With travel budgets being slimmed down, weekend destinations are becoming more popular. Along with pairing down expenses comes the pairing down of products of the products you need into compartmentalized, targeted beauty products. Italian hair company Davines launched the Essential Weekend kits to take your hair care routine on the road in a zippered pouch. Living in the Pacific NW, the humidity causes major frizz, so the Lovely Smoothing Kit ($16.50) was the perfect antidote to try. The Smoothing Shampoo worked into a slight lather leaving the hair feeling less wiry and silken. The ingredients are like a summer salad with prickly pear to add moisture, rice protein for a protective layer, olive oil as an emollient and olive amphoacetate for hydro lipid balance. The conditioner had a peculiar odor, but it was effective nonetheless. The formulation contains rice wax to nourish, vitamin E to protect from heat and mechanical tool damage, and borage oil to smooth and protect the hair. These products were tested among my male and female cohorts and no other previously used product was as successful in treating frizz. Hair was left flat, smooth, and less harsh. The drawback is the wax in the conditioner, which over time can leave a residue in your hair. This is why it is important to switch your hair products monthly.

Ashkan

Location: Coney Island, Brooklyn
Bands: Wilco Get Tickets Here
Show time: 8 PM
Venue: Keyspan Park
Food: Nathan’s Famous
Drink: Ruby's Old Tyme Bar and Grill
Miscellaneous: New York Aquarium

With their recently released self-titled album, Wilco come to Coney Island to play songs off their new album and plenty of the alt-rock hits we love from them. While you may not be a competitive hot dog eater, eating a hot dog, a corn dog, or even cheese fries at Nathan’s Famous goes back several generations. Expect long lines, but it’ll be worth it! Not just a tradition but an institution on the boardwalk, Ruby's Old Tyme Bar and Grill is a great dive bar for cheap drinks and watching local drunks belt out Rat Pack songs. It’s been open since 1896 and is the only one in the city, so if you’re going to be on Surf Avenue or nearby, check out the New York Aquarium where you can hang with sea otters, penguins, and seals, take a class, see an exhibition or a show at the Aquatheater.

The Treats concoct a vocal jazz feast for musical gourmets with the New York debut of “Decadence.”
Photo credit: Lisa Degroff







“I prefer to regard a dessert as I would imagine the perfect woman..” Graham Kerr.

“Drama is like a plate of meat and potatoes, comedy is the dessert—a bit like meringue” Woody Allen

The holiday fireworks started early at the Laurie Beechman Theatre on July 2, when New York’s newest female vocal trio The Treats dished up an hour-long delectable plunge through the decades of vintage and vocal jazz to a high-spirited and appreciative audience.

The dazzling vocal jazz flair of Katie Danielowski, Misha Faucher and Brooke Lyn Hetrick was backed up by the five-piece band The Populars (complete with horn section), while the creative orchestrations of Music Director, Paul Seiz, transformed nearly two dozen jazz favorites old and new into an “Eat Dessert First” flag-waving mélange of melodies.

More than a simple reprise of vintage “girl group” music—The Treats gourmet repertoire of tightly crafted sweet harmonies fueled the audience as the group jumped from the light and bouncy “Jitterbug” of the Wizard of Oz, to the WHAM version of the 80’s. Some of the songs in The Treats boxed sets showcased a delicacy within a delicacy—as the high-spirited singers unwrapped a fresh rendition of “Blue Skies” (that morphed into a soulful “My Funny Valentine”), and later in the set, the women delighted the audience with a high energy (or in this case high fructose) rendition of “Candyman” peeling off into a dynamic uptempo version of “Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy,” to wrap up the jazz fusion festivities.

Never allowing the audience to think they had dialed into the Food Network’s jingle-writing bootcamp—The Treats melted the room with the tightly crafted sultry harmonies of “In the Mood”—each line more breathy and imploring than the next. Yet in a flash—The Treats were off in a mess of moonlight halfway through the show with “Tu Vo Fa L’Americano” and then back in the mozzarella/try-an-enchilada kitchen with a piquant reprise of “Mambo Italiano” (featuring a spirited dance number with three handsome surprise Latino guest dancers joining The Treats on stage).

The trio of Danielowski, Faucher, and Hetrick are a group of poised and confident performers that show the ability to connect to an audience with spirit and panache.

Without a doubt the groups’ moniker is apt—for each song is truly a treat. No problem finding takers for a second helping.

Dana Marshall

I don't attend many battles. In my lifetime, large-scale military operations have been conducted in other countries, and I've never even visited a civil-war reenactment. Honestly, even a scrimmage makes me uneasy.


