The Ironic Mullet :: Lee Ann Westover

The Guests are Arriving: Pearl River Mart and Top Shop

With the coming of summer, so arrive the visitors. 

Sooner or later, most of the people I know end up coming through New York City for one reason or other. Some friends and family are even gracious enough to visit me on purpose! My friend Jaime came last weekend. We had three things on the agenda for the 4 days of her trip. 

(a) eat 

(b) drink

(c) shop

She had some great items on her to-do list (skinny Converse, a trip to Fish's Eddy). I was thrilled to expand her horizons a bit with a trip to Pearl River Mart.

Pearl River Mart is one of my very favorite places to take people who want to buy things. It's a two-story behemoth full of all sorts of clothing, dinnerware, paper goods, food, decorative items, candy, tea, furniture etc. Pearl River Mart's inventory may even show up as a percentage point of the gross national product of China. 

Nearly everyone can find something to obsess over, and most of what one finds is affordable. I went home with a beautiful tin of earl grey tea for $2.95 and sesame candy for muh boyfren at $.99 pop.

Click through for a selection of things that caught our fancy:

Uptown Delights: The Savoy Bakery

I often have the opportunity to head uptown to Spanish Harlem for my day job. I always get really excited when the day comes, because it means that (A) I will have tacos at Tu Casa for lunch (B) I can stock up on tomatillos and dried chiles at La Costenita Grocery (C) I will probably have a Corona at The Duck and (D) BWAHAHAHA OMFG SPONGE CAKE at the Savoy Bakery.

The neighborhood around the 110th street stop on the 6 train is one of my favorites in Manhattan. The denizens are mostly latino, which comforts my Texan heart. There are a billion dollar stores, a bustling hardware store full of local characters running in and out, and grocery stores full of some serious delicacies.

I can never stroll up 110th without stopping in at the Savoy. It represents to me the best of what is going on up in Spanish Harlem. From the outside, the Savoy is modern and clean - all new NYC. Once inside, though, it's obviously a part of the real neighborhood. The girls behind the counter are always giggling on some sort of sugar high and up for a chat. Work-a-day stiffs come in for their morning coffee, and layabouts trickle in throughout the afternnon. The Savoy bursts with a familial, friendly vibe that is every bit as addictive as the treats they sell within.

One of these days I mean to try the ham and corn danish, but for now, I always get the sponge cake. It's made in a muffin tin, but each cup is first lined with parchment paper, so the cake rises high and golden like an almond topped trumpet. It's light, sweet and egg-i-ly resiliant. Everything I need. 

At $1.50 a pop, I can have 20! It's a good thing I don't live closer.

Make M'uke-zik NY! Ukulele Jam June 21st

Make Music New York is back for a third year of free concerts in public spaces throughout the five boroughs of New York City, all on the first day of summer. On Sunday, June 21, from 11 in the morning until 10 at night, musicians of all ages and musical persuasions — from hip hop to opera, Latin jazz to punk rock — will perform on streets, sidewalks, stoops, plazas, cemeteries, parks and gardens.

This year, Make Music New York is happening on Father's Day! I was far too late to sign up my own group, but I stumbled upon the Mass Appeal concerts, and will likely be participating in the Mass Appeal Ukulele Jam!

FROM TIME OUT NY:

Make Music: Ukuleles 
Where & When: Richard Tucker Square, 66th and Broadway, Manhattan. 
Performances and Ukulele Jams 12pm - 3pm. 

On The Program: Calling all ukulele players for the biggest uke-only jam of the year. 

Themed program including sessions titled "Elvis Tribute," "Hawaiian Hula Jam," "All Uke Need is Love Beatles Jam," and "Yes, Uke Can Play Jazz," led by a group of uke-extraordinaire teachers under the direction of Greg Gattuso. 

How To Join: Strum over with your ukulele. 

Contact Greg Gattuso at gattusog (at) yahoo.com for the ukulele jam songbook to practice ahead of time. Players are welcome to bring along copies of suggested songs. 

All skill levels welcome.

Eatin' la vida blog-a: The Treats Truck and Shake Shack

I do a lot of blog reading in my spare time - to sort out my top 5 fantasy places to eat, places to travel, places to travel to and eat and things to eat. Yesterday I had an accidental run-in with on object of much curiosity on my part: THE TREATS TRUCK.

