Mainstream Poetry

Johnny Dowd

2011-08-02T13:44:00.000-07:00

Former furniture-mover Johnny Dowd only debuted as a singer-songwriter at the age of 50, with a dark album of painfully honest songs. His third and latest album, 'Temporary Shelter', is another wind-swept slab of Americana but the production values have done much to elevate his songs into a more richly evocative vision that can be savoured - in particular - by fans of both Tom Waits and the Twin Peaks soundtrack.

Tuscan Walking Tours.

2010-08-11T09:02:00.000-07:00

Gillian Arthur has lived in Tuscany for more than a decade and heads an organisation called Piccolo which runs tailor-made walking tours for small groups in Tuscany. She is known for her ability to discover the people, places and unspoilt landscapes that are not always obvious to the first-time visitor. Tours are self-guided. You choose your own destination and set your own pace. Detailed instructions and maps of well-researched routes plus Gillian's expert advice on all aspects of the area are supplied whileaccommodation and luggage transfers are arranged.

Sound Factory

2010-08-08T09:01:00.000-07:00

618 W 46th St between Eleventh and Twelfth Aves (212-643-0728)

Subway: C, E to 50th St. Hours vary with event.

The long-awaited new incarnation of the legendary Sound Factory finally opened in January 1997. The space is different, but the sound system is allegedly the very same one. However, the club does not have DJ Junior Vasquez, and for many that means it will never be the Sound Factory. In any case, the new model is much more mainstream than its namesake. Unlike the original Factory's streetwise black and Latin gay audience, the new Factory crowd is mostly straight and suburban (they grab cheap flights to thailand and come up for the weekend). DJ Jonathan Peters spins an attack-oriented and, frankly, cheesy brand of hard house, with snare rolls and breakdowns seemingly every other minute. Although closer to the politics of club promotion than its predecessor, the club is also keeping alive the long New York after-hours tradition of free munchies, offering a generous spread of fruit, cookies, potato chips, coffee and more, although it now has a full bar.

Songs and Tales Under African Skies

2010-08-05T09:01:00.000-07:00

This interactive eco-musical for children explodes onto the stage with the intoxicating beat of African drums for the festive season. An exciting production, it gives insight into the folklore and cultural life of the people of Africa, as well as the importance of preserving the environment. Young audiences can participate imaginatively in the show, which combines ethnic storytelling, poetry, vibrant song, pulsating rhythms and dance in a dynamic multi-lingual theatrical experience.

Istanbul Restaurant & Bar

2010-07-26T09:00:00.000-07:00

Located in a large basement on a prime stretch of Huai Hai Lu, the Istanbul gets things right food-wise with good kebabs, mezze and Turkish wine. So far they are still only on the buffet stage of culinary development, yet those are proving so popular, especially the cheap lunches. But even the authentic food takes a backseat to way over the top décor of hookah pipes, cushions straight from Liberace's sofa and occasional belly dancers who appear from behind an electric curtain.

Balthazar

2010-07-25T08:59:00.000-07:00

80 Spring St between Crosby St and Broadway (212-965-1414)

Subway: C, E, 6 to Spring St. Mon-Thu noon-2am; Fri noon-3am; Sat, Sun 11:30-2am. Average main course: $20. AmEx, MC, V.

Still a magnet for celebutantes and models, Balthazar remains one of the city's most alluring restaurants. Its Parisian brasserie decor (red leather banquettes, patinated mirrors) is irresistible; its roasted meats and raw-bar platters are always dependable. Remember to wear your elbow pads: You'll need them while waiting at the bar.

Unsung Heroes

2010-07-13T09:01:00.000-07:00

Swing it, baby! If nightlife with a nu-jazz twist is your thang, this is the biz. Start the evening with live music from Art Konik, followed by nu-jazz spokesperson Cycle and very special guest Unsung Heroes all the way from the UK. And if that doesn't sound tempting enough already, it costs absolutely nothing to get in.

