James Wolcott writes about The Complete New Yorker and gives a nice, concise history of the magazine. (For anyone who’s interested, About Town by Ben Yagoda is a great book-length history of the New Yorker.)

We went to Carnegie Hall last night to see Rufus Wainwright reprise Judy Garland’s legendary 1961 concert in that same venue. I had a really good time – I’d never been to a Rufus Wainwright concert before. The audience was filled with gay men, which made for longer lines at the men’s room. On line behind me for the bathroom was a man who was in town from San Francisco for his 45th anniversary high school reunion, which means that he graduated the year the original concert was performed. He didn’t know anything about Rufus Wainwright and had bought a ticket on a friend’s recommendation. He asked me what the rest of Rufus’s music is like, and I couldn’t really describe it other than “eclectic,” “lush” and “musical.”

We were up in the balcony on one of the side aisles. Directly across the aisle from us was a very strange middle-aged man who showed up by himself and really got into things. He was snapping and closing his eyes and waving his arms in the air. I think I heard him singing along with Rufus a few times. His wristwatch had these stalks on it that glowed with red and green lights right before the concert began. After the show was over, he probably went back to his lonely apartment to resume being Man in Chair.

Rufus himself, in addition to intentionally repeating Judy’s famous flub on “You Go To My Head,” forgot a couple of lyrics himself. There were also a couple of minor technical incidents. But this all made him that much more endearing and human.

The concert repeats tonight – if it isn’t already sold out.

The concert repeats tonight, so maybe you can get a ticket – if it isn’t already sold out. (Thanks, F.B.)

We returned last night from our long weekend in the South with Matt’s family. It was lots of fun.

One way to sum it up is: wedding barbecue with Hawaiian shirts and leis in Opelika, Alabama; a visit to the Tennessee Aquarium in Chattanooga; dinner at a house filled with Disney memorabilia; an addictive card game.

Another way to sum it up is: Hardee’s, Dairy Queen, Golden Corral, Wal-Mart, another Wal-Mart, Chick Fil-A.

And now, if you’ll excuse me, I’m off to the gym.