'Nobody puts Baby in a corner'

Relive the summer of 1963 (in 1987) all over again when "Dirty Dancing" returns to the big screen Tuesday and Wednesday at 7:30 p.m.

Galleria Mall 12 in Poughkeepsie and Hudson Valley Mall 12 in Kingston will help celebrate the 20th anniversary of the film that launched (and ended) the singing career of dancer/actor Patrick Swayze. Remember "She's Like the Wind"?

"Dirty Dancing," set in the Catskills but filmed at Mountain Lake Hotel in Virginia, also provided me with a great line to use on icky men at clubs: "This is my dance space. This is your dance space. I don't go into yours, you don't go into mine."

What's your favorite line from this seminal '80s movie? Comment below.

Daring to get a haircut in the valley

I have found great Hudson Valley alternatives to New York City dining, drinking and shopping. But the one NYC creature comfort I have refused to give up is my haircut.

Too many Hudson Valley, ahem, "stylists" are still sporting the big bangs and frizz perms of their high school days. How can you trust someone who hasn't updated their own look in 20 years? (I acknowledge that the asymmetrical cuts of the 1980s have seemed to make a comeback, but that's not what I'm talking about.)

For many years I have been a loyal client of Beehive in Brooklyn. They were booked my last trip down there so I got a last-minute cut at the very excellent Commune, a Japanese salon. (Their work created the look in my blog sig at left.)

But I think I'm finally ready to take a leap of faith and get a cut here at one of two very promising salons:

The first, Salon Arje in Beacon, specializes in "trend cuts." It invites clients to "let the artist within us bring out the beauty within you." A glass of wine is provided.

The second, Le Shag in Kingston, specializes in "new trend hair coloring and cuts. In addition to this, Le Shag offers make up classes, and Mimosa Morning Saturdays with pedicures and manicures."

Have you been to either of these places? Are there other Hudson Valley salons that you trust to your precious tresses? Comment below.

Review of Clubhouse

So as you know I went dancing at the Bearsville Theater on Friday. Things started out slow, even though the music was amazing. But once the promoters finally turned down the lights — what took you so long? — the crowd relaxed and got its groove on.

As Patricia commented in my previous post: "Music was pretty darn good. It's hard to find a place to dance around here and the crowd really got going after a while. Also a real mix of people."

A mix of people is right. There were aging rockers, young club kids, hipsters, a young woman who was dressed like Madonna during her "True Blue" days and some guy who looked like he just stepped out of an episode of "Starsky and Hutch."

Drag queen Isis Vermouth, surrounded by an entourage of adoring friends, passed out glostix to everyone on the dance floor.

And the music. I can't gush enough. The resident turntablists Lemar Soulflower and Anthony Molina really knew how to excite the crowd.

All around a great night. Can't wait for the next one.

A peek at my weekend plans

Tonight: Cocktails with coworkers at Shadows on the Hudson in Poughkeepsie, followed by dancing at Bearsville Theater near Woodstock.

Saturday: Going to hear Hopewell play at the Kingston Museum of Contemporary Arts, followed by beers at Keegan Ales.

Sunday: Sleep in.
Brunch at Le Canard in K-town.

BBQ road stand opens for season Friday

CIA grad Rob VanVoorhis of All Smoked Up will be cooking up his gourmet barbecue on Friday on Route 55 in Beekman.


Three days a week (unless he's catering a party) VanVoorhis sets up his 13-foot smoker and serves a loyal lunchtime crowd.

I cut and pasted Friday's menu below:


~ Lobster Mac & Cheese W/ Cabot Extra Sharp Cheddar & Lotsa Lobster!! $8
~ New Potato Gratin W/ Gruyere $4
~ Pulled Pork Sandwich W/ ASU Slaw $6 (Not Spicy)
~ Prime Rib Sandwich W/ ASU Slaw $10 (cherry wood smoked)
~ Smoked Duck W/ Blackberry Gastrique & Warm Cabbage Slaw $12
~ Baby Back Ribs $ 18 per rack or $10 a half rack
~ Half Pound Beef Frank W/ Kraut on an 8" Grinder Roll $5
~ Soda $1

Serving from 10:30 to 1:30 or until it's gone...........All Smoked Up will be roadside as the weather permits (no wind, no rain & sunshine) are the criteria!!

Hopewell to play free HV show

Just got an e-mail from Adam Snyder at the Kingston Museum of Contemporary Arts that Brooklyn's Hopewell (whose members hail from the Hudson Valley) will be making the rounds this weekend.

The rock band, which just played SXSW, will appear at Snyder's art gallery on Saturday at 7 p.m. for a rare semi-acoustic show.

Members of the band and Snyder all have Mercury Rev in common.

Hopewell will be joined by special guests Mark Marinoff from Poughkeepsie and Micky Mercurio from Syracuse.

From Snyder: "please arrive early; this is a free show but you can pitch in for gas money and/or support the bands by buying their cds; please b.y.o.b. and come prepared for some great music."

On Sunday, Hopewell will play Cabaloosa in New Paltz as part of a benefit party for the re-election of Mayor Jason West. I'm assuming that show is not free.

See you out and about. Should be cool.

Keegan Ales tap room opens

I stopped by Keegan Ales in Kingston on Saturday to check out the new tap room.

The space, with an open floor plan and exposed brick walls, is spare but cozy. There are a few stools around the bar. More seating is provided by beer garden-style picnic tables and old couches.

For just three bucks I got a freshly brewed Old Capital served in a mason jar. Nice touch.

