I wrote an article yesterday, Williamsburg on the Cheap - I am trying to rekindle my love for the 'hood and all its wackiness. Free people-watching, music, art and more, it's true....

Here's to Summer 2012 in NYC.

Aesthetic, Musical, Political, and Culinary Flurry in NYC!

This past week presented a flurry of work, cultural, aesthetic, musical, political and culinary experiences. As it should be.

On Tuesday I saw Eve Ensler give a talk at the Russian Tea Room. She is truly an inspiring, incredible and powerful woman. Once I get that next paycheck, I am going to contribute to V-Day, "A Global Movement to End Violence Against Women and Girls Worldwide". Her stories were truly both frightful and awe-inspiring and speak volumes about both the endurance of women and the extent to which patriarchy continues to exert its powerful force throughout the world. I am looking forward to reading her new book, I am an Emotional Creature: The Secret Life of Girls Around the World.

Wednesday evening was a bit more light-hearted. I went to see Fujiya and Miyagi play at Santos Party House, with openers Project Jenny, Project Jan and Body Language. Despite the hail, thunder and lightning outside, the show managed to lure a big crowd and entice some soul-clapping dancing.

(pictured above, singer Jeremy Haines of Project Jenny, Project Jen)

And Thursday I had a little culinary adventure in the West Village, starting at Café Angelique in the West Village and then splurged at Il Cantuccio Bakery, a very authentic Italian bakery and cafe specializing in divine biscotti (that also happens to be oil-free).

 Yum!

With a week like this, who knows what the weekend will bring. Though definitely time with friends.

Life Lately

I've decided to lay off the blog a bit and keep my personal wanderings a little, well, more personal. And private.

That said, current top five favorites:

5. The fried chicken at Boka. Part of the Korean chain BonChon, their fried chicken is truly mouth watering.

4. Gay dance parties. I recommend Urge and Gumbo. Also, That's My Jam.

3. Shows and openings. Beans yesterday, a slew of art at Bushwick Beat Nite tomorrow, Lady Gaga Monday and many more to come.

2. Random conversations with strangers. My top two favorite of these happened on the same day. A little kid said hello to me outside a pet store and gushed about going to visit the guinea pigs, while his parents and I listened with amusement. And a waiter couldn't stop talking about Godiva and their free chocolates.

1. My NYC circle of friends and partners in crime. Mwah.

Union Square L Train Platform Dance Party!

Happy Halloweeeeeeeeen.

Waiting for the L train last night at Union Square, I stood back to watch and capture the evolution of a mini-dance party, with blaring horns, mimes and other assorted Friday night revelers in various degrees of costume. This was all well before midnight, mind you. More pictures and video below.

Enjoy!

(The band, Moon Hooch, has a single, Take the L Train, that you can download for free)

Week/end Re-Cap: Art & Music Galore

First things first. There is a reason why I don't generally like going to swanky, pretentious clubs like Marquee: with $15 drinks, an odd mixed crowd, and a lackluster vibe, I didn't stick around for long. Oh well, you can't blame a girl for occasionally falling prey to the initial appeal .... that all-too-quickly faded.

So I decided to call it an early night yesterday. But before that, I had the fantastic opportunity to see a truly strong music set at Bruar Falls in Williamsburg. As part of CMJ, there was a free, all-day show at Bruar Falls, all bands promoted by KXSC Radio, Los Angeles. The band I went to see at 6:00 pm, Free Moral Agents, had a really perfectly appealing blend of angst, funk, and psychedelic. Quite a sound. With keyboardist Isaiah "Ikey" Owens from The Mars Volta, the band very adeptly mingles hip-hop, r&b and experiemntal stylings to create an addictive, well, psychedelic sound.

After that, I went with my friend to Taco Chulo, a really hip little Tex-Mex restaurant on Grand St. in Williamsburg, where I enjoyed tortilla soup, along with a large helping of chips and guacamole. Yum. If only I hadn't left the neighborhood for Manhattan last night, the evening probably would have gained rather than lost momentum.

And, speaking of staying around Williamsburg, here are some snapshots of my figure drawing sketches from this past Wednesday at 3rd Ward's Drink n' Draw.

Bowie Ball Extravaganza!

Bowie Ball this year, at Santos Party House, was an extravaganza of glitter, glamor, disco, dancing and performances. I believe we left around 3 am, and then only because my friends were ready to call it a night; otherwise, I would have stayed till closing and then some...

I got fairly dressed up, recycling the very form-fitting gold spandex dress I had bought and worn for my Medusa outfit last Halloween. While I made sure to apply eyeliner and glitter prior to going out, the makeup artists at Bowie Ball, all Bumble and bumble stylists, did a much more spectacular job than I could have pulled off myself.

Some pictures of the night:



(above, me posing with my very talented and glam-tastic make-up artist!)


(Gotta appreciate the humor of Santos' signs!)

Dance Your Bass Off Tonight!

I am going to this event, Dance Your Bass Off, at Union Pool.

