PAPERMAG: WORD UP!

Eight Items or Less: Foreign Born at Mercury Lounge & Clash High-Tops

2010-03-11T22:29:55Z

1. Don't have time for a spring getaway? Take a trip to the West Coast tonight when L.A.'s Foreign Born play California-sun-soaked indie pop at Mercury Lounge tonight.

2. Conan O'Brien is going on a 30-day "Legally Prohibited From Being Funny on Television Tour." He promises "a night of music, comedy, hugging and the occasional awkward silence. The tour kicks off April 12 in Eugene, Orgegon. CoCo's in New York June 1 and 2 at Radio City Music Hall. Get tickets at TeamCoco.

3. BAMcinematek is hosting a two-week tribute to dreamy '50s movie star Montgomery Clift. That's Montgomery Clift, Honey!, features screenings of Clift classics like A Place in the Sun and The Misfits, begins tonight with screenings of The Heriess, staring Olivia de Havilland.

4. Fast Company has put together a neat online gallery of objects made entirely of drinking straws.

5. The New Yorker takes a look at University of Texas' newly acquired David Foster Wallace archive. They have a pdf of a very sweet childhood poem written by Foster about Vikings.

6. The Bushwick Starr and Target ManTheater's Unknown Williams Festival brings you lesser-known Tennessee Williams works besides good old Street Car Named Desire and the other usual suspects. The whole thing kicks off at Bushwick Starr tonight with a performance of Williams' Peaceable Kingdom at 7:30 p.m. for $12.

7. There might be a permanent floating pool coming to Brooklyn Bridge Park. [Curbed]

8. Converse has come out with a line of Clash-inspired shoes. [Daily Swarm]

Hot DâM-FunK at Bowery Ballroom

2010-03-11T21:44:52Z

For all you '80s kids out there, don't fret: One man still knows how to rock a keytar, and I'm not talking about Rick James. Last night at the Bowery Ballroom, former G-funk bassist and synthy instrumental funk master DâM-FunK boogied down with the audience to his retro R&B-infused beats. The spirit of funk was alive and well. We caught up for a quick chit-chat with the man who has been deemed the "Ambassador of Boogie Funk" to talk about the show and feeling sexy.

How would you describe the crowd tonight?
Very intellectual and ready to party. They know the music. They know all the post genres. They know all the politics. They know we know, you know. We funkin' though. That's what we proved tonight.

Funk is sexual music. What's the sexiest thing about performing funk?

The way it makes you feel inside when you glide. You remember a certain age, riding in your parents' car, or your friend's car, when one of you got your first car at 16. Like when we first fell in love with somebody we cannot forgot. Those are the types of feelings we're trying to bring back with funk. All the positive things. Keep the funk in it.

What do you think the future of funk is?
I want to keep shit tight for all the funksters that came before me who let me do this, because now I can. All the respect to all the cats like Rick James, Steve Arrington, Sly Stone, Kevin McCord, Steve Washington, Leone Sylvers, Carol Macintosh, and my man Prince who is still doing his thing. This is for the legacy who got what funk deserved. This is what we doing y'all. DâM-FunK, love y'all. Stay up.

Electric Literature Tells a Story in a Single Sentence Animation

2010-03-11T20:45:57Z

Electric Literature is a new kind of literary quarterly of contemporary short fiction. Undaunted by the cries of "print is dead," co-editors and publishers Andy Hunter and Scott Lindenbaum embrace "every viable format: eBook, audiobook, Kindle, iPhone, paperback." Part of their "greater mission is to use new media and innovative distibutions, claiming to be the first literary magazine to publish on the iPhone and the first to launch a YouTube channel. Rick Moody's story "Some Contemporary Characters," which appears in the latest print version of the magazine, was first published on twitter "as a three day experiment in micro-serialization." True to their mission, they have also commissioned single sentence animation videos, their latest for Matt Sumell's story, "Little Things," animated by Vance Reese, is posted above.

Storefront: Any Old Iron Opens Tonight in the L.E.S.

