The American Natural History Museum sure knows how to throw a ... lecture, and to prove it, they hosted "The History of the Mint Julep" last night. With a welcome drink at the door and two leading cocktail historians mixing the next round on stage, Lush Life felt right at home in the museum's Linder Theater.
(click the photo above to see the whole set)
Unable to resist the icy libation, I dug right in-nose first, as is customary with the julep. And, as expected, the mint hinted at the sensational cocktail to follow, but this version seemed to have more than the usual bourbon, sugar, and mint flavor I've come to expect in one of my favorite drinks. There was a richness and spice that I don't typically associate with this usually refreshing cocktail.
Dave Wondrich, our first speaker of the evening, mixed us a round of his signature recipe, which called for brandy (as a bourbon substitute) and a rum floater. The complexity and balance of this version of the Mint Julep was impressive and harkened back to colonial times, when brandy was the more commonly used spirit in what WAS America's favorite cocktail.
As one of this country's leading cocktail writers- running the show over at Esquire and publishing the now James Beard Awarded book, Imbibe!- Wondrich served as the perfect tour guide through his version of the Mint Julep's history. With his engaging, entertaining, but ultimately authoritative style of storytelling, Mr. Wondrich has this way of making you feel like a college freshman all over again. He makes you want to go home and research the reason he chose to float rum on top of the best cocktail you've ever had out of a plastic cup.
I'll be honest. Before tonight, I knew how to mix (not shake) a traditional (or so I thought) Mint Julep. I knew about the special strainer and the silver cups. I knew that, historically, Americans would drink a Julep with breakfast to get their juices flowing. But, I had no idea that the story of the Mint Julep was merely a metaphor for the way America drinks.
Throughout our history, the recipe of the Julep has adapted and evolved- reflecting the resources and demands of a people thirsty for cocktails, regardless of the limitations caused by civil war or changing moral attitudes. And, I wouldn't have known any of that without the righteous guidance and poetic incantations of Chris McMillian, the second lecturer.
McMillian brought to life the ritual of the Julep as he crushed ice with his wooden mallet, carefully released mint oil (without releasing the bitter essence), pouring the spirits and syrup, and garnishing with a single slapped mint sprig- all to the tune of J. Soule Smith's ode to the Julep documenting each step in the sacred process. He brought a reverence to the process that I'd never experienced watching a man mix a drink. Sure, the mixologists in this city take their jobs seriously. They carefully measure, mix, and shake to create that one divine sip, but somehow they lack this intimate connection to the history that comes so fluidly to Mr. McMillian. No, really. See for yourself.
The evening ended with a question and answer session that revealed just how much alcohol actually went into the two passed drinks- as audience members giggled out questions, sometimes repeating the previous inquirer. Of course, our lecturers were gracious and answered most of the questions to the best of their ability- dodging only questions about brand preferences (maybe because Maker's Mark and Pernod Ricard were kind enough to sponsor this event?).
After tonight, I just want to curl up with my ragged copy of Imbibe! and plan a trip to Chris McMillian's bar in New Orleans. Anyone want to join me?
McCarren Park spoiled me. The pool parties are always easy to navigate- with plenty of room to spread out and enjoy a top notch show on a summer day. This all hit me as I waited in line for nearly an hour to make my way into the Santogold show at Central Park Summerstage on Sunday.
The line stretched nearly four blocks on the (literally) steaming pavement leading up to the Rumsey Playfield stage- barely moving until well after 3 p.m. While watching the swarms of sweating neon-clad hipsters provided marginal entertainment, the heat coupled with the annoyance of waiting made me wish I had chosen the McCarren Park show instead.
Convinced there was no chance at actually getting into the venue, Leo, our photographer/show-going partner in crime, began documenting the monumental line- so we would have something to show for our journey from Brooklyn to Manhattan. But, as soon as he started snapping photos, the line began to move. So, after an hour of waiting (on the hottest day of the year), we finally began moving towards the gate five yards at a time.
By 3:30, we were safely inside- ushered by dozens of yelling, sweating security guards noisily herding the crowds onto the astroturf. Just as we walked in, Mz Streamz took the stage- shaking her ass, whether or not her mic was turned on. By the second song, the DJs had the music, mics, and dancers going at full tilt. Feeding off of her (and her dancers' enegry), the crowd perked up and began what would be an all day dance extravaganza.
