Music, Meetings, Parties

Just a regular week in NYC.

This last Wednesday, I finally made it to Drink n' Draw at 3rd Ward. Seriously, an amazing deal: $10 when you come with a friend (otherwise $15), for two and a half hours of figure model drawing, with a lovely figure model and unlimited beer. I'll have to take pictures of some of my sketches and post them here. This may just have to become a weekly activity for me, too! What's great about the event is that it attracts artists of all levels, so there's no need to feel intimidated or inadequate: it's just a space to unwind and indulge in some creativity.

Thursday, last night, I went out... only pictures I managed on getting:

(me, above, not sure of the why of either of these pictures... made sense at the time!)

And tonight, I am going to check out some CMJ goodness at Bruar Falls in Williamsburg and then head to Manhattan to the classy, chic Marquee (not usually my scene, but it is a beautifully swank place to enjoy) for a Meet Up group, a MEGA Multi-group Fall party.

Hello, weekend!!

Reflecting on NYC vs. Hometown, Pittsburgh

So I went back to Pittsburgh this last weekend for an old friend's wedding. The wedding, between Rhonda Taylor and Patty Taylor (née Whitaker), was not only the wedding of a friend I have known since the third grade, but also the first same-sex ceremony I have attended.

(Rhonda Taylor, left, and Patty Taylor, right. Congrats to the brides!)

While I was not a bridesmaid, I did have the honor of doing a reading, "Union" by Robert Fulghum. (The last lyrics were changed to just say "wife", clearly!) And, after the very touching ceremony, it was on to a delicious and debaucherous reception.

(Rhonda Taylor, whom I've known since 3rd grade, left, and myself, right)

Not one to spend much time in Pittsburgh since I left for college after high school, I have to say that I always find myself a bit nostalgic and enamored with the city when I visit, even if also slightly out of place and not entirely at home. During this particular visit, at Rhonda's wedding, I also ran into old childhood and high school friends I had not seen in well over 10 years, one of whom I was pleased to learn is even living in New York.

And this instant camaraderie with old familiar faces, as well as with many new friends and acquaintances I met during the wedding weekend, is only one of many aspects that endears Pittsburgh to me.

The spectacular foliage, especially in is autumn splendor, the overall cleanliness and quaintness of the city, the laidback, friendly vibe, and of course that sense of history and easy familiarity with the city that I have, all appeal to me. And so Pittsburgh will always have a special place in my heart, clichéd as that sounds.

The irony is that some of what makes Pittsburgh endearing also makes it off-putting to me. Even airline staff at the Pittsburgh International Airport were wearing Steelers jerseys. Such hometown sports pride is endearing, yes, but is not exactly how I roll (sorry, I'm not a hater, just not a sports enthusiast!). And when we landed in NYC, as passengers gathered around the doorway of the plane to collect tagged luggage, thereby blocking the exit of passengers behind them, the girl in front of me aptly remarked to her boyfriend, after loudly announcing, "Excuse me!" to the gathering crowd, "How Midwestern."

And, like this girl, I find that I too straddle the line between Pittsburgh and NYC, between hometown, small-town friendliness and lackadaisical lifestyle and large, metropolitan "center of the universe" New York attitude.

Weekend: Notable Upcoming Activities

Without many specific, concrete plans this weekend, and knowing that there is a plethora of exciting activity going on, I thought, why not blog about it? So, to promote these events and remind myself/keep track of what is going on, here goes my little compilation:

Thursday - Myopenbar.com, Drambuie Presents: Cinema 16
-- GBH presents Cheeky Bastard, LA Riots and more
Friday - Opening Reception, Week-Long Exhibit at Leo Kesting Gallery.
Saturday - Fort Greene Park Summer Literary Festival
Sunday - LAST FREE McCarren Pool Party, Featuring Yo La Tengo, sponsored by Jelly NYC.
-- FREE Brooklyn Urban Arts Market, curated/sponsored by B.A.M.

Thursday features a free screening of short films by Czech surrealist Jan Švankmajer, sponsored by Drambuie and Myopenbar, at Starr Space (108 Starr Street at Knickerbocker, Bushwick)

Thursday also is the regular party at Hiro Ballroom, this week featuring LA Riots, Dave Nada, Streetlab and Wallpaper.

Friday marks the opening reception at Leo Kesting Gallery. Below is a snippet from their e-mail:

As August wraps up the summer season Leo Kesting presents the Estonia Performance Group NON GRATA from the Grace Exhibition Space gallery in East williamsburg, Bushwick. The Performance and exhibition of NON GRATA's photographs and catalogs will be presented at our Meat Packing District gallery on August 21st until the end of the month. A live performance from the group will be presented on the opening night Friday August 22 at 8:00pm

Leo Kesting Gallery is located at 812 Washington St at the corner of Gansevoort in Manhattan's Meat Packing District. A, C, E, or L train to 8th Ave and 14th Street or 1,2,3 train to 14th Street. Gallery hours are Tuesday to Sunday from 11am until 7pm.

And a flyer for the event:

Saturday boasts a free literary festival in Fort Greene Park (DeKalb Ave & S Portland Ave), beginning at 3 pm, featuring Amiri Baraka. I found this event on Flavorpill.

Sunday marks the last free McCarren Pool Party. Doors are at 2. The headliner is Yo La Tengo, and the openers are as follows: DJ Syd B(Les Savy Fav), DJ David Cross(not in Les Savy Fav), Titus Andronicus, and Ebony Bones.

Sunday also features the BAM Brooklyn Urban Arts Market. Here is the info from the website: Aug 24, 12—8pm
Myrtle Avenue between Grand and Emerson
Music by Soul Summit Music

This summer, party and shop at the Brooklyn Urban Arts Market, a fusion of the dynamic energy of Afro-Punk and BAM with Myrtle Avenue Revitalization Project's Community initiatives. The market will feature live music, visual art performances, food from Myrtle Avenue restaurants, and 50 local, DIY vendors selling fashion, art, and accessories.

DJ collective Soul Summit Music, known for their extremely popular neighborhood performances in Fort Greene Park, will be spinning all day long, providing the soundtrack to the market’s dynamism.

Directions
2 blocks from Clinton/Washington and Classon Ave G trains (along Lafayette Ave) and 5 blocks from Clinton/Washington C train stop (along Washington Ave)

Hope you/I go out and experience/enjoy some, if not all, of these events, and all the many others going on!