Glitter in the Gutter: Summertime in New York or How to be a hot child in the city

Sunday, September 23, 2012

Summertime in New York or How to be a hot child in the city

"September: it was the most beautiful of words, he’d always felt, evoking orange-flowers, swallows, and regret."

— Albert Camus

Welcome Back!

As reality takes hold and the summer holidays seem like a distant dream that may never even have occurred I decided to share a belated post I started writting about a month ago and just managed to finish (I blame being lost in a summer haze and the rough return to reality). A guide to New York (mostly) in the summertime enjoy...hope it makes dream, pack a bag with a bikini and a toothbrush and book a ticket to anywhere where the sun is still shinning!

I just came back from 10 gloriously fun days in The Big City, the city of my dreams, New York. Though I missed a day and a nights' sleep getting back to Europa and hence feel all jet laggy and dazed my head is still in the clouds from all that fun and frolic we had and all the beautiful people I met. My bestest friend now lives in New York and though it was my third visit in the past year and a half, the city always seems new and never ceases to take my breath away. Enjoy some tips on what to do and see and of course some photos from our fantabulous journey, oh yes and a song or two. Big summer love to you all, hope you are dancing somewhere under the sun...

Warming Up at PS1 MoMA

I can't think of a better way to start our summer tour than the MoMA PS1Warm Up Party, which has become somewhat of a summer tradition for us. EverySaturday, during the summer, MoMA PS1, conveniently (!) located in Queensthrows a daytime party which includes gigs, DJ sets, exhibitions, a largeoutdoor installation (this year it was a fully recyclable, air purifying andvery refreshing meteorite called Wendy!) and last but not least James Turrell's Meeting, a site-specific installation that has been at PS1 since 1986 and consists of a very relaxing room with a subtle orange glow that has a rectangular window/ceiling to the sky, which is by definition a completely new place every time I visit it and makes me feel want to lie in the middle of the room and let time slip away. Another definite highlight was the projection of Jack Smith's 1963 film "Normal Love" a riotous combination of Dionysian debauchery and horror kitsch to be cherished!

Yayoi Kusama Exhibition at the Whitney

A lady that was born to be artist and defied all conventions and stereotypes to be one, a Japanese woman emerging in the Western, male dominated art world of the late 50s early 60s to become Japan's most celebrated living artist. Whether its her signature polka dots, her psychedelic octopus trees, her obsessively phallic furniture pieces, her self-obliteration photos, her intimate mourning collages, or her Body Festivals organized in the fluorescent free love spirit of the late 60s, this lady has left her mark on art and on our public consciousness. Battling with metal problems she voluntary lives in a psychiatric clinic in Japan and continuous working at a manic pace. It was such a real treat to get to see this retrospective exhibition. A useful tip: In case you want to visit "Fireflies on the water" go to the Whitney at opening time as tickets get sold out within the hour. Enjoy some of my favorite pieces.

Lincoln Center The Clock

Few things in life are worth over 2 hours of waiting on the sidewalks of New York, "The Clock"by Christian Marclay might just be one of them, a truly hypnotic 24 hour (only during the weekend) video montage of clips taken from thousands of movies, of all genres and periods, that take place in real time, a cinematic memento monti where art and life are fully synchronized I got to enjoy an hour and a half between 1 and 2:30 am, and as we know nighttime is the right time when all the monsters go out and play and when magic happens so my advice is go as late as possible and BE PATIENT, admission is free and you can stay in for as long as you like!

As you might be more patient than me you might also want to check out Shakespeare in the Park, one of New York's favorite summer traditions, admission is free and people start queuing in Central Park from 8 in the morning to get the precious tickets.

Definitely visit the Williamsburg flea market, on every Sunday with ample hidden vintage treasures, records, Victorian mourning jewelry and food, pick a sunny day as the river is near and the grass is green!

La Bonbonniere for lunch

A West Village dinner favored by the likes of Ethan Hawke, the spaghetti with broccoli comes highly recommended.

P.J. Clarke's for Oyster Happy Hour

A New York classic. Tip: add a dash of Tabasco to your oysters, it will cause a miniature gastronomic explosion!

David Burke's Townhouse for a gastronomic real treat on the Upper East Side

American elegance at its best, if you're on a budget they have a pretty awesome set lunch menu.

Drinks on the rooftop of the Standard Hotel, especially on a Thursday for Le Bain, the view is breathtaking, the people are beautiful and be warned there is a serious chance that some young stranger or some good friend might end up dragging you in the hot tub after-hours.

The Beauty Bar

Cause for 10 dollars you get a cocktail and a manicure, also the music is fine and you might catch a stand up comedy show.

The Back Room

A real blast from the past located in the Lower East Side. A speakeasy tucked away behind the faux facade of a toy store. The music is rocking and booze is served in teacups as a reference to clandestine drinking during the Prohibition era.

St. Jerome's

A Lower East Side divebar, the music is good and the beer is 2 dollars before midnight! Random useless piece of information: the bars owner is Lady Gaga's ex-lover!

Home Sweet Home Totally awesome smoky basement bar with goth barmen, different parties every night and live music, beware of dancing all night, drinking 16 beers and starting up a fight, things can get messy in there! Tip: every Wednesday Weird Records throw a party with 5 dollar entrance and guaranteed fun!

PRAVDA

A Russian speakeasy located on the edge of Soho, for its over 70 different tastes of vodka and its delicious borscht.

Bergdorf and Goodman

Definitely worth passing by if only to admire the gorgeously opulent store windows.

Big Gay Ice Cream Shop

For a real treat, I definitely recommend trying a "Salty Pimp" delish!

A summer must: Get HIGH on The High Line, a perfect specimen of organized urban gardening (preferably during sunset as the view is breathtaking!)

Patricia Field

All things camp, glam and fabulous hand picked by the Patricia Field, the lady that styled Sex and the City's Carrie Bradshaw and Meryl Streep in the Devil Wears Prada in her store at NoHo. Warning: you might have to dig a bit under all the studs to find a real gem!

Beacon's Closet for vintage shopping

You can find some really under priced gems!