Tribeca Film Festival
Not all that different from a regular cinema experience, except you are one of the first 1000 people to see the film and it costs $15 (+fees). Getting tix was made possible of AMEX Concierge. A feature that I am not aware if any other credit card has, but something I have now used a few times and just love!
I saw two films during the Tribeca Film Festival this year and both were in the same theater, AMC VII on 3rd Ave. The theater was small, but still smelled of popcorn and the seats were filled for each event.
First I saw, The Exploding Girl, a narrative about a college student home for a summer break in Brooklyn, NY. The movie was slow, but enjoyable. The love story between two teenagers was juvenile and chaotic, but reminded every audience member of their first “like” in life. The acting was good and the scenes were realistic. The directors, webpage.
Second I saw, Racing Dreams, a documentary about go-karting. Racing Dreams won the Tribeca Film Festival Award for Best Documentary. I learned that Jeff Gordon and other NASCAR racers got their start in go-karting and governed by the WKA it is becoming a more popular youth sport. The documentary followed 3 karters for 1 season and it was just sensational. The director, Marshall Curry took some questions after the film and everyone was mostly curious where the 3 kids are today. Watch the red carpet premier and meet the three stars. It has been 2 years since the first film footage was shot. I laughed hard and got teary eyed too. We went to dinner and talked all night about the 3 kids. It was a really great film. Want more…Clip
IFC- The independent film channel might be the best chance you have to see these films, so if they come across your t.v. stop and watch.
Who Loves to Travel?
Anyone itching to get out of town, planning a family reunion or honeymoon?
Here are some helpful sites, hotels, search engines I use, read about or know someone who loves. There are millions of options out there for your ideal vacation stay.
Please add places you have been and loved.
Shout Out…Jefferson Hotel- Richmond, VA made the T&L Top 500 Best Hotels
Luxury Hotel Accreditations
Relais Chateaux
Preferred Hotels
Orient Express
Rocco Forte Collection
Virtuoso
Leading Hotels of the World
Five Star Alliance
New Hotels
Four Seasons Seychelles- East Coast of Africa
The Estate at Grace Bay Club- Turks & Caicos Islands
Singita Grumeti Reserves- Tanzania
Pelican Hill- Newport Coast, California
Seven Seas- Thailand
AVIA Napa- Napa, California
Fontainebleau- Las Vegas, Nevada
Boutique Hotels
Leading Small Hotels of the World
The Porches- North Adams, MA
Ellerman House- Cape Town, South Africa
AVIA Savannah- Savannah, Georgia
The Inn at Perry Cabin, St. Michael’s Maryland
Hotel Fauchere, Milford, PA
Farm 215- Overberg, South Africa
Blackberry Farm- Walland, Tennessee
All-Inclusive/ B&B
Excellence Riviera Cancun- Mexico
Paradisus Palma Real Resort- Dominican Republic
Round Hill- Jamaica
Secrets Resorts- 4 New in 2009 & 2010
Iberostar- Playa del Carmen, Mexico
Hayden Street Inn- Healdsburg, CA
The Lodge at Woodloch- North Eastern, Pennsylvania
The Round Barn Farm - Waitsfield, Vermont Last Snow Shoe Dinner of the Season 3/14
Holiday in Tuscany- Chianti Region of Tuscany- Cooking School
House Rentals
Home Away- Vacation Rentals
Vrbo- Vacation Rental by Owner
Mustique Island- Deals between May 1 - November 14
(Blue Waters / Cotton House)
Casa Paraty, Brazil
Online Travel Advice, Booking, Help, Guides…
Travel-Ticker.com
Smarter Travel.com
Booking Buddy.com
Kayak.com
Seat Guru.com
Travel Artistry - Tell them I sent you!