For those of you who don't know, The Treats Truck is a mobile dessert unit that parks in a different, semi-random spot every day - in NYC. This mobile dessert unit is reputed to sell the awesome-est desserts ever. I recognize that a new source of delicious cookies could be a real danger to my heart-health, so I have not gone out of my way to seek it out. Yesterday, as if to thwart me, the Treats Truck was parked right in the middle of my trajectory. I was strolling down 5th Avenue, and BLAMMO. She appeared right in front of me at 20 something street.

When confronted with an opportunity to realize one's dream, I feel like one should do everything in their power to do so. Keeping that in mind, I sauntered right up to the window to peruse my options. The friendly baker behind the counter had set out tiny brownie samples on a tray. I plucked one up and popped it into my mouth.

Oh joy. Oh wonder. Oh miracle of miracles. The Treats Truck's owner/baker had managed to create a better brownie. I couldn't identify what she did to make that brownie bit so damn good, but she certainly got the butter/sugar/angel-sparkles ration just right.

After my little seizure of happiness, my eyes naturally wandered over to the cookie selection. I was elated to find that she had a quartet of oatmeal cookie options to choose from. I love oatmeal cookies, but I hate raisins. Oatmeal cookies, therefore, have been a source of much pain for me. The baker had made three of the four options without them!! She had Oatmeal with raisins <gag>, oatmeal with chocolate chips and oatmeal with jam - raspberry or apricot. I selected the apricot version, although $1.25 for a normal sized cookie seemed hefty at the time.

I had a little trouble walking the next few blocks, as my eyes kept spontaneously rolling back in my head. I also had to stop every few steps for a shudder and deep breath. Damn that baker lady. That was the best oatmeal cookie I have ever had. So buttery, yet firm. Bready, yet moist. Jammy, yet not gooey! Yes. It's worth $1.25. A little chunk of love like that is a BARGAIN at $1.25.

Check out their website for the Treats Truck's location calendar: http://www.treatstruck.com/

Look at it in the sunshine. It's beautiful.

After my appointment in Madison Square, I had planned to get a burger at the Shake Shack, a much lauded source of beef for NYC journalists and bloggers. I had to abort the mission, however, to pick a friend up from the doctor's office. I feel like I might be shooting myself in the foot for telling you this, but that legendarily long Shake Shack line is nonexistant in the winter time. A wait for NYC's most delicious burger (yes it is and don't argue with me on this point) is only about 10-15 minutes.

Tip for the serious: on a rainy day or during a snowstorm, the wait is less than three!!

Sooooo, sadly I had to leave before I could order due to bad planning on my part. If I had stayed, I would have photos of my shiny, juicy burger, and of an order of cheese fries made of yukon gold potatoes and homemade cheese sauce. zomg. I'll have to go back, now.

Not for me...but for you. That's just the kind of person I am.

Cafe Henri: Best Burger in LIC

My particular part of Long Island City is smalllllll. We are a teensy residential enclave in an otherwise industrial corner of the Queens waterfront. When I moved here, there were three options for eating out

1) Italian (Manetta's or Manducati's)
2) The Dorian Diner or that other diner on the corner that closes at 4 pm (Both nasteh)
3) McReilly's Irish Pub.

McReilly's was a small miracle. Their itty bitty kitchen produced (among other things) the best chicken pot pie I have ever had, an otherworldly shepherd's pie, little neck clams on the half shell and the best damn burger evar. Nothing was much over $6, so dinner for two (including tip) was often under $20 - unless you added in a couple of pints of Harp.

This summer, much to my chagrin, McReilly's closed permanently, after a tug-of-war with their landloard over rising rent. 1 point to gentrification, -1 to quality of life. You see, my waterfront has been filling up with luxury condos, like every other formerly quaint neighborhood in town. Prices for everything are rising. Some wonderful new amenities have opened, but something like McReilly's will likely not happen again around here.

Last night, the bf was out of town, and I was recovering from a big sick, so I felt very self-indulgent. I had a wine credit down the block at Vine Wine (for re-vamping their website) and a yen for beef.

Wen I stopped into Vine, I interrogated fellow neighborhoodie Troy. "Where the hell do I get a burger now that McReilly's is gone?" He let me know that Cafe Henri (a relative newcomer to the zone) serves a great burger for $10.

