Wall Street Bath House
30 August 2008
When a friend gets married the hens roost.
As is tradition before upcoming nuptials, the female friends of the bride-to-be take her out for a bachelorette/hen party. My friend Elaine is getting married next month, so we decided to take her out to the Wall Street Bath House instead of a penis-laden, booze-infused night on the town (much to the bride-to-be's liking). Over the course of three hours at the bath house, we plunged into the pool, marinated in the jacuzzi, basked in the Russian and American saunas, got lost in the steam room and threw ourselves into the frigid water of the cold water pool to invigorate ourselves and give Elaine a proper send off before she ties the knot. The Wall Street Bath House is conveniently located on Fulton Street very close to South Street Seaport. The entire operation is located underground so as the hustle and bustle of tourists, businessmen and Pace students hurry along the streets above, you can let it all go and forget that you are even in the gritty city. You walk upstairs after a day at the bath house and everything just slows down for you. You are relaxed...and very thirsty. The first time I went to the bath house was during a freezing day this past winter. When I left, my whole body was warm and toasty having been warmed from the inside and it felt fantastic to be surrounded by the cold air. Public bath houses have been around for hundreds of years and are a part of the cultural history of so many countries. Study history, go bath housing!
100 in 6 budget: $964
31 August 2008
72 - David W. Jacobsen
David W. Jacobsen
Gizzi's Coffee
29 August 2008, 2000
According to his website, David's art is self-described as including, "humorous stories and anecdotes as well as serious commentary and musings on social and psychological concerns. He performs live accompanying himself on acoustic guitar and entertaining his audiences with an amusing banter." As purported, I expected a hint of comedy and definitely some witty banter. I am going to be honest, I really didn't get either. To be fair though, his new album Footprints is described as a more cynical recourse then some of his earlier works. Again, according to his website, Footprints, "deals with obsession and mortality through both humorous and melancholy, acoustic songwriting. Some songs present funny and cynical looks at being rejected. Other songs are honest tales of unrequited love. Some songs are humorous existential rants. Others probe for a positive reason to get through the day." I definitely heard the melancholy and the cynical, but I didn't grasp the comedy. Then again, it certainly wouldn't be the first time that I just didn't 'get it'. As far as lyrics go, he is clearly a very intelligent and talented writer. Perhaps I just went to his show in search of a good chuckle, so I wasn't prepared to come away from the experience feeling badly that his last relationship ended on a sour note [insert frowning face emoticon here]. Keep going David! You can do it!
100 in 6 incidentals budget: $553
Gizzi's Coffee
29 August 2008, 2000
According to his website, David's art is self-described as including, "humorous stories and anecdotes as well as serious commentary and musings on social and psychological concerns. He performs live accompanying himself on acoustic guitar and entertaining his audiences with an amusing banter." As purported, I expected a hint of comedy and definitely some witty banter. I am going to be honest, I really didn't get either. To be fair though, his new album Footprints is described as a more cynical recourse then some of his earlier works. Again, according to his website, Footprints, "deals with obsession and mortality through both humorous and melancholy, acoustic songwriting. Some songs present funny and cynical looks at being rejected. Other songs are honest tales of unrequited love. Some songs are humorous existential rants. Others probe for a positive reason to get through the day." I definitely heard the melancholy and the cynical, but I didn't grasp the comedy. Then again, it certainly wouldn't be the first time that I just didn't 'get it'. As far as lyrics go, he is clearly a very intelligent and talented writer. Perhaps I just went to his show in search of a good chuckle, so I wasn't prepared to come away from the experience feeling badly that his last relationship ended on a sour note [insert frowning face emoticon here]. Keep going David! You can do it!
100 in 6 incidentals budget: $553
71 - Les Nubians
Les Nubians
HighLine Ballroom
28 August 2008 - 2100
Les Nubians is described as Afropean. The sisters, Helene and Celia, were born in France; the products of a French father and a Cameroonian mother. They spent most of their formative years in Chad, but returned to France where they entered the art and music scene at poetry slams and as back-up vocalists. Over the years, they have collaborated with many artists such as U2, Black Eyed Peas, and The Roots. I had the pleasure of listening to the lovely duo with Ashley and Julia after a sumptuous dinner at the Fatty Crab. Although R&B isn't my first choice of musical styling, I rather enjoyed Les Nubians. With their mix of French and English lyrics and subtle grooves, they have a sound that is pleasurable to the ears. I would imagine that their music appeals to a wide audience.
100 in 6 budget: $934
HighLine Ballroom
28 August 2008 - 2100
Les Nubians is described as Afropean. The sisters, Helene and Celia, were born in France; the products of a French father and a Cameroonian mother. They spent most of their formative years in Chad, but returned to France where they entered the art and music scene at poetry slams and as back-up vocalists. Over the years, they have collaborated with many artists such as U2, Black Eyed Peas, and The Roots. I had the pleasure of listening to the lovely duo with Ashley and Julia after a sumptuous dinner at the Fatty Crab. Although R&B isn't my first choice of musical styling, I rather enjoyed Les Nubians. With their mix of French and English lyrics and subtle grooves, they have a sound that is pleasurable to the ears. I would imagine that their music appeals to a wide audience.
