My friend B was in town for the week-end and I decided to take her to see "Sleep no more". I had seen it 3 weeks ago (may 17th blog) and was eager to see it again as it's impossible to see all the scenes in one time ! I loved it more this time as I was lucky to witness some sexy-intense drama scenes I had missed before.
Afterwards, we went to Peels( Bowery and 2nd street) for a quick and delicious dinner, the new venture of the owners of Freeman's. I like the place very much, it has a cool vibe, nice crowd at the bar area on the second floor.
On saturday morning, we were at the opening (9:30 am !) of the MET to see the Alexander Mc Queen show at the Costume Institute.It was already getting very crowded (they had 43 000 visitor the first week !) so we started by the end ! It is beyond beautiful, the scenography was done by Sam Gainsbury who was Mc Queen's show producer and very close collaborator for many years. It's so magnificent that I'm going back again. Then a bike ride in Central Park with a stop at Le Pain quotidien near Ship Meadow, the coolest place to bake in the sun.
Shopping on Bleecker street, there's a new Marc Jacobs store and it's a bookstore : Bookmarc (bleecker and west 11th st) : great selection of art books and MJ accessories. Perfect lunch on the terrace of San Ambroeus (west 4th and Charles street)where I had a good mushroom/mozzarella omelette and shared a yummy lentil salad. We went to The Monocle Shop (Hudson and Charles street) to find the exclusive perfume they made with Comme des garçons, Hinoki. The store is an offshoot of the magazine Monocle, created by the brilliant Tyler Brulé (I read his Financial Times column every week-end).
In Soho, we went to the new James Perse store (Broome and Mercer street), I love their basics and the store is more spacious that the ones on Bleecker street.
At Agas and Tamar (250 Mott street between Houston and Prince, my friend bought some very cute and simple gold earrings with a double hoop. I discovered this store recently and really like their jewelry collection.
At night, we tried the new Imperial no 9 restaurant of the Mondrian hotel (9 crosby street or 150 Lafayette), I made a reservation there after a very good article in the New York magazine and everyone loved the food (mostly seafood). They encourage you to share which we did ! Our favorites : King crab à la plancha, fluke sashimi, a cold asparagus soup, spicy cucumber keemchee. Ask to be seated in the big room, the greenhouse. After dinner, we went for drinks at Miss Lily's and because of the long week-end, it wasn't crowded and we had the best time ! Music was great, people were relaxed, dancing and drinking red stripes !
Sunday, we went for another bike ride in the Park and the Whitney to see the Glenn Ligon and Cory Arcangel shows, both a bit disappointing.. and at night, I went to the movies to see "The Tree of Life" : the nature shots were much too long but the story of this family and their three boys over a 20 years period really touched me, Brad Pitt and Jessica Chastain (who hardly says a word) were great. I didn't really see the point of the contemporary segments with Sean Penn (one of the 3 boys as a lost adult) but overall I would recommend it !
I ended my long week-end with spinning with Rique and writing my blog !
Monday, May 30, 2011
one day in may
On thursday morning after yoga, I started my little gallery tour with the Robert Mapplethorpe "50 Americans" show at Sean Kelly Gallery (until June 18th @ 528 West 29th street) : 50 Americans, one from each state, was asked to look at a RM portfolio and pick up a picture and tell us why they did so. It's a beautiful show and after reading and loving "Just kids" this winter, I was really happy to see it.
Next stop was @ the inevitable Gagosian Gallery (555 west 24th) were John Chamberlain shows until July 8th his monumental metal sculptures. I liked Louise Lawler new work at Metro Pictures (519 West 24th street until June 11th) but was a bit disappointed by Donald Judd show at David Swirner (525 west 19th street until June 25th).
I met a friend for lunch at THE ONLY (almost) place for lunch in the area, Cookshop (corner of 19th street and 10th avenue) : I love the food (I had a grilled halibut and sautéed spinach) plus there are always some people watching (Ethan Hawke was there).
That evening, I met some friends at Felice (corner of 64th street and 1st avenue, an excellent Italian wine bar where I always get the (best) carciofi/parmigiano salad and salmon/avocado tartare. We then met more friends for a viewing of Hangover 2 : it's exactly the same synopsis as the first one but I still laughed like crazy.
Next stop was @ the inevitable Gagosian Gallery (555 west 24th) were John Chamberlain shows until July 8th his monumental metal sculptures. I liked Louise Lawler new work at Metro Pictures (519 West 24th street until June 11th) but was a bit disappointed by Donald Judd show at David Swirner (525 west 19th street until June 25th).
I met a friend for lunch at THE ONLY (almost) place for lunch in the area, Cookshop (corner of 19th street and 10th avenue) : I love the food (I had a grilled halibut and sautéed spinach) plus there are always some people watching (Ethan Hawke was there).
That evening, I met some friends at Felice (corner of 64th street and 1st avenue, an excellent Italian wine bar where I always get the (best) carciofi/parmigiano salad and salmon/avocado tartare. We then met more friends for a viewing of Hangover 2 : it's exactly the same synopsis as the first one but I still laughed like crazy.
