the streets.

Ms. Abraham asserts that we should fight racism – both here in mainland USA and in her native Puerto Rico. “Fight, fight, fight! But you don’t have to get physical, you can fight with intelligence.”

The other side of the sign shows a photograph of Reverend Martin Luther King.

Ms. Abraham quotes Reverend King, saying “We could have come in different ships, but we’re in the same boat now.”

Other symbolic items on this combination picket sign and 3-Dimensional collage art include: the USA Flag in a heart-shape, eyeglasses, and the numbers 2020 – because that is the current year – a year of vast upheaval, a pandemic, and a global confrontation of injustice.

The sign is designed as a vertical rectangle on a stick so that it is portable and visible. Ms. Abraham can hold her sign high above the crowd and be seen by participants and media.

As you’ll see by my video interview, Ms. Abraham speaks clearly and passionately about the protests and the death of George Floyd, the latest, glaring example of systemic racism.

But despite the seriousness of the issues, Ms. Abraham is never hostile or argumentative. In fact, the entire interview took place in an atmosphere of cooperation and sincere, friendly communication.

Ms. Abraham started creating her artwork as a way to give herself a a creative outlet and sense of purpose during a pandemic in New York City, where we have spent much time confined to our homes. This is especially true for seniors like Ms. Abraham, who are at extra risk for Covid-19.

Many people, who are stuck at home feel bored, unhappy, lonely, and fearful. But Ms. Abraham finds a way to turn a negative situation into an opportunity for growth, creativity, and sharing.

I hope that you enjoy this video:

Dr. Sue Interviews Elizabeth Abraham, Artist-Protester.

Susan (“Dr. Sue”) Horowitz, Ph.D.
Motivational Speaker-Author-Educator

Book: “Queens of Comedy” (Lucille Ball, Carol Burnett, Joan Rivers, Phyllis Diller)
smashwords.com/books/view/219367

“Rainbow To Oz” A Modern Musical! RainbowToOz.com www.rainbowtooz.com

https://www.instagram.com/horowitz30

youtube.com/user/drsuecomedian/videos

Dr. Sue Original Funny Cuomosexual Song “Governor Cuomo, Donald Trump, Republican Cruise” Positive Entertainment

Dr. Sue Original Funny Cuomosexual Song “Governor Cuomo Donald Trump Republican Cruise” Positive Entertainment

Dear Governor Cuomo, I notice that when your brother Chris was sick with Covid-19, he had a fever dream – and you were in it!

Well, you give me fever!

And last night I had this fever dream about you, the Republican National Convention, and Donald Trump!

I heard on the news that North Carolina does not want to host the convention, but Florida does!

Guess what’s in Florida?
Miami!

Yes, Miami. When I think of Miami, I think of…Cruise Ships!

I think the Republicans should have their convention on a cruise ship. After all, most cruise ships sail under foreign flags and don’t pay US taxes – just like Donald Trump!

If Trump can cruise, why can’t I? So I wrote this song about our cruise –
just Andy, me… and the Republican National Convention!

Last night I had the strangest dream
– a feverish invention
I dreamed that I was on a cruise
The Republican National Convention!
Republicans held their Bibles
upside down at the buffet
They all got triple helpings –
and used the Bible as a tray!
They sat in crowded hot tubs,
which the virus did pollute
Trump joined in the action –
with no mask and no swimsuit!
His spray tan started melting, and his hair dye bleached his brain
Suddenly he saw me and yelled, “Get the anchor chain!”
They got the chain to lynch me, which is legal according to Republican Senator Paul
Then who show up in a speed boat? The Greatest Hero of Them All!”
– Parody Lyric by Susan “Dr. Sue” Horowitz –
inspired by the song “Last Night I Had the Strangest Dream” (by Ed McCurdy)

Dear Governor Cuomo, you showed up just in time to rescue me!
Yes, I have a dream. And with your help and the help of all good-hearted people, we can rescue the American dream!