100 in 6 budget: $934
26 August 2008
70 - 2nd Annual NYC Celtic Gathering
2nd Annual NYC Celtic Gathering
Central Park
26 August 2008, 1900
Picture it: Central Park as the sun is just beginning to set. A cool wind blows across the footpath as bicyclists and joggers weave in and out of the foot traffic. Children run barefoot through the grass while their parents look on proudly. You start to daydream about how the week is going to unfold, how nice it is to live or work near the park, and you are overtaken by warm fuzzies. All of a sudden the bubble of your daydream pops because in the distance, you hear the shrill, ear-piercing sound of a mob of bagpipers tuning up. Yes, you have arrived at the 2nd Annual NYC Celtic Gathering.
I happen to be a fan of pipe and drum groups. I love bagpipes and I definitely love kilts. Tonight, I found heaven. The ceremony opened with the arrival of the New York Scottish Pipe and Drum band . After a few tunes, they handed the program over to the Palisades Park Fire Department band and the Mag 7 pipe and drum band. The show even had an Irish step dancing troupe come in and perform a couple of numbers. A lovely way to spend an evening outdoors if you ask me.
Mag 7 gearing up
Palisades Park Fire Department band and Mag 7
Central Park
26 August 2008, 1900
Picture it: Central Park as the sun is just beginning to set. A cool wind blows across the footpath as bicyclists and joggers weave in and out of the foot traffic. Children run barefoot through the grass while their parents look on proudly. You start to daydream about how the week is going to unfold, how nice it is to live or work near the park, and you are overtaken by warm fuzzies. All of a sudden the bubble of your daydream pops because in the distance, you hear the shrill, ear-piercing sound of a mob of bagpipers tuning up. Yes, you have arrived at the 2nd Annual NYC Celtic Gathering.
I happen to be a fan of pipe and drum groups. I love bagpipes and I definitely love kilts. Tonight, I found heaven. The ceremony opened with the arrival of the New York Scottish Pipe and Drum band . After a few tunes, they handed the program over to the Palisades Park Fire Department band and the Mag 7 pipe and drum band. The show even had an Irish step dancing troupe come in and perform a couple of numbers. A lovely way to spend an evening outdoors if you ask me.
Mag 7 gearing up
Palisades Park Fire Department band and Mag 7
24 August 2008
69 - Jazz at the Kitano
Mark Soskin Quartet
Kitano Hotel
22 August 2008, 2015
After a very long week, jazz at the Kitano hotel was the perfect way to unwind. A low key yet elegant venue with the most darling, quintessential artistic director, Gino. When you arrive at the Kitano and find your way upstairs to the lounge area, Gino will personally show you the tables that are available for the evening as long as you arrive early for the show. The lounge area is small, perhaps a dozen tables directly in front of the performance area and a bar area with a few more tables. The music for the evening was provided by the Mark Soskin Quartet featuring Mark Soskin on piano, Steve Wilson on alto sax, Victor Lewis on drums and Jay Anderson on the upright bass. The Kitano has jazz playing four nights a week from Wednesday through Saturday. I will definitely end up there again, especially because on Wednesday and Thursday there is no cover. Thanks to David Claude for bearing with my superstitions.
100 in 6 budget: $919
100 in 6 incidentals budget: $543
Kitano Hotel
22 August 2008, 2015
After a very long week, jazz at the Kitano hotel was the perfect way to unwind. A low key yet elegant venue with the most darling, quintessential artistic director, Gino. When you arrive at the Kitano and find your way upstairs to the lounge area, Gino will personally show you the tables that are available for the evening as long as you arrive early for the show. The lounge area is small, perhaps a dozen tables directly in front of the performance area and a bar area with a few more tables. The music for the evening was provided by the Mark Soskin Quartet featuring Mark Soskin on piano, Steve Wilson on alto sax, Victor Lewis on drums and Jay Anderson on the upright bass. The Kitano has jazz playing four nights a week from Wednesday through Saturday. I will definitely end up there again, especially because on Wednesday and Thursday there is no cover. Thanks to David Claude for bearing with my superstitions.
100 in 6 budget: $919
100 in 6 incidentals budget: $543
18 August 2008
68 - Brooklyn Cyclones Game
Brooklyn Cyclones vs Tri-City Valley Cats
Keyspan Park
17 August 2008, 1700
Every year the owners and managers of my home away from home, Stout, get together and plan a couple day trips for the staff. This past Sunday was the Coney Island trip. Picture a bus load of bartenders, waitresses, kitchen guys, busboys and runners surrounded by coolers of beer heading out to spend a day at Astroland and go see a Brooklyn Cyclones game. Yeah, I don't remember much of the day either. We started at 2pm with a quick snack and a few rounds at our sister restaurant Fat Annie's Truck Stop and then boarded the heavily stocked bus to Brooklyn. Once we had arrived at Astroland there were more drinks, lots of sun, a few rides on the Cyclone, a few more drinks, a handful of turns playing Shoot the Freak, and a few more drinks. The game started at 5pm. At 5pm, we were in a bar next to Keyspan Park having a few more drinks and singing karaoke. Finally, a little before 6pm, the whole lot of us crawled over to the stadium for a few innings of baseball and a few more drinks. I can't even tell you who was playing, who won the game or what inning it was when we left, but I can tell you that Relish won the Ketchup, Mustard, Relish mascot race during the 5th...well, maybe it was the 5th. Anyway, Ketchup probably would have had him, but some crazed fan (stop staring at me) tackled Ketchup midway through the race. Go Relish!
