Tracy's New York Life | A blog about life in New York City

Showbiz in TV Land: Glee and Responsibility

2013-05-17T10:43:00.001-04:00

STAGEBOUND
True stories from the life of a musical performer in New York City

by Rori Nogee

Spoiler alert: Do not read the following if you are not caught up on the newest episodes of Glee.--via Wikipedia

On a recent episode of the Fox hit TV show, Glee, Kurt Hummel (Chris Colfer) said to Rachel Berry (Lea Michele), “I signed us up for the last two slots for the Broadway revival of Funny Girl for next week!” And in response, I literally heard every New York City actor gasp, guffaw, or throw something at the screen.

Now, I am well aware that television shows are fictional, and that we are asked to hold a suspension of disbelief for our favorite characters and the zany situations they find themselves in. In shows that depict the theater community like Smash and Glee, we as the audience have learned not to bat an eye when characters break into song in bowling alleys or school hallways. It is accepted as normal.

Impromptu sing-offs are standard fare on Glee, and we accept this as reality--credit

However, Kurt’s above exclamation and the present storyline are so grossly exaggerated and ill-conceived, that as a real New York actor, I was incensed enough to need to write a blog about it!

In the world of Glee, the character of Rachel Berry was the star of McKinley High School’s Glee club in Ohio. Her only professional experience was winning a state show choir competition. For college, she attends the prestigious New York Academy of Dramatic Arts (NYADA), a combination of the real life NYU and American Academy of Dramatic Arts. As a college freshman, after her very first audition in the Big Apple, Rachel is somehow in final callbacks to play Fanny Brice in the Broadway revival of Funny Girl. Many viewers believe the show has been leading up to this, as Rachel was depicted as having been Barbra Streisand’s biggest fan since early childhood.

Who doesn't love Babs? She is a legend!--credit

I was Rent’s biggest fan since I was 13 years old. I dressed like the show, I imitated the voices, I saw it 80 times. (Yes. 80. We all have our vices.) Does that mean I should have been entitled to catapult to Broadway stardom straight out of high school? No! Glee viewers outside of NYC don’t realize that even if Rachel Berry had been the most talented and passionate singer in all of Manhattan, she would never even have gotten SEEN at such an audition, whether or not the show was holding an open call and seeking “fresh, unknown talent.”

The elusive “list” of which Kurt spoke does not exist, nor has it ever existed. The only list resides at the Actors Equity building where professional actors in the union can choose a time slot. As non-equity performers without any agent representation, the best Rachel and Kurt could hope for is to show up at 6am, sign up on an unofficial list that morning, and wait 12 hours for the Equity members, Equity alternates, AND Equity Membership Candidates to be seen in the audition room first. Then, and ONLY then, might the casting directors MAYBE have time to see the non-equity talent sing their 16 bars -- the equivalent of just 30 seconds of music. That’s it. The audition would occur in a rented studio space, in front of a table, not for the prestigious creative team, but for a young intern who is an assistant to the actual casting director.

Without an Equity card, the chances of getting to audition for Broadway are very unlikely.--credit

Rachel’s audition on the show consisted of singing an entire song on a Broadway stage. And her choice of song? Journey’s “Don’t Stop Believing.” Generally, you want to sing in the style of the show for which you are auditioning. Any traditional Broadway tune would have been in the ball park.

Funny Girl is a classic musical by Jules Styne and Bob Merrill--credit

In real life, if Rachel had sung an '80s rock song for Fanny Brice, she would have gotten laughed out of the room and perhaps black listed for her stupidity and poor judgment. Yes, rock and pop tunes are increasingly popular on stage and at auditions, but there is a time and a place when such songs are appropriate. (Just ask Rock Guru, teacher Sheri Sanders, who specializes in rock song auditions.) In this case, Rachel’s song choice was that of an uninformed amateur. But for some reason, this gets her all the way to final callbacks where she sings, what else, a Celine Dion song. (To quote a friend of mine, “facepalm.”)

Celine Dion? Facepalm--via Wikipedia

By the point of final callbacks, she should have been singing nothing but the prepared material from the role in question, being paired with other actors, and receiving notes from the director.

Rachel clearly prepared her performance, but next time she should prepare better repertoire. --credit

I remember the giant publicity stunt casting call for Hairspray a couple of years back when I, along with a couple hundred other young kids sang a capella for a tiny back dressing room for a casting assistant. Even then, every single person knew to sing an era appropriate '50s or '60s song. It has taken me years to get to the point of agent appointments for Broadway shows like Once, where the head casting director actually pays attention to me in my given predetermined time slot.

It would have been more feasible for Rachel’s first New York gig to be a small workshop or festival musical that gets picked up and eventually transferred to Broadway, much like her real-life work in Spring Awakening. Even though such events are lucky flukes, that would have at least been less jarring.

Michele’s real-life journey in Spring Awakening involved workshops, concerts, and an Off-Broadway run, before the move to Broadway. And, it wasn’t even her first Broadway show!--credit

You may be thinking to yourself, it’s just a TV show! What’s the harm in a bit of fictional fun? I believe that shows like Glee have a certain responsibility. Scores of young hopefuls across the globe who aspire to come to NYC to become performers themselves may only have TV as their source for a glimpse into the world of show business. Therefore, Glee needs to do its research. The problem is that because of these episodes, thousands of kids from all over the country are going to flock to NYC with their radio pop tunes, unprepared and full of big dreams and false hope, crowding my audition room and preventing ME from getting seen!

Shame on you, Glee. Your storyline should hold an iota of truth before you put it in front of millions of gullible hopefuls. New York City is rough on newcomers. Dreams are dashed before they are realized, if they are ever even realized at all. If Rachel ends up starring on Broadway, I will stop watching. Besides, if I didn’t have DVR, I wouldn’t have time to watch TV anyway. Where am I if not sitting on the couch? I am in line at 5am, waiting to maybe be seen at the end of an audition day to sing for 30 seconds, just like Rachel Berry should have been.

Debating New York's 7 Cardinal Sins

2013-05-16T15:23:00.001-04:00

LIFE IN THE APPLE
by Suzie Dundas and Tracy Kaler
photos by James Maher

Life in New York City isn't for everyone. Many try it with high hopes, but arrive and quickly realize it's nothing like they expected. Others come to NYC on a whim, fall in love and stay for life. There's no specific 'New York type' nor predicting anyone's outcome or future here. Sometimes the least likely will flourish in the 'City That Never Sleeps,' and those expected to succeed, last only a short time.

Suzie Dundas has been living in New York for about six months, and though she loves cities, she's not loving New York in the way she should. In fact, it seems the longer she lives here, the less she likes it. Should she give it more time? Try living in a different neighborhood? Or maybe, New York just isn't for her.

Tracy Kaler has been living in New York for about six years, but has loved the city since she stepped off a Bieber bus in 1979, end of story.

Suzie has come up with New York's list of seven cardinal sins -- those shortcomings she hates and has discovered since moving here. She feels the sooner she can accept these, the sooner she will learn to accept the city and embrace life here.

Tracy's perspective is different than Suzie's.

1. The Subway Sucks

Suzie:
Readers from New York may doubt this first claim, thinking “that’s not true, my subway ride is great.” But, these people are wrong, and have simply become used to the misery that is the New York subway.

Taking the subway sucks. At best, it’ll be a short ride where you manage not to catch the plague. But usually, it’s a hold-on-for-your-life kind of situation.

For starters, the subway is dirty. On an average day, 4.3 million people ride the subway, and even if New Yorkers everywhere were massive germaphobes who took care to cover their coughs (and trust me, that’s purely hypothetical), it would still be dirty. You’re cramming people shoulder-to-shoulder into an underground tube of stale air, and asking everyone to breath in shared dust and dirt, all while holding on to the same handrails. I consider it a small victory every time I walk out of the station without coughing up blood.

If you do manage to escape the plague, there’s still the risk of injury -- or falling into the lap of a complete stranger, as I did recently -- if you get a subway driver who forgets about the whole “hit the brake at the station thing” until the very last second possible. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve seen kids fly out of seats (yes, it’s a little funny,) skinny-legged women in high heels trip over themselves like baby deer learning to stand, and people slide across the subway bench due to what I can only assume is a student driver controlling the subway car.

The upside: Taxis are relatively inexpensive.

Tracy:
Yeah, the subway isn’t great -- but it’s a means to an end. It’s the most efficient way to navigate the city and you’re only on it for minutes of your day, so lighten up and get some hand sanitizer!

And, I completely disagree, which most New Yorkers will -- taxis are a fortune. You didn't live here in the days when traveling by taxi could cost just $5.00. Now, you can’t go any place for $5.00—not even around the block. Hence, I rarely take cabs -- only when I have a lot of stuff to carry, I’m sick, it’s really late, or I’m exhausted. Plus, hailing a taxi isn't always easy depending on location, time of day, and the weather.

The subway is the most convenient mode of transportation in NYC -- at least in my opinion -- and it does have its entertaining moments. Plus, with the inflated cost of fuel, even $2.50 is a steal. If you're going to live in New York, you take the subway.

2. The Guilt

Suzie:
For me, I often feel guilty when I see homeless people or those asking for money and I can’t do anything to help. I generally don’t carry cash, so I’m forced to look like a jerk when I walk by without offering anything. However, I’d also look like a jerk if I asked if they accepted credit cards, so I’m damned if I do, damned if I don’t. It’s a fortunate position to be in (giving money, not asking for it) but it does make me feel bad every time I don’t have change in my pocket, which is, literally, every time.

As another example, I have a friend who stopped walking to work because she felt guilty going past stick-thin runners who were covering five miles in the half hour it would take her to walk to work. Now, in theory, that should be encouragement to walk to work more often, but of course, that’s not what happened. I also pointed out that it’s likely the runners were going past her, feeling equally guilty that they weren’t on their way to jobs at their successful careers. Everyone feels guilty about something – a secret to living in NYC is getting over it.

Tracy:
If you want to help the homeless or less fortunate, a great way is to volunteer. There are plenty of terrific organizations in NYC looking for help. I think this is a problem not specific to New York, but specific to urban areas.

As far as not running/exercising or not going to work and feeling guilty about it, I don't think that's specific to New York, either. I think that's specific to people. With 8.3 million people living in New York, there's probably a higher volume of guilt, but also a higher volume of drinking establishments on every block to relieve the guilt. (Yet another reason to live in NYC!)

3. The Noise

Suzie:
In my office downtown, I work on the 31st floor, and my office has a big window that I can open and look out on the Empire State Building - not too shabby. Except, of course, for the fact that I can’t open my window at all, or the sounds of sirens, police cars, traffic, honking and (for some reason) barking dogs will render me unable to engage in any form of communication that doesn’t involve typing. I’ve literally put conversations on hold because I couldn’t hear over the sounds of people below, and I’ve completely given up on ever trying to have a conversation while walking outside.

At my apartment, I often wake up in the mornings due to the vibrations caused by the noise from street cleaning vehicles, and the squeal of the subway leaves me wondering if I’m going to sustain hearing loss from my daily commute. Apparently, I will. I’ve accepted that I’m going to have to become a heavy sleeper and learn to admire views with the windows closed, and so much for fresh air, well-- any air.

Tracy:
I actually love the sounds of the city—I think of it as white noise. Loud sirens aren’t included in this, but ones in the distance are. I love the constant buzzing of traffic, the sounds of the subway on the tracks, the honking horns every now and then, etc. I hate the sounds of construction—especially jackhammers, but that can happen anywhere. I lived in Atlanta and had a jackhammer outside my window for months, not a day or two.

When I leave the city, I am actually weirded out by the quiet. Without any noise, I don't feel life happening around me. For me, it's those noises that contribute to the energy and vibrancy of any city, especially New York. The sounds make me feel alive.

Oh, and when I need to sleep, I wear earplugs.

4. People Are Rude

Suzie:
I’ve met some lovely people in New York, some of whom have become friends (and some of whom I met in the hellish process of apartment hunting.) But I’m consistently amazed by how rude strangers are on almost a daily basis. I see this every day as people who scream every vulgar word under the sun in front of children and families, people who honk and scream at pedestrians who have the gall to – gasp – use a crosswalk, and customers in stores who will murmur about what a bitch you are if you dare to say “excuse me” in a crowded area.

I’m not from the South, but I don’t go out of my way to be rude to people, which I can only assume is what most people here are doing. For example, if I worked at a Duane Reade, and someone asked me a question, I’d try to answer instead of just blankly staring back. If I was trying to throw something away on a street corner and missed the trash can, I’d try again. It’s a bad example for tourists and visitors, and makes everyone here look like a bunch of lazy and thoughtless SOBs.

That said, I don’t get upset by this, at all. New York is a busy, dirty, expensive place (more on these later)I can’t blame anyone for being in a consistently foul mood.

Tracy:
New Yorkers aren't rude, at least most of them aren't, but they do have character, and they don't hesitate to speak their minds. Ok, I admit it, we do yell and scream a lot. We are passionate people!

The residents of New York City may be direct, they don't mince words or sugar coat anything, but actually, I prefer that. I've lived in the South, and that's not the case there. Personally, I'm more comfortable around people who I know don't like me, rather than those who pretend to like me.

Guaranteed, if you are in a bind, a New Yorker will have your back. We stick together and look out for one another. New Yorkers are hands down the friendliest and most kindhearted people of any place of lived or visited.

As far as a cashier not answering your question, I don't think that has anything to do with New York. He or she probably didn't know the answer and didn't know what to say.

5. The Dirt and Trash

Suzie:
I know NYC has been cleaned up a lot (both in terms of actual trash, and safety,) but it still strikes me as one of the dirtier cities I've been to in the U.S. I was in Baltimore a few weeks ago, and it struck me as being clean – and when Baltimore, the city whose unofficial mascot is a trash-can fire looks clean – that's a problem.

