Wednesday Weekly: Something to Look Forward To.

Do you live in one of the areas in and around NYC that actually suffered some significant damage from Irene? Do you have the Hurricane Irene blues? Well, here's something to look forward to:

Thursday, September 1, was to be the start of one of the largest festivals that the popular summer island and NYC suburb, Long Beach, has experienced. Quicksilver Pro New York, an international surfing competition with a $1 million prize, commences this week. In addition to some of the most competitive surfing the East Coast has seen, the competition's backdrop was intended to be a large music and arts festival, drawing unprecedented crowds to the small barrier island for free acts from bands such as The Flaming Lips, Interpol and Girl Talk. Unfortunately, Long Beach was hit hard by Irene, and city officials, working closely with Quicksilver, had to make the very difficult decision to cancel the non-surfing festivities, including these highly anticipated musical acts. However, don't despair if surf and skate events are your favored activities, as THE SURFING COMPETITION WILL PROCEED, according to the latest update from Quicksilver. Take the Long Island Railroad to Long Beach to hang ten with world-famous surfers from September 1 through 15. The official kickoff event for Quicksilver Pro N.Y. will be "The Tony Hawk Vert Jam," at 2pm on Friday, September 2, at Hudson River Park's Pier 54 in Manhattan.

Wednesday Weekly: Something to Look Forward To.

Feel like this week is dragging on? Well, here's something to look forward to.

• This weekend, get ready to get funky, I mean... punky, with the 2011 FREE Afro-Punk Festival taking place at Commodore Barry Park in Brooklyn on August 27 and 28. Rarely will the likes of fresh stars, Toro y Moi, Santigold, Janelle Monae, Cee Lo Green and others come together for such a celebration of multi-culturalism and diversity. The musical acts begin each day at 11am and continue on through the early evening. The Festival will also host the largest street skate and BMX competition in NYC, the "Nike Battle for the Streets, " and will feature a bike show displaying dozens of exotic custom-made Harley-Davidson motorcylces, international food trucks, and unique artwork, such as "The Skate ArtWall," an oversized mural that will depict over 140 skateboards. Start counting down the days until the weekend!

• Looking for something a bit more low key? Grab your blanket and picnic basket and head to the ninth annual Central Park Conservancy Film Festival. As the summer season of outdoor movies winds down, catch five straight nights of movies at the landscape just north of sheep meadow in the park, at sundown. This year's film festival, which began last night and runs through Saturday evening, August 27, puts the theme of music on centerstage, and all films will highlight a musical genre or performer(s). 

UPDATE: Afro-Punk 2011 has been cancelled due to Hurricane Irene. Stay safe New York!

Special Discount to Baby It's You! For WGINY Readers!

Baby It's You!, the Broadway musical about suburban housewife, Florence Greenberg, who discovered the legendary Rock and Roll Hall of Fame girl group, The Shirelles, is offering a very special discount to WGINY readers.

Readers can save 40% by using the code BBFNF28 at www.BroadwayOffers.com now through September 4!! WOW!

Want more info about the show? Check out this review from WGINY guest author, Gina Brill.

Something to Look Forward To, a New Weekly Wednesday Column.

If you're like me, you make it through most of the work week by waiting for Friday. Wednesday tends to be the worst because it's not the beginning of the week but it's also not yet the end. Once we get over that Wednesday hump though, we can really begin to make our plans for the upcoming weekend and new week. So, in honor of this weekly "hump day," I will begin posting "Something to Look Forward To," every Wednesday morning. This new column will highlight some event(s) around town that you should be looking forward to, so you can stop feeling that mid-week slump and starting feeling excitement and anticipation for things to come.

Sure, you can get this information from theskint.com, or the events section of any NYC newspaper, so why is my column different? Because I'm going to pick my favorites and suggest only what I believe are some of the very best ideas.

This week's suggestions:

The 6th Bi-Annual Jazz Age Lawn Party at Governor's Island, August 20 and 21
Dress to the nines in your best 1920s garb and party like Gatsby at this bi-annual event that will feature music from Michael Arenella and his Dreamland Orchestra, dance lessons and performances, pie bake-offs and more! Take a free ferry from Manhattan or Brooklyn to Governor's Island. The event runs Saturday and Sunday from 11am to 5pm.

The Art of Brooklyn Festival: A Festival of Film, Music and Art, August 20 through 27, at St. Francis College Theater
In its inaugural year, this festival will feature NYC indie filmmakers, musicians, and visual artists whose works celebrate the "creative energy" of Brooklyn. While the focus definitely appears to be on the festival's plethora of films (mostly shorts, I count approximately 30 in total...), the musical performances and art exhibitions will surely round out this new Brooklyn event. Saturday night, August 20, is the official opening night for the festival, and each following day focuses on a different film theme or genre, such as a Brooklyn filmmaker night, comedy night, horror night, films all about women in NYC or various definitions of the "American experience[ ]." The Art of Brooklyn will feature some great, budding talent and runs through Saturday, August 27.

Silence! The Musical is a Biting Good Time.

Landing on St. Marks' Theatre 80 in June, and recently extended, "by popular demand," through September 24,  Silence! The Musical has fluttered into the New York City theater scene and refuses to be, well, silenced.

Silence! touts itself as the "unauthorized parody" of the 1991 Academy Award winning crime thriller, Silence of the Lambs. The brainchild of Jon and Al Kaplan, Silence!, like any good parody, works well because it essentially follows the plot as developed in the movie, but wildly exaggerates the characters and their storylines. Raunchier than the film could ever hope to be, Silence! is a creative adaptation with a talented cast. Silence! was adapted from a screenplay of the same name by Jon and Al Kaplan, who also composed the music and lyrics. The book for the musical is by Hunter Bell.

To introduce the show, singing and dancing lambs explain that Silence! is the story of budding FBI trainee, Clarice Starling (played by Jenn Harris), and her investigation into the minds of two men, "one who likes to cook and eat his patients, and one who likes to wear them like a suit...."

Much like the movie, Silence! begins with a scene in the woods near the FBI's training academy at Quantico, Virginia, with Starling jogging stoically before being called into the office of Agent Jack Crawford (played by Howard Kaye), where she is given the opportunity of her trainee-career, to interview the notorious serial killer, Dr. Hannibal Lecter (played by Brent Barrett), aka, Hannibal the Cannibal. Verbatim lines from the movie are recited and then played upon with zeal, and, at any moment, any character may break out into song and/or dance.

Brent Barrett does a remarkable job of portraying the character of Hannibal as the maniacal psychopath who toys with Starling and feeds (not literally...) on her naiveté as a trainee. He captures quite well the macabre persona originated by Anthony Hopkins (who won the Academy Award for Best Actor for his portrayal of Hannibal) in the film.

