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Cool, refreshing, autumn weather of perfection falls to rain, the dreaded brace for winter, and the overwhelming desire to sleep in late every day only to move to the couch and watch movies. A rattled blogger considers starting a weekly column called “Great Moments from Bad Movies,” his habit is so deep. His burlesque daydreams conspire into his sleeping life, and the myriad crushes threaten cripple his daily crushes on the L train. How many crushes can one man nurse at once? And is burlesque a form of kryptonite? Hey, if anybody’s out there—this cold kid is looking for some new preoccupations. Open to suggestions.
But what I really wanted to tell you is this: It’s SO hard getting out of bed, that the last two mornings I’ve woken up fantasizing about the Slap Chop. Yes, the Slap Chop. When I slap that snooze button on my alarm clock, I’m thinking, “Slap your troubles away with the Slap Chop.” And wouldn’t it be so bitchin’ if you could load up your Slap Chop the night before with fancy fruits, and as you slap your snooze button you’re already chopping up your morning fruit salad?
Ok—even better: The power cord to your alarm clock is draped across the Slap Chop. You only have to hit the snooze button once.
A man can dream. Have a gloomy drizzly New Yorky day. Meanwhile, if you haven’t seen this lately, enjoy:
Kiss kiss,
JDX
Diane Naegel
We here at CC were intrigued by the Jazz Aged themed parties called “Wit’s End“, so we decided to talk to their hostess to find out more.
CC: Hi Diane! I guess my first question is, where are you from, if not from NYC? Why did you move here, what do you do for work, if that isn’t planning these events? What got you into this style of dress / music / literature? Who is your favorite artist in those genres / periods? What are your other interests? For example, are you into Steam Punk, Victorian Gothic, or 40s swing?; alternatively, do you like macs and cheese, Big Macs, macrobiotic vegan fare? Macrame, textiles, rough spun yarn or spandex? Are you also active in theater or music?
Diane N: I’m actually from the Midwest- Cincinnati, Ohio! I went to fashion school there, and the University of Cincinnati has a cooperative education program where you take six paid internships in your field while you’re in school- so I got to live here in NYC, Seattle, and LA while I was getting my degree…so if you look at it that way, I’ve lived here off and on since 2000- but permanently for the last 4+ years. I’m an accessory designer by day- I actually do all of the kids accessories for OshKosh B’gosh!
Our decennial head count, the census, is about to take place here in the good old U. S. of A., and an article in Crane’s New York Business (dot com) has some pretty interesting preliminary statistics. Here are a few nuggets.
- The 2010 census is expected to show that New York City has gained more residents this decade than any other city in the country.
- It is the only American city with more than 2 million Hispanics and 2 million African-Americans.
- Manhattan is the only county in the nation where the majority of dwelling units house only one person.
- The city’s white, non-Hispanic segment of the population is growing — children and adults alike.
- Immigration from the suburbs, and back to the city, is affecting the demographic makeup of New York City.
This is my favorite quote: “Who are all these people who keep coming to this already densely packed city? Despite Americans’ supposed love affair with single-family dwellings in leafy suburbs, and despite economic downturns, the 2010 census will show that New York City has added, on average, almost a thousand people a week since 2000.”
That’s right. And Joel Kotkin, the conservative, Los Angeles based purveyor of American nostalgia for the automobile can choke on a tail pipe.
Mr. and Mrs. Macbeth with their little stillborn demon child
October 1st, 2009
Macbeth is appropriate to autumn and October. Macbeth’s colors are red and black; the poetry evokes the lengthening of nights and shortening days; and it’s full of witches and ghosts. Pecfect for the month of Halloween! I went with Lesterhead to see Strike Anywhere and ANITYA’s joint production of “Macbeth Variations II” at the Irondale Center in the Lafayette Avenue Presbyterian Church on Lafayette and South Oxford St. in Fort Greene tonight. The production definitely set the mood for a spooky October.
There are a few things you might want to know before you go see the play. First, Strike Anywhere and ANITYA are based in New York and Paris respectively. It is performed in both English and French. Unfortunately the Irondale Center, unlike the Met, doesn’t provide subtitles in glowing green LED in the banquette in front of you. For those who either know French or know the text of Macbeth or both, this isn’t an issue. If you speak English but not French and don’t know the play well, it can be confusing. Second, this is an interpretation of Macbeth, not a staging of Shakespeare’s play. If you get upset when directors cut the Bard’s plays, you definitely won’t like this. Third, the philosophy of the joint company prioritizes improvisation. As they say on their website, it’s never the same play two nights in a row. If you love surprises and don’t mind the occasional sour note that’s great; if flat moments take you out of the action, you might be disappointed. On the other hand, if the classics bore you but you feel compelled to get cultured anyway, this production is both edgy and old skool.
I would give you my take with no chaser, but I happened to overhear a conversation as I was walking out of the theater that I think says it all about what this show accomplishes. Three men, all in their mid-20s, were walking ahead of me on the sidewalk as we left the theater, and this is what I heard. (I’ve given them names. If this is you, and I gave you the wrong name, email the blog’s administrator.)
The New York Burlesque Festival starts tonight. Stay tuned for coverage… but better, yet, come see for yourself.
Come out, come out, wherever you are!
Thursday, Oct. 1: Teaser Party
Public Assembly
Doors Open At 8pm
Get there at 8pm sharp for a very special Dr. Sketchy’s where you can try your hand at drawing a burlesque beauty!
Friday, Oct 2 Premiere Party
The Bell House
Doors Open at 8pm
Show Starts at 9pm
149 7th Street (between 2nd & 3rd), Brooklyn
Saturday, Oct. 3
The Saturday Spectacular
BB Kings
Doors Open at 6:30pm
Show Starts at 7:30pm
237 West 42nd Street, 7/8
NYBF Official Festival After Party
11pm-1am
DJ Hitman Hearn (London) plus gorgeous Go-Go Girls & more!
Free entry for all NYBF ticket holders and performers!
at Lucille’s Bar
VIP ticket holders are guaranteed premiere floor seating, please arrive with your full party!
Sunday, Oct 4: The Golden Pastie Awards
Le Poisson Rouge
Doors Open at 7pm
Show Starts at 8pm
158 Bleecker, Thompson / Sullivan