And, the dancing continued through the seemingly never-ending DJ sets. I'm not going to bore you with reviews of each DJ, because, well, to me, they didn't seem much different.
To be entirely honest, I thought Diplo and A-Trak were joking when they announced they'd each play for an hour. About an hour in, the crowd's buzz and energy started to fade. When I made my way over to the concession stand for yet another drink, I noticed that the crowd had switched from beer to water- having completely dehydrated themselves through the hours of dancing. I also noticed a loud screeching sound coming from the corner behind the stand, which is when I got my first look at Santogold. Yup, that's right. She didn't show until 5:45.
She popped out of her black SUV-entourage in tow- and made her way to the backstage area an hour before the stage was set to close. I swear the teenage girls who began the screeching thought she was John Lennon. They screamed. They cried. They frantically took pictures.
About twenty minutes later, Santogold took the stage, and she was incredible. In all fairness, the heat, the anticipation, the crowds might have all been worth her abbreviated set. Her voice is stronger than her albums indicate, and she just might be the coolest woman on the planet. If she was opening for anyone other than Coldplay, I'd suggest catching her whenever you possibly can on her summer tour, but I'm not sure if Chris Martin is worth it. Aw, hell. Buy the ticket, and when she's done, head to your nearest club. Santogold, if nothing else, will get your ass shaking.
Click the image for more Stantogold photos
And, if you haven't heard the new Santogold and M.I.A remix, head over to Stereogum for a listen.
Seventeen-year-old boys have all the fun at shows. They push to the front dancing and screaming along to every song.
And, as Ted Leo and The Pharmacists played at Castle Clinton on Wednesday, there was no shortage of boys shimmying and shaking in the front row requesting songs and pumping their fists wildly into the air. Ted obliged the crowd playing old favorites among four new ones (which, for the record, all kicked some major ass). And, while the crowd seemed most into the selections from the most recent release, Living With The Living, the most compelling moments of the set landed at the end as Ted played the most genuine and stunning encores we've ever heard.
Unfortunately, I wasn't up front with the 17-year-olds — for THIS Ted Leo concert anyway. But since we showed up just before the set began at seven, I was just grateful to have a place to see the show. I did feel a little guilty passing a crowd wrapped around the block as I walked in, but the guilt was easily allayed when Ranger Dan hit the stage. As any seasoned River to River Festival goer knows, Castle Clinton shows always begin with a short history lesson with Ranger Dan, the official tour guide of this gorgeous and historic location. His speech was so rousing, the crowd pushed down the barricades separating them from the seated section when he fnished. OK, it might not have been Ranger Dan's speech, but I'd like to think he had a little something to do with it.
As soon as the band played the first chord, the crowd was in a frenzy, which was somehow completely undeterred by the heat and its straight-from-work concert attire. With an hour and a half to play, the guys covered as much of their catalog as possible giving the crowd a sampling of just about every kind of song they have recorded.
The high point of the set came just as the sun set behind the lower Manhattan skyline. With their shirts completely soaked and the crowd edging as closely to the stage as security would allow, Ted Leo and The Pharmacists cranked out an encore that was equal parts desperation and authenticity. Between the excitement from band for their new (and driving, heavily punk influenced) songs and the crowd's surge at the sound of anything from Shake the Sheets, the show delivered on every level.
A few covers late in the set made this one of the more memorable shows for the summer as Ted Leo dedicated "Hybrid Moments" — The Misfits — to all of the Jersey residents in the crowd and ended with "Fisherman's Blues" from The Waterboys. To be honest, I don't know that I've ever seen a musician deliver such an authentic performance. I'm not sure I can give Ted's performance of "Fisherman's Blues" the kind of write-up it deserves. So, I'm not going to try. Trust me, it was genius.
By the end of the show, I was so exhausted from jumping along to the new songs, singing to the old ones, and being brought to the verge of tears by the last one, that I could barely amble back to the train to make my way home.
With InBev's recent purchase of Anheuser-Busch, we got to thinking about American beer. Sure, there are plenty of big guys still in the game, but to us, the real life blood of the American beer industry is the craft brewer. So, we are so pleased to introduce you to Missouri's largest American owned brewery: Boulevard Brewing Company.
