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Weekly Snapshot - Escape to Romance 
Happy Valentine's Day!
Last week's snapshot featured dining and gift giving during this romantic month. This week, I've highlighted getaways... five upstate retreats that are true hidden gems within close proximity to New York, for a fast escape from the bustle of the city.
Each offers a unique experience to rejuvenate your body and soul in a charming setting complete with a multitude of cultural attractions. My Foodie section features my top picks uptown and downtown during NYC Restaurant Week.
Don't forget that February is American Heart Month -- there are events being held citywide to spread awareness. Show your support for the cause by donning red any day of the month.
Norma Knows New York City
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Send to other savvy New Yorkers and hip visitors, so they can
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See the below categories for my event picks for the
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 General Events...
 February 14 to 16 Couture Fashion Week If you're not lucky to score tickets to Fashion Week, buy a ticket to this event at the New Yorker Hotel (481 8th Avenue). As an added highlight on the 15th, join in on the festivities of high fashion and music, a celebration inspired by the theme of iconic Carnivale di Venezia... bring your mask! February 15 Miami Beach Suncare takes over Grand Central Terminal Fun in the sun is so needed now! Stop by Grand Central Terminal on the 15th and you'll think you're in Miami. A selection of sun care products, displays and surprises will make you forget for a few moments that it's still winter!  February 16 Chocolate Walking Tour Attention chocoholics - starting on the 16th, Bob Gelber of Walkin' NY will conduct chocolate walking tours of the sweetest spots in the city. If you haven't gotten your Valentine's present yet, this might be the perfect solution. Tours start at Marie Belle Fine Chocolate (484 Broome Street). Saturdays through May 18th.
February 21 6th Annual NYC Beer Week NYC Brewers Guilds open their week-long event at Vanderbilt Hall (Grand Central Station). Through March 2nd.
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Cultural Pursuits...
February 19 Emma Hack: Undercover
Having enjoyed Rebecca Hossack's Gallery in London, I always check to see her upcoming exhibits in NYC (262 Mott Street). Australian artist, Emma Hack, will exhibit a live installation next week. Through March 12th.
February 21
Italian Futurism, 1909-1944:
Reconstructing the Universe
The first futurist exhibit of 300 masterworks will be revealed at the Guggenheim Museum (1071 5th Avenue). The exhibit will incorporate paintings, architecture, fashion, film and photography.
Through February 23The Fashion World of Jean Paul Gaultier: From the Sidewalk to the CatwalkThere's still time to view this amazing exhibit at the Brooklyn Museum (200 Eastern Parkway - Brooklyn).
Through February 23 The Armory Show at 100: Modern Art and Revolution One of my favorite museums, the New-York Historical Society Museum & Library (170 Central Park West), is showcasing the Armory Show at 100, 100 masterworks from the 1913 Armory Show that powerfully impacted American audiences.
Through April 6 Ink Art:Past as Present in Contemporary China This exhibit at the MET (1000 Fifth Avenue) is wonderful - 70 works by 35 artists from 1980 to present. 
Through April 23 Fashion and Folk Art Thirteen emerging designers have created original ensembles inspired by artwork at the American Folk Art Museum (2 Lincoln Square).
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Curtain Up...
Through February 16
Royal New Zealand Ballet
NYC debut at the Joyce Theater
(175 8th Avenue).
February 18, 19, 20, 22
20th Century Violin Concertos
NYC Ballet performances inspired by modern masters at the David Koch Theater (20 Lincoln Center Plaza). Masterworks by world renowned choreographers.
February 19 Ailey II 40th Anniversary
Tickets go on sale for their 40th Anniversary performances... two weeks of spectacular events April 2nd through 13th.
February 20 Portraits of Joni: Jessica Molaskey Sings Joni Mitchell
Two performances as part of American Songbook, at The Allen Room (70 Lincoln Center Plaza).
February 21 70 years of the People's Opera
This anniversary concert features some of City Opera's most acclaimed recent performers, at New York City Center (131 West 55th Street).
February 21 & 22 Kenny Garrett & The Music of Mulgrew Miller
Two special evenings when Grammy award winner Kenny Garrett joins Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra at Rose Hall (Broadway & 60th Street) with Wynton Marsalis for two nights of memorable jazz.
February 21 Vienna: City of Dreams
Opens at Carnegie Hall (57th Street & 7th Avenue). A three-week citywide festival with performances and events in music, film and dance.
FILM & THEATER
February 14 Rendez-Vous with French Cinema
Tickets go on sale for this event presented by the Film Society at Lincoln Center. March 6th through 16th.
February 15 Rusalka
Metropolitan Opera (Lincoln Center Plaza)
Renée Fleming performs in Dvorák's bittersweet romance.
