Hello blogisphere. I missed you.

It’s been a long three months, filled with concerts, festivals, beaching, “life organization”, and a splash of day job consumption. But I’m here now. And we have LOTS to catch up on. It blows my mind that despite my absence, my readership has continued to stay strong. I have received countless emails, messages, and face-to-face questions about my continuation of this blog that I hold so near and dear to my heart.  Well do not fret, because Bask in the Music isn’t going anywhere.

The past 3 months in pictures…

…Peace out, Summer 2012. You rocked.

Make no mistake… this run was ROUGH. The first 10 miles flew by, and then my mental game (and legs, seemingly) completely fell apart. It wasn’t as hot as it’s been this summer, but  having to do my first solo long run (Rebecca is racing the Staten Island half tomorrow) and having it be 20 miles, sunny, 70+ degrees, and humid just totally broke me down. 20 solo miles is a completely brutal game, and I had to stop for more walk breaks than I’d like in the last few miles. I also ended up semi-stranded on Randall’s Island because I couldn’t summon the energy to run back over the bridge, and had to walk almost 2 miles home AFTER running 20.

Part of me wants to beat myself up over this run. I walked more than I would have liked, lost my mental game, and ended up with a slower pace than I would have preferred. Last Saturday, I felt like I could have banged out 20 miles, no problem, and today I would have been perfectly happy quitting at 15 (hell, even 13).

…But I’m not going to. Because I ran TWENTY FREAKING MILES. Alone. I went out there and pounded the pavement solo for three hours and forty-two minutes in the sun, in the humidity, and I DID IT.

I haven’t done enough celebrating this training cycle. I’ve gotten wrapped up in feeling slow, my sore knees, lack of sleep. I’ve wanted to quit, I’ve pitied myself, and I’ve beat myself up over figuring out what happened to the legs that ran a 2:02 half marathon six months ago. But in all of that, I’ve missed the most important part of marathon training — celebrating new milestones!

When I trained for my first half, every week was a celebration. 8 miles! 9 miles! 10 miles! But until last week’s 18, I was horrible about celebrating. And hell yes, I am going to celebrate 20 miles. I honestly can’t believe I did that, and how close marathon training is to being over. Next week, I’m racing a half marathon to get a sense of where my pace really is, and then I have two taper runs, 10 miles and 8 miles.

While I’m not being good about celebrating, I’ve had some really visceral emotional reactions to my long runs. Today, as I trudged home from Randall’s Island, I put on one of my uber-motivational songs and immediately burst into tears on 86th street. Sometimes, I can’t really believe that I’m doing this. But I am!

Repeat visit to: Queensborough (59th Street) Bridge (Manhattan to Roosevelt Island); Ward’s Island (Randall’s Island) Bridge

Route Map – 14.5 miles     More photos on Facebook       (click on any image for a larger view)

Our expedition: Luis M, Nick B (behind), Rosalba, Larry L, me (RaNae), Violet D, Bob, Carlos N, and Derrick M from our launch site at Fort Totten, with the Throg’s Neck Bridge in the background.

Saturday, September 29 we paddled from Fort Totten to the Long Island City Community Boathouse (LICCB) with 7 members of Sebago Canoe Club and LICCB.  Our friend Larry L, who accompanied us on last week’s circumnavigation of Jamaica Bay, organized the trip for us, including transporting kayaks by car to and from Fort Totten.

The day got a bit of a rocky start when the 7 train shut down due to electrical problems, forcing Rosalba and I to re-route our trip to Long Island City.  Eventually we got there via the E train, where Bob and Violet picked us up.  Nevertheless, we made it to Fort Totten Park in time for our 11:00 launch.

Bridge #1 for the day was the Throg’s Neck Bridge.

The Throg’s Neck Bridge, from Fort Totten Park

After passing under the Throg’s Neck, we paddled past amazing waterfront properties along College Point en route to the Whitestone Bridge.

The Whitestone Bridge

After passing the Whitestone Bridge we had to make a decision, whether to go north past Riker’s Island — where the prison is — or to go south of it in order to pass under the Riker’s Island Bridge. We weren’t sure if the bridge was a restricted area, but decided to go for it and hope for the best.

In order to take that route, we had to paddle past the end of one of the runways at LaGuardia Airport.  It was pretty wild watching planes take off right over our heads.  It felt as if you could hook your paddle over the landing gear and fly away.

As it turns out, we were able to pass under the Riker’s Island Bridge.

The Riker’s Island Bridge

We decided to stop for lunch at Barretto Point Park (the appeal of clean flush toilets was irrestible). Not only did this give us a rest, but it let a bit of time pass so we would not be going through Hell Gate at full ebb tide, which, as NYC kayakers know, can be a pretty wild ride.

A barge was coming down the channel behind us around North Brother Island, so we waited for it to pass in an inlet off the northeast corner of Randall’s Island where we spotted another bridge, this one currently closed for reconstruction.  That’s Nick, one of the trip directors from LICCB and a super-experienced kayaker, who represented LICCB on the trip.  [name of this bridge?]

Once the barge passed, we headed into Hell Gate. We have heard many stories about how treacherous the current can be here, so we were quite glad to find it relatively calm. The bridge is beautiful, and we got a fantastic view of both the Hell Gate Bridge and the Triborough Bridge as we passed.

The Robert F. Kennedy (formerly Triborough) Bridge has three spans. Rosalba passed under the Manhattan-Randall’s Island span on the Manhattan circumnavigation but we had not yet visited this span, which goes from Randall’s Island to Queens.

Coming around the bottom of Randall’s Island, we got this beautiful view of the Ward’s Island (Randall’s Island) Bridge.  (Rosalba visited it on the Manhattan circumnavigation, but it was at night so the pictures didn’t turn out.)

Traveling south from Randall’s Island, we took the western channel past Roosevelt Island, passing under the Manhattan span of the Queensboro Bridge.

Finally, making a hook around the south end of Roosevelt Island, we arrived back at LICCB.  We quickly stowed our gear and took off because the Gowanus Dredgers’ fundraiser was that night.

It was another fantastic day of kayaking. (Did I mention the air was cool and the water was warm?) Thank you Larry for setting this up, to LICCB for their generous assistance and to everyone who joined us.  See you on the water again soon!