So, my choice to attend the Bubble Battle in Times Square in mid-June took major guts on my part. And I didn't even come armed. I showed up to the Newmindspace-sponsored event sans any bubble weaponry, and was amazed at how far bubble-technology has progressed since the mid 80s. Bubble wands, bubble guns, even bubble producing hats. And after being a weirdo who shows up to a bubble battle with only a Kodak Sport Single Use Camera (thanks, Kodak!), I was eventually donated some bubble ammo and a small hoop.


But even then I couldn't really attack anyone. The guy in goggles and pink camouflage was double-packing the bubble machine guns, and I knew I'd just be doused. It was far more fun to sit on a bench and blow bubbles in the general direction of bemused tourists and confused locals. And, with my trusty disposable Kodak waterproof camera, I had no worries about any damaged photos while engaged in battle.


After a few hours, the streets were slick with bubble juice and the sun began to set. Bubbles had proven to be uncooperative photo subjects, and lungs began to fatigue from blowing through soap-soaked hoops. I was proud to donate my bubble paraphernalia on to the newbies who arrived on the scene, eager for the thrill of battle. March on, brave minions. March on.

Paul Seiz

The Handsome Furs are everything I love about music; innovative, humorous, passionate and very very danceable. Even before the lights went down the duo’s unpretentious human quality was shining through. Coming out to set up their own equipment and plug in their own instruments; drum machine and keyboard bolted to a sturdy card table and a single electric guitar with a trio of pedals. The two musicians themselves held that same genuine feeling as they waved to the crowd, answered shouts from the front row and shook hands with a few folks as they got ready and then exited.

As the lights went out and the band came back on stage, the connection with the crowd remained, as both Dan and Alexi thanked everyone for coming and introduced the first song (about Financial Meltdown). As Alexi started up the drum machine, a solid wall of sound erupted, immediately setting the crowd to dancing.

Throughout the set I was just blown away by the energy and vibrancy of this act; Alexi was body mechanics in motion; a perfect human counterpart to the drum machine. She foot pounded and ballet positioned her way through each song, a mesh of controlled movements and tribal abandon. Like some pixie rabble rouser, her body bobbing and thrashing, she was nervous energy personified while coaxing the raw sound of the Eastern Bloc forth, only to collapse fully to the floor after each song, chest heaving with emotion and the need for air.

Dan was vibrant and looming, akin to an experienced pugilist organic and lunging while playing. Voice raw but powerful, he held his own amongst the pounding rhythms of the drum machine and keyboard, his guitar riffs sounding like a fist raised in victory and struggle. Standing upon his tiptoes more often than not as he blasted off powerful lick after lick, it was easy to see how the symbiosis of his own brazen energy meshed with hers.

Indeed, the vibe they created together was astoundingly comfortable, supportive, loving and wholly unapologetic. It’s rare to see such unpretentious emotion on stage and from start to finish the beauty of these people shined through. Continually thanking the crowd, expressing gratitude for listening and being interested, and even the small act of introducing the songs and what they were about all combined to create a genuine authenticity that is really rather precious. They lit up the state and filled the space to the brim.

The show was alternatively pounding dance rhythms and slow head bobbing electro-clash, while the light show transported me to an Eastern European discotheque. Bright greens, pinks, and yellows splashing across the stage as Dan hit chords, a disco-ball only added to the effect as spotlights roved over the crowd. What a crowd it was too, huge and packed into the rather roomy Bowery on a Tuesday night for an amazing headliner. The floor bucked and heaved with moving bodies as people shouted out their love and admiration from the balconies.

So obviously I’d suggest you check them out if you get a chance as their music evokes a distinctly Northern Hemispheric sound that strikes a chord from British Columbia all the way East to Moscow.

Kenneth Joachim

Friday July 10

The Zombies in the 60s perform their hit "She's Not There" on Top of the Pops.

Location: Union Square, NYC
Bands: Rock Royalty Concert Series Get Tickets Here
Show time: 9 PM
Venue: The Fillmore at Irving Plaza
Food: Momofuku
Drink: The Village Pourhouse
Miscellaneous: Sundaes and Cones

For all you audiophiles out there, this show is for you. The Zombies, The Yardbirds, and the Spencer Davis Group will all be here to play some of the best pop music ever created, all under one roof! If you like ramen noodles and pork, then Momofuku is your spot for food. The Berkshire pork is the best I’ve had and it’s the only place I’ll eat pork period, which should tell you just how good Momofuku really is! The Village Pourhouse looks like a neighborhood bar to watch sports but it actually has three more rooms, where you can order food or find a quiet place to smooch! For dessert a little left of the dial, Sundaes and Cones offers eclectic flavors like wasabi and corn and many more flavors that are familiar.