Let me be clear: I'm talking about straight-up trash. Have you compared our subway to other cities? There's trash all over the place. I've seen more people litter in NYC than anywhere else, and I can't figure out why. There is some amazing architecture here, buildings that serve as a testament to the awesomeness of engineering, and bridges that literally and metaphorically light the way to adventures – so why is everyone dirtying it up? It makes us look like we have no appreciation for the city or what it offers, and I'm going to stay on my soapbox long enough to say this: throw away your damn trash, even if you do have to go six inches out of your way to reach the trash can.

Tracy:
I know. We're rude and dirty, even the media says so. Dirty? Are you kidding me? NYC is like a pristine shopping mall compared to what it used to be. I appreciate what little dirt is left. Thankfully, not all the graffiti and trash are gone.

I'm not saying that anyone should throw trash on the ground -- because they shouldn't --but people who want perfectly clean streets and subways live in the burbs and drive cars. Trash is an inevitable fact of life in urban areas, and the more people -- the more trash.

6. The Crowds

Suzie
I live (for now) on the very bottom of the Upper East Side, and when it’s nice outside, I walk to and from work. This means in an average day I go through the most crowded, touristy areas of New York – Central Park past Grand Central, through Times Square and past Penn Station (twice!), so I’ll acknowledge that I may be in unusually high-traffic areas.

But holy crap, is it bad. Here’s an open plea to the worst offenders I see on a day-to-day basis.

For the family encouraging their children to walk on his/her own: Stop. Just stop. Your kid isn’t adorable to everyone else, and making every single person stand still behind you while your little child stumbles down the street is the equivalent of me walking around with my arms straight out, and then screaming at anyone who doesn’t get out of the way to let me pass. If it’s crowded, and your kid moves slow, Pick. The. Kid. Up.

For short people: I’m not short, but I imagine it sucks sometimes. Jeans are probably hard to buy, and maybe you can’t change a light bulb by yourself. So I’m not unsympathetic. But seriously, it can’t be a newsflash to you that you’re short. You have short legs, and presumably, you have your whole life. Thus, you walk slower than tall people. SO MUCH SLOWER. To the point where I sometimes have to do an exaggeratedly slow walk behind you for comedic effect until you move out of the way.

If you’re short, you can pump your legs as fast as you want, but chances are, someone else is moving faster. So please, please, leave room to pass you, or at least don’t walk three abreast on a sidewalk when the tallest member of your party is five foot two. You’re making everyone late and angry. And I won’t even begin to explain the nightmare of dealing with short people who have umbrellas, because it brings up too many painful memories of being poked in the boob/neck/eye.

Tracy:
Those areas you mention above are packed, especially during an evening rush, and I admit, if you have to frequent places like Times Square on a daily basis, it wears on you. But, those parts of town are a small considering the size of the five boroughs. And, you don't need to spend most of your time in those places. You will encounter crowds each day on the trains or buses, or depending on where you work, you'll walk through groups of people (some slow, with children and/or short!). And, I would imagine that many of the slowpokes are tourists -- they are probably captivated and need to look around. Just politely excuse yourself, dodge or walk around them. I do it all the time.

What helps is where you choose to hang out and live. When not working, you can be somewhere peaceful and removed from the hustle and bustle -- it's your choice.That's the beauty of NYC -- there's something for everyone and you just need to find where you fit in.

No matter where you hang your hat, remember, you are in New York, undoubtedly the greatest city in the world. We do put up with a lot to live here, but all the hassle is worth it, at least in most New Yorkers' opinions. And it's that hustle and bustle that contributes to the excitement. Everyone is off somewhere, doing something, striving, running, talking, laughing, being.

How do you know if it's not for you? When you look at the Chrysler Building (even if you've looked at it every single day for the past 20 years) and you don't say, "Wow" or just feel even the slightest bit of awe or admiration, then it's time to leave New York.

7. The High Cost

Suzie:
Living here is crazy expensive. If you're somewhat limited on where you can live, either for safety or work reasons, you're going to have to spend a large part of your income on rent – I'd say at least 50 percent – if you want to live alone. And I think an adult who makes a good salary should make enough money to afford a living space for him or herself, if they choose to live alone. In NYC, I pay more for my very small one bedroom on the Upper East than many people do for mortgage payments on a four and five bedroom house in other areas of the country.

This is often justified by saying that everything you could want is right outside your front door, and that's true – but you may not be able to afford it! I have access to the best theater performances, operas, restaurants and events in the world, but these are indulgences not enjoyed frequently. And if my budget limits me to seeing, for example, three shows a year, that's not really frequent enough to warrant needing to be just down the road.
Yes, I could live with roommates in the outer areas of Brooklyn or Queens, but I like living alone. I'm thinking I may have to get over this to be happy in NYC.

Tracy:
New York is expensive, and I can't argue that. But, you get a lot for the money here. That may not include square footage, but space doesn't determine happiness. You can get anything you want at any time; you have the greatest theatre outside your door, every type of cuisine on the planet, the most spectacular public parks of any city, and arguably, diversity like no other place in the world. Combine all that with the energy, creativity, drive and zeal of the people, well, that's New York City and you betcha for all that, it's gonna cost you.

Though money is a constant struggle for most of us in New York, chances are if you can pay your rent, you can figure out the rest.

The greatest things about living in New York, in my opinion, don't cost a penny. Walk out your door every day only to discover the limitless possibilities. Dream big -- use the boundless energy in this city to your advantage -- and make your dreams happen.

Special thanks to James Maher for these wonderful photos of New York City.

Worthy Restaurants in the West 100s

2013-05-16T10:46:00.000-04:00

WINE DINE & FOOTLIGHTS

by Emelyn Daly

Looking north in the 100s on Amsterdam Ave. toward Harlem--by Jake Hall via Flickr

You’re zipping north on the 1 line and heading high in Manhattan, maybe for a breezy stroll around Grant’s tomb or a pious peek at the Gothic wonders of St. John the Divine; you’re probably not thinking the best part of your visit to this neighborhood could actually be what you eat. As the street numbers climb into the triple digits, your expectations tend to drop when it comes to dining in the West 100s. Morningside Park? Gorgeous. The Columbia campus? A splendid site for casual lovers of Greek architecture. “But,” you say, “What’re we gonna eat around here?”

The West 100s are undoubtedly lovely, but to many of the area’s visitors, the food scene looks sparse, yielding our current epidemic of wandering, hungry pedestrians, who become increasingly apprehensive and hypoglycemic, and end up saying things like, “I mean, isn’t Red Rooster like, really close?”

Red Rooster in Harlem courtesy of Red Rooster

So they migrate east for their artful chop sueys and cornbreads, they pay about 30 bucks a piece and everyone has a great time. But, the trouble with all of this is that no one needs to be leaving the West 100s to eat delicious food in the first place! Contrary to popular understanding, there is an incredibly rich and eclectic restaurant scene nearby—one that dwarfs the meager dining arena of the Upper West Side. And, no one is talking about it -- but they should be.

So, when you’re far uptown, hungry, and decidedly foregoing the pilgrimage to Marcus Samuelsson’s well-publicized Central Harlem restaurant, give one or all of these spots a try and expect to be surprisingly sated.

A Café, at 106^th St., is truly a diamond in the rough. Nestled in among dingy barbershops and shifty bodegas on a particularly uncharming stretch of Columbus Ave., the unassuming façade of this French-Caribbean joint gives way to a cozy interior that emanates warmth and flavor. The menu is vegan-friendly, although (thankfully) not entirely vegan, and marries the richness of French cuisine with the bold, full-bodied spices of Caribbean cooking. The roast duck leg confit with jerk spices is sublime and innovative, as are the stuffed, grilled Hass avocado and the baked d’Anjou pear. Plus, it’s BYOB! So, you and your date can still split a bottle of wine and still keep on the cheap—it’s a beautiful thing.

A Cafe courtesy of Yelp

If you’re needing some sophisticated comfort food from "The Boot," Max SoHa on 123^rd and Amsterdam is a go-to spot. You’ll be hard pressed to find tastier haute-Italian anywhere in the city. The rustic, romantic place dishes out a squid ink linguini that’s so good it's worth crying over, not to mention the myriad daily specials that cover the dining room's blackboard. Try dinner with friends here on a Saturday night-- you’ll think you’ve died and gone to the East Village.

Daily specials at Max SoHa--courtesy of Yelp

If low-brow Italian is what you crave, the neighborhood also garners a supremely cheesy, tomato-y answer to your stomach’s cry for goodness. Koronet Pizza on Broadway and 112^th is a popular late-night destination for ~~jolly~~ intoxicated Columbia students, and a popular lunchtime destination for pretty much everyone. The pizza, known more than anything for its preposterously large size, is always fresh with a crispy crust. It gets the job done, it's cheap, and best of all, you get to look modest ordering only one slice knowing full well it’s spatially equivalent to two or three.

A large slice of pepperoni at Koronet--look at the size of the plate!--courtesy of Yelp

If you’re in the mood to venture beyond the Western palette for something spicy, flavorful and remote, there’s an array of ethnic food in the West 100s. Ditch the fork and knife sometime and try Massawa. The food at this versatile Ethiopian restaurant on 123^rd St. and Amsterdam comes on a stack of giant, thin rolled, naturally gluten-free sourdough pancakes. A spectrum of dishes such as braised spiced lamb, pureed chick peas with herbs, and braised cabbage, come served in a colorful ring. Tear off pieces of pancake, using each piece to scoop up your next bite, all without the burdens of silverware! It’s fun and delicious.

A colorful plate at Massawa--courtesy of Yelp

Craving flavors of the Far East in NYC’s high west? Indian Café on Broadway at 108^th St. bears a menu of nuanced, traditional flavors. Prepare to be treated like a Raja and to embrace that tandoori heat with gusto.

Indian Cafe--courtesy of Yelp

I like to think of the West 100s as the nosebleed streets of Manhattan. Sometimes when I get up that high, I imagine the air is thinning. One thing I know for sure is that while the neighborhood’s oxygen molecules may be sparse, its food scene is dense. The restaurants I’ve named here and more put the mediocre Tex-Mex pubs, overpriced brasseries, and poorly attended Asian fusion lounges of the Upper West Side to shame.

So, it’s time for us to hop on the red line, shoot north, and actually stay west when it’s time to get a bite to eat. Marcus Samuelsson, I raise my glass to you and your famous farm fowl, but yours isn’t the only restaurant uptown that’s got it going on.

Still Single? Create a Match.com Summer Singles Event and Win!

2013-05-15T15:24:00.000-04:00

LIVING SINGLE IN NYC

by Tracy Kaler

Ok singles --- what stirs you? How about a fun way to meet other singles right near your hometown? How about planning your very own singles event with the help of seasoned event planners from Match.com?

Stir events by Match.com are a great way of meeting other singles offline, offering a wide range of activities to Match.com members around the country ranging from large-scale happy hours at popular venues, to more intimate events like tequila tastings and DJ lessons. Stir events are diverse and tailored to each age group and location, which makes them all the more fun for those involved.

It’s been just one year since Stir was officially launched, and in celebration of the anniversary, Match is sponsoring a contest for singles to win the chance to plan their own Stir event. And if your event is chosen, you'll work with Match.com Stir event planners to bring it to life!

In this past year, Match has hosted 2,850 events! Let's do the math -- that’s 14 events every day, 75 events per week and 320 each month!

Match has collaborated with more than 1,200 partners including House of Blues, Banana Republic, Sur la Table, Warrior Dash, along with local gems around the country, including spots in NYC. And, Match.com is organizing singles events in over 80 cities -- including Anchorage and Honolulu -- and more than 225,000 singles have attended a Stir event to date!

To enter the contest and have a chance to win a Stir event with Match.com, visit the “What Stirs You?” contest page now through May 28, and tell Match what you think would make the perfect singles event.

Entries will be judged on quality, creativity, uniqueness and geographical relevance. So, don’t be afraid to get creative and think about what would be the coolest singles event in your city. I can think of a list of possibilities right here in New York!

The winner will have the idea recreated by the Match.com Stir Events team in his or her city, and will receive an invitation to attend the event along with ten single friends – all at no charge! And, that's not all -- the winner will also receive a six-month online dating subscription to Match.com, and it's absolutely free.

Single in the USA? Think you’re a winner? Then, what are you waiting for? Enter today and meet your match!

Enter to win a Match.com singles event in NYC and other cities in the US--by Randy Le'moine Photography via Flickr

This post was sponsored by Match.com.

Yellow Cabs

2013-05-15T10:32:00.000-04:00

SHARE YOUR STORY

by Jody H.

TAXI!--by Adrian 8_8 via Flickr

I had been living in New York City for less than a month. Within my first two weeks, I had secured a part-time job at an online magazine. Meaning: I had secured a part-time job working for a rich uptown lady whose magazine was a passion project that she could throw money at. Unable to choose between myself or Kara (the other girl at the interview), Ms. Lin had hired us both. She had no way of knowing that we would become instant friends, bonding over everything from our intense crushes on John Mulaney to finishing each other’s obscure lyric-referencing sentences.

When there weren’t any interviews that needed transcribing, or pictures of quirky art installations that needed commenting, Ms. Lin would ask us to run basic errands. Kara and I organized Lin’s office, her filing cabinets and even her toddler’s clothes.

One Friday afternoon, Ms. Lin asked me if I was willing to go and pick up a chair she’d had custom-built for her son from Ligne Roset. I began to google the address of this upscale Fifth Avenue furniture store when she handed me a wad of cash and said, “Just take a cab.”