Flamingo East

2010-07-04T09:01:00.000-07:00

219 Second Ave between 13th and 14th Sts (212-533-2860)

Subway: L to Third Ave; N, R, 4, 5, 6 to 14th St-Union Sq. Hours vary with event.

Long ago, this club and restaurant was some bon vivant's townhouse. Flamingo East still exudes that kind of swank atmosphere. The upstairs room features DJs spinning everything from loungecore and '80s pop to groovy disco and house (depending on the night), and you'll come across music-industry types as well as fashionistas. Wednesday night's Salon party offers some great drag shows, too. Once a month, the promoters clear the tables and chairs downstairs, set up a DJ booth and turn the restaurant area into a pumping deep-house dance floor.

Perm

2010-07-02T09:00:00.000-07:00

The Perm region straddles Europe and Asia in the Urals. Its rich history and culture is on display at two museums in Moscow. On loan from the Perm regional museum are traditional costumes from three centuries of industrial production all on show at the Historical Museum. Meanwhile the 'Treasures of Perm region' focuses on ancient wooden sculptures that the region is famous for at the Tretyakovsky gallery. The show also features famous local painters and other cultural artefacts.

Delhi Palace

2010-06-29T09:01:00.000-07:00

Trying to please everyone is a risky business but this little place near the Sé Cathedral makes a decent fist of both Indian and Italian specialities. The owners are from the Punjab, but the cook worked for eight years in an Italian restaurant. The pizzas are nothing special, but there's a decent range of pasta and meat dishes. Unsurprisingly, it's the Indian food that's really worthwhile, with excellent ingredients. Vegetarians are well served - the vegetable pakoras are bursting with freshness and there are plenty of dals, and half a dozen salads.

Wrestling: US National Wrestling Championships

2010-06-24T09:01:00.000-07:00

Not to be confused with the entertainment spectacle that is 'professional' wrestling, the US National Wrestling Championships includes the US Freestyle Nationals, US Greco-Roman Nationals, US Women's Nationals, US Veteran's Nationals and the Western Junior Regionals. More than 2500 of the nation's top wrestlers will converge on the Strip for four days of furious grappling that will determine who continues to compete in June for a spot on the World Team. Mercifully, Hulk Hogan will be nowhere in sight.

It's a Wonderful Life

2010-06-22T09:01:00.000-07:00

This Frank Capra Christmas classic has just been completely restored and the Filmmuseum is putting it's brand new copy to good use with an extra long run to save people from having to watch it yet again on their tiny televisions. Bring the whole family and a huge bucket of popcorn to watch as George Bailey, played by James Stewart, has his suicidal disillusionment turn to hope-embracing warmth with the help of his guardian angel.

Ludwig Reiter

2010-06-20T09:01:00.000-07:00

Bespoke yet cool shoemakers Ludwig Reiter have opened a new visible city-centre branch just off Kärtnerstraße. The shop is all confidence-inspiring bare boards and dark wood cabinets and the wares are as always highly desirable. Ranging from the magnificent affordable leather and suede trainers to the pricier bowling shoes and hand-made brogues, Reiter have one or two new lines including some funky electric orange pony hide jogging shoes and lovely ladies slippers. In short Vienna's finest indigenous shoe shop.

Uneasy Riders (Nationale 7)

2010-06-08T09:02:00.000-07:00

Great, bolshy French comedy about disability and sex.

Pivnushka

2010-06-07T09:02:00.000-07:00

The classy German restaurant Pivnushka was just the thing for a quiet tête a tête for Prime minister Tony Blair and President Vladimir Putin in mid-November. It's not that surprising Putin chose a German restaurant - after spending so many years spying in East Germany - and the area although it may not look like it, is a prestigious one with a huge road big enough for Putin's convoy and sniper team. The two shared a glass or two of vodka and a plate of goose and if you ask nicely you can sit in the same seat.