Friday July 10

Location: Lower East Side, NYC
Bands: The Pains of Being Pure at Heart
Show time: 6 PM; FREE
Venue: South Stree Seaport
Food: Burritoville
Drink: Jeremy’s Ale House
Miscellaneous: Century 21

Indie popsters The Pains of Being Pure at Heart head up this FREE show with Ribbons and Zaza. Check them out because they make good music and you will most likely want to dance. It’s Friday and it’s time to party. While most people buy hot dogs and grab a beer at expensive restaurants in the Seaport mall, you’ll be smart and head over to Burritoville for inexpensive and delicious California inspired burritos, all under $10. For drinks, Jeremy’s Ale House has a lively crowd and a beer list that will get you a pint for $5 and under. If you get down to the financial district early, check out Century 21. They won’t try to sell you some property, but they have some great designer clothing on the cheap, plus the place is huge to roam.

Saturday July 11

Location: Park Slope, Brooklyn
Event: Pretty in Pink Prom Night Get Tickets Here
Show time: 8 PM
Venue: Bell House
Food: Press 195
Drink: Union Hall
Miscellaneous: O’Connor’s

Relive one of the best or worst nights of your life at Pretty in Pink Prom Night. Inspired by the John Hughes film, this 80s themed Prom will feature music by The Engagements and will be chaperoned by Sara Schaefer and Dave Hill. The theme at Press 195 is pressed comfort food. A sandwich shop with quite the menu, they offer 30 types of delicious sandwiches like the turkey and fontina cheese sandwich with a cranberry and roasted pear chutney on ciabatta ($7.75). While Union Hall looks like a cabin at a ski resort with a fireplace, stone walls, comfy couches, and inexpensive drinks, you may want to stick around rather than barhop. A low-key bar in this hood, O’Connor’s is a hole in the wall where you can grab a cheap drink and watch the game on their TV, just like your grandpa sitting next to you!

Saturday July 11

Location: Long Island City, Queens
Event: P.S.1 WarmUp
Show time: 2 to 9 PM
Venue: P.S.1 Contemporary Art Center
Food: Sripraphai
Drink: Saints and Sinners
Miscellaneous: Baruirs

Performing music by the late Arthur Russell at P.S.1 WarmUp, Arthur’s Landing is made up of his old bandmates who are exploring the quieter side of his exuberant music. Joining them are DJ Danny Wang playing disco/house music and MV Carbon and Aki Onda who make offbeat music with whatever they can find. Being that you’re in Queens anyways, you HAVE to take the 7 train to Sripraphai, one of New York’s top Thai restaurants. What makes it better than most is the fact that the ingredients are fresh, and instead of choosing your entree with a choice of meat, they offer a novel sized menu with pics of every dish, most under $10. Once a heavily Irish neighborhood, Saints and Sinners is one of the best looking Irish bars left. Grab a Guinness at the bar or traditional Irish food. If you can, head over to Baruirs in Sunnyside for one of the best cups of coffee in Queens.

Sunday July 12

Location: Soho, NYC
Art: Black Acid Co-op
Show time: Tues to Sat: Noon to 6 PM; Through August 15
Venue: Deitch Projects
Food: Nha Trang
Drink: Naked Lunch
Miscellaneous: La Esquina

The third collaboration between artists Jason Lowe and Jonah Freeman, Black Acid Co-op takes us on a voyage of alchemy in a modern context by looking at counter-culture spaces in urban environments, and there will even be several rooms to explore. One of the best affordable Vietnamese restaurants in the city, Nha Trang is right near the downtown courthouse, making it a high volume place. Despite that, the food is great and the Pho (rice noodle soup) dishes are $5 and under. Named after William S. Burroughs novel, Naked Lunch is a cool and comfortable bar where local artists usually gather. No shooting up though! One of the best taqueria’s in the city, the Mexican food at La Esquina is authentic and to die for. While tacos will set you back $3, plates are in the $6 to $7.25 range.

Go to college. Get a degree. Become a rock star. This is not your grandma’s formula to greatness, but it is the path through which indietastic band the Harlem Shakes graduated to popular appeal.

Founded upon a nucleus of three Yale graduates, The Harlem Shakes recruited two more astute musicians to round out their "American Pop" sound: a meld of the 'Great American Songbook' with noticeably modern textures. Based on the crowd's deafening sing-along at the Bowery Ballroom on July 1st, one may assume with accuracy that the Shakes' songbook must be on the reading list of America's slightly over-educated yet rousingly upbeat generation of twentysomethings.

The lilting vocals of Lexy Benaim dripped manna into the lobes of a full house hell bent on jiving to orchestrated horns and peppy drum beats. Unlike other concerts, this crowd wasn't too blitzed to notice the fervent bass line alone--they were tuned into Benaim's lyrical musings, perhaps the byproduct of his past life as a Literature and Writing major.

Such smart content requires a hot rod to deliver it and the Shakes' combination of Latin percussion, jazz, classic rock, and indie sugarpop, make for the right set of wheels. The Harlem Shakes drove the crowd into a frenzy with songs from their older album as well as their latest ear candy titled Technicolor Health.

Nicole Velasco