Keyspan Park
17 August 2008, 1700
Every year the owners and managers of my home away from home, Stout, get together and plan a couple day trips for the staff. This past Sunday was the Coney Island trip. Picture a bus load of bartenders, waitresses, kitchen guys, busboys and runners surrounded by coolers of beer heading out to spend a day at Astroland and go see a Brooklyn Cyclones game. Yeah, I don't remember much of the day either. We started at 2pm with a quick snack and a few rounds at our sister restaurant Fat Annie's Truck Stop and then boarded the heavily stocked bus to Brooklyn. Once we had arrived at Astroland there were more drinks, lots of sun, a few rides on the Cyclone, a few more drinks, a handful of turns playing Shoot the Freak, and a few more drinks. The game started at 5pm. At 5pm, we were in a bar next to Keyspan Park having a few more drinks and singing karaoke. Finally, a little before 6pm, the whole lot of us crawled over to the stadium for a few innings of baseball and a few more drinks. I can't even tell you who was playing, who won the game or what inning it was when we left, but I can tell you that Relish won the Ketchup, Mustard, Relish mascot race during the 5th...well, maybe it was the 5th. Anyway, Ketchup probably would have had him, but some crazed fan (stop staring at me) tackled Ketchup midway through the race. Go Relish!
67 - Sgt. Pepper's Tribute
Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band Tribute Show
Stone Pony
16 August 2008, 2000
Okay, I admit it. I really like the Beatles. That being the case, the best place I could have been this past Saturday was the Stone Pony in Asbury Park, NJ. Todd Rundgren, Denny Laine and Christopher Cross took to the stage at the notorious Stone Pony to perform the greatest album of all time, Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band. Everyone at the show seemed to be in good spirits despite the club's decision to move the concert into the cramped confines of the venue rather than keep it in their open air, backyard stage. I arrived alone but quickly made friends with a half dozen Beatles fans, a few members of the staff, and even ran into a couple familiar faces from the Fest. Now, I enjoy Todd Rundgren, but I hate his big hit, "Bang the Drum All Day." Of course, when the band first took to the stage they performed all of their solo hits to warm up the crowd including Chris Cross' "Best That You Can Do" from the Arthur movie, and of course the aforementioned drum song. The crowd got a little restless as they had come to hear Beatles, but we sat tight and waited it out.
The presentation of SPLHCB album was good, but there were some slips. I'm not sure if they were going for the same note-for-note concept that Glen Burtnik and Friends rocked out for the White Album show (event #57) or if they were taking some creative liberties, but there were definitely a couple mishaps. Irregardless, the show was a good time and was the perfect concert for show #67 because, as GB pointed out, SPLHCB was released in 1967!
100 in 6 budget: $869
100 in 6 incidentals budget: $488
Stone Pony
16 August 2008, 2000
Okay, I admit it. I really like the Beatles. That being the case, the best place I could have been this past Saturday was the Stone Pony in Asbury Park, NJ. Todd Rundgren, Denny Laine and Christopher Cross took to the stage at the notorious Stone Pony to perform the greatest album of all time, Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band. Everyone at the show seemed to be in good spirits despite the club's decision to move the concert into the cramped confines of the venue rather than keep it in their open air, backyard stage. I arrived alone but quickly made friends with a half dozen Beatles fans, a few members of the staff, and even ran into a couple familiar faces from the Fest. Now, I enjoy Todd Rundgren, but I hate his big hit, "Bang the Drum All Day." Of course, when the band first took to the stage they performed all of their solo hits to warm up the crowd including Chris Cross' "Best That You Can Do" from the Arthur movie, and of course the aforementioned drum song. The crowd got a little restless as they had come to hear Beatles, but we sat tight and waited it out.
The presentation of SPLHCB album was good, but there were some slips. I'm not sure if they were going for the same note-for-note concept that Glen Burtnik and Friends rocked out for the White Album show (event #57) or if they were taking some creative liberties, but there were definitely a couple mishaps. Irregardless, the show was a good time and was the perfect concert for show #67 because, as GB pointed out, SPLHCB was released in 1967!