Jenn Harris also finely mimics the mannerisms of Jodie Foster as Starling, and although her embellished West Virginia accent begins to wear thin as a joke, her ability to imitate even the inflections of Foster's voice is impressive.

Barrett and Harris create a creepy chemistry while they tango to what is arguably the show's most memorable musical number, "Quid Pro Quo."  "Quid Pro Quo" is a reference to Hannibal's offer to Starling to provide her with information that will help her capture at-large serial killer known only as "Buffalo Bill," if she will reveal personal details of her own life. (Christopher Gattelli directed and choreographed the show).

Lucia Spina plays both Buffalo Bill's captive, Catherine Martin, and Catherine's mother, Senator Ruth Martin. As Senator Martin, Spina displays a beautiful soprano voice even as she wails, ad naseum, Cath-er-ine, Cath-er-ine, Cath-er-ine, in a song-plea to Bill to free her daughter.

All of the actors have superb comedic timing, but none better than Jeff Hiller, who, as Sgt. Pembry, as well as some bit parts, is charmingly funny, and brings to Silence! what actor Jack McBrayer brings to TV hit, 30 Rock.

Overall, Silence! is fresh, quirky and fun, and the budget show is a cheaper, yet worthwhile alternative to Broadway. You can purchase tickets here for shows through September 24.

Trio of Cults, The Naked and Famous, and Friendly Fires Keep Summerstage Rocking.

Another successful Central Park Summerstage concert went down this past Sunday at the park's mainstage area, off of East 72nd Street. As usual, the Summerstage show drew an eclectic, interactive, ready-to-get-down crowd. Rising temperatures, rancid humidity and threats of thunderstorms couldn't keep fans from packing into the park to see emerging indie rock bands, Cults, The Naked and Famous, and Friendly Fires. I have never seen the mainstage area so packed for opening acts, and by the time Friendly Fires were ready to go on, patrons were being turned away from the free concert, which was at capacity.

Cults at Summerstage 2011

While Cults and The Naked and Famous have both only recently released their debut albums, Friendly Fires' first debuted in 2008, and their second studio album, Pala, was just released.
Sunday's lineup, with Friendly Fires headlining, created a nice, fun flow of music that began with the dreamy, upbeat summer sounds of Cults, followed by the dancey, electropop stylings of The Naked and Famous, and culminating with the punchy, experimental rock beats of Friendly Fires.

The Naked and Famous at Summerstage 2011

The female vocalist from The Naked and Famous really makes that group shine.  She plays to her audience well, and sings full of emotion. She also gets creative on the synthesizer/keyboard, and when she harmonizes along with the lead male vocalist (who also plays lead guitar), the result is a smooth, fluid, music-trance inducing sound. The New Zealand-based band may also be known for the distinct percussive beat that accompanies many of their songs and gives them a unique edge.

Friendly Fires at Summerstage 2011

When it came time for Friendly Fires to take the stage, the energy in the park was incredible. Lead singer, Ed Macfarlane, impressed with his Hawaiian shirt and crowd-pleasing antics, including jumping into the audience mid-song. Fancy additions like a horn section and the occasional cowbell gave a twist to the edgy, 80s classic rock feel of this British-based band, who, for an undisclosed reason, dedicated their set to the Harlem Gospel Choir.

All of these bands are currently touring, and will be returning to the NYC area very soon:
The Naked and Famous play Music Hall of Williamsburg, this Friday, August 12 (tickets are sold out, but where there's a will, there's a way...)
Cults will be performing at the upcoming All Tomorrow's Parties US music festival, taking place in Asbury Park, September 30 through October 2.
And last, but certainly not least, Friendly Fires will be back to play Terminal 5 on Wednesday, October 26.

If you want to sample the bands before you buy tickets, check out these popular singles:
Cults "Go Outside"(2011)
The Naked and Famous "Young Blood" (2010)
Friendly Fires "Hawaiian Air" (2011)

"Amateur": An excellent solo debut from emerging artist, Andrew Campbell.

On display this week at the Brooklyn Artists Gym, through Saturday, "Amateur" is the first solo art show from emerging artist, Andrew Campbell. Through a variety of mixed media, including paintings and other works on paper and canvas, "Amateur" examines the female image as portrayed on social media websites, looking at how women portray themselves on-line, as well as how they may be portrayed and/or viewed by others. Campbell's figures in this show depict interchangeable female personas and (mis)perceptions of beauty, sexuality and vulnerabilty, and call to mind a Lichtenstein-esque pop art style.

More and more frequently on social media websites, such as facebook and myspace, women, perhaps unaware of how others will view them (or perhaps excited by it), seem to let fall any boundaries in the images they post of themselves on-line. Often displaying a distinct air of provocativeness and come-hither sexual prowess, women invite internet voyeurs to exploit these images.

Campbell uses this concept of internet voyeurism in his art in "Amateur," and seems to ask viewers to consider when beauty, lust, and a desire for attention become vile, or even violent. Campell has said of "Amateur" that it is "a commentary on how the internet has shaped our lives. We are exposing so much of ourselves we may as well be exposing ourselves."

As one views each piece, he or she is left wondering whether the women can sense their own destructibility. Look closely, as in most of the works in this show, there are two female figures juxtaposed with each other, and it is not always clear where one image ends and the other begins. There appears to be a subtle (or not so subtle) suggestion that the more sexualized images leave the women without any real sense of identity, while the less provocative, albeit still corrupted images, have more clear identifying features.

Campbell is inspired by arists like Francis Bacon, Jean Michel Basquiat, and, in his own words, little chocolate donuts (as long as they are gluten free). While acknowledging that his artistic style is complex and varied, he notes that his brush stroke style resembles early abstract expressionists such as Willem de Kooning or Mark Rothko. To create his artwork, he may combine media including oil paints, enamel, permanent marker, newspaper and magazine pages, coffee grounds, pencil, glue and wood, and many of these media can be found in his works in "Amateur."

Campbell has a BFA in Illustration from the Savannah College of Art and Design, and an M.S. in Childhood Education from Fordham University. He has designed artwork for specialty grocery store, Trader Joe's, NYC-based indie rock band, Juicy Bruce, and LA-based alt rock band, Lido Beach, among others. He hopes that shows like "Amateur" will pave the way for future exhibitions at museums and galleries worldwide.

"Amateur" can be seen at Brooklyn Artists Gym, 168 7th Street (between 2nd and 3rd Avenue, dial #35 at the door) in Park Slope. The show runs through this Saturday, August 6, and is available for viewing between 11am and 6pm. There will also be a reception on Saturday evening from 6pm to 9pm, when the artist will be present to answer questions, and food and drink will be served.