How does one hail a cab?--via Wikipedia

A vortex of butterflies began to stir in my stomach as images of people catching cabs in New York Rom-Coms filled my brain. I had taken a taxi from the airport, sure, but I’d never hailed one myself. I’d never needed to. ~~Poor~~ Young people in New York ride the subway. I was desperate to seem confident in front of my new boss. Casually, I asked, “Oh, any advice for hailing a cab on this street?”

The location was 55^th and 7^th Ave., a bustling city mega-intersection close to Carnegie Hall, Central Park and residences bursting with experienced cab hailers. Ms. Lin was surprised by the question, but Kara chimed in, “I’ve never hailed a cab before and I’m from here.”

Thank you, new friend.

So here we were, both so useless that we had to be teamed up, standing on the street corner – no, slightly off the curb? – no, on the curb is better – no, stand on the street and lift your arm up. Do you keep it up or only put it up when a cab is in sight? Does the light mean they’re available or not? How can you even tell if there are people inside? My arm hurts.

Yellow taxis flew down the street at speeds that made us wonder how they’d see us. We began to giggle at our feeble presence. We hopped between different corners about five times, each time being ignored by passing taxis. By the time the seventh pedi-cab had rung it’s bell and winked at us, we were doubled over in hysterics. Rolling up to Ligne Roset in the back of a pedi-cab an hour later would be the ultimate failure.

Was this number 6? Or 7?--by Gane via Flickr

“We’re pathetic! What is wrong with us! This is impossible!” We yelled and laughed while confident businessmen and ladies in Manolos got cabs instantly.

Then, we looked at the time. We had been on the street for twenty minutes. Crap. Twenty minutes? We were on the clock. What if Ms. Lin could see us from her penthouse window? Crap. Kara’s phone began to ring.

“Hi girls, have you got the chair yet?” asked our boss, who had hired us on the assumption that we weren’t utterly useless children. We decided on honesty.

“The cabs just won’t stop for us!”

Within a New York minute, Ms. Lin stormed downstairs in sweatpants and a baseball cap and marched into the street towards a cab. She hit the hood of the car, opened the door, and shuffled us in. “Don’t forget to tip.” Then, she was gone.

Kara and I caught our breath somewhere around Times Square. We tried to compose ourselves in front of the cab driver. How utterly embarrassing. If we weren’t friends before, we sure were now.

“You always imagine a typical first New York job to be writing for a magazine or working for a rich lady,” Kara said. “And, this is both!”

Soon enough, we introduced ourselves to the tall and gorgeous sales assistant in Ligne Roset.

“Are you the assistants of Ms. Lin?”

She was dressed in a crisp white shirt, a knee-high skirt and black heels. This was a woman who had no confidence issues. She brought us the custom-made $500 bean bag for Ms. Lin’s elite offspring, who would simply never know what Kara and I had gone through to get it.

Now, we just had to find a way to get back to the office.

Cramming a bean bag into a taxi wasn't easy.--by drewgeraets via Flickr

Jody is a comedy writer from London. In November 2012, she moved to New York City with no job, no apartment, no connections – nothing. She writes about the experience on her blog, New York Notebook.
_______________________________________________________________________________

"Share Your Story" is dedicated to all New Yorkers---past, present, future and those at heart. If you currently live, have lived, will live, or dream of living in NYC, tell us what your first day was like, how you got to the Big Apple, or the reasons why you love New York and imagine living here. Or maybe you've lived here your entire life, we'd love to know why you're still here. Even if you have a great NYC moment and you like telling the story, we'll listen to that too.

Want to share your NYC story on Tracy's New York Life? Please send an email to info at tracy kaler dot com.

Eating and Drinking Your Way Through New Dorp, Staten Island

2013-05-14T11:07:00.004-04:00

The BBQS
Straight from the outer boroughs
By Jerry Del Priore

If you own a car, take the Verrazano-Narrows to New Dorp, Staten Island--via Wikipedia

If you're not familiar with New Dorp, This Staten Island neighborhood is diverse with Italian-American, Irish-American, Albanian American, Polish-American and Russian American residents. Though the area was hit hard by Hurricane Sandy, longtime residents are struggling to rebuild the place they know and love.

With the opening of several shopping centers, New Dorp has become commercialized over the years. But "Niewe Dorp," or New Dorp, as it's now known, hasn't lost its character. Located in proximity to the Staten Island Railroad, which is easily accessible from the Staten Island Ferry, New Dorp is just minutes from New Dorp Beach. The neighborhood is also accessed by vehicle via the Verrazano-Narrows Bridge.

Beautiful shot of New Dorp Beach--by Jacopast via Flickr

There's an abundance of Italian restaurants in the area, but it does have its fair share of other ethnic, charming eateries and hotspots. Here are a few of my personal picks.

Brioso Ristorante --174 New Dorp Lane

Brioso is one of my favorite Italian spots in all of Staten Island, if not New York City. It’s a little on the expensive side and far from quiet, but growing up in an Italian family has made me immune to loud conversation. Nevertheless, the welcoming rustic setting and amazing food makes it all worthwhile.

Speaking of its great fare, Brioso is known for its mouthwatering polenta. In addition, it serves up other awesome eats such as the Gnocchi Gratinati, roasted Bronzini (Mediterranean Sea Bass) and Scaloppine Siciliana (scaloppine with light tomato grilled eggplant, and mozzarella). It also has exceptional brick over pizza. To complement your meal, Brioso has an extensive wine list, including Italian bottles for those special occasions, and California favorites from the Napa Valley.

Pizza Giove -- 278 New Dorp Lane

If you’re serious about pizza (and who isn’t?), then this New Dorp gem will thrill you. Giorgio Giove, one of four brothers who own the wood-fired, brick oven pizza establishment, has impressive credentials. He learned his trade from his father, Pietro, who has a black belt in pizza making. Over time, Giorgio began to put his own stamp on the art of pizza crafting. In fact, he got so good at it that he beat celebrity chef Bobby Flay on the Food Network’s "Throwdown" show in 2006.

The secret to Pizzeria Giove’s success? The Mozzarella is made fresh every day on the premises, and the flour and extra-virgin olive oil are imported straight from Italy.

Some of the tastiest pies include the award-winning Variopinta—a white specialty pie made with stracciatella (shredded fresh mozzarella immersed in heavy cream), pancetta, thinly sliced zucchini, garlic-and herb-permeated cheese, and EVOO.

The decadent Variopinto--via Yelp

Plus, the Margherita (San Marzano Tomatoes, Fresh Mozzarella, Basil and EVOO) and the Carciofi (San Marzano Tomatoes, Fresh Mozzarella, Marinated Artichokes and EVVO) are also winners.

Giove also dishes out the classic Italian standards such as Eggplant Parmigiana, Chicken Marsala and Chicken Francese.

Nori Sushi -- 55 New Dorp Plaza

Usually I’m weary about a sushi joint located inside a shopping plaza, but Nori is different. The décor is relaxed and simple, but the sushi is fresh, delicious and aesthetically pleasing, making for a first-rate experience.

An alternative to loud, over-the-top hibachi places and the ones that try to mimic the club ambiance, Nori offers a diverse array of delectable, and creatively named, house rolls. For instance, there’s the Rock Roll (Fresh tuna, avocado, mango & cilantro w/ curry spice), Dancing Lobster Roll (Deep fried soft shell crab, avocado, smelt roe, scallion wrapped with dsikon) and Happy Together Roll (Spicy lobster meat w/ mango inside topped w/ avocado & yogurt yazu sauce). Nori also has good sushi and sashimi dishes (a la carte).

Nori Sushi rolls --via Yelp

The ice cream tempura and banana fritters are good ways to top off your meal. Although dinner is on the expensive side, Nori does have reasonably priced lunch specials.

Piece A Cake --177 New Dorp Lane

This isn’t your parents’ bakery. First, the decorative baker suspended from a crane on the roof over the exterior adds a nice touch not seen anywhere else in the Big Apple (at least not by me). Secondly, the interior is hip and sleek, creating an ultra-modern vibe.

But, the incredible smell of goodness throughout the establishment is enough to entice you to try everything that your eyes come across. And you just might, because the prices are very wallet-friendly—a slice of cake ranges from $2 to $3.

But what separates this place from other typical bakeries are the selections. For example, Piece A Cake serves up red velvet and cannoli cream doughnuts, chocolate peanut butter mousse cake, and sticky buns that are to die for. It’s also known for its mutant-sized, decadent cream puffs.

Goodies at Piece A Cake --via Yelp

Want to have a meal before your sugary indulgence? PAC has you covered with its appetizing soups, sandwiches and specialty pizzas. Whether you crave sweet or savory, you won't go hungry in this bakery-- that's for sure.

Griff's Place -- 702 New Dorp Lane

Being a huge sports fan and sports writer, sometimes I want a low-key sports bar to kick back and watch a game while having a cold brew from the tap in a friendly atmosphere. Griff’s is that perfect neighborhood place to do so.

After Hurricane Sandy forced Griff’s to lose power for 18 days, it went back to business just four days after the electricity returned. Now, it’s operating at full tilt for basketball and hockey playoff viewing, serving up suds and bar fare for all.

If you’re ignoring your fat intake for the moment, try the Quadruple Bypass: A hamburger topped with bacon, eggs, and cheese. Does that come with a side order of Lipitor?

For a good time in Staten Island, try Griff's Place--via Griff's Place

Adam Shepard Talks New York: “It’s the Greatest City in the World”

2013-05-13T11:03:00.001-04:00

by Tracy Kaler

NYC --"The Greatest City in the World"--photo by James Maher

That’s quite a label.

How does one big city with five sprawling boroughs of more than eight million live up to this tag line?

To those who live in New York, this big city isn’t that big; but rather, it’s an urban center with many diverse neighborhoods, a collection of small towns. What makes this metropolis-- also known as New York City -- greater than other cities around the world?

Ask most New Yorkers their opinions of the place they call home, and you might get a variety of answers. But one of the most popular would probably be: "I wouldn’t want to live anywhere else."

But, for those who see New York from afar, or only visit every now and then, do they feel this is an appropriate title? Is New York truly the top of the heap on the list of the world’s greatest cities? And, on which criteria would this title be based?

Recently, I chatted with Adam Shepard, avid NYC fan, consultant, motivational speaker, and author of the well-known book, Scratch Beginnings. Shepard went on a yearlong excursion to various countries around the globe, and wrote about his experiences in his latest book, One Year Lived. Though New York City wasn’t included in his worldwide itinerary, the author makes at least one trip to NYC each year, explaining that any time he has an opportunity to visit, he jumps at the chance.

Adam Shepard loves visiting NYC.

His favorite things to do in the Big Apple include dining out in the city's many restaurants. Recently, he discovered Zabb Elee in the East Village, known for its northern Thai cuisine; another local eatery he favors is Cafe Daniello's's on 2nd Ave. on the Upper East Side. Shepard's go-to location for reading is the Great Lawn in Central Park, and he believes the not-to-be-missed touristy spot -- if you have only 24 hours in town -- is the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

Shepard poses with a waitress from Poland at Cafe Daniello's in NYC. Poland is one of the many countries he's visited.

After his international travels, Shepard returned to the states and came to his own conclusion about New York City: It truly is the greatest city in the world. During our conversation, he reflected on his many trips to NYC, and quickly came up with six reasons why our town was assigned this famous title and it still rings true.

1. International melting pot

“A melting pot of cultures tends to exist in every major metropolitan area in the world, but not to the extent that it exists in NYC. I mean, 800 different languages in one city? That’s crazy!”

2. Friendliness

“There certainly isn’t the same level of friendliness in other cities as there is in New York. A tourist or a native New Yorker can expect the same treatment in Pelham Bay as he or she will get in Chinatown as he or she will get in Astoria, and that is pretty unique.”

3. Endless options

“So much inspiration comes from New York City. People want to see the Statue of Liberty and Broadway and walk through Central Park and eat a sausage off the street, and then you’re walking along and you think, ‘Taxi Driver was filmed here!’ as if you’d forgotten. NYC has a lot to offer and explore.”

Shepard his plate of pasta with calamari at Cafe Daniello

4. Ease and Accessibility

“New York City is more accessible than any other major city that I’ve been to in the world. If you are a foreigner, and you were randomly plopped down anywhere in NYC, you would quickly find plenty of things to do, plenty of ways to get around town to do them, and plenty of people willing to make sure you have a wonderful experience in their fine city.

5. Anyone’s city

“It is universally known that everyone is welcome in the city and that everyone belongs in the city. The beauty of the city is that no matter where you come from, you can find your kind of people in the city. Culturally, socially, philosophically, etcetera…it doesn’t matter. There are many, many people in the city who share your same values and interests, no matter how niche those values might be.”

6. Everyone wants a slice

“Foreigners see New York as THE PLACE to go to when they come visit the United States. As I traveled, when I told people that I was from the US, the immediate reaction was either a politically motivated comment or to say, ‘I want to go to New York one day!’”

“You go to these wondrous cities in the world, and then you begin to realize why it is that foreigners traveling by the busload with cameras around their necks are so excited about this place [New York].”

Going head to head with the Charging Bull

Want to win a copy of the book, One Year Lived? Leave a comment on this blog post or send an email to tracysnewyorklife at gmail dot com. The contest begins today and runs through Sunday, May 19 at midnight.

A winner will be announced on the blog no later than Monday, May 20. Please be sure to check the blog to see if you’ve won the book. Adam will provide two copies to the winners!

About the book

Do Americans—young Americans, especially—really know what’s going on in the world? Are we prepared to embrace globalization? Adam Shepard hopes his story will inspire young people to get out and arm themselves with a broader perspective.