2010-03-11T19:59:49Z

The Lower East Side is home to some of the city's freshest pint-sized specialty stores and is often my go-to neighborhood when scavenging for unique gifts and garb. The latest addition to the L.E.S. roster, Any Old Iron, hails from England. Named after an old English music hall song about the importance of accessorizing, Any Old Iron specializes in UK-specific menswear brands, a majority of which will be entirely exclusive to the Orchard Street outpost. Amongst them are Sir Tom Baker's rock-inspired suiting, Bolongaro Trevor's mod-tastic line, and Child of Jago, a collaborative brainchild of Vivienne Westwood's son Joe Corre and partner Simon "Barnzley" Armitage. The well-curated shop, opening tonight, will also offer items from established Brit labels Fred Perry, London Undercover and Unconditional. To boot, Anglophiles can purchase all the antique retail floor furnishings, handpicked by founders Andrew Clancey and Christopher Melton, and a rare selection of whimsical accessories. Definitely worth a visit.

Any Old Iron
149 Orchard St.
Lower East Side
(212) 254-4404

Nothing Standard About This Sound

2010-03-11T18:59:24Z

The Standard Hotel never compromises for anything less than a posh and charming evening. Their newly launched Standard Sounds series, regular private concerts held at all four of the Standard's locations, recently played host to Diego Garcia, who performed at the Standard New York's third floor New York High Line Room accompanied by the riveting solos of cellist Danny Bensi. It was a perfect night to celebrate the arrival of spring with a fashionable crowd which included Helena Christensen, Nicole Miller, Topper Mortimer, Meredith Ostrom, Sari Gueron and Stephanie La Cava.

Karl Lagerfeld's Ice Breaker

2010-03-11T18:16:33Z

Here it is, an up-close shot of Karl Largerfeld-commissioned gargantuan iceberg! Shipped from Sweden to Paris' Grand Palais for Monday's Chanel ready-to-wear presentation, the 25-foot iceberg has been a hot topic of Paris Fashion Week. Is this a statement on climate change, or an over the top stunt that overpowered the collection? You decide.

Restaurant of the Week: The Mark Restaurant by Jean Georges

2010-03-11T16:46:35Z

In 1985, Tama Janowitz's Slaves of New York shone a light on what is now a common city truism: Many relationships are a matter of real estate. Take a look at the eateries cozying up to hotels all over town -- The Breslin at the Ace, Maialino at The Gramercy and Ma Peche at the Chambers, to name a recent few. The latest marriage of convenience: Jean-Georges Vongerichten (whose flagship has nestled comfortably in the Trump International since 1997) and The Mark, where people with shiny shoes, tailor-made suits and polished reputations (Chuck Scarborough at the next table) fill a tawny-toned dining room. Towering ceilings with a celestial skylight, glass and copper panels and plush banquettes pinstriped in amber outfit the space. The vast menu serves both mass appeal (gourmet pizzas, a raw bar) and discerning palates, foreshadowed by the amuse-bouche -- a crisp fritter of black truffle and comte cheese. Hamachi sashimi ($17), sauced with yuzu, is pounded as thin as carpaccio and garnished with teeny dices of radish, avocado and mushroom, as if made by a Zen craftsman. Pastas rarely excite me anymore, but just when I felt I had seen it all, out came hand-cut angel hair ($14) with smoky baby Brussels sprouts, aromatic basil, salty pistachio, and a surprising hint of mint and punch of chili. The bed of couscous under my branzino ($25) was just as feathery light as angel hair, sopping up the Mediterranean mix of olives, preserved tomato and Swiss chard. The meal ended on an equally divine note with profiteroles ($9) stuffed with fresh whipped cream and vanilla ice cream, drizzled with shaved milk chocolate and a devilishly rich dark chocolate sauce. If the quality endures, this is a match made in real estate heaven.