Union Pool is seriously one of my favorite neighborhood bars. It is literally the equivalent of at least 3 bars in one, with its front room (featuring a DJ booth, a photo booth, large booths for seating, and frenetic dancing when the time is right), a sprawling, enclosed outside area (with a taco truck!) and a second, swanky bar where bands play, entered via the back, outside area of the bar.

I am sure I have seen Hungry March Band at least once, though I believe it was years ago at Issue Project Room. Regardless, I expect nothing less than a spectacle tonight, with performance not only by Hungry March Band, but also with Stagger Back Brass Band, a Haitian dance troupe and a dance contest.

According to the Hungry March website,"The best rug-cutter receives free drinks, CD's, VIP UCB Assscat tickets, NY Aquarium tickets, candy, and more more more! All proceeds to benefit a friend with massive hospital bills."

EVENT STARTS AT 9p Sharp
!!!DO NOT BE LATE!!!
$12 minimum donation
facebook invite here

Happy TGIF!

Rocking, Biking, Hanging and Shopping: Another Delicious NYC Weekend!

It has officially been a NYC weekend for me.

My weekend has featured everything from seeing of Montreal (with an opener by the fabulous Janelle Monáe) on Friday to partaking in a wonderful housewarming party in Park Slope Saturday, to catching up over cocktails and shopping in the L.E.S. today.

Janelle Monáe, as always, was a soulful, sci-fi diva with mesmerizing dance moves ranging from skat to seizure-like break dancing moves. And Of Montreal put on a top-notch, trippy performance, with lead singer Kevin Barnes in a buttless skirt for the first half of their show. Alien-like creatures abounded, and though, unlike a prior performance I had seen, there was no live horse on stage, they did bring out a horse-muppet-dragon creature with Barnes striding on top.


Of Montreal's show featured a heady mix of classic songs and tracks from the newest album: it was definitely a hyped up dance party at Terminal 5. Though I have to say I prefer the intimacy of smaller venues, it was incredible to be a part of the massive energy at Terminal 5 on Friday.

Friday's show ended with several covers of Michael Jackson songs, with Barnes on vocal, and a crew of dancers onstage, including Janelle Monáe.

The funny thing is that the next night, at around the same time as the previous evening, the house party I was at featured a slew of old school Michael Jackson songs. MJ time, apparently. My 45-minute bike ride to Park Slope was well-worth it for the experience of mingling to MJ music at my friend's gorgeous new apartment. When people ask me my line of work these days, I am beginning to add "writer" to my list; hopefully I will shortly be not just a writer but a published one! I am finding conversations with new acquaintances and social networking to be more meaningful now that I am seriously pursuing my writing. I love meeting friends of friends in this city.

So I definitely had apartment-envy on Saturday. My friend's Park Slope apartment features two balconies and the master bedroom has its own bathroom. Meanwhile, I am sharing a bathroom with two guys, in my run-down apartment building in Williamsburg! But, now I know I am a 45-minute bike-ride away from my friend's Park Slope place... It's a small world, NYC, especially on bike.

And today I spent the morning writing, then met up for my weekly writing workshop with my new friend (who I met at the mediabistro personal essay class I attended!). Spending the afternoon over a cocktail at Schiller's Liquor Bar in the L.E.S., discussing writing and life, I felt like a true New Yorker. And of course, I ended my afternoon jaunt in the L.E.S. with a splurge at Steven by Steve Madden! Hello, sale! Funny, and the writing piece of mine that we discussed this afternoon is about how I am learning to balance being thrifty with indulging.

And, in thriftiness, I returned to Williamsburg the way I had arrived into Manhattan earlier today: by bike. And there was my NYC weekend.

Lil Kim Pics - Irving Plaza Show

Here is Lil Kim in all her glory at Irving Plaza, her New York show on Thursday, June 3!

Good Peoples Summer Sails Boat Party TONIGHT!!

I am very seriously considering going to this tonight!

Only $18 for a boat party!

Organized by the Disco Salt Artist Collective, the party is described on their website as follows:

What’s better than enjoying an all-vinyl disco set with Good Peoples? Enjoying an all-vinyl disco set with Good Peoples while cruising around New York harbor at night.

WHEN: Friday, May 28th
DOORS: board at 9:30, sets sail at 10 – 12:30am
WHERE: Clipper City, Pier 17 (South St Seaport)
TICKETS: $18 available HERE

MeanRed are inviting music lovers to join us for a monthly boat party aboard the Clipper City — NYC’s largest clipper ship. It’s massive sails makes for a beautifully silent ride, save for clinking classes and rare disco edits.

I think I'd like to be there!!

Thursday Night Parties!!

Brought to you by GBH and Santos Party House:

BAILOUT
With Eli Escobar, Blu Jemz
Thursday May 27 at Santos Basement

Join us at Santos Basement this Thursday with Eli Escobar and Blue Jemz (and guests) playing electro, disco, house and classics... Santi is hosting, and we are bailing you out of this global economic turmoil with an array of drinks specials that will give you more buzz for your buck....

Drinks Specials
$6 Budweiser + Double Chaser - All Night
(the chaser is a double shot of house whiskey or Svedka vodka)
$6 Svedka Vodka mixed drinks - All Night
$6 Champagne - All Night
$5 Budweister - All Night

NO COVER ON THE BAILOUT GUEST LIST - CLICK HERE
When you arrive at the door, tell the doorperson you are on the BAILOUT guest list.

