@ AMMI

Some interesting things screening this week @ AMMI:

Friday December 2 7:30 p.m.
So Close - part of the Fist And Sword: Martial Arts Film Classics Series
Described as a Hong Kong martial-arts Charlie's Angels.
"...critic Charles Taylor writes, 'Next to the Hong Kong action picture So Close, nearly every Hollywood thriller of the summer looks like an elementary school project thrown together the Sunday night before it was due.'"

Saturday, December 3
2pm
Presented by the Sloan Foundation Ron Howard and Brian Grazer will discuss their collaboration on A beautiful Mind and Apollo 13. $18/public
Or, if you're not interested in that, but are in the movies, AMMI is screening them as well over the weekend. These are free with admission(check out Digital Play Reloaded while you're there. Digital Play was really cool and I have yet to see Reloaded....any takers?)
A Beautiful Mind
4pm

(Antonella, this one's for you)
Part of Repertory Nights
Forbidden Games
6:30
Courtesy of the French Cultural Services at the French Embassy and the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs. It's an unsentimental view of war through the eyes of two peasant children. Also, 12/4 @ 6:30

Sunday 12/4

Apollo 13 @1:30

The Astoria LIC Report

Just realized something...it would really suck if someone tried to combine the name into one super neighborhood. I mean think about it: as-lic? Eh, we'll have to deal with long form I suppose.

Wednesday 11/30
Calling all local musicans. Get your tune heard tonight. Open mike night at Waltz-Astoria. All syles and backgrounds welcomed. 8pm.

Thursday 12/1
Catch my favorite jazz musican J. Walter Hawkes and his revelers get there tunes on at Art-o-Mat. This is the first I've heard of this place but it seems quite intriguing and can't wait to check it out. So this show I really should see. I'll tell yas what I think about it.

Friday 12/2
Celebrate 100 Years at Astoria Library.
Astoria Library 14-01 Astoria Blvd.
The Queens Library invites you to join Queens’ community leaders and residents to officially commemorate this historic milestone. At 5:15 p.m., the festivities begin with The Banjo Rascals, who will play ragtime music selections and popular tunes from yesteryear. At 6:30 p.m., the formal program will commence with Borough President Helen Marshall and City Councilmember Peter Vallone, Jr., helping Library Director Thomas Galante unveil the library’s recent renovations. The community program will also include presentations by the Greater Astoria Historical Society, a musical performance by Mezzo-Soprano April James, and much more. Admission is free, and light refreshments will be served. [note: description taken from a community forum]

Saturday 12/3
Kick back and relax with a sweet treat and beverage while watching Alfred Hitchcock's Vertigo, starring James Stewart. Part of Waltz-Astoria's dessert & a movie.

Happening In Town

Maybe not be Astoria, but of note:

Tuesday, November 29
So excited about this one!
This is a free event at the Corner Bookstore (1313 Madison Avenue @93rd St) from 6:30-8pm.
Kevin C. Fitzpatrick presents "A journey into Dorothy Parker's New York," part of the Artplace series of literary and art guide books. I am all about all things Ms. Parker.

Wednesday, November 30
Rockefeller Center Tree Lighting
Not to be outdone by tonight's Lincoln Center lighting and Winter's eve, another tree gets lit this week. Rock around the Christmas tree with Sheryl Crow, Rod Stewart and the Goo Goo Dolls at the 73rd annual tree lighting at 8pm. Notoriously crowded, but free!

Bonus to the free ice skating at Bryant Park. Wednesday evenings until January 5th from 4-6pm, indulge that inner Ranger in you and skate with members of the NY Rangers both past and present. Maybe they can teach me how to stop. Always had a problem with that.

Julia Darling wraps up her November residency at 8pm at Rockwood Music Hall.