A garden is a wonderful place to see and discover bugs, insects and birds.  On Randall’s Island there is an impressive variety to find.  It is always fun to hear the screams of horror/delight and astonishment as children in The Learning Garden encounter their first grub, worm or beetle.  It is an important gardening experience for them to find out that soil is a living medium and that the insects help to loosen up the soil by their tunneling which then allows air and water to reach the plants roots. Their droppings and dead bodies also provide nutrients for the plants.

During the springtime it was wonderful to listen to a mockingbird singing for hours at the Waterfront Garden against the backdrop of waves lapping the shoreline.  The diversity of a mockingbird’s song is very impressive. One duck laid her eggs among the Alchemilla  mollis (lady’s mantle) leaves and she was hard to see among them.  If you got close to her nest, she would fly up which was always startling.

Bees, bumblebees and other insects are constantly busy gathering nectar and pollen from the flowers, and a large diversity of pollinators is always found on Pycanthemum (bee balm). While the gardeners deadhead various blooms, the insects just move off to another flower intent on their job.

Butterflies are beautiful and the diversity of their colors and markings are amazing.  Whether it is the Monarch butterfly, which is attracted to the Buddleja davidii (butterfly bush), or another species they are all graceful in their movements.

Sometimes, though, one is surprised to come upon an insect due to its ability to camouflage itself.  The praying mantis is hard to detect among the green stems of bushes because it just looks like another stem.  The female is such a delicate insect, which belies its carnivorous behavior.

These various creatures, and many more, make a garden alive and vibrant.  A good garden provides areas of sun and shade, different types of foliage and flower heads, different heights of plantings, and a variety of blooms from early spring to late fall. This type of garden will attract beneficial insects that keep a garden healthy by maintaining the level of unwanted pests in check. Come and discover your favorite insect.

The Men Who Dine with Josh in the Amstel tent

When Josh Ozersky asked us to come on board with helping promote Meatopia, to be honest we really didn’t know what to expect. The festival has been around for 8 years, and to be honest, none of us had attended a past one, although we’ve always heard great things. So we were anxious & excited when Saturday, September 8 rolled around.

Gabriele Corcos feeding Anthony a slice of carpaccio

Meatopia is like no other food festival in that the only two things used to cook the protein (aka meat) is wood and fire.  So as soon as we exited the car and started to walk toward the field, we smelled the sweet smells of burning wood and cooking meat.  The sheer number of amazing chefs that Josh wrangled up was quite impressive.  And what might have been more impressive was watching them cook, for the most part, out of their element and comfort of an organized kitchen.

Pat LaFrieda holding a few bone “dumbbells”

 Yet, with the odds stacked up against them and a looming threat of rain, the chefs produced and came through making amazing restaurant quality dishes.  The energy on Randall’s Island was electric and that was without the thunderstorm.  People were happy and excited to be trying the top chefs’ dishes, such as Jonathon Sawyer’s “Bread & Brains”, Marc Forgione’s tomahawk chop, Pat LaFrieda’s 1,000 pound steer, etc. 

Aaron Franklin of Franklin Barbecue slicing his heavenly brisket while Alan looks on

We loved everything we tasted, but there was one dish that really stood out for us and put us on Cloud 9.  That dish was Aaron Franklin’s (Franklin Barbecue) life changing Texas smoked brisket.  We have eaten a lot of great brisket, but Aaron’s brisket was otherworldly.  We likened it to a meaty marshmallow.  The brisket, which was only seasoned with salt and pepper, was smoked to perfection.  It was worthy of waiting in line numerous times just to get our full.   

The Men Who Dine with Chefs Marc Forgione & Marco Canora

To pull off a festival of this magnitude takes a lot of chutzpah.  And other than a little rain storm, which actually helped to bring the attendees closer together, Meatopia went off without a hitch.  Everyone we talked with consistently said that they were having an amazing time, as were we.  Truth be told, Josh Ozersky knows how to throw a helluva party.  We can’t wait until next year’s festivities!

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For more pictures, please visit our Facebook page: www.Facebook.com/MenWhoDine

Alan serving up Amstel Light & Amstel Wheat

The views of the city from the Triborough are absolutely, stunning.  I had to stop to get a couple off.  I rode around on Randalls Island for a while because I was lost.  I mean, I had never rode my bike to the island before and missed my turn off.  I took a few images of what are referred to as Hell’s Gate on Randalls Island.  It’s a series of archways that are the support for the railway bridge above it.  I thought it looked pretty cool, hopefully you will too.  Lucky for me there was some 100 mile bike race going on (The NYC Century Bike Tour) that linked Queens, Manhattan and Brooklyn so, I just followed the riders, and then passed some of them until I could see my way off the island.  I ended up around 96th Street and the FDR Drive.  They headed right to traverse the highway on the bridge, I headed left to go further into Harlem.  Rode along the streets of Harlem and stumbled upon the world-famous, RAO’S.  I mean, I have heard of this place for years, but have never had the opportunity to go or even see it before.

The story at RAO’S is that many years ago, I think it was back in the 50′s, the owners came up with the very crafty idea of essentially holding a table for several of their guests on various nights of the week.  The Lombardi’s had a table on Monday’s at 8:00, the Pesce’s on Wednesday at 7:00 and the Fratelli’s on Friday’s at 9:00.  If you were not a member of that family or were not their guest, you could not get a seat at RAO’S.  Many of the family’s would barter, trade and sell their reservations to those unfortunate to “own” a table at RAO’s but beyond that, you weren’t getting in.

Back to my travels.  I stopped off in Harlem to visit with my friend Na’eema and her little big, Jacob.  She fell in love with Andie on first sight and now wants to get a bicycle.  She rode Andie around the block, her first time on a bike since High School.  Andie has a way of inspiring folks to, RIDE!  Left Na’eema after an hour or so and headed West across 25th Street to link up with the Westside Bike Paths.  While riding on the street just before I got on the bike path, my phone, popped out of its case and went crashing to the cobblestone streets.  The front glass panel looks like a spider’s web.  Oh, well, guess it’s lucky for me that the iPhone 5 comes out in the next few weeks.  Gonna need a replacement and upgrade.  I rode those paths all the way South to Battery Park City, and then Battery Park and eventually made my way back North towards the Brooklyn Bridge.  Took a photo of the bridge and then found myself meandering through the streets of Brooklyn.  Through, Brooklyn Heights, Cobble Hill, Downtown Brooklyn, Cobble Hill, Bed-Stuy and eventually, Williamsburg.  I was on a tour of Brooklyn, baby!

