I could be mistaken but I'm pretty sure this was the first time Southpaw played host to a burlesque. It turns out, the venue is pretty good for it. The sound system is reasonably reliable (there was a hiccup during one of Anita Cookie's routines but I suspect that had more to do with the source of the track) and certainly up to the task since Southpaw normally plays host to music acts like Neko Case, Mad Villain, etc. The stage has enough loft to be seen well in the rear of the club and apparently has enough width to accomadate a lot of motion.

The event itself was headlined by The World Famous Pontani Sisters who never fail to entertain and delight. And even though I had seen them on occassions before they still had enough in their back of tricks for three routines that were new to me. The showcapping "tough italian chicks" bit was worth the price of admission alone.

As I mentioned previously this was my first time seeing Peekaboo Pointe perform. I've come across her name many times as I was familiarizing myself with the NYC burlesque scene and my curiosity was definitely piqued. She was every bit as talented and alluring as I had hoped. Her "fifties housewife" act wowed the audience.

The other acts were every bit as evocative and erotic. Twirla was amazing and agile as always (and who knew she was born and bred in Kentucky?). Afua Richardson has an awe-inspriing set of pipes -- why this woman doesn't have her own recording career is beyond me. Anita Cookie was hands-down the most humorous act of the evening. Her tequilla tinged Betty Boop was hilarious and she and emcee Scott Rayow had several great moments of interplay. The sultry Scarlet Sinclair appeared in three performances in the second half all of which were *classic* burlesque through and through. This vivacious vixen is definitely someone you want to keep your eyes peeled for at future events.

As usual you can click on the image above or click here to launch the full flash photo gallery in a seperate window.

New York Changing

...and somewhat continuing the thread of classic NYC photographs we have...

Berenice Abbott's "Changing New York" project in the late 1930's created a majestic documentation of Manhattan and the surrounding boroughs. Since 1997 I have returned to the original sites, with the identical camera, an 8x10 Century Universal, at the same time of day and year.

A single photograph gives the illusion that time stops. A rephotograph lifts that illusion. In this tangling of the old and the new, the different and the same, lies the truth that Berenice Abbott understood well. All is flux; change is the only permanence. I hope that our paired works constitute a fresh invitation - not only to the rephotographers of the future but to anyone interested in urban life. The future of our city depends, in great part, on understanding how past decisions have played out.

You should really go check this out right now. I don't think I've spent more time on a web site in quite a long while. It's that good.

Here's a sample:


GARIBALDI MEMORIAL, STATEN ISLAND, 1937
Tompkins Avenue and Chestnut Avenues


GARIBALDI-MEUCCI MUSEUM, STATEN ISLAND, 1998
Tompkins Avenue and Chestnut Avenues

What's up with that? I'm going to have to Google for more info but what on earth would possess someone to put Roman temple adornments around a two story house in Staten Island?

The New York Times Photo Archives
"The New York Times Photo Archives contains historic images carefully preserved over the past 100 years - one of the largest and most comprehensive collections of photographs in the world."

The New York gallery has eight pages of pics. More than a few Coney Pics, ditto for the bridges, a great shot of Borough Hall, oarsmen in Prospect Park, the blackout of '65 (why don't cops dress as snazzy anymore? I mean, if I'm going to keep getting harrassed by cops for my camera then they could at least look spiffy), burlesque in Times Square AND a a porn raid in Times Square, the kitchen at Delmonicos (where I used to eat when I worked at the Channin Building), and who could forget the time dinosaurs roamed the Hudson?

The Boardwalk Wedding

The Boardwalk Wedding
On November 18th, 2004, Skorch, located at 2 Bond St., presents the photography of Brenda Jo Staudenmaier and the paintings of Larry James Salamone, as they capture the surrealism of a Coney Island wedding. The Easter Bunny, Geronimo, and a few cowboys have already RSVP'd; trust us, this is a party you do not want to miss.

Opening Reception Party November 18th, 8:00 PM - 11:00PM
November 19th - December 01st

Brenda Jo Staudenmaier and Larry James Salamone combine talents to create a wonderfully eccentric gallery show, filled with the colors and oddities of that old familiar boardwalk. The photography of Brenda Staudenmaier expresses her infatuation for the anomalous, as she steals deviant moments from this unique event. Her veracious images exploit the contrasts between the joys of matrimony and the strange nature of the local "residents". It can be said, Brenda's work provides the sunshine for Larry Salamone's shadowed version of the celebration, as he explores the powerful groans of the hangover. Portraying the remnants of costumes left behind, his paintings offer a sobering look at the day after, exposing those strange emotions when the party's over and the sun feels like God's flashlight pointed directly at you.

Could be interesting. Mary and I should go check this out. Links to more of the artists' work are available here.

...and on a continued dance theme...

