Discount clothing retailer Daffy's has launched a very odd but compelling contest that probably only makes sense if you live in New York. Called simply "The Apartment," it's a video contest where contestants have to show up at selected Daffy's stores and explain into a webcam why they deserve to "win" a tricked out West…
Category: New York
The Louis Armstrong Museum: a jazz treasure in Queens
Yesterday, I trekked out to Corona, Queens to join 50 or so folks for a garden jazz party at the Louis Armstrong House Museum. I've known about the Armstrong House for years but never got around to visiting for some dumb reason or another. Tin Pan Blues Band were the featured performers at the party,…
“Burn the Floor” review: cheesy latin dancing goodness
Apparently I was destined to see the Broadway show "Burn the Floor" because I've had two people offer me free tickets to see it. Tonight, I finally caught the dance-oriented show, due to fortuitous circumstances, and I'm glad I did. (Thanks, Carla!) "Burn the Floor" has gotten some scorching reviews from the NY Times and…
Umi Nom brings Pan Asian delicacies to Clinton Hill
Chef King Phojanakong, the wizard behind the Filipino tapas joint Kuma Inn in the Lower Eastside, has recently opened a new Pan Asian restaurant in Clinton Hill, Brooklyn. Christened "Umi Nom" (Filipino for "to drink"), the new spot is at the corner of Classon and DeKalb Avenues, just a stones throw from Pratt University (Google…
Baby Soda Jazz Band in Washington Square Park today (video)
I played hookie from work for an hour to catch the Baby Soda Jazz Band playing in Washington Square Park today. Baby Soda is always a joy to see and almost impossible not to dance to, particularly when they are joined by the inimitable Meschiya Lake of New Orleans on vocals like they were today. …
Korean tacos from Seoul Shack on Saint Marks Place – brilliant!
After hearing my friend Amira wax poetic about the Korean tacos from Seoul Station on Saint Marks Place, I finally got a chance to check them out today for lunch. They had two varieties today: bulgogi and spicy pork. I got both, since they are just $2.50 each. (And unlike the Los Angeles version, I…
Vadis Turner + Brooklyn Museum’s super-secret tech project at 1st Fans Meetup
Shelly and Will gave us "1st Fans" members of the Brooklyn Museum a sneak peek at their new tech project last night. I was sworn to secrecy, but I will say this: it will change how you visit the museum… forever. Ok, maybe that's a bit of an over-sell. Still, it's a neat initiative that…
How you know you’re a lindy hopper
You walk into an elegant social club: chandeliers, leather chairs, paintings of dead white guys everywhere, the works. A full swing orchestra is playing Basie. Around you are a dozen women dressed to the nines in ballgowns and high heels. You think, "This sucks. When will someone who can DANCE get here?" Then you head…
Love the new bike lane onto the Manhattan Bridge in Brooklyn!
This week the DOT unveiled a lovely new protected bike lane leading from Sands Street in downtown Brooklyn onto the Manhattan Bridge. It goes all the way from Gold Street up to the bike entrance to the Manhattan Bridge. View Larger Map As someone who rides the Manhattan Bridge nearly every day, I can't tell…
Movits: cool Swedish hip-hop jazz (video)
My friends on Yehoodi have been posting about this Swedish band Movits, who apparently are playing in town this week. I love the sound of this song from their latest album. And gotta give them props for including the Swedish lindy hop troupe the Harlem Hot Shots in the video!