Dr. Sue’s YouTube Channel www.youtube.com/drsuecomedian

Susan (“Dr. Sue”) Horowitz, Ph.D.
Motivational Speaker-Author-Educator

Book: “Queens of Comedy” (Lucille Ball, Carol Burnett, Joan Rivers, Phyllis Diller)
smashwords.com/books/view/219367

“Rainbow To Oz” A Modern Musical! RainbowToOz.com www.rainbowtooz.com

https://www.instagram.com/horowitz30

youtube.com/user/drsuecomedian/videos

Dr. Sue Sings Original Funny Cuomosexual Plant Song Positive Entertainment

Dr. Sue Sings Original Funny Song “Governor Cuomo and My Plant” Positive Entertainment

Dr. Sue sings her original, funny song: “Governor Andrew Cuomo and Plants!”

Dr. Sue: “I recently saw a photograph of
Governor Andrew Cuomo
with a plant in the background.

I realized that Andrew and have a lot in common. As a matter of fact,
I have big plant in my living room.

I also feel that Governor Cuomo (the Love-Gov) can find true happiness in the arms of the right older woman – Me!

To stay safe from any possible contagion (except for love), I promise to wear gardening gloves!”

Here is my original funny love song video to Governor Cuomo – and my plant!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mYG1NFrnj58

Stay Healthy, Stay Happy, Stay Safe
Keep Up Your Spirits, and… Keep Your Sense of Humor!

Dr. Sue’s YouTube Channel www.youtube.com/drsuecomedian

Susan (“Dr. Sue”) Horowitz, Ph.D.
Motivational Speaker-Author-Educator

Book: “Queens of Comedy” (Lucille Ball, Carol Burnett, Joan Rivers, Phyllis Diller)
smashwords.com/books/view/219367

“Rainbow To Oz” A Modern Musical! RainbowToOz.com www.rainbowtooz.com

https://www.instagram.com/horowitz30

youtube.com/user/drsuecomedian/videos

Dr. Sue sings her original song “Go Governor Cuomo!” Positive Entertainment

Dr. Sue sings her original song “Go Governor Cuomo!”

Dr. Sue sings her original song
“Go Governor Como” –
Inspired by the Andrew Cuomo Fan Club!

Please watch my video
for positive entertainment…
and for good advice
that will keep us all safe!

Stay Healthy
Stay Happy
Stay Connected

Keep Up Your Spirits, and…
Keep Your Sense of Humor!

Dr. Sue sings her original song “Go Governor Cuomo!”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r12cWSTUVso

Susan (“Dr. Sue”) Horowitz, Ph.D.
Motivational Speaker-Author-Educator

Book: “Queens of Comedy” (Lucille Ball, Carol Burnett, Joan Rivers, Phyllis Diller)
smashwords.com/books/view/219367

“Rainbow To Oz” A Modern Musical! RainbowToOz.com www.rainbowtooz.com

https://www.instagram.com/horowitz30

youtube.com/user/drsuecomedian/videos

Dr. Sue Enjoys Ashokan Music & Dance Camp Online

Dr. Sue’s Funny Review “Mrs. Hamilton the Musical”

Dr. Sue and Security Guard Dance-Exercise in the Park!

Dr. Sue Solar Power Roses Positive Entertainment

Day Roses – Night Roses…Empowered by the Sun!

Dr. Sue Dance-Exercise in the Park!

Dr. Sue: “Come to the Orange Bunker-Boy Comedy Cabaret” Positive Entertainment

Dr. Sue Sings “Cielito Lindo” Latin Diversity Song in NYC Park Positive Entertainment

Dr. Sue Interviews Artist-Protester Black Lives Matter Positive Entertainment

Dr. Sue Original Funny Cuomosexual Song “Governor Cuomo Donald Trump Republican Cruise” Positive Entertainment

Dr. Sue Sings Original Funny Song “Governor Cuomo and My Plant” Positive Entertainment

Dr. Sue sings her original song “Go Governor Cuomo!”

Dr. Sue sings her original song “Go Governor Cuomo!”

Dr. Sue: “Come to the Orange Bunker-Boy Comedy Cabaret”
Positive Entertainment

Dr. Sue Interviews Artist-Protester Black Lives Matter
Positive Entertainment