Also, you can catch my buddy Walt and his trio of jazz musicians play from 7-10pm at the Mansfield Hotel. "Music that no body knows on instruments that nobody likes." Although this isn't a real venu and the drinks are pricey(hotel bar drinks)its fun to catch them here. Also, since it's not very crowded you can always say hi. Tell him Jenn sent ya and that you want to hear "You and the Night and the Music" or "What Do I Say After I Say I'm Sorry" He'll get a giggle.

I'm so torn!

Thursday, December 1
World AIDS Day-just tuck that under your hat and keep it in mind. Do whatever you do on these types of days.

The Poetry Society of America Cordially Invites You:
Thursday, December 1st 7:30 P.M.
THE PSA CHAPBOOK READING
Chapbook judges read with the poets whose manuscripts they selected for publication by the PSA.
Carolyn Forché & Idra Novey
Brenda Hillman & Stuart Greenhouse
Li-Young Lee & Cecily Parks
Charles Simic & Misty Harper
A reception will follow. Chapbooks will be available for sale.Admission is $7 / $5 for Members and Students.Co-Sponsored by The New School Graduate Writing Program.Tishman Auditorium, The New School 66 West 12th Street, NYC

Saturday, December 3
First Saturdays at the Brooklyn Museum
The Brooklyn Museum is free the first Saturday at each month. Enjoy art, films, lectures, live music and more!

Catch SNL~Dane Cook will be hosting! Thanks to Trish for the heads up on that one!

will update as I find the interesting....

6th Annual Winter's Eve at Lincoln Square

6th Annual Winter's Eve at Lincoln Square
Monday, November 28, 6:00 - 9:30 pm

Lincoln Square is transformed into an urban winter wonderland for winter's eve.
Winter's eve is a giant celebration on the Upper West Side featuring free entertainment, family fun, food tastings [complimentary or for a nominal charge] and shopping discounts around Lincoln Square. Many local businesses will be offering free tasty treats or free entertainment in store. Street performers can be found along Broadway, from the Time Warner Center to Lincoln Center where the night will be kicked off with the 16th annual lighting of the Lincoln Center Christmas Tree on the plaza.
Check out the website for the full details.
I will definitely be attending...it's been too long since I've played in Lincoln Square. :)

What to bring?

So Thanksgiving is tomorrow, and you're looking forward to all the mouth-watering treats, and wonder to yourself, "Wait, what am I bringing to the feast?" No fear, I'm going to share my secrets with you. Anyone reading who is familiar with my part-ays will recognize these as the staples. Since I'm helping my mom out this year I thought I would make what I know are crowd pleasers. And they are easy to boot. Feel free to use them!

Coleslaw:
Bag of shredded cole slaw mix
Miracle Whip
2 Apples
Lemon Juice

Ignore the directions on the bag. In a large mixing bowl scoop some miracle whip to the bottom. Add half the apples and half the bag of mix. Mix well. Add more Miracle Whip if you want(basically I give no measurements b/c some people like it well coated, others light, do what you want)add the rest of the apples and the rest of the bag and mix well. Toss in up to 2 tablespoons of lemon juice and mix it in well. This helps to preserve it a bit. Refrigerate for an hour.
Side note: this on a leftover turkey sandwhich, soooooo good

Pasta and Veg Salad:
1 pkg frozen tortellini, cooked according to package (or you can use another pasta if you choose)
2 carrots, diced
2 celery stalks, diced
1 pint cherry tomatoes
1 cucumber seeds removed and diced
1 sm package frozen string beans, cooked according to package
1 bottle Italian dressing
Parmesean Cheese to garnish

After cooking and rinsing the tortellini in cold water toss in all veggies and pour dressing over it. Mix well and refrigerate. Top with parm when serving. Can be made the night before and refrigerated for a day prior to serving.

Garlic and Herb Dip
1/2 packet(or more depending on how flavorful you want it)of Lipton Garlic and Herb Soup mix
1 container Whipped Cream Cheese
1 carrot shredded
1 celery stalk diced
1 cucumber seeds removed and diced

Mix everything together.

I didn't really give specific amounts b/c all of these are to your taste. Add what you want more of, take out and substiute what you don't like.

