Vintage Madge

Madonna, Danceteria, NYC 1983

Photo by Maripol  

Modern Life: Edward Hopper and His Time

I caught the Hopper exhibit at the Whitney Museum of Art this past weekend, Modern Life: Edward Hopper and His Time. I have always been drawn to Edward Hopper’s work. It actually stems from a strange genesis. When I was younger I had a framed poster in my room which was an altered version of Edwards Hopper’s most famous work, Nighthawks. In typical 80’s/90’s poster print fashion the lost souls usually found hunched over at the diner bar in Hopper’s iconic painting had been replaced by 1950’s Hollywood celebrities Marilyn Monroe, Elvis, James Dean etc….too funny, I know. Anyway, as I got older I realized that the print was actually based on an actual work of art. Upon further research I found the original painting and in turn was introduced to Edward Hopper. I became entranced with his modern, realistic images which hinted at impressionism. I found the characters in his work so interesting; melancholy with something deeper always going on beneath the surface.  The colors, the incredible attention to light, the architectural shapes and forms…I quickly became a big fan. Some of Mr. Hopper's most iconic images are on exhibit here along with some amazing work from his contemporaries including John Sloan, Alfred Stieglitz, Edward Steichen, Paul Strand, Charles Demuth, Guy Pène du Bois, Reginald Marsh, Charles Sheeler, Charles Burchfield and Ben Shahn. These mid-century trailblazing artists were the first to use modern subject matter to explore the larger themes of the time. It’s a fascinating look at mid-century American art...not to be missed!

Some highlights from the exhibit:

Edward Hopper, Early Sunday Morning, 1930. Oil on canvas

Edward Hopper 1882-1967, New York Interior, ca. 1921. Oil on canvas

Edward Hopper, Soir Bleu, 1914. Oil on canvas

 Edward Hopper, South Carolina Morning, 1955 Oil on canvas

George Bellows, Dempsey and Firpo, 1924. Oil on canvas

Guy Pène du Bois, Opera Box, 1926. Oil on canvas

Paul Strand, Wall Street, New York, (1915, printed 1976-77). Platinum palladium

Thomas Hart Benton, Poker Night (from “A Streetcar Named Desire”), 1948. Tempera and oil on panel

Reginald Marsh, Ten Cents a Dance, 1933. Egg tempera on panel

http://whitney.org/

Yummy!

Last night I tried a delicious and super cozy new pizza restaurant in Hell’s Kitchen called Capizzi. Being across the street from Port Authority I did not have very high expectations. But to my surprise it felt like I was stepping into my Italian grandparent’s kitchen complete with 50’s retro refrigerator and analog TV set. The food, like the ambiance, felt like you were sitting down to a meal at Nona’s table; warm, homey and pleasantly familiar. We tried the sampling menu, a perfect mix of the very best tastes the restaurant had to offer. We started with a selection of three appetizers; first the Sicilian String Bean Salad, simple, fresh and delish. Next came the Caprese which was super fresh and super yummy! The appetizers ended with a giant antipasti plate that was a meal in itself filled with a variety of cured meats, olives, cheeses, pickled veggies…it was incredible. For the main course we were treated to a scrumptious sampling of three of their most popular pizzas; the Asparagus Special with roasted asparagus, tomato, truffle oil and toasted pine nuts, The Pizza del Nonno, simply topped with fresh marzano tomatoes, pecorino romano and reggiano parmigiano cheeses with just a drizzling of olive oil, and finally the Loaded pizza, which is just what it sounds like, pepperoni, sausage, onions, roast peppers…the list goes on and on! All three pies were mouthwatering fresh and the crusts were to die for. As if that wasn’t enough we ended with a dessert sampling that pretty much sent me over the edge, cannoli, tiramisu, pannacotta…all home made. We washed all this deliciousness down with two bottles of Chianti and a glass each of Lambrusco, a slightly sparkling red wine.  An unexpected and surprising find…a true Hell's Kitchen gem. Delicious food, cozy atmosphere and familiar, friendly service. I will be back…very soon!

Capizzi
547 9^th Ave

(@ 40^th St.)

New York, NY 10018

212-695-6900

www.capizzinyc.com

It's Beginning to Look A Lot Like Xmas...

...in NYC

Yummy!

