Friday, January 6, 2012

Winter JazzFest NYC: 1/6-1/7

I've been on the fence about going - not because of the event itself because I love jazz, but just because of scheduling.  In the end I decided to get a 2 day pass - and mostly because I think I'd regret it more if I didn't go!  

Thanks to Melanie C. for the heads up and for organizing a group to go.  In her words: "I went last year, and it was awesome. You pay one fee for the night and then get unlimited entry to multiple jazz venues in the west village area.  It's a lot of fun, and the music is good."

ABOUT: "The 2012 NYC WINTER JAZZFEST will continue to redeem the rich jazz heritage of the Village and again will bring jazz fans back to Bleecker Street.  The 2012 NYC WINTER JAZZFEST includes over 60 of today's most interesting jazz groups from New York, Brooklyn, Chicago, Los Angeles, New Orleans, Switzerland, Israel, Cuba, Morocco, Turkey, and Italy."




 


Thankfully, I know an insider to the jazz world (an accomplished musician himself!) Victor L. who gave us the following recos for sets to see tonight, most of them his friends:
  • 745p @ Sullivan Hall - Julian Lage Group  (I've met and heard him before - seriously amazing).
  • 845pm @ Zinc Bar - saxophonist Miguel Zenon 
  • 945p @ Le Poisson Rouge - violinist Jenny Scheinman has a great band called Mischief and Mayhem
  • 1200am @ Kenny's Castaways - saxophonist Rudresh Mahanthappa
  • ...and if you're REALLY up for it, go check out Big Sam's Funky Nation at 200am @ Sullivan Hall.
For the full schedule, click HERE.
To buy a 1 day or 2 day pass, click HERE - and use discount code CAAL to get $10 off (NOTE: consider getting a 2 day, it comes out cheaper than just getting a 1 day!)

Have a great, jazzy weekend!

Happy 12th Day of Christmas!

Interesting fact of the day - it's the 12th Day of Christmas aka Three Kings Day/El Dia de los Tres Reyes!

Contrary to popular belief, or at least what I knew, the 12 days of Christmas are actually after Christmas, from the day after (Dec. 26, 1st day) to Epiphany or Three King's Day (Jan 6, 12th day).

Epiphany is celebrated as the day that the 3 wise men came to Jesus and presented gifts (Matthew 2: 1-12) and is for some the true day that gifts are given (so the bf and I were not too off by giving each other gifts after the holidays: ).  And as with any celebration, the King's Cake is often had on this day as well.

Of course, there are differences on how and when to celebrate, but I think what's most important is that we do - and also to take the time to reflect and be thankful for all of God's blessings in our lives, for that in itself is a gift.

Read more about the history and a breakdown of what "The Twelve Days of Christmas" song means: HERE.

Here are a few events you can go to commemorate this day (see more details here):
1. Three Kings Day Parade – East Harlem
Friday, January 6 at 10:30am
Begins at 106th Street and Madison Avenue and ends at 115th Street and Park Avenue
FREE

2. Three Kings Day Celebration – Lower East Side
Teatro SEA, 107 Suffolk Street between Delancey and Rivington Streets
Friday, January 6 3-5pm
FREE 

3. Three Kings Day Parade in Brooklyn – Williamsburg
Sunday, January 8 at 2pm
Starts at Meeker and Graham Avenues
FREE 
--> 3 Kings and live camels...and as the parade "godfather" - Tito Nieves , who sang an old fave cha-cha "I Like it Like That" - cool: )

4. Three Kings Day Festival – Williamsburg
El Puente Center for Arts & Culture, 211 S 4th Street between Roebling and Havemeyer Streets
Sunday, January 15 at 1 and 5pm
FREE

Sunday, January 1, 2012

Eddie on Cooking Channel!

So cool - Eddie Huang from my Tugboat trip (i.e. the other Love Boat - aka the summer camp in Taiwan for American Born Chinese - yeh yeh!) just kicked off his new show CHEAP BITES, which I randomly came across and am watching now on Cooking Channel.  Super entertaining, and he takes you to check out some good cheap eats around the country.  My kind of show!
Here's an interview he did with Food Republic: "Eddie Huang Got A TV Show.  Earned It" and see the promo vid on his blog The Pop Chef.

You should also check out his NYC spot Baohaus, which the bf and I frequent quite often: ).  I like the Chairman Bao the best - made with pork belly (pictured @ right) - or the Haus Bao with braised beef cheek. Very yummy!
Congrats, Eddie!