How easy was that!

Sharing a thought..

The stream of thought flows on; but most of its segments fall into the bottomless abyss of oblivion. Of some, no memory survives the instant of their passage. Of others, it is confined to a few moments, hours or days. Others, again, leave vestiges which are indestructible, and by means of which they may be recalled as long as life endures. --William James

Turkey day is upon us

Macy's 79th Annual Thanksgiving Day Parade
Thursday, November 24, 9am - 12pm
Although you can't tell by looking at stores, window displays, and even some front yards, Christmas season doesn't officially kick off until Thursday's Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade. America's most beloved parade will feature it's traditional floats, from classic comic strip characters to timeless toys, and naturally an all-star cast of enormous balloons. Scooby-Doo [this season's Macy's mascot], Dora the Explorer, Jo Jo's Circus and, get this, a Healthy Mr. Potato Head (stylishly sporting sneakers and a water bottle!) are the new balloons getting ready to join in on the fun. The parade begins at 77th street and Central Park West, proceeds to Columbus Circle where it veers down Broadway to 34th and 7th Avenue. Check out an actual map of the route.
You can also watch the parade on NBC.

For the more daring:
Watch as the balloons get inflated on Thanksgiving Eve. Every year on Thanksgiving Eve thousands of New Yorkers and visitors watch the giant balloons get filled with helium, near the American Museum of Natural History at 77th Street and Central Park West.

Actually, I don't know what's more daring, the cold November night with tourists and children. Or, a cold November morning with twice as many tourists and children. Given the choices I would rather the balloon blowup.
And since I am on assistant Thanksgiving preparation detail, the parade will have to be caught on TV.

And if the whole turkey day thing isn't your bag you can check out Julia Darling continuing her November residencey at Rockwood Music Hall. Admit is free.

The Museum Report

Some listings that might be of interest...well they interest me in any event and I plan on checking them out.

PS 1
Stephen Shore: American Surfaces
On display are 300 of his photos from his travels around the US in the 1970's, described as "a wry mockery of American life." Until 1/30/06

The MET
Vincent Van Gogh: The Drawings
First major American retrospective of his comparitively unknown drawings. Until 12/31
The Perfect Medium: Photography of the Occult
An exhibit of "spirit photography" which purports to catch the paranormal phenomenon. Until 12/31

Noguchi Museum
The Imagry of Chess Revisited
For the poindexter in all of us. Until 3/5/06

Museum of the City of New York (one of my favorites)
The Mythic City: Photogrpahs of New York by Samuel H. Gottscho
150 photos of NYC from the 20's-30's. Until 2/20/06
Still New York by Frederick Brosnen
18 Watercolors of cityscapes with vibrant colors. Don't know the close date

Weekend shenanigans

Entertainment:
This weekend saw the opening of Walk the Line. Competing with Harry Potter I didn't expect it to top the box office, but it made an impressive second place showing. And here's something you don't see me do everyday, hell, ever-Reese Witherspoon did a really good job as June Carter. There I said it. Something about her as an actress has always bothered me, but she did a good job, and she certainly can belt out a tune. Joaquin Phoenix was spectacular as the Man in Black. The movie was simply mesmerizing. I was mouthing along the words to their songs and the Jerry Lee Lewis and Elvis tunes. At one point I whispered to John that we were listening to the soundtrack of my childhood. This is what I grew up on. My dad was a fan of country music, especially the country that started to blend in with Rock n' Roll. If you have CMT they're running interviews and concerts of Johnny Cash. I spent part of Saturday afternoon watching those. What can I say, I can't get enough-even though my uncle just loaned my his 5CD box set. That will be some merry listening this week.