Move Against AIDS 2004 - Return of the Dance A Thon

Move Against AIDS - Return of the Dance-A-Thon

Special guest DJ's to include:
Beverly Bond, Peter Rauhofer, Danny Tenaglia, Tony Touch and Junior Vasquez

December 11th, 2004

Join a crowd of thousands for Move Against AIDS, New York's biggest AIDS Dance party! The five-hour dance-a-thon takes place on Saturday, December 11th, at the world-famous Javits Center in Manhattan. Dance with your friends, family and co-workers to raise urgently needed funds and to send the message that the AIDS crisis is not over.

Break-out of the winter chill and be part of a night that showcases the hottest local and national DJ's and performers. Register Now!

Benefiting GMHC, the country's first and most comprehensive AIDS services provider.

The Wasabassco Burlesque Review

The Wasabassco Burlesque Review

Saturday November 27th
Southpaw
10PM

Tickets
$10 in advance,
$12 at the door.

A night of babelicious beauties, booze and burlesque with the best acts from the five boroughs.

Featuring:
The World Famous Pontani Sisters
Anita Cookie
Afua Richardson
Peekaboo Pointe
Scarlet Sinclair
Twirla
and many more
with your host Scott Rayow

Bless my stars and garters! Burlesque comes to Boerum Hill. Alright, technically Park Slope but I think we can all agree to ignore such technicalities. Boerum Hill should certainly annex fifth avenue and we start with Southpaw.

This will be my third time seeing the Pontanis*, the second seeing Twirla. Can't wait to see them again as well as finally getting the chance to see Peekaboo Pointe take to the stage. I'm sure the other performers will be delightful as well.

*related pics here and here.

Today on NY1 and in the NY Post the news on the street is that our beloved clocktower, which hails from 1929 and remains the tallest point in Brooklyn (and is also the highest 4 faced clock tower in the world), is jumping on the condo bandwagon...

I wonder if they'll gut the bank's gorgeous 1929 marble and brass interior... or is the clocktower a landmarked building and they have to leave that area untouched. I wonder if the tours will happen next year during NY Open House, or if future generations of Brooklynites will just have to be admire the building from the outside?

Update (by daniel): As I was googling images of the tower I came across an interesting oil painting of the Williamsburg Savings Bank by Gregory William Frux that caused me to recall some old photos I took of this exquisite structure.

In the premiere bout of The Gotham Girls Roller Derby the Brooklyn Bombshells detonate the Manhattan Mayhem in an exciting 71 - 70 contest. Those of us in attendance got to see sweat and skates, power plays and pillow fights, and jaw-dropping jams. I can't wait for the next bout. I also can't wait for the chance for the Bombshells to explode all over the Queens team that rumor has it is in the works.

Thanks to Suzy Hotrod, Chassis Crass (co-founder of the GG), Lil Red Terror (who's actually in my mermaid parade pics as well), Anne Phetamean, Penny Larceny, Lady Batterly, and Iron Maidenform (let's see you out on the rink soon, eh?) of The Brooklyn Bombshells as well as Rippin Kittin, Baby Ruthless, Sybil Disobedience, Roxy Balboa (who rose up to the challenge of her rivals), Joey Hardcore, Ginger Snap, and Venus Demolish of The Manhattan Mayhem.

Also a big thank you to announcers Lefty Leibowitz (co-founder of GG) and Striker and the refs Hambone (and his full moon), Dr. Richard Cranium, and Sam Pain as well as the jeers and cheers of the Spirit Assassins lead by Bratty Duke and the delightfully intoxicating Dirty Martini.

And last but not least, extra heaping thanks to the musical entertainment provide by Sex Slaves (badass enough to perform on skates) and Black Moustache (who knew Eddie Izzard and Peter Murphy had a lovechild and he fronted a local band? fyi: that's a good thing in my opinion) and DJ Neil McCoy.

It turns out that this revival of roller derby isn't limited to just New York. Check out teams and derbies from Los Angeles, Texas, Chicago. It looks like America is being treated to Bitchin' babes and feminine fisticuffs from coast to coast.

As usual you can click on the image at the start of the post to see my photos of the event.

Update: Slow on on the update here but you can see more on the event at The Village Voice and Reuters TV. Links via Wayne.

A coworker of mine has recently written a laugh out loud hilarious review of low-budget eats in the immediate vicinity of our workplace. Thought you couldn't get lunch for less than $5 in Hells Kitchen? Well now you can... although why you would want to if you could at all avoid it is beyond me. I say spend the extra moolatchkas to have a side of confidence with your meal.

Brings back memories of when I used to have to skirt by on $3 lunches around here almost a decade ago. Shame that Jamaican patty shop closed down. Wah!

JOIN GOTHAM GIRLS ROLLER DERBY FOR THEIR FIRST BOUT!!!

The dangerous divas of Gotham Girls Roller Derby, New York's only all-female roller derby league, will face off in their first-ever exhibition bout on Friday, November 12, at Skate Key Skate and Dance Family Center in the "Boogie Down" Bronx, NY. Two teams of badass rollerbabes -- the Manhattan Mayhem, in inmate orange, and the Brooklyn Bombshells, in sailorette stripes -- will battle to the bloody end for the title of "Toughest Gang of Chicks on Skates."