100 in 6 budget: $869
100 in 6 incidentals budget: $488
16 August 2008
66 - Regina Spektor
Regina Spektor
McCarren Park Pool
15 August 2008, 1930
This is New York. We are known for using every inch of space that we have since space is such a hot commodity around here. Enter McCarren Park Pool. We have a pool that hasn't been used as a pool for a while, so why don't we throw some summer concerts in it, yeah? Lets do it! According to Free Williamsburg, McCarren Park Pool was opened in 1936 during the Great Depression as part of a public works project (thank you once again Robert Moses). The pool was one of the largest in the world touting a capacity for 6800 swimmers at the same time and measured in at about the size of three Olympic-sized pools combined (eat your heart out Michael Phelps). The Brooklynites' summer destination spot closed in 1983 to undergo repairs, but as soon as the gates were shuttered, the residents said no mas. As it is with most political fights, nobody could agree on what to do with the pool. So there it sat, decaying, crumbling, and falling into a state of disrepair until 2006 when choreographer and arts advocate Noémie Lafrance decided to ask permission to host a dance party there. The Parks Department jumped on the idea and put out a request for proposals to other groups that host large concert and dance events such as Live Nation and JellyNYC. Rebirth! This is supposedly the last summer that the pool will be open for music and dancing though, since next year it is slated to return to its roots.
I had the pleasure of seeing Regina Spektor perform there on a lovely, rainy Friday night. Yes, the show does go on if it is raining...pools are meant to be wet, silly. Lucky for me, Shannon couldn't use her ticket, so I threw some money at her and off Michelle and I went to Brooklyn clutching Brooklyn Brewery drink tickets and umbrellas (but not raincoats because that would have been ridiculous). Not enough people know about the Russian-born pianist, if you ask me. Her songs are indie-delicious and her voice is bewitching. After emigrating from Russia, the Spektor family settled in the Bronx, but Regina actually graduated from Fair Lawn High School in Fair Lawn, New Jersey (not far from where yours truly grew up). She is folk, punk, indie, and religious all rolled into one tremendous musical talent. She uses her voice fully, has a dynamic range, and highlights some of her songs with a gentle beatbox of noises that she conjures. Please, please, please look her up and give her music a chance. She is wonderfully talented, a complete natural and absolutely adorable on stage.
100 in 6 budget: $817
Clip from Samson
McCarren Park Pool
15 August 2008, 1930
This is New York. We are known for using every inch of space that we have since space is such a hot commodity around here. Enter McCarren Park Pool. We have a pool that hasn't been used as a pool for a while, so why don't we throw some summer concerts in it, yeah? Lets do it! According to Free Williamsburg, McCarren Park Pool was opened in 1936 during the Great Depression as part of a public works project (thank you once again Robert Moses). The pool was one of the largest in the world touting a capacity for 6800 swimmers at the same time and measured in at about the size of three Olympic-sized pools combined (eat your heart out Michael Phelps). The Brooklynites' summer destination spot closed in 1983 to undergo repairs, but as soon as the gates were shuttered, the residents said no mas. As it is with most political fights, nobody could agree on what to do with the pool. So there it sat, decaying, crumbling, and falling into a state of disrepair until 2006 when choreographer and arts advocate Noémie Lafrance decided to ask permission to host a dance party there. The Parks Department jumped on the idea and put out a request for proposals to other groups that host large concert and dance events such as Live Nation and JellyNYC. Rebirth! This is supposedly the last summer that the pool will be open for music and dancing though, since next year it is slated to return to its roots.
I had the pleasure of seeing Regina Spektor perform there on a lovely, rainy Friday night. Yes, the show does go on if it is raining...pools are meant to be wet, silly. Lucky for me, Shannon couldn't use her ticket, so I threw some money at her and off Michelle and I went to Brooklyn clutching Brooklyn Brewery drink tickets and umbrellas (but not raincoats because that would have been ridiculous). Not enough people know about the Russian-born pianist, if you ask me. Her songs are indie-delicious and her voice is bewitching. After emigrating from Russia, the Spektor family settled in the Bronx, but Regina actually graduated from Fair Lawn High School in Fair Lawn, New Jersey (not far from where yours truly grew up). She is folk, punk, indie, and religious all rolled into one tremendous musical talent. She uses her voice fully, has a dynamic range, and highlights some of her songs with a gentle beatbox of noises that she conjures. Please, please, please look her up and give her music a chance. She is wonderfully talented, a complete natural and absolutely adorable on stage.
100 in 6 budget: $817
Clip from Samson
12 August 2008
65 - The Fest For Beatles Fans
The Fest For Beatles Fans
Hyatt Regency O'Hare - Chicago
8 August - 11 August, 2008
The last Fest I posted about was the 2nd annual Las Vegas Fest For Beatles Fans (event #42), the newest attempt to celebrate the Fab Four by Mark Lapidos Productions. Excelsior! The second oldest of the Fests is the Chicago show. This year's Chicago Fest marked the shows 32nd anniversary in the windy city. The line-up of special guests was similar to the Vegas show save for Donovan who wasn't able to make the trip. I started working on Wednesday morning. Two and a half days later, the marketplace was set up, the guests had all arrived, the video room was one push of a button away from entertaining the masses, the sound checks were done, and the band was primed. Friday 5:00pm: it was time for the show to begin. Working at the Fest means getting up in the early part of the morning, having your only sit-down meal of the day, working until past midnight, staying up drinking until the wee hours of the morning, and passing out with just enough time to sleep it off before the next day. Lather, rinse, repeat. At the end of the show, the staff is punchy, exhausted, hung over, and all out of sexual innuendos, inappropriate jokes, and Beatles' humor.