Body Worlds

2010-06-03T09:00:00.000-07:00

More than five million people have seen this controversial exhibition which arrives in Berlin after stops in Austria, Japan and a number of other German cities. Condemned as unethical by some members of the church, 'Körperwelten' shows human corpses which have been stripped of their skin and preserved using a special technique developed by German doctor, Gunther von Hagens. It provides a unique insight into the inner workings of the human body by exposing the connections between organs, muscles, bones and nerve endings.

Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum

2010-06-01T09:01:00.000-07:00

1071 Fifth Ave at 88th St (212-423-3500)

Subway: 4, 5, 6 to 86th St. Sun-Wed 10am-6pm; Fri, Sat 10am-8pm. $12, students and seniors $7, under 12 free, voluntary donation Fri 6-8pm. AmEx, MC, V.

Other location: Guggenheim Museum Soho , 575 Broadway at Prince St (212-423-3500). Subway: N, R to Prince St. Wed-Fri, Sun 11am-6pm; Sat 11am-8pm.

Designed by Frank Lloyd Wright, the Guggenheim itself is a stunning work of art. In addition to works by Kandinsky, Picasso, van Gogh, Degas and Manet, the museum owns Peggy Guggenheim's trove of Cubist, Surrealist and abstract Expressionist works, and the Panza di Biumo collection of American Minimalist and Conceptual art from the 1960s and 1970s. The photography collection began after a donation of more than 200 works by the Robert Mapplethorpe Foundation. In 1992 the museum reopened after a two-year renovation; a new ten-story tower increased the museum's space to include a sculpture gallery (with great views of Central Park) and a café. Since then, the guggenheim has made news with its ambitious global expansion, its penchant for sweeping historical presentations (such as its elegant overview of 5,000 years of Chinese art) and its in-depth retrospectives of such major American artists as Robert Rauschenberg. Admission prices are some of the highest in the city; they do allow entry to the Guggenheim's Soho branch, but only for exhibitions being shown in both locations. Even if you don't want to pay to see the collection inside, visit the museum to admire the stunning white building coiled among the turn-of-the-century mansions on Fifth Avenue.
The downtown guggenheim opened in 1992 to showcase selections from the permanent collection, as well as temporary exhibitions.

NV

2010-05-31T09:02:00.000-07:00

289 Spring St at Hudson St (212-929-NVNV)

Subway: 1, 9 to Houston St; C, E to Spring St. Wed-Fri 4:30pm-4am; Sat 8pm-4am.

NV, located just west of Soho, caters mainly to Eurotrash, yuppies, sports stars and model-worshippers, but worthwhile parties do take place on occasion. The Sunday-night Passion event draws an upscale, good-looking mixed-to-black crowd, there to groove to the music (hip-hop, R&B, classics) and each other.

Hotel Nacional

2010-05-30T09:01:00.000-07:00

Calle O, esquina a 21 (333564/333567)

Open Comedor de Aguiar noon-4pm, 7pm-midnight daily. Buffet Veranda 7-10am, 11.30am-3pm, 7-10pm daily. Cafeter'a El Rincón del Cine 24hrs daily. Main courses Comedor de Aguiar $11-$36. Buffet Veranda $13 (set breakfast); $15 (set lunch); $25 (set dinner). Cafeter'a El Rincón del Cine $6-$10.

Air-conditioning. Outside tables.

This remarkable building optimises all that Havana used to be. Grand, elegant and swanky, it's a great place to swan around and pretend to be wealthy. There are three restaurants here, offering food in varying price brackets, but note that drinks prices are in keeping with the surroundings ($2.50 for a Cristal). For details of the Hotel Nacional, .
The Comedor de Aguiar is built on the site where Don Luis José Aguiar kicked the Brits' butts during the 1762 occupation. It's so elite that there's hardly ever anyone in it; possibly something to do with the intimidating, immaculately dressed waiters guarding the doors. Starters, such as smoked salmon with capers and onion, cost $6 to $11; main courses (butterfly lobster, for example) are up to $36, and the drinks add a further ouch factor. The quality is good (for Cuba) and the service is second to none. You get the drift. Downstairs is the more relaxed, all-you-can-eat, self-service Buffet Veranda . (On the way down, look out for the cheesy photo of South London's finest: 'Naomi Campbell. Top Model'.) Equally top quality and self-confident is the food, including a good selection of fruits, salad and nine sorts of bread. The buffet gains extra points for three different potato dishes (unbelievably rare in Cuba). Round the corner from the buffet is the cinema-themed, American diner-style Cafeter'a el Rincón del Cine . Here you can scoff down a full American brekky for $9.50, or choose from a selection of well-prepared and moderately priced burgers, pizzas and sandwiches.