All pieces are for sale. Inquire about prices at the front desk.

Why You Should (or Should Not) Have Your Next Party at Hill Country

7/26/11 - Dale Watson stops by Hill Country for an impromptu show

There are a lot of places in New York City that claim to provide "authentic Texas BBQ," but many of them do not deliver. Hill Country Barbeque Market (located on W. 26th Street between 5th & 6th Ave), however, is one that never disappoints. From ribs to brisket to mac and cheese, the possibilities are endlessly scrumptious and succulent.

And while the prices may be a turn off for some, there are always deals to be found at Hill Country, such as their weekly specials and daily dine-in specials. My personal favorite deal is the $12 Longhorn Brisket Chomp, which comes with 1/3 lb of lean brisket, warm cornbread with the most amazing spiced-butter this side of the Mississippi, and choice of a side item ($1 extra for "specialty" sides such as the mac and cheese, but it is a $1 well, well spent!). Top the brisket with some of Hill Country's sweet and tangy barbeque sauce, and your mouth will be watering for more.

With two large floors, it seems like the perfect place to host a party, right? Well, there are both positives and negatives.

The positives: Not only does Hill Country serve up finger-licking good food, have two full bars, plus lots of televisions for watching big sports games (it's a favorite for UT alums -- Hook Em' Horns!), but there is live music nightly in the downstairs bar area, and it's hard not to have a rockin' good time. On Tuesday night, alt-country singer, Dale Watson, happened to be in town and decided to play an impromptu show at Hill Country. Clearly influenced by various genres, including country, blues and rock, Watson's style and talent had me dancing in the aisles and visualizing a man after the hearts of Cash, Twitty and Haggard themselves. After Watson played for nearly two hours, Hill Country continued with its regularly scheduled Tuesday night programming, Rock N' Twang Live Band Karaoke.

The negatives (for large groups who want to enjoy a sit-down meal): Making reservations for a dinner party larger than 12 becomes extremely difficult. If you have 12 people or less, you can make a regular reservation and everyone gets a meal ticket when they arrive, and can order whatever they want. The meal ticket is also a great option for large groups because you never have to deal with the awkward "let's just split it... no wait, I only ordered a soda..." debate, as everyone automatically pays for exactly what he or she ordered. However, once you have more than 12 people, if you want advance reservations, you will be required to book a party package, and a full meal package does not come cheap (you could always choose to wing it and hope they'll have room for a larger party without making reservations, but it's a popular place, especially with live shows nightly). Expect to pay at least $30+ per person for party packages, not including beverages, tax or tip. This may be a great idea when someone else is paying, such as for a corporate event, but it's not the best for a large dinner among friends. The set-up is also not the best for mingling, as large groups tend to be placed at a long table where socialization with anyone except the person sitting next to you is just way too much of a strain.

Overall, I would highly recommend Hill Country as a barbeque restaurant and live music scene. It also works well for smaller parties, but you may want to look elsewhere for your larger group.

Join the Polaris Project For a World Without Slavery

This Thursday, July 28, at 8pm, Polaris Project, an organization dedicated to combatting human trafficking and modern-day slavery, will be holding a benefit show, the "For a World Without Slavery Concert," in Lenox Hill (near the southeast corner of Central Park) at Weil, Gosthal Manges LLP Dining Room, 767 Fifth Avenue (between 58th & 59th Streets).

The event will feature the New York City Bar Chorus, an all-legal community outreach vocal group, among other special treats. The award-winning City Bar Chorus serves as goodwill ambassador for the New York City Bar Association. There will be uplifting musical entertainment running the gamut from classic rock to jazz to gospel to Broadway! It all begins at 8pm.

Get your tickets in advance now. All proceeds will go towards supporting the worthy and critical services provided by Polaris Project in its New Jersey office. Advance tickets are $15 for adults, $10 for children. If you buy in advance you get the benefit of a lower-cost ticket and a quicker entry through security into the event. Tickets at the door are $20.

Summer Saturdays are Heating Up at Long Island City's MOMA PS1

If you haven't felt enough heat from the NYC temperatures lately, perhaps you need to spend a Saturday Warming Up at MOMA PS1's Saturday outdoor performance series. Housed in an old school building in Long Island City, PS1 is an affiliate of The Modern Museum of Art, and is full of contemporary exhibits from international artists, many of whom are lesser known than their counterparts at MOMA's midtown headquarters.

Playing Foosball at PS1's Courtyard

The annual Warm Up series gathers experimental musicians, DJs and other performers at the courtyard of PS1 (entrance at the corner of Jackson Ave and 46th Ave), where, for only $15, patrons can spend all day jiving to the live music, playing ping pong, foosball or chess, or relaxing in a variety of ergonomic lounge areas. No outside food or drink is allowed, but there are food and drinks (alcoholic and non) available for purchase in the courtyard, as well as at PS1's indoor cafe. The series kicks off every Saturday at 2pm and goes until 9pm, getting more and more crowded as the set list moves along to the better known performers by the end of the evening (e.g. last Saturday ended with a DJ set from trancey, dancey group, Gang Gang Dance). 

Set by The Miracles Club

In between sets, make sure to visit the museum itself, as admission to the galleries is included in the price of your Warm Up ticket. The museum's rotating exhibitions showcase photography, abstract art, videos, paintings, sculpture and more. One of my favorite recent exhibits (ended July 24) was a showing of Alejandro Jodorowsky's 1973 cult flick, The Holy Mountain, a weird, gross satire that goes above and beyond sacrilegious as it follows a young man who resembles Jesus on a sort of spiritual, baptismal journey... I had not heard of Jodorowsky before, but I will certainly be seeking out his films and graphic novels. 

An Indoor, Open-Air "Skylight" is Among the
Museum's Unique Draws

Another exhibit that is really striking, and which is currently on display through August 8, is Laurel Nakadate's Only the Lonely. Though various mediums, including self-portrait photographs and videos, Nakadate reveals an over-sexualized, self-destructive persona, a woman so beautiful and yet so poignantly sad and lonely. Through some interactions with strangers she works to "exorcise" her sadness (seen on video footage and in photographs). As you peer into some of her photographs, you feel as if you are looking in on a secret world of vulnerability and you cannot help but be captivated by it. 

If you choose to explore all of PS1's rotating exhibits, be sure to set aside a few hours to walk through all of the galleries, and still have time to play outside in the courtyard. Next Saturday's Warm Up schedule features a DJ set by Das Racist, as well as live sets from other performances. See the full schedule here. 