In addition to three 15-minute periods of hot girl-on-girl action, the bout will feature live music by local bands Black Moustache and Sex Slaves during game breaks, and a DJ to spin the crowd into a frenzy while the action's taking place. Also watch out for beer specials, snack bar goodies, and GGRD merchandise and bout programs.

Skate Key is located at 220 E. 138th St. in the South Bronx, just one stop out of Manhattan on the 4/5 subway lines. From the 138th Street/Grand Concourse station, walk one block east on East 138th -- Skate Key is across the street. Doors open at 7 p.m., and the bout starts at 8 p.m. Tickets are $10 in advance or $12 at the door.

To buy your advance ticket online, go to:
http://www.gothamgirlsrollerderby.com/merch/tickets.html

See you there!!!

I found this interesting magazine cover over at Curbed. I hate to say that this is the first time I've heard of Stay Free considering I frequent the local establishments where it's distributed... And it's been around for 10 years. I must remember to take a look the periodicals and not just have tunnel vision when getting coffee.

As for the gentrification... of the area. well the clever back cover speaks well enough for it's self.

Design Observer: writings about design & culture: Mr. Vignelli's Map

"I still remember the first time I heard the rationale for this extraordinary graphic solution. Up on the sidewalks, New York was a confusing bedlam of sights and sounds. Below ground, however, it was an organized system. Each line had certain stops. Each stop had certain connections. Getting from here to there wasn't the result of a meandering sojourn, but a series of logical steps, one following on the next like a syllogism. What was happening on the streets was meaningless. What happened below ground -- that sequence of stops and connections -- was supreme. It was as logically self-contained as Marxism. And, like Marxism, it soon ran afoul on the craggy ground of practical reality."

One of our favorite renditions. Certainly the hands down winner for one of our dear friends.

Newsday.com - Opinion Columnists - Jimmy Breslin - Why Kerry will beat Bush

One day last May, I assigned the election to John Kerry. I said it early, and often. As I looked more, I saw that it shouldn't even be close. I said that in this space more than once. Now I am so sure that I am not even going to bother to watch the results tonight. I am going to bed early, for I must rise in the darkness and pursue immediately an exciting, overdue project.

Besides, if I was up, so many people, upon seeing every word I said of this election coming true on television in front of them, would be kissing my hands and embarrassing me with outlandish praise. So I go to bed with total confidence. I will get up and stroll to other meadows. I invented this column form. I now leave, but will return here for cameo appearances. And I leave today as the only one in America who from the start was sure John Kerry would win by a wide margin."

I'm writing this with Ohio still up in the air (despite what Fox News might say to the contrary) but I have a real bad feeling....

UPDATE: NBC is with Fox in calling OH as Bush:

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/6363692/

CBS and ABC still have yet to make the call.

I wonder if it will be close to my prediction from earlier tonight:

CO 9 (Bush)
NM 5 (Bush)
OH 20 (Bush)

NH 4 (Kerry)
MI 17 (Kerry)
WI 10 (Kerry)
MN 10 (Kerry)
IA 7 (Kerry)
NV 5 (Kerry)
WA 11 (Kerry)

BUSH 271
Kerry 259

Thanks to Thirsty Girl Productions for organizing last nights soiree (and for asking me to shoot it). As we've mentioned previously the creme-de-le-creme of the burlesque world were on stage joined by Lucky Cheng's cast of charming characters. Click the night fantastic to see pics of The Dazzle Dancers, Jo Boobs, Lady Grey Tease, Her Royal Highness Princess Diandra, Anita Greencard, Ruby Booby, Nasty Canasta, Darlinda Just Darlinda, and more.

Unfortunately I suffered some technical difficulties (mea culpa, Jen! Please forgive me.) and missed out on Twirla and The World Famous Pontani Sisters. I may update the gallery in the near future with some photographs of the big finale courtesy of Lola Staar. I'll keep you posted.

Anywho, It was a blast. Thirsty Girl, The Pontani Sisters and Scotty Bunny know how to show a fella a good time.

**UPDATE**: Lola saves the day! The album's been updated with a new section for the shots she took of the finale. Some good stuff in there. Go check it out.

Show your support by hoofing it over to www.LolaStaar.com to buy lots of cute tee shirts and more (I have my eyes on a money clip actually -- I think I already have all the boy tees). If you'd rather visit the store swing by her shop on the boardwalk in Coney Island or stop by the Union Square Holdiay Gift Market located in Union Sq. open every day from Thanksgiving until Christmas.

Thanks to Jeanne Fleming for hooking us up with a press pass for the Greenwich Village Halloween Parade. It really is a remarkable way to take in the event especially if you've been bit by the shutterbug like moi. Tons of political costumes (naturally), superhero costumes (they do all live in NYC after all), and more in the photo album. Make with the clicky.