On the final evening of the show comes the worst part of it all, breakdown. Everything that it took two and a half days to set up has to be taken apart, repacked, and shipped back to a warehouse in New Jersey. Once the show ends around midnight, the break down begins. This year, aside from a quick trip to the Chicago staple Steak-N-Shake, break down lasted until 6:00am. The host and owner of the Fest, Mark Lapidos, has the tradition of finding one of the remaining groups that is playing music in the lobby of the hotel and sings Here Comes the Sun, which was completely appropriate this year since the sun was indeed peaking its fat ass over the horizon as we were heading to bed.
I always ask some of my co-workers why they don't bring their spouses along to the shows. We have a great time, so why wouldn't they, right? Then I realize how it must sound to suggest the Fest to someone who hasn't been doing it for a long time. We work 16 hour days, drink too much, sleep too little, are generally malnourished, spend the entire weekend in the hotel without so much as venturing outside, use up precious vacation time from our "real" jobs and usually go home as mere shells of our former selves until we can get a few days to recover. Sure...sign me up. One of the highlights of this show was having a few of our flights inevitably delayed or canceled completely, so a few of us headed back to the hotel for one more night of laughing, swapping stories, and drinking. Although the idea of finally going home to sleep in my own bed, eat a decent meal, and actually resting for a night sounded wonderful, I have never been so happy to have an issue at the airport keep me from leaving someplace. See everyone in March.
Here Comes the Sun
pet rooster
Hyatt Regency O'Hare - Chicago
8 August - 11 August, 2008
The last Fest I posted about was the 2nd annual Las Vegas Fest For Beatles Fans (event #42), the newest attempt to celebrate the Fab Four by Mark Lapidos Productions. Excelsior! The second oldest of the Fests is the Chicago show. This year's Chicago Fest marked the shows 32nd anniversary in the windy city. The line-up of special guests was similar to the Vegas show save for Donovan who wasn't able to make the trip. I started working on Wednesday morning. Two and a half days later, the marketplace was set up, the guests had all arrived, the video room was one push of a button away from entertaining the masses, the sound checks were done, and the band was primed. Friday 5:00pm: it was time for the show to begin. Working at the Fest means getting up in the early part of the morning, having your only sit-down meal of the day, working until past midnight, staying up drinking until the wee hours of the morning, and passing out with just enough time to sleep it off before the next day. Lather, rinse, repeat. At the end of the show, the staff is punchy, exhausted, hung over, and all out of sexual innuendos, inappropriate jokes, and Beatles' humor.
On the final evening of the show comes the worst part of it all, breakdown. Everything that it took two and a half days to set up has to be taken apart, repacked, and shipped back to a warehouse in New Jersey. Once the show ends around midnight, the break down begins. This year, aside from a quick trip to the Chicago staple Steak-N-Shake, break down lasted until 6:00am. The host and owner of the Fest, Mark Lapidos, has the tradition of finding one of the remaining groups that is playing music in the lobby of the hotel and sings Here Comes the Sun, which was completely appropriate this year since the sun was indeed peaking its fat ass over the horizon as we were heading to bed.
I always ask some of my co-workers why they don't bring their spouses along to the shows. We have a great time, so why wouldn't they, right? Then I realize how it must sound to suggest the Fest to someone who hasn't been doing it for a long time. We work 16 hour days, drink too much, sleep too little, are generally malnourished, spend the entire weekend in the hotel without so much as venturing outside, use up precious vacation time from our "real" jobs and usually go home as mere shells of our former selves until we can get a few days to recover. Sure...sign me up. One of the highlights of this show was having a few of our flights inevitably delayed or canceled completely, so a few of us headed back to the hotel for one more night of laughing, swapping stories, and drinking. Although the idea of finally going home to sleep in my own bed, eat a decent meal, and actually resting for a night sounded wonderful, I have never been so happy to have an issue at the airport keep me from leaving someplace. See everyone in March.
Here Comes the Sun
pet rooster
05 August 2008
63-64 - The New Monday Night Burlesque
The New Monday Night Burlesque
Public Assembly (formerly Galapagos Art Space)
04 August 2008, 2100
(1/2 show for the Fresh Face Showcase and 1 show for the Main Event)
Monday Night Burlesque has been around for about a decade at Galapagos Art Space. When the club changed hands, so did the group producing Monday Night Burlesque. Now Galapagos is Public Assembly and the nekkidness is presented by Doc Wasabassco. Wasabassaco, the only burlesque show that is a hot pepper sauce and the only hot pepper sauce that is also a burlesque show, produces shows throughout Brooklyn and Manhattan and stars the lovely GiGi La Femme. If the pepper sauce isn't hot enough for you, trust me, GiGi is. She is probably one of the most beautiful women I have ever met and I am quite certain that you would agree if you make it out to the next Wasabassco show (on Friday, August 8, at the Living Room Lounge in Brooklyn). GiGi is perfectly complimented by her partner in sexy and the mastermind behind The New Monday Night Burlesque, the debonair and ever so swanky Doc Wasabassco.