Wednesday, May 25, 2011
I go to the movies a lot, usually on my own at matinees, even when it's sunny I don't care but when it's been raining non-stop for a couple of weeks you really enjoy being at the movies !
I saw two movies last week with my friend G that I really liked : "Everything must go" with Will Ferrell by Dan Rush and "Midnight in Paris", the new Woody Allen. Will Ferrell is excellent as an former alcoholic who just relapsed, lost his job and his wife, he sets up camp on his front lawn where he spends a couple of days before selling off everything he has in an "estate sale" with the help of a teenage boy and a pregnant neighbor, the beautiful Rebecca Hall. My expectations for the Woody Allen were low as the trailer didn't really do it for me but my friend D in Paris loved it and as we like the same movies and books so I went and was really surprised Owen Wilson is credible as an Hollywood screenwriter-who-wants-to-be-a-novelist and his fiancée Rachel Mc Adams (unforgettable in "The Notebook") plays perfectly a spoiled little brat.In Paris with her parents, staying at The Bristol, he escapes the family pressure by talking walks at night. Magically, he gets transported in the 30's and mingles with Scott and Zelda Fitzgerald, Hemingway, Gertrude Stein, Picasso, Dali, Man Ray and many more.. Some scenes are hilarious, Marion Cotillard plays wonderfully his love interest.
I was waiting impatiently to see "JERUSALEM", the English play which received raving reviews. There will be no play if Mark Rylance wasn't playing Johnny "Rooster" Byron. He is the play, he's bigger that life and it's hard for the other actors to find their place... The story isn't very compelling : "Rooster" is about to be expelled from the land where his trailer has been parked for many years, parties, drug-dealing has been going on there. He's a mentor for the local youth. I liked it but wasn't blown away as I thought I would be !
I went to "Miss Lily's" (132 West Houston between Sullivan and Mc Dougal) for lunch, the new spot partly owned by Serge Becker (La Esquina, the Box) and I liked the "decor", the food was ok ( I was on my cleanse so just had a salad with grilled fish). I haven't been there at night yet but supposedly it's a zoo ! Belinda, Serge's ex wife, is the wednesday DJ and she's very good so I might check her up tonight !!
I went to see "Lady Rizo" at Joe's pub. I had seen her in march and was blown away. She is an amazing performer and the friends I had invited were also enthralled with her. She did a homage to Nina Simone and in between songs she jokes, teases and stocks ! I think I might go back a 3rd time on June 17th (www.joespub.com.
That same night, at The Standart Grill, I decided to take a break from my cleanse and had a shot of vodka, a salad and an omelette. After 14 days, it was well deserved !! On the rooftop of Le Bain, they recently opened a Crêpe booth, yummy !!!
At the celebratory MOMA/VOLKSWAGEN dinner monday night, the violin prodigy, Hahn-Bin, performed under the eyes of Madonna, Lou Reed, Patti Smith, Rachel Weisz and many more.. he dresses as a woman, wears make-up and puts on a real and fun show while playing the violin like no one else.. Marta Wainwright also performed, she was great, had never heard of her before. Marina Abramovic and Terence Koh did a "performance" : she was commenting a slide show with pictures of previous performances that included VW vehicles and TK was commenting in an imaginary language.. not everyone thought this was funny, I did !
Everyone who has missed the season finale of SNL hosted by Justin Timberlake with Lady Gaga as the musical guest, should go immediately to nbc.com and catch it ! I guarantee that you will laugh !
I saw two movies last week with my friend G that I really liked : "Everything must go" with Will Ferrell by Dan Rush and "Midnight in Paris", the new Woody Allen. Will Ferrell is excellent as an former alcoholic who just relapsed, lost his job and his wife, he sets up camp on his front lawn where he spends a couple of days before selling off everything he has in an "estate sale" with the help of a teenage boy and a pregnant neighbor, the beautiful Rebecca Hall. My expectations for the Woody Allen were low as the trailer didn't really do it for me but my friend D in Paris loved it and as we like the same movies and books so I went and was really surprised Owen Wilson is credible as an Hollywood screenwriter-who-wants-to-be-a-novelist and his fiancée Rachel Mc Adams (unforgettable in "The Notebook") plays perfectly a spoiled little brat.In Paris with her parents, staying at The Bristol, he escapes the family pressure by talking walks at night. Magically, he gets transported in the 30's and mingles with Scott and Zelda Fitzgerald, Hemingway, Gertrude Stein, Picasso, Dali, Man Ray and many more.. Some scenes are hilarious, Marion Cotillard plays wonderfully his love interest.
I was waiting impatiently to see "JERUSALEM", the English play which received raving reviews. There will be no play if Mark Rylance wasn't playing Johnny "Rooster" Byron. He is the play, he's bigger that life and it's hard for the other actors to find their place... The story isn't very compelling : "Rooster" is about to be expelled from the land where his trailer has been parked for many years, parties, drug-dealing has been going on there. He's a mentor for the local youth. I liked it but wasn't blown away as I thought I would be !