My mate went upscale and ordered Keegan's special Belgian-style Old Capital ($5).

Besides serving Old Capital, Hurricane Kitty and Mother's Milk, the taproom also has a full bar and features other favorite New York breweries: Captain Lawrence, Blue Point, Brooklyn and Ommegang.

We didn't get a chance to sample the food menu, which includes Keegan's Irish Stew, sandwiches and soups.

Free homemade chocolate chip cookies were served, thanks to Tommy Keegan's wife.

Are you a Keegan Ales fan? What do you think of the new taproom?

DIY flowers for DIY brides

The do-it-yourself lifestyle has made its way into wedding planning. Crafty brides with individual senses of style are baking cakes, designing and making dresses and turning iPods into deejays.

A DIY wedding is cost effective, plus it gives brides the freedom to express themselves.

Stems, a Red Hook-based floral designer, which has c.o.u.t.u.r.e. ($5,000 and up) and ready 2 wear ($3,500 average) packages, also offers Stems d.i.y.

"This service (d.i.y.) isn't just about saving money, but is a great option for a specific bride with a hands-on approach to design, and who may have seen floral designs in magazines, but don't know where to purchase the products they need," Stems says on its Web site.

A d•i•y bride will receive a "recipe card," which includes how to care for the flowers she buys from Stems, the breakdown of floral elements and other ingredients, and how to put pieces together.

The monochromatic mumballs (see photo) are an eye-catching option.

Brides and their friends and family may also schedule a workshop for an in-studio lesson for the specific designs in the wedding.

Are you a DIY bride? Comment below or write me at kmurray@poughkeepsiejournal.com.

Amber Tamblyn, new indie princess?

Forget "General Hospital." Significant roles in intelligent films and poetry writing are the MO for Amber Tamblyn, who stars in "Stephanie Daley," a film shot in the Hudson Valley and being screened as a fundraiser for the Dutchess County Arts Council's arts fund on Sunday at 1:30 p.m. at Upstate Films in Rhinebeck.

As of this writing, advance tickets -- $20 -- were still available for the screening, Q&A with director and New Paltz resident Hilary Brougher and reception.

"Stephanie Daley," about a 16-year-old (played by Tamblyn) who is accused of concealing her pregnancy and killing her infant, premiered at the Woodstock Film Festival in October.

It also stars Tilda Swinton, Timothy Hutton and the Hudson Valley's own indie queen, Melissa Leo.

"Stephanie Daley" opens in New York City on April 20. Catch it in Rhinebeck first.

Animated shorts in Rhinebeck

Upstate Films, everyone's favorite indie moviehouse, is screening "The Animation Show 3" tonight at 8:20 and Wednesday and Thursday at 6 p.m.

The series of animated shorts, curated by Mike Judge and Don Hertzfeldt, is an international mix of Academy Award nominees and filmfest winners.

"City Paradise" (right), about a young woman who discovers a secret underground city inhabited by friendly aliens, uses a mix of live action, 2D and 3D animation.

Ron Wrake's "Rabbit" employs Dick and Jane style illustration to tell the story of a boy and girl who find an idol in the stomach of a rabbit.

"The Animation Show 3" is rated PG-13.

Tickets cost $7.50 and $4.50 for members.

Update on BYOW

Just returned from vacation and thumbing through the April 6 edition of Enjoy!

Zorona, a Middle Eastern restaurant on Raymond Avenue in Poughkeepsie, is advertising that it is a Bring Your Own Wine restaurant.

So now there are two yummy choices for BYOW (and BYOB) near Vassar College: Zorona and Kismat.

(2004 photo by Poughkeepsie Journal photographer Kathy McLaughlin)

On the quest for 'cue in the HV

Doing the jaunt up and down I-95 this week, I've been able to sample some delicious barbecue, one of America's greatest culinary gifts to the world. Around these parts North Carolina style, distinguished by pork with a vinegar-based sauce, is king.

But my favorite style is Memphis, which in the last 10 years has been embraced by New Yorkers with a fervor.
But you don't even have to travel as far south as New York City, home of Blue Smoke, Daisy May's BBQ and Dinosaur Bar-B-Que, to get some amazing 'cue.

I can't get enough of the pulled pork platter at Hickory Barbecue and Smokehouse, located on Route 28 between Kingston and Woodstock.

I'm also a fan of Max's Memphis BBQ in Red Hook.

Still on my list to sample: Biggy's BBQ Bistro in New Paltz, Rob VanVoorhis' roadside stand on Route 55 in Beekman and that kiosk that recently popped up on Main Street in Poughkeepsie.

Have you been to any of these local barbecue haunts? Which ones are missing from my list? Comment below.

Embrace your inner 13-year-old

Greetings from South Carolina, where I am spending a few relaxing days.

I just got an e-mail from Johnny LeHane, a Dutchess County resident and one of the founders of The World Adult Kickball Association.

This Thursday the New York Mid Hudson division kicks off its second spring season at Bright Horizons at Casperkill Recreation Center, followed by happy hour at Mahoney's Irish Pub and Restaurant.

The New York Deal Division has already started its Tuesday pickup games at the Red Rooster, just off Route 9 in Staatsburg.

And good news for Ulster County residents, Johnny tells me that the kickball association is finalizing plans for New Paltz division, which will play Sundays beginning in June or July.

All nights start at 6:30pm.

To register, visit the WAKA Web site or stop by Mahoney's after the 6:30 p.m. pickup games.

Read my Poughkeepsie Journal story about the association here.