Home & Abroad
Vayama
Yapta
One Time
Side Step
perrinpost.com- Conde Nast Consumer News Editor Wendy Perrin’s blog
Current Deals
Fairmont Hotels have cut rates through April 15
Deal @ Fairmount Pearl in Mexico until April 30th
Starwood Hotels- 2nd night is ½ price including W & Le Meridien hotels Through March
Los Cabos, Mexico- $950 for 3 nights in a Villa, Flights & airport transfer & $100 credit
Half Moon- Jamaica prices are down to $250 a night April - early December
2008’s Greatest…
Shocking Moments of 2008- People
Full List of President Bush’s Pardons
People’s 2008 Sexiest Men Alive!
50th Anniversary Show of Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater
Thank you for the recommendation from family and for my partners in crime who attended with me, it was a wonderful experience. For more information, click here
The show opened with a short film to reflect on the history of Alvin Ailey and the theater’s accomplishments. The theater’s mission is to expose new audiences to dance and expand opportunity for all. Ailey’s vision is portrayed through the talent of the stage. The art of dance is received by both the dancer and the audience, therefore massive numbers of people have been touched in fifty years.
I went into the show with high expectations of seeing Revelations, the most widely seen choreographed masterpiece and was impressed by all the choreography. The show was 100% in celebration of Alvin Ailey’s routines. The performance was broken into three sections with a brief intermission between each. The company is made up the most physically fit and limber men and women who have studied the art and mastered the style of American Dance.
My favorite dances are probably The Lark Ascending; Fix me Jesus & Wade in the Water.
The company travels worldwide and right now is a wonderful time to add it to your watch list of events coming to you.
In NYC:
Through Jan 4th at NY City Center
In New Jersey:
May 8 - 10 at NJPAC
In Brooklyn:
June 9 - 14 at BAM
Bring the Outside In
Reclaimed tree trunks make great occasional tables, plant stands and stools. Cluster a few and you have got an artful variation to the standard coffee table. Having a party, swing them towards the walls and use them for additional seating or place two at the end of your bed for the perfect bench. Many stores are carrying a wide array of options and here are a few of my finds.
Bamileke Table: Jayson Home & Garden 
Argentinean cypress trees trunks: Pottery Barn
Timber Block Stool: Viva Terra
Root of Earth Stool: Viva Terra
Resin Tree Stump: West Elm
Reclaimed Burma Wood Nesting Tables: Company Store
Twisted Table Uncommon Goods
Star Point Table Horchow
Hardwood Side Table Brocade Home
Peroba and Harvested Mahogany Environment Furniture
Holiday Art, Craft and Shopping Fairs
In Brooklyn
Saturday 10 am - 5pm
PS 307 and PS 287 in Fort Greene, Brooklyn.
More Details: http://brooklynfriends.org/RelId/607423/ISvars/default/PAT_Craft_Fair.htm
In NYC
Saturday 11am - 7pm
The Altman Building
135 W18th St
More Details: http://nymag.com/shop/
Saturday 10 am - 5pm
The Knitting Factory
More Details: http://www.thenewnewny.com/handmadecavalcade/
Richmond, VA
Thursday, December 4th through Sunday, December 7th
Richmond Raceway Complex
More Details: http://www.thebizarrebazaar.com/
Boston, MA
December 13 - 14
Boston, MA
South End Holiday Fair, http://www.sowaholidaymarket.com/
December 7th 12pm - 7pm
The Castle at Park Plaza, Boston
Bazaar Bizarre http://www.bazaarbizarre.org/boston.html
Mill Valley, CA
December 6th 10am - 5pm
Milly Valley Community Center
More Details: http://www.cityofmillvalley.org/Index.aspx?page=34&recordid=265&returnURL=%2fIndex.aspx%3fpage%3d69
San Francisco, CA
December 7th 9:30am - 5pm
Ft. Mason, Bldg. A
More Details: www.risd.edu/pdf/alumnisale/nocaholiday08.pdf
Cheek Pain & Belly Aches
Thanksgiving ‘08 was the first 4 full days with no travel and spent just my husband and me, a true opportunity to start new traditions. Knowing that Thanksgiving Day was going to be full of entertaining, stress and messes I looked for something to do the night before. There was no way he would attend the blowing up of Macy’s Balloons and little chance that I wanted to rage it out like a 21 yr. old (no offense). I stumbled upon Ticket Master’s Monthly email and saw comedian Jim Gaffigan was adding a new night to his tour in NYC. I figured there is no better tradition than one that gives you belly aches and cheek pains from non-stop laughter.