Last night I did something I almost never do. I wanted to try a new restaurant and as I strolled down 20th and 7th after work I passed this charming bistro called Periyali. I decided to just walk in, without even looking at the menu. I was feeling adventurous, the place was packed and I figured taking chances is a good thing. They were booked with reservations so the host (with the most) asked if I minded dining at the bar, something I’m usually not very fond of doing. However, I decided to continue on with my adventure seeking attitude and agreed to dine at the bar (eating a meal at the bar might not sound that adventurous to you…but trust me, it is in the urban jungle I live in!). The host was very accommodating and made up a lovely little place setting for me. However, in a cruel trick of fate, as I opened the menu that was placed in front of me, the first entree I noticed was mousaka, then, grilled lamb…tzatziki…this was a GREEK restaurant! Having just returned from twelve days in the Mediterranean I had to laugh at this ironic twist. I decided to stay anyway since the surroundings were so comfortable and host had been so accommodating. The bartender who served me was incredibly attentive, charming and, of course, Greek…a happy reminder of the lovely people I met during my trip. Of course I had to tell him about my travels and as it turns out he was very familiar with the island of Paros that I visited, and said that he traveled to Paros after he graduated high school. After the host heard I had just returned from Greece he also regaled me with stories from his childhood in Greece and how he dreamed of getting back there soon. It was all very charming. But let’s get back to the real focus…the food. I decided to start with the stuffed eggplant special…to die for! Delicious grilled eggplant stuffed with tomatoes, capers and feta. For my entree I opted for the Souvlaki Fileto, a delicious charcoal grilled filet and vegetable kebab served with a scrumptious Greek rice. I washed it all down with a Greek wine suggested to me by the bartender. The dinner actually ended up being a really great finish to the end of a lovely two weeks of Grecian experiences. My server was charming and curious, the food was absolutely delicious and the quaint space was comfortable and very welcoming. I will definitely be back to Periyali, probably in mid-winter when I’ll need a reminder of island warmth, great food and the welcoming Greek spirit.

Periyali
35 W. 20th St.
New York, NY 10011
212.463.7890

http://www.periyali.com/index.htm

Summer Camp

Who knew a little slice of rooftop craziness was happening every summer Sunday in Hell’s Kitchen? Yesterday I found myself at Summer Camp, a super gay clusterf@#k of drunken messiness happening at Highbar in midtown; a truly unexpected Sunday afternoon surprise! The liquor fueled carrying-on had campers dancing, drinking and ushering in the sunset atop the beautiful 16th floor patio…and on a gorgeous night like last night was the views were quite spectacular. There was some free/open bar vodka thing happening every so often. I really had no idea what was going on, but every hour or so I found myself with a free drink, so I didn’t ask questions. The DJ was dealing with a mad case of ADD, or else he was cracked out because he played everything from house and disco to Dolly Parton and vintage Whitney…it was all over the place! However, it was a prefect match for the colorfully confused and sweaty crowd. All I know is that my friends and I managed to have a drunken gay time (we gotta get all these roof top parties in before the season is a distant memory)! I’m just mad I discovered this gem of a soiree so late in the summer…oh well; at least I can start planning for camp next year!

Yummy!

Thanks to an amazing deal through Gilt City (http://www.giltcity.com/) some friends and I enjoyed an incredibly boozy brunch at the super cool hotspot B.E.S. (BOUTIQUE EAT SHOP). Located in West Chelsea on 22nd & 11th in the heart of New York's Gallery District, this super lush and inviting restaurant not only offers knock out cuisine but also a super stylish and artistic environment to enjoy it in. The deal we got through Gilt City included one of the eat shop's signature cocktails; I opted for the Patrick III, an intoxicating blend of Cava, Gin, Grapefruit and Elderflower. The brunch selection was small on choice but big on flavor and presentation. I couldn’t resist the Croque-Madame, a delicious plate served with a romaine and red onion salad drizzled with a delectable Lemoncello dressing. But dare I say the best part of the offer were the two bottles of Prosecco included with the meal. You can’t go wrong with a signature cocktail, a mouth watering meal AND two bottles of Prosecco all while lounging in the incredibly lush and friendly surroundings that B.E.S. effortlessly offers up. I highly recommend this artsy gem!

B.E.S.

BOUTIQUE EAT SHOP

559 W. 22nd St.

New York, NY 10011

212.414.8700

http://www.boutiqueeatshop.com/

How do you say deee-licious, deee-lovely, deee-lectable, deee-vine?

