Coulrophobia is the fear of clowns. Organisers of a British circus recently put on a workshop to help young audiences to gradually overcome their phobia.
This year’s NYC Santacon is coming up - Saturday December 12. I’m actually considering taking part in the holiday spirit this year. It does sound fun.
Today, two master-butchers will be carving up a pig at the New Amsterdam Market at the site of the old Fulton Fish Market. For more on the growing popularity of learning the butchering trade as a hobby, check out this piece from this weekend’s NY TImes.
Radiohead’s Thom Yorke debuted his musical side project this weekend in LA. The band’s members include Nigel Godrich (long time Radiohead Producer) and bassist extraordinaire from the Red Hot Chili Peppers, Flea. In addition to performing songs from his solo album, The Eraser, Yorke also shared some brand new material. See videos from the shows here.
Nine Inch Nails have long been one of my very favorite bands. When it was announced that they would be playing a show at the Bowery Ballroom to a capacity crowd of 600, I had to find a way in. So I did. Having never done anything like this in my life, I have no idea what came over me when I crowd surfed during Head Like A Hole and landed on the stage. Unfortunately, this video misses that moment but it does capture the intensity that I experienced way up at the front during the whole show this past Saturday night. It was completely exhilarating to be able to take part in such a rare musical moment.
The message is in the music and the music is in the message. Brooklyn is a particularly special place in it that people from so many different places and walks of life live together here in real harmony. Nowhere could this be more obvious than at last night’s Burning Spear show at the Prospect Park bandshell. Also performing was Daptone Record’s Naomi Shelton & The Gospel Queens. The evening had me feeling so irie that I just had to say so.
This year marks the 25th anniversary of Prince & The Revolution’s seminal album, Purple Rain. To celebrate this milestone a sing-along to the film inspired by the album will be held as part of the annual Celebrate Brooklyn summer concert series - Auguest 6, 7:30PM.
Dumpster-diving has a whole new connotation. An NYC based real estate developer is experimenting with how to utilize unused space in the city. He has rented a land plot adjacent to my neighborhood and outfitted it with a few swimming pools made from converted industrial dumpsters.
Jack White’s new project is called The Dead Weather. While White spends plenty of time singing alongside of Alison Mosshart (of The Kills), he also plays the role of drummer in this outfit. The band just released their first official music video for the single Treat Me Like Your Mother which was directed by modern day auteur, Jonathan Glazer. The band will be in NYC this week, where I will see them play to a sold out crowd at Terminal 5 on Friday evening. Get to know the band. Here they are in their own words participating in one of the most ridiculous music interviews ever.
For those creative folks that are concerned with making the world a better place, there is an upcoming conference for you called The Feast (Oct. 1st).
(via Swiss Miss)
Perhaps you are ambivalent about social media networks. At the annual TED conference, Clay Shirky gave an interesting talk about how twitter and other social platforms have been utilized to overcome censorship and break news.
Stephen Colbert will be guest editing the June 8th issue of Newsweek. This kind of reminds me of the time that Jon Stewart went onto Crossfire to tell the “journalists” that they were hurting our country (this event spelled the end of the program) or the fact that ex-SNL funny man Al Franken is still embattled over a Senatorial seat in Minnesota. Perhaps comedians have some of the best perspectives on news and politics because they also have a sense of humor.
The line-up for the 2009 Celebrate Brooklyn concert series at the Prospect Park Bandshell has be announced. This year’s free shows will include performances by Blonde Redhead, Burning Spear, and Big Daddy Kane. The season opening performance will feature David Byrne - Monday June 8 @ 8PM.
The BKLYN Yard on the Gowanus Canal is kicking off their season opening with an event today called Parked. Several of the cities best food truck vendors will be present. Earlier in the week. I eyed up the gourmet ice-cream truck and it looked rather fantastic. And I know for sure that the huarache vendor is drool worthy.
Casey Anderson is an environmentalist who raised a grizzly bear named Brutus from an infant to an 800 pound adult. Sunday May 5th, National Geographic will air a program that documents their year long expedition together to follow lives of grizzly bears in Yellowstone. Below is a picture of Brutus celebrating Thanksgiving with his family. See more remarkable images of Casey and Brutus here.
Feeling pissed off about the economy? Come on down to the 2009 NYC Pillow Fight tomorrow at 3PM.