I went to "Miss Lily's" (132 West Houston between Sullivan and Mc Dougal) for lunch, the new spot partly owned by Serge Becker (La Esquina, the Box) and I liked the "decor", the food was ok ( I was on my cleanse so just had a salad with grilled fish). I haven't been there at night yet but supposedly it's a zoo ! Belinda, Serge's ex wife, is the wednesday DJ and she's very good so I might check her up tonight !!
I went to see "Lady Rizo" at Joe's pub. I had seen her in march and was blown away. She is an amazing performer and the friends I had invited were also enthralled with her. She did a homage to Nina Simone and in between songs she jokes, teases and stocks ! I think I might go back a 3rd time on June 17th (www.joespub.com.
That same night, at The Standart Grill, I decided to take a break from my cleanse and had a shot of vodka, a salad and an omelette. After 14 days, it was well deserved !! On the rooftop of Le Bain, they recently opened a Crêpe booth, yummy !!!
At the celebratory MOMA/VOLKSWAGEN dinner monday night, the violin prodigy, Hahn-Bin, performed under the eyes of Madonna, Lou Reed, Patti Smith, Rachel Weisz and many more.. he dresses as a woman, wears make-up and puts on a real and fun show while playing the violin like no one else.. Marta Wainwright also performed, she was great, had never heard of her before. Marina Abramovic and Terence Koh did a "performance" : she was commenting a slide show with pictures of previous performances that included VW vehicles and TK was commenting in an imaginary language.. not everyone thought this was funny, I did !
Everyone who has missed the season finale of SNL hosted by Justin Timberlake with Lady Gaga as the musical guest, should go immediately to nbc.com and catch it ! I guarantee that you will laugh !
Tuesday, May 17, 2011
SLEEP NO MORE by Punch drunk love
It's a unique experience : an theatrical and dance installation taking place over 100 rooms in 3 buildings in Chelsea.
The time is The 1930's.
"Sleep no more" is based on "Macbeth" and here's its concept :
You are given a venetian mask with the instruction of not taking it off nor talk during the 2 1/2 hours "Show"... When you enter a room, you can snoop around, open drawer, watch very closely the actors etc... You feel like a "voyeur"..
The idea is that you follow one "actor" (even though they hardly talk and mostly dance) and they take you to a intimate scene or to a big scene with more "performers".. No heels recommended as the actors usually run and you have to follow them ( a lot of staircase climbing required) I lost "mine", a tall guy who reminded me of a childhood friend, after 45 minutes and it took me one hour to find him again ! I had the chance to see a scene twice but from a different perspective as I was following another actor so I saw the first part of the scene which I had missed and knew where I should put myself not to loose my first actor a second time !
It's so amazing and rich and beautiful (the decor are amazing) that I'm going to go again in one week, plus I've missed the erotic scenes but now I know which actor/actress will take me there the next time !!
The time is The 1930's.
"Sleep no more" is based on "Macbeth" and here's its concept :
You are given a venetian mask with the instruction of not taking it off nor talk during the 2 1/2 hours "Show"... When you enter a room, you can snoop around, open drawer, watch very closely the actors etc... You feel like a "voyeur"..
The idea is that you follow one "actor" (even though they hardly talk and mostly dance) and they take you to a intimate scene or to a big scene with more "performers".. No heels recommended as the actors usually run and you have to follow them ( a lot of staircase climbing required) I lost "mine", a tall guy who reminded me of a childhood friend, after 45 minutes and it took me one hour to find him again ! I had the chance to see a scene twice but from a different perspective as I was following another actor so I saw the first part of the scene which I had missed and knew where I should put myself not to loose my first actor a second time !
It's so amazing and rich and beautiful (the decor are amazing) that I'm going to go again in one week, plus I've missed the erotic scenes but now I know which actor/actress will take me there the next time !!
Tuesday, May 10, 2011
GETTING CLEAN !
Day 5 of the Clean Program and feeling good !
This cleanse (www.cleanprogram.com) consists of 2 shakes morning and night and a balanced lunch following the rules of the Elimination diet plus herbal supplements.
To make it short :
No more Coffee, alcohol, sweets, starch, dairy and soy products, shellfish, red meat.
You have to drink tons of water, avoid snacking between "meals" (but green juices are allowed if you feel a bit low on energy).
The idea is to give your digestive system a break and to eliminate the toxins accumulated in your body.
It's a 21 day cleanse, that seems long but think of it as a over extended spring cleaning for your body !
The first days you have to break your old habits, right now I don't miss anything...
This cleanse (www.cleanprogram.com) consists of 2 shakes morning and night and a balanced lunch following the rules of the Elimination diet plus herbal supplements.
To make it short :
No more Coffee, alcohol, sweets, starch, dairy and soy products, shellfish, red meat.
You have to drink tons of water, avoid snacking between "meals" (but green juices are allowed if you feel a bit low on energy).
The idea is to give your digestive system a break and to eliminate the toxins accumulated in your body.
It's a 21 day cleanse, that seems long but think of it as a over extended spring cleaning for your body !
The first days you have to break your old habits, right now I don't miss anything...
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