The Fashions and Pleasures of New York

JOHN McMULLIN

SOMETHING new is what everyone is looking for, but when found it is only new for a week. One's own pet discoveries turn out to be already the possessions of everybody; the anticipatory crowd overtakes the electric sign almost before the current has been turned on. It wasn't so long ago that we all heard of Mah Jong. Now it is being played by everyone. Some play it so well that, to the novice, their proficiency seems discouraging. But do not be discouraged, for it is always natural to balk at new games. We all have bridge, and most of us love it, but Mah Jong, one must confess, is even better because it combines the best in bridge, poker and chess. There are people who give lessons and only a few of these lessons suffice to give one a playing knowledge of the game. After that, it is intelligence and cleverness that count. If you have not already purchased a set of ivory "tiles", take my tip and get one, for, before you know it, all of your friends will have learned to play. You will then find yourself in the position of an exile who, on returning to the great city, has never even heard the name of the latest star in the latest play. And everyone knows there is no more ignominious position than that.

One of the best instructors in New York teaches at Lady Nic's in East 45th Street every morning and right after lunch. It is a convenient place to drop in for a lesson.

THE last week in March will bring to New York a new form of entertainment. At special matinees, Stowitts will present an arrangement of symphony and ballet which has never been done before. Stow'itts is the Nijinski of American dancers. And, like Nijinski, he is a producer as well. For the first time in America, the three new ballets—the Inca, the Lure, by Gustav Holst, and Debussy's Clouds will be given. Lady Dukes will be the High Priestess of the Sun, which is the role that Lady Tree had in London, where Stowitts also produced this ballet. These occasions will, I suppose, have first nights as brilliant as those of the MoscowArt Theatre.

Another thing to do just now, in the way of sightseeing, is the Negro Cabaret called "The Capitol" at 135th Street and Lenox Avenue. The entertainment is quite extraordinary. One should go there in parties of four and six.

AT the other end of the town, in the famous "Village", there are lots of little places worth going to in a quiet way. There the scene is so changed from the nightly routine of the West Forties, that one has almost the impression of discovering a new world. Of course, everyone has dined at Mori's, but there are, also, little places where it is fun to go occasionally, like the famous Romany Marie's and the "Blue Horse"—at the latter of which there is a sort of miniature aquarium set in the walls around the room. After dining at such a place one can go to the play at the Provincetown Theater, just off the square at MacDougal Street, where there is always something interesting and well-acted—usually something rathir novel. A step across the street from there, and one is back in the West Forties at the Club Gallant, where an excellent supper and an entertaining cabaret performance await your arrival. By this time every one has samoled the Russian Eagle, below which is an entirely new restaurant with a Caucasian atmosphere. And, by the way, it is the first time that that part of the world has been exploited in the basement of an American browmstone front.