The New Monday Night Burlesque is broken up into segments: Go-Go dancing starts the evening, at 9pm Jonny Porkpie hosts the Fresh Face Showcase, at 10pm the Main Event, and at midnight GiGi La Femme hostesses Monday Night Blue. The Fresh Face Showcase features women new to the burlesque scene, new to the NY burlesque scene, or veteran performers trying out new personae. This week's showcase featured Fetchin' Gretchen, Leta le Noir, Veronika Vroom, and Vikki Likkerish. Fetchin' Gretchen performed a very seductive, extremely sensual fan dance to begin the show (if you don't count Jonny Porkpie's fantastic, alcohol-laced, boylesque act which preceded that is), and Vikki Likkerish, who I totally have a crush on now, presented a sexy meets adorable performance of how to make muffins on a burlesquer's budget.
At 10pm, some of the most recognizable names in NY burlesque took the stage. The Main Event featured Dirty Martini, GiGi La Femme, Madame Rosebud, Sapphire Jones, and Tigger!. Dirty Martini performed her wonderful Garden of Eden dance and Sapphire Jones absolutely delighted the crowd during her two performances. All of the performers were beautifully entrancing.
Thanks to Precious Little and Bastard Keith for joining me to hoot and holler our way through the tantalizing evening. With a bevy of beauties and handsome gentlemen, a mix of new-comers and distinguished NY performers, the New Monday Night Burlesque is sure to please.
Public Assembly (formerly Galapagos Art Space)
04 August 2008, 2100
(1/2 show for the Fresh Face Showcase and 1 show for the Main Event)
Monday Night Burlesque has been around for about a decade at Galapagos Art Space. When the club changed hands, so did the group producing Monday Night Burlesque. Now Galapagos is Public Assembly and the nekkidness is presented by Doc Wasabassco. Wasabassaco, the only burlesque show that is a hot pepper sauce and the only hot pepper sauce that is also a burlesque show, produces shows throughout Brooklyn and Manhattan and stars the lovely GiGi La Femme. If the pepper sauce isn't hot enough for you, trust me, GiGi is. She is probably one of the most beautiful women I have ever met and I am quite certain that you would agree if you make it out to the next Wasabassco show (on Friday, August 8, at the Living Room Lounge in Brooklyn). GiGi is perfectly complimented by her partner in sexy and the mastermind behind The New Monday Night Burlesque, the debonair and ever so swanky Doc Wasabassco.
The New Monday Night Burlesque is broken up into segments: Go-Go dancing starts the evening, at 9pm Jonny Porkpie hosts the Fresh Face Showcase, at 10pm the Main Event, and at midnight GiGi La Femme hostesses Monday Night Blue. The Fresh Face Showcase features women new to the burlesque scene, new to the NY burlesque scene, or veteran performers trying out new personae. This week's showcase featured Fetchin' Gretchen, Leta le Noir, Veronika Vroom, and Vikki Likkerish. Fetchin' Gretchen performed a very seductive, extremely sensual fan dance to begin the show (if you don't count Jonny Porkpie's fantastic, alcohol-laced, boylesque act which preceded that is), and Vikki Likkerish, who I totally have a crush on now, presented a sexy meets adorable performance of how to make muffins on a burlesquer's budget.
At 10pm, some of the most recognizable names in NY burlesque took the stage. The Main Event featured Dirty Martini, GiGi La Femme, Madame Rosebud, Sapphire Jones, and Tigger!. Dirty Martini performed her wonderful Garden of Eden dance and Sapphire Jones absolutely delighted the crowd during her two performances. All of the performers were beautifully entrancing.
Thanks to Precious Little and Bastard Keith for joining me to hoot and holler our way through the tantalizing evening. With a bevy of beauties and handsome gentlemen, a mix of new-comers and distinguished NY performers, the New Monday Night Burlesque is sure to please.
02 August 2008
62.5 - Forbidden Broadway
Forbidden Broadway
47th Street Theatre
02 August 2008, 2000
Tonight, I decided to have a made-for-tourists NY adventure. Armed with a book, a strong set of elbows and a few twenties in my wallet, I headed to the Times Square TKTS booth (they only accept cash or traveler's checks). Elbows strong, I knocked families of blond-haired, blue-eyed mid-westerners out of the way as I reclaimed the sidewalks of 7th Avenue and Broadway for NYers everywhere. The TKTS booth provides discounted tickets for some of Broadway's most popular shows as long as you don't mind waiting in line for a while and are flexible as to what you would like to see. I hadn't a clue what I wanted to see because I am not a big Broadway fan. When I was a kid, I thought Broadway was aces; the glitz, the glamor, the costumes and music. Once I hit my teenage years, the allure quickly faded and I became jaded by the production of it all. Sigh...another youth lost to the indie-scene.