The Mark Restaurant by Jean Georges
25 E. 77th St., (212)606-3030
www.themarkhotel.com

Stage Notes: The Cocktail Party

2010-03-11T15:10:59Z

This is a revival of the most successful play written by T.S. Eliot, the brilliant poet, playwright and literary critic. First done on Broadway 60 years ago, it ran for 400 performances and won the Tony Award of 1950 for Best Play. Here it's being produced by The Actors Company Theatre, and directed by co-artistic director Scott Alan Evans. The play's action takes place at a cocktail party in a fashionable London flat in 1949. The people who arrive at the party are confused when they notice that their expected hostess is missing and a strange man, who no one knows, seems quite at home. When first staged, Alec Guiness played the mystery stranger. I spoke with director Evans.

Hello, Scott. I recall reading this play in high school, but never have seen it done.
That's what our company is all about: doing plays that you have always wanted to see, and you wonder why they are never done.

Tell me about this one then.
Like any great work of art, this play has a lot of meaning in it. Back when it was first done, people were obsessed with the idea of "What does it mean?" and Eliot answered them with, "It means whatever it means to you." He also said, "If Shakespeare were living, you wouldn't ask him, 'What is Hamlet about?', because it's about a lot of things. But, basically, the play is about redemption and love; love in all its many forms, and how we reconcile our existence through love.]]> What are we going to see?
What Eliot has done is, he's taken the typical drawing room comedy structure and infused it with incredible intelligence and big themes. So he's taken a rather frivolous form and he's using it to explore some profound truths. With that said, there's a lot of humor in the play.

So set the scene for us.
It's set in a fashionable London flat of this couple, Edwin and Lavinia Chamberlayne. He's a barrister, it's 1949, and they're hosting a party; and there is an unidentified guest.

And the hostess is missing.
A big part of the play is the mystery. Why is the hostess not there? And who is this other person? So the mystery is slowly revealed throughout the play. As it goes on, you get more and more clues. It's kind of like "Lost".

I love it that you compare a play written by the man who wrote "The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock" to a modern TV show.
What you also have with the play is incredible language. He was the most well-known poet of modern times, and the play is in verse. But he felt that, in theater, the verse had to disappear. It was only to serve the drama. So you hardly notice the poetry. When you hear it, it reaches your subconsciousness.

The Beckett Theatre on Theatre Row, 410 W. 42nd St., (212) 279-4200. Previews Mar. 3, opens Mar. 17. Mon., Wed.-Fri., 7:30 p.m.; Sat., 2 & 8 p.m.; Sun., 3 p.m. $36.25-$56.25.

A Homemade Haven Pops Up in Greenpoint

2010-03-10T22:14:13Z

Calling all crafty New Yorkers! Hand-sewn handbag company Sew Moni and TheShinySquirrel.com, an essential site for finding one-of-a-kind clothes, art and jewelry, are taking over Greenpoint antique shop Kill Devil Hill this weekend to bring you Homemade: Brooklyn, a three-day pop-up shop featuring locally made goods from Brooklynites. Designers with products for sale, include Brooklyn Rehab, who re-purposes found objects, Gold Tooth stationary, Loyalty and Blood, who make a mean tote bag, and Soverign & Beck, who make cute neckties for cute dudes. Sweet treats, cookies, and snacks from Bam's Beef Jerky and Dana Myer granola will also be available. The homemade icing on the cake ? Brooklyn Skillshare will be on hand Saturday and Sunday morning to offer DIY classes.

"Lost Rockers" Found

2010-03-10T21:41:30Z

Rock journalist Steven Blush and filmmaker Paul Rachman are back, digging up more stories about the tumultuous lives of the rock 'n' roll biz. After joining forces a few years ago on American Hardcore, a documentary that chronicled the vanishing world of the underground Hardcore scene, the duo is back in production with Lost Rockers. I can still remember watching American Hardcore with a roomful of people from that scene and hearing the howls of laughter that greeted one tale after another. As they wrote on their kickstarter page where they are raising money to complete the film, "Lost Rockers reveals great musicians overlooked by pop culture. It offers insight into what it takes to 'make it,' and why so many of equal talent to famous stars fall through the cracks. The film tells the life stories of these forgotten artists -- of different eras, genres, creeds and orientations -- from their doomed paths to fame to their ultimate redemption. You'll experience amazing music you can't believe you never heard." Next week, Blush and Rachman are interviewing New York Dolls founder Rick Rivets, original Pretenders drummer Gass Wild, Evie Sands and Cherry Vanilla. They've also been invited by the late Marc Bolan's girlfriend Gloria to the "Blood Diamonds" region of Sierra Leone, for the opening of her Marc Bolan School of Music. They're hoping to have a rough cut by 2111's film fest season.

