15 - Hunter College Choir

Hunter College Choir and Collegium Musicum
Hunter College Assembly Hall
12 May 2008, 1900

Choirs are proof that it is a good idea to study Latin. I remember studying Latin in college, but it never sounded as beautiful as it did tonight. The choir is lead by Paul F. Mueller and Matthew Rupcich who are both part of the music department at Hunter College. The main piece that the choir performed was "Mass in Time of War," by Joseph Haydn (1732-1809), a prominent composer of that time period. I found out about the show from Jeannie who is a soprano with the choir, and Lucy and Cindy came along for the ride. This evening of music was exactly what we all needed after spending too much time in front of our computers staring at electropherograms. Music soothes the savage beast, you know. If it could only analyze STRs, we would all be in business. The concert was beautiful and it was a wonderful way to end a long Monday. Thank you Hunter College Choir for relaxing my headache away!

Kyrie eleison.

100 in 6 budget: $168

14 - Poetry Slam

College Poetry Slam
Bowery Poetry Club
10 May 2008, 1800

Ashley and I tackled a poetry slam this weekend. I had never been to a slam before yesterday. Actually, I have never even been to a poetry reading. I have a hard time with most poetry. I don't know what makes a well constructed poem, I don't read poems well because I never know when to pause, and I definitely don't understand iambic pentameter. The slam was fun though. These students got on stage and really performed their poems. They whispered, spoke, yelled, or cooed depending on the lines. They spoke from their hearts about racism, family, boyfriends/girlfriends, and life. I would recommend a slam to anyone who is passionate about something.

100 in 6 budget: $158

13 - George Clinton and the P-Funk All Stars

George Clinton and the P-Funk All Stars
Stone Pony
08 May 2008, 2130

George Clinton is an institution. The creator of the groups Parliament and Funkadelic, an entertainer, and an innovator in the music world. He is one of the fathers of funk.

The evening started out with Rice Cracker and I being exquisite winos (thank you to Target and your fantastic PR firm), which was much to the entertainment of our conductor on the long train ride down the Jersey coast to Asbury Park. Allenfunkin' met us at the train and whisked us away to his place for a quick tour of things before we headed over to the notorious place of legend and all things that are Jersey, the Stone Pony. The evening progressed with more drinks, superb music, and lots of dancing.

The P-Funk All Stars took the stage at 930pm. George joined them not long after 1000pm and the group did not stop playing until 130am. No breaks, no encores, no sets. Certain members came and went from the stage (maxing out at about 22 at one point, which is a tight squeeze on the Pony's small stage), but the music didn't stop until well past curfew. I haven't danced that much in a long time, but once the beat started, I just couldn't help myself. Rice Cracker and Allenfunkin' made for excellent companions as we drank, danced and funked the night away.

This was definitely one of the best shows that I have seen, and I haven't stopped humming Bounce To This since last night. Sorry about the crappy photo quality, I forgot to bring my camera and had to rely on the mobile. Thanks to Allenfunkin' for sharing his place so that the Cracker and I could crash for a few hours. We already have plans to see him play again when he comes to B.B. Kings in July. Viva la funk.

100 in 6 budget: $153
100 in 6 incidentals: $196

12 - Caroline's on Broadway

New Comic Night
Caroline's on Broadway
05 May 2008, 2130

What can I say? There were some laughs, and there were some moments of silence. Caroline's New Comic Night is a showcase of the up and coming comics in the area, so as one would expect, there are hits and there are misses. There were definitely a few comics that killed, unfortunately they were balanced out by a few that should have been killed on stage.

Thanks to Jenn, Lauren and the army of 15 other people with us for the company.