Jim Gaffigan’s Sexy Tour was at Town Hall in New York City. He is currently on Itunes Comedy Central Presents if you aren’t familiar with him. I bought the tickets without consulting my husband and I am glad I didn’t flinch! Town Hall is a small auditorium setting so there really aren’t bad seats. No booze inside, so after we chugged our vodka sodas we took our seats. We had aisle seats in the second row which I am sure contributed to the experience. The opener was great. The show started right on-time and lasted 1½ hours.
The second comedy show I attended this year was at Gotham Comedy Club in New York City. I was told that they just finished remodeling the space in spring ‘08. The venue includes two semi-circles of forum seating and round tables through out. You might find your self sharing with strangers, but what the hell make friends. My show included 2 opening acts and 1 headliner. They serve light fare menus and drinks throughout the show. There are typically two shows a Friday/ Saturday night and I would suggest the later one. Each comedian was talented and worth the money. Gotham is a place for less known comedians, but if you’re lucky celebrity comedians pop by to test out their new jokes. Many stars are on the walls.
Chris Rock’s No Apologies Tour has concluded but keep it on the radar for when he tours next. As you can imagine it was a production, WaMu Theater at Madison Square Garden is a large auditorium venue offering t.v. screens for close ups, sponsored alcohol booths and a full stage set. Chris Rock is one of the greats in comedy and demands respect and attention when on the stage. The crowd was loud and appreciative and his show lasted 2 hours. Opener, Mario Joyner, was hysterical and warmed up the audience. Expect lots of current news, political commentary, racial jokes, sex talk, and cursing.
Never underestimate the gift of laughter.
Cheers to a Purple Tongue
As a right of passage from young to mature adult you will inevitably trade in your pilsner for a merlot. I think that the best practice for learning about wine is to DRINK. Living in San Francisco afforded me the luxury of napa valley day trips. These trips broadened my appreciation for the grape growing and wine making process. It also gave me the confidence to open the restaurant wine list and buy cases at a time. Never forget that while there are some wine connoisseurs, it is all about personal preference.
Here are some of my favorite Napa & Sonoma valley vineyards:
Gloria Ferrer
If you are fortunate enough to live in a state with permitted wine shipping laws, http://wi.shipcompliant.com/, step up and buy a case or join a wine club. I totally underestimated this gift until I had received it.
Ordering Online? I can personally recommend Wine.com & Bottle Notes. The Wines of the World with Wine.com mixes one red and one white each month and membership can be for 3 – 12months. This is a great way to hone in on vineyards considered to be the greatest wine regions in the world. Bottlenotes.com offers the one stop shop for personalized and social driven packages. I personally benefited from picking a region like Argentina and get to know that county’s varieties inside and out.
I recently joined the Wall Street Journal’s Wine Club. The special introductory offer averages $7 per bottle in the first case. There is no penalty for cancelling so if you are unhappy you can get out before the price hikes to $11 per bottle in all future orders. We were happy with our red & white selection in the first case.
If shopping locally never pass up a Trader Joe’s, Stew Leonard’s Wine or BevMo store. Go with the intention of taking home a case, because there are many choices. No matter where you shop you should receive a 20% discount when you buy a case and if they don’t switch suppliers. WineSearcher.com is a great resource if you are trying to track down that special Boekenhoutskloof Chocolate Block bottle.
* Not all Trader Joes and Stew Leonard’s sell wine so be sure to check out online.
Enjoy Sipping,
K
P.S. FREE THE GRAPES
If you live in a state that has strict ship to customer laws join the FREE THE GRAPES campaign, http://www.freethegrapes.org/ to get change.