Bonus tip: MOMA members (excluding corporate members) and Long Island City residents get into Warm Up for free! 

Support the Arts and Celebrate Brooklyn with Bands Like "Animal Collective"

For the 33rd year, BRIC Arts|Media|Bklyn brings summertime music, dance, theater and film to the Prospect Park Bandshell. I have had the pleasure of taking in all sorts of shows at the Bandshell, from a flamenco dance ensemble to concerts by cult indie favorites such as The Swell Season (that duo from "Once") and Blonde Redhead. Every summer, talented artists, many unknown to the larger public (yet always drawing long lines and large crowds), are showcased as part of BRIC's Celebrate Brooklyn! festival, and the majority of the shows are free. This year's Celebrate Brooklyn! lineup has more than 20 free performances on the bill, plus six "benefit concerts" to raise money for the arts (free shows do have a "suggested" $3 contribution and I encourage readers to donate the $3).

Although performances began June 10 with singer/songwriter/multi-instrumentalist, Andrew Bird, the Bandshell is just beginning to heat up, and will continue to bring spectacular artists to Brooklyn through Celebrate Brooklyn's final night this summer, a benefit show headlined by electronic blazers, Cut Copy.

Animal Collective Stage -- Picture by John H.

One band that really heated up the stage recently was experimental rock band, Animal Collective, during a benefit show at the Bandshell on July 12. Animal Collective's polychromatic setup fused lights, animation and sound together, creating a non-stop kaleidoscope of neon beats that make you wish you had some glowsticks and/or could cause you to break out into "the robot" at any moment. Although the mellow-rock sounds of their lengthy discography are often quite lyrical, the live Animal Collective experience was more about jamming to smooth music infused with moments of bizarre experimental electronica. The melodies were fresh and fluid, and it was often difficult to discern where one song ended and another one began, as each beat blended into the next. Although the band did not play what is arguably their most famous song, My Girls, the audience did not seem to mind as they continued to be whisked away into the psychedelic sounds of Animal Collective.

Of the upcoming free Celebrate Brooklyn! performances, I would recommend The Feelies and Real Estate show this Saturday, July 23,  at 7pm, and/or Ra Ra Riot on Friday, August 5, at 7pm. I am also tempted to look into this Thursday's West Side Story "Dance and Sing-Along," which kind of sounds amazing ("In this unique participatory screening of one of Hollywood’s greatest musicals, the lyrics will be shown on Brooklyn’s enormous outdoor screen and “Officer Krupke” will teach audiences some of the famous steps. Sharks enter at 11th Street, Jets at 9th"). Leave a comment if you go to any of these. 

A few things you should know to make the most of your time at the Bandshell shows, whether free or paid:

• The venue is outdoors. It is a perfect setting, with grass for picnicking and blankets nestled among shady trees toward the back, and plenty of standing room in front. But don't forget your bug spray, sunblock (if you get there before sunset) and water (essential -- at the Animal Collective show, the vendors ran out of water, plus, it's better for the environment). 
• You may also want to bring a flashlight (to find the bathrooms and/or food and drink vendors after dark).
• There is always a long line for port-a-potties and you should probably bring your own toilet paper and hand sanitizer, because that goes quickly too. 
• There are Emergency Medical Technicians on-site in case you run into trouble (again -- water, water, water!!)
• Finally, look UP -- there are bats and birds (and sometimes stars) abound. 

Robbie Gil Rocks Rockwood Music Hall.

While trying to decide whether to spend an evening at Rockwood Music Hall last night, I stumbled upon the above You Tube Video of emerging indie artist, Robbie Gil, which convinced me that a visit to the Music Hall was in order, as he was playing a set there at 8pm.

Sporting an unmistakable folky singer-songwriter image-- complete with a wicker hat and a (real!) beard--, Gil found a beautiful, comfortable balance between rock, folk, and even jazz. Although the set was intended to be a solo performance, Gil had promised "special guests," which he delivered. Members of "the Band" showed up to play piano and string-bass for assorted songs. Gil himself not only sang, but also often played guitar or piano, while his unique, hearty voice vibrated powerfully over the audience. His original songs ranged from music one might typically expect to hear sitting around a campfire, according to attendee Max P., to fast-paced, wholesome rockabilly toe-tapping. Keep your eyes (and ears) on Robbie Gil. He is next playing in Milford, Connecticut (only a train ride away from NYC...), but I hope he returns to play more NY shows soon.

Robbie Gil Sings and Plays Acoustic-Electric Guitar

As for Rockwood Music Hall, it is a cozy venue for emerging artists like Robbie Gil. There are two main stages and many shows are free, with a one drink per set minimum, although donations for the artists are always appreciated. The Music Hall's performance schedule is updated weekly.

Jing Fong -- A Must See (er, Eat) for Dim Sum Lovers.

Various Dim Sum Items

You haven't really lived the New York dream until you've gone to Chinatown on a Sunday morning for a "dim sum" brunch. Dim sum is a Cantonese tradition that, at least in America, involves a smorgasbord of dumplings, shumai, pork buns and other small Chinese dishes that are typically wheeled around on push-carts from table to table while brunch patrons pick and choose their favorites. Most restaurants that offer dim sum also include hot tea, and the dim sum dishes range from $2-5 each. Each plate is designed to be shared, and chances are, on a busy weekend, you will even end up sharing a table with some strangers (although you do not typicaly share your food with them, you may be expected to engage in some pleasant small talk).

Sunday Dim Sum Lovers Wait 20+ Min for Jing Fong

One of the best places at which I have enjoyed the dim sum experience is Chinatown's Jing Fong restaurant, located at 20 Elizabeth Street, just south of Canal. The dim sum is served piping hot, and the meat and seafood fillings are tasty and fresh. And, despite a dining room that can hold more than 700 people, the wait staff is fairly attentive, at least when it comes to serving food. While you may have to search out a waiter with enough patience to bring water for your table, when it comes to food dishes, you will practically feel accosted by the aggressiveness in which servers try to convince you to try whatever is on their cart.

Opulent 750+ Person Dining Area

Jing Fong is the largest restaurant I have ever been to in Chinatown, and by far has the best dim sum around (runner up: Ping's Seafood). My favorite dish is "dim sum 64." I have no idea what the actual name is, whether in Cantonese or English, but it is basically a sweet beef confit cooked into a thin, crepe-like wrap, and smothered in something that looks like soy sauce but is even more delicious. Many people also enjoy the "pork buns," fluffy dough balls filled with minced pork.

Although the dim sum experience itself may be fast-paced, be prepared to wait 20 minutes or more at popular restaurants like Jing Fong. I promise the wait is worth it.

