The inevitable is happening; The Multi-Color Tulle man got a beating in Union Square yesterday. Ten feet away, the Fresh Prince crew is bringing back the flat top. Popsicles are for sale and FINALLY, it’s hot in NY!!

+ Share

No Comments »

Summer is around the corner and the masses are coming out of hibernation;  an event that is easily witnessed, for example, at street fairs and flea markets which are now springing up around town. One among them – Hester Street Fair; the opening day is this coming Saturday, May 7, from 10am to 6pm, and then every Saturday following until September. This has been one of my favorites in the past and I’m sure this year’s won’t disappoint. And as explained on their website, the opening will be marked by a mini Food festival which means half the Fair will be food and the other half  will be “filled with a shopper’s paradise–vintage, estate jewelry, lamps, watches, skincare, accessories, you name it, we probably got it.” – so that’s the deal. Go check it out!  (For more info go here.)

+ Share

No Comments »

Only once a year can you look in the mirror, think yourself as hideous, and walk away with joy. It is a weekend when Manhattan fills up with pretty monsters, slutty nuns, and every other incongruent adjective and noun you can think of. Discrimination is close to impossible at it’s peak and the proportion of weirdo pedestrians rockets skyward.

Most triumphant here is an unlikely group of Average Joes who orchestrate ‘runway hits’, in the closet cross-dressers who, if they get to live out their alter ego only once a year, will do so fiercely, and finally, the hundreds, if not thousands, of babies and dogs who entertain involuntarily.

Once you get used to the sight, there are pleasures to be had in costume-spotting. Most rewarding is the experience of recognizing  the ’smart costume’ or as my brother explained to me “a subject going through something”, as in “a man on a windy day” or “Peter Griffin when he had liposuction”. Another thing is that costumes tend to emphasize certain physiological arrangements that are very attractive. Nothing draws the eye more than an ill fitting dress or a character with questionable proportions, like the 6″2 broad-shouldered Marilyn Monroe. The key is to be ridiculous.

Ricky’s pre-packaged costumes aside, and you will notice that Halloween draws some talented closeted creatives. As someone who consistently fails to impress on this day, I can say that it is very easy to be left behind with a cat’s tail or a pair of scrubs. But don’t feel inferior to the 8 foot Frankenstein, or the old lady carrying a twenty-something on her back.  See it more as an alien invasion in which you are the only safe witness and enjoy it as a spectator.

+ Share

No Comments »

‘Greenwich Village – One of those rare districts that occurs once in a while in human history. Fear – a basic theme of all of our lives; constantly afraid along the streets of Greenwich Village, under threat of assassination and the assassins are our dream’s triumphant. The byproducts of such pursuit: creativity and radicalization, which are  further themes of Greenwich Village lineage’ – TL

I’ve never been tempted to get on one of those double-deck sightseeing buses just to cruise (more of a crawl) through my home of 13 years  – but after listening to this tour guide’s poetic perceptions of Manhattan I might just give it a chance. Timothy ‘Speed’ Levitch’s maxims might seem theatrical at first but when you consider them in context make perfect sense.  He doesn’t just tell you about the city, he makes love to her history (too bad his voice isn’t as sensual) -  expressing moments of ‘umph’ as he stares at Terra-Cotta architecture, often comparing structures to female anatomy while trying to reveal the creator’s instinct. Mr. Levitch is now a self-proclaimed history buff, philosopher, actor, tour guide and as he calls himself psychogeographer. At one point he explains the rough divorces he goes through with the city – that ’she’, like a gorgeous, angry, irrational woman, puts him down a lot – this was in ‘98.  He no longer lives in NY (though he does return for the occasional tour guiding) so the only way go on his tour now is to see Bennet Miller’s documentary and the reason for this recommendation – “The Cruise” .

+ Share

No Comments »

I’m having a little affair with Broadway – the talent, scripts, sets, music, dialogue – two breathtaking shows in one week. Maybe times square does have an inch of sparkle left.  Phantom of the Opera never gets old for me – saw it three times and will see it again and again. Man it must feel good to sing like that.

Last night it was  ‘39 steps’ – a fantastic Hitchcock parody acted out by a cast of 4 – all super funny and completely engrossing. This play has substance, for those who think Broadway shows are just glorified high school curtain-raisers.

Only downside to this glamorous inception – I’ve become a little dreamy. Love you Danush.

+ Share

No Comments »

Beirut is coming to NY!! They are the first ones to perform at the Guggenheim Museum on July 15th for the ‘Dark Sounds Concert Series’!!! Music, art and alcohol all  inside one of the nicest structures in the city…

Yes yes, get your tickets now! See you there!

+ Share

1 Comment »