I've lived here for over ten years, which makes me 2nd wave gentrification, or "semi-old school." I balked at the "hefty" price tag and headed out with my wine. You see, I am not a big fan of Cafe Henri. Their crepes are tasty, but small...SMALL I tell you!

As it was a perfectly clear, cold autumn evening, I fancied a walk, and thought I would art least have a look at the menu again. Once I was standing by the door, I caught the garlic and charred beef smells assaulted my sensibilities. My fate was sealed.

"One cheeseburger, medium rare, please."

After fifteen minutes spent reading the photo captions from a stack of papers, the efficient server ordered me to check that I had the correct items, cheerfully took my $10.30 and sent me on my way.

Oh happy day, dear reader. Troy was correct. Cafe Henri serves a mean burger - juicy, but not greasy, large, but not ginormous. Delicious meat flavor from fresh beef, and a slightly sweet brioche bun. OMFG. Comes with mesclun salad and roasted taters.

I finished it up right quick, washed it down with a glass of montepulciano and thought to myself:

Change is bad...but at least I can still get a great burger. (lol)

Cafe Henri
1010 50th Ave
Long Island City, NY 11101

Get Directions(718) 383-9315

A Recessionista At Large in Queens: Jackson Heights Fabric Shopping

Have you been keeping track of my sewing love fest? 

downloadble .pdf of today's walk

The short story: I have started making clothes for myself again because A) I am sick of trying to find what I like in discount stores and B) because it is the urban equivalent of a victory garden

The other day, I was determined to scout out good discount fabric shopping in Queens. For generations, New York has been a center of import and industry. Surely SOMEWHERE I can find some denim for less than $25 a yard? I decided to start my search in Jackson Heights. A quick Google Maps search clued me into a series of fabric stores on 37th Road. (Only about 20 minutes from midtown!)

The 7 train happened to be running express on a fine autumn afternoon, so instead of being able to hop off right at 74th street (the hub of Little India), I jumped down at 61st Street and Roosevelt Ave - fancying a walk. Join me on a visual tour!

My first discovery was the butter-smelling V&V Italian Bakery (6119 Roosevelt Ave)...i have a butter magnet in my heart.

A few blocks later I spied this pristine white fur stole in the garbage!

Fearing bedbugs (they are taking over NYC again), I wiped a tear from my eye and kept strolling.

The Perlas ng Silangan restaurant (6909 Roosevelt Ave) had this sign in the window. I am not sure I understand.

Next stop, Patel Brothers Indian grocery store at 37-27 74th Street in Jackson Heights. Exotic ingredients warrant extra photos!!!

FINALLY: let's do some fabric shopping!

I found that the stores in this area are mega cheap, but many carry a seemingly random assortment of items that seemingly may have fallen off of an alleged truck. It took me 5 stores to find denim, but each store carried a few wonderful mystery items that I thought were worth investing a few bucks in. Definitely take some time to pop in.

Amit Saree Palace was my first stop. Amit is pretty, organized, and carries a large selection of silks and synthetics in bright beautiful colors. I was very taken with a silver filigreed green taffeta for $8 a yard.
7504 37th Ave at 75th Street

Oops! Distracted by an amazing credenza/armoire thing at the Jackson Heights Jewish Center Thrift Shop. 3706 77th St at 37th Rd.

Then a quick stop at Starbucks (7825 37th Ave) for a Grande Decaf Soy Latte...what a delicious guilty pleasure.

A couple more of these tiny fabric shops are really worth stopping in to see what is in stock:

Value Fabrics Inc‎
8413 37th Ave, Jackson Heights, NY‎ - (718) 457-9488
Rolls and rolls of sparkle

Liz Discount Fabrics‎
83-23 37th Ave, Jackson Heights, NY‎ - (718) 205-2048
The deal of the day - $1.99 a yard for cotton toile!! Its it passé yet?
I also bought a red coat zipper. (keep reading to see how i used it.)

‎

Of all my fabric stops, my hands-down favorite is (dum dum dummmm.....)

Jackson Fabrics‎
3705 83RD St, Jackson Heights, NY‎ - (718) 424-6898‎
Jackson is larger than most. I found cashmere suiting at $25 a yard, poly satin and poly suiting at $5 a yard, and dark denim at $3 a yard. They also carried some funny fugly holiday patterns, and an extensive collection of tempting designer knock-off scarf fabric. I totally want a dress made of the Chanel stuff...