Pork Buns

UPDATE: Thanks to commenter, Yvonne, I now know what "dim sum 64" is -- a rice noodle roll! Yum!

Put on Your Dancing Shoes & Head to Lincoln Center By July 16

It is currently July 7 and Lincoln Center's annual Midsummer Night Swing is in full swing (pun intended).  This summer season dance event began on June 27, and has only eight evenings left, with the final dance lesson and promenade happening on July 16.

For $17 per dance (pay at the door for single tickets), or $90 for a 6-dance pass or $160 for a season pass, Midsummer Night Swing invites guests of all ages and dancing abilities to dance outdoors, in various styles, right next to Lincoln Center's famed Metropolitan Opera House, at Damrosch Park, located on West 62nd Street between Columbus and Amsterdam Avenues. 

Each evening begins with a group dance lesson, taught by expert dance instructors, from 6:30 p.m. sharp until 7:15 p.m. (dance floor opens at 6:00 p.m.). Following the lesson, a different band will be featured each night, providing live music for guests to dance until the stars come out. There is a different theme each night, and the lesson for a particular evening will focus on the style of music that the accompanying band best represents. While Midsummer Night Swing once really was only  for Swing-dancers, lovers of other dance styles such as Tango, Samba, R & B, Salsa, Blues, Rock & Roll, Jazz, New Wave and more can now find an evening they can enjoy. 



Western Swing Dancing Demonstration
(Picture by Miki S.)

Last night, I had the pleasure of attending a "Hot Jazz, Western Swing" night with a close girlfriend, Miki S. (who, incidentally, took most of the photos in this post). She told me to wear "cute shoes," and I obliged. I had never attended a Swing night before, and when I arrived I expected that Miki and I would be dance partners for the group lesson, and throughout the evening. 

Miki S. Dances With a Western Swing Partner
(Photo by WGINY/Heather K.)

To my surprise, when I stepped out onto the dance floor, shortly after the lesson had already begun, Miki was busy dancing up a storm with someone else. As this is New York, there is not necessarily any rhyme or reason to who dancers should partner up with, except that one person should be a dance "leader" and the other should be a "follower." To be blunt, if you are straight and fall into the typical dance roles society has come to expect of you, where the man is the leader and the woman is the follower, I suggest coming with someone of the opposite sex. If you gay or lesbian, then decide beforehand who will lead and who will follow, and bring your partner.

Even if you are single or cannot find a dance partner to accompany you, there is no need to worry as, once the lesson ends, the evening eventually comes to resemble something like a junior high school dance -- single gals (and some guys) waiting on the sidelines waiting for a boy (or anyone who is a "leader") to ask for their hand. And arriving with a dance partner does not in any way mean that you will dance more than a few songs with him or her. It appeared to be commonly accepted that everyone just switched partners throughout the evening and danced with strangers. It was a great way to not only meet new people, but to really learn the dances, as each person you partner up with will have a different skill level and may even teach you a thing or two. Throughout the evening, there are also designated professional dancers stationed around the floor who can help you with your moves and/or share a dance with you.

The dancing begins at 7:30 p.m., following the group lesson, and the band then plays until approximately 8:30 p.m. before taking an intermission and then starting up again from 9:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.

Last night's featured band was the Western Swing trio, Hot Club of Cowtown, who are from Austin, Texas, but are currently touring. Hot Club's fresh, folky-country style was the perfect accompaniment to the dance moves we had learned during the lesson.

"Hot Club of Cowtown" Provides Some Western Flair For Dancers
(Photo by Miki S.)

One last caveat: leave your briefcases at home, if possible, and put your keys/cellphone/money/ID in a clothing pocket. There are absolutely no bags allowed on the dance floor, not even tiny, tiny purses. You will be required to check your bag(s), for a $3 fee, before entering the floor.

For more information about Midsummer Night Swing, click here.

See the full schedule here.



Not to Worry, Someone WILL Ask You to Dance
(Picture by Miki S.)

No More Brooklyn "Pool Parties," But Concert-Goers Now Have ROCKBEACH to Look Forward To...If They Can Get There.

If you enjoy the outdoor indie-music scene in New York City, then you probably know about the free "Pool Parties" that have drawn crowds to the Williamsburg Waterfront area, aka the aptly-named East River State Park, for the past two years, and to McCarren Park, for the preceding three years, for epic live concerts combined with fun events like dodgeball, among other pastimes.

The "Pool Parties" by JELLY originally began six years ago, during the summer of 2005, at the site of the defunct McCarren Park pool, which closed in 1984.  However, after plans for the pool's restoration were set forth in late 2008, the 2009 summer shows were officially moved to the East River State Park (although, somewhat ironically, they were still referred to as "The Pool Parties"). Ah, the memories. I had my first and only (thus far...) crowd surfing experience during a Girl Talk concert at the Pool Parties in 2009.

This year, many concert-goers were distraught to learn that these treasured weekly summer parties were no longer going to occur, despite the efforts of Senator Chuck Schumer, among others, to keep the free concerts at the waterfront, as, apparently, according to the Wall Street Journal online, there was a financial/contractual dispute between promoter JELLY and the nonprofit organization that oversees local park events, The Open Space Alliance for North Brooklyn. (There WILL still be other ticketed and free shows at the East River State Park this summer, from different concert promoters.  Pop culture website, Bumpershine, has compiled a list here.)

In place of the Pool Parties, however, JELLY announced today that it has teamed up with TOPMAN, a British Menswear company with feelers in both the music and fashion industries, to carry on the tradition of free, live music and dodgeball, and even bring back Slip n' Slide, from the McCarren Park days, in the Rockaways. The once-again ironically named festival, "ROCKBEACH," will take place over six weekend days between July 9 and September 10, and will even have real pools for fun-time frolicking. But, the Rockaways? To many people living in the city, even in the outer boroughs, the Rockaways are a foreign land. However, to alleviate the pressure of making travel arrangements (pretty much the only way to get there is through a very long and intricate ride on the MTA), party buses will be available, for $20 roundtrip, leaving from various, as yet undisclosed, locations in Brooklyn and Manhattan. If you RSVP for the ROCKBEACH mailing list, at rockbeach@jellynyc.com, you may be eligible to win bus tickets (subject line should read "ROCK BEACH RSVP").

The ROCKBEACH concerts, on July 9, July 24, August 7, August 20, September 3 and September 10, will all take place at the Aviator Sports Complex, located at 3159 Flatbush Avenue, in Rockaway, Brooklyn, New York, near the beaches of Fort Tilden, and the last three shows will also offer camping at Floyd Bennett Field, where the sports complex is located.  (For more on the real concrete jungle camping experience, see the Frugal Traveler's May 2010 article recounting his camping adventure at Floyd Bennett).