Went from Williamsburg to Greenpoint and then crossed over into Queens,  Sunnyside, Woodside, and all points along Queens Boulevard before making it home.  Safe, intact, but throughly exhausted.  I had to take a nap and eat some watermelon before writing this.

What a GREAT ride, on a great day and a wonderful experience.  I’m LOVIN’ being a bike owner again.  Check out some photos as well as a map of my ride.

Thanks, STRAVA for charting my course with a very detailed map.

All pork, veal, duck, beef, lamb and game used will be cruelty-free and hormone-free and chefs came up with creative recipes that use unusual parts of the animals for dinner, like pig cheek or duck neck (not just ribs). Tickets run $140, but that includes 3 bands on stage and all the bourbon and beer you’ll need to wash it down. And well-known City chefs (in good moods?) will be right there sweating over those pits themselves and chatting up meat-lovin’ fatties.

*Be Sure To “LIKE” SocialEyesNYC.com on Facebook*

FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 7, 2012

ART/MUSEUMS/GALLERIES

Antonio Lopez 

Lopez’ career spanned from the late 1960′s to early 1980′s illustrating commercial campaigns for such iconic designers as Karl Lagerfeld, Yves Saint Laurent, Valentino, Missoni, and Versace. His work adorned the pages of Vogue, The New York Times, Women’s Wear Daily, and Interview to name a few. This exhibition showcases three decades of the artist’s work, including never before seen drawings and photographs.

For some Vogue Illustrations, click this link: http://www.vogue.com/vogue-daily/article/lines-of-beauty-andre-leon-talley-on-legendary-fashion-illustrator-antonio-lopez/#1

September 7, 2012- October 20, 2012

Suzanne Geiss Company
76 Grand St-between Greene St and Wooster St
http://www.suzannegeiss.com/
Tel: 212-625-8130
Hours: 12pm-6pm Tuesday-Saturday

Directions:
Subway
A, C, E to Canal St/6t Ave
N, R to Canal St/Broadway

*GO, GO, GO see this exhibit! I’ve seen retrospectives of his work, and they are mind-blowing!

 *FREE* OUTDOOR MUSIC/CONCERTS

MANHATTAN

Piano In The Park, Deanna Witkowski-Winner of the Great American Jazz Piano Competition
September 7, 2012  12:30pm-2:30pm
Bryant Park, 42nd St and 6th Ave-Upper Terrace
http://bryantpark.org/plan-your-visit/piano.html

BROOKLYN

Bob Mould Plays Copper Blue and Silver Age   September 7, 2012  5:30pm
Williamsburg Park: Kent Ave and N. 11th St
http://bobmould.com/

OTHER MUSIC AROUND TOWN:

Amran’s Chamber Music  and Kerouac’s On The Road  September 7, 2012  8pm
Symphony Space, Broadway at 95th Street
http://www.symphonyspace.org/event/7566-konstantin-soukhovetski-rock-star-pianist

Christopher Williams, Force M.D.s, Meli’sa Morgan and Jeff Redd September 7, 2012  8pm
B.B. King Blues Club, 42nd St, between 7th and 8th Ave
http://www.bbkingblues.com/bio.php?id=2028

Konstantin Soukhovetski Rock Star Pianist  September 7,2012  6pm
Symphony Space, Broadway at 95th Street
http://www.symphonyspace.org/event/7566-konstantin-soukhovetski-rock-star-pianist

Blowoff featuring the DJ sounds of Bob Mould and Richard Morel  September 7, 2012  11:30pm
Highline Ballroom, 16th St between 9th and 10th Ave
http://highlineballroom.com/show/2012/09/07/blowoff-4/

SPORTS

The Dirty Dozen Pro Ping Pong Tournament

Every Friday night SPiN New York challenges 12 of the top players in the nation to compete for the top spot and cash prizes from $100-$500. Grab a seat court-side to watch the coolest ping-pong tournament in the country. After the tourney, stay and play on one of their 17 ping-pong courts, enjoy a drink and grab some grub in the restaurant.

9pm-1am

Spin New York
48 E. 23rd St-between Park and Madison Ave
newyork.spingalactic.com
Tel:212-982-8802

Directions:
Subway
4, 6 to 23rd St
N, R to 23rd St
Bus
M1, M2, M3, M5

KIDS/TEENS

For Tomorrow: Bargemusic Presents “Music in Motion” Neighborhood Family Concerts

Every Saturday afternoon at 3 pm (doors open at 2:30pm), a one hour performance, including a Q & A session with the musicians. *FREE*

Fall 2012 Schedule: September 1, 8, 15, 22, 29. October 13, 20, 27. November 3, 10, 17, 24. 

Bargemusic
Fulton Ferry Landing near the Brooklyn Bridge
Brooklyn
http://bargemusic.org/calendar.html
Tel: 718-624-2083

Directions:
Subway
A, C  to High Street
F  to York Street
2, 3  to Clark Street

DANCE/THEATER

Playbill  Presents: 20 at 20…. 30 Off Broadway Shows, $20 for 20 Days

HERE‘S HOW IT WORKS!
For TWENTY DAYS ONLY,  September 4th through September 23rd, tickets are available at the box office for all 30 participating shows starting 20 minutes before show time.

Participating Shows For Adults Include:
Rain Pryor’s Fried Chicken and Latkes, Forbidden Broadway: Alive and Kicking!, Cougar The Musical, Cock, Naked Boys Singing!

Participating Shows For The Kids Include:
Angelina Ballerina The Musical, Pinkalicious, The Musical, Berenstain Bears Live!, Gazillion Bubble Show

Click link for all 30 Off Broadway Show Offerings: http://www.20at20.com/

SEE 7 SHOWS FOR THE PRICE OF *ONE* BROADWAY TICKET AND GET DINNER ON PLAYBILL!
See any 7 of the participating 20at20 shows from 9/4/12 through 9/23/12 and receive a FREE voucher for dinner for 2 at an area restaurant!
Click link for details http://www.20at20.com/dinner.html

X’TRAS/THINGS TO DO- 2 For Today

Buy Your Tix: Brooklyn Pour Craft Beer Festival

 The Village Voice presents the second annual Brooklyn Pour, featuring over 100+ craft brews by 60+ breweries from New York and beyond. Sample the best seasonal, micro and reserve brews as well as enjoy demonstrations, meet & greets, beer talks, food court, DJ’s and more.

