In 1815, Paris had 3,000 restaurants; New York had none. (In fact, the word itself wouldn’t enter the American lexicon until the middle of the 19th century.) Those forced to eat out could choose between “a slab of beef or mutton with potatoes and gravy” at a boardinghouse or chophouse, reports William Grimes, a New York Times domestic correspondent and formerly the newspaper’s restaurant critic, whose latest book is a chronicle of New York’s transformation from a Dutch village at the edge of the wilderness to what he sees as the most diverse restaurant city in the world.
In the 1820s, Grimes reminds us, time spent eating was time taken away “from the serious business of making money,” and Manhattanites were distinctly lacking in culinary sophistication. Even at the best hotels, the notion of courses didn’t exist: everything was set out at once, squab compote jostling with cream puffs. At the sound of a gong, the American guests stampeded the dining room where, to the surprise of their European counterparts, they set about “gobbling down” their meals “in silence.” So it was quietly revolutionary when, in 1827, two Swiss brothers named Delmonico brought “a whiff of Paris” onto William Street with their “little French confectionery and café.” Delmonico’s, Grimes writes, “established the tone for fine dining in New York almost overnight, and it would remain pre-eminent until the 1890s.”
This has been quite a week for former New York Times restaurant critics. Frank Bruni, their most recent critic, was here earlier in the week to talk about his career at the Times, as well as his own book, Born Round. Only days later, we learned yesterday from New York‘s Grub Street that he recently signed a deal to turn the book into a movie.
This is causing us to have a future case of Déjà vu, as William Grimes is coming to 92YTribeca on Dec 8 for a discussion on his book, “an extended historical tour of the city’s hash houses, oyster cellars and four-star restaurants, from the days of the Delmonico’s to the era of Per Se and the superstar TV chef.” And if you find yourself hungry, our Cafe makes wonderful foods!
So now the question is, who will be the first to report on his book to movie deal, should it materialize?
Upcoming talks at 92YTribeca:
How to Break In: Culinary Careers with Dorothy Hamilton and David Bouley Nov 11
Feasting with Edith Wharton: Foods of the Gilded Age: Nov 12
We’ve done an extensive numbers crunch for you. Counting number of shows, most frequents guests, and more—including esoteric stats, such as the number of Foursquare Check-ins (203 as of 11/3/09) most requested beer (PBR) and the number of hits on our New York Timesparody video on YouTube (110,337 as of 11/3/09).
We were going to write a little blurb about what went down at Kevin Geeks Out About...Vincent Price, but then we read Kevin’s own recap. It became clear that adding anything more would be futile and redundant. Kevin has written the greatest blog post about one of the greatest Kevin Geeks Out About... and we don;t think that is hyperbole. Allow us to show you, as we recap his recap in bullet points:
Lisa Beebe served TWO kinds of Vincent Price cupcakes (portrait cupcakes as well as “fly” cupcakes with a plastic fly caught in a web of icing).
Writer Eric Drysdale (The Colbert Report) edited down footage from the promotional film for Sears’ Vincent Price Collection of Fine Art, followed by clips from a Price-hosted instructional VHS tape that came with the Nishika 3D Camera. (At the end of the segment, an audience member won said camera!)
...we heard a first-hand account of a teenage boy writing a fan letter to Vincent Price (promising him a role in a horror movie)
“Hey, I’m your host: DJ Sufjan. Thanks for coming,” he says, trying to stir the audience.
It will be a night of art — but exactly how, or what kind of art, no one is certain.
Stevens speaks for a brief moment and introduces the first act, singer/songwriter DM Smith. Unlike most folk singers, Smith is backed by six other musicians: a percussionist, a bassist, a cellist, two violinists and a viola player. The classical backing only serves to assist his enchanting howl, which channels Eastern rhythms. His short set is defined by simple, delicate arrangements, like an appetizer before the main course.
A few moments pass, and Stevens climbs the stage once more. This time, he explains that his second album, “Enjoy Your Rabbit,” was an electronic experiment that no one seemed to understand. As a result, he had the songs rewritten for the string quartet Osso, a group of classically trained women who perform interpretations of Stevens’ songs. Stevens’ experimental computer distortion transforms into high notes. The audience, formerly busy in conversation, is respectably silent. Dreamy sequences approach and linger as each song reaches a close. It is, most definitely, a non-traditional take on a classical medium.
Talks: On Stage with Next to Normal: Join us for an evening of music from the Tony-winning Broadway musical Next to Normal, featuring members of the cast and creative team in this one-night only event.
With regard to the men, we’d like to point out that we’ve had five of them on stage at 92YTribeca. From left to right in the above photo, we’ve had Aziz Ansari, Aasif Mandvi, Zach Galifianakis, John Oliver and Wyatt Cenac. (Edit: We’ve only dreamed of having Aziz Ansari here.)
To keep abreast of future appearances by the sexiest people in comedy, bookmark this handy 92YTribeca Comedy page, and peep the 92YTribeca Comedy Facebook page.
New York City Opera‘s new General Manager and Artistic Director George Steel is opening his first season there with Hugo Weisgall’s final opera, Esther. Esther was a Jewish prophet and queen of the Persian Empire in the Hebrew Bible, and heroine of the Biblical Book of Esther which is named after her. In a podcast here, Charles Kondek, librettist of Esther, talks with New York City Opera about the origins and roots of the operatic piece.
For further deconstruction, on Sunday, Oct 25, New York City Opera and 92YTribeca will join together for an afternoon with spiritual leaders, scholars and creative and performing artists for an afternoon discussion, multimedia, and exploration of Hugo Weisgall’s Esther. Tickets can be purchased online here.
