KARAOKE
What is it about Monday that breeds melancholia? Is it the ponderous distance from Friday, the insipid conflux of responsibility and duty, or the tethering embraces of socialization? Rumor has it that “everything that rises must converge,” therefore, rise we must: above the miasmic, ennui-inducing strands of our proletarian lots! So let us ascend from the ashes of ambition, and combat the stultifying grind of the “everyday” by indulging in a little frivolity.
Day by day we crawl towards salvation—the glorious beacon of freedom and fleeting mercy that is Friday—only to repeat the endless Tantalusian cycle anew by weekend’s end. In order to maintain homeostasis (as well as sanity) we must temper desire with duty, in this finely honed balancing act of existence. In that light, here’s the rundown of the weekly restoratives, guaranteed to revitalize and reinvigorate even the most jaded of souls!
November is all the rage at 116 MacDougal. There are events up the wazoo happening at this historic venue and there is a 2-for-1 happy hour every night until 9pm (even during events). Whether you're into LOLing, poetry readings, singing till you have no voice or listening to others sing till they drop, there is an event (or two, or three...) for you at 116. Check out their schedule of events below!
For laughs:
Mondays 11/07, 11/14, 11/21 & 11/28, 8pm
Gaslight Refueled
Live stand-up with comics from Last Comic Standing, Comedy Central, Howard Stern Show, NBC, BBC, WeTV, and more. Vicky Kuperman hosts. Karaoke follows!
No cover, no drink minimum, 2 for 1 drinks until 9pm
Located on the outskirts of West Chicago in Berwyn, IL, La Espanola Tapas Bar offers weekly specials, such as 3.99 tapas from Sunday through Thursday, 9.99 pitchers of sangria and an entire songbook of Spanish and English songs, ranging form Bachata to smooth jazz. This bar is the perfect place for a celebratory event, a brisk dinner or an evening out with friends.
Some of the dishes are true to their Spanish tradition of tapas, offering delicate combinations of choriso, sauteed garlic, olive oil, peppers and onions. They also have a fusion menu, in which a great deal of culturally-soaked ingredients marry in the same pan.
midweek (Wednesday & Thursday) designated for karaoke, Friday and Saturday, they host live music and Friday evenings are club night, where the music is turned up loud, and the dancing is nonstop until 3AM. Also, on the last Friday on the each month, Flamenco dancers make an exotic appearance.
If you're looking for outstanding customer service, delicious food, strong drinks and a bounty of songs for your belting pleasure, come here.
September may have been slammin', but October is even better at 116. There are events galore happening at this historic venue and there is a 2-for-1 happy hour every night until 9pm (even during events). Whether you're into LOLing, poetry readings, singing your socks off, or listening to others sing their socks off, there is an event (or two, or three...) for you at 116. Check out their stellar schedule of events below!
If you're looking for comedy:
Hey foodies, it's back! The annual Food Network Wine & Food Festival hits NYC Thursday, September 29th-Oct 2, and we couldn't be more excited. This year's line up includes a whole slew of seminars, meet and greets, special speakers, celebrity personalities and our personal favorite -tastings! The massive, star-studded agenda features some amazing events including:
- Cake Decorating with Duff Goldman and Charm City Cakes
- Patron Tequila's The Art of the Taco presented by Creekstone Farms hosted by Bobby Flay
- TimesTalks with Guy Fieri
- Cocktails and Caviar at Dream Downtown hosted by Debi Mazar and Gabriele Corcos
- Rock & Roll with Morimoto and Friends - A Sushi and Karaoke Soiree
- Whole Foods Market presents New Culinary Discoveries with David Bouley
Brando's Speakeasy, the quaint downtown establishment, boasts an intimate lounge with an unyielding supply of dancing, drinking, and karaoke. The doors open at 10:00am daily and don’t close until 2:00am (3am on Saturdays). Between those hours, the friendly staff tentatively welcomes patrons of every background into their warm, cozy, and dim atmosphere. The bar is the perfect setting for reunions, a girls' night out, or, if you're brave, you can finally live those fantasies of singing "Don't Stop Believing" outside the shower.
One of Brando’s most notable attractions is their raised platform and well-tuned karaoke machine at the head of the speakeasy. The machine is plum-loaded with 250,000 songs: lyrics and music loaded for anything from 1960’s ballads to present day hits. When you decide to take a seat, the MC/DJ plays a rotation of dance-inducing music and nod-worthy soundtracks.
For all of us who wished we had a melodious voice, rather than one which makes people's ears bleed, karaoke is the solution for our Broadway complex. People with awesome vocal cords who can hit a high note are also welcomed (just make sure you're prepared for the singing impaired). Eating and drinking will make this a pretty perfect outing. Below is our list of the best karaoke bars in the city!
Disclosure: Karaoke addiction is a risk. You've been warned.
Whether you’re a tone-deaf diva, a superstar with stage fright, or just a drunken college chick who likes to rock out, National Karaoke Week is fun for everyone. This week is dedicated to our favorite Japanese import, sorry Toyota Prius, and we’ve compiled a list of our top ten favorite sing-a-longs to help you pick the perfect tune to serenade your friends, family, and fellow songbirds.
1. Bohemian Rhapsody (Queen, 1975)
Quite possibly the most famous car ride sing along of all time, you don’t need to be Wayne or Garth to get down to this classic rock song.
Valentine's Day can sometimes seem like the end of the world for us single folk - every two people walking down the street together appear to be in a relationship and seemingly every romantic moment occurs right in front of you. In theory, an expensive, romantic dinner date with candlelight flickering between you and your significant other sounds lovely. But really, who wants to be stuck sitting in a boring restaurant when you can be surrounded by burlesque dancers and vampires, getting your fortune told, or singing vodka-soaked karaoke songs? Whether you're newly single or a veteran at the sport of going solo, the following events will pick your spirits up and get your face smiling in no time.
The Coolidge Corner Theatre
290 Harvard St,
Brookline, MA 02446
www.coolidge.org
Boston's most beloved independent movie theatre provides more than just your average cinematic experience. Their partnership with Austin-based company, The Action Pack, presents an interactive viewing experience. With events like sing-alongs and quote-alongs to cult favorites such as the Blues Brothers, Pulp Fiction, and (most recently) Moulin Rouge, even the most skiddish of patrons can't help but tap their feet and hum their clasic film favorites.
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