Saturday October 6, 2012. Two sessions: 1pm-4pm and 6pm-9pm. Tickets are $45/$65

Click link to purchase tickets http://microapp.villagevoice.com/brooklyn-pour/2012/

Buy Your Tix: International Bestselling Author Ken Follett interviewed by CBS’ Charles Osgood

Novelist Ken Follett discusses his latest book, Winter of the World with CBS Peabody Award anchor Charles Osgood. Set in the 1930s and 1940s, it tells of the experiences of five interrelated families living in the turmoil created from the rise of the Third Reich up to the explosions of the American and Soviet atomic bombs.

September 18, 2012. $30

 Click link to purchase tickets http://www.nyhistory.org/programs/winter-world

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SATURDAY SEPTEMBER 8, 2012

ART/MUSEUMS/GALLERIES

Doris Duke’s Shangri La: Architecture, Landscape, and Islamic Art

This exhibit showcases a selection of Islamic art collected over a 60 year period from the Honolulu home of the philanthropist Doris Duke. The installation will reveal the travel and research that led to the creation of Shangri La, and the synthesis between architecture, landscape and the art.

September 7, 2012 – February 17, 2013

For more info on Shangri La in Hawaii, click link: http://www.shangrilahawaii.org/
**I went to the opening night curator tour. This is a DELIGHTFUL exhibit! Keep in mind, Thursday and Friday nights are *Pay What You Wish*

Museum of Arts and Design
2 Columbus Circle
Tel: 212-299-7777
http://www.madmuseum.org/

Directions:
Subway
A, B, C, D 1 to 59th Street/Columbus Circle
M5, M7, M10, M104 

 *FREE* OUTDOOR MUSIC/CONCERTS

MANHATTAN

Saturday Salsa Dance Party  8pm
South Street Seaport, Pier 16
http://www.salsanewyork.com/events/salsa-party-at-south-street-seaport.htm

BROOKLYN

Festival of New Trumpet Music at Jane’s Carousel 6:30pm-7pm
Brooklyn Bridge Park: Empire Fulton Ferry, Water St and Dock St
http://fontmusic.org/upcoming-events/
http://www.brooklynbridgepark.org/events/calendar/rotations-rotations

The Fort Greene Jazz Festival  September 8, 2012  3pm
Fort Greene Park, Washington Park and Willoughby Ave
http://www.wfuv.org/events/120908/fort-greene-jazz-festival-fort-greene-park

QUEENS

Warm Up at  MOMA PS1: Atoms For Peace (DJ set) / XL Recordings / London
Rustie / Warp, Holy Other / Tri Angle, Maria Minerva / Not Not Fun, 
Justin Strauss / WhateverWhatever     September 8, 2012  2pm-9pm  $15
MOMAPS1, 22-25 Jackson Ave. at the intersection of 46th Ave.
Long Island City
http://momaps1.org/warmup/

OTHER MUSIC AROUND TOWN:

From Bach to Blues  September 8, 2012  5pm *FREE*
Symphony Space,  Broadway at 95th Street
http://www.symphonyspace.org/event/7568-from-bach-to-blues-free-concert-

“Music in Motion” Neighborhood Family Concerts  September 8, 2012 3pm  *FREE*
Bargemusic, Fulton Ferry Landing near the Brooklyn Bridge
http://bargemusic.org/calendar.html

The Fresh Beat Band  September 8, 2012 through September 19, 2012
Various Times
Beacon Theatre, Broadway at 74th Street
http://www.beacontheatre.com/events/2012/the-fresh-beat-band-at-beacon-theatre.html

Seth Troxler and Subban  September 8, 2012  11pm
Highline Ballroom, 16th St between 9th and 10th Ave
http://highlineballroom.com/show/2012/09/08/seth-troxler-subb-an/

Massenet Centennial Concert with Damien Top, Tenor September 8, 2012 8pm
Symphony Space, Broadway at 95th St
http://www.symphonyspace.org/event/7569-massenet-centennial-concert-with-damien-top-tenor

SPORTS

Put On Your Calendar: Square Dance in Bryant Park

For three Monday nights in September, Do-Si-Do and Promenade at this country dance party in the heart of midtown. No experience or partner necessary. They’ll pair you up and teach all the dances all night.

Bryant Park Lawn
42nd St and 6th Ave
http://bryantpark.org/plan-your-visit/squaredance.html

Directions:
Subway
1, 2, 3, A, C, E, B, D, F, N, Q, R, 7, S to 42nd St
Bus:
M1, M2, M3, M4, M5, M7, M20, M104

KIDS/TEENS

Rotations, Rotations at Jane’s Carousel 

Set on the East River, Jane’s Carousel is a completely restored historic Carousel that has been placed on the National Register of Historic Places. Rotations, Rotations features kaleidoscopic melodies performed by seven moving brass and percussion players mimicking the nostalgic sounds of the carousel’s “mechanical band.” This event is performed as part of the Festival of New Trumpet Music 2012. 6:30pm-8pm

Brooklyn Bridge Park: Empire Fulton Ferry, Water St and Dock St
http://janescarousel.com/
http://www.brooklynbridgepark.org/events/calendar/rotations-rotations

Directions:
http://www.brooklynbridgepark.org/visit/directions
A, C to High Street
F to York St

DANCE/THEATER

*DISCOUNT TICKETS* -”Wild With Happy” at The Public Theater

The Public Theater kicks off its Fall season with “Wild With Happy”, an outrageous new work that explores the bizarre comedy that lies within death and healing. 