By the time he was 30, the North Carolina man had already completed goals most people wait a lifetime to pursue.

From late 2011 to late 2012, spending just $19,420.68, less than it would have cost him to stay at home, Shepard visited seventeen countries on four continents and lived some amazing adventures.

“It’s interesting to me,” he says, “that in Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, Europe, it’s normal for people to pack a bag, buy a plane ticket, and get ‘Out There.’ In the U.S., though, we live with this very stiff paradigm—graduate college, work, find a spouse, make babies, work some more, retire—which can be a great existence, but we leave little room to load up a backpack and dip into various cultures, to see places, to really develop our own identity.”

His yearlong journey, which took two years to save for, was a spirited blend of leisure, volunteerism, and enrichment. He read 71 books, including ten classics and one—slowly—in Spanish. “If you can lend a hand to someone, educate yourself about the world, and sandwich that around extraordinary moments that get your blood pumping, that’s a pretty full year,” Shepard writes.

One Year Lived is the compelling and transparent account of his experiences abroad.

Dating by Numbers

2013-05-10T11:28:00.001-04:00

LIVING SINGLE IN NYC

by Grace Anders

Is dating really a numbers game?-- by hownowdesign via Flickr

I have a very bad habit: I tend to overthink everything. In fact, I can't even go to stores like H&M, because I get overwhelmed with the options. I can't make a decision, and go home to look at everything online in an organizational manner-- which is kind of ironic -- because once I buy the clothing, that clothing is going to spend its lifespan disorganized somewhere in my closet, the backseat of my car, or in a suitcase perpetually waiting to be unpacked.

Anyway, in my usual manner, I decided to evaluate my dating prospects by applying something everyone with a liberal arts graduate degree loves: math! This was spurred by an evaluation of my messages on OkCupid – a dating website for those committed enough to make an online profile, but not committed enough to actually pay for it. I have 256 messages from guys since I joined, and I've replied to 14; a reply rate of slightly under five percent. There are 8,336,6971 people in New York, and, on average, 49.22 percent of the population is male – that means that if I'm only interested in five percent of them, it still leaves 205,082 men available to me.

Is he a prospect?--by Ed Yourdon via Flickr

But wait – not all of those men are available. Research suggests 1/10 men are attracted to men (and I've on occasion wondered if this wasn't the vast majority of men in certain areas of NYC) So that only leaves 184,574 (and a half!) men I could date.

But, that's not true either. The average guy lives to age 75. So (and this what republicans may know as 'fuzzy math.') there are 2,460 men/boys of each age in the city – 2,460 20-year-olds, 2,460 21-year-olds, 2,460 22-year-olds, etc. My age range is (and this is broad, because I'm all about salt-and-pepper hair) 28 to 40. So now, with a 12-year age range, that leaves 29,531.91 potential matches. I guess the .91 must be a short guy.

But wait (again!), I don't want to date a married guy, so that rules out, um, a bunch. The average age of marriage in the US is 29 for men, but people get married later in NYC – hedge funds and vodka-launch parties are more important. So, even if 50 percent of the men in my age range are single (and I think that's generous,) I'm now down to 14,766. For comparison, that means every eligible man for me could fit inside Madison Square Garden, with plenty of elbow room.

This is still a lot of men to choose from--via wikipedia

Unfortunately, those are only the basics. There are a few points on which I'm not quite ready to compromise. It's very important to me that the person I date be politically aware (45 percent of the population, so down to 6,645 men) and democratic (68 percent of the NYC population; down to 4452 men.)

And here's the nail in the coffin: he has to be a skier; a sport enjoyed by a staggering four percent of the population. Ouch. 4452 multiplied by .04 is 178 men.

My man has to be a skier--by jsmjr via Flickr

So for fun, let's add a few other qualities I was hoping I could have:

If I want a guy who is better looking than, say, half of all other guys: 89 guys are left for me.

If I want a guy with a bachelors degree: 21 men. An advanced degree narrows the field further to just 8 men.

And if I want a man who scuba dives, watches zombie movies, has a dog, rocks facial scruff and enjoys modern art? I'm not bothering to calculate, because the statistics will probably suggest that he doesn't exist; at least not in the tri-state area.

Sadly, in all of these scenarios, I didn't even take into account the percentage of men who already have a girlfriend.

How many New York men already have a girlfriend?--by videocrab via Flickr

...and now it's time to end this post, because I clearly need to revisit some of my ignored OkCupid messages.

Any source not listed comes from Wikipedia, the most accurate and obsessively-updated website on the planet.

Why I Am Leaving New York City

2013-05-09T11:51:00.001-04:00

by Michelle Carol

I was packing during the Met Gala --by Juleskills via Flickr

As cherry blossoms peak, white tents are pitched for the Met Gala, and beer gardens are bustling with open-toed shoes, I am posting the contents of my bedroom on Craigslist, wrapping my dinner plates in pages of amNY, and applying to jobs within respectable driving distance from my parents' house in CT. No, I didn't get fired from my job. For a series of reasons, I've chosen to leave New York.

It's daunting to finally sit down and write this article illustrating my exit from the city that has been my home for the past seven months. My decision to leave New York City in June has been both the hardest and easiest decision of my post-grad life. My reality is: I love it here, but I feel too smothered to stay. In less than one year, I can say I’ve been here too long. BuzzFeed put out a timely post recently: "23 Signs You’ve Lived in New York City Too Long." How fitting! BuzzFeed, I get you.

Like many twenty-somethings, my goals have shifted drastically throughout my post-college years. I have always been very strategic. I knew that after college I was going to work in New York. I interned here during college summers, and applied to literally hundreds of jobs after graduation. I was determined to live and breathe the city.

I eventually found a job and commuted to the city for over a year. My plan was to save a bit of money while living at home with the goal of moving to Manhattan. I found a perfect apartment on the Upper East Side and at the cost of living two hours away from my boyfriend of 5 years, I began to reap the benefits of living independently in the covetable city of New York.

Who wouldn't want to live near Central Park?

I was exhausted from all of my life planning, (I had made it to my goal, hadn't I?), and took a break from thinking. If you had asked me anytime in the past seven months what I planned to do in June when my lease ended, I would have changed the subject.

I understand why some people raise kids here, and why some people never leave. I have met the best people in New York. The breadth of rich culture and strong women I have connected to come second to none. What I have experienced has been the best of the best.

I have forgotten what bored feels like. I have seldom gone straight home after work because there is always something fun to do, like walking the reservoir at Central Park, going to an author talk, or having tea or happy hour drinks with friends. I am really going to miss having too many options. I look forward to maybe getting enough sleep at night, though, and not having to deal with the lack of #4 and #5 trains on weekends.

But to be fair, I have never seen longevity in my home in New York City. I have great roommates, but living with two girls can be exhausting! Seeing my boyfriend only on the weekends is not sustainable in the long run, is stressful and at times, and difficult to maintain with a smile. I'm excited to see him more than two days a week.

I haven't saved much money, and I've reduced my student loan payments to the bare minimum. The weight I would have gained from constantly eating out and drinking has thankfully been equalized by all the walking I do, avoiding cabs and the subway to cut expenses. Living this fast and hard life has left me totally unbalanced. I'm looking forward to riding my bike to the beach again, truly feeling outside.

“In New York, you're always looking for a job, a boyfriend or an apartment. Let's say you have two out of three and they're fabulous. Why do we let the one thing we don't have affect how we feel about all the things we do have?"

This Sex and the City quote about happiness doesn't factor in how each side s weighted. In New York, you struggle to have it all without feeling distressed, or spread too thin.

I find it difficult to have it all in New York --by perry_marco via Flickr

For me, I have nowhere close to ‘it all’ and I can barely get through a day without feeling frantic, overwhelmed, broke, lonely, stifled, and under-challenged at my job. But, I see a light at the end of the tunnel as June approaches. Perhaps, what many of my thirty-something work friends say will happen, “New York might not be right for you at this time in your life, but it doesn't mean you won’t move back.”

New York, you’ve been great to me, and you will still be just under two hours away.

Xoxo

The reactions of people in my life when I tell them I am leaving NY:

Parents: “Now you can start saving some money”
Boyfriend and friends in CT: “Yay!!!!!!!!”
Twenty-something friends in NYC: “I just don’t understand how anyone could leave”

Thirty-something friends in NYC: “You need to follow your heart. New York will always be here for you when you want to come back.”
Interviewer at prospective employer in CT: “Aren't you going to miss New York? Are you sure you’re going to be happy here?”
Current work friends: “You’re going to hate your life on Metro North, again.”

Close friend who is moving back to NYC right after I leave: “$%#!”

Boogie Down with the Music of the Bronx

2013-05-08T11:21:00.000-04:00

The BBQS
Straight from the outer boroughs
by Amanda Halkiotis

Third Ave. and E. 149th in the Bronx--via wikipedia

New York City has a music scene like no other. You can spend a night at the Met Opera, attend a Broadway show to see some serious stage talent, or head to Chelsea and Hell’s Kitchen for the hottest DJs and dance clubs around. A few miles north of Manhattan, in the Bronx, chart-topping numbers have been churning out since the early days of doo-wop, rock and roll, and rhythm and blues.

"When I think of the Bronx, I can't help but think of the great musical talents who came from this humble borough," said Alex Maruri of MCNY Tours, a Bronx-based tour company escorting visitors to areas like the Grand Concourse, Little Italy, and Little Ireland.

Some classic top hit heavyweights that hail from the Bronx include Dion & The Belmonts, Bobby Darin, The Chiffons, The Earls, The Chords and The Chantels.

Bobby Darin was a Bronxite--via wikipedia

“Growing up in the Bronx, music, art and dancing was an escape for many young residents -- it was an innocent, creative form of expression,” said Maruri recently. “Of course we have from the Bronx -- Jennifer Lopez, Mary J. Blige, Stan Getz, Jerry Vale, Carly Simon, Billy Joel, Valerie Simpson from Ashford & Simpson, Angela Bofill, Aaron Hall, Eydie Gorme and Prince Royce, [and] we have so many more.”

Jennifer Lopez, also known as Jenny from the block--by Ana Kley via Flickr

Billy Joel, The Piano Man was born in the Bronx--via wikipedia

Mary J. Blige has not forgotten her roots in the Bronx--via wikipedia

If you have ever gotten your Spanish groove on or gone dancing on disco night, you can thank the Bronx for your good time (and sore feet in the morning!). As percussionist Jim Centeno said, “The Bronx was HIP, the Bronx was where you went to DANCE. The Bronx had its own style; it’s always had its own vibrancy.”

Salsa legends like Pete Rodriguez, Tito Puente, Celia Cruz, Hector Lavoe, Willie Colon, Eddie Palmieri, Ray Barretto and Manny Oquendo got their start by performing in the South Bronx and East Harlem.

Tito Puente in concert--by frank keillor via Flickr

As for disco, Maruri dishes on the original steps to the Hustle. “The very first Hustle was created in late 1972, and did not even have the name 'The Hustle,' and was a 5-step count, with no turns. Most people believe it was created in the South Bronx among Puerto Ricans, and was originally done at house parties, hooky gigs and basement club dances in the South Bronx.”

But by 1974, it became known as the 'Spanish Hustle,' and in 1975 the Fatback Band made a song with that name. Alex explained that the dance was also known as the ‘Latin Hustle’; both of these Hustles had 6-step counts to the beat of the music. Finally, around 1976, it became known as the 'New York Hustle,' and later on, just known as ‘The Hustle.' Maruri also remembers how disco helped depict the Bronx experience.

“There was an impactful song that came out when I was growing up, called "There But for the Grace of God Go I,” by August Darnell, Maruri recalled. “It was when disco hit the airwaves and it was about the Bronx, people were calling the song controversial, but the radio still played an edited version of it.”

The root of hip-hop culture was in the 1970s, also in the borough; the exact birthplace was 1520 Sedgwick Avenue in the West Bronx. DJ Kool Herc lived at this address, and threw parties that were just the beginning of what would eventually become an international music sensation.

1520 Sedgwick Avenue in the Bronx--via Wikipedia

DJ Afrika Bambaattaa, who formed the famous hip-hop crew, Universal Zulu Nation in the Bronx, used DJ Kool Herc's breakbeats in his own DJing. "Then you would have innovators of that sound, like Afrika Bambaataa, who would take global sounds like West Indian, Salsa, [and] great beats from rock records. Afrika Bambaattaa's Planet Rock was our Bronx anthem growing up with the block parties in our neighborhoods," Maruri said.

DJ Afrika Bambaataa--via Wikipedia

Through the '90s, the Bronx continued to use music to fight negative stereotypes and promote the spirit of the borough. Bronx Latin freestyle artists like the "Queen of Freestyle" Judy Torres with her famous song "No Reason to Cry" and "Come into My Arms" hit the top of the charts, as well as George Lamond, Noel, Sweet Sensation and La India who did freestyle alongside Marc Anthony before they went on to perform Salsa.

"My favorite DJs got their modest start in the Bronx -- Little Louie Vega, DJ Jellybean Benitez and Frankie Knuckles," Maruri said. These are worldwide acclaimed artists, all born and raised in the Bronx.

Little Louie Vega--via Wikipedia

"The 90's freestyle was a time when we connected to the lyrics and danced to love, pain and changes. The songs were about the true love, broken hearts and first love memories," she remembered.

Rapper KRS-One (a stage name backronym for Knowledge Reigns Supreme Over Nearly Everyone) showed his Bronx pride through his first hip-hop group Boogie Down Productions. The group Terror Squad also originated in the Bronx in 1998, with Bronx-born Joseph Antonio Cartagena, aka Fat Joe, along with homeys Big Pun and Remy Ma. Even breakdancing started in the Bronx!