Today is Barack Obama’s sixtieth day in office as the President of the United States of America. He is doing the most impossible job at what may be the most impossible time. I was surprised to see how quickly he addressed many of my concerns ranging from Guantanamo Bay and the War in Iraq to issues of social change. Of course, the big topic is the economy. His proposed budget is an extremely progressive sign of landmark change. I suppose it’s fair to say that we all have mixed emotions about the economic crisis as we should, our President included. Putting all of this aside, Barack made history yesterday on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, as the first sitting US President to appear as a guest on a late night talk show. It feels really good to have a president that makes me laugh and smile. I simply can’t think of another Head of State known for his character and affability to Barack’s tune, and this is no small thing in leadership at times like these.
Ed Ulbrich is the visual effects Executive Producer at Digital Domain and a frequent collaborator of film director, David Fincher. Straight out of film school, I had the pleasure to work with him. On several occasions, I found myself engaged in conversations with Ed about the future of filmmaking and the role technology will continually play. I was always inspired by his sense of enthusiasm and tenacity to be at the forefront of an inevitable shift. Over the last several years, he has lead a team of over 150 digital artists to create seamless FX for The Curious Case of Benjamin Button. Here he gives a TED talk on the long process of creating a digital Bratt Pitt that is both emotive and realistic.
Shepard Fairey is a street artist and designer who had always been most known for his image of Andre the Giant’s face. Different versions of the image have appeared on walls in just about every country on the globe, as part of a campaign known as Andre the Giant Has A Posse. Fairey’s Hope posters that have become synonymous with Barack Obama’s candidacy for US President are now an overnight symbol of an unparalleled event. He recently spoke with Charlie Rose about his more than twenty year career that has lead up to this poster. A retrospective of his work is currently on display at ICA in Boston. In a peculiar string of events, Shepard Fairey found himself in prison on the eve of the show’s opening.
This past summer we saw many images of China’s new shiny architecture proudly on display for the world during the Olympic events. One of the structures that had been frequently seen in newspapers and on TV was the China Central Television Complex. Part of the CCTV complex was the soon to be opened Mandarin Oriental Hotel. The building has been completely destroyed in a fire accidently set by stray fireworks from the annual Lantern Festival that marks the first full moon of the Chinese New Year. Here are more images of the building ablaze. Remarkably the incident only claimed one life, that of a firefighter.
At today’s inauguration of Barack Obama as the 44th President of the United States of America, the benediction speech was given by civil rights leader Rev. Jospeh Echols Lowery. The closing moments of his speech were just so perfectly uplifting at a moment like this.
Lord, in the memory of all the saints who from their labors rest, and in the joy of a new beginning, we ask you to help us work for that day when black will not be asked to get back, when brown can stick around (laughter). When yellow will be mellow (laughter). When the red man can get ahead, man (laughter), and when white will embrace what is right.
Let all those who do justice and love mercy say amen.
Audience: Amen!
Rev Lowery: Say amen
Audience: Amen!
Rev. Lowery: and amen.
Audience: Amen! (Cheers, applause.)
The annual Darwin Awards are named posthumously to those who have managed to die in a feat of great stupidity, thereby removing themselves from the gene pool. The 2008 winner was awarded to Reverend Adelir Antonio di Carli who was attempting to fly in the air for 19 hours suspended by 1,000 helium balloons. The reverend was performing the stunt to raise money to build a “spiritual” trucker’s rest stop in Brazil. He went missing for three months when winds carried him in the wrong direction out to sea. Apparently, the idea of lifting people or even cars with helium balloons is not that uncommon.
My barber Kosta is a charming man in his late seventies who originally comes from Greece. I generally stop by the shop once a week for a touchup, but mainly to see that he is okay and to shoot the breeze. Truth told, I often don’t understand everything that he is saying word for word through his thick accent; though I usually catch the jist. Last week, I mentioned that I heard that there was rioting and problems in his homeland. Suddenly I couldn’t grab a word other than “bullshit” repeated over and over. He clearly was angry. Here are some photos of the events currently taking place in Greece.
For some random reason, I just remembered an odd observation I made a few weeks ago on a subway ride. I was sitting adjacent to two young women in their mid-twenties whose faces I can’t recall. I had taken notice of their fast-paced conversation that was taking place in sign language. As their hands frantically drew words back and forth, I could hear the mouthed echo of the two women conversing over the drowning sound from my headphones. The music from my ipod played like a soundtrack to the scene. I noticed that the women were so involved in whatever it was they were discussing, that a baby belonging to one of them went completely unattended in a stroller. I watched on as the doors to the subway which was parked in a station came to a close. And seemingly in slow-motion the train launched forward with a powerful jerk and the child’s stroller rolled backwards several feet down the aisle. Quicker than I could react, I had envisioned the stroller zipping to the far end of the car and coming to a crash. In one spontaneous swoop, the deaf mother spun around and nabbed her child with arms that appeared to extend several yards. Casually, she placed the stroller back into position locking the breaks on the wheels this time and returned to her conversation.