October 9, 2012-November 11, 2012

Save 30%…Tix just $50 during previews

Click link below for tickets or call 212-967-7555 and use Promo code: MAGIC http://publictheater.org/component/option,com_shows/task,view/Itemid,141/id,1057

X’TRAS/THINGS TO DO-Two For Today

Coffee Bark in Prospect Park

FIDO (Fellowship in the Interest of Dogs and their Owners) offers free goodies for dogs and their owners as well as provides information pertaining to off-leash activities and issues

First Saturday of the month, 7am-9am
(except for holidays)

Meet in the Meadow beside the Picnic House. Enter at Prospect Park West and 3rd Street. Rain or shine.
http://www.prospectpark.org/calendar/event/coffeebark

Directions:
Subway
F, G to 7th Ave/9th St

Meatopia on Randalls Island

In its 9th year, Meatopia will be broken down into eight “neighborhoods”, each offering a selection of meat including beef, pork, lamb, veal, and game from a roster of top chefs from everywhere from Hong Kong to the United States Special Forces. In addition, this event will be host to Whole Foods Market’s national Best Butcher contest finals and will have a lineup of live musical entertainment. 5pm-9pm

Tickets $126/$140

A special ferry service for $13.65 will be running directly to the Meatopia site from multiple locations. See website for details http://meatopia.org/

STREET FAIRS/FESTIVALS/PARADES

MANHATTAN

Washington Square Outdoor Art Exhibit September 8-9, 2012
University Place and Washington Square
http://wsoae.org/

Gramercy Park Neighborhood Summer Festival September 8, 2012 10am-6pm
Third Avenue between 12th St and 23rd St

6th Avenue Festival  September 8, 2012
6th Avenue  between Houston and Waverly

NYC Central Labor Council Parade September 8, 2012 10am-12pm
Kicks off at Fifth Avenue and 44th St
http://www.nycclc.org/index.cfm?action=article&articleID=4d0c681d-1d49-4441-8d7a-390ca624c9cb

Stuyvesant Streets Block Association Street Fair  September 8, 2012 10am-5pm
10th Street between Second and Third Avenues

BROOKLYN

Columbia Street Waterfront Festival  September 8, 2012  11am-6pm
Columbia Street between Degraw Street and Union Street

NY Bike Jumble  September 8, 2012  10am-4pm
Old Stone House/Washington Park  5th Avenue and 4th St Park Slope
http://www.nybikejumble.com/

QUEENS

Woodside Festival  September 8, 2012
Woodside Avenue between 63rd and Roosevelt Ave
http://www.woodsideonthemove.org/

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SUNDAY SEPTEMBER 9, 2012

ART/MUSEUMS/GALLERIES

Governors Island Art Fair, Every Weekend in September

Saturday & Sunday – 11 am to 6 pm

Over 100 independent artists, galleries and artist studio residencies are selected and given a room of their own in which to create an exhibition environment of their own design.

http://govisland.com/html/visit/calendar.shtml
http://www.4heads.org/

Directions:
1 or R to South Ferry/Whitehall Station
4, 5 to Bowling Green
Governors Island Ferry is 100 yards to the left of the Staten Island Ferry Building

On the weekends (only) there is also a ferry to Governors Island from
Pier 6 in Brooklyn Bridge Park.

 MUSIC AROUND TOWN:

Gary Levinson, Violin and Daredjan Kakouberi, Piano September 9, 2012  3pm
Symphony Space, Broadway and 95th Street
http://www.symphonyspace.org/event/7570-gary-levinson-violin-daredjan-kakouberi-piano

Delphinium Trio  September 9, 2012  5:30pm *FREE*
Symphony Space, Broadway at 95th St
http://www.symphonyspace.org/event/7571-delphinium-trio-free-concert

Violin Loops: Cornelius Dufallo, Amplified Violin  September 9, 2012  8pm
Symphony Space, Broadway at 95th Street
http://www.symphonyspace.org/event/7572-violin-loops-cornelius-dufallo-amplified-violin

Masterworks Series  Beethoven  September 9, 2012  2pm
Bargemusic, Fulton Ferry Landing near the Brooklyn Bridge
http://bargemusic.org/calendar.html

KIDS/TEENS

Sign Up For Fall/Winter Classes at The Queens Zoo

Lots of great ways for the kids to discover nature at the zoo! Upcoming classes include: “Bug Superheroes!”, where they will go on an insect hunt with an urban ecologist. “Celebrate Urban Birds”, where they will participate on a bird scavenger hunt to find wild birds using the zoo as a stopover on their long migration. “Winter Wetland Ecology” where they will discover what lies beneath the snow and ice in ponds and streams and much more!

http://www.queenszoo.com/classes-and-programs/youth-programs.aspx  

DANCE/THEATER

Broadway on Broadway 20th Anniversary Show hosted by Kathie Lee Gifford

A *FREE* concert featuring musical numbers and appearances from current Broadway shows. Performances and entertainment provided by Annie, Bring It On: The Musical, Newsies,  Once, Motown: The Musical and lots, lots more all accompanied by a live 30 piece orchestra. Plus, enjoy a very special Nederlander 100th Anniversary Celebration and a Sneak Peek from Season 2 of NBC’s SMASH! 

11:30am in Times Square: Broadway between 46th St and 47th St

Click link for full line-up of shows/musical numbers http://broadwayonbroadway.com/

Directions:
Subway
1 to 50th St/Broadway
N, Q, R to 49th St/7th Ave
B, D, F, M TO 47th/50th St-Rockefeller Center

X’TRAS/THINGS TO DO

Antique Motorcycle Show

This show will include a display of various makes and models of motorcycles that have been out of production 10 years or more.  Music, farmhouse tours, hayrides, and food will provide fun for the entire family. 11am-4pm. $5

Queens County Farm Museum
73-50 Little Neck Parkway
Floral Park
http://www.queensfarm.org/events.html
Tel: 718-347-3276

Directions:
Subway and Bus:
E or F Train to Kew Gardens/Union Turnpike Station
Q46 Bus (eastbound on Union Tpk.) to Little Neck Parkway Stop
Cross Union Tpk and walk North on Little Neck Pky 3 blocks to Museum Entrance

*FREE* OUTDOOR MOVIES/FILMS

BROOKLYN

Superman II September 9, 2012 8pm
Habana Outpost 757 Fulton St/S. Portland Ave, Ft Greene Brooklyn
http://cafehabanablog.wordpress.com/events/

STREET FAIRS/FESTIVALS/PARADES

MANHATTAN

Highline-Meatpacking District Fair  September 9, 2012  10am-4pm
16th St from Ninth to Tenth Ave

Third Avenue Community Benefit Festival  September 9, 2012
Third Avenue between 66th St and 86th St
http://www.manhattancc.org/common/news/reports/detail.cfm?Classification=information&topicID=70&QID=2507&ClientID=11001

