The end

100 in 6
April 15 - October 23

We have come to the end of this challenge. It was a long haul, but this adventure has left me with more than just a slew of program books, a hole in my wallet, and a sleep deficit. It has left me with a renewed appreciation of independent theatre and acts that are not yet discovered, a lessened fear of being at a show with more players than members of the audience, and a boatload of memories and stories to tell. In short, it has been one hell of a good time.

The grand total of expenses:

tickets: $1315
incidentals: $567 + one pint of blood + a couple hundred alveoli

These totals don't include the cost of being out in New York either. If I really wanted to scare myself, I would have kept a budget of all the money I spent on drinks and food during the 100 in 6.

Thanks for reading! Please pass along any comments, words of advice, grammar corrections, and ideas for next summer. I am sure that there will be another adventure in the future, I just haven't thought of it yet.

Cheers,
Lauren

100 - Cozy Cafe Hookah Lounge

Cozy Cafe Hookah Lounge
Cozy Cafe
23 October 2008

A hookah is a water pipe used for smoking various tobaccos. The hookah, aka Shisha from the Persian word Shishe which means glass, originated in India. Smoking from a hookah was traditionally part of the Arab cultural world, but has become quite popular for young trendsetters in New York. Hookah lounges have been popping up all over the five boroughs. These new lounges cater to young smokers interested in a techno-pulsing, dimly illuminated, hip atmosphere rather than the traditional hookah clubs that are usually only patronized by men interested in talking shop and seeing old friends. While smoking flavored tobacco and sipping Moroccan tea might not be a new experience for most people, I had never tried the hookah before last night, so it was completely new for me. In my opinion, if there was any way to end this long summer challenge of events it was to end it with something that I have never tried before. Enter the Cozy Cafe.

Alison, Nellie and I ended up at the Cozy Cafe after a dinner celebrating Nellie's upcoming move to Australia. While the two of them have frequented several hookah lounges and were ready to jump right into things, I needed a quick tutorial from them and one of the managers to keep from hacking up bits of lung. As a non-smoker, my first sensation from inhaling our Jasmine flavored tobacco was a fantastic lightheaded feeling. A few puffs later and I felt like an old pro. The key to not scalding your lungs is to exhale the smoke rather quickly, or so said the manager. Thanks to the girls and the Cozy Cafe it was lovely evening and a very interesting end to the 100 in 6.

100 in 6 incidentals budget: $567 + one pint of blood + a couple hundred alveoli





Photos courtesy of Alison.

99 - Pinchbottom - Pretencion

Pinchbottom - Pretencion
Spiegeltent
18 October 2008, 2200

With cleverly sculpted witticisms, humorously crafted poetry and boobs, Pinchbottom presented Pretencion at Spiegeltent, one of the structures that makes up Spiegelworld at South Street Seaport. Spiegelworld is responsible for the critically acclaimed Absinthe and Desir, two burlesque-inspired shows of acrobatics and contortion that are awe-inspiring, erotic and breathtakingly beautiful. Spiegeltent is a wooden-walled tent-topped venue that seats around 300 people and is meant to evoke feelings of seeing a show in France in the early part of the 20th century.

With a bevy of beauties and talented gentlemen, Pinchbottom seduced the audience through the imaginary world of Pretencion where the performers rediscovered their lost sense of pretentiousness. All of the performances were perfectly polished and ready to please. The line-up included our hosts, Nasty Canasta and Jonny Porkpie, joined by Tigger!, Delirium Tremens, Dirty Martini, GiGi LaFemme, Little Brooklyn, Naughtia Nice and Bastard Keith. Pinchbottom's next show, You Only Pinch Twice, is back by popular demand. The show, a parody of James Bond themed burlesque acts, is showing on November 22nd at The Zipper Factory Theatre.

100 in 6 budget: $1315




Photos provided by the Spiegelworld website.

98 - CFA IAMS Cat Show

CFA IAMS Cat Show
Madison Square Garden
18 October 2008



The Cat Fancier's Association and IAMS pet food joined together for the 6th annual CFA-IAMS Cat Championship show at Madison Square Garden. I like cats well enough. I don't own a cat nor do I want to, but I firmly believe that they are lovely animals and make wonderful companions. If I am not a cat-fanatic then how did I end up at the cat show? Well, I happen to know someone who is without doubt a cat person and is well on her way to becoming a veritable 'cat lady'. We started our feline journey at the adoption center browsing the hundreds of cats and kittens that are looking for good homes. The collection of cats that were available for adoption were left behind when their owners had to move, strays that were rescued from the streets, injured and rehabilitated cats, and unexpected litters. As we strolled around amongst the cat fanciers, I entertained myself by renaming every cat we saw. My favorites were deemed 'Donut', 'Pumpkinhead', 'Luca Brasi', and 'Pastrami on Rye'. For the record, the volunteers at most of the shelters did not find me humorous. Their loss.