While their distribution doesn't quite reach the East coast, I can happily report that I've gotten to taste several varieties of their award winning brews, and I'm a huge fan. Hopefully, their status as the Missouri beer leader will encourage them to ship a few cases out this way.
Check out a statement the Boulevard Brewers released right after the Bud-sale announcement:
Boulevard Brewing Company is now the largest American-owned and operated brewery in the state of Missouri. The craft beer industry as a whole continues to demonstrate strong growth while the rest of the industry remains relatively flat. We will continue to focus on what has made us successful over the years-making great beer and delivering it to thirsty Midwesterners. Our beers are generally more flavorful than the light lager styles our friends at A-B have popularized, but if several new consumers decide to pick up and enjoy an Unfiltered Wheat Beer because of the sale it will definitely have a positive impact on our business.
As you've probably gathered, we love a good Pre-Prohibition Era cocktail, but when it comes to our laws, we like them a little more current. So, needless to say, we're a little excited about the possible repeal of the Cabaret Laws in the city.
For those of you not familiar with the law it reads something like this:
Any room, place or space in the city in which any musical entertainment, singing, dancing or other form of amusement is permitted in connection with the restaurant business or the business of directly or indirectly selling to the public food or drink, except eating or drinking places, which provide incidental musical entertainment, without dancing, either by mechanical devices, or by not more than three persons.
Basically, what that legal mumbo jumbo means is that no more than three people can dance in a bar or club in NYC without a specific (and really difficult to obtain) license. The law was instated back in 1926 to put Harlem jazz clubs out of business, but was largely ignored after Prohibition. The law was resurrected during the Guiliani days as a part of his semi-fascist regime, as I'm sure most NYC residents remember. The Voice has a full history of the law here, if you're interested.
This isn't typically an issue in the spots we frequent, but several bars have had to take this thing pretty seriously- probably because they faced the wrath of Guiliani back in the day. But now, it might not be an issue. Mayor Bloomberg reportedly wants to "balance between letting people have fun and to assure people in the neighborhood that they won't be disturbed by what goes on." So, what's his first order of business? Repealing this antiquated law.
Plenty Magazine, your source for all things green, has a few cocktail suggestions that are as easy on the environment as they are on your palate.
The recipes are pretty basic takes on classics with a few fresh fruit suggestions including a Pisco Sour and a solid White Wine Sangria. A few almost-molecular recipes snuck their way onto the list as well. And, the Margarita Popsicles sound like a great solution for BBQ pot lucks.
Honestly, the best part of the article is the list of sustainable liquors- if you're willing to pick through the recipes to find the brands doing what they can for the environment.
The true measure of a bar's greatness can't be calculated by what's on tap or the top shelf. To truly understand the caliber of the bar you're in, there's only one place to look: the bathroom. So, without further ado, Lush Life presents Sweet, Sweet Can- a collection of candid shots taken in some of the city's most memorable bathrooms.
This week, enjoy an intimate shot from the bathroom at Library Bar.
Becca's list is pretty comprehensive, but she did neglect to mention one of the smaller festivals. Into cult classics? Head down to the American Playground Park in Greenpoint each Friday this summer for films ranging from Casino Royale to Yellow Submarine.
A slightly bigger outdoor film series, Films in Tompkins, was also overlooked. And, with films like Better Off Dead and The Shining, it's definitely not one to miss.
While she covered the majority of free screenings, Becca didn't cover one of our favorite (and still cost effective, but not free) summer screenings: Rooftop Films. With their weekly showings, pre-screening concerts, and killer after parties, Rooftop delivers some of the best movie bang for your buck- even if it's the only one on the list you (sometimes) have to pay for.
Storms are threatening The Avett Brothers' free show at Rockerfeller Park tonight, so they decided to move the party indoors to Stuyvestant High School. These guys are amazing, and totally worth the trip. Check out the River to River listing:
"North Carolina's Avett Brothers play acoustic music that has roots in traditional folk and bluegrass - a sublime blend of folk, country, hillbilly, and blues, swirled through with pop, rock, and a touch of wry punk wrapped in gorgeous harmony." [River to River Festival]