Manhattan Valley Family Days  September 9, 2012  11am-5pm
Amsterdam Avenue between 106th and 110th Streets
http://www.nyc.gov/html/dot/weekendwalks/html/find/find.shtml#manhattan

Transportation Alternative Bike Ride Parade September 9, 2012 6am-6pm
West 110th St between Lenox Ave and Riverside Dr

10th Annual Westside County Fair  September 9, 2012  1pm-6pm
Riverside Park, 66th to 72nd St
http://www.riversideparkfund.org/calendar/?c=Summer-on-the-Hudson

Sept. 11 Unity Walk  September 9, 2012  3pm
Washington Square Park, Fifth Avenue and Waverly Place
http://interfaithcenter.org/

BROOKLYN

Summer Space  September 9, 2012  12pm-5pm
Montague Street between Clinton Street and Hicks
http://www.nyc.gov/html/dot/weekendwalks/html/find/find.shtml#brooklyn

Brighton Sixth Street Fair  September 9, 2012
Brighton Beach Avenue and Brightwater Ct

BRONX

Fordham Road Renaissance Festival  September 9, 2012
Fordham Road  between Morris and Kingsbridge
http://www.ilovethebronx.com/content/17th-annual-fordham-road-renissance-festival

International Honduran and Central America Parade September 9, 2012 11am-2:30pm
East Tremont Avenue and Southern Blvd
http://www.facebook.com/events/104399776303362/

QUEENS

Astoria Spring Festival  September 9, 2012
31st St for Ditmars Blvd to 21st Ave

Header Photograph Courtesy of Wendy Horwitz

As everyone from New York knows, it’s been a bit crazy around here lately. There was a shooting at the Empire State building by a man who basically snapped. He was fired from his job and was in danger of losing his place to live. Of course, as many of you know, this is a situation that is quite well known to me personally, being that I myself am jobless and homeless. I’ve been arguing with people a lot about this incident. Like many cases such as this, the public is outraged (as is to be expected) and they start calling the gunman a monster. But is he truly a “monster” who senselessly killed? I am not saying that what he did was right. Killing someone over a lost job or home is NOT the way to go. Look at me, I haven’t popped any shots and I’ve been jobless and homeless more than I can count. Life sucks sometimes, man up and deal with it. But some people, unfortunately, can’t handle the pressure. This is the result. However, instead of vilifying one individual, a better way to handle the situation is to look at the bigger picture. What most people see as an act of senseless violence, I see a symptom of society at large. This is certainly not the first incident of violence that has been carried out by a disgruntled worker. I think what these types of incidents should spark is not outrage but questioning and understanding root causes. This shooting raises questions about the economy, the state of the working class  poor, our overall tendency towards violence in this culture, among others. But yet we just want to blame one person, a scapegoat, and move on. And what happens? The madness continues without a sensible solution until the next scapegoat comes along and more people die. Ultimately, what it boils down to are that people don’t want to take responsibility for themselves and their environment. For shame, America.

The following day after the shooting, I was in the Bronx. I was on the bus, heading back to Yonkers, cruising down Jerome Ave. It was a typical day. The streets were lined with merchants, filled with people shopping and walking. We were getting towards Gun Hill Rd., when we slowed down. At first I thought we hit a light, until I started seeing police and ambulances converge on where we were. I looked ahead of the bus and saw that there was a large crowd gathered outside the Payless shoe store located there. Unfortunately, we were just far away enough for me not to be able to tell what all the commotion was. An ambulance pulled up right alongside of the bus and I saw them load up an older lady. She had a neck brace and a foot brace on. It was utter chaos out there. We sat in traffic for about 45 minutes while the cops set up police tape and started dispersing the crowd. I saw firemen go inside the store. We finally started to move and, with no crowd to block the view, I finally saw what happened. An SUV was literally inside the store and another totaled one was right outside. The whole storefront was smashed. For those who don’t know the Bronx, that part of Jerome is dangerous. There have been several accidents in that area already as reported in this article about the Payless accident.

So, I got a job for a week or two, doing surveys with a market research firm called C&C. I worked from their Stanford Town Center office. A friend of mine hooked me up because he just became a supervisor and decided to bring me on board.  Now, let me start by saying that I am professional, especially when it comes to a job and making some money. Plus I didn’t want to make my friend look bad. The big boss over there is a guy named Jon. He reminds me of Rip Taylor, even sounds like him a bit. The only difference is that he curses a lot and is just generally unpleasant to be around. I have to say out of all the jobs that I have worked, I’ve not seen something so badly run. Maybe when I worked at Tower Records, but at least we were passionate about the product because we were all music heads. This place is a bunch of 16 year old kids who stand around and gossip all day. The only adults are Jon and my friend, the supervisor. There is another supervisor but she is in her early 20′s, so she’s just barely an adult. The job is basically standing out in the mall hallway and asking the passersby if they’d like to do a survey with us. Most pay about two dollars which is a joke considering this is a really rich mall and a lot of people here have bank accounts that have more digits in them than my whole family put together. So they really just brush you off. The only people that do these things are kids killing time and looking to get food court money or one of the rich people who decide to take pity on us. I hardly got anybody to come in and when I did, it was a bit of a mess. You see, market research asks people questions about a certain products. For example, we did a survey about a chocolate sports drink and a few on movie trailers. Then the client knows how to improve them according to the collected data. Now, here’s a little secret that C&C doesn’t want you or their clients to know: they fudge the data in order to fill their quotas. I actually got in trouble for doing my job in the most professional and ethical way possible. Rather, I got thirty year old men who I am told are to be input as sixteen year old girls and people who don’t go to the movies answering movie questions. Meanwhile, Jon is sitting behind his desk, like a great tyrant, cursing and screaming at the untrained employees. Meanwhile, the female supervisor is busy with one of her multiple boyfriends in the mall and my friend, the other supervisor, is drinking whiskey in the back and being a yes man to Jon. This, I am told, is the business of market research. There are no schedules, there is no communication, no training. You just make it up as you go along and throw a couple of dollars to a few suckers to make it look legitimate. Needless to say, our working relationship was not one that was meant to continue. I am no longer with the firm and am taking actions on calling attention to their unethical and unprofessional practices.