Manhattan may have Swing Street, and the Beastie Boys may be forever Brooklyn, but the Bronx has its own unique staying power within the music world.

Take a tour of the borough with Maruri through MCNY Tours, listen to her stories, and get a firsthand glimpse of the Bronx's rich and diverse culture. Just be sure to keep your ears tuned in to all the sounds of the neighborhoods.

Aerial view of the Bronx --via Wikipedia

This post was sponsored by MCNY Tours.

My New York Sunday: What I Wore, What I Did, and What I Spent

2013-05-07T15:30:00.001-04:00

TRACY TALKS

One of the windows at Bergdorf Goodman -- by Wilson Rivera via Flickr

Wake-up at 9:10 a.m. Temperature: 52 degrees
Cappuccino at 10:05 a.m.

Throw on Uniqlo corduroy leggings, Gap v-neck t-shirt, Ralph Lauren gingham blouse -- tie it at the waist, no socks with Tsubo booties, silver hoop earrings, Efva Attling Memento Vivere necklace, a no-name cargo jacket, a scarf from a NYC street vendor, and my Gabs bag.

My new Efva Attling necklace

Walk out the door at 10:45 a.m.
Meet Heather at 85th and Broadway at 10:55 a.m.

We trek to The Film Society at Lincoln Center on 65th St. and meet Scott at 11:20 a.m. for the 11:45 showing. With popcorn in hand, all three of us watch the long-awaited and absolutely fabulous documentary, Scatter My Ashes At Bergdorf's--cost: $14.50 plus popcorn: $3.00.

Movie ends at 1:30 p.m.

Photo courtesy of Bergdorf Goodman blog

The Film Society is a modern theater in Lincoln Center and often plays documentaries.--photo by Scott McCulley

We stroll to Central Park West and tour the south end of Central Park, pausing for photo session number one. Heather and I pose in front of the waterfall. We decide that this spring has been the most magnificent we've ever seen in New York.

Heather and Tracy by the waterfall in Central Park

And now, the moment we've been waiting for -- a stop at Bergdorf Goodman (of course). Just outside the 58th St. entrance, we put on our smiles for another quick photo session, then head in to peruse the goods --first jewelry, then up a flight to the shoe salon, passing the designer galleries on the way. A $4,300 Fendi dress? I can dream can't I?

Tracy and Scott in front of the 58th Street entrance at Bergdorf's

We carefully inspect dozens of shoes by Manolo Blahnik, Christian Louboutin, Prada, Giuseppe Zanotti and many others, until we head back to the ground floor for a look through handbags, oohing and aahing at the Goyard counter before a fragrance sampling of Jeunesse De Robert Piguet. It's about 2:45 p.m. and we leave BG.

We all move north on 5th Ave. along the park to 69th St. and then head east. We're starving and pick up lunch at Le Gourmet at 68th and 1st Ave., cost: $10.50

Final destination is Scott's apartment, chowing on lunch while drinking Tanqueray and tonics-- absolutely the best anywhere, I might add. By this time, it's about 4 p.m.

Friends who Tanqueray together, stay together.

After much silliness and relaxation, it's already after 5 p.m. Heather needs to get home for laundry time, and our friend Ray stops in for a brief visit and a cocktail shortly thereafter. We gab more, and catch up on work, life, and the city.

Suddenly, it's almost 7 p.m. Where does the time go?

I kiss up, make my exit from the east side and traipse back to the Upper West, but not before making two more quick stops to pick up dinner and baklava for dessert (It's Greek Easter, after all) -- cost: $19.00.

Rather than take the closest bus, I decide to walk some more since the weather is ideal. I make half of my trip on foot to 86th and Lexington Ave. With no bus in sight, I hail a cab for the remainder of the trip home--cost: $9.00

I arrive home at 8 p.m.

Eat dinner with hubby, watch a movie, walk Bogey, do a little blogging, followed by a chapter of Someday, Someday, Maybe.

Lights out at 1 a.m.

Total spent for a movie with popcorn, lunch, dinner, transit, and a day out in the city: $56.
Now, that's a perfect New York Sunday.

Looky -- Buy. Sell. Be Social.

2013-05-07T11:10:00.001-04:00

by Tracy Kaler

New Yorkers like availability and convenience-- by iakoubtchik via Flickr

Living in a city with most everything at our fingertips, it’s easy to become spoiled. As New Yorkers, we live a life based on availability and convenience; getting anything we want and need around the clock by walking a few blocks, or picking up the phone and tipping the delivery guy. We are in an instant gratification/no hassle mode. And that’s truer in New York City than most any place else.

Moreover, like others in the US and abroad, we use eBay, Amazon, Craigslist and Etsy as virtual shops to purchase and sell items like furniture, clothing, jewelry, rugs and electronics, because these sites save time, energy, and often, money.

But, from a personal perspective, I often question the source of these purchases, as I’m sure others do as well. Will the quality be as stated? Is the seller reputable? Will I get what I ordered? I ask these and other questions when using one of the online marketplaces where I am trusting people I have never met before.

So, what if you could buy from and sell to friends or friends of friends? It makes perfect sense to buy and sell within our own social networks and remove the doubts we associate with buying online to begin with. The recently launched Looky website will allow you to connect socially by talking to friends and posting updates, but it also has a buy/sell option similar to eBay. With Looky, you’ll be buying and selling items with friends or acquaintances and never strangers.

Here’s the lowdown.

Looky has a social networking side and a buy/sell side. The two aspects of the website are completely different. You can log in and see what your friends have been up to, but you can also go to the market area and post items you want to sell or check out items you may want to purchase. You’ll be able to see what your friends are selling, if anything, and what their friends are selling too.

Never-been-used features

Zip code

You can sign up and enter your zip code, and once you are logged into the system, you can search for people/friends from your location. This feature will enable you to find friends who live close to you, even if you don’t know their email addresses. And, you will be able to purchase items from your friends no matter where they are located.

You can also use the zip code feature when searching for something on the buy/sell side. Let's say you type in “Macbook Pro,” all the suggestions are given to you first by distance, and second, by price. You also have the option of hiding the zip code feature from your profile so others can’t find you.

Privacy

Your friends can see both your social and sell sides, and those who are not friends can only see your sell side. Potential buyers can only see your name (none of your personal info), the items listed for sale, and mutual friends. Plus, you must have an account to browse the site.

It’s easy

The simple design of Looky takes you wherever you want to go on the site in four clicks or less. The setting and menu bars are hidden on the home page, but with just one click, everything is visible. And, people of all ages can sign up since the website is extremely user-friendly. From a child to a senior citizen, Looky is for anyone and everyone.

What does it cost?

Lucky for New Yorkers -- and any other anxious members trying to pinch pennies -- signing up for an account costs nothing. And, for the first 10,000 users, selling is completely free for life.

Beyond the first 10,000, buying on Looky is free, and selling costs only $1.00 each time. That’s all.

No advertising—period.

Looky wants users to benefit from the site whether they’re connecting with friends or selling that sofa. They don’t want users to waste their time with ads, so you'll see no advertising on the site at all.

According to CEO and founder, Heigo Paartalu, Looky allows people to do what they’ve done their entire lives -- trust friends -- because buying from people you trust is better.

This post was sponsored by Looky.

Shop for the New York Mom in Your Life

2013-05-06T11:02:00.000-04:00

SHOP NEW YORK
by Ashley Pagliaro

New York mommies--by skeddy NYC via Flickr

Years ago on a day you can barely remember, someone brought you into the world. That someone was your mom, and long after you were born, she made sure your lunch was packed, your shoes were tied, and you were taken care of. Next Sunday on Mother's Day, you have a chance to thank Mom for all that she's done over the years. What better way to show your appreciation than to pick out a fabulous gift from New York's local shopping scene. We have some great gift ideas that you can find right here in town.

Shop the West Village cult favorite, Castor & Pollux for their Maggie bracelet. Celebrate Mom's birth month and pick it up in her birthstone. As this is a bit of a splurge item, chip in with your fellow siblings so each of you can take some of the credit.

Photo courtesy of Castor & Pollux

If your mom appreciates the character in accessories, head over to the Carroll Gardens boutique, Smith + Butler Bklyn, and choose from classic American heritage brands and unique finds from around the world. This handmade silk scarf will brighten up your mom's look and leave her friends wondering why their sons or daughters didn't get them something so chic and different.

Photo courtesy of Smith + Butler

If the scarf isn't quite unique enough, create her very own scent at Fragrance Shop New York, a staple NYC shop that has existed for over 20 years, though recently moving from its location on 64th down to the East Village. Choose from over 200 oils to make the perfect customized scent. They'll even save your scent recipe on file so you can recreate it for your mom in the future!

Photo courtesy of Fragrance Shop NY

If your mom likes to keep it classic with snail mail over e-mail, then head over to Foxy & Winston in Red Hook, Brooklyn to pick out some stylish stationery. British-born artist, Jane Buck, designs custom illustrations for both stationery and textiles. You know what that means, where there's a thank you card, there's a tote bag. Mix and match, or buy two of the same this Mother's Day.

Photo courtesy of Foxy & Winston

If mom prefers cooking to corresponding, pick up an apron like this one, in an artichoke-print, also from Foxy & Winston.

Photo courtesy of Foxy & Winston

Maybe your mom is in need of a bold blouse to wear out on the town with friends. This Mother of Pearl Cordelia Top is not only flattering for the body, but feminine too. The perfect-for-spring floral print is the design creation of NYC-based artist, Francesco Simeti. Shop this look at high-end downtown New York boutique, Dagny + Barstow.

Photo courtesy of Dagny & Barstow

These are just some of the many possible gifts worthy of mom this Mother's Day. New York is host to unique shops and designers begging to be shared with the most special lady in your life, so regardless of which gift you choose, surely, you'll remain the apple of Mom's eye.

The Myth of Overnight Success

2013-05-03T07:54:00.000-04:00

STAGEBOUND
True stories from the life of a musical performer in New York City
by Rori Nogee

In the wake of all the positive buzz surrounding my current project, Showgirls! the Musical! an acquaintance texted me, “I am so jealous of your sudden success!”

What is success anyway? Money? Happiness? Fame? An actor profile on Broadwayworld.com? One hit show? To each his own. The only thing that successful people have in common is that they all worked really hard to get where they are.

Yes, there is that one in a million situation where some guy gets picked up in a coffee shop to star in a feature film because he happened to have the right look in the right place at the right time. Or there’s the girl who just graduated college who goes right into a Broadway show, because she was discovered by an agent in her expensive college showcase. But for the 99% percent, that is not a reality.

In response to that text message and to all the people who think that stars get lucky and are born over night, I would like to give you a deep look into my “sudden success.”

Knowing what I wanted to do from just moments out of the womb, I started performing in community theater at the age of nine, balancing rehearsals with my school work. I went on to perform in every middle school and high school production, and eventually became president of the drama club my senior year.

A little girl with big dreams, already singing Sondheim at 11.

Summers were spent training at the intensive theater camp, Stagedoor Manor, (on which the movie Camp was based), singing alongside the likes of Lea Michele and the daughters of Richard Dreyfuss and Ron Silver.

For college, I attended NYU’s Lee Strasberg Institute, but realized that Tai Chi and collective singing classes were not pushing me hard enough in the right direction.

After a summer training at the Circle in the Square Theater School, a five day a week 9-5 program, I transferred to SUNY Cortland. There, I had six dance classes a week, starred in the musicals, and learned how to do ballet on pointe for their annual production of The Nutcracker.

Cortland's dance classes turned this bumbling snowball into a dainty snowflake.

After graduating a semester early, I was excited to delve into the big city and get my glamorous career under way. The following sums up the past decade:

I toured the country on six different occasions, sometimes sleeping four people to a hotel room, (thus sharing a bed), or being housed with conditions such as rodents, rodent feces, infestations of every insect imaginable, and no heat or hot water.

I’ve gotten ready for performances in middle America in mirrorless dressing rooms in elementary school boiler closets.

I lived in Alaska doing a can-can musical four times a day, spending four months in a tiny town that cruise ship patrons grew bored with after only a couple of hours.

I did-did do the can-can for audiences ages 80 and up.

I performed at a theme park, swinging fourteen tracks in six different productions, seven shows a day, six days a week. These tracks included a full bodied costume character worn under the hot sun in a melting ice vest, and throwing tiki torches as an African tribal dancer on a dangerous concrete floor. I threw my back out, lived off painkillers and monster energy drinks, lost eight pounds, and kept on going through the pain. I felt like a robot. I thought, maybe I don’t love this anymore. I wondered why I was still doing it.

Just keep smiling like a good musical robot.

Then, as a reminder of my love for the stage, I got to live my ultimate dream: Playing Maureen in a professional production of Rent. I greeted fans at the stagedoor, got carted around by limousines, was shown off like a trophy at publicity events, and gave television news interviews, all while living in a South Carolina beach house. But when it was over, I had to deal with the reality of coming home and going back to being nobody.

No day but today. Until you wake up tomorrow and it's over.

I finally made it to Off-Broadway in New York City, doing two different shows at once, culminating in five performances per weekend! Had I made it now? I would arrive at the theater at 9:30am every Saturday morning (so no late partying on Friday nights!), build the set, perform the show, take down the set, sign autographs for children, travel across town (sans lunch) to the next theater, build that set, do two performances of that show, take the set down, repeat the entire process the next day, and then go to work and waitress all night, as the two shows together still didn’t pay my rent.

5 shows a weekend and I still could barely make ends meet.

I would get home from work at 2am and wake up at 6am for auditions.