Gobble Gobble all! Should you be in NYC for Thanksgiving this year and don’t have any special dinner plans, here’s an idea:
A reminder to everyone still making last minute holiday plans. This year Palo Santo will be open on Thanksgiving from 4pm to 9pm. Join us for a four course prix fixe menu priced at $45 per person. You are welcome to bring your family - you can be sure that I’ll be bringing mine! We will be serving our take on some seasonal favorites including Heritage Turkeys done as Pavo en Mole Poblano with Cranberry Salsa and Sweet Potato Gratin. We will also have options for pescatarians and vegetarians.
Jacques Gautier
chef / owner
Recently. the director Pes was doing some research at the Woodlawn Cememtary in the Bronx, and happened upon a rather curious epitaph.
LOST LIFE BY STAB IN FALLING ON INK ERASER, EVADING SIX YOUNG WOMEN TRYING TO GIVE HIM BIRTHDAY KISSES IN OFFICE METROPOLITAN LIFE BUILDING
Further research revealed an article from the February 16, 1909 NY Times that details the bizarre account of how an attempted kiss cost young George Millitt his life.
(via kottke)
In 1960, one fifth of the nation’s beer was produced in Brooklyn, New York. By the mid 70’s there were no breweries left in Brooklyn. And now there has been a major resurgence of local breweries opening again. Here is a NY Times article on what happened.
This weekend, The Brazen Head located in the Cobble Hill section of Brooklyn will host a cask festival offering beer from several of the breweries mentioned in the article.
I was absolutely disgusted to learn that Sarah Palin, the self proclaimed “hockey mom” will be dropping the season opening puck for my hometown Philadelphia Flyer’s. But then I realized that this has the potential to blow up in her face. While she may look at this opportunity as a free way into the hearts of Pennsylvanian’s, she just may learn the hard way how completely unwelcoming Philly sports fans can be. I can’t wait to see footage of the boos.
After saving the economy, John McCain found spare time between naps to show up for the first of three scheduled debates with Obama. Though he desperately wanted to delay the debate, his “tactic” or “strategy” (whichever you prefer) blew up in his own face. McCain had no choice but to face America. I was so glad that he did decide to come. This meant that my elitist friends and I would be entertained with political theater to accompany our cheese plates and fancy cucumber cocktails. We had so much fun laughing and gasping that we managed to miss McCain’s greatest faux pax of the evening, “Horse Shit, Horse Shit.”
With the advent of the video arcade, the popularity of pinball came to a crash. A friend of mine recently sent me a pretty interesting article that takes a look at the rise and fall of the game, as well the pinball wizards who refuse to let their passion become a faded memory.
From September 6th-17th the Paralympic Games are taking place in Bejing. Its kind of sad to think that network television isn’t interested in canceling a few days of bullshit-reality television in favor of showcasing some of the world’s most impressive athletes. In this photo series you’ll see some of those extraordinary moments that we are not catching on TV, including the US Men’s wheelchair rugby team in midst of battle. For more on this sport check out the brilliant documentary Murderball.
Students from Belgium really know how to party. However, they’re like Gremlins after dark. Just don’t give them diet-coke and mentos; thats when they turn from cute and cuddly into something more demonic.
Temper temper temper! Apparently, an Olympic taekwondo competitor from Cuba was unhappy with a call made by the judge. Shortly after kicking the official in the face, Angel Matos was banned for life from competing by the World Taekwondo Federation.
(Via Daring Fireball)
A few months ago my band shared a bill with the duo She Keeps Bees. We all watched them perform with amazement. An obvious comparison would be something akin to Cat Power, but the truth is that SKB’s passion is truly their own. The band’s new album entitled Nests just released this week and is available at Other Music. Sadly their limited edition hand made collage 12” EP is sold out. But the good news is that She Keeps Bees perform tonight at Cakeshop. I so want to do a video for them.
My friend was telling me about how he was evacuated from his apartment this weekend after manhole covers began to shoot out of the ground on his block. Remarkably nobody was hurt as flames began to roar out from underneath the street. Unfortunately, this was not the case in Toronto on August 10th when an explosion at a propane facility wreaked damage that looked more like something out of a Michael Bay film. In this case, seeing is believing.