Outside the TKTS line of tourists (and locals who just really like Broadway), there are hawkers. A hawker is a person who is paid to get your attention and promote their play/restaurant/service. If you have ever picked up a paper from the guys who incessantly shout, "Daily News $.25," you will notice that the top of the paper says, "Hawker Edition" or "Hawker Copy" or something similar. When you stroll down Restaurant Row on 46th Street, there are hawkers that try to bring you into their restaurants for the pre-fixe Broadway special. My hawkers name was Mike and he got my attention for three reasons. First, he was the first hawker to shove an advertisement at me. Second, he said the show he was promoting was only $35 as compared to most shows where even the discounted seats go for $50-65. Third, he said that the show, "Forbidden Broadway" was actually off-Broadway and was a parody of all the other Broadway shows. Sold. I got on line amidst the sea of people and arrived at the little window. No dice. All sold out. I got off line ready to pick another show for which I could get cheap seats when I spy Mike talking to some other eager theatre-goers. I inform him of the situation and he tells me to try again at a different window. I queued again with the same outcome. I was about to give up after realizing that I really didn't want to blow $60 on a show that I didn't want to see when I saw Mike again. I relayed the information and he told me to go directly to the theatre and tell the guy at the window that Mike sent me. Hooray! An adventure! I headed to the theatre and was awarded a nicely discounted ticket thanks to my persistence, Mike's help, and the manager of the theatre not being in the lobby to overhear the transaction.
The show was indeed quite funny. Since I am not a Broadway aficionado, I am sure that I missed some of the more subtle, insider jokes, but for the most part, I chuckled my way through the performance. The actors were superb. Forbidden Broadway was conceived of in 1982 at Palsson's Supper Club in the Upper West Side by Gerard Alessandrini. It is a musical parody of all of Broadway's best and worst shows. The lyrics from recognizable songs from the shows are rewritten to poke fun at the actors/actresses and highlight the flaws. A good time indeed.
100 in 6 budget: $772
Sea of tourists
Set of Forbidden Broadway
47th Street Theatre
02 August 2008, 2000
Tonight, I decided to have a made-for-tourists NY adventure. Armed with a book, a strong set of elbows and a few twenties in my wallet, I headed to the Times Square TKTS booth (they only accept cash or traveler's checks). Elbows strong, I knocked families of blond-haired, blue-eyed mid-westerners out of the way as I reclaimed the sidewalks of 7th Avenue and Broadway for NYers everywhere. The TKTS booth provides discounted tickets for some of Broadway's most popular shows as long as you don't mind waiting in line for a while and are flexible as to what you would like to see. I hadn't a clue what I wanted to see because I am not a big Broadway fan. When I was a kid, I thought Broadway was aces; the glitz, the glamor, the costumes and music. Once I hit my teenage years, the allure quickly faded and I became jaded by the production of it all. Sigh...another youth lost to the indie-scene.
Outside the TKTS line of tourists (and locals who just really like Broadway), there are hawkers. A hawker is a person who is paid to get your attention and promote their play/restaurant/service. If you have ever picked up a paper from the guys who incessantly shout, "Daily News $.25," you will notice that the top of the paper says, "Hawker Edition" or "Hawker Copy" or something similar. When you stroll down Restaurant Row on 46th Street, there are hawkers that try to bring you into their restaurants for the pre-fixe Broadway special. My hawkers name was Mike and he got my attention for three reasons. First, he was the first hawker to shove an advertisement at me. Second, he said the show he was promoting was only $35 as compared to most shows where even the discounted seats go for $50-65. Third, he said that the show, "Forbidden Broadway" was actually off-Broadway and was a parody of all the other Broadway shows. Sold. I got on line amidst the sea of people and arrived at the little window. No dice. All sold out. I got off line ready to pick another show for which I could get cheap seats when I spy Mike talking to some other eager theatre-goers. I inform him of the situation and he tells me to try again at a different window. I queued again with the same outcome. I was about to give up after realizing that I really didn't want to blow $60 on a show that I didn't want to see when I saw Mike again. I relayed the information and he told me to go directly to the theatre and tell the guy at the window that Mike sent me. Hooray! An adventure! I headed to the theatre and was awarded a nicely discounted ticket thanks to my persistence, Mike's help, and the manager of the theatre not being in the lobby to overhear the transaction.
The show was indeed quite funny. Since I am not a Broadway aficionado, I am sure that I missed some of the more subtle, insider jokes, but for the most part, I chuckled my way through the performance. The actors were superb. Forbidden Broadway was conceived of in 1982 at Palsson's Supper Club in the Upper West Side by Gerard Alessandrini. It is a musical parody of all of Broadway's best and worst shows. The lyrics from recognizable songs from the shows are rewritten to poke fun at the actors/actresses and highlight the flaws. A good time indeed.