On Oct 22 at 92YTribeca, Kritzler will be on hand to reveal the Jewish pirates, conquistadors and merchant adventurers who battled the Inquisition and initiated international trade.
Talk: Toxic Friends: Gender expert Susan Shapiro Barash explores the intricacies of women’s friendships and shares insights on how women can extricate themselves from damaging friendships to create more fulfilling ones.
Film: Streetwise FREE. with a 16mm film print from the archive of the New York Public Library, and director Martin Bell and photographer Mary Ellen Mark in person for Q&A. Read more on the 92Y Blog.
Moon Saloon: An open-mic session led by luminaries of the NYC poetry and music circles. FREE. Part of the Live at 92YTribeca Cafe series.
Film: Short Slam #1: Bring your under-twelve-minute film (on DVD only), get it shown and pad the house with your friends–audience vote determines the winner.
In 1985, the New York Times reviewed Streetwise, a documentary on the life and lives of teenagers (Rat, Tiny, Shellie, and DeWayne) living on the streets of Seattle:
‘’Streetwise,’’ a study of young teen-age vagrants living in Seattle, began as an article (by Cheryl McCall) and photo-essay (by Mary Ellen Mark) in Life magazine. As a feature film, produced by Miss McCall and directed by Martin Bell, it still has the quality of a photo-essay observing a number of homeless teen- agers without structuring a narrative or otherwise commenting on what is seen. This shapelessness, and the unacknowledged presence of the camera in what seem to be small, intimate moments, would hurt the film if its interview footage were not so unmistakably authentic and, at times, so wrenching. ‘’Streetwise’’ has its touches of sensationalism, but much of it is all too real.
On Wed. Oct. 21, 92YTribeca will have a free screening with a 16mm film print from the archive of the New York Public Library. Director Martin Bell and photographer Mary Ellen Mark will be in person for Q&A.
BBC News recently profiled record label Nomadic Wax, a company dedicated to bringing hip-hop from all over the world to a wide audience. BBC reporter Alexis Akwagyiram writes:
Public Enemy rapper Chuck D famously once said rap was “CNN for black people”.
In the years following its emergence in 1970s New York, hip-hop culture has manifested itself around the world - most notably in the many rap acts that now exist across the globe. Ben Herson is the founder of fair trade record label Nomadic Wax, which is committed to bringing acts from developing countries into the wider public consciousness by distributing music online, pressing records and making documentaries.
He argues that Africa is the true “birthplace of hip-hop”.
“It travelled through the transatlantic slave trade to the US, via the Caribbean - that’s what created this culture,” he says.
“Hip-hop is the missing connection between the US and Africa. It’s about a conversation within the African diaspora. There was Creole culture, the blues, jazz, rock’n’roll and it has become hip-hop.”
To help you become even more familiar with the music and artists, The BBC has included a world map featuring embedded video and audio of the music by artists mentioned, and three additional separate audio files streaming music or interviews. It makes for an informative and comprehensive read.
For a further education, 92YTribeca (”the new Apollo Theater”) will take this one step further, and host a CMJ Showcase: Nomadic Wax and The Bloom Effect Present: on Oct 22. To be hosted by Blitz the Ambassador and featuring global lineup of artists including New York’s own DJ Boo and Phat Phillie from Croatia. Also At Versaris from Spain, Holland’s La Melodia, Coolooloosh from Israel, Alfaress from Morocco and Nomadic Massive from Canada.
Film: Freeheld: New Jersey police Lieutenant Laurel Hester’s battle to leave her pension to her life partner. Co-presented by Chicken & Egg Pictures and Working Films with Judith Helfand in person along with other guest speakers.
Comedy Below Canal™: Some Folks Hosted by Wyatt Cenac with John Oliver, Hannibal Buress, Music from Che Grand and DJ Car Stereo (Wars)
The Vincent Price Movie Review is a website reviewing the movies of the legendary Vincent Price, if you weren’t sure. It is really impressive.
Though his post of Top 10 Vincent Price Movies might beget debate. The Vincent Price Movie Review and other Price fans might like debate that at Kevin Geeks Out About…Vincent Price! on Oct 23 at 92YTribeca. The previous Kevin Geeks Out, a comedy-variety show, was a big hit. The show was fantastic, and serving the crowd werewolf cupcakes certainly went over well.
The Oct 23 installment, co-hosted by horror fan and writer Tom Peyer, (Tek Jansen, Silver Age: Doom Patrol), will feature not only well known Price material, (such as this clip with Kermit the Frog), but also rare film and TV clips. Special guests will examine Price’s legacy, the dark side of Price, and actor Arthur Anderson will talk about Price and their days at Orson Welles’ Mercury Players! What’s more, very seriously, every admission will include a free pencil-moustache. Oh yah.
In 1815, Paris had 3,000 restaurants; New York had none. (In fact, the word itself wouldn’t enter the American lexicon until the middle of the 19th century.) Those forced to eat out could choose between “a slab of beef or mutton with potatoes and gravy” at a boardinghouse or chophouse, reports William Grimes, a New York Times domestic correspondent and formerly the newspaper’s restaurant critic, whose latest book is a chronicle of New York’s transformation from a Dutch village at the edge of the wilderness to what he sees as the most diverse restaurant city in the world.
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Unlike most folk singers, Smith is backed by six other musicians: a percussionist, a bassist, a cellist, two violinists and a viola player. The classical backing only serves to assist his enchanting howl, which channels Eastern rhythms. His short set is defined by simple, delicate arrangements, like an appetizer before the main course.
He argues that Africa is the true “birthplace of hip-hop”.
