Filed under: Listen, Watch | Tags: Alabaster, Erin Wasson, fashion, fashion show, Fashion Week, Jared Leto, Ke$ha, models, NYC, runway, Urban Outfitters, Videofashion, Yeasayers
Last Thursday, I spotmarked for Videofashion at the Erin Wasson x RVCA show during New York Fashion Week. The runway was constructed of oriental rugs laid out around seating areas filled with antique-looking chairs and chaises and gigantic mountains of stacked rugs at ABC Carpet and Home on Broadway and 19th. The venue was gorgeous, filled with chandeliers and expensive furniture, and very original.
I got to the show two hours before the supposed start time of 8 pm to mark out and guard the spot for the cameras until the crew arrived from the Olivier Theyskens book signing. For those two hours, I was entertained by the synthpoppy wailings and catchy beats from the Brooklyn band Yeasayers. Imagine Owl City plus Vampire Weekend with drawn-out vocals, or as they say on their MySpace page, “Enya with BOUNCE.” (I really don’t know what that means.)
Erin Wasson supporters showed in full force: a pantsless Ke$ha was accompanied by a protective Joe Zee, Jared Leto looked awfully warm in a skull knit winter hat, French Vogue editor Carine Roitfeld’s son Vladimir Restoin-Roitfeld appeared coolly disinterested, but not bored (how does he do that?), and Margherita Missoni (I totally missed her) was adorable in a fedora and vintage-y floral dress. To be frank, I’m terrible at picking out famous people so I count on the swarms of photogs to guide my eye, and even then I usually fail to identify the subject.
The show started an hour late at 9 pm and lasted for 15 minutes or so, possibly less. Good thing there was champagne and a live band. 22 “Alabaster”-themed looks hit the runway, but like Style.com, I found the clothes themselves to be the least interesting part of the event. Erin Wasson as the anti-supermodel-turned-designer is enviably cool. The makeup was prettily quirky (one feathered eyebrow), but the crimped and braided prairie girl hair looked like it came straight out of the Urban Outfitters catalog, and the clothes looked like stuff I can already buy at UO. Don’t get me wrong: I love UO. But if Erin Wasson wants her collection to sell for 3 times the price of the pieces at UO, the clothes better look like they’re worth it, and apart from a glam jacket or two, they didn’t. See the full collection here.
Filed under: Do, Drink, Listen, Love | Tags: free, karaoke, LES, Mondays, music
Karaoke is in my blood. Maybe it’s the Korean in me. Maybe it’s because when my dad sings, the skies open up and sunlight floods out as angels bust out harps and trumpets and whatever other angelic instruments there are. Or maybe it’s just plain awesome, period.
I wandered over to Arlene’s Grocery (it is NOT a grocery, by the way) on Monday night for rock and roll karaoke at the request of a very good friend. It’s free, it’s in my neighborhood, and let’s be frank, I had nothing better to do on a Monday night. By the time I arrived around 11 or so, the basement was packed with people wiggling as best they could in the dark, dank, and shwetty space in front of the stage, where thankfully, there is a bar. ($6 will get you a Blue Moon.) There is a LIVE BAND backing you up when you sing, so you can pretend that you are really a rock star and maybe even stage dive after your song (though I suspect that is frowned upon, and you probably won’t be allowed back).
Some things I’ve learned about rock and roll karaoke:
Some things I’ve learned about rock and roll karaoke:- Get there early. The place is open until 3 or 4 am, but dibs on when you sing is first come first serve. You don’t want to end up singing to the four piss drunk people left at the bar at 3 am. Or maybe you do. I suppose that’s up to you.
- Have your song of choice ready. The set list is available here. They only allow each song to be performed once in an evening, so have your song all picked out (plus alternates in case it gets taken), and (1) get there early so you don’t end up scrambling at the last minute.
- Be prepared to bring it, or at least be aware that some of the other people who are going to sing will make you look bad. NYC is full of talented performers. There are a lot of them at Arlene’s, and some of the regulars will blow your mind. My personal favorite is the little man who sang Pretty Woman wearing a sombrero (which he threw off for dramatic effect) and a green shirt that read, “Single and ready to JINGLE.”
- It’s okay if you forget the words or when you’re supposed to start singing. There is a guy in the back who sings backup in case you get caught up in the moment and blank.
- If you are really good, everyone screams, “HOLY SHIT!” at the end of your song. You want that.
Arlene’s Grocery, Lower East Side, 95 Stanton Street, NYC. Map it! Live rock and roll karaoke every Monday night form 10 pm till the band gets sick of hearing you sing.
Filed under: Listen, Love | Tags: Jamie Lidell, music, Poisson Rouge, WVill
So I get a chance to take a pic with Jamie Lidell as he’s leaving Le Poisson Rouge and after so many years of practice, my self-photography failed me right at that moment. Of all the times for my aim to be off… sadness.
He was clearly trying to skedaddle, but was so gracious when I asked for a picture. Heart!
Filed under: Do, Listen, Watch | Tags: concert, Jamie Lidell, music, Poisson Rouge, WVill
And I’m going! When I saw the Jamie Lidell show last summer, I was completely blown away by his spirited, jazzy, funky, high energy R&B electronica. It was seriously the most fun I’ve ever had at a show, what with all the crazy lighting and deejay tricks, and I can’t wait to see him again at Le Poisson Rouge at 158 Bleecker Street (West Village) tomorrow night (Saturday, Sept. 5). Click the image on the right for more info.
$20 advance purchase Click here to buy tickets
$22 at the door and same day
He’ll be performing a solo show, and Born Ruffians and Hundred in the Hands will also be playing at other times during the night.
Tonight, I’m going to the Met’s first-ever Summer HD Festival to see La Boheme starring Angela Gheorghiu (one of my favorite Carmens) and Ramon Vargas. The screening is absolutely free with no tickets required; 2800 seats on a first-come, first serve.
Special three-course takeout boxed “Pique-Niques” dinners are available from 5 to 8pm during the Summer HD Festival at Bar Boulud for $19, cash only, across the street from the Met. Click here for more information.
On Monday, I might even go to see Madama Butterfly, make it a Puccini long weekend.
La Bohème – Friday, September 4 at 8 pm
Franco Zeffirelli’s production of Puccini’s La Bohème features Angela Gheorghiu as Mimì, Ramón Vargas as Rodolfo Ainhoa Arteta as Musetta, Ludovic Tézier as Marcello, Quinn Kelsey as Schaunard, Oren Gradus as Colline, and Paul Plishka in the dual roles of Benoit and Alcindoro. Nicola Luisotti conducts. Approximate running time: 130 minutes.
Madama Butterfly – Monday, September 7 at 8:00 pm
Academy Award-winning film director Anthony Minghella’s production of Puccini’s Madama Butterfly stars Patricia Racette as Cio-Cio-San, Marcello Giordani as Pinkerton, Dwayne Croft as Sharpless, and Maria Zifchak as Suzuki. Patrick Summers conducts. Approximate running time: 145 minutes
For the full Summer HD Festival schedule, visit the official Met Opera site.
It’s not going to be the same as actually seeing the performance live, but it’s free, it’s outdoors, and it’s the Met in HD! I’m excited.