Thus far, the lineup has only been announced for the first show, Saturday, July 9, and will include performances by Penguin Prison, Wild Yaks, Janka Nabay and The Bubu Gang, and Monogold. So will ROCKBEACH really rock the beach? You'll have to attend to find out.
 

Crowd Surfing at Girl Talk -- 2009 Pool Parties, East River State Park

New One-Man, Off-Broadway Show, "Sex on the Beach," Beckons Audiences

Guest Author for this Post: Tami Shaloum

Edited by: Heather K.

Editor's Note: As a courtesy from Signpost, a social networking website for "bargain hunters," which offers great deals from local businesses and unique local merchants, WGINY was extended tickets to the new Off-Broadway show, Sex on the Beach, a show centered around the sex tourism industry in the Spanish Carribean. Signpost is currently offering a heavily discounted deal for tickets to Sex on the Beach, $19 for tickets worth $47! Guest author, Tami Shaloum (previously featured in WGINY's Post #2 of An Affordable Weekend of Meditation, Yoga and Relaxation, Close to NYC), attended the show on June 23 and wrote the following review. 

Sex on the Beach, Roy Arias’ Off-Broadway one-man play, is a funny, scathing and often poignant exploration of the sex tourism industry in the Spanish Caribbean. The audience is presented with three characters, all prostitutes selling their services to tourists, and all portrayed by Arias. There is "La Caramelo," a Puerto Rican transvestite on the run from the police who is beginning to rethink his line of work after recounting a series of violent acts toward his fellow street walkers. "Brazo E' Niño" is a high-spirited, big talking hustler who finds his reputation on the line. Finally, the last, and most sympathetic, character is "Esperanza," a Cuban mother who is fed up with her low-paying job as a dentist and “waiting for a bus that never comes.”

The play does a good job of giving a face and personality to an oft-discounted "profession," and works best when you think of the show as social commentary. It does not really judge or posit an opinion as to the morality of prostitution, but merely suggests that there are very different reasons for selling one's body, and that there can be pride in the profession as much as there is shame. Each character recognizes the dangers of their chosen vocation, as well as how they may be negatively viewed by society. Sex on the Beach also addresses the fact that homosexuality is still frequently frowned upon, as we see two of the characters struggling with this problem.

As far as the play's entertainment value, it helps for theatre-goers to have a grasp of the Spanish language to understand a lot of the references, as Arias’ accent is thick and he speaks in a rapid Spanish/English hybrid. In fact, the play’s original award-winning incarnation was all in Spanish. The playbill gamely includes a short dictionary of some slang words but it is difficult to refer to it in the dark of the theater. While this did not entirely take away from the enjoyment of the play, it would have been nice to understand all that was said.

By far the most appealing part of Sex on the Beach is Arias’ performance. He seamlessly transforms into the three very distinct, very different characters. He is as believable as a transvestite as he is a struggling mother. He infuses emotion into the roles and makes the audience really feel for these people. Another stand out is vocalist Natalia Peguero, whose sultry voice seduces the audience in between scenes while Arias changes into the next character. These two performers make the experience of watching Sex on the Beach almost as enjoyable as its title suggests.

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Thanks again to Laura Zanzal, the community manager at Signpost. Consider joining Signpost so that you never miss any of their great deals. Find discounted tickets to Sex on the Beach through July 3 here, when you subscribe to Signpost. After July 3, you can buy tickets at Theatermania. The show is currently slated to run through July 30, 2011.

New Yorkers Show Their Pride on 5th Avenue.

Yesterday marked the 42nd annual Pride Parade in New York City, a tradition that began in 1970, shortly after the gay rights movement took off in 1969 at the now famous Stonewall Inn. The parade, which began at 36th Street and 5th Avenue, continued down 5th Avenue all the way to the West Village. As most New Yorkers know by now, this is an especially historic year, as New York recently became the sixth state in the nation to pass a marriage equality bill or, in other words, to legalize gay marriage. (Curious how your Senator voted? Click here, a site to which I was directed from Gothamist).

2011 Pride March 

As always, the parade was full of wonderful, colorful people and costumes, and spectators were treated to over an hour's worth of performances, floats and a multitude of marching groups. The vibe was decidedly different this year as participants and spectators really had something to celebrate -- not just their pride in who they are, but the long-deserved recognition of equal marriage rights for all couples. (Although the bill came with an exemption for religious institutions, in that they can refuse to carry out a same-sex marriage, this appears, for now, to strike a relative balance between religious tolerance/freedom and civil rights).

Colorful and Intricate Costumes

Some of the loudest cheers during the parade were heard when Governor Cuomo passed by, and signs reading "Thank you Governor Cuomo" on one side, and "Promise Kept" on the other, could not be missed. Other notable politicians included Senator Chuck Schumer and Representative Jerry Nadler, to name a few. The parade of notables seemed never ending, from stellar performances by organizations such as The Lesbian and Gay Big Apple Corps Marching Band, to intricate floats from non-profit organizations such as The Door and Green Chimneys, and even participation by some large corporations such as Delta, and white-shoe law firm http://www.kirkland.com/. It just goes to show that there is no dividing line when it comes to equality.

Company Float - Green Chimneys

Congratulations New York on a banner year and a parade that will not soon be forgotten.

UPDATE: Commenter Jenny A. also spotted NYC Council Speaker Christine C. Quinn at the parade, NYC's first "out" councilwoman, and a longtime proponent of marriage equality.  Thanks for the tip, Jenny!

"Wake Up" and Listen to Fitz and The Tantrums.

Despite predictions of rainy weather on Saturday, the sun shone through for Fitz and The Tantrums at Central Park's Mainstage, part of The City Park's Foundation Summerstage Concert Series.  Although the forecast undoubtedly kept some fans away, Fitz and the other bands in Saturday's FREE concert lineup, which included King, and Lee Fields and The Expressions, with interludes from DJ Rich Medina, played to a packed field.

Fitz and The Tantrums on Mainstage

The Los Angeles based soul group immediately transports fans to the sounds of the 70s, when soul was at its peak, but they have a funky, modern flair that keeps their music fresh. The beautiful Noelle Scaggs has an effervescent chemistry with the band's leader, Michael Fitzpatrick (aka Michael "Fitz"), and when she asks whether you're ready to "get [ ]our groove on," she is not just patronizing the crowd.