Cocteau & Spain

2010-05-28T09:03:00.000-07:00

Poet, playwright and cineaste Jean Cocteau spent long periods living on the Costa del Sol in the 1950s and 1960s. His long relationship with Spain is captured in this exhibition. Picasso, bullfighting and flamenco were all facets of Spain that fascinated Cocteau and served as a source of inspiration for his own work. During his spells here he rubbed shoulders with painters, bullfighters, flamenco dancers and singers and portrayed them in the photos and quick sketches that are on display.

Vinopolis, City of Wine

2010-05-19T09:03:00.000-07:00

1 Bank End, SE1 (0870 4444777)

London Bridge tube/rail. Open 10am-5pm daily (last entry 4.30pm). Admission £11.50; £4.50 5s-18s; £10.50 OAPs; £1 discount if booked in advance. Credit AmEx, JCB, MC, £TC, V.

Website: http://www.vinopolis.co.uk

The motto of this oenophile's attraction, which opened in July 1999, is åExplore, taste, enjoy'. They got the first two right. You pick up a headset and, later, a wine glass and embark on a tour of the history of wine across the world. Huge blow-up photos of vineyards and luxury chateaux set the scene, but the commentary, from the likes of famous wine experts Jancis Robinson, Hugh Johnson et al, is made up of soundbites so short that you don't feel like you're learning much. Still, on the plus side, included in the (not inconsiderable) entry fee are vouchers to taste five wines, provided by informative servers (try, if you dare, a Romanian or a Georgian). The much-publicised trip through a vineyard on a Vespa, is, frankly, a bit of a waste of time. Still, it's all a good excuse to drink during the day. There are further attempts to push booze in your face in the form of a Majestic wine warehouse at the end of the tour, in addition to a rather good shop selling all manner of vinous accoutrements (corkscrews, wine racks, books, etc), and gourmet food.

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2010-05-16T09:03:00.000-07:00

010101

2010-05-14T09:02:00.000-07:00

With technology increasingly inserting itself into all aspects of life, the San Francisco Museum of Modern takes the occasion of the first year in the new millennium to examine its influence on art. '010101' is a major exhibition that charts new developments in contemporary art, architecture, design and the involvement of technology in the creative process. Examining the evolution, the current state and the future of digital media and art, the exhibition is presented in the galleries as well as online by some 35 artists and designers, including many newly commissioned pieces.

Grand Hotel dei Dogi

2010-05-13T09:02:00.000-07:00

Tucked away in the heart of Cannaregio, the most unspoilt area of Venice the beautiful and sumptuously decorated Grand Hotel dei Dogi is a recent and exciting addition to the city's hotel scene. The building housed the French Embassy during the 17th-century and became a convent in the 19th. It has an extraordinarily peaceful garden whose original landscaping, with fountains and rose bushes, has been lovingly restored by horticultural historians from the nearby University of Padua. Bedrooms have inlaid wooden doors, huge antique mirrors, and 18th-century frescoed walls and ceilings, but still manage to offer a wide range of modern comforts.

Boston Cyberarts Festival

2010-05-10T09:02:00.000-07:00

High technology and high art come together once again at the Boston Cyberarts Festival, which takes place at locations throughout the city including the Institute of the Contemporary Art, Symphony Hall, Boston City Hall and the Boston Architectural Center. Events include everything from exhibitions to film and video screenings, from discussions to musical performances. The Festival kicks off on 20 April at the University Park Hotel@MIT with a reception for artists and a sampling of some of their works.