After buying 5 yards of denim, three yards of navy blue suiting, 1.2 yards of purple satin and a red coat zipper at Jackson Fabrics, I continued on my way. Before too long, I spied a pair of giant plastic teeth in a window.

 

Wondering what the hell kind of store carries big plastic teeth I wandered in...turns out I had found the best, weirdest, ultimate, heaven-sent art supply/craft store I have ever experienced.

GC Stationary Inc‎ 

8110 37th Ave, Jackson Heights, NY‎ - (718) 429-9085‎

It's not often you find a place that carries those aforementioned big plastic teeth, as well as sparkle craft hair and bulk glitter.

After a nauseatingly happy hour spent perusing G-C's shelves, I headed for lunch.

I am a bit of a ceviche nut, and had read about the Mini-Picanteria el Guayaquileno truck online. At $8 for a to-go container, it wasn't  cheap, but man was it delicious when I got home. Comes with spicy sauce, limes and Ecuadorian popcorn for season-it-yourself perfection. mmmmmmmmmm.
(Tuesdays through Sundays at 80th St. and Roosevelt Ave.)

This is the dress I made with the zipper. Think of it like a sexy hospital gown - One metal zipper to freedom! It goes all the way down to the hem... (New Look Pattern 6826, with adjustments)
 

I love you, so here is a downloadble .pdf of my walk. Go do it yourself and send me your own discoveries!!

Dove si puo' mangiare bene a New York - la cucina Italiana! (Where you can eat well in NYC - Italian cooking!)

Today in NY Magazine's Grub Street blog, I came across the following tidbit:

Pastas are usually not expensive, they're filling, and it's comforting to eat them in times of distress. Use this roundup of the city's notable dishes to find lasagna, gnocchi, gnudi, and whatever other kind tickles your tongue. [Metromix]

I thought I would take a moment to share my OWN favorite pasta houses, as not only do I ave excellent taste in all things carby, but I live on an extreme budget. Therefore, I would never waste your time shilling mediocre food for max-i-ocre money.

1) LITTLE FRANKIE'S
Little Frankie's is big, and not too crowded on weekdays - especially at lunch. Not only are their brick oven pizzas quite good (not awesome - not thin enough) but they serve a MEAN spaghetti al limone. The pasta is always cooked perfectly al dente, and the buttery lemony goodness will immediately put you into a food coma. A friend once described the dish to me as "it tastes like a lemon bar, but not." If you have never had it, try a home version. After you cook your spaghetti, squeeze in the juice of a lemon, swirl in a pat of butter and top with cheese. You may never dream about Mac-n-cheese again.
19 1st Ave, New York, NY 10003-9431, Phone: (212) 420-4900

2) MANDUCATI'S
This Long Island City standby serves the best damn fettuccine Bolognese I have ever eaten on this side of the ocean. I don't know what Mama Cerbone does to it, but she elevates the rich, meaty sauce to high-art. The combo of meat fat, homemade noodles and an excellent wine from the extensive list will leave you in a food coma as well. Happy sleep.
1327 Jackson Ave, Long Island City, NY 11101-5402, Phone: (718) 729-4602

3) MANETTA'S
Rumor has it that the guy who runs this place is a jerk, but I don't care. Manetta's serves up homemade gnocchi topped with chunks of mozzarella and tomato-basil sauce that Mama simmered all day in the back room. The gnocchi are soft and delicate without being mushy, and a laid back, yet respectfully formal, atmosphere is worth another trip to Queens. When picking dessert, eschew the imported ones for whatever is in a Pyrex dish. The Pyrex dish let's you know it's homemade. Tiramisu is the best I have had in NYC. Seriously! Seriously? Seriously. Add a limoncello nightcap and a seat by the roaring fire, and your food coma may last into the next afternoon.
10-76 Jackson Ave, Long Island City, NY 11101, Phone: (718) 786-6171

BTW the Queens spots are only 5 mins from Grand Central, and 1/2 hour from the East Village!
Take a trek!