Fitz (right) and bassist, Joseph Karnes (left)
sign autographs after the show 

Fitz and The Tantrums are absolute crowd-pleasers, interacting with audience members throughout the show, from Fitz "stealing" a woman's sunglasses (he gave them back, after performing a song in the lady's retro shades), to Scaggs always making sure everyone had their hands up clapping or their bottoms out dancing, this was not a band for whose set one could sit even for a moment, except perhaps during their last song (their most well-known single, "Moneygrabber") when Fitz instructed everyone to "get low." Those who did not oblige were called out in the crowd, and within a minute or so, everyone was kneeling down, quietly bopping to the music as it crescendoed louder and louder, until we were all back up on our feet dancing and clapping again with our hands in the air.

James King flute solo

The band's songs are fun and groovy, and you immediately want to sing along. Add to that Fitz's unique sound, Scaggs' powerful, sexy voice backing him up, and exquisite instrumental solos from bandmember James King, on bass sax, alto sax and even flute, and from Joseph Karnes on bass guitar, and this band has found a winning combination for success. In two years, they have already played to New York crowds five times, and they promised to return again soon. So, if you know what's good for you, "Wake Up" and check out Fitz and The Tantrums. (Yes, that's an ironic reference to one of their newest songs...).

And don't forget that Central Park will be hosting free music, dance and comedy shows all summer long, in all five boroughs, as well as some paid acts. You can find the full schedule of events here.

Michael Fitz Poses With an Adoring Fan (Okay, that's me/WGINY...)

Are You a Savage Beauty?

When I first learned that The Metropolitan Museum of Art was hosting yet another exhibition showcasing a famous fashion designer, I was less than thrilled to check it out. However, I am glad that I did not hold back on visiting "Savage Beauty," a rare and eccentric collection of fashion and accessories from late designer Alexander McQueen. (If you do not know who he is, Google pictures of "Lady Gaga," and consider whether her outfit looks really outrageous. If it does, it's probably by McQueen.)*.

McQueen, who committed suicide last year, shortly before his 41st birthday, was a force to be reckoned with in the fashion industry. He dared to be different and each item he designed was as much a work of art as it was something to wear. His designs were often provocative, dark, and, in his own words, had "an underlying sexuality" and "perverseness." He was and remains, even posthumously, highly controversial, and the reasons are clear as you make your way through the lengthy exhibit.

One of the first pieces of "art" you see as you enter the exhibit is a stunning dress made of red glass and feathers. (I must admit, at first glance I was reminded of Zoolander's Mugatu's "Derelicte" campaign...). Sound tame? As you continue along, don't miss the jacket on which the back is painted with Jesus on the Cross and, for a person of the right proportions, the wearer's body might line up with that of Jesus', and the wearer's outstretched arms would appear to be on the Cross as well. Moving on, you will come to the first room where the darkness of McQueen's designs really set in. An element of forbidden sexual desires emerges in designs that incorporate capes, masks, and black leather dominatrix-seeming outfits. As you wander through the many rooms of this exhibit, you will continue to come upon many bizarre, and some strangely beautiful, couture. In the accessories room, one of the mannequins wears a metal spine with a tail, while another wears a connected headband and armband made of metal thorns. It seems nothing was too shocking or too outrageous for McQueen.

Also make sure to be on the lookout for the use of varied media throughout the exhibit. One not-to-be-missed video involves a female model who walks out in an all-white dress, but is soon "attacked" by machines (robots of a sort, I think) that spew colors all over her, creating, in the end, a unique splatter pattern that could never be replicated.

"Alexander McQueen: Savage Beauty" is on display through August 7, 2011. Don't miss it! For more information, visit The Met's website or read the museum's press release on this exhibition.

UPDATE: Luxury rental management company, Glenwood NYC's Manhattan Living Blog recently featured the Savage Beauty exhibit and has some great pictures and more descriptions of what you can see here.

WGINY ON VACATION

Dear Readers, 

I have some great posts planned, but unfortunately I have not had a chance to sit down and write lately, and I will be on vacation through June 15 at Bonnaroo in Manchester, Tennessee!! We are getting on the road in the morning and driving down to the four-day music, film & comedy festival. If I have some down time and get to an internet cafe, perhaps I will throw up a post, but don't hold your breathe. 

What can you look forward to when WGINY returns late next week and throughout the summer? Here is a sample: 

Sunny Day Activities: 

More yoga retreat ideas close to NYC.

Where to run around NYC. 

Rainy Day Activities:

A review of a savage art exhibit... 

A recommendation on where to find the best indoor climbing in and around NYC. 

And of course more concerts and food/drink ideas. 

See you soon!! 

WGINY

I Found the Future at the New York Public Library! (A Post-Game Post).

Entering the Library

I could not be prouder to have been one of the "select group of 500 nerds" chosen to participate in the New York Public Library's "Find the Future", an all night scavenger-hunt game and writing event that took place on Friday, May 21. How ironic that it has taken me nearly a week to write a post about an overnight writing event, but we all have to grapple with our day jobs...

Registration

When I first walked into the library last Friday, through the marble columns guarded by Patience and Fortitude, I was not sure what to expect. I was mostly surrounded by strangers, but we all had one thing in common - a passion for writing, a sense of adventure, and a desire to change the world. We were gathering to find the future, by examining our past.

500 "Nerds" Gather in Astor Hall

The Doors are Locked!

True to what we had been told, we were in fact "locked" in the library. Shortly after 8pm, the doors were shut and a security guard stood watch over us. We were then greeted by our team leaders for the evening, Jane McGonigal, playing the part of Patience, and Chelsea (last name?), who would lead the Fortitude team. We were instructed to follow whichever leader represented our greater strength. As patience is not my virtue, I followed Chelsea/Fortitude to the library's Rose Main Reading Room. (My Canadian friends, see older post, opted for Patience. Luckily, I found one old friend among the 500, Jen O., and we followed Fortitude together).

Gathering in the Rose Reading Room

Fortitude Beckons Us to Follow

We learned that no person had ever before stayed overnight in the library, save library caretakers and security guards, and that we 500 were making history, and kicking off the Stephen A. Schwarzman Building's Centennial Anniversary.

We were told that while "lots of books" had been written in the library, never had 500 people attempted to write one book together. There were editors on hand to assist, tech gurus, a book art designer, and even a book binder, as the original plan was to have the book bound by the event's end/sunrise (more on that later...).

Jane McGonigal

Out of more than 5000 applicants, McGonigal told us that we all had "the right combination of courage, imagination and creativity." At this point, my curiosity was nearly killing me, and I could not wait to learn more! (See, no patience...) Finally, after being informed that our book would focus on "100 Ways to Make History," and that we would be the first group ever to play the "Find the Future" game (although the hope is that millions will follow in our footsteps, literally or virtually), we were given some of the "secrets" of the game. I hesitate to reveal them here on this public blog, but since you can probably derive them from the game's website, I will give you a little preview.