The other night I went to the Electric Zoo festival on Randall’s Island, New York. It is the biggest rave of the year. This year you had DJs like Tiesto, Skrillex, Martin Solveig, and Benny Benassi, among many, many others. It was three days of bass drops and dancing. I went with a couple of good friends of mine who had an extra ticket and invited me. It had probably been about 15 years or so since I went to a rave and since I don’t get out much these days, I decided to go. I was particularly excited because on the day we went, the second day, Benny Benassi was the headliner. So, I had to meet my friends down in Harlem by 125th. I had some time to kill, so I decided head over to Times Square and see how the place looked these days. For those who read my book, Beautiful Tyrants, you know that I used to spend a lot of time down there. ‘Those Nights That I Miss‘ is my long form poem that pays  homage to my often wild adventures in the last vestiges of an old New York that was made up of porno theaters, junkies, and prostitutes. Even though most of that is gone and replaced with Disney and Discovery, there is still a store here or wino there that that can be seen which hearkens us back to those old days. Anyway, so I’m down there. It looks like it always does; mad heads, lots of neon signs, and advertisement after advertisement. I decided to sit down and start people watching while I was waiting for the hour of my meetup to arrive. I figured maybe I could get an idea or two for some new writing. So, I’m sitting there, watching people pass back and forth, most of them tourists, you can always tell who the tourists are, and this guy comes up to me and smacks the rim of my hat. He yelled at me, “What the fuck are you smiling at?”. I got up and without saying a word (I think he thought I was only going to curse him out) I duffed him out, right square in his face. I dropped him like a sack of dirt. Needless to say, the cops ran over and started yelling at me, telling me to get my hands up, and all this stuff. I tried to explain what happened but they decided to start cuffing me anyway. Some people that were around and saw what was playing out ran over and started to defend me. They said that the guy was walking up and down the block, threatening people and being a general nuisance. They said if I hadn’t knocked him out, he might have done something worse to somebody else. Now, as my readers know, I do not like cops. Not at all. They are bullies with badges. The growing tide of police misconduct and violence against regular people is growing everyday. They are upholding the elite and the corrupt system under which we live. But on this day, the police listened to the people and made a wise choice. They let me go and told me to get out of there. I did as I was told and made my way over to Grand Central. Once there, I got a chicken gyro and a soda (nine dollars!) from the halal stand and headed over to Harlem/125th. When I got there, my compatriots were late, so I just hung around. We were going to take a bus over to Randall’s that the event provided. They eventually came, we boarded, and were off to the Electric Zoo. We got there relatively quick, only about ten minutes or so. We entered the festival grounds and the party began. There were all kinds of people there, decked out in bright colors, glow sticks and pacifiers, and ready to dance the night away. We went to a concession stand to get refreshments. They were charging nine dollars for a beer and five for a sports drink. I plunked down three dollars for a twelve ounce bottle of water. American greed at its best there. We decided to go into the main tent and get right into the thick of things. We moved to the front. The bass was pounding and moving through my chest. DJ Bl3nd was in the middle of his set. The smell of marijuana was heavy in the air and beach balls and balloons were being bounced back and forth among the crowd. Between the barrier and the stage, security was making sure everyone was okay. They did a great job and really worked with the crowd. I saw a couple of girls get escorted out for being too far gone with either alcohol or drugs (I suspect drugs) and I saw one get taken out after throwing up on a security guard that she was trying to drunkenly flirt with. She nearly passed out and they got her out. Security also handed out bottles of water and sprayed the  crowd with water so that every could stay hydrated and keep dancing. Overall, I had a great time. I danced and got down to the grooves. We got to see Rusko, Martin Solveig, and Wolfgang Gartner. But, you know, whenever you have such a large group of people who are high on both the music and alcohol, there is bound to be a few jerks who want to ruin it for everyone. One was a drunk girl that was trying to push me out of the front so that she could get up there and start flirting with the security guards. I heard her begging the stone faced guard to let her and her friend over the barrier and that if he did, she would do anything he wanted. Give me a break with this dumb groupie stuff. Finally, I got tired of it, squeezed her out, and continued to enjoy the show. She kept trying to squeeze in again but I blocked her. She started slapping me on my back and belly, trying to annoy me. I ignored her and she eventually went away. The next jerk I had to deal with felt like she was some kind of Pit Police. She tapped me on my shoulder and started yelling at me that I didn’t let my very diminutive lady friend up front. Now, when the space up front opened, I didn’t take it at first. My friend was standing next to me and I waited to see if she’d take it. She did not, so I stepped in. Now this brilliant know-it-all was telling me I was being a jerk for not letting my friend up front so that she could see the performers. I tried to explain to the Pit Police that she is my friend and I gave her the opportunity to step up, my friend even explained to her that she didn’t want to stand by the barrier, but this idiot still wasn’t buying it. I just shrugged and turned back around. She tapped me on my shoulder and when I looked, she started to give me the finger. I blew her a kiss and gave her a smile. I turned around and she eventually slunk away . The third jerk (they always come in threes, don’t they?) was some drunk frat boy that tried to make moves on my friend. I had to step in and set him straight. I hate it when dudes think that just because a girl is at a rave, she is going to hook up with them. That lack of respect can sometimes lead to worse things. So I stepped in, he backed off, and that was the end of it. The rest of the night went swimmingly. The highlight was seeing the headliner for the evening: the legendary Benny Benassi. He played an incredible set, he is such a fun DJ. He cracks jokes, he has audience participation, and really knows how to move the crowd. He even dropped a dubstep remix of Satisfaction and a remix of a Skrillex song, which he joked (correctly) was better than the original. We danced hard, moving in a sea of sweaty bodies, swaying and jumping to the rhythm. For those few hours, the world stopped. There were no wars, no murders, no corruption. There was just the music and us. It was a unity that transcended the problems of the world. It was beautiful thing.

In other news, I’m still interning for CookiBox Entertainment. It’s going very well and I’m quite happy with the crew that I’m working with over there. Unfortunately, my first assignment, an interview with an up and coming R&B singer from New Orleans has been delayed because of Hurricane Isaac and the trouble it has caused. I do hope they are doing okay down there. Apparently there was no electricity, no water, it was pretty bad. I’m confident everything will be back on schedule as soon as possible. Let’s just hope the government doesn’t screw this one up like they did Katrina. So far, it seems like the cleanup is working. I also have another big interview coming up but that’s under wraps for now. I will say if you are a fan of classic soul music and blaxploitation movies (or spoofs of them), you will dig this one. Stay tuned to find out who it is.