Extraordinary Joe

Published in Downtown Express, Chelsea Now & The Villager

Cast members from the Public’s Central Park summer production of “Hair” will reprise their roles on Oct. 12 with “Be-In: A Night of Music and Love.” Extraordinary Joe Celebrating 10 years of musical diversity at Joe’s Pub By Lee Ann Westover Ten years ago, downtown Manhattan’s venerable Public Theater transformed a corner of their grand Lafayette Street edifice into a glamorous music club, bar and restaurant. After a decade of operation, Joe’s Pub finds itself one of New York City’s hippest nightspots and a sought-after stage for musicians around the world. Beginning this month, Joe’s Pub will celebrate its 10th anniversary with a gala fundraiser, 10 free concerts, and four months of performances from artists for whom Joe’s Pub has served as a creative springboard. Of the vision for this series, Joe’s Pub director Shanta Thake says, “Not only is this a great time to celebrate what we are but also to show New York and the world how far Joe’s Pub has come in just 10 years. We want to tell the story of the diversity that we program…and that we are committed to being a mirror to New York and the country at large.” Unlike so many nightspots around Manhattan, Joe’s Pub’s velvet booths and mood lighting did not come into being as a money-making venture.” When a lot of people think of Joe’s Pub, they think we are a regular music venue,” says Thake. “What they might not understand is that we are a non-profit program of the Public Theater and that we don’t subsist on earned income alone. Although we have been successful for so many years, you just can’t take it for granted, especially when clubs are closing down all over the city.” In a duel fold mission to gather some of those precious operating funds while sharing the best of Joe’s Pub history, the gala dinner and concert on Friday, October 10 is the anniversary season’s first official event. Judy Collins herself, as well as musical luminaries Mary Gauthier, Shawn Colvin, Eric Anderson and others, will interpret Collin’s extensive songbook while shedding a little light on her history as both a performing artist and longtime mentor to fledgling performers. On October 11 and 12, the free “Ten for the Tenth” concert series showcases Joe’s Pub’s diversity with a roster of artists from all over the musical spectrum. Anyone can reserve free tickets at JoesPub.org until Sunday, October 5. The events start early with a family concert at 11:00 am on Saturday the 11: “Baby Loves Salsa” with Joe Conde. At 2:30 p.m., Raoul Midon continues in the Latin theme with his New Mexico mix of R&B, soul and pop – all accompanied by flamenco-tinged acoustic guitar. Jill Sobule will add some sparkle to John Wesley Harding’s “Folk Noir” at six, followed by soulful songbird Imani Uzuri’s “Mosaic” at 9:30. At ten, the Budos Band’s bombastic afro-soul will send the audience dancing into Sunday. Sunday morning (October 12) the party begins again, as singer and pianist Allen Toussaint takes the stage for a New Orleans brunch at 11 p.m. Brooklyn’s playful genius Roy Nathanson lends his saxophone to ’80s diva – and fellow Jazz Passenger’s alum – Debbie Harry for a 2:30 p.m. set of mind-bending music. At six, musician and absurdist comedian Reggie Watts performs with the hilarious Kristin Schaal – best known as the adoring stalker-slash-fan on HBO’s “Flight of the Conchords.” A cavalcade of stars, including Michael Cerveris and John Cameron Mitchell, will interpret the witty and city-bitter “Stew Songbook” at 9:30 p.m. Songs from Stew’s recent Broadway production “Passing Strange” will doubtless be included in the evening’s program. The Public Theater’s Central Park production of “Hair” ended up being the hottest ticket in town this summer. Members of the astoundingly beautiful and talented cast will reprise their roles with “Be-In: A Night of Music and Love” at 12:30 a.m. In talking to her, it’s clear that Thake is proud of what Joe’s Pub has become over these last 10 years, and that she intends to further the legacy over the next decade. She emphasizes that a hardworking staff takes as much credit as she does in producing over 800 shows per year in the space. What she would love to see, however, is more of a melding of the Public Theater and Joe’s Pub in the public eye. Says Thake, “My big goal is to really be the Public Theater, and together that is what we are working towards…not just on the Joe’s Pub side but the Public Theater side as well. We want for this to be perceived as one great institution. I mean, the Public is New York’s theater. We want to be New York’s venue.” See the schedule of anniversary concerts, reserve free tickets for the “Ten for the Tenth” free concert series (must register before October 5) or purchase tickets for “A Tribute to Judy Collins” gala celebration at JoesPub.org

A chronicle of my recent staycation.

This weekend I had a blissful TWO WHOLE DAYS to myself in my apartment. My bf was out working or sleeping most of the time, so I was left completely to my own devices. Here's some of what I did/discovered.