Gamers Scanning QR Codes

In essence, there are over 100 "powerful" objects "hidden" in plain sight around the library. As I would come to realize later that evening, the library is not merely a place to find books, but it is a museum full of national and world treasures, from first editions of classic literature, beautiful frescos, and other priceless art and artifacts. Each of the objects we would find represented someone who "stood up and said or did something extraordinary," according to McGonigal. Using library maps to lead us to each object on our quest, we were instructed to scan QR codes near each item we located (the little bar codes you have probably seen popping up over the last year or so-- you can download a program on your smartphone to read them), in order to "power up" and receive one of ten special powers from which we might derive strength to unlock "stories that have never been told." Each object was linked to a question about the future, ways to make history, and similar ideas. Strict "writing" was not the only way to compose a story in response to these quesitons. Participants could write, draw, take a photograph, or come up with other clever mediums in which to focus their strength.

Signing Up for Stories

One of most difficult caveats was that there were 100 objects, but 500 people. Thus, we had to come together, work in teams and share ideas. Once an individual or group of participants were ready to begin a story related to an object they had found, they were required to "sign up" for that story on large easels at the front of the Reading Room, so that others would know they should seek other quests, as the final book would have a page limit.

Throughout the night, various rooms that we might need to continue our quest in closed, so we also needed to keep on eye on the clocks. One of the most memorable moments for me was when, upon completing a task/treasure hunt in the library's Genealogy Room, I instantly located electronic records for nearly all of my known relatives and ancestors that have lived in the United States. Although my family arrived mostly in the late 1800s and early 1900s, I was never able to find any information in more typical places, such as Ellis Island. I was so moved to have found these records that I was brought to tears, especially as I read the names of loved ones who were more recently deceased, family members that have touched and changed my life forever. I also learned that, while my ancestors are all from Eastern Europe (as far as I know), many came to America on ships sailing out of Western Europe cities such as Liverpool and Naples. One relative had come from Naples in 1945. I shuddered and shed another tear as I wondered if he had been a Holocaust survivor, as I know some of my relatives were (and some, unfortunately, were not...).

The Stacks

Another really interesting area we came to explore was what is known only as "The Stacks." On any given day, only 30 people are permitted to enter this underground area of the library (7 levels!), where the majority of the building's collection is kept in 75 miles of shelfs. As we walked through a special guided tour, I imagined all of the history that must be hiding in those books. (And, yes, I also thought of "Ghostbusters"...). It was mesmerizing.

For the quests, I ended up working in a team of eight Fortitude members, including myself. Our "squad captain," Erin M., was sweet, intelligent and perky, and a great leader. Although we began the night finding items together and collaborating on stories, as the evening began to fade, so did our team members. By 3am, there were only five of us left. Team "Super Awesome," as we titled ourselves, was losing stamina. But we persevered and, through tired eyes and with much fortitude, we made it until the morning light.

My other team members were Jenny O. (the friend I had met up with), Einat T., Jennifer W., Geovanni R., Lauren A., and Karen W. I really enjoyed getting to know them and working on quests and stories together. Each of us had been selected to "Find the Future" based on a 140 character answer to the question, "By the year 2021 I will be the first person to....". Jenny's creative answer was that she would go back in time to convince Louisa May Alcott to change the ending of "Little Women" (I won't say what the change would be, in case you haven't read it). Einat's ambition was to become the first female secretary general of the United Nations. We certainly had some go-getters among us.

My Note Seeking a Message

Another fun task that we were each given, as if the treasure hunt and story-writing were not enough, was that each of us would have the opportunity to find a "hidden" postcard, either in The Stacks or, after the underground shelves closed, among the bookshelves of the Reading Room. The postcard would be the key to someone else's future, and we would spend part of the night inventing ways to deliver these messages from the future to their recipients. Some went to facebook, others took to calling out names loudly in various areas of the library (after-hours, there was no "quiet" requirement!), or even posting notes around library rooms. By the end of the night, the library was practically littered with notes like the one I put up at 2am, which stated that I still had not received a postcard from the future, and if anyone had a message for me, they should text me, listing my cell phone number. My postcard was finally delivered to me through a combination of facebook and name-calling. I also lucked out with finding Ed R., whose postcard I possessed. Shortly after I retrieved his card from The Stacks, I happened to turn around and see a guy with a partially concealed name-tag, of which I could read the letter, "E". On a whim, I asked if he was Ed, and he was! His interesting and innovative future involved being the first person to fall in love with a robot, marry a robot, divorce a robot, and write a robomance memoir about their relationship.

Cuneiform Tablets

By 5:30am, I had contributed to six stories, ranging from discussing what types of banks the world may need in the future (I suggested a Natural Resource bank) to alternatives to prisons for the future (I discussed focusing on rehabilitation programs), and I even composed an anthem to my hometown, Long Beach, New York, which I titled, "Barrier Island." Each story was basically a reactive essay based on the objects we found. For example, upon finding cuneiform tablets, which contain the oldest form of writing known to man, we were asked to come up with messages/advice for future generations that would be pertinent for as long as cuneiform had existed as a style of writing, nearly 4000 years. Each message also had to be small enough to fit on a cuneiform tablet. It was somewhat fitting that, in the final minutes of the game, I quickly penned (and came up with a tune for) an anthem, as my personal quest for 2021 involved becoming the first person to invent the next wave in music.

Celebrating Finding the Future

Once the last person's story was submitted, the entire group cheered and celebrated. We had succeeded in writing our book! Although, we learned that the idea of having it go to press overnight and be bound by morning was just a bit too ambitious. As of the date of this post, the printed book is still forthcoming. However, when it is ready, it will be available in the general research collection of the library for anyone to see and read!

The End of the Night

Our Book in the Process of Binding

Overall, this was such an amazing experience, and I am glad that I got to share it with such incredible people. We will all have this night in common forever, and we will never forget it.

I took many, many pictures, but here are a sample of the ones I liked the best and/or found best represent our evening:

???

A Letter from a Slave to His Wife

A Lock of Mary Shelley's Hair

First Edition "Frankenstein"

Charles Dickens' Cat Paw Letter Opener

E. E. Cummings' Typewriter

McGonigal Helps Some Writers/Gamers

View of Empire State Building
from Bill Blass Public Catalog Room

My Postcard from the Future (Which Finally Arrived Around 3am)

One last note -- Please come out and Hug a Library on June 4 at 2pm to show your support for this and other fantastic library programs and rally against proposed budget cuts!!

"Patience and fortitude conquer all things." - Ralph Waldo Emerson