I performed the starring role in an opening night of a world premiere musical in Connecticut under the following conditions: Coxsackie, tonsillitis, AND a chest cold.

I endured totalitarian dictator directors who lived to make me cry, and berated me in front of family and colleagues in order to feel powerful.

I’ve had my heart broken moments before performances, wiped the tears away (Katy Perry style) slapped on that smile and given the performance of a lifetime anyway.

I have avoided relationships because I just don’t have time.

I have held costumes together with safety pins and fashioned microphone belts out of pantyhose.

I have played a monkey, an elf, a goose, a clown, a grandma, a cupcake fairy and a tree.

I take lessons with a voice teacher and an auditions coach who help me prepare for up to eight auditions in a single week.

I spend my evenings on online casting sites, writing personalized cover letters for every job I am qualified, in order to score more auditions.

I have spent thousands of dollars on headshots, demo reels, and workshops with casting directors and agents.

I spend my last dollar making sure to see all the theater that I can, so I know what is currently out there.

And SUDDENLY here I am starring in Showgirls! the Musical! which is taking NYC by storm and officially transferring to Off-Broadway in Midtown. Even if it closes in two months, I am enjoying the moment. I have no regrets about the things I have endured. Every one of those experiences was a lesson and has made me stronger, more disciplined, and ready for whatever this business might throw at me next.

So, the next time you see a Broadway show and notice the star making her Broadway debut, know that she probably wasn’t just “discovered.” She’s been there the whole time. You just never noticed.

Bring it New York. I’m ready. I’ve been ready. I was born ready.

Praising and Prowling NYC's Pan-Latin Food Scene

2013-05-02T10:56:00.000-04:00

WINE DINE & FOOTLIGHTS
by Emelyn Daly

Latin cuisine dominates the area around Loisaida Avenue in the East Village.

Sometimes you’re in the mood for that group of flavors you can only find near the tropics and close to the equator, but you can’t decide exactly what you're craving. You dream of something spicy, something cheesy, something rich and full of legumes or something light, citrusy and clean. You're in New York City, a culinary capital with a plethora of dining options, but putting your spatula on the exact spot where you want to dine and satisfying those cravings can be downright challenging.

Perhaps your thoughts are peppered with Adobo seasoning and lime, smoky chipotle and hints of habañero—you’re thinking ceviche, pollo, arepas, enchiladas! Or maybe you’re just hungry and looking for a place to eat that will make everyone in your group happy. The pan-Latin bistro could be the practical choice. Examples of this relatively new restaurant genre are popping up and flourishing all over the city, particularly in the East Village on and around the Hispanic-dominant Loisaida Ave. (aka Avenue C).

Esperanto--courtesy of Yelp

Restaurants like Esperanto and Casa Adela are successful and popular for a couple of reasons. One is that the food is relatively inexpensive yet still delicious. The other is that they offer menu options from a variety of countries, and most diners leave happy because everyone is able to find something to suit their palate. Like new American cuisine, new Latin cuisine garners a broad spectrum of flavors. In other words, these restaurants are crowd pleasers.

Casa Adela --courtesy of Yelp

Since Latin America is larger than the United States, it includes more countries and more nuanced cuisines. These diverse culinary nuances can be difficult to replicate, and therefore, we've seen some pan-Latin bistros that skim the most clichéd dishes, and often these plates are inauthentic and lack flavor.

El Camion on Ave. A and 12th St., for example, does a Huevos Diablos. A creative, Americanized take on a Mexican breakfast, the dish still falls short for textural reasons. The corn cakes under the poached eggs are soggy and overly dense, lacking the attributes of a traditional benedict’s crusty yet absorbent English muffin.

Huevos Diablos at El Camion--by Nathanmac87 via Flickr

The Huevos Camion, on the other hand, fails to even faintly resonate with the Latin palate at all. Three veggies scrambled in egg whites with home fries? Not only is it an ordinary brunch feature, but it bears no relation to Latin cooking. It tasted bland, simple, and when I ordered a side of hollandaise to richen the blandness, it came curdled, plasticky, and luke-warm. Thumbs down on many counts.

Alternatively, certain restaurants in the neighborhood are doing the pan-Latin thing and doing it well. Yuca Bar on Ave. A and 7th St. has recently become one of my favorite restaurants south of 14^th St. It doesn’t matter if every dish on the menu is prepared exactly as it might be in Latin America, because every dish is, in its own right -- a home run.

Yuca Benedictos at Yuca Bar--courtesy of Foodspotting

The Yuca Benedictos infuses a North American brunch concept with uniquely Latin American flavors. The dish uses yuca, a South American tuber, as its starch. Fried and seasoned with peppers and onions, this medley of vegetables makes a perfect bed for the poached eggs and silky cilantro hollandaise that top the dish. This and Yuca bar’s many other dishes embody what I see as the true spirit of the pan-Latin bistro. They take the original, delightful, and sometimes unfamiliar native ingredients of Latin America and use them in ways that both honor and reinvent the region’s culinary traditions.

Pan-Latin bistros cater best to the open minded-- the finest among them will offer creative and savory meals from a range of cultures, making wonderful settings for adventurous eaters looking to sink their teeth into something unique. Beware though, of the imposters among these restaurants --- some will try to take your perfectly good $15 in exchange for a perfectly boring plate of huevos rancheros, no better than what you might find at a Midtown diner.

Yuca Bar--courtesy of Yelp

When searching for your next experience in comida latina, look for variety, authenticity, and flavor, and you're sure to happily salsa dance your way from churrasco to chimichanga!

Tastemakers NY: The Illustrations of Veronica Lawlor

2013-05-01T09:48:00.000-04:00

TASTEMAKERS NY

by Tracy Kaler

Times Square by Veronica Lawlor

Veronica Lawlor’s romantically inclined reportage illustrations have led her around the world, completing assignments for a diverse group of clients, including Brooks Brothers, the 3M Corporation and the Hyatt hotel chain. Her emotionally charged drawings of the 9/11 attack on New York City are featured in the Newseum in Washington DC, and were exhibited at the NYC Fire Museum in 2006.

In 2011, Veronica was nominated by Canson USA as their representative for the Canson Prix, and her work was presented at the Louvre, in Paris. Veronica has written and illustrated several books and is on the illustration faculty of Parsons the New School for Design and Pratt Institute. She is the co-founder of the Dalvero Academy, an Urban Sketchers correspondent, and the president of the Studio 1482 illustration and design collective.

I know that you were born in New York City -- where did you grow up and what was that like?

I lived most of my elementary school years in a community called Parkchester, in the Bronx. I had so many friends in the neighborhood; each building had dozens of kids my age! I have some classic memories of growing up in New York City – moms throwing money out of apartment windows for ice cream when the Good Humor truck came by, roller skating and having my own skate key, all of us hollering up at the building to our moms to come down and get us (since we weren’t allowed to take the elevator by ourselves), and jumping around in the spray from a fire hydrant when the weather got too warm. NYC summers can really heat up.

My family moved to suburban Long Island when I was 10 years old, and although it was a beautiful town, I never really got over missing urban life. Once I was old enough to move from my parents' home, I came back to NYC. I have lived in Manhattan, the Bronx, Brooklyn, and Queens, and each borough has its own charms. Never tried Staten Island, but I hear good things. ;)

Veronica sketching in Grand Central Station

How did you get your start as an artist?

I’ve always loved to draw. As a child, drawing was a way for me to connect with my friends – we would do it together. I remember in the second grade, making up fake gossip papers with my best friend - we would create the stories about celebrities at Studio 54 and design and illustrate the magazines. Too bad Andy Warhol didn’t know about us back then!

I guess my more focused desire to be an artist came about in high school, when I decided to make it my life path. A partial scholarship to Parsons School of Design helped me to make my dream of being a young art student in Greenwich Village come true, and the teachers I met there continued to help and mentor me – especially one teacher named David Passalacqua. But my love of drawing as a way to communicate was there from the beginning.

Wall Street

You have a unique drawing style. How did you develop it?

Many, many hours of practice, and drawing on location, went into developing my personality in drawing. There is that famous saying about how 10,000 hours creates an expert – I would agree! I remember my teacher told me that if I wanted to draw hands, I had to draw 10,000 of them before I would even come close to understanding them. He was right.

A lot of young artists look for a unique style, but the truth is that your style develops over time, by making art, by looking at art, and by living with your failures as well as your successes. It’s an evolution that doesn’t happen overnight, but produces the most unique and honest artist.

Grand Central Station

What subject matter do you enjoy sketching the most and why?

I love to draw live events as they are happening – I get a rush of adrenaline and excitement from that. If things are moving quickly, I have to rely totally on instinct, as there is no time for pre-conceived ideas or pictures. And I love to see what comes of it! When I am drawing at an event, I become a part of it – people see your contribution right there on the spot and often will ‘adopt’ you as part of the action. It’s the best. I think growing up in New York City made me addicted to a certain kind of high energy, and drawing things that are fast-paced feed that addiction.

What medium do you usually work in and which do you prefer?

I love playing with all kinds of mediums, because each one creates a new graphic feeling and sensation. The experiment is always enjoyable. I guess on location I often gravitate toward pen and ink, with watercolor and pastel chalks – these are faster mediums than something like oil, and so feel more suited to the spontaneity I often look for in my location drawings.

I just finished writing a book about watercolor called One Watercolor A Day, which features my own art and the other artists from Studio 1482. It was so much fun to play with watercolor in a slower way as well, and see the possibilities it offers.

The Empire State Building

What’s been your favorite project in your career so far?

Oh man, I’ve been lucky to have so many great projects that it’s hard to choose. Drawing Central Park for the Mandarin Oriental hotel was like a dream – spending a week in early autumn making drawings in my favorite park – that was really magical. I also did a cross-country tour doing drawings of American icons for Brooks Brothers, which was fantastic, as it combined my love of drawing with my love of travel. I could keep going, I feel that I’ve been so lucky to receive commissions that have been both interesting and challenging.

Central Park Boathouse

How did Studio 1482 form?

All of the members of Studio 1482 went to school together – we studied with our mentor, the late illustrator, David J. Passalacqua. He taught us a philosophy of illustration with a fine arts oriented viewpoint, and we developed through hours of discovery, studying location drawing and painting, and research and communication, with him.

We got together and decided to create a collective where we, as artists with a common philosophy and background, could help each other with both artistic and commercial support. It's been a wonderful kind of art family for us.

You and the team at Studio 1482 collaborated on the book, One Drawing a Day. Can you tell me a little bit about the book and the purpose of it?

The book One Drawing A Day really expresses our philosophy of art as a very personal experience, best learned through doing it yourself, trial and error, with guidance, as opposed to being shown how to do it. Art instruction can sometimes become a confining experience, with so much emphasis on ‘right’ and ‘wrong’ ways of drawing, which is the exact opposite of the way we were taught. We learned by working through all the drawings - good and bad - one at a time.

The East Village

Through our One Drawing A Day blog, the Studio 1482 members can play and experiment, without sacrificing our professionalism or ability to complete an illustration assignment. The open nature of the blog gives us permission to try things that may not work, and show them to each other and the world for feedback. You have to be open to the idea that you don’t know how something will turn out, to find the new and unusual solutions in your own work.

With the One Drawing A Day book, examples of our own work are offered up as a point of departure for others, as a suggestion of something to try. The book creates an experiential and open kind of art instruction, as opposed to a step-by-step kind of instruction with a specific goal. And we like that idea so much that we have a new book coming out in December with a similar philosophy – One Watercolor A Day.

What artist has been the biggest influence on you and your work?

Well, aside from my mentor, whom I’ve already mentioned, some of my earliest heroes in art have had the biggest influence on me: Toulouse-Lautrec and Daumier for their energy and honesty, Matisse and Picasso for design, Hans Hofmann and the abstract expressionists for passion, Antonio Lopez for style, and traditional Japanese arts for pattern and taste. That’s just the tip of the iceberg; I believe it’s so important to be influenced by art history, photography, film, culture, design approaches, and what’s happening now. You need to keep studying to keep yourself moving forward as an artist, otherwise the well can run dry.

The Brooklyn Bridge

In addition to your work, you also teach at Pratt and Parsons. What type of classes do you teach and how has teaching affected your art?

I teach drawing, painting and illustration, as well as sequential storytelling, animation/animatics, and location drawing, at both schools. And of course, living life as an artist, in many different ways, is an ongoing topic of class discussions.

Teaching has affected my art big time, since I feel a sense of responsibility to my students to work hard and be honest in my artistic expression. Practice what you preach, as the saying goes.

Any advice for up-and-coming artists in New York?

Work with passion, be true to yourself, and be curious. Follow your heart and do what you love. Focus more on the process than on the desired result, and you’ll enjoy your artistic life.

Any new New York projects on the horizon?

Over the last few years, I have been documenting several New York neighborhoods with both drawing and video. This is an ongoing project that hasn’t fully blossomed yet, but I am excited about where it may go.

I am working to put together a catalog of my many drawings of New York City – it’s been a long love affair. My hope is that the drawings may be of interest to the other NYC lovers out there.

Times Square

What’s your idea of a perfect day in NYC?

My perfect day in New York City includes sunshine, trees, bricks, cappuccino, pen, ink, watercolor, a sketchbook, my husband Neil, laughter, and good friends. Can’t beat that.

Anything that you don’t love about living in New York?

No, I love it all.

Why is NYC still your number one choice of places to live?

New York City has diversity, energy, and personality. It is full of the hopes and dreams of everyone who comes here to fulfill them. I was lucky enough to be born here and I can’t see myself ever leaving. I love to travel, but I always find a little piece of what I discovered in my travels exists right here in my hometown. No place like New York City, and I will always click my heels, like Dorothy in the Wizard of Oz, to get back home to my own backyard.