1) HULU.COM
I had heard about it, but I hadn't really understood what it meant in my life. Normally I go to ABC, CBS or FOX's websites to catch up on my network shows. NOW I know that not only are they all showing on Hulu (Fringe, Lipstick Jungle - all that crap), but the commercials are shorter and Hulu has a better full-screen function. This weekend's activities all took place with Fringe and Gordon Ramsay's Kitchen Nightmares seasons one and two running in the background. (I love it when Gordon pukes to underscore a point) TOTAL: $0.00 for 48 hours of TV

2) FINANCIAL CRISIS = HOMEMADE CLOTHES
Not the world's financial crisis, but my own continuing "situation," btw. A few weeks ago, I went to Wal-Mart with my friend Merideth. She is a crafty gal (draft dodgers), and whenever we hang out, I get the bug. On a whim I bought a Simplicity/New Look pattern for a cuuuuute 50's style dress that would be perfect for performing. I made one version in 1940's bark cloth - and screwed it up pretty hardcore. The second version was in iridescent taffeta (that my bf likes cuz it looks like his guitar). After the learning experience of the first dress, the second one came out great! The key for girls built like me (les curves!!!!): after each step, I took the thing in by the bathroom mirror and pinned it on. I had cut out a larger size than I needed for most of me, but by golly, the rest of my bits looked great. (lawl) All in all, the one pretty dress only took about 3.5 hours to make - taking it slow all the while. The old one has been taken apart so I can re-sew it. I'll report back later. TOTAL: About $50 for 2 dresses

3. SOLO ALBUM
We have instruments sitting around in the living room, and a nice big iMac with Garageband installed, so I spent some time recording a version of Neil Young's Only Love Can Break Your Heart. I know there are some of you out there who feel you lack musical talent, but lemme tell you. The Ukulele is verrrry easy to play, and Garageband is easy to use. (hear it on my MySpace page) With a little practice, you too can make your very own vanity album in a matter of hours! My friend Carey bought a $35 uke online. Bf and I tried it out. The Verdict? It rocks. [HERE's the link to Carey's Uke - it's pink!] TOTAL: $0 (After spending $1000 on a computer and another $100 on a cute green uke)

4. ADVENTURES IN WORLD CUISINE
I tried to make Chicken Tikka Masala this weekend. I must say, it didn't turn out very well. THAT SAID: I encourage all of you reccessionistas to think creatively with your dinner. Only have peanut butter, cabbage, limes, beats and dog food left in the cupboard? Dial up Epicurious.com or MarthaStewart.com and search the recipe database using your ingredients. That's how I discovered Martha's super-awesome Curried Millet Pot Pie. MYAM.
TOTAL: $10 for random spices and an onion at the deli

5. WORLD OF WARCRAFT
After a couple of marathon sessions over scotch with frozen peaches, I am totally about to ding 59 with my night elf hunter. Grats to me! w00t!
TOTAL: Priceless.

Under the spiegeltents, all the Seaport’s a stage

BTW: The Ironic Mullet is still on vacation! Until September am hiding in the mountains...xoxo

         

Published in Chelsea Now, The Villager, Downtown Express | August 15 - 21, 2008

      

SPIEGELWORLD
       Through October
       South Street Seaport’s Pier 17

    

      

    

    

      

Photo by Joan Marcus
       

“Absinthe” features a breathtaking performance by The Willers, the roller-skating acrobats Jean-Pierre and Wanda Poissonnet.

Adventurous roster of musical and theatrical entertainment

By Lee Ann Westover

Through the early part of the 20th century, itinerant theaters crisscrossed Europe—not unlike the Broadway road shows of today. Velvet-draped, teak-trimmed “spiegeltents” brought vaudeville-style entertainment to the public in portable opulence. New York’s own spiegeltent extravaganza, Spiegelworld, returns to Pier 17 at the South Street Seaport this August and September. As patrons stroll past the seaport’s industrial surroundings, through the manicured beer garden and into a tent’s low wooden doorway, they enter a world of Weimar-era sensuality that bursts with the energy of modern New York.

Last year, all Spiegelworld events took place in a single tent—“Le Salon Perdu.” Due to the volume of acts on the bill this year, Spiegelworld has added a new tent for 2008, “The Deluxe.” Ross Mollison, Spiegelworld impresario, explains: “Having a second venue allows us to incorporate so many fantastic things.” Programming will indeed reach chaotic levels. In addition to two theatrical productions that are exclusive to Spiegelworld, visitors to the site can enjoy an adult-themed comedy show six nights a week, “The Gazillionaire’s Late Night Lounge,” as well as a concert series, three weeks of programming for the New York International Fringe Festival and nightly DJs in the garden. Mollison adds, “I’m a bit allergic to the word festival, but I really like the idea of a carnival…a summer carnival.”