Peter Davis' Status Update: Fashion's Future Stars Show at Fusion

2010-03-10T19:59:41Z

While fashion editors perched front row at the Paris shows and Oscar red carpet looks were being dissected all over the world, two of America's best fashion schools, Parsons The New School of Design and The Fashion Institute of Technology staged Fusion, a style showdown at Parson's in the Garment District (on the same catwalk used to film Project Runway). Unlike most fashion spectacles, Fusion, now in it's 11th year, is more rowdy competition than staid couture show. Edgy designers, decked-out students and fans from both fashion schools hoot and holler for their favorite designers. Of the 15 designers (each showing 5 looks) from each school, F.I.T. came away with the Best School award and 31-year-old Nathan Green's menswear took designer of the year ("this just isn't fair," griped one attendee. "Nathan is 31. The rest of these students are all 18-20). The judges included GQ's Damien Nunes and Teen Vogue's Mary Kate Steinmiller. My favorite looks? From Parsons: the sophisticated chic black tie party looks of 20-year-old Logan Samuelson and Nathan Green's multi-buckle futuristic leather trench coat and hooded cowl-neck sweaters. From F.I.T., Danae J. McCarthy stood out with a short skirt of multi-color leather bands and a dress with shoulders armored with leather triangles. F.I.T's Mackenzie Sam showed bohemian menswear that was like the Olsen twins hobo-chic meets Alexander Wang -- all layers and slouchy leather and frayed edges. Past Fusion designers have included Chris Benz, Prabal Gurung, Vena Cava and Alexander Wang so remember these four names as Fusion is famous for forecasting fashion's next big things.

Photos by William Wang

Eight Items or Less: Mad Men Barbies & MEN at Mercury Lounge

2010-03-10T19:08:44Z

1. Mattel is coming out with a line of Mad Men Barbies. Surprisingly, Jon Hamm looks nothing like his Ken doll. [NYT]

2. JetBlue is handing out free airline tickets in New York today. They were down in the Financial District this morning and now they're heading to Rockefeller Center. Find out where they're going next on their Twitter account. [@JETBLUE]

3, KISS is apparently working on a kids television show. Their press release describes it as a "television series that galvanizes the band's iconic personas for its young fans." And by "young fans" they mean 50-year-old men. [Daily Swarm]

4. Freddy's Bar and Backroom in Prospect Heights is screening three local films tonight: Battle of Brooklyn, about the Atlantic Yards project, Fit to Print, newspapers' current dark days and A Hole in the Fence, about an empty lot in Red Hook. Filmmakers will be on hand to present their work. The event starts at 8:30 p.m. [Freddy's Bar and Backroom]

5. Oh dear. Someone has has created a Facebook page titled "My Sister Said If I Get One Million Fans She'll Name Her Baby Megatron." The baby isn't due until August, and the page already has 869,800 fans. [Facebook]

6. MEN, featuring Le Tigre's JD Samson, girlfriend d' recent PAPERMAG interviewee Sia, are playing tonight at Mercury Lounge. [Mercury Lounge]

7. Here's a frightening video of French shoppers going nuts for the new Sonia Rykiel collection at H&M. [Buzzfeed]

8. Hot Chip just announced they're playing at Central Park Summer Stage August 4th. American Express and Venue pre-sales started today at 11 a.m. [Ticketmaster via Brooklyn Vegan]