Bow Bridge, Central Park

For more on Veronica, visit her website and blog.

Experience the Culture of Greek Easter in Astoria

2013-04-30T09:27:00.001-04:00

The BBQS

Straight from the outer boroughs

by Amanda Halkiotis

Springtime in Astoria--by Muckster via Flickr

Every year, I eagerly await springtime in New York. I get giddy just thinking about the Bronx Orchid Show at the New York Botanical Garden, window shopping for cute warm-weather clothes, and once again resuming my quest for the perfect iced coffee. Springtime also calls for fancy dresses and fun festivities in honor of the spring holidays, including Eastern Orthodox Easter, also known as Easter Sunday. This year the Greek ceremonies will take place on Sunday, May 5, a full five weeks after Western Easter.

I'll spend this week in Astoria where I live, and this coming weekend, I'll head home to Connecticut in time for midnight service at 12 a.m. on Easter Sunday. Later that afternoon, my family and I will indulge in a fabulous traditional Easter bash with a smorgasbord of Greek food.

The most important religious day of the year for us Greeks, my extended family puts extra effort into planning Easter Sunday each year. To address the inevitable question I’ve been assaulted with since grade school, "Why is my Easter different?" To condense a long and complex answer, we still follow the Julian Calendar that Julius Caesar established in 46 BC. Like Western Easter, Eastern Orthodox Easter falls on the first Sunday after the first full moon on or after the vernal equinox. Unlike Western Easter, our Easter must be observed after Passover.

By now, both Easter and Passover may be long forgotten by most New Yorkers. Not so in Astoria, where the largest concentration of Greek-Americans in the United States reside. Any day of the year, places like Plaza Meat Market or Akropolis Meat Market have whole, fresh lambs in the windows, ready to be dressed and roasted. Ocean Fish Market has whole fishes like smelts and porgies on ice out front. Around this time, however, these shops increase their inventory for Greek Easter. People place orders weeks in advance for the meatiest, juiciest legs of lamb.

Roasted lamb on a bed of spinach with dolmades--by naotakem via Flickr

Flower shops like Annis Florals and Teddy’s Florist start featuring daffodils, crocuses, roman orchids, and even pussy willows. These hearty blooms thrive in the rocky terrain of Greece, and their long flowering season makes for the perfect Easter centerpiece or hostess gift no matter the date. Markets like Titan, EuroMarket and Mediterranean Foods will see shortages in their baking aisles as mothers scoop up spices, nuts, butter, phyllo dough, flour, and honey.

Pussy willows --by Anastasia R via Flickr

Easter dinner for me means roast lamb and traditional sides of dolmades (grapes leaves stuffed with herbs, rice, and ground lamb or beef) and fasolada (stewed green beans in a thick, fragrant herbed tomato sauce). For dessert we have baklava (baked phyllo dough filled with crushed walnuts or pistachios, seasoned with spices and drenched in simple syrup), as well as koulorakia (butter cookies washed in egg yolks and scattered with sesame seeds, formed into fun shapes like braids, bows, and figure eights), and kourabiedes (walnut sugar cookies baked into rounds or crescents, and then dusted with a layer of confectioner’s sugar).

Baklava!--by yosoynuts via Flickr

If anxious grocery shopping and hours in the kitchen doesn’t sound relaxing, go out on Saturday for a traditional homestyle Greek meal in Astoria instead. Some of my top restaurant picks include:

Taverna Kyclades, Gregory’s 26 Corner Tavern, Aliada, Zenon Taverna, and Thymari. I plan to try the newly opened MP Taverna, owned by award-winning chef, Michael Psilakis. After dinner, stop by Artopolis or Güllüoglu for some Greek coffee and a few syrupy sweet goodies.

Springtime has finally reached New York. With plenty of sunshine, warm winds, and longer days, this makes for the perfect time to experience Astoria’s vibrant culture while also seeing – and tasting - the incredible Easter holiday season.

Perfect Strangers of NYC: Moving to New York City on a Budget

2013-04-29T14:13:00.000-04:00

by Tracy Kaler

Moving to New York City

Moving to New York City in the near future? If you’re like thousands of other college students in the US, you’ll be heading to the greatest city in the world in a few months. Or you could be one of millions who dream of living in New York, but moving doesn’t seem like a remote possibility because you think it’s far too overwhelming or expensive. Whatever the situation --- if relocating to the Big Apple is on your agenda --- you’ll need to find a place to live, which is far from easy.

With real estate that moves at the speed of light, acquiring a New York City apartment is tougher than purchasing a home in many other parts of the world. Moreover, rents have continued to climb over the years and the vacancy rate is at an all-time low. This means one thing: it’s nearly impossible for a newcomer to find a safe, affordable apartment in “The City That Never Sleeps” without paying the standard brokers’ fee, which is typically 12-15 percent of a year’s rent.

Enter Sarah Beth Hill -- New Yorker, former real estate agent, and a post-college NYC transplant herself. In other words, she understands what it takes to move to this town, on a budget. (In other cities, it’s a matter of searching the web or checking a local newspaper, but in New York, that’s not the case.)

Sarah Beth Hill is the founder of Perfect Strangers of NYC

After Sarah graduated from the University of Massachusetts Amherst with a degree in Real Estate and Entrepreneurship, she came to NYC for an interview at a mid-size property management firm in Manhattan. She met with the President of the company and was offered a job on the spot, but needed to start work ASAP.

“I accepted, and had to move to New York in four days with only $1,500 to my name,” said Sarah recently. She couldn’t afford a place on her own or pay a broker, so she turned to Craigslist to find a roommate and an apartment. “I ended up living near the projects of Clinton Hill/Bed-Stuy with a guy I barely knew. It wasn't an ideal living arrangement, but I didn't have a lot of choices given my situation.”

Sarah quickly realized that finding an apartment alone with little time, no connections, and a limited budget was nearly impossible in this town. Plus, newbies are often automatic targets for ‘bait- and-switch” schemes (often found on Craigslist or in other online ads) occurring frequently in cities like New York. Beyond all of this, people who have time constraints are frequently charged higher fees simply because they are under the gun, and not every person who moves to New York can afford to pay a percentage of the annual rent before they sign a lease.

Because of the amount of illegitimate deals being advertised and the lack of reliable information about moving to the Big Apple, Sarah founded Perfect Strangers of NYC, a consulting firm whose focus is on roommate matchmaking. Sarah guides clients through the steps of how to figure out their budget and secure the right no-fee apartment in the appropriate area of town based on their needs and desires. For the clients who are also searching for a roommate, Sarah personally matches people based on their personalities, neighborhoods and amenities.

How does it work?

Clients looking for a roommate typically reach out to Sarah through the contact form on her website. After receiving each submission, Sarah schedules a one-on-one meeting with the client and provides a free 15-minute consultation reviewing the necessary points such as budget, location, and move-in date. Then, Sarah scours her database for compatible clients and coordinates a time for the potential roommates to meet.

Roommate Matchmaking

“I am always there during the first meet and greet to provide a sense of security and help them ask all necessary questions about living with each other,” she said. It’s this personal level of service that brings results.

Sarah soon began to realize that people need more help than just finding roommates. She expanded her services to include consulting, neighborhood tours and apartment-hunting classes to help educate the city’s newcomers. “People really enjoy our apartment-hunt training,” said Sarah. She meets with clients one on one, teaches them about the process of renting an apartment and how they can avoid using a broker if one isn’t in their budget.

Sarah plans to continue to make a difference in the NYC rental market --- touring, educating, and pairing new New Yorkers with compatible roommates and the apartments of their dreams.

If you're ready to make your dream of living in New York City a reality, visit Perfect Strangers of NYC or contact Sarah at sarah at psofnyc dot com.

This post was sponsored by Perfect Strangers of NYC.

Four Minutes with Michael Bublé

2013-04-29T10:31:00.001-04:00

LIFE IN THE APPLE

by Tracy Kaler

I am a fan of Michael Bublé--by Curling Zone via Flickr

They say that 'life is all about timing' and I have to agree. Sometimes we hit it right, other times we miss it by seconds, and still others, we aren't even in the same time zone. There is no place where time is more of the essence than in New York City. A few minutes or a missed opportunity can make or break a future; change a life forever.

Just a few days ago, it was definitely all about timing near Manhattan's Lincoln Center. Michael Bublé performed on the subway platform at 66th Street, just a five-minute trip from my apartment --- a station that is in my own New York backyard. I rode that train line on Thursday, but my timing was off and I missed him.

Michael Bublé sang on this platform on Thursday

For a few in transit and a random group awaiting the next 1 train, April 25 was their lucky day. Riders stood and listened attentively to the a capella rendition of the Jackson 5's "Who's Lovin' You" crooned twice by Bublé and the group who has opened for him on tour, Naturally 7. Observers videoed and photographed the four-minute song, followed by applause, a round of hugs and a few words from the singer himself.

Most of us can recall musicians or performers in the NYC subway at some point, and we might even have a few tales to tell about these somewhat expected New York experiences. But this? This doesn't happy every day.

So, when sentimental New Yorkers (ahem, like me) romanticize and say that anything can happen here, well, a spontaneous song is only one tiny possibility.

In the video shown below, the music is entertaining, but Bublé's words after the song are priceless. This was a true New York moment. In the future, maybe time will be on my side and I'll be lucky enough to be living in the moment instead of reading about it.

Michael Bublé's sixth studio album, "To Be Loved" was released last week.

Have a New York experience that you'd like to share? Email your story to tracysnewyorklife at gmail dot com.

6 Months in New York, Frustrated and Single

2013-04-26T11:25:00.000-04:00

LIVING SINGLE IN NYC
by Grace Anders

New York is more fun with a partner in crime--by devinish via Flickr

I've been living in New York for about six months now, and I’ve only been on a handful of dates and they’ve all been lousy. To put it mildly, it’s very disappointing, because I really do miss having a partner in crime. I want to meet someone, have someone to explore New York with, have someone to travel with, and have someone to lean on who is happy to call me his girlfriend.

I had a date with a new guy recently – a doctor who enjoys many of my outdoor passions (including sports and travel) as well as action movies of debatable quality. It was a good match, and so when he proposed going out for an evening to grab drinks, I threw caution to the wind, reminded myself that I was going to try to be less of a hermit than I perhaps am sometimes (hey, Pawn Stars is addicting,) and agreed to the invitation.
Honestly, I always panic a bit before going on a first date, especially with someone I don’t know well, and especially when it’s just the two of us, instead of a double date or ‘group hangout' type of situation. I worry about a these things:

Will it be awkward?
Will I have to keep the conversation going?
What if I decide after an hour that I’m not feeling it?
How do I make my exit?
And, most awkwardly of all, what if he goes for a good-night kiss, but I’m keen to avoid it? It’s going to result in frustration and embarrassment for one of us.

The date started well, although admittedly, I was late. He switched locations at the last minute due to the proposed bar being packed, and it took me a little longer to travel – I probably arrived close to 7:50 instead of our agreed upon 7:30. However, we managed to have some witty banter during the process, so I think it was forgiven.

I was fashionably late for our 7:30 date--by left_stab via Flickr

And the date went fine. He’s cute and there was no shortage of topics to talk about, and never at any point did I feel an awkward lull or forced conversation that suggests it’s time to call it a night.

Then it happened: I was getting ready to suggest we try another place, and he pulled the “it’s-a-school-night card.” A quick glance at my watch told me it had been just over an hour, which, as we all know, is the bare minimum you’re expected to politely stay on a date if it’s secretly making you want to claw your eyes out.

So my fears of embarrassment and wanting to leave came true, but in this case, I wasn’t the one who wanted to leave. I didn’t pick up on any signs of this during the date either, which makes me wonder if I’m much more out of touch than I thought – a depressing thought at 27, when most people are supposed to have a decade of dating experience and expertise under their belts.

Where is he?--by Joel Bedford via Flickr

I’ve been technically single – as in, no one has actually called me a girlfriend - for four years! As you can imagine, this really brings you down after a while – especially when you see friends on Facebook who have gone from dating to engaged to married to divorced to dating to engaged again in the same span of time I’ve been flying solo. You begin to wonder why you’re single for so long when no one else seems to be. And it’s not for lack of putting myself out there, which I’m certainly doing. And it’s not from trying too hard, because I really don’t throw myself at many (nay, hardly any) guys.

To be honest, I actually came home from this date and cried --- not because of the loss of one potential person, but because I feel like I’m really overdue for meeting someone decent who would actually value me. I'm not referring to the guy who likes showing me off to his friends, or hanging out only when it’s convenient, but the guy who actually likes me, for who I am beyond nice hair and decent legs.

It’s outrageous to think it’s been nine months since I’ve even kissed anyone, which seems shockingly abnormal for a mostly normal twenty something living in New York City. It’s really getting me down, and while I’m considering OkCupid (or something of the like), I don’t know that I want to keep facing rejection.

I suppose I will, because that’s all there is to do. The next date is another chance to meet the right person, and although that sounds cliché now, I’m really hoping I believe it by the time an opportunity for a new date rolls around.

Until then, time to find a new series to watch on Netflix.

Where do I find love?--by Celebdu via Flickr

Win Someday, Someday, Maybe

2013-04-25T09:48:00.000-04:00

by Tracy Kaler

I've been reading a chapter each night after blogging and before going to bed, and I'm completely hooked on Someday, Someday, Maybe, the debut novel by Gilmore Girls and Parenthood star, Lauren Graham. This fun read will be available in stores next week!

All of my US readers are in luck. I'll be giving away two copies of the book provided by Random House!

How to win
You have a couple of options to enter the contest.