Throughout the season, the two theatrical productions form the backbone of Spiegelworld’s programming. After enjoying a nearly sold-out run in 2007, the vaudevillian celebration “Absinthe” brings back many beloved acts from previous seasons, as well as a bevy of new faces. According to Mollison “the world’s greatest variety show” will feature all manner of circus and musical performers from as far afield as the Ukraine and Russia. “We’ve brought in a lot of artists that we have found in our travels over the last twelve months. We’ve got a lot of surprises for people this year.”

Mollison and his partners created a new word to describe the particular brand of theater featured in “Desir”—“Theatrobatic.” Company director Wayne Harrison, choreographer John “Cha Cha” O’Connell (“Enchanted,” “Moulin Rouge”) and music director Josh Abrahams (“Moulin Rouge”) have created an interpretation of life backstage at the “greatest nightclub the world has known.” Mollison describes “Desir” as being loosely based on the 1950’s film “La Ronde.” In celebration of the French jewelry house (and show sponsor) Boucheron’s 150th anniversary, “Desir” is also intertwined with characters from the company’s long history. As if to underscore themes of indulgence and exclusivity, Boucheron will host a jewelry boutique onsite. Of the show, Mollison says, “People are going to be surprised at how sexy it is. There are no words, even though the script is more than 40 pages long.”

On the nights when “Desir” and “Absinthe” go dark, a series of concerts will feature a stylistically adventurous roster of musical entertainment.

On September 16, singer Martha Wainwright interprets Edith Piaf—a Spiegelworld exclusive—and the Montréaler’s authentic accent and intense, plaintive tone will surely do justice to her inspiration.

On August 10th, Aussie diva Meow Meow and Justin Bond of NYC’s own Kiki and Herb opened the series with a show entitled “Heavy Petting.” Based on the past work of both performers, the night was expected to juggle the entertainers’ vocal excellence with a truly naughty sense of humor.

The cabaret theme continues throughout the summer, with performances from the glamorous Ute Lemper on August 26th. You’ll have to wait until September 16th to hear Martha Wainwright interpret Edith Piaf—a Spiegelworld exclusive. The lovely Montréaler’s authentic accent and intense, plaintive tone will surely do justice to her inspiration.

As much as vintage burlesque and Bertolt Brecht seem to ooze out of every corner of the spiegeltents, Mollison has taken great care to stay innovative in his programming as well. Tortured Soul will bring their unique set of live house music to Spiegeltent on August 31st. On September 23rd, don’t miss Travis Sullivan’s 18-piece Bjorkestra as they perform songs from the genre-bending singer’s career in riotous splendor. Tickets will likely go fast for rare intimate shows from the Latin-funk combo Antibalas! On October 5th and strange little spitfire Nellie McKay on October 12th.

Spiegelworld isn’t just for the grownups, however. Before the pasties come out on September 20th, The Sippy Cups will spit out a set of authentic and hilarious rock and roll—much to the ecstatic enjoyment of little ones and parents alike.

Perhaps the strangest of all events will take place each Thursday night at 9pm, as Pier 17 plays host to New York City’s first ever Headphone Disco. The kick off party will feature Time Out NY Nightlife Editor DJ Bruce Tatum, after which DJ Peter Munch will take over the turntables as resident spin doctor. Mollison says of the event, “Imagine two DJs, two separate channels on wireless headphones, a thousand people dancing, and absolutely no sound…apart from the crowd singing along. It’s hilarious to watch and fantastically fun to participate in.”

With such a varied world of talent on two small stages, it’s hard to decipher what common thread ties it all together. When I ask Mollison what he wishes for Spiegeworld audiences, he responds without missing a beat, “The whole environment is about enjoying live entertainment in an unstructured way… and mixing genre. When you are a kid, going to the carnival is so exiting. I really want to make Spiegelworld as exciting for a 45-year-old as it is for that little 5-year-old.” From the looks of it, he is already succeeding brilliantly.
      
       For more information and a complete listing of all Spiegelworld events, go to spiegelworld.com