Brooklyn Deliciousness and Debauchery

The storm clouds looming overhead today bring a sense of stillness to the city, the eerie quiet that precedes cleansing storms. It is fitting that the rain has held off until today, Sunday; the crisp, mild Fall weather of Friday and Saturday afforded a thorough enjoyment of the weekend, so that today we can stay out of the rainstorms and recuperate, indoors and cozy, free of guilt from not being outside.

Friday, I discovered Roberta's, a charming restaurant/pizzeria tucked into a quiet street in Bushwick. I am already planning on shortly returning to sample more of the deliciousness! After enjoying salad, cuttlefish and wine (yes, I had a glass! cheers to moderation...), I proceeded with my friend to Kings County Bar, a small hipster bar around the corner, in Bushwick/East Williamsburg. Sipping on my seltzer and lime, I sat outside with my friend in the lovely enclosed backyard area, listening to her stories of the bar's Saturday night frenzied crowd. Apparently Saturdays is a wild ruckus of a dance party and even has go-go dancers!

I may return there for less sober times in the future. But Friday night, after saying good-night to my friend, I departed to meet up in Greepoint. Here I discovered yet another place new to me, the Manhattan Inn, a confusingly named piano bar/jazz lounge/eatery in Greenpoint. I have to come back here as well!

All of this fun with only one glass of wine and good company!

Saturday, refreshingly not hungover, I embarked on a new adventure: BBQ party in Bushwick, celebrating my friend's birthday, mingling, and then biking and dancing galore. I have to say, I love, love love love small private outdoor parties! There is nothing better than a garden BBQ party in lovely crisp Fall weather, with good company, good food, and good music. I am excited about getting to know friends of friends better and delighted that NYC is opening up this way to me, with its hidden gardens and parties.

And then, I biked all the way to the Gowanus, from Bushwick, to the Bell House. I vaguely knew the way, vaguely got lost, and then seemingly magically arrived shortly before midnight, in time to pay the reduced entry for the Cheryl dance party. With a 7-11 costume theme, a free table to decorate yourself and thumping electro music, the party was truly jumping.

It was such an enthusiastic, visually fascinating crowd that I didn't even crave a drink. (And I was already good to go, with sangria from the BBQ party.) I even made it home on my bike before 2:30 a.m. Party pics below (which don't even do justice to the costumes or party).



And, today, there is a block party in Bushwick!! I wonder if it's rain or shine... Highlights include food from Roberta's and some great free music... !

Weekend Plans: 9/11 Memorial... To Life!

Okay, good luck to me this weekend! There is too much going on for me not to go out, but I am determined to stay strong and maintain my little vacation from drinking. I haven't had a drop of booze since before Labor Day weekend and don't plan on ending my little detox anytime soon.

But let's see how well I can balance health with partying and my weekend freedom with my imminent teaching responsibilities.

So, this weekend is Pre-Hysteria, a 3rd Ward party to benefit Rubulad, an Underworld Record Release Party, sponsored by GBH, and the mysterious, alluring Cheryl party.


THIS SATURDAY // Pre-Hysteria – A Fundraiser to help save Rubulad from certain oblivion

Saturday, September 11, 10 p doors, 11 p show, 195 Morgan Ave, Brooklyn, NY, 21+ with ID

$20 admission to benefit the existence of Rubulad for 65 million more years to come

After years of sending Brooklyn's most adventurous party-goers into all-night wonderlands of art and celebration, Rubulad is now in danger of losing its space. Now we're helping our kindred party-spirits by hosting a fundraising party called "Pre-Hysteria" -- referring to all things billions years back, the way things were when dinosaurs and not the Department of Buildings ruled the earth. Please dress and comport yourselves accordingly.

Live music by:
Les Sans Culottes, Lily and the Parlour Tricks, Not Waving, but Drowning, Jessica Delfino, Bradford Reed and his Pencilina

DJs:
The Vintage DJ, DJ Dirty Finger, Reagonomics

Performances by:
Zero Boy, Fairytale Experiment Presents: Shadow/Play, The Jared Whitham Show, Modern Dance Awareness Society

Plus:
Aerialists curated by Anya Sapozhnikova, G. Scopitronic's Non-Stop Film Fest, Light Circus Extraordinaire of Norm Francoeur & Delicious Barbecue

AND - the Underworld Record Release Party at Brooklyn Bowl!


And the Cheryl party, at the Bell House:


Also, see the Time Out NY list of cultural events for Saturday! To life, and the weekend...

Amanda Blank Tonight!

It is almost unreal to me that I was able to score Amanda Blank tickets for a little under $20 each, for tonight at The Bell House. Amanda Blank is sure to blow up much more in the near future!!

Described in Time Out New York as a performer who, "like her contemporaries—M.I.A., Santigold—Blank looks fondly upon the ’80s, with spare beats and a voice befitting her surname." (Read more at newyorktimeout) Seriously, she knows how to make some catchy, dancey, infectiously happy songs!!

Tonight's show is also a benefit for keep-a-breast.org, to which 100% of the profits from the event will go toward. This is mighty in keeping with recent events I've been attending... seems like it's a new trend to have events, from shows to shopping to parties, in the name of charity! Not a problem to me.

The show is all-ages, doors are at 7:30 pm, and MDNR opens. Click here to buy tickets!

See you at the show!