Santos Party House: 96 Lafayette Street (just south of Canal). Doors 11pm. 21+ w/I.D.


AND, Simian Mobile Disco will also be playing a DJ set at Santos:

Simian Mobile Disco DJ Set
With JDH & Dave P. (FIXED)
Thursday May 27 atSantos

We have a few spaces at this show for readers of the GBH newsletter... This one is going to sell out so we strongly suggest you arrive early to avoid disappointment.

CLICK HERE TO RSVP

Santos Party House: 96 Lafayette Street (just south of Canal). Doors 11pm. 21+ w/I.D.


Any takers? I am ready for an early start to the weekend....!!

NYC April Shows

So last week I literally saw a show every other day during the week, from Amanda Blank last Monday at the Bell House, to Hole on Wednesday and the Gossip on Friday, both at Terminal 5.

Amanda Blank really is an up-and-coming star... see more pics from Brooklyn Vegan here.

And Hole pictures below:

Courtney Love was frank and full of sardonic humor as usual. "This is like a sexual relationship," she said, early on in her set. "I am having sex with all of you. And if you want some mind-blowing sex, I can't be the only one giving. So show some love!" (Roughly, this is what she said.) And the audience responded appropriately.



No shows for me until the Shout Out Louds May 5, Massive Attack on May 11, and Chelsea Handler May 15! Okay, it's life as usual for me...

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!

Xx DJ SET at LPR!

Miraculously, Blogger was able to recover my long since deleted blog. Kudos to you, Blogger.

So the Xx is having a DJ set at Le Poisson Rouge tomorrow, April 22!!


Tickets are only $10 in advance and $12 the day of the show. Le Posson Rouge is located at 158 Bleeker Street; their motto is "serving art and alcohol." This is sure to be a fun party!

Recent Shows: Chromeo and Raveonettes

Below are some pics from last week's shows!

Chromeo:







And the Raveonettes:


And tonight I am going to the CMJ marathon at Bowery Ballroom, which will include headliners Fanfarlo, the Postelles, and Midnight Juggernauts.

Indie/Punk Times

So yesterday night, after a teaching extravaganza of a day, I ended up at the new Knitting Factory, which is now in my neighborhood: Williamsburg, Brooklyn. And the best thing was that it happened to be Moisturizer's last show. (My friend wanted me to come, hearing that Moisturizer was legendary, while I hadn't ever heard buzz on them, except I had happened to catch them at Zebulon the other week!) I didn't even know what show I was going to see when I agreed to check out the Knitting Factory last night. So I just so happened to see Moisturizer twice, and each time was incredible: with their psychedelic/jazz/funk sound, they definitely imbue a certain sense of sexy magic into the evening.

And tonight I am going to see Punk Princess, an off-Broadway show about a blue-blooded Londoner girl who escapes to NYC to make it into the punk scene. Good times.

Marathon '33 at Webster Hall... If I Had the Disposable Income!!

I would sooo be at this tonight if I had the disposable income... But I've already overspent to see Chromeo, The Punk Princess (off-Broadway show), and the Raveonettes this coming week....! Here's to enjoying the decadence of the city!

Celebrate the recession with
THE ORIGINAL REALITY SHOW:
MARATHON DANCING

ENJOY AN EXCITING STAGE SHOW
We're transforming Webster Hall, 125 East 11th Street, into a 1930's dance hall for MARATHON '33 — a special presentation of a new stage show inspired by Miss June Havoc's 1963 play of the same title — for one night only on Monday, October 19, beginning at 6:30pm. Tomé Cousin and Peter Gregus will direct and choreograph a cast of more than twenty performers as they jitterbug and jive to the sounds of a bygone era.

Tony Award-winning Broadway Star
Karen Ziemba
will entertain with 30s era songs!

CLASSIC FUN FOOD OF THE TIME
In addition to the entertainment, we'll be serving the comfort foods of the era, and of today too,
including hot dogs, pretzels, peanuts, cotton candy and beer.

RAFFLES & DOOR PRIZES
Chances to win trips, jewelry, theatre tickets - including FINIAN'S RAINBOW and THE TOXIC AVENGER - and more,
along with other surprises will add to the evening's fun.

This Once-In-A-Lifetime, Theatrically Historical Event will honor Abingdon's Board Chairman Emeritus Margot London,
and our Special Guest of Honor Julie Harris,
who created the role of Jean Reed in the original Broadway production of
MARATHON '33.

The fun begins at 6:30pm with swing lessons taught by Myrna Caceres from The 92nd Street Y with the assistance of Fred Velde from the Workshop Theater. This will be followed by a featured duet by the Mark Stewart Dance Theatre. The stage show begins at 8:00pm, and will be followed by drinks and dancing into the wee hours. Vintage dress is optional.

Premium tickets at $250, including a Private VIP Reception,
are available by CLICKING HERE

or Balcony view tickets at $50 are available by CLICKING HERE