Eats:
Danielle and I had brunch at Le Sans Souci and once again it was a lovely time. If you haven't eaten there yet, it is a definite. Nestled in Astoria it's a quaint Fresh Bistro, providing a change of pace from Astoria's standard Greek and Italian fare. The restaurant itself is quite charming with its rustic wooden tables(and they actually don't cover it up!)fresh flowers on every table, French music in the background and stone walls. When weather permits a garden outside and an outdoor deck on Broadway are available for dining. And the food, mmmm. Not expensive and a nice helping(we are in Queens afterall, we eat in this borough)of fresh tasty food. I have to admit I've only had brunch here, but dinner is a definite in the near future. One of the best parts? The name fits the attitude of the establishment. Le Sans Souci roughly translates to Without Concern or worry. Danielle and I realized we had been sitting there eating and gossiping for 2 hours, and not once did we feel rushed or pressed to get out and free up a table, even though it started filling up circa 1pm. For brunch, I recommend the French Toast-you won't miss the syrup.
Can't wait to bring someone there for dinner.

And we're off!

This Weekend in Town:

Check it out:
Free Ice Skating at the pond in Bryant Park. The centerpiece of Fêtes de Noël admission is free thanks to Citibank. Open everyday 8am-10:30pm, skate rental is $7.50. It's only there until January 16th, so get your skate on.
While you're there make sure you check out the fourth annual Holiday Shops at Bryant Park. If you find yourself there on a weekend, Le Carrousel with "Its fourteen delightful animals, replicas of classic carousel creatures, revolve to the sounds of French cabaret music" is a must see. And ending shortly is the installation Spirit Totems by Herb Albert. I must pop in and shoot the exhibit myself. Pics to come when I do.
Wow, Bryant Park has a lot going on for itself!

Around the corner in Astoria, the Queens Film Festival makes its way into town from November 17th to the 20th. "The Museum of the Moving Image, Kaufman Astoria Studios, The Mario Gallery and a variety of other unique Astoria venues will be the backdrop for the most anticipated films and parties of the year." Sa-weet! Bring it on.

Must see Movies:
Walk the Line: Run to the theatres Friday. See this movie. If you don't I'm seriously not your friend anymore. For those living in Guam recently, this is the Johnny Cash biopic that I have been dying to see. Love, drugs, rock and roll and redemption. Best thing this November, hands down. FYI, my Astoria buddies, Kauffman @ 7:20 and 10:30 showings.

Breakfast on Pluto: Latest from awesome irish filmmaker Neil Jordan. Has shades of The Crying Game what with the transvestites and all but with more of a glam rock (not as glam as Velvet Goldmine)background to it, but without the melancholy heaviness of The Crying Game. All star Irish cast-Liam Neeson, Stephen Rea, Brendan Gleeson with Cillian Murphy(baddy with the drugs and creepy mask from Batman Begins)as the protagonist Patrick "Kitten" Brady. Getting great reviews.

Music:
Check out local indie darling Julia Darling (yes that is her real name and pun intended) at Rockwood Music Hall Wednesday nights in November. She's this month's resident artist and shows are free. She's on at 8, but support local artists, catch the other folks too.

The haps in the'hood:
AMMI: Billy Wilder retrospective wrapped up last weekend in time for Laurel & Hardy! Sweet childhood memories batman! Check the website for more details. I do so enjoy living so close to the museum. Remember admission gets you in to see the exhibits and the screenings as well.

34th avenue has some construction going on.
33rd street seems to have a new lounge opening up. I guess the hipsters are too crowded over at Cafe Bar. As long as it's not like all the others, you know, the eurotrash ones with seemingly unemployed creepy old men sipping lattes staring at people walking by. Please, goddess, let this place just be nice and chill.

over on 35th street the old Tupelo(oh, how I miss thee)is becoming a supermarket. I've heard rumors it will be a C-Town, but I find that unlikely since we have a crappy one on Broadway already. Whatever it is, as long as it sells the basics for reasonable prices I can save myself the journey to Pathmark.

Finally Waltz-Astoria has some pretty nifty events coming up. Poetry readings with a featured reader and open mic, as well as a musical open mic night. AND a Dessert and a Movie night. Get a sweet treat and a drink, stay for the movie. Upcoming? Alphie, the original.

And that's all for now.