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New York has been described as the city that never sleeps, but that's not the glimpse of the Big Apple presented by photographer Matthew Pillsbury. His City Stages series, on view through Nov. 17 at Atlanta's Jackson Fine Art gallery, features black-and-white scenes from Manhattan landmarks like the High Line (above)--a park constructed on abandoned train tracks--that were shot using long exposures, giving them a haunting and hazy effect.
QUICK TALK
Cyndi Lauper
It's been nearly 30 years since Cyndi Lauper rocketed to fame with 1983's "Girls Just Want to Have Fun" and "Time After Time." Now 59, the veteran pop star is prepping for a reality show (Cyndi Lauper: Still So Unusual, premiering soon on We TV) and a broadway musical (Kinky Boots, opening in March on Broadway) and is hawking her new book, Cyndi Lauper: A Memoir, in stores now.
--LILY ROTHMAN
You've toured with the Bangles, the Kinks and more. Who was the most fun?
I always enjoyed the Bangles. They were fun. With the Kinks, the road crew was a lot different from the band. Sometimes, to an opening act, they can be real bitchy. I was so young--I wasn't really young, I think I was never young in this industry--and finally I said to [Kinks lead singer] Ray Davies, "Listen, if you're not going to give me the tools to do what I do, I'm not going to be on this tour. I'm going to go be famous on TV."
What do you mean, you were never young in this industry?
When "Girls Just Want to Have Fun" came out, I was 30. They were saying, "How old are you?" and even then I was like, "Why? You think I'm a car? You need to check under the hood and kick the tires?"
You've said in the past that rock 'n' roll can save the world. Do you still feel that way?
It's up to the individuals. The industry has changed a lot. Every kid wants to be famous, but they don't know for what. The reality star has become huge because of the oddity of it, I guess. But then I can't say, because I have a reality show.
Ever bust out your Ethel Merman impression anymore?
I used to do a lot of Ethel singing the Beatles and Johnny Mathis singing "Stairway to Heaven," but no, I don't do that much anymore. Sometimes if it's a late night, I'll do something. But usually it's Maureen Stapleton.
SOCIAL MEDIA
Cutting the Mustard
Are you refined enough to associate with Grey Poupon on Facebook? Probably not. Its Society of Good Taste social group accepts just 20% of applicants, judging you on the number of friends you have, books you've read and places you've lived.
3 THINGS YOU DON'T HAVE TO WORRY ABOUT THIS WEEK
1. Getting your Dowager Countess fix--if you live in the U.K.
Downton Abbey is back on British airwaves; sadly, the rest of us will have to wait months to watch.
2. Shakira's relevance.
The Latin pop star will fill in for Christina Aguilera as a judge on the fourth season of The Voice; Usher will sit in for Cee Lo Green (legally, at least).
3. Clint Eastwood censoring himself.