100 in 6 budget: $118
100 in 6 incidentals: $172

11 - Sakura Matsuri

Sakura Matsuri - Cherry Blossom Festival
Brooklyn Botanic Garden
04 May 2008

This weekend was New York City's "Rite of Spring", Sakura Matsuri, featuring the cherry blossom trees in full bloom. Thankfully, the sun actually managed to peak its head out for a little while when I was strolling through the Steinhardt Conservatory, the rock garden, the cherry esplanade, and the various twisting paths that make up the gardens. There were so many beautiful colors from the hundreds of flowers in bloom that Brooklyn felt like a thin slice of heaven. The conservatory was featuring a bonsai display, and all throughout the gardens were various events celebrating Japanese culture. I caught part of the performance by Taiko Masala, a Taiko drumming group based in Brooklyn and lead by Hiro Kurashima, a Master of Suwa style taiko drumming. They were phenomenal and bursting with energy. I wanted to pick up a copy of their cd, but I wasn't able to get to them after the performance was finished.


The day was truly beautiful. Welcome to springtime, New York.





100 in 6 budget: $113

10 - Atlantic City bus trip

Okay...I know it isn't a performing arts event, but it was an all day affair, there was gaming involved, and the commute was a killer.

8am - board the R in Brooklyn
914am - board NJ Transit Northeast Corridor line to New Brunswick
11am - board the bus to Atlantic City
1pm - arrive in AC
(and don't forget, we have to do it all again to get home later! Hooray!)

Thanks to Elaine the "ringleader", Diana the "high-roller", and Kevin the "King of NJ" for their company. The trip was arranged by Robert, a good friend of mine. Robert runs a bar near one of the Rutgers' campuses called the Ale 'N 'Wich pub and has organized these types of events in the past. Clearly, the trips have all been successful since the bus was packed for this run down the coast.

So, representing the great city of New York and most likely being the four oldest people on the bus, away we went! Mimosas were poured early on and the beers started flowing soon after as we headed our way down to the gaming mecca by the sea. Once off the bus, we blew our slot machine comps within the first five minutes that we were there and hit the boardwalk. Although the weather was crap, we managed to have a few laughs, maintain a nice buzz, and make the day go by rather quickly.

We lost most of our money at Bally's, well, I did at least. What can I say, Carmen was a shrewd blackjack dealer. We joined Robert and the rest of the gang at Caesar's for a drink to watch the Kentucky Derby before we headed back onto the bus. More drinking and hours of commuting later, and we were back in Brooklyn. Cheers.

100 in 6 budget: $105
100 in 6 incidentals budget: $151

8-9 - Dillon, James, Dion

Cass Dillon
Derek James & The Lovely Fools
Josh Dion Band

Highline Ballroom
02 May 2008, 2000

8pm - There isn't anyone at the venue save for me, the Highline employees, and a handful of people who are probably girlfriends of the band. Cass Dillon and band take the stage. I feel terribly that there is nobody present to hear the Long Islander belt out a few tunes. Cass Dillon has been playing since an early age after being introduced to the music scene by his drummer dad. The band sounds crisp and polished despite some technical difficulties by the Highline light guy (the band played an entire song in the dark). Their songs are easy to listen to and have some fantastic lyrics too. They definitely sound like they could be on the rotation at WPLJ or a similar station.


9pm - The Highline starts to fill up finally. The twang of something honky tonk-esque fills the room. Derek James & The Lovely Fools have taken the stage. A late bloomer, James started his music career in 2003. The music was fun and easy on the ears, and who couldn't like a band that features a kazoo in a couple songs?


1015pm - The Josh Dion band fills the stage...literally...there are nine of them including a keyboard, drummer, two guitarists, a tambourine girl, sax, French horn possibly, slide trombone, and trumpet. You can't help but tap your foot and nod your head to the music. I felt like I was at a revival. Josh Dion is the drummer and lead vocals, and sort of reminded me of Animal from the Muppets. He had shaggy hair, full beard and was wearing what looked to be a red velvet jacket with a white cravat and black button-down. Everyone in the room was swaying, dancing, bopping, and grooving. Fun times. Fun music.



100 in 6 budget: $70 (thanks to Goldstar for the cheap tickets!)