 February 18 Antony & Cleopatra One of my favorite theater venues, The Public Theater (425 Lafayette Street), will showcase one of my favorite plays. A collaboration with the Royal Shakespeare Theater Company.Through March 23rd. February 18 Lola Montes The French Institute (22 East 60th Street) presents this French Film about a showgirl and an entertainer named Lola. February 20
Bridges of Madison County Opens Tony Award Nominee Kelli O'Hara stars in a romantic play at the Schoenfeld Theater (236 West 45th Street) that focuses on the roads we travel, the roads we open, and the bridges we dare to cross. Through November 23rd. Visit previous snapshots for more favorites in theater.
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For the Foodie... NYC Restaurant Week
NYC Restaurant Week is February 17 through March 7th... 3 course lunches for $25 per person, dinners for $38. It's a great opportunity to try out hot spots throughout the city. Here are my top picks uptown and downtown. Check the websites for special menus and make your reservations.
Downtown
The Dutch
New American - SoHo
13 1 Sullivan Street
(at Prince Street)
Gotham Bar and Grill
New American - Greenwich Village
12 East 12th Street
(5th Avenue & University Place)
The Harrison
American - Tribeca
355 Greenwich Street
(Harrison & Franklin Streets)
Kittichai
Thai - SoHo
60 Thompson Street
(Spring & Broome Streets)
Lafayette
French - NoHo
380 Lafayette Street
(4th & Great Jones Streets)
Uptown
Alloro
Italian - Upper East Side
307 East 77th Street
(1st & 2nd Avenues)
Caravaggio
Italian - Upper East Side
24 East 81st Street
(5th & Madison Avenues)
David Burke Fishtail
Seafood - Upper East Side
135 East 62nd Street
(Lexington & Park Avenues)
The Leopard at des Artistes  Italian - Upper West Side 1 West 67th Street
(Central Park West & Columbus Avenue) Meditteranean - Upper West Side
142 West 65th Street
(Broadway & 10th Avenue) VALENTINE'S DAY FOODIE EVENTS
February 14 Valentine's Feast Cooking Class
Rustico (40 West 39th Street), an excellent culinary cooking school is offering couples cooking on Valentines' Day.
February 14 Dinner & a Movie
Midnight in Paris and a 4-course dinner at The Crosby Hotel (79 Crosby Street).
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Special Feature... 
Romantic Winter Destinations
Buttermilk Falls Inn & Spa
220 North Road - Milton, NY
Historic elegance, modern luxury and country charm come together for a perfect winter escape; a 90 minute drive from the city. Nestled in 70 wooded acres in the quaint setting of Milton on the Hudson. This getaway is a wellness oasis offering guests Yoga and Pilates classes, an indoor pool and an array of spa treatments in their eco- friendly Hudson Valley Day Spa with spectacular views of the Hudson river.
Front Street Guest House
20 S Front Street - Hudson, NY
A true combination of local charm with hints of urban living. The newly renovated Front Street Guest House is located in the heart of historic Hudson, New York with views of the Catskill mountains. The guest house is small and intimate, but their lovely one, two, and three bedroom suites are quite spacious. Front Street is steps from the town's galleries, hip boutiques, cafes and restaurants. A favorite of mine is the restaurant and bar, MOD, tucked beside the guest house.
Glenmere Mansion
634 Pine Hill Road - Chester, NY
A Relais & Chateaux property, this magnificent 150-acre Tuscan estate in the town of Chester is 50 miles from New York City, deep in the rolling farmlands of the lower Hudson Valley. Once host to royalty and leading artists, now reborn as a premier luxury hotel. Glenmere features eighteen perfectly appointed guest rooms, surrounding amenities, and two fine dining restaurants... The China Room and Supper Room. Their spa is luxurious and reminiscent of the Gilded Age when the Mansion was born.
Hudson Merchant House
10 South Front Street - Hudson, NY
When Martha Stewart gave this inn a thumbs up, I knew that I needed to book a stay. A gorgeous boutique Bed & Breakfast, innkeepers Roy and Mike make you feel immediately welcome by sharing captivating stories over your morning gourmet breakfasts. The boutique inn offers a sophisticated country experience in the center of the quaint town of Hudson. The 1770's house has been completely renovated... a perfect blend of past and present, surrounded by quaint vintage shops, cool cafés and gastropubs.
The Roundhouse at Beacon Falls
2 East Main Street - Beacon, NY
Easily accessible by car or train, is the picturesque town of Beacon, New York. Both the sleeping rooms and the dining experience at the Roundhouse get my approval. We ate at Swift Restaurant, where locally inspired, seasonal menus and artisanal cocktails are offered. In the spring, (I'm counting the days), al fresco dining overlooks the Fishkill Creek Waterfall. Walk around the town's many shops, markets, galleries and restaurants. Don't miss an afternoon visit to the famous Dia: Beacon contemporary art museum that displays collections from the 1960's to the present.
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