1. Leave a comment about winning the book at the bottom of this post.

2. Become a fan of the blog's Facebook Page by going here and clicking LIKE at the top of the page. All new LIKES from this week through May 1 will automatically be entered in the contest.

3. If you prefer not to leave a comment on the blog, you can also leave a comment about winning the book on the facebook fan page.

A sample comment could be: "I want to read Someday, Someday, Maybe."
Or, "I am a fan of Lauren Graham and would love to read her book!"

It's that simple!

About the Book

Set in New York City in 1995, Someday, Someday, Maybe is funny and relatable. I feel like I am right there every step of the way with actress Franny Banks as she tries to get an acting job, get ahead, and keep everything together in the process.

Franny has just six months left of the three-year deadline she set for herself when she came to New York, dreaming of Broadway and doing “important” work. But all she has to show for her efforts so far is a part in an ad for ugly Christmas sweaters, and a gig waiting tables at a comedy club. Her roommates in Park Slope, Brooklyn―her best friend Jane, and Dan, an aspiring sci-fi writer―are supportive, yet Franny knows a two-person fan club doesn’t exactly count as success.

Despite everyone telling her to have a backup plan, Franny has higher aspirations. While she dreams of playing roles similar to idols like Diane Keaton and Meryl Streep, she would also be content with a speaking part in almost anything -- and finding a hair product combination that works.

She finds herself attracted to James Franklin, the most successful actor in her class, yet tries to keep her eyes on the prize despite the recent attention he is giving her. Her cash is dwindling, her father thinks she should come home, and her agent isn't calling. Still, Franny keeps the faith and believes that her hard work and determination will pay off, and she'll ultimately get what she came for.

Someday, Someday, Maybe is a story about hopes and dreams, being young in a city, and wanting something deeply, madly, desperately. It’s about finding love, finding yourself, and perhaps most difficult of all in New York City, finding an acting job.

About the Author
Lauren Graham is an actress best known for her roles on the critically acclaimed series Gilmore Girls and Parenthood. She has performed on Broadway and appeared in such films as Bad Santa, Evan Almighty, and Because I Said So. She holds a BA in English from Barnard College and an MFA in acting from Southern Methodist University. She lives in New York and Los Angeles.

Praise for Someday, Someday, Maybe
“Sweet, funny, and full of heart . . . a dazzling debut.”—Emily Giffin, New York Times bestselling author of Something Borrowed and Where We Belong

“Warm and funny, charming and smart.”—Diane Keaton, New York Times bestselling author of Then Again

“Graham deftly captures what it’s like to be young, ambitious, and hopeful in New York City.”—Candace Bushnell, New York Times bestselling author of Sex and the City and The Carrie Diaries

This contest runs through May 1. Book winners will be announced early May and must have a United States address. Please be sure to check the blog and the facebook page for the winners. Winners will be selected at random. You will have 48 hours to claim your book!

Favorite Picks from One Kings Lane --- the Kitchen Sale is On!

2013-04-24T16:33:00.000-04:00

by Tracy Kaler

Sadly, my New York apartment is just about filled to the max until I get my long-awaited storage unit. I am counting the days because I will finally be able to clean out the closets and the space underneath the beds, which will open up a few new possibilities, perhaps. Hope hubby isn't reading this because there's no shortage of home decór items in our repertoire. But, everyone wants a new pair of shoes or pillows for spring, don't they?

I love everything on One Kings Lane and though I'm tempted to pick out a few interesting tchotchkes to freshen up my New York apartment, I can't indulge until I get rid of a few less interesting things. (I am lacking in this department because I always believe in saving home goods and decorative items for a rainy day!)

But for everyone else who has been more careful and selective in curating your tabletop and accessories, the One Kings Lane Day of Kitchen sale is here just in time for spring! This is one of the best sales of the year because of the variety of high quality kitchen items One Kings Lane offers.

Below are some of my favorite sales they are hosting. Remember, One Kings Lane sales only last 72 hours, so when you see an item you love, don't wait or you'll miss out on the sale. This Day Of Kitchen sale is live from today-4/26 only.

The Spring Table Sale at One Kings Lane
Set a table that blooms with these light, bright entertaining necessities. Full of floral dishes, playfully printed linens, and vibrant flatware, they’ve got something to freshen up every spring soiree.

The Composed Counter Sale at One Kings Lane
From cookware inherited for your first apartment to the bone white china on your wedding registry, a fully-equipped kitchen is a highly-personal thing of beauty. For those missing a few key pieces, they've created a collection of kitchen essentials, perfect for function, family, and entertaining.

Entertaining Essentials Sale at One Kings Lane
Warm days and balmy nights -- this season is just made for entertaining. Whether you're planning a casual alfresco brunch or an elaborate outdoor party, these colorful wine glasses, tumblers, coasters and cake stands make every occasion stylish and chic.

The Eat-In Kitchen Sale at One Kings Lane
The eat-in kitchen is the heart and soul of the home, and if you're one of the lucky few to have this luxury while living in the city, you should definitely give special attention to the furnishings. If you're a suburbanite, well then there's absolutely no excuse --- get shopping for that cute table and chairs now.

The kitchen is where friends and family gather, meals are prepped and served, and memories are made. Shop for some of the coolest kitchen and dining finds, from furniture to table linens, so you can create your own freshly-styled, functional eat-in kitchen.

This post was sponsored by One Kings Lane.

A Lifetime of Memories with the New York Mets

2013-04-24T11:13:00.002-04:00

The BBQS
Straight from the outer boroughs
by Jerry Del Priore

I am a true Mets fan!--by Sean Davis via Flickr

There are many factors that have made me fall in love with the New York Mets. The numerous memorable baseball games (good and bad) I have gone to over the years, the roar of the Flushing Faithful, and the casts of great players that have donned the Blue and Orange are some of reasons why I am enamored with the team, win or lose. Hey, I am a true fan!

But the biggest reason I love the Mets is because over the years, those games helped strengthen the special relationship I have with my 18-year-old nephew and godson, Carmine. I took him to his first baseball game when he was about seven, and the larger-than-life atmosphere at Shea Stadium, the former home of the New York Mets, completely mesmerized him.

Shea Stadium was the former home of the Mets--credit

Traveling through Queens toward Flushing, we could see Shea from the 7 train as it chugged closer and closer, intensifying the thrill of attending America’s favorite pastime for the both of us. As soon as we exited the train, Carmine saw the outside of the stadium and his face lit up, conveying wide-eyed excitement. He didn’t have to say anything, I knew he was hooked.

Of course, he needed a jersey, and he picked our favorite player’s number, "31," belonging to future hall of famer and former great Mets catcher, Mike Piazza. I immediately knew he would be a fan for life.

#31--Mike Piazza--by slgckgc via Flickr

As we rode up the escalators and finally took our seats, nothing could match the magical look on his face as his eyes panned around the stadium, soaking in all the excitement. He loved the legendary giant Home Run Apple that sat beyond the fences, which rose every time a player hit a home run. (That apple is now located outside Citi Field, the Mets’ present home.)

The shiny new Citi Field with the Apple--credit

During the game the score was close, and he turned to me—all caught up in the frenetic NYC baseball environment—and said, “Uncle Jerry, this is so exciting.”

The Mets wound up winning, capping a perfect evening for baseball’s newest life-long enthusiast and his uncle. The next day, the first thing he put on was his brand new Mike Piazza jersey, my sister Luisa told me over the phone.

Although the Mets moved into Citi Field in 2009, he still recalls Shea Stadium with fondness. Sure, he calls Shea a dump, but he says, “It was our dump.” Shea did have an eyesore charm to it, I must admit.

Shea Stadium was our dump.--by phi1317 via Flickr

We have gone to several Mets games since then, growing closer with each victory and, unfortunately, each disappointment. More importantly, each time we took in a game, it made me feel like a kid all over again.

Still, nothing could beat the experience of sharing my nephew’s first baseball game. Unless, of course, it’s a World Series victory for our favorite baseball team!

We can dream, can’t we?

Jerry and Carmine bonded over the Mets

Shop Efva Attling for 'Beauty With a Thought'

2013-04-23T11:48:00.001-04:00

SHOP NEW YORK
by Tracy Kaler

Seize the Day!--courtesy of Janine Just

Efva Attling has always followed her dreams and pursued her passions. She made her first piece of jewelry at age 11 and became a model with the Ford Agency at just 16. She led a successful career as a singer/songwriter starting her own band, the "X Models" in 1981, and later dabbled in fashion design for brands like H&M and Levi's. But after a long journey, Efva returned to her first love of jewelry design in 1996 and has been crafting namesake pieces ever since.

The Stockholm-based artist designs bejeweled metal adornments primarily for women, but the collection boasts a few for the men in our lives as well.

Known somewhat as Efva's signature, many of her creations include words and expressions, like "Amor Vincit Omnia," which translates to "Love Conquers All," and the all-too-familiar words to live by "Carpe Diem," or "Seize the Day." Efva aims to offer another dimension through her work in silver, gold, and precious stones, and as a former lyricist, she believes that aside from making beautiful jewelry, she should "move people with words."

With a half dozen stores in Scandinavia, Efva decided to open her first shop in the US, and in 2011, the downtown New York City location was launched.

This paparazzi ring with the inscription "F*** OFF" has been worn by Uma Thurman.--courtesy of Janine Just

On April 17, the designer was in Manhattan to present her new collection at the Efva Attling boutique in the Meatpacking District. Organized by the stylish and sharp PR and event expert, Janine Just, dozens packed the Little West 12th shop, sipped Absolut cocktails and white wine while gabbing and grabbing nibbles of the "I-can't-have-only-one Swedish 'Hot Lip' candies, all with a setting of her shiny, sparkly designs.

Cocktail?--courtesy of Janine Just

Efva with Mike

Tracy and Mike--courtesy of Janine Just

The evening culminated with a few inspirational words from Efva encouraging all of us in the audience to live each day and do what we love, because life flies by too quickly.

Efva offers a few words of wisdom.--courtesy of Janine Just

It's rare for me to adore jewelry as much as I did this collection. Every piece was clean, elegant and simple; some dainty and feminine, some sassy, and all were red carpet worthy. The well-lit backdrop of mirror, acrylic and glass only enhanced the jewelry selection.

Shop at Efva Attling for an inspirational trinket, the unique engagement ring, or something special for yourself --- all thoughtful, beautiful, and all undoubtedly Efva.

courtesy of Janine Just

Efva Attling
36 Little West 12th St,
New York, NY 10014
(212) 510-7071
www.efvaattling.com

Spring Forward as a Sharp-Dressed Man

2013-04-22T15:13:00.002-04:00

LOOKING GOOD
by Ashley Pagliaro

We love a stylish man, don't we?--by Conor Withonen via Flickr

Menswear holds a special place in my heart. Maybe it’s because I am the daughter of a native New Yorker dad who would rather splurge on the right belt than the right set of golf clubs. Or, it could be because I don’t actually wear the clothes, my imagination is truly free to run wild. Whatever the reason, I, on behalf of Tracy’s New York Life, fully endorse the sharped-dressed man and will be broadening the spotlight to feature him. Let’s get started with a roundup of some of this spring’s must-haves for men, and where to find them right here in New York City.

If the current and characteristically April weather bears any influence on your spring wardrobe, you’ll be sure to pick up this first menswear essential: a seasonably sensible jacket. This military-inspired and hooded jacket is light enough for the idyllic spring day, yet well-equipped for pop-up showers. Find it at the J.Crew Men’s Shop on Madison Avenue, and while you’re there, enjoy the rustic, relaxed space.

The Military-inspired jacket from J. Crew is a practical choice for cooler spring days.

A lightweight button-down is the perfect spring men’s shirt, whether it’s worn as a layering option or on its own with the sleeves rolled up. And while we could suggest the token blue gingham shirt, we know that a New York man dares to be different. That’s why we’re highlighting the ‘Officer’s Shirt’ from Williamsburg and East Village menswear shop, Cadet. In black gingham, and printed with tiny white stars, you’ll stand out from the crowd while remaining on trend and comfortable.

Look chic in this Cadet USA Shirt.

To appropriately enter most bars, restaurants and just about everywhere else in NYC, you’ll need to put on some pants, but not just any pants. Skip your go-to denim and opt for the 'Bellows Chino Pant’ from one of the Saturdays shops at either of their downtown New York locations. Be adventurous and go for the Maroon, or play it classic and cool in Black.

Chinos from Saturdays Surf NYC--go maroon or basic black.

But before we move on to the feet, pick-up another spring essential, the basic striped pocket tee. Wear it under a chambray button-down or solo on those summer-like spring days. We love this one from Mollusk, available at New York's own Steven Alan.

A basic striped tee is a must in every man's wardrobe.

And with that, we’ll move on to my favorite menswear item: shoes. The handcrafted 'Grey Boot’ from Maine shoemaker, Rancourt & Co. is perfect for chilly spring mornings. Head over to the Brooklyn store, Hickoree’s, and add a pop of color to your look with a pair of these exclusively made for Hickoree’s moccasin boots in Red.

Hickoree's Grey Boot--we approve!

For an alternative, and more lightweight look, make your way to NYC specialty shoe store, Kith, where you’ll find lust-worthy limited edition sneakers. The ‘Tech Deck’ from the Ransom X ADIDAS Originals collection has me wishing they had these in my size. Get to Kith and grab these while you can, and whatever other shoes you happen to pick up while you’re there. It will be hard to stop at just one pair.

The fun and stylish Kith NYC Adidas Ransom sneakers

When it comes to shopping for your spring essentials, New York is your oyster (or apple). So whether your style is classically preppy or modernly trendy, shop with our inspiration and feel proud as a sharp-dressed man.