In sponsorship and celebration of the Beijing Olympics, Johnson & Johnson have created a pretty amazing giant marionette performance. My best friend Howie, whom now lives in Shanghai is one of the producers tapped to create the event. Not a bad gig.
Thunder is threatening us with showers in NYC. I’m glad it held out for today, instead of last night when I attended a Rooftop Films event at The Old American Can Factory. I caught the New York premier of In a Dream, a documentary in which the director investigates his own father’s quixotic and obsessive life as a mosaic artist. The film has recently been acquired by HBO Documentary Films and will air early 2009. Keep an eye out, it’s a pretty special film.
In China, anti-terrorism preparation drills have been taking place in preparation for the 2008 Olympic Games. Now we know who is buying the Segway scooters that were once rumored to be the future of American urban transportation.
A gallery of images from this year’s “Running of the Bulls” week in Pamplona, Spain. Culture seems like an absurd excuse for such a barbaric game that is built entirely on machismo. So every time a person is gored by the animal, my congratulations to that bull.
Yesterday, I was on the edge of my seat for over 90 minutes awaiting the outcome to the UEFA Euro 08 Tournament. Spain defeated Germany 1-0. Here is the final and the celebration in photos.
I’m told the Olafur Eliasson exhibit at MoMA is truly brilliant. I’ve yet to have a chance to go see it, so this is a reminder to everyone (myself included) that the show entitled Take Your Time is only up until June 30th.
This year marks the 30th Anniversary for the Celebrate Brooklyn concert series at the Prospect Park Bandshell. This season kicks off Thursday June 12th with a free performance by the legendary Isaac Hayes.
The Gowanus section of Brooklyn is a rather unique area nestled between Park Slope and Carrol Gardens. This industrial neighborhood along a canal has become home to artists of all types. Tomorrow the Gowanus Canal Conservatory hosts the Gowanus Goes Green Festival.
The annual New York City free Summer arts festival River to River is underway. The series which features dance, movies and music will offer performances from the likes of Ted Leo, Sonic Youth, and Atlas Sound. Today post punk legends Wire will play pier 17 at South Street Seaport 7pm.
Back in March, I saw Patrick Stewart play the part of Shakespeare’s Macbeth at BAM. Both his and Kate Fleetwood’s (Lady Macbeth) performances were no less than brilliant. The play was set in an industrial space that was transformed scene-to-scene in a seamless choreographed manner. Echos of Stalinist Russia provided the play with a dark modern twist. The show has since moved to Broadway and will be performed at the Lyceum Theatre through May 24th.
It is official that My Bloody Valentine will be headlining the All Tomorrow’s Parties festival taking place in upstate New York. Also on the bill will be: Autolux, Thurston Moore, Tortoise, Polvo, & Mogwai.
At the young age of 30, photographer Ryan McGinley has firmly established himself as one of the most celebrated fine art photographers of his generation. His current series entitled, I Know Where the Summer Goes is on display at New York’s Team Gallery until May 3rd. For this project inspired by nudist magazines from the 60’s & 70’s, McGinley hit the road with a group of models for the summer. Having shot 4000 rolls of film that resulted in 150,000 images, McGinley edited the show down to 50 photographs.
Prince has been referred to as “The Purple Man”. Seeing that the performer has signed a deal worth almost $5 million to headline at this years Coachella music festival, he might want to consider changing his name to “The Golden Man.”
Harold and Kumar may have found their way to White Castle, but now the guys are in a whole lot of trouble for different reasons. Harold & Kumar Escape from Guantanamo Bay releases nation wide April 25. I have nothing else to say.
In between deep fried burritos and bratwurst sandwiches, I had the opportunity to see an array of different performers at this years SxSW Music Festival in Austin. However, I really never could have foreseen in a million years that I would spend my final night watching the cavemen themed Scandinavian black-metal band Goat the Head awe such a large crowd. Shrouded in animal pelts and smeared with blood, these Norwegian rockers made me realize that to see them was to believe them. Here is a short promo for their forthcoming album.
MoMA currently has an exhibition called Color Chart: Reinventing Color, 1950 to Today. The show runs from March 2nd to May 12th, 2008. I was particularly excited to see works by Bas Jan Ader, Frank Stella (below), Gerhard Richter, Edward Ruscha, Ellsworth Kelly, and On Kawara, among many others.
