Last night for my birthday we went out for a delicious Thai dinner and into the city for a classical music concert. I was so excited all week because it's my favorite orchestra, Tempesta di Mare and I didn't get to see them perform last year. I could have seen them at Swarthmore college on December 8th in beautiful Lang Concert Hall, but no. I wanted to go into the city and see them on my birthday in the neo-gothic splendor of St. Mark's. The evenings program was music of the Paris Salon. It was created in the eighteenth-century for the élite of French society.

The ambiance of the church did not disappoint. As anyone who reads this blog knows I'm a slave for ambiance. The church's architecture was enhanced with candle lit statues, crucifixes, huge wooden doors and enormous archways everywhere. We sat in pews facing hymn books from 1982. I was enthralled as the music played in perfect acoustics.

As I gleefully listened one in a crowd of many, slowly the chill set in. My eyes darted around the church to see if they were serving hot refreshments- nothing. The harpsichord chimed and I checked to see if the other patrons were as bundled up as I was-they were indeed. The violin was wonderful but my face was freezing now and I began searching the area for a space heater or a bonfire! Iced to the bone I skimmed through my program trying too distract myself. Finally intermission came and we collectively decided not to brave this chilling castle one minute longer. I had no idea a one hundred and fifty-nine year old church would be well.....freezing. Silly me.

St. Mark's Church on Locust St.