AMERICAN
The rumors have been spreading; the excitement building; the anticipation almost unbearable. Finally, after months of waiting, we get our first concrete fact about the imminent Sensation America Festival: launch party and official announcement coming May 31st. Where? Still undecided. How? Not sure yet. I guess the mists surrounding this are still thick, but hey, at least we have a date!
If you didn't read our last article introducing Sensation, I'll give you a short recap. Basically, it's by far the biggest and most extravagant dace party/concert/theater/production touring festival in the world. Starting every year in Amsterdam and traveling to more than ten different countries, Sensation sits firmly atop the EDM festival hierarchy. Once you see the intro video, you'll see why:
Yesterday afternoon, pop superstar and American Idol winner Kris Allen came to Robert Frost Middle School in Los Angeles to kick off Starburst's Music With The Masters Series; which benefits the VH1 Save The Music Foundation. The first of three events held in various cities over the coming months included Allen performing his hit single "Live Like We're Dying" with the school band and walking them on a tour through his musical history.
The presentation also featured Allen covering some of his favorite songs throughout time (including Coolio's "Gangstas Paradise" and to "keep the crowds interested," "Baby One More Time" by Britney Spears). He capped the presentation by performing his new hit "The Vision of Love." To top off the event, in conjunction with Starburst, he donated the piano used in both music video and his performance to the school. Overall, the event served as a great kick off to the series in conjunction with which Starburst is donated $250k to the VH1 Save The Music Foundation.
Let us be frank, Happy Hour has become synonymous with being the light at the end of the torturous work week’s tunnel. Any establishment offering half price drinks or “2 fers” from 4-8pm during the week is merely cheapening the sovereignty of this institution.
There exists an unspoken acknowledgement that lends Happy Hour the credence to be the quintessential harbinger of the weekend. As a conduit for transition, Happy Hour exists to motivate and revitalize the bedraggled proletariat. The proverbial “dangling carrot," Happy Hour is every bit as engrained within the American Ethos as fast food and materialism. Therefore, one may ponder: what makes it so successful?
When you hear the word “patriot” you think of the following: Tom Brady, Mel Gibson, and US soldiers (hopefully not in that order). Include yourself in this list by suiting up in red, white and blue this weekend in order to dance in your own little space. (Your scrap-book making grandma will be proud.)
You are more than capable of cramming the two-month British "holiday" into 72 hours because you bear arms and contribute to the greater good (better known global warming and national debt.) In a time where the Motherland is the main birther of DJs, let’s take a moment to remember the American-made artists who fuel your weekends and give you something more important to spend your hard-earned paycheck on than cheeseburgers-- memories made by music.
Those who think New York has everything New Jersey has (plus more) are greatly mistaken. Where else can you order a burger, fries and sesame chicken all in one restaurant? In addition to turnpikes, New Jersey has one of the most unique restaurants around: Baumgart's Cafe.
Located in Englewood, New Jersey, Baumgart's Cafe serves multi-national fare, combining chinese food with classic 1950's cuisine and decor. Sip their famously thick and creamy milkshakes at the counter or sit in a booth and order their tender yet crispy sesame chicken, a favorite of the locals. Whether it's just you and a friend or twenty of your nearest and dearest, Baumgart's has something to satisfy every craving. The best part: every portion size is generous and prices are reasonable, something that has become a rarity today.
Flannel shirts, denim jackets, and puffer vests, oh my! As the weather transitions from maxi dress and jeweled sandals to wool coat with over-the-knee boots, we need to adjust our wardrobes accordingly. Classic American is back in a big way, and here are some ways to honor the U.S. of A with your look and stay within your budget:
1. Fur-trimmed hoodie puffer vest from Gap – Ah, the classic American styles of the Gap. A perfect place to go for standard wardrobe staples and with the weather rapidly starting to dip, a nice fur-trim vest is just what the doctor ordered.
Oh, Germany…the country that takes credit for institutionalizing what could be termed “World-Wide Beer-Guzzling Month.” Brining together Germans and non-Germans alike, Oktoberfest is the time to indulge in grilled brats, warm pretzels, and endless streams of beer no matter where you live – unless you live in the worst place ever. Fortunately, DC embraces the gluttony with open arms, mouths, and the occasional lederhosen. While the official Oktoberfest has since wrapped up and moved on, starting this weekend DC will continue to feast on Munich’s leftovers and half-empty beer steins. Even better, some local restaurants provide us with a slice of Germany all year long. And we can’t thank them enough.
Sunburnt Calf
226 West 79th Street
(between Amsterdam Avenue
& Broadway)
New York, NY 10024
(212) 529-0005
www.thesunburntcow.com
Calling all lushes and carnivores! Step right up! Heathe St.
Clair, owner of The Sunburnt Cow and
Bondi Road, brings you the newest (and
drunkest!) sibling to his Australian family of down under restaurants: The Sunburnt Calf.
B Bar and Grill
Cuisine: American, Pub Food
Price Range: Moderate
East Village
40 E. 4th St.
(at Bowery)
New York, NY 10003
(212) 475-2220
www.bbarandgrill.com
Even after ten years in the business, B Bar, formerly Bowery Bar, is still a downtown mainstay. In the summer, the patio is the place to drink martinis and ogle the gorgeous waiters. In the cooler months, the interior of the restaurant, complete with diner-chic booths, an indoor bar and hanging paper lamps, is packed with a fashionable crowd.
Parlor Steakhouse
Cuisine: Steakhouse/American
Price Range: Expensive
Upper East Side
1600 Third Ave.
(at 90th Street)
New York, NY 10128
(212) 423-5888
www.parlorsteakhouse.com
Ask any Upper Eastsider and they’ll tell you that finding a good upscale steakhouse in their neighborhood is, well, rare. Featuring a chic, airy space with an exclusive feel, Parlor delivers just that. Executive chef, Lucas Billheimer, pays homage to his former digs, Lure Fishbar, by adding many seagoing options to the beefed up menu. The raw bar, which includes four types of oysters (the Kumamoto are standouts), is always fresh. The $24 Marinated Hanger Steak is the cheapest cut on the menu, and proves a surprisingly tender take on a classic. At $79 the Porterhouse for 2 is also a good value. And while it doesn’t seem possible, the Lobster Roll on Brioche ($24) is nearly outshined by its side of crispy fries and onion rings with a house made black truffle mayo.
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