After our sojourn through the adoption area, we entered the hallowed halls of the cat judging area. There were agility contests, awards for the best of a particular breed, and the much coveted Best of the Best award. After a few hours, we were all cat-ed out. Although I will probably not be returning to the cat show in the future, it certainly made for an interesting afternoon.

100 in 6 budget: $1293

97 - MAD

MAD About Politics book reading
Barnes and Noble
17 October 2008, 1930

What, me worry?

MAD About Politics is a political pop-up book, which was written by The Usual Gang of Idiots otherwise known as the writing staff of MAD magazine. Depending on the site, you may also find the book accredited to MAD's infamous mascot, Alfred E. Neuman, a fictional character created by MAD editor Harvey Kurtzman. Alfred E. Neuman certainly is familiar with the limelight having graced the cover of the magazine on virtually every issue since the first time he ran for President against Eisenhower in 1956. Since then, he has unsuccessfully made a stab at the Presidency every election as a write-in candidate. At the reading, there was a handful of MAD writers, editors, and art directors among the enthusiasts sharing a chuckle as the reading took on more of a question and answer session with the current editor, John Ficarra. The best line of the night was when Ficarra was asked if there were any other satirical magazines in existence now that posed a threat to the MAD empire? To that, Ficarra deadpanned, "Just Times and Newsweek."

96 - NOFX

NOFX
Irving Plaza
15 October 2008

NOFX got together back in 1983 when most of the band was still in high school. They started out as Erik Sandin on drums, Eric Melvin on guitar and Fat Mike on bass and vocals. Throughout their first few years, aside from an extra guitarist here and there or a temporary substitute, the line up didn't change much. Since 1991, the band has been Sandin, Melvin, Fat Mike and El Hefe (guitar). Influenced by bands like Minor Threat, Black Flag and Misfits, NOFX has paved its way through to punk royalty while remaining a wildly successful independent act. Their first gig was in Hollywood at an open mic night of sorts at Cathay de Grande. After that, they put together a demo tape, sent it out and followed up with lots and lots of phone calls. They started touring in one of the guy's parents' station wagon and the rest is history.

An appropriate event for the night of the last Presidential debate if you ask me. With songs like, "Idiot Son of an Asshole" unquestioningly directed at the President, "American Errorist" and "Idiots are Taking Over," the band has been waging war on the Bush administration since the 2004 punk tour, "Rock Against Bush." The concert was ear-numbingly wonderful. They played a gamut of songs from all different albums, including one of my favorites, Linoleum, and closed of course with Theme From a NOFX Album. They are playing a second show tonight.

100 in 6 budget: $1279

95 - Chris Belden: Guitar and Pen

Chris Belden: Guitar and Pen
Cornelia Street Cafe
12 October 2008, 1800

The Cornelia Street Cafe hosted Chris Belden: Guitar and Pen. Mr. Belden is a multi-talented writer who has dabbled in writing songs, novels, screenplays and plays. He co-wrote a screenplay with David Henry called Amnesia, which was produced in 1996 and starred Ally Sheedy and John Savage. In 2004 he released an album titled Songs about Anything, which was featured on NPR's Sunday Weekend Edition. Tonight he continued reading from his novel, The Writer, a creative little slice of fiction. Each reading session at Cornelia Street Cafe takes the audience a chapter or two further into the story. The reading was followed by a performance of songs from his new album Camouflage.

100 in 6 budget: $1253

94 -Jeff Koons

Jeff Koons Exhibit
Metropolitan Museum of Art - roof deck

If you remember the giant, flowered Puppy exhibit at Rockefeller Center (now permanently displayed at the Guggenheim Bilbao) or the big Red Balloon Flower at 7 World Trade Center, then you have already admired some of Jeff Koons's sculptures. Jeff Koons was born in York, Pennsylvania in 1955. He studied at the Maryland Institute College of Art in Baltimore and the School of the Art Institute of Chicago. Koons is a versatile artist who works with many different media. His works have been displayed throughout the world, and the Metropolitan Museum of Art is currently showing three on the roof deck until October 26th. The critics are in complete disagreement of Koons's talent or lack thereof, especially after his series titled Made In Heaven, which featured him and his porn star wife Cicciolina in various explicit sexual positions. I am very much not an art critic. As I stood on the roof deck of the Met staring at the giant balloon dog, I didn't wonder what inspired him to create it or how he chose that particular color. The only thought that crossed my mind was of how much I would like to shoot a dart at it to see if I could pop it.

93 - NYU Lecture

NYU Lecture - Cross Examination and Re-Direct Techniques
08 October 2008

As a teaching hospital, NYU Medical Center hosts different lecture series and constantly has continuing education classes open to various groups. Today, I attended a lecture about giving expert testimony and being able to defend the science and your work in court. The two women giving the lecture work for the Manhattan District Attorney's Office and have prosecuted hundreds of cases between them. They actually turned the lecture into an interactive workshop by cross-examining someone in front of the group of attendees. They had some very good pointers for holding your own on the stand and tricks that defense attorneys can use to shake you. Overall, a very informative lecture. Apparently, "You can't handle the truth!" is not the best way to answer either.