More Boys In Underpants: David DeCoteau's The Pit & the Pendulum

2010-03-10T17:44:12Z

Out on DVD is The Pit & The Pendulum, the latest homoerotic oddness from director David DeCoteau, whose perverse films like The Brotherhood, Voodoo Academy and The Brotherhood II: Young Warlocks I really enjoy for their subversive nature and prolific shots of boys in their underwear. In this, part of a series DeCoteau did for the Here! network, seven hot college athletes answer an ad for hypnosis therapy and end up at a remote mansion run by the crazy daughter of a notorious doctor who enjoyed curing patients of their fear by killing them. In no time the boys and girls are in their skivvies and in grave danger. Great wrestling scenes with boys in boxers and briefs, and a stripped down weightlifting scene that ends badly. A young handsome blonde lad who chases "extreme weather" makes out with his male roommate and even two ladies find find themselves making out after too much wine. And yes there is a big fake giant pendulum at the end swinging dangerously over a hot boy. DeCoteau surely has an eye for cute kids in or out of their pants, and the weird tease of his films just cracks me up.

Canteen Magazine's Arty Living Room Gala

2010-03-10T16:32:38Z

Sometimes, a man's home is more than just his castle -- it's also his museum. Such is the case for Arnold and Pam Lehman, who, this past Thursday, opened their Brooklyn Heights home and private art collection in order to play hosts to a gala benefitting Canteen magazine. Founded three years ago by Stephen Pierson and Sean Finney, Canteen is a biannual journal of literature and arts that explores how writers and artists -- even chefs, glasswalkers, and CIA agents -- do what they do. Canteen also operates CanTEEN, a writing program in Harlem for underprivileged youth.

Guests that evening were surrounded by the Lehman's curatorial treasures -- from a rhinestone and acrylic Mickalene Thomas painting, to a Fernando Mastrangelo sculpted entirely from sugar and coffee. And, if one were to turn away from the art-bedecked walls, tables, and chairs for just a moment, there was food prepared by Michelin-starred chef Kurt Gutenbrunner, and cocktails mixed by Porterhouse's James Menite -- delicious, yet slightly dangerous, lest one should accidentally bump into a gold Terrence Koh hummingbird mounted nearby.

Under the watchful gaze of a Kehinde Wiley portrait presiding over the living room, authors Justin D. Taylor and Porochista Khakpour worked with portable typewriters and index cards, serving as literary fortune tellers to the gala's attendees, who included Bjork and artist Matthew Barney, author Stephen Elliott, Daniel Power, Nancy Stephens, Pulitzer-prize nominated playwright Gina Gionfriddo, photographer Susan Meiselas, Nina Collins, Alan Miller, Gigantic magazine founders Rozalia Jovanovic and Ann DeWitt, artist Vincent Como, and Stephanie Berger.

As benefits go, the writerly, casual elegance of the Canteen magazine gala sparkled like the sequins and pearls of a Hew Locke sculpture -- one of which, as luck would have it, could be found on a side table in the living room.

Photos courtesy of Reka Nyari

Kathryn Bigelow's Punk Roots

2010-03-10T15:54:06Z

Today Kathryn Bigelow is basking in the glow of her Best Director and Best Picture Oscars for Hurt Locker, but before ascending to the heights of Hollywood celebrity she was a member in good standing of the downtown punk scene of the late '70s and early' 80s. Living on Water Street, she shared a loft with filmmaker and costume designer Karin Luner in a building that also housed artist Robert Longo and rocker Hal Ludacer. Dressed in cowboy boots and jeans, she was a regular at The Mudd Club, a hub of downtown nightlife where art, music, film, media and fashion people intersected. Her student film from Columbia University -- where she took classes with Susan Sontag and Vito Acconci -- The Set-Up (1978), portrays two men (including Gary Busey) fighting each other in split-screen as semiotic provocateur Sylvère Lotringer deconstructs the images in voice over. Luner told me that she remembers Bigelow as "totally driven. She really knew what she wanted to do. One time she was working on a script of a Bataille story and she must have rewritten it 150 times; she was so determined to get it right." Her first full-length feature was The Loveless (1982), a biker movie which she co-directed with Monty Montgomery that in addition to Willem Dafoe included downtown scenesters Robert Gordon, Danny Rosen and Tina L'Hotsky with costume design by Luner.