I am still working on doing music production for Rock Study Industries. Looks like some folks are going to buy some beats and I’ll get some money in my pocket but I’m not going to hold my breath. Nothing is real until that almighty dolla dolla is in my pocket. Sad but true. I hate it but I have to eat too. However, Rock Study is working on a conscious level, so I don’t mind it so much. In addition to the production work that I am doing, Aaron Oz, my drummer Frank, and I are working on a Massive Attack-type project. I am looking forward to that. I just picked up an Ibanez RG series electric guitar and am in the market for an amp. Once my arsenal is complete, it’ll be a wrap! The Wizard of Westchester is back, baybee!!!!

Well, I guess that’s it for now, folks. The train keeps rolling and the next stop is success. Thanks again for reading and remember: dreams really can come true. Don’t ever give up, no matter what the opposition. As the kids like to say these days, forget the haters!

PAX!

Marty

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Truthfully, there are some major trends that you will see at a festival such as this, the #1 most popular being neon. Neon t-shirts, neon shorts, neon shoes, neon hats, neon everything. It’s like an American Apparel ad threw up all over Randall’s Island.

Now if I were to recommend an outfit (this is essentially what I wore, though I somehow managed to not get one picture of my entire ensemble), it would be this:

Sneakers are key, as well as a bathing suit top under your tank just in case you’re dancing on pavement at 2 PM on a cloudless afternoon. And of course sunglasses, comfortable shorts, and lots lots lots of water. Here’s the best I can do to show you what I really wore, along with all my lovely friends:

Clearly everyone got my memo and dressed comfortably and for a long day of dancing, because really at the end of the day everyone’s outfits end up looking like this:

And I can’t forget a tribute to my favorite fashionista DJ duo NERVO. I was lucky enough to see their set this weekend and loved every minute of it (despite the blazing heat):

Thanks for stopping by! Hope you enjoyed Zoo as much as I did. So long for now.

xo,
AS

Spin

Electronic music fans have been waiting all year for the 4th annual reason to black out over Labor Day weekend. David Guetta, Steve Aoki and Tiesto headline, but stick around for young, upcoming and buzzy talents like A-Trak, Brodinksi, Datsik, Zeds Dead and Porter Robinson among the more familiar names. Tickets run $300 for the staged lineups, but afterparties and party favors will tap you dry.

Hell Gate railroad bridge dating from 1917. This bridge was the inspiration for the design of Sydney Harbour Bridge in Sydney, Australia;
Randall’s Island, New York City.
Olympus OM-D with a Lumix G Vario 12-35/f2.8 lens.

via Performer Mag

This summer, Randall’s Island became the home of New York City’s newest music festival. Launched by up-and-coming entertainment brand I Love Frisky, Catalpa took place on July 28 + 29, 2012 and brought together artists like Snoop Dogg (playing tracks off of Doggystyle), TV on the Radio, the Sheepdogs, A$AP Rocky, and much more.

The lineup was intriguing, a mashup of the diverse NYC music scene – disco, rap, pop, and rock. The only thing it lacked was soul. That spot had to be filled by performers like TV on the Radio and the Black Keys. It was nobody’s fault that it rained all weekend, but the weather had a detrimental effect on attendance. Crowds at Randall’s Island festivals are usually on the sparser side, but even compared to other events Catalpa was noticeably under-populated.

Truth be told, the festival was poorly organized and hard to work. Catalpa booklets that were printed and distributed onsite had the schedule all wrong. They included a stage and slate of performers that were nowhere to be found, and failed to include the schedule for the High Times reggae stage, causing many people to miss out on standout acts like the Skadanks. Some main stage performers were simply mediocre, and others, like headliner Matisyahu, took away the crowd’s ball and called it a distraction. Snoop Dogg’s laid back set was littered with video dramatizations of the rapper and his crew, and ended 30 minutes early. Kim Schifino’s (of Matt and Kim) failed attempt at booty dancing whilst crowd surfing was just more icing on the cake, although the indie-pop duo did inspire some of the hypest performer-to-audience moments experienced at Catalpa (besides the obvious Girl Talk set).

Highlights were the sultry, danceable, electro-disco outfit Hercules and Love Affair, MPC mastermind AraabMUZIK, two sets with the jam-pop kings of Umphrey’s McGee, and the high-energy full frontal assault that is The Black Keys live.

This week, we’re going to leave my grandfather behind and once again travel with my dad as he goes into New York to see some of jazz’s most legendary musicians.

August 27, 1961.

Randall’s Island, in the East River, is part of the borough of Manhattan. Over the course of human history it has been home to an orphanage, a rest home for Civil War veterans, the New York Fire Department’s training academy, the U.S. Olympic Trials for track and field, and a team in the risible World Football League of the 1970s.

It also has a pretty distinguished history when it comes to live jazz.

On May 29, 1938, the island hosted the “Carnival of Swing,” a festival of 25 big bands including those of Count Basie and Duke Ellington. The Carnival of Swing has been described as America’s first outdoor jazz festival, and newsreel footage makes it seem like a happenin’ event.

In the 1950s and ’60s, even more of the biggest names in the business turned out to play a series of annual festivals at Downing Stadium, a small WPA-built facility on Randall’s Island that has since been replaced.

Just look at the lineup for Aug. 27, the day my dad went: Stan Kenton, Dizzy Gillespie, Carmen McRae, Dave Brubeck, Stan Getz and Art Blakey, to name some of the performers. Those taking the stage on other nights included Basie, Miles Davis, Gerry Mulligan, Sarah Vaughan and Cannonball Adderley.

I asked my dad what he remembered, and he offered the following:

“I distinctly remember hearing Stan Getz with his quartet.  Stan was recently back from living in Europe for a while, and was allegedly the backstage buzz (as well as the audience) buzz in terms of “what’s he sound like now?” 

Randall’s Island was clearly in the flight path of one of the Big Apple’s airports, and periodically planes would go over.  Stan wryly introduced one tune: “It’s about time for a plane to go over, so I think we’ll play a ballad,” which got a good laugh and assured everyone that his humor was intact.  I believe the consensus was that Stan still had it; this was a couple years before the Bossa Nova craze which brought him his widest popularity.

An adventure at Hell Gate Bridge, Randall’s Island, New York City.
Olympus OM-D with a Lumix G Vario 12-35/f2.8 lens.