100 in 6 budget: $772
Sea of tourists
Set of Forbidden Broadway
01 August 2008
61.5 - O'Death and Flogging Molly
O'Death and Flogging Molly
Hudson River Park
31 July 2008, 1915
Why 1.5 shows for one event? Because the opener played almost as long as the main event and I was there for it all! Hudson River Park hosts River Rocks, a free summer concert series on Pier 54 at 14th Street and the West Side Highway. Basically, it is as close to New Jersey that you can get on the west side of Manhattan without getting wet or actually being there. The breeze was fantastic and wafted a river water mixed with stale beer scent through the crowd.
O'Death was the opening act for our heroes, Flogging Molly. O'Death reminds me of a cross between Gogol Bordello and an Irish fiddling band. Their tunes didn't sound polished, but maybe they weren't supposed to. Their act certainly had charm and was a tap your foot opener for the Flogging Molly faithful. The most interesting description for the band, which can be found on their website, is a quote from Daytrotter, "Brooklyn's O'Death shares some commonalities with a shootout that winds up leaving a saloon worse for wear and without a single glass capable of holding any liquid. The band is like the cry of a cougar and the sharp, invigorating pain that would be produced as a glass was smashed into your forehead." They have also been described as taking inspiration from The Pixies, The Pogues, Tom Waits, and Iggy Pop. Perhaps you should just give them a listen.
Following the eclectic performance by O'Death, Flogging Molly rocked the stage. I have been a Molly's fan for several years now and I have never been disappointed. Their music is an Irish punk variety featuring Dave King (vocals, acoustic guitar, electric guitar, bodhran), Dennis Casey (electric guitar, acoustic guitar, vocals), Matthew Hensley (accordion, concertina, piano, vocals), Nathen Maxwell (bass guitar, vocals), Bridget Regan (violin, tin whistle, classical guitar, Uilleann pipes, vocals), Robert Schmidt (mandolin, mandola, tenor banjo, five-string banjo, vocals), and George Schwindt (drums, percussion). Don't get tempted ladies and gentlemen, Dave and Bridget were just married, and most of band beat them to the altar and already have wee versions of themselves running around. Flogging Molly tours most of the year. During the school year they are part of the Green 17 tour promoting their music on college campuses around the states. The rest of the time they spend visiting various venues around the world. The set list for the evening was as follows: (No More) Paddy's Lament, The Likes of You Again, Swagger, Requiem for a Dying Song, Whistles the Wind, Drunken Lullabies, Selfish Man, Tobacco Island, Float, Rebels of the Sacred Heart, Lightning Storm, If I Ever Leave This World Alive, Salty Dog, Within a Mile of Home, Devil's Dance Floor, What's Left of the Flag, Black Friday Rule, and Seven Deadly Sins.
Clip of Float
Hudson River Park
31 July 2008, 1915
Why 1.5 shows for one event? Because the opener played almost as long as the main event and I was there for it all! Hudson River Park hosts River Rocks, a free summer concert series on Pier 54 at 14th Street and the West Side Highway. Basically, it is as close to New Jersey that you can get on the west side of Manhattan without getting wet or actually being there. The breeze was fantastic and wafted a river water mixed with stale beer scent through the crowd.
O'Death was the opening act for our heroes, Flogging Molly. O'Death reminds me of a cross between Gogol Bordello and an Irish fiddling band. Their tunes didn't sound polished, but maybe they weren't supposed to. Their act certainly had charm and was a tap your foot opener for the Flogging Molly faithful. The most interesting description for the band, which can be found on their website, is a quote from Daytrotter, "Brooklyn's O'Death shares some commonalities with a shootout that winds up leaving a saloon worse for wear and without a single glass capable of holding any liquid. The band is like the cry of a cougar and the sharp, invigorating pain that would be produced as a glass was smashed into your forehead." They have also been described as taking inspiration from The Pixies, The Pogues, Tom Waits, and Iggy Pop. Perhaps you should just give them a listen.
Following the eclectic performance by O'Death, Flogging Molly rocked the stage. I have been a Molly's fan for several years now and I have never been disappointed. Their music is an Irish punk variety featuring Dave King (vocals, acoustic guitar, electric guitar, bodhran), Dennis Casey (electric guitar, acoustic guitar, vocals), Matthew Hensley (accordion, concertina, piano, vocals), Nathen Maxwell (bass guitar, vocals), Bridget Regan (violin, tin whistle, classical guitar, Uilleann pipes, vocals), Robert Schmidt (mandolin, mandola, tenor banjo, five-string banjo, vocals), and George Schwindt (drums, percussion). Don't get tempted ladies and gentlemen, Dave and Bridget were just married, and most of band beat them to the altar and already have wee versions of themselves running around. Flogging Molly tours most of the year. During the school year they are part of the Green 17 tour promoting their music on college campuses around the states. The rest of the time they spend visiting various venues around the world. The set list for the evening was as follows: (No More) Paddy's Lament, The Likes of You Again, Swagger, Requiem for a Dying Song, Whistles the Wind, Drunken Lullabies, Selfish Man, Tobacco Island, Float, Rebels of the Sacred Heart, Lightning Storm, If I Ever Leave This World Alive, Salty Dog, Within a Mile of Home, Devil's Dance Floor, What's Left of the Flag, Black Friday Rule, and Seven Deadly Sins.
Clip of Float
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