92 -Bear Mountain

Bear Mountain - hiking and Oktoberfest day trip
Bear Mountain
05 October 2008

Sharon and I made a trek up to Bear Mountain this morning for what we thought would be a simple day of hiking and breathing fresh air. When we arrived at the mountain though, we were pleasantly surprised to see that Bear Mountain's Oktoberfest was happening that afternoon! Hooray! We set off on our hike up a lovely, albeit steep, trail with visions of frothy brews dancing in our heads. Two hours later we marched triumphantly from the woods and straight to the official Oktoberfest bar and snack tent. After a couple beers and some pierogies we ventured into the Bear Mountain zoo for a tour of the local wildlife (check out the picture of the awesome human exhibit!). A fantastic day only made better by a good nap, a nice dinner, and a hot shower. I love Oktoberfest.

100 in 6 budget: $1246

91 - the subdudes

the subdudes
Highline Ballroom
04 October 2008, 2000

Wow! I love the subdudes! Today, the subdudes are Tommy Malone (who in my opinion looks hauntingly similar to Dave Grohl), John Magnie, Steve Amedee, Tim Cook and Jimmy Messa. They started out back in 1987 with Malone, Magnie, Amedee and Johnny Ray Allen playing what they thought would be a one time gig at Tipitina's in New Orleans. At that point, most of the band had already played together as The Percolators and The Continental Drifters, so they knew that they had a significant amount of musical chemistry. After the overwhelmingly positive response they got at Tipitina's, the subdudes were born. In 1997 they decided to call it quits to explore solo careers and other opportunities much to the dismay of their dedicated fans. There was a brief time when three of the original members plus Tim Cook, Jimmy Messa and Sammy Neal, got back together as a band called the Dudes (hmmm...), but the music still sounded wonderfully like the subdudes. In 2003, the Dudes re-added the 'sub' and once again started touring and recording as the subdudes.

The subdudes' music is a mix of rock, southern rock and a twangy New Orleans blues sound. Their most notable feature, aside from their fantastic harmonizing vocals featuring Malone on lead, is their use of a tambourine player instead of a drummer. Amedee actually played the tambourine with an old wooden spoon at their first gig in New Orleans. One of the other features that gives them their signature sound is the fabulous Magnie on accordion.

The show was absolutely fantastic and the rest of the audience seemed to be in complete agreement as they fled their tables and stormed the aisles to dance towards the end. The highlight of the evening was definitely when the band decided to unplug completely and meander into the audience to play the acoustic treat Rain. I have been listening to the subdudes casually for years, but I had never been to a show before last night. It was wonderful to hear them live and I hope that they continue to tour so that I can catch them again soon!

90 - Hip Hop Honors

Hip Hop Honors screening and after-party
Opera
02 October 2008

Lucky for me, I have fantastic, interesting, exciting friends. On Thursday evening, thanks to the well-connected M.Douglas, we visited Opera (formerly the China Club) for a live screening of the Hip Hop Honors, which airs on VH1 on October 6 at 10pm. VH1 hosted the event, so all of the nibbles and drinks were on them. We grabbed some treats, perused the crowd, and settled into a booth to watch the show. As the show was being taped at the Hammerstein ballroom, we were watching a live telecast at Opera. The footage from the show is probably on the cutting room floor right now being edited and laden with commercials to make it ready for airing next week. A couple hours and a few drinks later, the after-party was ready to begin. We left our cozy little booth and walked upstairs to the VIP area and roof deck. The next couple hours were spent socializing, schmoozing, bumping into Mike Rappaport who was filming a De La Soul documentary, and seeing Kid Rock surrounded by beefy security guards and adoring fans. I am quite certain that there were more artists there, but since I don't know much about the big names of the Hip Hop scene, I wasn't able to recognize anyone else. The evening was lovely and certainly the type of event that I don't get to go to often if at all.

89 - Pinchbottom - Devilish

Pinchbottom - Devilish
Corio
01 October 2008

What a fantastic way to begin my favorite month and time of year! Pinchbottom was as sinful, seductive and salacious as ever with their new endeavor, Devilish. Devilish casts Mayor of Burlesque, Jonny Porkpie (who, term limits be damned, should definitely run for a third), as a somewhat innocent mortal who signs a deal with the foxiest devil I have ever seen, Nasty Canasta. If Devilish is any reflection of what the proper Hell is like, then save me a seat and declare me a sinner! The show took us through the nuances of entering into a contractual agreement with an evil deity through performances by Gal Friday, Ms Tickle, Precious Little, and Albert Cadabra. The highlight of the evening in my opinion was a new, delightfully sultry number by Miss Precious Little. In fact, the new number was so delightfully sultry that I think I blushed a bit.

Corio is a beautiful venue filled with green velvety couches, low set black and chrome tables, black and white kitschy wallpaper, exposed brick, and heavy velvet curtains. Although not a great venue if you are going to have the place packed wall to wall with standing room only, but certainly aces for an intimate crowd of revelers.

Don't miss Pinchbottom at Spiegelworld on October 18th presenting Pretencion!