Continuing on with subjects, people and music that have shaped, molded and broke me down since my youth…I give you the psychedelic, neo-disco, funkastic freaks from the global village…deeeeeeee-lite...Deee-lite! I was a silly, confused teenager with big bangs and baggy jeans who was just starting to learn what this crazy world was all about and where I might fit into it when Deee-lite released their first album, World Clique; the seminal album of my early teens! World Clique got me moving and grooving in a way I didn’t even know was possible. A crazy sound straight out of an awe-inspiring land called New York City, a place I wanted to be, had to be…and someday would be. Deee-lite opened my eyes and my heart to the pulse of NYC at a time when it was exploding both artistically and musically. Their sampladelic fierceness inspired me to research and explore(from afar) the ultimate cement jungle and to dream of someday trading in my life of picket fence suburbia for the urban realness that only a magical place like NYC can offer; to live that life, dance that dance and groove that groove…to be a part of the downtown global village! Consisting of diva, Miss Lady Kier and DJs DJ Dmitry and Towa Towa, Deee-lite, with their neon spandex and leopard platforms, served up the funkiest, freshest and most deeelightful grooves of the early 90’s. They frolicked and played and took their special mix of 60’s psychedelic, 90’s hip-hop and NYC downtown club kid realness and wrapped it all up into a cloud of crazy dust to be sprinkled all over the NYC downtown club scene. Some of that dust traveled west and landed in the bedroom of THIS 15yr old kid and I freely inhaled the entire cloud! I became an instant NYC downtown wannabe; I covered my bedroom walls with pictures of skylines, graffiti art, spaceships and smiley faces as Deee-lite’s highly infectious beats blared through my bedroom window until the entire neighborhood had the grove in their heart! Deee-lite's music and style inspired me to dream big, play hard and ultimately have good time. They are the reason I moved to NYC, they are the reason I stole my friend’s 10-inch bright green Vans platform sneakers and they are the reason I found my groove…because in the end...I just wanna hear a good beat!

Have you heard about the new pirate movie?...it’s rated ARGH!

Pirates took over the Hudson (for a few hours anyway) at the second annual Spank Boat Party! Our 150ft Clipper set sail around 11pm on Friday filled with fellow pirates, disco children and all around cool peeps as the theme from ‘The Love Boat’ accompanied us on our send off…and it only got better from there! Great weather, a great crowd, amazing views…and most importantly FIERCE music all culminated to make this one of the most unique and New York-centric events that I have attended in a very long time! Bravo and a big thank you to Spank DJs Will Automagic and Sean B for an incredible night! We pillaged, we plundered and we danced the night away under the watchful eye of Lady Liberty! Yo ho, yo ho, a pirates life for me…only in NY, kids…

Here are a few pics from the party:

http://spankzine.wordpress.com/2010/08/23/spank-boat-party-august-2010-another-legendary-night/

Ahoy Mate!

Tonight I will be sailing the high seas with a bunch of drunk queens aboard the S.S. “Hey Guuurrrl”. Ok, maybe not sailing, but floating around the isle of Manhattan, does that count? I will be attending the Spank Boat Party 2010. I have spent many a memorable night shaking my grove thang at countless Spank parties in the past. However, this will be my first Spank party not on dry land; unless you count dancing in the bathtub at their last loft party. Anyhoo, it should be a good time. It’s a pirate theme…how original. I’m off to gather all the eye patches, shoulder parrots and cannon balls I can find. All aboard!

http://spankzine.wordpress.com/2010/08/13/spank-boat-party-friday-august-20th-tickets-available-now/

Limelight...Marketplace...

I made my maiden voyage to Limelight Marketplace last night…wow, what a trip. Many a crazy nights/mornings were spent under the steeple of this church of iniquity and I wasn’t quite sure how I would react to it’s transformation into a specialty marketplace. Limelight was one of the first clubs I ever went to when I moved to NY in 1999. Although I had just missed the NY club kid scene (I’m actually kind of happy I did, I might have ended up dismembered, floating in a box in the Hudson), it was still alive and thriving in 1999. I went to Limelight for the first time on Halloween night…quite an introduction. I will never forget a group of cracked out angels, in wings and halos, leaning over the third story steal staircase laughing and ashing all over the gaggle of vampires, mummies and living dead below them (there were also a few people in costume). It was a surreal experience, one that I will never forget. Although I am older and wiser(?) now and my club days are behind me, I will always look back on the craziness that was Limelight fondly. So, cut to 2010 and the shiny cupcake colored Limelight Marketplace. I wanted to hate it so much, I wanted to look down at the pretentiousness of it all, but it actually made me realize that time is real and that time continually moves on. Everything comes to an end, and with good reason, and everything morphs and changes. The mirror covered mannequin disco ball might be gone as well as our secret pot smoking closet but among the overpriced hand bags and pink frosting the ghosts of Limelight still frolic. I noticed I wasn’t the only one roaming through the stores with one eye on the cool gold skull necklaces and the other searching for my youth among the pendentives.

P.S. I did walk out wearing a skull necklace.

http://limelightmarketplace.com/